Continuing Projects
Arbor Day, Rogers, AR: GCR joins more than 1 million other Arbor Day Foundation supporters to help plant trees and educate the community on how to use trees as a solution to issues including air quality, water quality, deforestation, and community beautification. Sherrie Maldonado, Chairman
Botanical Garden of the Ozarks: Fayetteville, AR: GCR provides financial support to the Botanical Garden of the Ozarks. The garden’s purpose is to provide educational, entertainment and recreational opportunities for students, residents and visitors to increase their appreciation of the native and natural ecosystem of the Ozarks. This donation helps all of NW Arkansas and all visitors benefit from this garden and its mission.
Cambridge Park Cleanup, Rogers, AR: GCR partners with the Rogers Parks Department to keep one mile of the Cambridge Park bike and walking trail litter-free each month. The club endeavors to lead by example in community cleanup. Elizabeth Pier Smith, Chairman
Fire Station Planters, Rogers, AR: The former president chose to plant flower pots at three Rogers Fire Stations as her signature project. It was so well received it is now a continuing project. Members change out the flowers in the fall and again in the spring. The firemen and city benefit from the added beauty and from knowing that they are appreciated. Marge Leonard, Chairman
Garden Club of Rogers, Newsletter, Rogers, AR: GCR publishes a quarterly newsletter for its members. Committee chairmen send reports to the editor who publishes the newsletter and delivers to members via email, or via postal service for those members who do not have email. This is another way GCR keeps its members informed of the most current events. Kelly English, Chairman
Garden Of The Month: Rogers, AR: GCR recognizes non-member local residents for creating and maintaining exceptional gardens. The club awards a winner each month from May through September with a GCR gift, and a Bradford Yard Living + Landscaping gift certificate. In addition, the recognized gardener receives a yard sign, publicity and personal recognition at a GCR general meeting that includes a free lunch. The program is designed to promote community beautification and gardening. Debi Chapman, Chairman
Garden Therapy: Rogers, AR: On hold this year due to COVID restrictions. GCR provides garden therapy once a month at the Apple Blossom Retirement Community. Therapy includes hands-on garden related projects that residents participate in as a group. Residents learn, share and visit with their neighbors and with club members. Sharon Brinley, Chairman
Keeta Arnold Memorial Horticulture Scholarship: Rogers, AR: GCR sponsors the Keeta Arnold Memorial Horticulture Scholarship. The purpose of the scholarship is to offer financial aid to students majoring in horticulture related subjects. This scholarship honors the memory of long time garden club member, mentor, high school counselor, teacher and gardener, Keeta Arnold. At least one scholarship is awarded yearly in the amount of $1,500 and is available to college juniors, seniors, and graduate students pursuing a master’s degree. Student must be attending an accredited college or university, be a legal resident of Arkansas, be attending school full-time, and have a cumulative GPA of at least 3.25. Deadline for application is Jan. 1, 2022. For complete rules and applications please contact our committee chairman Sherrie Eoff, (479) 903-5389, or at skeoff@hotmail.com or apply online at: https://ilovegcr.com/gcr-scholarship-application/
National Garden Week June 5-11, 2022: Rogers, AR: GCR will kick off National Garden Week with a “GCR family” social while enjoying a beautiful garden. Another activity will include creating floral designs and distributing to local businesses. There will be tours, workshops and one “GIVE BACK” day. GCR chooses one organization to give back to, hoping to help meet some of the needs of the chosen organization. Last year we chose St. Andrews’ Episcopal Church and worked in its Columbarium. We celebrate the entire week by promoting the love of gardening and making a difference in our community, raising awareness of the importance of all creatures large and small and nurturing the beauty and resources of our land. Details TBA. Debbie Main, Chairman
Native Butterfly Garden: Historic Downtown Rogers, AR: GCR has partnered with the City of Rogers and the NWA Master Naturalists to help design and maintain a butterfly garden. It includes many native plants that are both host and nectar plants for 18 butterflies found locally. The project’s goal is to educate the public on both the butterflies and their host plants in a native and natural setting. This garden also beautifies the downtown area. Elizabeth Pier Smith, Chairman
Operation Wildflower, Rogers, AR: GCR donated $1,000 to the Arkansas Department of Transportation’s Operation Wildflower Program to be used to plant wildflower seeds along a stretch of Highway 49 in Benton County. Signage will indicate GCR sponsorship to promote the organization and the flowers will beautify our roads.
