Gardening group plants tree in memory of its first president

The Fairfield Women?s Club Garden Department has planted a redbud tree in a McElhinny House flowerbed near a large engraved rock in memory of the garden club?s co-organizer and first president, Dorothy Kistler.

Kistler?s love of flowers, trees and gardens as well as the Women?s club prompted her and Joanne Wilson to share their interests and start the garden department, which has grown and remains a very active group.

The department has planted many flowers and shrubs on the historic McElhinny House property and helps maintain the lawn and flowerbeds. The garden club ladies have a plant sale each spring, with members donating plants from their own gardens, which also contributes to the upkeep of the old house.

Wilson, Barbara Smith, Lou Snead and Melva Dahl were the committee named to choose the rock and inscription after memorial funds from the Kistler family were given to the garden department in Mrs. Kistler?s name. Donna Clark, Janet Roberts, Kim Keller and Julie Johnston were members of the committee choosing the plants for the memorial garden.

?It?s not done yet,? said Clark of the memorial, ?We can enlarge the bed and add more after we see what else we want to do, but we want to keep it low maintenance.?