History of the Hammond Garden Club
Hammond’s first garden club did not just happen. The origin of the Hammond Garden Club materialized through the efforts of civic and cultural leader Faye Warren Reimers, Wife of Timber Mogul, Frederick W. Reimers. The Reimers moved to Hammond in 1914.
Mrs. Reimers heart’s desire was for Hammond to have a garden club, and in the same trend of thought, her desires expanded toward beautifying the town and to make it the prettiest town in Louisiana.
In 1931 Mrs. Reimers invited a group of Hammond women to join her in a meeting at the Hammond City Hall. The purpose was to organize a garden club. Mrs. Reimers served as a chairman. She had gained valuable information on the process of garden club organizations during a visit to her home town. Rock Island, Illinois. She became inspired with the idea and enlisted the assistance of friends in New Orleans.
The first meeting was in May, and the first president was Mrs. Jared Y. Sanders. The home of Mrs. Gus Loustalot was the setting of one of the early sessions. Mrs. Sanders, the president lived on Sanders Avenue, presently the home of Dr. and Mrs. James Nelson.
In addition to the election of president was the induction of other officers. Mrs. Edna Jo Wright was secretary and Mrs. Edward Richardson, treasurer. Members serving as president during the early days were Mrs. C.B. Johnson and Mrs. A.G. Gates.
Names of other carter members were Mrs. Edward Richardson, Mrs. C.S. Rand, Mrs. W.S. Round, Mrs. Jams Foucay, Mrs. Walter H. Brent, Mrs. Morris Kincheloe, Mrs. E.A. Herring, Mrs. Henry A. Mentz, Sr., Mrs. Raymond J. Nelty, Mrs. Powell P. Vail, and Mrs. J.B. Lester.
During the three-year tenure of presidency by Mrs. Sanders, the club planted crape myrtle trees along with oaks. Reportedly it was cold on February 22, 1932 when walnut tree seeds were planted on the grounds of Hammond Eastside School sponsored by the Hammond Garden Club. According to early history, Mrs. Richardson one of the original members of the garden club, obtained five walnut seeds from the Mount Vernon House of George Washington through the efforts of Congressman Bolivar Kemp. Mr. Reimers, Hammond Garden Club founder, worked hand-in-hand with Mrs. Richardson on the project.
The garden club led a movement to have the only tree that flourished transplanted to the Hammond Post Office ground February 22, 1938.
The Hammond Garden Club was federated in 1934. The club had grown in membership and in interest since it inception.
In 1940, the club sent money to the federation to help initiate a conservation course in Louisiana schools.
In 1958, the Hammond Garden Club with the cooperation of school faculty, city officials, and area citizens held ceremonies at the Hammond Post Office grounds for the dedication of the George Washington Mt. Vernon Walnut tree.
One of the most outstanding events of the garden club was hosting of the Louisiana Garden Club Federation Convention and State Flower Show in Hammond in 1959. This was successfully executed by Mrs. Palmer, convention chairman, and Mrs. Penton, Flower Show chairman & members.
Through the years the garden club has participated in flower shows and has staged annual shows in conjunction with the Agriculture-Industrial Futurama exhibit at the Southeastern Louisiana University Coliseum. During the regime of Mrs. Andres, the club entered the Cleanest City Contest.
Among worthwhile programs launched through the years were the establishments of an ordinance making Hammond a Bird Sanctuary and in its prime, the club sponsored a Junior Garden Club.
Other interesting projects recorded by the garden club were helping to landscape the grounds of Seventh Ward General Hospital, furnishing one room in the hospital and planting shrubs at the Community Center.
When the National Council of Garden Clubs held its annual convention in New Orleans, the members of Hammond Garden Club assisted in the preparations for the tour of Hammond. Mrs. James H. Morrison, a member opened her home and grounds for a reception for the delegates. Mrs. Poirier was president.
In 1971-1972 the main project of the club was the beautification of the lighted walkway from S.L.U. to the city of Hammond.
The awarding of the Garden of the Month plaque has been a continuing beautification project and the Link Award jointly sponsored by the Hammond Garden Club and the Chamber of Commerce inspires improvement of Business sites.
In 1980 Hammond Garden Club celebrated its golden anniversary. The celebration was held at the Reimer Memorial Hall. A tree was planted in memory of Faye Reimers.
During the years the club remembered members on Arbor Day by planting a tree as a memorial.
During Hammond’s Centennial year, the Hammond Garden Club was a moving force on the Centennial Commission Board.
