Life

Spreading Their Wings

Emma Scott Garden Club learns about pollinators

ELKINS -- The October meeting of the Emma Scott Garden Club (ESGC) was held at Saint Brendan Church Parish Hall. The meeting was called to order by president, Linda Shomo, followed by the group reading in unison the WV Garden Club Creed, led by member Rosemary Markley.

The focus of the program was about the ongoing importance of pollinators. Although the word "pollinators" brings thoughts of bees, there are others such to consider such as butterflies, insects, humming birds and fruit bats.

A prospective new member, Eden Gervasio, an AmeriCorps member with the Appalachian National Heritage Area in Elkins, stepped up to give a snapshot overview about pollinators and the concern with their decline in our world. She reminded us of the importance of establishing pollinator gardens and leaving undisturbed natural environments where pollinators can reproduce.

The overuse of pesticide is always of concern to the health and well being of pollinators since they assure our food supply, as well as, the flowers of natural beauty that surround us. To remind everyone of the elegance and magnificent colors of butterflies, members donned their butterfly "wings" to brighten the evening.

Valerie Bright, coordinator of Volunteer Services from Davis Medical Center, addressed the group about creating Jared Boxes. The history of Jared Boxes began with a 5-year-old boy of the same name who was diagnosed with cancer and, while he was awaiting treatment in a Pennsylvania hospital, he began taking toys and games to share with other children.

Although, unfortunately, Jared lost his battle with cancer, others picked up on his idea and, today, plastic shoe boxes are being packed with gifts, games, coloring books and other activities to "calm nerves, lift spirits and show that others care".

Davis Medical Center has begun this same program providing boxes for toddlers through teens who are coming for day surgery, emergency treatment, a hospital stay or some type of treatment within the facility. ESGC voted to make Jared Boxes as one of their Christmas community projects.

Member Mary Higgins asked the group to consider an outreach activity by adopting "grandparents" at the Nella's Autumn by the Lake Healthcare facility. She asked for interested members to form a committee to further explore this possibility and generate activities to brighten the lives of the residents.

President Shomo announced the following National Garden Club Awards recently presented to the club for the Youth Poetry Contest:

Quinn Broschart

1st grade - Second Place

Poem: "Sweet Bee"

Corina Buckhart

2nd grade - Honorable Mention

Poem: "Sunny Honey"

ESGC was also presented with the National Garden Club, Inc. GC-3 Therapy Gardens Award

Anyone interested in joining ESGC can contact membership chairperson BJ McKenzie at 304-614-3079.