Submitted photos ESGC members hold a banner inviting everyone to ‘Food, Floral and Fun IV’ plant and bake sale, bazaar and gift raffle at the Randolph Community Arts Center from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 18.

ELKINS — The Emma Scott Garden is planning for their annual fundraiser “Food, Floral and Fun VI” on Saturday, May 18 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Randolph County Community Arts Center on the corner of Randolph Avenue and Park Street, Elkins. The venue has changed this year but the day is guaranteed to provide shoppers with great deals on annuals, perennials, succulents, house, lawn and garden plants. In addition, there will be a large variety of bazaar items that include gardening, household, decorative and other unique articles. A bucket raffle will also allow shoppers the possibility of winning a portable greenhouse and specialty gifts. A table of delectable baked items will round out the shopping experience. All proceeds will benefit the multiple projects supported by the club.

Emma Scott Garden Club was founded in 1949 and later was named for its second president, Emma Kerr Scott. From its inception the club sponsored many flower shows and was involved in numerous beautification projects throughout the years. The club continues to be part of many public beautification projects while sponsoring seven gardens throughout the community. Three of these gardens encircle Blue Star Memorial Markers that honor all men and women that have served in United States Armed Services. Other current gardens include the Welcome Sign on 219, a raised garden in City Hall parking lot and the Elkins Gateway Sign. For several summers the club was involved in planting flowers throughout town tree boxes in conjunction with Elkins Main Street and, most recently, has purchased two of the six hay rake baskets overflowing with flowers that were first unveiled during the summer of 2018 positioned along the South Davis Avenue Bridge. In anticipation of summer 2019, the club recently donated funds to the City of Elkins to continue the hanging basket and hay rake basket projects throughout downtown.

Arbor Day continues to be an important celebration in our nation’s history since its beginning in1885. ESGC is honored to be part of the local event by partnering with the Elkins Tree Board and other groups to maintain the tradition. For the last two years there have been two Arbor Day events in the Elkins area. The Arbor Day events have received special recognition from the WV Garden Club for the outstanding planning and execution of this celebration.

In order to encourage community wide interest in maintaining attractive neighborhoods, ESGC chooses three residences and one business during the months of July and August to receive Yard of the Month Awards. The club has also joined forces with the Mountain State Forest festival to choose Fall Yards in an effort to encourage the community to “dress up” for visitors to Elkins during this yearly event. Signs are placed in winning yards and business sites and gifts are presented.

In an effort to support the Elkins-Randolph County Library, while making the library entrance more inviting, ESGC has provided seasonal wreaths to be used at the front doorway. Books of a gardening theme are donated to the library in memory of members.

Youth education is important to the garden club. Each year ESGC provides a $200.00 scholarship for a youth to attend Conservation Camp at Camp Caesar in Webster Springs. A Horticulture and Design Club was put in place at the Elkins Mountain School four years ago that includes monthly classes with nature themes. A landscaping component is included that allows students to participate in hands on experiences on their campuses and in community gardens. Special state garden club recognition has also been received for this project. Highland Adventist School was a chosen site for a special program to learn about frogs following the curriculum and story, The Frightened Frog, written by a past state garden club president. Students in the community who participate in an after school program at Davis Memorial Presbyterian Church were also challenged by ESGC to write poetry about gardening which resulted in state and regional awards for these young poets.

Education does not end with youth. Club members receive training and information on topics that encourage enhancing local the community, ecological concerns, gardening in other countries, maintaining pollinators that are at risk and ways to improve gardening skills. These are just a sampling some of the programs presented at each meeting. Community members are always invited into membership and can do so by contacting BJ McKenzie, membership chair, at 304-614-3079 or Pat Mayes, president at 304-338-2784.

A new project that is in the development stage is creating a Serenity Garden at Davis Medical Center. The garden will be an area for families to take a break from the stresses of the hospital in a relaxing, beautiful area. Both organizations are excited to begin this venture.

Food, Floral and Fun VI allows Emma Scott Garden Club to both maintain and add to their yearly projects with an eye to making our community a bright, welcoming place and providing for continuing education for future generations. The community is invited to this day that allows ESGC to benefit many in our local area. Contributions of plants for the sale would be greatly appreciated with Pat Mayes, president, being a contact person.