Ozark Natural Science Center: Madison County, AR: GCR provides financial support to the Ozark Natural Science Center. Its mission is to enhance the understanding, appreciation, and stewardship of the Ozark natural environment. All 5th graders in Benton, Washington and Carroll Counties attend a two-day, two-night environmental studies camp. More than 45,000 children have already benefited from this program. The club’s donation helps to fill the gap between the fee schools can pay for each student and the actual cost for them to attend this non-profit camp.
Plant Sale Fundraiser: Rogers, AR: The annual plant sale is GCR’s major fundraiser and is conducted every spring. Besides raising necessary operating funds it also provides local gardeners the opportunity to purchase tried-and-true perennials from members’ gardens. The funds raised through the sale allow the club to achieve its objectives, provide support to other organizations with similar goals and to participate in the many gardening projects listed here. Gail Wright, Chairman
President’s Project, Rogers, AR: The project that the current president chose is to design a flower bed at the east entrance at the Center For Non-Profit at St. Mary’s, Rogers, AR. She wants to bring a welcoming spot to the center as our community seeks help. This bed has a large maple tree where members will plant bedding plants under and line the bed with stone. The design also includes a prayer bench, creating a place for visitors to sit and rest. Laynette Riley, President
Recycling: Rogers, AR: GCR along with Rogers residents, Highland Oncology Group, and our youth gardeners collect aluminum can pop tabs. Monies earned from the sale of the aluminum benefit the Ronald McDonald House rooms at Mercy Hospital, providing housing, food and other items for parents of children in NIC and pediatric units. Benefits also reach other Ronald McDonald Charities of ARKOMA. Sue Mank, Chairman
Tower Park, Rogers, AR: For many years GCR has maintained two flower beds at Tower Park. This committee recently redesigned and replanted these beds using mostly native plants. The newest adoption is a raised bed in this park which has also been planted with native plants. These efforts provide an attractive and educational park that benefits the entire community. Elizabeth Pier Smith, Chairman
Youth Gardening: Pre-K Center, Rogers, AR: GCR supports Youth Gardening throughout the year through presentations and hands-on training programs. Topics include litter and recycling, butterflies and caterpillars, pollinators, birds, chia people, trees, seeds, and planting annuals. All students at the Rogers Pre-K Center benefit by learning about nature and the environment. Sherrie Eoff, Chairman
Youth Environmental Education Contests: Rogers, AR: GCR sponsors Youth Environmental Education Contests that encourage children to take a personal role in preventing wild fires, and conserving natural resources. The club invites schools to participate and disseminates contest rules, judges entries, presents awards and then forwards winning entries on to the Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs, South Central Region Clubs and National Garden Clubs levels of the contests. Contests include a local Smokey Bear & Woodsy Owl poster drawing contest for grades 1-5, a bird poster drawing contest for grades Pre-K-12, and a recycled sculpture contest for grades 4-8. Robyn Catagnus, Chairman
Garden Events
Garden Tours: GCR schedules several garden tours throughout the year for members to enjoy. Carol McCutcheon, Chairman
Plant Swap: Club members meet once a year for a plant swap and potluck get-together. Rules are simple: bring one plant, take one plant, bring two, take two, etc., with a limit of five. Sherrie Eoff, Chairman
Pass Along Plants: GCR members may bring their excess plants, seeds or cuttings to the monthly general meetings that they wish to share with other members. Sherrie Eoff, Chairman
Pass Along Magazines: GCR members may bring their gently used, preferably garden-related, magazines to the monthly general meeting to share with other members. This is one more way members can recycle. Sherrie Eoff, Chairman