Garden Club of Rogers celebrates 95th anniversary with standard flower show
On Election Day at First Christian Church in Rogers, the building teemed with life, but it wasn't a polling location. Inside, a couple hundred flower and garden enthusiasts were participating in a very different system. They gathered for a National Garden Clubs Standard Flower Show, the first one put on by the Garden Club of Rogers in decades.
The show took place in honor of the club's 95th anniversary, and the excitement was palpable as three other garden clubs from across the state joined in to peruse the many submissions of florals, horticulture, wrist corsages and other artistic entries.
"I love seeing what people grow all over the state," said Jean Moser, horticulture chairman for the Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs (AFGC) and an accredited judge. Moser belongs to two garden clubs in Little Rock, as well as the Garvan Garden Club and is southwest director. "You can join as many clubs as you want!"
A total of 46 entries earned blue ribbons, 16 were awarded red, eight were donned yellow and five got honorable mention. Debbie Main was among the first place winners, including one for wrist corsage -- a particularly tricky prompt that many contestants didn't want to tackle, Eoff said -- and earned top exhibitor for her entry "Rosie the Riveter" for its construction design, which made use of metal paneling and rings to creatively showcase the red rose blossoms inside.
Sherrie Eoff, the Garden Club of Rogers' longest running member, said horticulture was a popular category this year, with 76 entries, a lot of which were from Northwest Arkansas. Since Eoff didn't know much about horticulture, the trend for this event pushed her to learn more in preparation for the garden show.
While some judges attending the flower show deemed themselves "old judges" with many years experience, like Phyllis of Benton, others were newly accredited judges. Still more were students of flower show school -- there to earn hours, like Tracy Vaughn of Quitman.
"I'm trying to get accredited as a judge," she said. To participate, many of these flower show students traveled hours by car to spend time observing other judges.
Barbara Smith was doing the same. "It's important to have flower shows," for that purpose, she said. What she appreciated about the Rogers show was its easy atmosphere. "It felt like home."
Some flower show students, like Joe Sturgill, are floral designers. Terri Waterman, a former state club president and accredited judge told visitors they're developing a virtual garden club for Arkansas that everyone is welcome to join.
"It will have monthly programs and hit some of the things we've been missing," Waterman said. While there are "a lot of busy people in this room, but they have interest and commitment (in gardens.) The plan is to have virtual meetings and as a club member you can access them on your own time to learn floral design, landscape design," etc.
IF YOU DON'T ENTER, YOU WON'T WIN
Nancy Voyles and Nancy Rana were two of the judges for the standard flower show that day and both say the task requires a lot of in depth studying. But it's not without its perks.
"It's a big deal, it's a lot of fun, I wouldn't trade anything for the experience," Voyles said, noting that she's glad she got into judging more than 20 years ago. Since then she has traveled to several states and countries for judging experiences, conventions and regional meetings. "One of the things I've enjoyed about (it), you get to go into a show and nobody's in front of you, you can stand there and look at that design." It's nice to take your time.
Flower show school teaches a budding judge what to look for through the completion of four courses, then the student is required to gain a number of experiences both judging and exhibiting before becoming accredited, Voyles said. On average it takes two years before you can graduate, said Ronna Smith of the Garden Club of Rogers.
When Voyles went through the process, an exam was given at the end of the process as well, but that portion was struck down as a requirement -- just in time for Rana, who was recently accredited.
"The great thing about garden club in Jeanral is you meet people (from) all over," Rana said. She and Voyles didn't know each other until they got into the AFGC, but once they met they realized they had more in common than gardens. They now spend a lot of time together. "How would we have ever known each other if it hadn't been for garden club?"
When setting out to work a show, judges are placed three people to a panel and the trio talks through each entry to discuss the virtues of it. Then they assess its qualities against the criteria in the National Garden Club Handbook to arrive at a score.
Rana and Voyles are both passionate about the design aspect of entries, but Jean Moser's interest is horticulture.
"It takes us all to make everything beautiful for a show like this," Rana said. During the Rogers show, she was impressed with the number of horticulture entries, because it's not typical for those plants to thrive in November. Prior to the event, Rana wasn't as familiar with botanical arts, macrame and collages that were also present, which gave her some unique experience.
Voyles was impressed with the range of designs, saying organizers pushed the limit in variety and presentation, and made for a fabulous show.
Months of preparation went on behind the scenes, Rana said, with support from the state level, the judges' council and the collaborative effort of multiple garden clubs. "Unless you do (a show) you really don't know how much effort it takes to pull this all together."
FROM ITS BEGINNINGS
The Garden Club of Rogers was founded by Miss Vera Key on Nov. 4, 1929, and has since served in a variety of roles to the community.
Key was born in War Eagle in 1893 and attended Rogers schools. She served as a nurse in France during World War I, said Sherrie Eoff. After working in a VA hospital in St. Louis, she returned to Rogers in the 1920s and became a private nurse to Tom Morgan. Morgan was a nationally known writer whose work appeared in "Life" and the "Saturday Evening Post," according to the Encyclopedia of Arkansas. Key then inherited a home and estate on Third Street.
