President
Cindy Smith – Originally from Michigan, I caught the gardening bug from my grandparents. They had a huge vegetable garden every year, and my grandmother grew flowers at one end. There was nothing quite like the taste of new potatoes and peas in a white sauce for dinner. Simple fare but so delicious!
Years later, I grew a vegetable garden at my own home ,but my true passion was in starting annuals and perennials from seed. Every winter, I would eagerly pore over seed catalogs, carefully selecting between 3000 and 4000 seeds to sow in the basement under grow lights. I also designed and added flower beds to the front and back yards, and gave plants to my neighbors and friends. My favorite place to relax in the summer was in a hammock under the canopy of trees near my neatly tended flower beds.
Fast forward to moving to Celebration in 2001. I was excited to learn that there was a Garden Club. Unfortunately, my work schedule didn’t allow me to fully experience all that the club offered. I was a member off and on for several years, however as soon as I retired, I registered at UF to become a Master Gardener, as are many other members of the Garden Club. Since then I have attended meetings and field trips, made many new friends, and have learned so much about gardening in Florida. I’m excited to be working with the wonderful and dedicated Board in planning the speakers and field trips.
Vice President
Kathy Gordy – At an early age I was a budding gardener, helping my dad tend the vegetables and flowers. Sure, playing in the dirt was fun but eating fresh rhubarb dipped in a cup full of sugar was “pure delight”. My college electives included plant science, botany, and plant identification. At our homes, we gardened and tended indoor plants.
The Garden Club monthly outings are what first brought me into the Celebration Garden Club, now I will help to plan them. Playing in the dirt, yes – lots of opportunities for that too. Learning from knowledgeable speakers, priceless. Even if your thumb is not green, we can help with that and make lots of memories along the way.
Treasurer
Robert Boyer – I am pleased to once again be elected as Treasurer of the Garden Club of Celebration, a position I have held for the past fire years. After retiring with forty (40) years in banking and finance I now have the time to focus more on gardening and appreciate the opportunity to assist with implementing the goals of the Garden Club. I look forward to continue to help make Celebration a beautiful place to live.
Secretary
Jaime Eriks – I was raised in WI and graduated UW-Milwaukee with a major in Psychology and a minor in French. I joined the Air Force in 2000, and spent 12 years of service as a C-130 Air Force Instructor Navigator. Our missions took us to Southwest Asia, North America, South America, Europe, and everywhere in-between. From 2003-2005, I was activated in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. From 2008-2017, I worked for the Department of Veteran Affairs and medically retired from civil service as a Rating Veteran Service Representative. My husband Jeff and I moved from WI to Celebration in May 2020. I served as Vice President of the Garden Club for the past two years, and I am also active in the Veterans Club and Rotary Club of Celebration. I love the sense of community I have experienced the last 3 years in Celebration, and I am excited to continue serving on the Garden Club Board as Secretary.
Community Liaison
Brad Wagoner – We moved to Celebration in 2013 from Iowa. We are retired, me from dentistry and my wife Sue from being an engineer with Rockwell. Having tired of living in growing zone 4-5, we wanted to experience growing zone 9. We are go glad that we made the move. The weather, the activities and the new friends make Celebration one of best places we could ever imagine living. Keep your fingers in the dirt! After three years serving as Club President, I am transitioning to Community Liaison to work more closely with Celebration residents and its environment.
Membership
TBA