Another important achievement of the Hammond Garden Club was hosting the Louisiana Garden Club Federation Convention, which convened in Hammond. Co-hosts for the fifty-sixth convention were clubs of Districts Six. Linda Ryan was the convention chairman. Co-chairmen were Linda Depaula and Rosalie Tubre.
The 1990’s began the decade and the 60th anniversary of the Hammond Garden Club. Since the early days of the founders in 1931 meetings have been held continuously. The desire to beautify the city of Hammond remains, but has expanded into civil activities as well and the decade 1990 did not make its exit without sponsoring a spectacular Veterans day celebration honoring the clubs 60th anniversary and spearheading this event with the garden club were members of the Centennial Commission.
A Standard Flower Show was planned and staged by the Hammond and Belle Oaks Clubs as well as the Art Guild. This was held at the Levy building and called “Arts and Flower Show”. All District VI clubs were included. There were also beautifications to the Miller Memorial Library and The Hammond Nursing Home.
Many awards were given to the club in ’91 and ’92 including those for Arbor Day, Civil Development, Horticulture, Publicity Press Book, and interclub Relations. The “Gold Seal” was given highest “club achievement” and a “certificate of merit” was given for 50 years of continuous membership by the national Council of State Garden Clubs.
In April of 1996 Hammond won the District VI Cleanest City Contest. The city competed in Category D, cities of 10,000-20,000 residents. Linda Broussard was club President at the time. In December a “Tour of Homes” was held and was the forerunner of the later tours of “Homes and Gardens”.
On going projects for the club are many, Christmas decorating at Cate Square, the Christmas Lighting Contest for private homes and businesses. Springtime is devoted to the “Cleanest City Contest” and the “Tour of Homes and Gardens”. Currently the proceeds for ticket sales are allocated for scholarships for SLU students majoring in horticulture. A philanthropic project is a monetary donation to the Ginger Ford Habitat for Humanity to help support housing for low-income families. Landscaping for the home is provided as well. Mrs. Ford was an active member of the club and was the wife of Judge Leon Ford and sadly are now both deceased.
The cleanest City Contest involves many people and begins with school children competing in a poster contest for upper and lower grades. The winning poster becomes a theme for the contest. Club organizers call on all residents and civic groups to participate in this event. Students from schools and clubs help with special day called “Trash Bash” day. Other volunteer workers join in as well, and city workers are directed by the mayor to help clean up all areas of the city.
Other club projects consist of “Arbor Day” and tree planting at a school or civic location, maintaining the Azalea Trail at the old Hammond depot along with the local Azalea Society and the “Garden of the Month” award with is presented to a homeowner judged having the most beautiful yard and garden.
Gardening books are donated to the Tangipahoa Parish Library, which pertain to all types of landscaping and gardens, and to subjects of beautification and conservation.
By the millennium the Hammond Garden Club was active influencing the landscaping and tree ordinance of the city properties. The Hammond Garden Club had from its inception called for standards of beautification to be set.
The traditional projects of awarding deserving businesses and private homeowners for noteworthy landscaping gained importance with the growth of the town and its surrounding area.
The Link Award which began with Chamber of Commerce awarded a large plaque to owners that built renovated or maintained an aesthetically attractive business.
Some of our members were founding members of the Hammond Tree Foundation. The mayor Lewis Tallo appointed several of our members to the Hammond Urban Forestry Advisory Committee and Mayor Mayson Foster continued that practice.
All of the community based activities were done along with the usual schedule of events held by a member of the national and state Garden Club Federation.
The Cleanest City Contest, always an important club activity, receiving large support from the city. A contest was held challenging each council representative to bring out volunteers from their district. A plaque was awarded to the winning council person. Our schools were invited to submit a poster representative of the “Trash Bash” Theme.
2001-Hammond won the Cleanest City in its district and 2nd place in state.
2003-Hammond placed 1st in its district and 1st place in the state.
2004-Hammond placed 2nd in the district.
2007 thru 2018-Hammond placed 1st in its district and 1st place in the state.
Over the years the club was able to fund a scholarship in horticulture at SLU to a needy and worthy student. The club has had a close working relationship with Dr. Sid Guidry of the Horticulture Department and through the efforts of our member Linda Ryan.
All of these community based activities were accomplished in addition to our usual schedule of events. For the last few years we also decorated a Christmas tree at the lobby of North Oaks Hospital and designed and planted a butterfly shaped garden at the Zemurray Park in downtown Hammond.
