By Shane Goodman | Times Vedette
The Panora Garden Club held its annual Lake Panorama Boat Tour on Wednesday, June 18 shortly after rainstorms hit the area. As the clouds departed, the weather cooperated for a beautiful evening tour on the lake. A total of 13 pontoons provided transportation for the 130 registered participants.
History of the club
The Panora Garden Club began as The Political Equality Club on May 5, 1893. The goal was to raise awareness and gain voting rights for women. In 1898, the women donated their own books and solicited additional books to establish a library for Panora. Voting rights were achieved Oct. 21, 1919, so the club reorganized and became The Panora Women’s Club.
In September 1925, The Panora Garden Club was formed as a department of The Panora Women’s Club. The group reported each month as part of the regular minutes. The Garden Club continued as a department of The Panora Women’s Club but eventually gained equal status. The Women’s Club disbanded in 1998, and the Garden Club took root and bloomed.
Current projects
Current projects of the Panora Garden Club include planting and maintaining the bright blue pots highlighting the business areas; the new Pink Petunia Trees flanking the gazebo steps; the planters at Michael Mills Memorial Park; and the Raccoon Valley Bike Trail. The revitalization of Heritage Park on the North Edge of town along the bike trail is also underway.
Watering these areas became easier using a new cart with water tank that was purchased with donations and grants.
Current Garden Club Members
- Kristi Adriano
- Laurie Behrends
- Karla Bristle
- Paulette Chambers
- Nancy Clawson
- Tamara Deal
- Bette Donahey
- Carol Evens
- Carolyn England
- Sherri Faga
- Patsy Goss
- Mary Kay Hamilton
- Lori Hammer
- Paula Hansen
- Janice Hoobin
- Leisa Jobe
- JoAnn Johnson
- Pam Johnson
- Pat Kading
- Gayle Levis
- Jackie Marckres
- Becky Moore
- Jody Muench
- Mary Kay O’Grady
- Connie Ridgley
- Marcia Roenfeld
- Ruth Rowedder
- Linda Schmitt
- JoAnn Smith
- Adrianne St. Clair
- Julie Tibbles
- Sue Tronchetti
- Paula Wachholtz
- Shanell Wagler
- Laura Warren
- Jean Weisz
- Susan Wendl
- Rhoda Williams
Paula and Lyle Hansen
Dan Wilhelmi leads one of the groups on the Panora Garden Club boat tour.
One of the 13 pontoons that toured the lake on June 20 as part of the Panora Garden Club boat tour. A total of 130 people registered for the tour.
The Audubon group: Gary Keller, Linda Keller, Dan Lowe, Vicki Lowe, Roxanne Hansen, Marcia Huey and Gaylin Huey
Jeanne Henrichsen, Chris Madison and Linda Wendl
Jane Shepherd and Bette Donahey