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Photo submitted Butterbeans plant trees during the Arbor Day meeting and learn about planting trees and how important trees are to life from Wesson Garden Club members/instructors.

Photo submitted Butterbeans plant trees during the Arbor Day meeting and learn about planting trees and how important trees are to life from Wesson Garden Club members/instructors.

Photo submitted Butterbeans plant trees during the Arbor Day meeting and learn about planting trees and how important trees are to life from Wesson Garden Club members/instructors.

Photo submitted Wanda Woodard, MDOT litter prevention coordinator, speaks to the WGC Butterbeans about litter control and prevention.

Photo submitted The Great Mississippi Tea Company owners Timothy Gibson and Colonel Jason McDonald were special guests at the Wesson Garden Club’s March meeting.

Prior to a need for social distancing and a stay-at-home proclamation from Gov. Tate Reeves, Wesson’s Youth Garden Club, known as the “Butterbeans,” met at Wesson’s Splash Park and pavilion in honor of Arbor Day and were instructed on how to properly plant trees and shrubs and the correct way to pot bulbs.

The Butterbean group — which consist of third, fourth, fifth and sixth graders — planted six trees and two flowering shrubs that are sure to be enjoyed by those visiting the park. Trees planted were red buds, flowering crabapple and sweet olive along with forsythia and spirea shrubs. In addition to planting trees and shrubs, each child potted a bulb and was also given bulbs to take home to plant. The children are anxiously awaiting the trees, shrubs and bulbs to grow and bloom.

Two of the trees planted are in memory of Mrs. Belle Cowen and Mrs. Dottie Mercier who recently passed away. These ladies were very active members of the Wesson Garden Club and will be greatly missed. Plans are being made for a dedication service to be held in the near future.

The Butterbeans also enjoyed refreshments and a story time at Dumps BBQ Restaurant. During the story time, “Celebrations in My World: Arbor Day” by Lynn Peppas was read.

It was learned that Arbor Day was first celebrated in the United States in Nebraska in 1854 and was founded by an American, Julius Sterling Morton. Celebrations soon began in other states as well as in countries around the world today.

Club members talked to the group about the importance of trees in our environment and the many products which are made from trees. Each child was given a wooden heart to decorate and give to a loved one for Valentines Day.

Club members involved in the Arbor Day Celebration were Beverly King, Pam Owens, Jennifer Peets, Debbie Smith, Lisa Smith, Nancy Sullivan and Dixie Thornton. The Wesson Garden Club would like to thank Ken Dale Sullivan, owner of Dumps, for allowing the children to enjoy refreshments and story time in the warmth of his restaurant, the Town of Wesson’s Public Works Department for their help in digging the holes for the trees and to Lowe’s for their earlier Community Partner Grant that helps make it possible for the Club to purchase materials to be used for our Wesson Youth Garden Club.

The Wesson Garden Club is a member of The Garden Clubs of Mississippi, Inc. and National Garden Clubs, Inc.

Anti-litter program

The Mississippi Department of Transportation’s Litter Prevention Coordinator, Wanda Woodard, presented a very interesting program to the Wesson Garden Club’s Youth Club. This group of third through sixth grade Wesson Attendance Center students met in the school’s elementary library to learn of the litter problem in Mississippi. After listening to Mrs. Woodard, each student pledged not to litter along with agreeing to promote litter awareness to their family and friends.

WGC March meeting

The Wesson Garden Club’s March meeting was held on March 10.  Members in attendance were Robin Furr, Debbie Hoaglin, Rhonda Ishee, Denise Jackson, Beverly King, Joann Miller,June Owens, Joy Phillips, Debbie Smith, Lisa Smith, Dixie Thornton and guest Jennifer Smith. Delicious refreshments were provided by Sonya Cowen, Robin Furr and Rhonda Ishee.

President Debbie Smith introduced Colonel Jason McDonald of The Great Mississippi Tea Company in Brookhaven, MS. He along with Timothy Gibson shared their journey to develop and establish the Tea Company. They now have tea planted on seven acres in Lincoln County. The signature teas currently being crafted by hand in small batches are: “Mississippi Queen”, “Black Magnolia”, “Delta Oolong” and “Mississippi Sunshine”. These teas can be purchased at Hall & Company in Brookhaven.

The Club then entered into a business session with President Smith reporting on several recent workdays where planting has taken place along the railroad, the Park, and along Spring Street leading to town hall. Other topics discussed were membership and the Club’s plan to participate with the Wesson Lions Club in placing civic organization signs at all three Wesson Welcome signs. Lisa Smith reported on recent activities by the Youth Garden Club “Butterbeans”: Arbor Day and a program on “Litter Control” presented by Wanda Woodard, Litter Coordinator, Mississippi Department of Transportation.

Meeting was adjourned by President Smith.

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