Project Planning Committee Members

Zaire Ankeney, GCL V.P.

Bob Byrnes, Trail Ridge Nursery

  MaryLou Hildreth, K.H. Mayor

  Jackie Host, GCL President

Jack Johnson, Gopher Hill Nursery

Kathy Pater, CRAB Chairman

Ken Venable, K.H. City Manager

 The grants were given to replace the dying trees lining Lawrence Boulevard with native trees and to transform an old abandoned fountain and Monument in the City Park that had been dedicated to Veterans into a "fountain of flowers" planter.  All plants used in the project will be Florida natives.  The trees are Hollies.  Natives selected for the planter include native Azaleas, Stoke Aster, Firebush, Milkweed, Liatrus, Anise,  Coontie & native Hibiscus.

GCL Fountain Committee

Chairman - Zaire Ankeney

Jackie Host

Buddy & Cheryl King

Sharon Knapp

Deirdre Murphy

Cheryl Owen

Phase I - Getting the old fountain cleaned out, painting the  monument, picking out native plants!

Whew! This is almost like working!

Members Sharon Knapp & Zaire Ankeney helped remove the gravel.   

Cheryl King and Dierdre Murphy certainly did their share!

What would we do without Buddy King?

Buddy represents the American Legion and and is always there with wife Cheryl to help with GCL civic projects.

It's getting there!

This is hard work, but a labor of love for Garden Club Members who want to transform the Monument & Fountain into a more beautiful memorial dedicated to honor our Country's Veterans of the Armed Services.

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These  photos were taken 6/08/2008

Look at the big improvement of the fountain.

Dierdre and Sharon are working hard. Zaire is getting things togather to paint the Momument.

Buddy K., Cheryl K., & Cheryl O are doing their share.

Zaire hard at work painting Monument with Sharon watching.

The finished Monument!!  Wow, Zaire did a beautiful job!!!

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Jackie Host, Chairman, GCL Native Tree Project

Meanwhile Jackie Host coordinated the selection, purchase and tree installation along Lawrence Blvd. with city employees and local nurserymen.  The City Crew  removed the old trees and ground the stumps. Lee Edgy, City Maintenance Supv.; Bob Byrnes, Trail Ridge Nursery and Jack Johnson, Gopher Hill Landscape installed the trees.

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BEFORE PICTURES

Examples of Trees in Decline

AFTER PICTURES

Our new trees are a great addition to downtown.

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The Committee had quite a few work days.  These are pictures from 9/04/08.

Cheryl K., Cheryl O & Buddy K. working to get the planter ready for the dedication Zaire (not pictured) placed the pavers to the flag.

Jackie helped but also took pictures.

Plaque on Monument

Back side of planter with new pavers

The Finished Monument!!!

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A ceremony was held at the  Veterans Monument on September 11, 2008 at 2 p.m. to rededicate the Monument to our Veterans, honor our active military and those who died at the hands of terrorists that tragic day in 9/11/01.

A reception was held afterwards in City Hall. 

Thanks to everyone who joined us at the ceremony and reception!

Jackie Host GCL Presedent gave the welcome and introduced our guest speakers..She gave a special big thanks to AM Vets Post 86 for their service to our County and the donation of the Veterans Momument to the City of Keystone Heights.  She also thanked the Mayor of K.H. and City (CRAB) for their contributions to the project, The Principal Financial Group and National Garden Clubs and E. I. Dupont for their grant and funding support. She also recognized City Maint. Supv. Lee Edgy, Jack Johnson of Gopher Hill Landscape, Bob Byrnes of Trail Ridge Nursery, Buddy King of the American Legion, Zaire Ankeney and all Garden Club Members for their individual and team efforts in making the entire "Let's Go Native Downtown" project a success.

Commander Jerry Johnson AM VETS Post 86 led pledge to flag and gave a moving speech about our Veterans.

Carrie Milligan GCL, Chaplain opened the ceremony with a prayer.

Keystone Heisghts Mayor Mary Lou Hildreth, gave a patriotic speech and remembered those who died on Patriot's Day, 9/11/01.

Daryl Holton, Managing Director Prinipal Financial Group talked about how proud he and the Principal Group were to be able to support  worthy civic projects such as the "Let's Go Native Downtown Project" all across America.