By Joann Butler
mail@floridanewsline.com
The Mandarin Garden Club held its general meeting on May 25. It was a great year of reflection on all the tasks and events that had taken place during the past year.
An Honorary Membership is sometimes given to a non-member who is recognized for outstanding and extraordinary contributions to the club. This year was the 18th time an Honorary Membership was presented — to Earl Keller, a Master Gardener since 1991, for his specialty of vegetable gardening. He has been providing gardening knowledge to members and nonmembers for 31 years.
Life members are chosen because of their outstanding service to their circle and to the club. This year the Life Member Awards were given to Juliet Johnson, Cherokee Rose Circle; Janine Smith, Dogwood Circle; and Christine Richards, Magnolia Circle.
This year was the 14th time that the Community Beautification Award was presented to a local business or organization whose property reflects an effort to maintain and preserve the natural beauty of the Mandarin community. The Julington Creek Animal Hospital at 12075 San Jose Blvd. has preserved the natural beauty of the Mandarin area for almost 50 years. They have nine acres of native trails behind the animal hospital building. The Mandarin Garden Club was honored to present this year’s Community Beautification Award to the Julington Creek Animal Hospital and its founding family: Dr. Eric Winchester, his wife Janice and their two sons, Dr. Rod Winchester and Jason Winchester.
Outgoing president Bonnie Myers presented the President’s Award jointly to Karen Rowe and Wanda Bosworth for their extraordinary service and effort ensuring that the finances met all state and federal guidelines. New officers were elected and installed for the Executive Committee: Laura Miller, president; Mary Kay Weis, first vice president; Linda Carvalho, second vice president; Deborah Kaplan, treasurer; and Juliet Johnson, recording secretary.
The next event at the club will be the $1 Clothing and Jewelry Sale on Aug. 4 – 5 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. each day. Circle meetings will resume in September. More information on those meetings will be forthcoming. In the meantime, happy gardening to everyone!
Photo courtesy Joann Butler
The Community Beautification Award was presented to the Winchester family: Robyn Freedman of the Mandarin Garden Club, Dr. Rod Winchester, Jason Winchester, Janice Winchester. and Dr. Eric Winchester.
