| Carole Rives, from left, Alice Loomis, both present a garden book to Randy Varner, Mayor of Haskins. (Photo: J.D. Pooley/Sentinel-Tribune) |
HASKINS – On Tuesday, a booklet entitled, "Haskins Friendly Town and Country Garden Club ‘Then and
Now,’" was presented to the village’s mayor.
The booklet, compiled by Alice Loomis, the 2010-11 club membership director, lists previous years
officers, monthly meeting dates and membership in the club.
Available pictures of previous club members were also included.
One copy was presented to Randall J. Varner, mayor of Haskins, to be kept in the Town Hall for viewing.
Another copy was given to Carole Rives, the current president of the club, to be handed down to each
succeeding club president.
The club was organized in November 1948. It meets the second Thursday of each month at 1:30 p.m. New
members are welcome.
The purpose of the club is to create better homes, better gardens and better community life. Club members
plant and decorate the village’s flower tubs every year.
An interesting aspect of the club features four generations of one family which have been members.
Bernice Sheldrick was one of the founding members of the club. She won many first place and an
outstanding award in the county.
She began what has become a tradition in the family. Her daughter, Dorothy Cromley has served as
president and has also won many first place award ribbons.
Sheldrick’s granddaughter, Cathleen Nelson, has chaired the 2010 and 2011 Wood County Fair flower shows
and is another to have earned many first place awards over the years.
And the founding member’s great-granddaughter, Laura Nelson, has continued the winning traditions in the
family tradition, with several first place awards the last two years for her floral entries.
The oldest living member, Matilda Shonk joined the club in 1985 and is now 92.
In addition to Rives, past presidents who are still living include Dorothy Cromley and Danilda Lee.
