Root & Bloom Garden Club
How It All Began--A group of ambitious garden-minded women in 1947, became very interested in forming a garden club. Since a number of the original group were members of Puyallup Women's Club, that organization became the sponsors of the fledgling Root & Bloom Garden Club. Within a year’s time the garden club severed connections with the sponsor club and organized the first independent Root and Bloomsers. Three of the charter members, were Lillian Coleman, Hesper Spooner and Jerdis Oliver. Root & Bloom organized the new club Valley Bloomers and was active with the Silver Slippers Jr Club.
Activities of the early years centered around the Daffodil Festival and Western Washington Fair. The G.A.R. home, later to become the Valley Nursing Home, and now the Meeker Mansion all one and the same building received special attention at holiday time, representing many hours of work preparing decorations for doorways, halls, stairs and even tray favors for the occupants.
1950--For several years after the War Memorial Building was built, the club participated regularly in the May 30 ceremonies with various floral pieces designed and built by members. There were several years where the club supplied the Puyallup Public Library with season arrangements.
1975-- Hill & Dale District was formed, and Root & Bloom became one of the original clubs in the new district. Besides decorating the front parlor at the Meeker Mansion ornamental Pepper Plants were sold at the sales table booth. Root & Bloom donated half of their profit to the Meeker Society and decided to become an organizational member of the society.
1976--The prime interest of the group was horticulture, which is evident by the many ribbons and honors the club has received over the years, as well as the very well-kept yards and gardens that frame their homes said Mrs. Orno Oliver, President.
1979--Root & Bloom presented 2 rose bushes to be planted in Seabrook Memorial Rose Garden in Pioneer Park.
1980--A Norway Maple Tree was planted at the Sumner Library for Arbor day. The short ceremony was attended by Jerdis Oliver, Louise Merriman, Director of Public Works, Sumner Parks Department and members of Root & Bloom. The Rev John Coffman gave the invocation and benediction.
1987--Meeker Mansion was furnished with two large pots of flowers. They were placed at the carriage entrance. While at Watsons Nursery, this was mentioned to Mr. Watson and he donated a planter box for the area.
1989--A gift of Dutch Master Daffodils were given to President George H.W. Bush and Mrs. Bush. Both wrote a very nice thank you.
1990--In March our meeting was held in the dining room at the Meeker Mansion where we discussed rules, regulations and ideas or designs in preparation for the Spring Show.
1997--50th Anniversary Tea was on May 18, 1997 at the Canyon Terrace Clubhouse. You are cordially invited to help celebrate our 50th Anniversary, come enjoy a fancy sandwich and some cake with us, was advertised in the Echo. Two of our charter members were honored Agnes Dennis and Madeline Thomas, both have been with us since the very beginning and they received gold pins that were in the shape of roses, with tiny little diamonds sprinkled over the rose. They even got their pictures in the Pierce County Herald.
2001--We lost our meeting place at Canyon Terrace Clubhouse because our member that lived there found it to strenuous to attend. We are now meetings in the foyer of the Tacoma Sportsmen’s Club.
2004--We welcome our two newest members, Harriet Miller and Judy Strickland. They quickly joined our work force in the kitchen at the District Workshop and helped assemble the centerpieces for the March District Meeting.
2006--The community project for this year was to clean, plant and maintain the memorial garden at Central Avenue Elementary School.
2007--In September our club celebrated its 60th Anniversary and cake was served at the District Meeting. We are still continuing to decorate the Meeker Mansion for the holidays.
2009--Root & Bloom created a website for our club, check it out at rootandbloomgardenclub.weebly.com.
2013--Started having our meetings at Midland Community Center.
2015--Root & Bloom took on a new Community Beautification Project. In February & March of 2015 we redid the front garden at the Masonic Center where our District Meetings are held. It has had new dirt added with a working drainage system to keep it more evenly wet, along with some new plants. There are also wooden signs with each of the club names of our district to welcome members as they arrive.
2017--At the May District Meeting we made history when our new District Director, Kathleen Toups, 1st Assistant Director, Rachel Jennings, and 2nd Assistant Director, Kathy Johnson all from Root & Bloom were installed. Our 70th year anniversary with tea, cake and our very best hats was a perfect way to celebrate.
2020--When Covid 19 arrived as a pandemic in March, we paused all meetings and activities for three months then in June were able to meet in a member’s large garage shop with masks and social distancing. In September meetings were started back up at the Tacoma Sportsman's Club still with masks and social distancing.
2021--As the pandemic continued and actually increased in numbers our club started to hold Zoom meetings. After most members learned how to zoom from their home computers, we meet for the next 3 months on zoom and shared YouTube videos for our speakers. Then in March we started having Hybrid meetings which is both an in-person meeting and others from home zooming into that meeting.
2022-- We have still been able to meet in person at the Tacoma Sportsman's Club still wearing masks to be safe. Besides our monthly meetings some extra outings have been planned for this year. Rachel Jennings because of the pandemic is continuing as our District Director for another 2 years who is also a member of Root & Bloom.
2023-- Root & Bloom is back to its normal meetings, pre pandemic, and our membership has exploded. We have added thirteen new members this year and have gone to year-round meetings. Unfortunately, we have now capped our membership at 40 members. Kathy Johnson is now our current District Director which means Hill & Dale directors have been from Root & Bloom for the last 6 years and we are now starting on our 7 & 8 years. Way to go Root & Bloom.