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Disclaimer:
While the advice and information contained within this website is believed to  be true and accurate, the Cardinal Council does not accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The Cardinal Council makes no warranty, expressed or implied with respect to the material contained here.


 

 

Cardinal Council of Garden Clubs - History
(compiled from several sources)

Some time in 1965 or 1966, members of the garden clubs in Warren County met to form the Cardinal Council of Garden Clubs. Prior to that there was also a Bowing Green Council of Garden Clubs.  To date, no record of the exact date has been found.  A committee was appointed to create by-laws for the federation of the Cardinal Council of Garden Clubs (of Bowling Green, Kentucky).  The first record found indicates the by-laws committee met on October 5, 1966, at the home of Mrs. Edward M. Pace.  It was decided that the president of each club, together with one representative from each club, would meet to read and distribute to each club the by-laws for further adopting after two readings. Present were:
    Mrs. Edward M. Pace, Chair - Virginia Garrett Garden Club
    Mrs. William F. Holt, President of Council - Virginia Garrett Garden Club
    Mrs. Guy Jenkins, Vice President of Council - Warren County Garden Club
    Mrs. Terah Flaherty, Secretary of Council - Ruth Rabold Garden Club
    Mrs. Joe Wright (representing Treasurer Mrs. Lawrence Ledford) - Mabel Thomas Garden Club
    Mrs. David Cooksey - Bowling Green Garden Club

The by-laws of the Cardinal Council of Federated Garden Clubs were formed, discussed and corrected, and copies given to each Club's representative to be read twice to the respective club members.

A working copy of these by-laws can be seen by clicking here.

The first officers of the Cardinal Council were:
    Mrs. William F. Holt, President - Virginia Garrett Garden Club
    Mrs. Terah L. Flaherty - Recording Secretary - Ruth Rabold Garden Club
    Mrs. W. G. Thomas - Corresponding Secretary - Bowling Green Garden Club
    Mrs. Joe W. Taylor - Treasurer - Mabel Thomas Garden Club
Representatives were:
    Mrs. Edward M. Pace - Virginia Garrett Garden Club
    Mrs. Charles J. Doria - Ruth Rabold Garden Club
    Mrs. W. G. Thomas -  Bowling Green Garden Club
    Mrs. Homer Howell - Warren County Garden Club President
    Mrs. Joe W. Taylor - Mabel Thomas Garden Club
    Mrs. Ardin H. Mielke - Virginia Garrett Garden Club
    Mrs. Joe K. Wright - Mabel Thomas Garden Club President   

Officers and representatives of the Cardinal Council of Federated Garden Clubs met February 9, 1967 at the home of Mrs. William Holt who presided. Club representatives reported that Council b-laws had been read and adopted by their respective clubs.  Mrs. W. G. Thomas was appointed to be corresponding secretary.  The following committee chairmen were appointed by the President to serve until April 1967 election:

    Program Committee: Mrs. David Cooksey - Bowling Green Garden Club
    Publicity Committee: Mrs. Charles Doria - Ruth Rabold Garden Club
    Flower Show Committee: Mrs. Willard Winkenhoffer - Bowling Green Garden Club
    Ways and Means Committee: Mrs. Joe K. Wright - Mabel Thomas Garden Club
    Achievement and Awards Committee: Mrs. Guy Jenkins - Warren County Garden Club
    Projects: Mrs. Edward Pace: Virginia Garrett Garden Club (this committee was added as it was not in the original by-laws)

Further business conducted at this meeting included a flower arranging workshop for beginners, a permanent long-range project of planting dogwood trees by home owners, businesses and public property owners was to be investigated, and annual dues of 50 cents per club member would be paid before April to the Federation.  A nominating committee for a slate of officers to start in April 1967 was appointed.

On May 25, 1967, the Council of Garden Clubs met and the following officers were installed by Mrs. Franklin Berry:
    Mrs. W. G. Thomas - President
    Mrs. Stanley Roddy - Vice President
    Mrs. Terah Flaherty - Recording Secretary
    Mrs. Joe Tayor - Corresponding Secretary
    Mrs. Glen Dooley - Treasurer
The following were appointed as committee chairmen:
    Mrs. William Holt - Program Chairman
    Mrs. A. J. Thurman - Publicity and Scrapbook
    Mrs. David Cooksey - Flower Show
    Mrs. Williams Stamps - Ways and Means
    Mrs. Charles Doria - Achievement and Awards
The Ruth Rabold and the Mabel Thomas Garden Clubs, having recently received their charters, were approved for official entry into the Council.  A HANDS committee was also appointed.

