Port St. Joe Garden Club celebrates 75 years

The Port St. Joe Garden Club celebrated their diamond anniversary on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023 — marking 75 years since the organization was founded.

Past and current members, club presidents and local officials celebrated the occasion with a celebration fit to commemorate such a milestone, featuring cake, historical displays and spirited conversation.

Era Daniell, who was the resident of the organization from 1992 to 1994 and again in 2002 to2003, spoke at the meeting. She recalled that since most women didn’t work outside the home in the 1940s, older members had informed her that “the garden club was established to give the wives of mill employees something to do.”

But the club has gone on to perform important tasks in the community, beautifying public spaces and raising money for other local organizations and events.

“The garden club sponsored a butterfly garden for many years at the elementary school so that children could observe nature up close,” said Daniell, recalling one of her favorite projects from her time with the organization.

As garden club members, past and present, caught up over several hours, conversation shifted to upcoming events.

The organization’s annual Spring Plant Sale will be held on April 1 of this year. The event will feature plants and crafts grown or created by members and is one of the garden club’s largest annual fundraisers.

For more information about the garden club, visit their Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/portstjoegardenclub.