Club History

Plans to start a garden club in Keystone Heights and Melrose area was initiated by Mrs (Bee) Cooper at an informal meeting in the home of Mrs. L.E. Harris on 8/20/59.  There were l8 members present at the first meeting on 10/27/59 at the home of Mrs Edmond Dwyer.  Bee Cooper was the 1st President of the Garden Club of the Lakes.  The 1st flower show was held at the Masonic Hall on 4/27/68.

PAST PRESIDENT

 19601962..........................        Bea Cooper                                      

          1962-1964............................*R. F. Vogh

          1964-1965............................*Rose Scheneberger

          1965-1966............................*Lillian Raye

          1966-1967............................*Ruby Stripling

          1967-1969............................*Gwen Bachmann

          1969-1970............................*Helen Warren

          1970-1971.............................Marion Barker

          1971-1972.............................Marie Wrinkle

          1972-1973............................*Caroline Wagner

          1973-1975............................*Helene Griffin

          1975-1977............................*Margaret Reighard

          1977-1979.............................Flo Flynn

          1979-1981............................*Lib McLaughlin

          1981-1983............................*Kat Wimberly

          1983-1985.............................*Mildred Lovern

          1985-1987............................ Dee Graham

          1987-1989............................*Rosemary Tenney

          1989-1991.............................Marie Wrinkle

          1991-1993............................*Lib McLaughlin

          1993-1995.............................Hazel Martin

          1995-1997.............................Marge Crawford

          1997-1999.............................Dee Graham

          1999-2001.............................Christine Smallwood

          2001-2002.............................Lona Geisenburg

          2002-2003.............................Lynda Carter

          2003-2005………….………..Joan Jones

          2005-2006…………………...Peggy Dixon

          2006-2007……………….…..Joan Jones

          2007-2009…………………...Jackie Host

          2009 .......................................Zaire Ankeney

          2010-2011..............................Jackie Host

         

          *In Memory of

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In Memorium

On March 14th, 2010 we were informed by Mrs Beth Krohl of Starke of the Passing of our last "Charter" member, Florence Harris-Owens who was 100 years young.  Florence lived in Keystone Heights for many years, she taught the first grade students at the Keystone Heghts Elementary School before moving to Orange City, Florida about ten years ago.

She was very active in Garden Club during her time here, when she left she continued to be part of the club up unti, about 18 months ago when she became so ill and couldn't remember many of her friends who she had here.

Florence was very interested in "dried flower" arranging and flower shows that we use to present to the public years ago.

The last time Florence came here was May 2, 2004 when she was reconized by the Club at our Past Presidents "Victorian Tea Party" Many of her non- garden c lub friends came by during the afternoon to see her. There were many of her Garden Club friends present and all were happy she was able to come.

Joan Jones and Elsie Mills attended her funeral service, they took white roses we made for our Golden Anniversary.  Joan place one in Florences' hand and the others she presented to the other ladies and little girls who attended the funeral.  Everyone was so pleased to have recieved such a lovely rememberance of her, her garden club, and a rose from the 50th Anniversery.

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An Outstanding Member recieves the key to the city of Keystone

Past President Joan Jones was awarded the key to the City by Mayor Mary Lou Hildreth and the Keystone Heights City Council   on March 1, 2010.  

Joan was reconized for her many contributions to the City through civic projects she founded with the Garden Club the Veterans Memorial Pathway & Arbor Day the club established under her leadership and hard work.