Cultura Garden Club begins its year with roses and plans for fall

The Cultura Garden Club held its first meeting of the year. President Cheri McCain presided. She provided information on projects and programs for the 202526 calendar. This year’s theme is “Celebrating the 250th Birthday of the United States.”

The programs will highlight national historic tributes, showcase American gardens and look ahead to the future.

Donna Donnelly, president of National Garden Clubs, Inc., chose the themes “Plant America for the Next 100 Years” and “Plant America, Keep America Beautiful.”

The National Garden Clubs launched a nationwide initiative to promote patriotic gardens in red, white and blue for America’s 250th birthday.

Local garden clubs, businesses and communities are encouraged to plant gardens featuring the colors of the American flag.

The project is part of the larger America250 commemoration, running from July 4, 2025, through July 4, 2026. It’s inspiring to know our club is part of something happening all across the country.

I presented the program on roses in North America. I shared how people of the Pacific Northwest grew native roses for medicinal purposes and later imported roses from Europe through ports such as New York, Charleston, South Carolina, and Savannah, Georgia.

In 1803, Thomas Jefferson cultivated roses in his Monticello garden and sent native rose seeds to a friend in France.

Historians credit John Champneys of Charleston, South Carolina, with creating the first American hybrid rose, Champney’s Pink Cluster.

President Ronald Reagan designated the rose the national flower in 1986.

The American Rose Society celebrates National Rose Month each June. The Alabama Extension Service provided us with information on growing roses.

Wendy Debois, Stephanie Johnson and Carrie Jo Hovater.

Sharing this history reminded me how roses connect people across centuries — from Jefferson’s Monticello garden to our own yards today.

I hosted the meeting. Wendy Dubois and Stephanie Johnson joined me as hostesses.

Delicious homemade refreshments shaped like roses matched the program theme.

To help launch the club’s yearlong celebration, I displayed a framed U.S. flag to commemorate my uncle’s service under General George Patton in World War II.

Ann Marie Bucholtz presented a program on the best birding in Alabama.

We received a brochure with information on Alabama Birding Trails across the state from the Appalachian Highlands to the Black Belt.

Members shared information on the Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl poster contest, a nationwide competition through National Garden Clubs, Inc.

Children in grades 1–5 are invited to participate through National Garden Clubs, Inc. Each poster must measure 11 by 17 inches with detailed instructions provided.

Anyone interested may reach out to a Cultura Garden Club member.

Our club will host the Garden Club of Alabama District 1 fall meeting Oct. 17 at North Highlands Church of Christ in Russellville.

McCain shared details about the district meeting and outlined responsibilities for Cultura members.

I’m always impressed by how willing our members are to take on responsibilities when asked.

Guest speaker Carla Waldrep will present a program on plants our ancestors used for healing that may be growing in your yard today with registration closing Oct. 8.

Our executive board selected Darlene Hester for the 2025 Lifetime Membership award, which honors a member’s dedication to her club and to the Garden Clubs of Alabama.

It’s always inspiring to see one of our members recognized for years of commitment and service.

The donation funds scholarships each year to Auburn University students in horticulture, landscaping, forestry and wildlife management.

Our fall mum sale was a success with pickup set for Sept. 15 at 3 p.m. at North Highlands Church of Christ. Club members will contact those who purchased to remind them of the time.

We also discussed plans to decorate downtown Russellville for fall and agreed to begin as soon as possible. Members also voted to continue the club’s participation in the Franklin County Chamber of Commerce Pumpkin Palooza, a celebration of the season’s start.

Our club will sponsor the annual “Every Light a Prayer for Peace” along with Russellville’s official Christmas tree lighting. Both events will take place during the Russellville Christmas Parade on Dec. 4 — a tradition that always brings our community together.