The Great Bend Garden Club met in October with nine members present. Historically, the two primary purposes of Garden Club have been the care of the Rose Garden located in the Great Bend Cemetery and the memorial plaques which are adjacent to the Rose Garden.

The plaques contain the names of people in the community who have appreciated the Rose Garden and who have contributed to the Rose Garden’s care by having their names engraved on the memorial plaques as a tribute and a financial memorial. Currently, there are plans being developed for an improvement to the Rose Garden which involves cooperative planning and funding by the Garden Club, the Cemetery Board and the City of Great Bend’s Public Lands Department. 

Following the club’s business meeting, the members continued the format of this year’s program topics which are being provided by the various members. A gardening-related topic is introduced and the members share their individual experiences pertaining to that topic.

In September, the first topic of this year was provided by Alice Young and she asked, “What is your very favorite flower and what were the reasons or circumstances that made it your favorite?” This month Carol Woodmansee suggested a discussion of an incidence when the members were gifted with something to plant in their garden and then describe the results, successful or otherwise. Lively and interesting discussions follow. 

Names for the memorial plaques are received by Garden Club member Delores Grose throughout the year and the names are engraved on the plaques before Memorial Day and before Christmas each year. The cost is $25 for one name and $40 for two on the same line. 

Garden Club meets on the third Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. in the meeting room at the Sunflower Extension Service building at 1208 Kansas Ave. in Great Bend. Visitors are always welcome. 

The next Garden Club meeting will be on Nov. 19 with Jeannine Girton as hostess and Pam Sweeney having the program.