The San Antonio Founders Garden Club recently paid tribute to the 23 original members of the club by dedicating a park bench in their honor.
The event was at the San Antonio City Park, 32819 Pennsylvania Ave., on the morning of Sept. 7.
The ceremony was meant to celebrate and honor the club’s many contributions through the years.
The club draws its name from the fact that it was the first garden club in the city, according to a history compiled to celebrate the club’s 50th anniversary in 2011.
The name also pays homage to the foresight of the original founders of the Catholic Colony of San Antonio who set aside the land for a park, the document adds.
No minutes were taken at the club’s first meeting, the account says, but those attending the second meeting were: Jeanette Barthle, Stella Barthle, Rose Cope, Margaret Cissel, Alice Epperson, Bobbie Epperson, Jo Ann Franz, Marie Harper, Ruth Pike Herman, Mary Jones, Effie McCabe, Margaret Keifer, Patsy Reynolds, Theresa Schrader and Charlene Spalding.
The following month, Elizabeth Cannon, Blanche Naeyaert, Sylvia Gude and Dolores Nalley joined, and shortly thereafter, Alice Burger, Betty Burger, Sid Corrigan and Mary Schrader joined, the account says.
The club still hosts an annual “Christmas in the Park,” which offers an old-fashioned celebration for the holidays.
The event, scheduled for the evening of Dec. 3, aims to encourage families and friends to gather together to celebrate the season.
Festivities generally include a sing-along, a tree lighting and free refreshments.
Published September 27, 2017