In subsequent 1968 minutes, projects of the member clubs included:
     Beautification of Fountain Square, the airport and hospital grounds
     Cleaning of T. C. Cherry's school grounds
     The Filling Station Project at 11th and Chestnut Streets and beautification of other filling stations
     A bird bath and feeder at the Bowling Green-Warren County Hospital
     A HANDS workshop
     Establishment of a City Beautification Commission

On October 15, 1969, the Cardinal Council held a Chrysanthemum Show at the mall on Nashville Road. In 1971, a motion was approved for a HANDS committee to be a permanent committee of the Council and that the Council be a "clearing house" for the clubs, and the Council accumulate properties for the clubs to use. A motion was approved to sponsor an annual Christmas Show. The clubs were also active in the restoration of the Hobson House. In 1972, part of the beautification project included planting five pine trees along the entrance to Hobson Grove Park. In the 1980s, new projects included Conservation and Birds, Litter Control and Civic Improvement. 

In 1975, the Mabel Thomas Garden Club sponsored the Little Daisies Garden Club at the Girls Club. The Blue Bird Junior Garden Club also existed at Alvaton Elementary in the 70s and later became the Tributaries sponsored by the Two Creeks Garden Club. In 1976, the Bicentennial Garden Club was federated and became a member of the Cardinal Council followed by Two Creeks Garden Club in 1989, and Warren East Garden Club in ??.

In 1977, "This Year's Crop", the student garden club at Bowling Green High School sponsored by the Ruth Rabold Garden Club for several years, won two awards at the Garden Club of Kentucky state convention.

These garden clubs were members of the Cardinal Council and/or the Bowling Green Council of Garden Clubs.  Click the name for additional information that has been found in records at the Houchens Center.

Virginia Garrett Garden Club - click here
Mabel Thomas Garden Club- click here
Ruth Rabold Garden Club - click here
Bicentennial Garden Club - click here

 

Past Presidents of the Cardinal Council

2021-2023 - Martha Harkleroad
2019-2021 - Susan Faller
2017-2019 - Myrna Neff
2015-2017 - Connie Pittman
2013-2015 - Kim Hampton
2011-2013 - Myrna Neff
2009-2011 - Romanza Johnson
2007-2009 - Connie Pittman
2005-2007 - Helen Jean Neuber
2003-2005 - Edith Nelson
2001-2003 - Elaine Murphy
1999-2001 - Romanza Johnson
1997-1999 - Mrs. James McQuirk
1995-1997 - Mrs. Mulford Lockwood
1994-1995 - Louise Caskey
 
1991-1993
1989-1991
1987-1989 - Mrs. Jack (Jo Jean) Scott
1985-1987 - Mrs. Russell (Martha) Morgan
1983-1985 - Mrs. Joe D. Hughes
1981-1983 - Mrs. Frank D. Neuber
1979-1981 -  Mrs. William (Jo) Neel
1977-1979 - Mrs. Louis (Gladys) Holszaphel
1975-1976 - Mrs. Glen Gill
1973-1974 - Mrs. W. G. (Florence) Stephenson
1971-1972 - Mrs. W. G. (Mabel) Thomas
1969-1970 - Mrs. William (Jo) Matthi
1967-1968 - Mrs. W. G. (Mabel) Thomas
1966 -1967 - Mrs. William Holt

 

Dogwood District Directors from Cardinal Council Clubs

2019-2021 - Martha Harkleroad - Bowling Green Garden Club
2017-2019 - Susan Throneberry - Two Creeks Garden Club
1967-1968 - Mrs. Franklin Berry - Virginia Garrett Garden Club & Bowling Green Garden
     Club
 
 

 

Garden Club of Kentucky Presidents from Cardinal Council Clubs

2023-2025 - Susan Throneberry - Two Creeks Garden Club - 48th GCKY President
2015-2017 - Edith Nelson - Warren East Garden Club - 44th GCKY President
2003-2005 - Mary Keown - Bowling Green Garden Club - 37th GCKY President
1999-2001 - Martha Morgan - Bi-Centennial Garden Club/Bowling Green Garden Club
                      35th GCKY President
1987-1989 - Jo Jean Scott - Bowling Green Garden Club - 28th GCKY President
1937-1939 - Mrs. Ruth Rabold - Bowling Green Garden Club - 4th GCKY President

     Link to the Articles of Incorporation for The Garden Club of Kentucky along with a
     Certificate for Non-Stock Corporation in 1948. GCKY was originally incorporated in
     1931. Mrs. Rabold is one of the signees of the document. (document submitted by
     Nick Rabold)
 

South Atlantic Directors from Cardinal Council Clubs

1993-1995?? - Martha Morgan - Bowling Green Garden Club
2003-2005 - Jo Jean Scott - Bowling Green Garden Club
1967-1968 - Mrs. Franklin Berry - Virginia Garrett Garden Club & Bowling Green Garden Club
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

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Cardinal Council of Garden Clubs of Kentucky, All Rights Reserved
Webmaster:  Mary Ann Hext
Send corrections and comments to
Mary Ann Hext
Revised: August 02, 2023.