"Miss Vera turned the house into a tourist destination and boarding house and the yard into a showcase of flowers, trees and shrubs," Eoff said. "It was called an oasis in the business district."
Key would play a role in the development of the city of Rogers and the Rogers Historical Museum, but her first endeavor would be to form the city's garden club. The first meeting had 10 charter members.
"These ladies would share a love of gardening and a common goal: to make Rogers the most beautiful city in Arkansas. It is an aim that we as a club still strive for today," Eoff said. "The depression economy of the '30s made the club's mission of city beautification difficult, but with determination and resourcefulness they persevered."
The 1930s was a busy decade for the group. They had their first flower show, their first yard contest with 19 entries, established the petunia as the designated city flower and began a Christmas tour of home that would last for many years. The club also fund-raised and planned for the upkeep of Campus Park and established a one-mile long nature trail, which 300 people visited in its first year. A Garden of the Month contest started in 1931 and ran well into the '60s, when the the Rogers Chamber took it over.
The Garden Club of Rogers would help found the Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs and become a federated garden club itself, likely the second oldest one in the state, Eoff said. When they gathered, they met at homes and wore hats and dresses, "dressed to the nines."
OUTREACH
Over the decades, the club had a hand in many improvements for Rogers and the state of Arkansas.
In the '40s they planted the maples around the Rogers Cemetery and later helped designate Rogers as a Tree City USA. The club was a part of Operation Wildflower through the Arkansas Highway Department (Department of Transportation), and more than once was called upon by the city to clean up and plant long-neglected parks, Eoff said.
Planting trees is a recurring activity for them, especially on Memorial Day and Arbor Day. Many times they have done so in memory of others, such as the children lost in the Oklahoma City bombings and the planting of a freedom tree at Rogers Fire Station No. 1 after 9/11.
These days the club stays active throughout the year and always offers workshops on a variety of topics: planting mixed containers, making rain barrels and terrariums, fairy gardens and herbal gardens. They also award scholarships, one of which is to honor longtime member Keeta Arnold.
One of the most important things about these clubs, Nancy Rana said, is that they educate the public.
"That's one of our national objectives," she said. The upcoming state flower show in February will be the first since the pandemic era. "We're excited about having that state show."
Working with the Rogers Public Library to speak with residents and teach them how to garden, grow vegetables is among the latest endeavors of the Garden Club of Rogers. Members conduct programs about pest control, such as deer proofing and adding whimsical elements to your garden; and they often they work with children to raise awareness about gardening and recycling. This month the club gave 260 trees to Rogers residents to offset the trees lost by May 26 tornadoes.
Pam Ellis, AFGC state president, said when she attends national meetings, "I know I will get called for an award because Rogers represents us."
Ellis hopes to have the Rogers club's help with establishing a Blue Star Memorial at the Clinton Presidential Library in the near future, as well as seeing them represented at the state flower show.
Deb Williams, AFGC Northwest District Director, said the Rogers club has an incredible history and track record in how they work together. "You should be proud of yourselves," she told them.
Upcoming events
The first Arkansas State Flower Show since the covid pandemic will take place Feb 22-23, 2025 in the Hall of Industry at the Arkansas State Fair grounds in Little Rock.
The fourth course for those currently seeking accreditation as Standard Flower Show judges will be given in March 2025 at the Four Points by Sheraton in Little Rock. The three day course will include one day of flower show procedure, a one day study on horticulture, specifically daffodils and broadleaf evergreens and a third day on design types.
Another series of flower show schools will begin in August 2025. Anyone who is a member of a garden club can attend these courses, said Nancy Rana, president elect for the Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs.
Source: Garden Club of Rogers
Ronna Smith (third from right), vice president of the Garden Club of Rogers, visits Tuesday Nov. 5 2024 with members during the club's 95th anniversary celebration. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)
Laynette Riley, president of the Garden Club of Rogers talks to members Tuesday Nov. 5 2024 during the club's flower show and celebration of the club's 95th anniversary held at First Christian Church in Rogers. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)
Floral arrangements decorated tables at the Garden Club of Rogers 95th anniversary celebration. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)
Floral arrangements of all types were on display at the Garden Club of Rogers flower show. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)
Floral arrangements of all types were on display at the Garden Club of Rogers flower show. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)
Garden Club of Rogers members applaud remarks Nov. 5 2024 at the club's 95th anniversary celebration. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)
An exhibit about hummingbirds was part of the Garden Club of Rogers flower show. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Flip Putthoff)
The Garden Club of Rogers would help found the Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs and become a federated garden club itself, likely the second oldest one in the state. When they gathered, they met at homes and wore hats and dresses, "dressed to the nines." Above is a 1944 image of the club in the home of Mrs. Gregory. (Courtesy Photo/Rogers Historical Museum)
The Garden Club of Rogers was founded by Miss Vera Key on Nov. 4, 1929. Key served as a nurse in France during World War I, and would play a role in the development of the city of Rogers and the Rogers Historical Museum. (Courtesy Photo/Rogers Historical Museum)
Vera Key, circa 1920 (Courtesy Photo/Rogers Historical Museum)
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