Hammond’s first garden club did not just happen. The origin of the Hammond Garden Club materialized through the efforts of civic and cultural leader Faye Warren Reimers, Wife of Timber Mogul, Frederick W. Reimers. The Reimers moved to Hammond in 1914.
Mrs. Reimers heart’s desire was for Hammond to have a garden club, and in the same trend of thought, her desires expanded toward beautifying the town and to make it the prettiest town in Louisiana.
In 1931 Mrs. Reimers invited a group of Hammond women to join her in a meeting at the Hammond City Hall. The purpose was to organize a garden club. Mrs. Reimers served as a chairman. She had gained valuable information on the process of garden club organizations during a visit to her home town. Rock Island, Illinois. She became inspired with the idea and enlisted the assistance of friends in New Orleans.
The first meeting was in May, and the first president was Mrs. Jared Y. Sanders. The home of Mrs. Gus Loustalot was the setting of one of the early sessions. Mrs. Sanders, the president lived on Sanders Avenue, presently the home of Dr. and Mrs. James Nelson.
In addition to the election of president was the induction of other officers. Mrs. Edna Jo Wright was secretary and Mrs. Edward Richardson, treasurer. Members serving as president during the early days were Mrs. C.B. Johnson and Mrs. A.G. Gates.
Names of other carter members were Mrs. Edward Richardson, Mrs. C.S. Rand, Mrs. W.S. Round, Mrs. Jams Foucay, Mrs. Walter H. Brent, Mrs. Morris Kincheloe, Mrs. E.A. Herring, Mrs. Henry A. Mentz, Sr., Mrs. Raymond J. Nelty, Mrs. Powell P. Vail, and Mrs. J.B. Lester.
During the three-year tenure of presidency by Mrs. Sanders, the club planted crape myrtle trees along with oaks. Reportedly it was cold on February 22, 1932 when walnut tree seeds were planted on the grounds of Hammond Eastside School sponsored by the Hammond Garden Club. According to early history, Mrs. Richardson one of the original members of the garden club, obtained five walnut seeds from the Mount Vernon House of George Washington through the efforts of Congressman Bolivar Kemp. Mr. Reimers, Hammond Garden Club founder, worked hand-in-hand with Mrs. Richardson on the project.
The garden club led a movement to have the only tree that flourished transplanted to the Hammond Post Office ground February 22, 1938.
The Hammond Garden Club was federated in 1934. The club had grown in membership and in interest since it inception.
In 1940, the club sent money to the federation to help initiate a conservation course in Louisiana schools.
In 1958, the Hammond Garden Club with the cooperation of school faculty, city officials, and area citizens held ceremonies at the Hammond Post Office grounds for the dedication of the George Washington Mt. Vernon Walnut tree.
One of the most outstanding events of the garden club was hosting of the Louisiana Garden Club Federation Convention and State Flower Show in Hammond in 1959. This was successfully executed by Mrs. Palmer, convention chairman, and Mrs. Penton, Flower Show chairman & members.
Through the years the garden club has participated in flower shows and has staged annual shows in conjunction with the Agriculture-Industrial Futurama exhibit at the Southeastern Louisiana University Coliseum. During the regime of Mrs. Andres, the club entered the Cleanest City Contest.
Among worthwhile programs launched through the years were the establishments of an ordinance making Hammond a Bird Sanctuary and in its prime, the club sponsored a Junior Garden Club.
Other interesting projects recorded by the garden club were helping to landscape the grounds of Seventh Ward General Hospital, furnishing one room in the hospital and planting shrubs at the Community Center.
When the National Council of Garden Clubs held its annual convention in New Orleans, the members of Hammond Garden Club assisted in the preparations for the tour of Hammond. Mrs. James H. Morrison, a member opened her home and grounds for a reception for the delegates. Mrs. Poirier was president.
In 1971-1972 the main project of the club was the beautification of the lighted walkway from S.L.U. to the city of Hammond.
The awarding of the Garden of the Month plaque has been a continuing beautification project and the Link Award jointly sponsored by the Hammond Garden Club and the Chamber of Commerce inspires improvement of Business sites.
In 1980 Hammond Garden Club celebrated its golden anniversary. The celebration was held at the Reimer Memorial Hall. A tree was planted in memory of Faye Reimers.
During the years the club remembered members on Arbor Day by planting a tree as a memorial.
During Hammond’s Centennial year, the Hammond Garden Club was a moving force on the Centennial Commission Board.
