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This is copied here with permission from The
Weatherford Democrat, July 23, 1956 issue.
Garden Study Club Carries on
Traditions of Beautiful Homes
by Mrs. Tom Redmon
 In order to carry on the tradition of well-managed
homes and beautiful surroundings of their city, a group of enterprising
young matrons sought help in organizing a Garden Club in which they
could learn, "from
scratch," the basic rules and principles of good landscaping, horticulture,
flower arrangement and kindred arts. So on May 8, 1949, the
following group met for discussion in the home of Mrs. E. B. Cartwright:
Betty Belcher, Frankie Carlisle, Barney Etter, Virginia Grafft,
Virginia Ann Littleton, Jeanne McCarty and Billy-Bob Swofford. They
were later to be known as Charter Members of the Garden Study club
of Weatherford which was founded on that date by mrs. E. B. Cartwright
under the sponsorship of the Weatherford Garden Club. It was
federated with Texas Garden, Inc. the same year. The pioneering
officers were: President, Jeanne McCarty, First Vice-President,
Frankie Carlisle; Secretary and treasurer, Virginia Grafft; and
Corresponding Secretary, Mary Jo Lee.
Charter Member, Virginia Ann Littleton, recalls that
the refreshments too at that first meeting were quite noteworthy
for those present partook of pound cake fresh from the freezer,
and it was the first such that she, and probably others, had ever
tasted.
Since that first meeting, always of primary importance
to the members has been the original purpose which is to stimulate
and encourage interest in gardening, the study of landscaping and
improvement of home grounds, the study and protection of native
flora and birds, and the preservation of points of natural beauty.
Also since origin, the Club has complied with the ruling
of the Texas Garden Clubs, Inc. that it have at least one authoritative
speaker on a garden subject each year. Even so, until the
year 1952-1953, programs consisted mainly of studies made by the
individual members on chosen garden topics. In this way, some
background was gained for further study.
Mrs. Morris Hare became Program Chairman for 1952-1953
and ushered in an entire year of programs featuring authorative
speakers. Mrs. Bonner Darby spoke on "Fall Planting for Spring
Bouquets" and Mrs. Cortez Wiley of Aledo presented a program on "Color
in Flower Arrangements." Two fort Worth guests included Mrs. Jesse
Martin with a feature on "Design in Dried Arrangements" and D.D.
Obert, City Forrester, who spoke on "Landscaping Small Home Grounds." Other
features of the year's program included "Slides and Talk on Wild
Flowers" by Mrs. Robert Bragg, "Gift Wrappings on Parade" by Miss
Ruby Jones and a book review by the noted book reviewer, Mrs. Jack
Martin.
During 1953-1954, under the program chairmanship of
Carlene Tinsley, the adventuresome spirit was continued and the
following programs were most enjoyably constructive: "The Art of
Table Settings," Mrs. A. Grant Fewsmith, Fort worth, "Points on
Grooming and Exhibiting Horticulture," Mrs. Jess Martin, Fort Worth: "Drying
- Cutting - Skeletonizing," Mrs. Reese L. Hayes, Olney, Texas; "Pre-Holiday
Ideas," Sally Sanson, fort Worth; "Fundamentals of Flower Arrangements," Mrs.
F. Verne Hanby, Fort Worth; "Garden Therapy," Mrs. Roy DeFee, Fort
Worth; "Pre-Flower Show Arrangement Analysis," Mrs. Cortez Wiley,
Aledo; and a Book Review, Mrs. Jack Martin, Weatherford.
For the 1954-1955 season, Program Chairman, Merel Hopkins
arranged for the following speakers which included two members of
the club; Lucille Blackledge, Mrs. Helen Wright, Professor of Art
at North Texas State Teachers College, Denton, Mrs. E. B. Cartwright,
Mrs. Edna Boone, Mrs. James Doss, Tom Redmon and Mrs. Cortez Wiley,
Aledo. Their topics were: "Flower Paintings," "Tips on constructing
Outdoor Christmas Decorations," "Landscaping Your Yard," "Christmas
Decorations," "Table Settings," "Landscape Design," and "Preparation
of Horticulture Specimens."
As speakers for the past club year, Ann Bergman secured:
Mrs. Cortez Wiley, Aledo, Lawrence McLean, City Forrester, Forth
Worth, Mrs. James Lasster, Aledo, Tom Redomon and Mrs. Luter Hutcheson,
Weatherford, Mrs. W. R. Hughes of A. Harris, Dallas and Mrs. Irene
Haddox, Dallas. The first five topics were: "Color," "Native
Shrubs and Plantings, "Pot Plants," "New Introduction" and "Mulching." Hughes
was guest speaker at a Table Clinic to which guests were invited. Mrs.
Maddox instructed the group on "Line Arrangement" on April 17.
With such programs, a project, a flower show, a pilgrimage
and plant exchanges each year, the Club remains very active during
nine months of the year.
For the first five years of its existence, the Club
had as its project the landscaping of the Parker County Hospital
grounds. But in 1954-1955, it was voted to revive a former Weatherford
custom by sponsoring a Christmas yard Decorations Contest in Co-operation
with the Chamber of Commerce. There were some very outstanding decorations
and the visiting judges had difficulty in awarding the cash prizes.
The contest was successfully continued during the past Christmas
season. Many people have become interested and adept in making their
own Christmas figures of paper mache, plywood, etc.
From 1949 to 1952 each annual flower show was held
in co-operation with the Weatherford Garden Club. Then in 1952,
with the helpful guidance of Mrs. Fred Cotten, the Club presented
its own placement show, "A Pageant of Spring Flowers," at the home
of Mrs. Mark Littleton with Mrs. Clarence Hopkins, Jr. as Chairman,
Nationally accredited flower show judges acclaimed the show to be
outstanding.
In 1953, with Mrs. M. O. Killion, Jr. as Chairman and
Mrs. E.B. Cartwright as Supervisor, the Club presented "Fashions
in Flowers" at the Twentieth Century Club.
In 1954, under the leadership of Mesdames Robert Bergman
and Willard Thomas. "Paintings in Flowers" was presented at
the Weatherford Country Club.
The Jack Eidson home was the setting for the 1955 show, "Familiar
Sayings in Flowers," Mesdames Forest Maulsby and Joe Nelson
were Chairman and Co-Chairman.
This year, Mesdames James Doss and borden Seaberry
planned "A Parade of Birds" which was presented at the Weatherford
country Club on May 3.
In the spring of each year, pilgrimages are made either
to local or to neighboring spots of beauty. Club members will be
among those to tour some outstanding Fort Worth homes in the near
future.
The concluding high light of each season is the May
luncheon honoring the retiring President. Mrs. Forest Maulsby was
honored this year. The new officers are installed on this occasion.
Past Presidents are: Mrs. Richmond McCarty, Mrs. John
Merrick, Mrs. Floyd Tinsley, Jr., Mrs. Clarence Hopkins, Jr., Mrs.
Austin Zellers, Jr., and Mrs. M. O. Killion, Jr.
The present membership of thirty feels that it has
made some progress in its purpose and recalls with gratefulness
each one who has been helpful in the Club's early struggles.
This page was added on July 23, 2002
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