Outdoors Latest

Digging it for decades: Garden Club marks 75th anniversary

Officers of the Mountain View Garden Club include (from left) Lisa Bradley, Co-Chair of Annual Plant & Garden Art Sale Fundraiser and Chair of Maggie Valley Gardens; Julie Bruijn, President and Chair of Annual Fundraiser; Cynthia Lindberg, Vice-President and Programs Chair; and Edie Straka, Co-Chair of Library & Mib-Medford Gardens. Donated photo

When the members of the Mountain View Garden Club started researching when the club was formed, old newspaper clippings made it difficult to determine whether it was 1950 or 1951. So, appropriately enough, they had to do a little more digging to find the answer — which turned out to be 1951.

“The article was from an April 1951 edition of The Mountaineer, and it said, ‘Next month will be an initial meeting of a potential new garden club,’” said Julia Bruijn, the club’s current president.

Which means that this month — just in time for the club’s May 16 annual fundraising plant sale at the historic farmers market at the HART theater parking lot — will mark the organization’s 75th anniversary. Talk about roots that run deep.

Among that original group was Mib Medford (who passed away in 2012), a well-known community cheerleader and passionate champion for public beautification. Through the Phil and Mib Medford Endowment Fund, her legacy continues to support local streetscapes and parks, including a memorial garden at the Waynesville library. The catalyst for the club’s formation was to encourage women to start gardens and beautify their surroundings.

“The reason why that garden club even came together is they were trying to get women in Waynesville interested in actually developing gardens at their own house. So it wasn’t about public projects back then,” Bruijn said.

Today, 40 or so members of the MVGC maintain five public gardens:

Related Items

• The Shelton House Cottage Gardens at the historic Shelton House.
• Mib Medford Garden and Library Gardens/Topiaries at the Waynesville Library.
• Serenity Garden along the Richland Creek Greenway (close to the skate park).
• Maggie Valley Rathbone Rich Garden by the pavilion on Jonathan Creek.
• Maggie Valley McCracken Corner Park at the corner of U.S. 19 (Soco Road) and Moody Farm Road.
Members also educate children about gardening through after-school programs at Junaluska and Riverbend elementary schools.

“If we can get them started early, it’s fantastic,” said Cynthia Lindberg, the club’s vice president and programs chair.

The club also donated an old-school sign board outside the Waynesville Library where people can post messages and community events. After Helene wiped out internet access, members saw the value in having an analog backup.

“If it’s ever needed, it’s there as a source of where to get information and where to find help,” said Bruijn.

“I like to dig, to work, to get out there and do what it takes,” said Edie Straka. “We get out there, get dirty and get the job done.”

The annual plant sale on May 16 is the organization’s largest event, with proceeds funding all its community projects. Those interested in joining are encouraged to attend and talk to club members.

— Scott McLeod, Publisher