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By Guest Columnist Sherrye Lacour
Garden Clubs started in the South in 1891 as a platform to get people together to share knowledge, host flower shows and community beautification projects, and to promote conservation and beautification in their communities. Each garden club is as unique as its community.
The Canton Garden Club was formed in 1935 and remains a strong, vibrant organization today, with approximately thirty members who meet on a monthly basis. Several members have opened their gardens for the club to tour; speakers have shared information about pruning blueberry bushes, planting spring bulbs or designing holiday decorations; and much time is spent working on plans for our annual fundraiser, Upstairs Downtown, in the fall. Membership is open to anyone who would like to become involved in these activities.
I rejoined the Canton Garden Club last fall, and have a new respect for the women in this club who have worked so hard to beautify Canton and to foster pride in our lovely city. Having recently made the decision to make Keep Canton Beautiful a division of Canton Garden Club, more resources to make a positive change in our community have become available, and we look forward to adding new projects to our agenda.
As I gathered my thoughts to write this article, a flood of memoriescame over me. I was fortunate to be the neighbor of a very active Garden Club member as a young child. Lillian Atkinson was truly a gardening mentor to me. I loved the time I spent with Ms. Atkinson and her faithful yardman, Mop, as they snipped, dug, pruned, transplanted, watered and fertilized a yard that was like the Garden of Eden to me. She was always kind in sharing plants with me, although I can’t remember if any actually lived past the property line!
I also spent a lot of time caring for her garden when she was traveling. I can remember pretending that this was my garden as I watered, picked up debris, and dead-headed plants, all the time praying that I didn’t let anything die in her absence.
Another fond memory was riding by Mop’s home on Liberty Street and recognizing the many plants - horses tail, elephant ears, and numerous perennials Ms. Atkinson had shared with him. He must have been the envy of all his neighbors!
Ms. Atkinson also coached me in floral design with great patience and kindness, softly making suggestions, so that I had to think for myself. And she let me fail in my execution many times, making me strive harder to not only create a beautiful design, but also one that didn’t fall apart when moved.
With her encouragement, I joined the Green Thumbs Garden Club at Canton Elementary School. This club was formed and led by the Canton Garden Club. Fourth-grade students were given the opportunity to prepare, plant, maintain, and harvest a garden approximately 3 x 4’ in size. This gardening opportunity opened my eyes to the world of gardening and nurtured my love of “digging in the dirt.” The Garden Club ladies also hosted a flower show for the Green Thumbs to participate in.
All my lessons with Ms. Atkinson paid off, and I won the blue ribbon for my very first floral design entry. I thought my heart would burst, and I think Ms. Atkinson was even more proud than I!
These memories about the Canton Garden Club and how it has shaped my life give me hope that, as a group, we can be a positive influence on others in our city.
Be sure to check out the square and the surrounding areas for the improvements the club has made, especially the hundreds of spring bulbs. Stay tuned next month, as we share photos from some of our recent garden tours, as well as information about ways you can get involved in clean up campaigns and beautification projects.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Sherrye Lacour is a native to Canton and graduated from Canton Academy in 1972. She moved to Madison in 1985 and then returned to Canton about five years ago. Lacour loves gardening, and her passion stems from Green Thumbs Garden Club in grammar school, as well as a mother who loves growing flowers and vegetables.
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