Features Editor

April 19, 2000 10 PM

The Florabunda Garden Club of Troy is making a good "first" impression for those who approach the Troy Municipal Complex from South Brundidge Street.

The club recently purchased dozens of pansies to enhance the complex sign display with beautiful flowers of spring.

The flower garden was planted by Raymond Sexton, city grounds superintendent, and his crew. The garden brings a splash of color to the area and draws a lot of attention to the newly renovated complex.

The Florabunda Garden Club has a proud history of assisting with beautification projects around the city that involve "flora."

The club has participated in flower garden projects on the downtown square, at Pike Pioneer Museum, the library complex and at Edge Regional Medical Center.

The members were looking for another project through which they could give something back to the community when they discovered the opportunity at the Troy Municipal Complex.

"The money for our projects comes from the ribbons we win at the Pike County Fair each year with our flower show," said Nell St. John, club member. "We want to give that money back to the community through beautification projects."

St. John said the Florabunda Garden Club only does garden projects.

"Our focus is the garden and a project such as this is the logical outflow of interest for us," she said.

The club has allocated money so that the flower garden can be changed with each season. A permanent marker has been installed in the garden which designates it as a project of the Florabunda Garden Club.

Virginia Clower is president of the club and the project chairperson for the project was Martha Lynn Ellis. Ann Gates and Joyce Lee served on the committee with Ellis.

Every member contributed to the project by participating in the club Flower Show at the Fairgrounds in October.

The Florabunda Garden Club was organized in 1954 and was federated by the state and national garden clubs in 1955.