Ward then read from a devotion she wrote, titled ‘Pickens Garden Club Garden Party, 100 Years of Pickens Garden Club’:

“For many of the devotionals that I have done, I have looked to the book of Proverbs to find help and usually can find a reference that I can use. Even when I don’t, I manage to pick up some wise adage for my own daily life, and so I highly recommend reading Proverbs for everybody. On this occasion, though, I needed some wisdom concerning the honoring of the past in relation to future accomplishments. There are some verses I feel will serve my purpose.

“In my opinion, the book of Proverbs is included in our Bible because it has lessons for us all, both individuals and groups, men, women, and children. Sometimes, they are written for a specific audience, but the lessons are always universal. We will keep this in mind, but, first, why do you think we really want to honor this first garden club group? Was it just a social endeavor that took off? Or was it a group of ladies who wanted to do good things and pass that legacy on to those who came after? A little of both, I think, but we are honoring them primarily for the good things and the knowledge which has been shared and passed along to members for the last 100 years. Therefore, from Proverbs 4, we find a father speaking to his son. I am using this as the one who came before who shares wisdom with those who come later, and he says, ‘Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding. I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my learning. Get wisdom. Get understanding. Do not forget my words or turn away from them. Do not forsake wisdom. She will give you a garland to grace your head and present you with a glorious crown.’ I love the fact that the end result of paying attention to the teachings of the leaders is wisdom, and, in the Bible, this wisdom is referred to in the feminine form.

“As a result, let’s pattern our tribute to the first Pickens Garden Club along the lines of these verses in Proverbs.

“2026, as was 1926, is a year filled with 100-year milestones. It is a privilege and honor for the Pickens Garden Club to stand with those patriotic giants of our country’s history. I have wondered if the inspiration for forming the club was the 150^th anniversary of our country. I like to think that maybe it was, and the eight ladies who gathered in that music room 100 years ago were honoring their country by giving their town a gift which has not only endured but grown and prospered.

“We know in 1926 a music teacher named Miss Elinor Knight and seven other ladies met for the first time as an organized group. They called themselves Pickens Garden Club. They most likely never dreamed that, 100 years later, the Pickens Garden Club would still be active and growing, and we are honoring these eight ordinary yet extraordinary ladies for a job well done.

“Within this 100-year span, much American history has taken place. The events and changes in the lives of those ladies and everybody else have been momentous. In 1926, the United States had survived ‘The Great War’ and was looking forward to a time of peace and prosperity. The ‘Roaring Twenties’ were in full swing, and technology, prosperity, cultural enhancements, and the beginnings of changes in society’s norms were looming. Calvin Coolidge was President, and, on the surface, everything was swell. So, why not form a club for like-minded ladies who wanted to promote their love of plants. Their focus seemed to be on the beautification projects – both for their beloved Pickens and their homes and churches with flower arranging, flower shows, and pretty plantings.

“Over the years, our club has been fairly faithful to these goals of that first group. I can remember flower shows and flower arranging, but these activities are not so common anymore. However, beautification projects are still important parts of our goals. We conduct plant sales. We help to maintain this rose garden and help to nourish the underlying health and beauty of the plantings which are established by educating others and ourselves about pollinators, native as opposed to non-native, and oftentimes invasive new plants, non-toxic pest control, conservation, and simple enjoyment. I hope Miss Elinor would approve of the growth and evolution of her brain and heart child. She might look at us with some degree of skepticism when we speak about planting and nurturing butterfly weed plants. (My mother referred to them as ‘chigger weeds’ and frowned upon us for picking the blooms for beautification vases, much less planting them on purpose.) In the 100 years of our existence, we have changed, yet, inexplicably, have remained the same.

“Many people, and I am one, to some degree, dislike change. We become comfortable with routine and a little lazy, as well. Change for the sake of change is not my topic. Some old tried and true methods are good and necessary, but, without change, we cannot grow. Changeless bodies sometimes become stagnant, and stagnation breeds a decay which eats away at even the best ideas and organizations. Our garden club is not stagnant. Yes, we still hold onto many of the basic tenants that began 100 years ago, but, because times, needs, and even interests change, we have changed, as well, and that, my friends, is a major reason why we are still here, celebrating 100 years.

“I hope Miss Elinor and those seven other ladies would be as proud of the Pickens Garden Club as I am. We have moved with the times, and, thank goodness, we don’t have to wear Sunday dresses, hats, and, most of the times, gloves. We have a good name, and people do seek us out for so many different reasons. I like to think we have planted so many seeds, both plants and ideas, that future generations of Pickens folks will remember us because they can see the results of our work or want to be one of us. Smile, gardeners. We have done a good thing and, hopefully, will pass this baton on to equally motivated future gardeners.

“As I write this, I do not know the names of the seven other charter members – only Miss Elinor. After looking at a roll from 1933, I could guess at some of them, because almost every single last name is still to be found in Pickens. There are probably descendants today in our group. I wanted to read aloud the names of those pioneering ladies, but can only say this: Miss Elinor and friends, Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for the vision and the steel to follow through with it. Here is to another 100 years and more of the Pickens Garden Club.”