|
District II News
|
Tree planted in memory of Ralph Carter
Family and friends of the late Ralph Carter, joined members of the
Chipley Garden Club Jan. 18 for an Arbor Day planting in memory of
Carter's dedication to this community.
Louise Michaels opened the program welcoming guests to the event held
at the First Presbyterian Church in Chipley where Carter attended
services. The Rev. David Darrow gave invocation, Kathy Foster
introduced the distinguished guests present and Catherine Nelson read a
tribute to Carter, his life and legacy.
Among the guests on hand for the program were his widow, Carolyn
Carter; his daughter, Nancy Carter Cooke; his stepchildren, Andi and
Joe Patterson, Charles Gunter and Bill Gunter; and Carter's sister, Sue
Jefferson.
In her tribute Nelson said Carter was so well known in the community
that most people already know much of his history and legacy.
Born in Geneva, Alabama, his family moved to Chipley when he was five
years old. He received 12 years of school in Chipley, finishing his
education at the University of Florida. While in high school, he
received many awards for his extracurricular activities. At this very
young age, he traveled to Chicago to attend a 4-H Conference to receive
the Forestry Award. He won a Florida Grand Champion Stock Show Reserve
award for "Pen of 3" in Quincy. While still in high school he won a
grand championship steer award, and the next year one of his steers was
sold, at a premium, to Armour & Company, and he learned that his
prized beef was consequently served in up-scale restaurants.
Carter worked for Evergreen Construction for 15 years and then for the
Florida Department of Transportation for 14 years. His work with DOT
involved roadside erosion control. To help conserve soil and at the
same time provide roadside beauty, he became involved in wialdflower
planting. He helped educate the public by sharing his knowledge of
wildflowers and conservation with various groups, and garden clubs in
particular. He was a charter member of the Florida Federation of Garden
Clubs for many years.
Ralph Carter always supported his first wife Joyce Carter in her
service to garden clubs as she held various State offices and as she
served as a flower show judge and District II Garden Club director.
Ralph Carter served two terms, from 1960 to 1965, as a Florida State
Representative. He sponsored a bill to establish Falling Waters State
Park. Additionally, he was one of the sponsors responsible for starting
vocational schools on a state-wide basis. As a result,
Washington-Holmes Vo-Tech was one of the first established in the State.
For ten years he served on the Northwest Florida Welfare Board.
In addition to these accomplishments, and more, he was a farmer, live stock grower and a great pecan grower.
He was a long-time member of the First Presbyterian Church in Chipley
and it due to this devotion that the Chipley Garden Club chose to plant
a Little Gem Magnolia on the ground of the church in his memory.
Closing the program, Nelson said she hoped the tree would grow and bring much joy to all, as Carter would have wished.
|
|
|
|
WAUSAU GARDEN CLUB CELEBRATES ARBOR DAY
Members of the Wausau Garden Club and community residents gathered at the
walking trail in Wausau Saturday afternoon to plant a ten foot red crape myrtle
in memory of the town's founders ... John Barr Glenn and his wife Margaret. The
tree will eventually be around 20 feet tall.
Garden club members and local dignitaries took turns shoveling soil
around the base of the tree. Emily Smith and Bernice Pendle from
Gulf Beach Garden Club also attended the tree dedication. Local
firemen brought their pumper truck to water in the tree.
According to Wausau Mayor Roger Hagan, the Glenns came to Wausau, Florida in
1889 from Wausau, Wisconsin and established the first post office in the town,
as well as starting a business. On behalf of the Wausau Town Council, Hagan
thanked the garden club members for what they have already done, including
plantings in the fenced area in front of the Town Hall.
Sylvia Holley, District II Director of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs was
on hand for the tree planting and praised the recently formed garden
club for their activities.
|
|
District II's Spring meeting was a whooping and hollering cowboy
affair. Most people at the meeting came in some kind of western garb.
Chipley Garden Club out did themselves with the food and decorations.
Even the placemats were like red and white cowboy scarves.
Two real live cowboys gave the program. One owned and managed a
private ranch. The other managed a mega sized corportation ranch.
Both raised and sold cows. Before the program, few of us knew the
importance of the cattle industry in Florida. Now we can appreciate
all the effort that goes into producing that juicy steak we enjoy at a
meal.
Past District Directors Juanita Sanson and Iris Anderson helped the new
director, Sylvia Holley, with much encouragement for her first District
Meeting. |
Iris Anderson, Sylvia Holley & Juanita Sanson
|
|
The Port St. Joe Garden Club
has published a cookbook. It has some wonderful recipes in it from our
club members and many of the recipes we have had at the garden club
functions. The book sells for $8.00 each plus $3.00 for mailing and
would make wonderful Christmas gifts. For additional informaiton contact Charmaine Earley, at 850-229-8561.
|
|
|
|
|
