By LYNN ARTZ
Special to The Sun
Wakulla County Garden Club joined garden clubs across Florida by planting two southern live oaks to celebrate Florida Arbor Day and the 100th anniversary of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs. Nearly 150 garden clubs from Milton to Miami simultaneously planted trees at 11a.m. on Friday, Jan. 19th.
WCGC planted trees in the Medart Recreation Park with about 30 people present. They dedicated one tree to the club’s beloved member, Jeannie Brodhead, for her tremendous service to the community over many years.
WCGC President, Dianne Amburn, and Recreation Director, Bryan Roddenberry, welcomed guests. FNPS Sarracenia Chapter President Melanie Trexler shared the interesting history of Arbor Day. WCGC Treasurer Pam Morris read aloud the county’s Arbor Day proclamation. Biologist Chuck Hess described the uniqueness and importance of live oaks.
The program ended with a visibly moved Jeannie Brodhead hearing her accomplishments recited and seeing the bronze plaque inscribed with her name. Lynn Artz, her collaborator on Crawfordville Arbor Day tree giveaways led the dedication. Then all speakers gathered with shovels around one of the trees for photos.
Attendees included Commissioners Chuck Hess and Quincy Messersmith, Clerk of Court Greg James, Keep Wakulla County Beautiful Director Tammie Nason, Health Department Director Tonya Hobby, Dolly Mitchell with the Parks Department, other county employees and county residents, and members of the Wakulla County Garden Club and the Sarracenia Chapter of FNPS.
A grant to the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs from the Duke Energy Foundation helped to purchase the arbor day trees planted by WCGC and other garden clubs. Danny Collins, Director of Government and Community Relations for Duke Energy, was among those attending. Marney Richards, Education Coordinator for the Florida Wildlife Federation, was also present. A second grant to FFGC from the National Wildlife Federation funded tree seedling giveaways on January 19th.