Another important achievement of the Hammond Garden Club was hosting the Louisiana Garden Club Federation Convention, which convened in Hammond. Co-hosts for the fifty-sixth convention were clubs of Districts Six. Linda Ryan was the convention chairman. Co-chairmen were Linda Depaula and Rosalie Tubre.
The 1990’s began the decade and the 60th anniversary of the Hammond Garden Club. Since the early days of the founders in 1931 meetings have been held continuously. The desire to beautify the city of Hammond remains, but has expanded into civil activities as well and the decade 1990 did not make its exit without sponsoring a spectacular Veterans day celebration honoring the clubs 60th anniversary and spearheading this event with the garden club were members of the Centennial Commission.
A Standard Flower Show was planned and staged by the Hammond and Belle Oaks Clubs as well as the Art Guild. This was held at the Levy building and called “Arts and Flower Show”. All District VI clubs were included. There were also beautifications to the Miller Memorial Library and The Hammond Nursing Home.
Many awards were given to the club in ’91 and ’92 including those for Arbor Day, Civil Development, Horticulture, Publicity Press Book, and interclub Relations. The “Gold Seal” was given highest “club achievement” and a “certificate of merit” was given for 50 years of continuous membership by the national Council of State Garden Clubs.
In April of 1996 Hammond won the District VI Cleanest City Contest. The city competed in Category D, cities of 10,000-20,000 residents. Linda Broussard was club President at the time. In December a “Tour of Homes” was held and was the forerunner of the later tours of “Homes and Gardens”.
On going projects for the club are many, Christmas decorating at Cate Square, the Christmas Lighting Contest for private homes and businesses. Springtime is devoted to the “Cleanest City Contest” and the “Tour of Homes and Gardens”. Currently the proceeds for ticket sales are allocated for scholarships for SLU students majoring in horticulture. A philanthropic project is a monetary donation to the Ginger Ford Habitat for Humanity to help support housing for low-income families. Landscaping for the home is provided as well. Mrs. Ford was an active member of the club and was the wife of Judge Leon Ford and sadly are now both deceased.
The cleanest City Contest involves many people and begins with school children competing in a poster contest for upper and lower grades. The winning poster becomes a theme for the contest. Club organizers call on all residents and civic groups to participate in this event. Students from schools and clubs help with special day called “Trash Bash” day. Other volunteer workers join in as well, and city workers are directed by the mayor to help clean up all areas of the city.
Other club projects consist of “Arbor Day” and tree planting at a school or civic location, maintaining the Azalea Trail at the old Hammond depot along with the local Azalea Society and the “Garden of the Month” award with is presented to a homeowner judged having the most beautiful yard and garden.
Gardening books are donated to the Tangipahoa Parish Library, which pertain to all types of landscaping and gardens, and to subjects of beautification and conservation.
By the millennium the Hammond Garden Club was active influencing the landscaping and tree ordinance of the city properties. The Hammond Garden Club had from its inception called for standards of beautification to be set.
The traditional projects of awarding deserving businesses and private homeowners for noteworthy landscaping gained importance with the growth of the town and its surrounding area.
The Link Award which began with Chamber of Commerce awarded a large plaque to owners that built renovated or maintained an aesthetically attractive business.
Some of our members were founding members of the Hammond Tree Foundation. The mayor Lewis Tallo appointed several of our members to the Hammond Urban Forestry Advisory Committee and Mayor Mayson Foster continued that practice.
All of the community based activities were done along with the usual schedule of events held by a member of the national and state Garden Club Federation.
The Cleanest City Contest, always an important club activity, receiving large support from the city. A contest was held challenging each council representative to bring out volunteers from their district. A plaque was awarded to the winning council person. Our schools were invited to submit a poster representative of the “Trash Bash” Theme.
2001-Hammond won the Cleanest City in its district and 2nd place in state.
2003-Hammond placed 1st in its district and 1st place in the state.
2004-Hammond placed 2nd in the district.
2007 thru 2018-Hammond placed 1st in its district and 1st place in the state.
Over the years the club was able to fund a scholarship in horticulture at SLU to a needy and worthy student. The club has had a close working relationship with Dr. Sid Guidry of the Horticulture Department and through the efforts of our member Linda Ryan.
All of these community based activities were accomplished in addition to our usual schedule of events. For the last few years we also decorated a Christmas tree at the lobby of North Oaks Hospital and designed and planted a butterfly shaped garden at the Zemurray Park in downtown Hammond.