On Friday, May 12th, 2017, a tree was dedicated by the Garden Club at Palm Coast. The tree was planted in Central Park at Town Center, in honor of two deceased club members: Joyce Birrell and Dorothy Leary.
The planted tree is a Muskogee Crepe Myrtle. This crape myrtle is a fast-growing tree that will have an abundance of lavender purple flowers blooming during the summer. This hybrid was developed in the early 1960s by the National Arboretum in Washington, D.C., and given the name of the native American Indian tribe “Muskogee.” This variety has become one of the most widely planted crape myrtles in the United States.
The ceremony was led by our president Cindy Balazik, starting with the Pledge of Allegiance.
Reverend Don Scott, Trinity Presbyterian Church, did the Invocation.
Several club members shared their memories of Joyce and Dorothy.
The tree was then officially dedicated by the Mayor of Palm Coast, the Honorable Milissa Holland. You can read the Mayor’s remarks here:
Mayor Holland remarks Garden Club Arbor Day MAY 2017
The family of Dorothy Leary was represented by one of her daughters Ms Eileen Roggemann, who flew in from New York. She was deeply touched by the ceremony and expressed her gratitude for the club memorializing her mother.
The club members who attended the event were very impressed with the Arbor Day Tree dedication.
What a beautiful Day. Thank yo to every one who attended.
Thank you all for attending. Joyce and
Dorothy we’re looking down on us with the
Great weather. Beautiful crape Myrtle.