On April 4th, 1935, at the home of Mrs. Lizzie Foltz in Deodate, a group of women interested in gardening ... met to form a Flower Club." So begins a "History of The Little Flower Club," written by a member of the Elizabethtown Flower Club. That small group of women has grown into a club that is still going strong, although there is some discrepancy about the club's exact origins.

"We are celebrating 80 years, but in researching the club's history we discovered that the inception of the club began in 1935, which is 91 years ago," said president Cindy Wivell. "We may have to decide as a club which date we will designate to celebrate our 100th anniversary."

When it formed, the club collected dues of 25 cents a year, and club members were expected to grow seven annuals and five perennials annually. "These were exciting times, when each member tried to raise perfect blooms," the history states. "Between flower shows, arrangements would be taken to the meetings for comparison and criticism."

While some things have changed, such as the annual dues, the mission of the club remains steady almost a century after its inception.

"Our club meets monthly on the first Monday of each month at The Gathering Place in Mount Joy. We enjoy a delicious lunch and typically hear from a speaker on a gardening topic," Wivell said. "We collect a small membership due that covers the cost of a little membership booklet with each member's contact information and a schedule of the year's programs."

The club year runs from September through July, with no meetings in January and February.

"We also hold two silent auctions a year where members bring things from home to be auctioned," Wivell remarked. "The items range from plants, baked goods, household decor and holiday decorations. It's a fun time more than anything."

Wivell noted that the club - which currently includes 106 members - was more active in the community in its earlier years, with members entering flower shows and supporting local organizations such as the library.

"At this point, our membership primarily gathers for our own education and enjoyment due to physical limitations," she said. "However, if our members express interest in becoming more active, we will welcome opportunities that make sense for our group."

Wivell has been a member since 2022.

"My daughter and I attended a meeting together that included a presentation on orchids, and I was hooked," she said. "The presentations are a bonus to the time of connection I enjoy with the other members during the luncheon. It's my favorite day of the month. After joining, I quickly got recruited to serve on the board, and it's been an absolute privilege to work alongside such a wonderful group of women that keep the club moving forward while preserving the traditions that were started over 90 years ago."

Even though the group is called the "Elizabethtown Flower Club," members come from outside the town, Wivell said, adding, "Our members are primarily from the Elizabethtown and Mount Joy areas, but we have members that drive more than 30 minutes to attend."

The group welcomes new guests to join the monthly meetings.

"If they enjoy eating good food, meeting new people and are interested in topics related to flowers and gardens, they will enjoy the Elizabethtown Flower Club," Wivell said.

She emphasized that the club does not have an online presence, and that's intentional.

"We're an old-fashioned club and intend to keep it that way," she explained. "In fact, our members get a personal phone call to see if they will be attending the next meeting. We welcome phone inquiries for more information."

To learn more about the club, contact Barb Mowrer at 717-684-5331 or call Wivell at 717-405-1930.