Gabriella Garden Club

March 22, 2022

Gabriella Garden Club was invited to join the Garden Club of Virginia in 1938. As described in Follow the Green Arrow I, “On the scene comes the garden club with the delightful name… Gabriella!”

Therapeutic Horticulture

According to Follow the Green Arrow II, Gabriella Garden Club “finally” opened the Danville Memorial Hospital roof garden in 1990 and celebrated with a “christening party” in honor of the 100-year-old hospital auxiliary — the Ladies Benevolent Society. The club received the 1994 GCV Common Wealth Award in support of the project that focused the club’s attention on therapeutic horticulture. Monthly teams of club members watered and refreshed plants and flowers twice weekly for years as the beautiful garden provided respite for patients, family and staff. Due to the hospital’s need for expansion, the garden was closed in 2001.

The club continued focusing on therapeutic horticulture with a project across the street from the hospital when members landscaped and maintained the grounds in front of the Foundation House — a home that provided temporary housing for patients’ families.

In honor of the 75th anniversary of the Garden Club of Virginia, Gabriella planted a green ash tree on the front lawn of the Danville Science Center.

In 1999, Gabriella became involved with the Department of Environmental Quality’s “Project WET” (Water Education Today). Two Gabriella members, trained and certified by DEQ, conducted workshops to explain the purpose of the program and to design and assemble Project WET kits. The club then presented the assembled kits to area schools for third- and fourth-grade Standards of Learning. Third-grade teachers also received a box filled with items to teach conservation principles.

After years of planning, Gabriella hosted the 2002 Annual Meeting of the Garden Club of Virginia at the Stratford Inn Conference Center, chaired by Sharon Scott and Ina Ingram. Upon arrival, attendees were each presented with a gift bag that included a small boxwood — rooted, loving nurtured and potted by Gabriella club members.

Prior to the meeting, Sharon hosted “a magnificent Board luncheon served under the elegant arms of the voluptuous crab apple tree” in her backyard, followed by the Board meeting in her home.

The Dutch treat dinner was held at the Danville Community Market with “Gabriels” tending bar. In her tribute, Mariette Gwathmey asked, “Are there really that many ferns in the entire world??!!”

Attendees were offered a choice of three afternoon activities: a tour of Carol Strange’s garden, filled with the scent of old roses; a stroll along the River Walk; or a tour of Millionaire’s Row that included the Langhorne House, home of the Gibson Girl and her sister Lady Astor.

The awards banquet was held at the Danville Golf Club, transformed into Victorian splendor, complete with brocade table toppers, hats, hat pins, pin cushions, flower hat boxes and moss-covered hats, all different. Gabriella herself sat on the mantel, decked out in parsley, lime green pearls and white lilies.

With little recovery time following the 2002 Annual Meeting, Gabriella embarked on a project in 2003, donating $20,000 to the Danville Science Center to help restore the 1948 Norfolk and Western caboose, located on the historic train tracks near the center. The caboose is used as an outdoor classroom and a meeting location for the community. The funds also helped restore the veranda with plantings the club maintains.

In 2006, Gabriella adopted a green space, Danville Interchange Garden (DIG) 9. The City of Danville maintains the site that Gabriella continues to fund with proceeds from its annual wreath and garland sale. Gabriella celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2008 by planting 14 dogwood trees at the site, followed by a reception.

The club began the “Blooming Idiots” in 2011. Members are invited to meet the day before each business meeting and create arrangements, to be displayed at the business meeting. Participants bring material from their gardens or use what is available from other members. Novice and seasoned arrangers participate to learn about all aspects of floral design, but also to enjoy friendships and laughter.

Gabriella Garden Club president (2011-2013) Martha Ray introduced “Gabriella Gamers” to encourage members to go beyond “club expectations.” She challenged members to perform one task from each of the following headings: gardening, arranging, meetings and recycling. Points were given for each category a member completed, and the winner was announced at the end of the year. The competition was fierce and energized the membership.

The 76th and 77th Annual Rose Shows were hosted by Gabriella Garden Club in 2014 and 2015 at the Institute of Advanced Learning and Research in Danville, co-chaired by Margaret Scott and Sharon Scott.

2014 Rose Show Photos

2015 Rose Show Photos

In 2020, Gabriella began discussing an exciting project — HOME Pocket Park. The space is located in a rapidly growing area of Danville’s downtown district. It currently houses the HOME sign which was part of a larger sign for Dan River Fabrics, one of the largest textile mills in the South. The mill closed as textile industries essentially began disappearing, leaving high unemployment and dilapidated buildings. For more than a decade, Danville has been rebuilding, adopting the moniker, “The Comeback City.” In addition to this sign’s historical significance, it has become a symbol of Danville, frequently photographed and used for marketing materials. The land, however, is underutilized.

Gabriella envisions an interactive and multifunctional space of natural beauty within its urban location. A plan has been developed using a combination of hard- and softscape materials, with perennials providing color throughout the year. It will also include places to gather for outdoor dining, individual reflection and community events. Working closely with the City of Danville Parks and Recreation Department, the club plans to be involved in all aspects of this project, including installation. The club pledged an initial $10,000 and has received a $2,500 grant from the Danville Kiwanis Foundation. Once the project is completed, the City of Danville will provide general maintenance and the Gabriella membership will provide seasonal maintenance, such as weeding, clipping and planter refreshing throughout the year.

According to club members, “the Gabs” have been a hands-on, talented, hardworking group of extraordinary ladies since 1933, serving as GCV officers, Board members and committee chairmen through the years. Ribbons have been won and accolades received. The club has held horticulture, preservation and conservation meetings each year; recycled; and raised funds for community projects.

GGC Presidents 1995-2021

1995-1997	Carol Stoakley
1997-1999	Sharon Scott
1999-2001	Ranjana Clark
2001-2003	Paige Wiseman
2003-2005	Cathy Green
2005-2007	Boo Compton
2007-2009	Sharon Whitt
2009-2011	Margaret Scott
2011-2013	Martha Ray
2013-2015	Patsi Compton
2015-2017	Betty Leggett
2017-2019	Cathy Green
2019-2021	Katherine Jones