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Emma Scott Garden Club celebrates victory

Submitted photo The Emma Scott Garden Club brought home eight awards from the West Virginia Garden Club state convention earlier this year. President Patricia Mayes, right, recognized Becky Amorese, left, for her Small Standard Flower Show Gold medallion and Bobbi Trimboli for three awards for programs involving the students of Mountain Schools: a Blue Ribbon certificate for High School Gardening; Junior, Intermediate or High School Gardening Honor Certificate; and the Presidential Award for Youth Involvement. Other members receiving awards, but not pictured, were: Judy Guye Swanson, Publicity Book; Monica Varchetto for Youth Poetry Award; Katy McClane for the Ashworth Arbor Day Award and the ESGC Executive Committee for Best Yearbook.

ELKINS — The Emma Scott Garden Club gathered at the Randolph County Arts Center for the annual Rose Luncheon and celebrated a take-home victory from the West Virginia Garden Club Inc.’s state convention held earlier this spring.

After a lunch prepared by Chef Jeff Burgdoerfer of JB Catering Excellence LLC and served upon beautiful and artfully decorated tables designed by members, Joann Gabel, Barb Campbell and Donna Isner, President Patricia Mayes congratulated the group’s effort and recognized members in attendance with the presentation of their awards.

“We submitted 10 projects,” Mayes told the group, “and eight of those projects received awards. I was up and down in my seat so many times it felt like musical chairs! It was an exciting afternoon!”

Mayes called to the podium attending members Becky Amorese and Bobbi Trimboli to receive their awards. Amorese received a Gold Medallion award of Design Excellence for Best Minimum Standard Flower Show and Trimboli brought home three awards for her work with youth outreach at the Elkins Mountain Schools — a Blue Ribbon certificate for High School Gardening, a Junior, Intermediate or High School Gardening Honor certificate and the coveted Presidential Award for Youth Involvement.

“The Mountain Schools horticultural program idea grew from other activities I was involved with at the school,” Trimboli said, “and like any program, it takes a group to make it come to life. This includes guest presenters and garden club members who took on the roles of teachers, providers of snacks and gave of their time to interact with these young men. In addition, the staff and young men of Mountain Schools have attended the meetings and workshops with enthusiasm and appreciation.”

Submitted photo Guest speaker Craig Stihler presented an interesting overview of ‘The Mysterious Orchid’ and showcased orchids native to West Virginia.

The Elkins Mountain Schools Horticulture and Design Club was created in 2016, and the formation of the club corresponds with the goals of the National Garden Club Inc. — to promote the love of gardening, floral design and civic and environmental responsibility and to organize, support, arrange and deliver educational and school programs.

“Besides horticulture and design classes,” Trimboli explained, “there are aspects of vocational education, life skills development, recreational outlets and community interaction woven throughout the program. Also, an important component was added by Emma Scott member, Katy McClane, who orchestrates an application gardening lab by involving the students in gardening in community gardens and campus gardening throughout the spring, summer and fall seasons.”

Interest in food preparation and the harvest of gardens, spawned a cookbook in 2017. The cookbook, a collaborative effort between the garden club and Mountain Schools students is available for sale, and proceeds go toward Mountain Schools and club projects.

Other members recognized for their work, but unable to attend the luncheon, included: Judy Guye for Publicity Book; Monica Varchetto for Youth Poetry Award; Katy McClane for the Ashworth Arbor Day Award and the Emma Scott Garden Club Executive Committee for Best Yearbook. That committee included members Judy Guye, Barbara Heasley, Christina Sanders, Dianne DeMotto, B.J. McKenzie and Patricia Mayes.

Guest speaker for the event Craig Stihler, a newly retired wildlife biologist with the West Virginia Department of Natural Resources, presented an interesting overview of “The Mysterious Orchid.”

The presentation focused upon the history of orchid exploration and cultivation, and a fascinating slide show of orchids native to West Virginia.

Long-time member Ruth Hepler was acknowledged for her lifetime of dedication to the club. Hepler has been a member of the Emma Scott Garden Club for more than 50 years.

The July meeting of the garden club will include a field trip to Floral Acres, south of Buckhannon. Presenter and owner, Dinah Campi, will guide members and guests on a journey through her blueberry fields, where they will learn about varieties, how they are grown and harvested. The field trip is scheduled for July 19 and begins at 10 a.m. at Dinah’s Boutique at Floral Acres, 385 Bridal Ridge Road in French Creek.

Those interested in joining the group may call Pat Mayes or Marian Hanscom at 304-338-2784 or 304- 823-3584.

The Emma Scott Garden Club is a member of the West Virginia Garden Club Inc. (www.wvgardenclub.com) and meets monthly.

For Emma Scott Garden Club membership information, contact B.J. McKenzie at 304-614-3079 or Patricia Mayes at 304-338-2784.

For updated information visit the club on Facebook at: West Virginia Garden Club, Inc.

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