Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathleen Louviere.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Kathleen. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
Strength… life changing events happen for everyone. Mine occurred on a rainy night in March of 1984. A curvy road named Easy Street was flooded from a hurricane hitting the East Coast, my route home from work… I had small flashes of memory over the next few weeks. I was told by physicians I would never walk or use my right arm again. I was 28 years old with three children under 5. I thanked them for their opinions and told them, “lets get to work”. And I did. I go back to this “place” in my mind oftentimes when I was told I couldn’t or wouldn’t be able to accomplish a task. I draw on that inner strength and faith knowing that if you don’t try how will you know. Life is beautiful, to be cherished moment by moment without consideration of circumstance. There is much “in-between” from then until now… but let’s jump ahead to Texas.
My husband is a native Sugar Lander. He was blessed to grow up here when there were only 2000 people living in Sugar Land. My husband and I met in Arizona where we married. We made the decision to move to Sugar Land to be closer to family in 2010. My dear friend and aunt-in-law (is there such a thing) Yvonne Louviere introduced me to the Sugar Land Garden Club. I couldn’t wait for the monthly meetings. I was asked if I wanted to be on a committee and I hesitantly accepted. It was the Hospitality Committee which was a window I was glad was opened for me. I stayed on that committee for several years along with picking up as editor of our monthly newsletter “The Greenleaf”. Both of these positions allowed me to learn about the club I cherished. When I was asked to be President, I was actually amazed, delighted and nervous all at once.
Has it been a smooth road?
The only obstacle I have ever encountered is myself. I believe as human beings, we have a tendency to think we are never “quite enough”. The volunteers in this organization are always ready to share their knowledge and help you to grow as a person. We may have differences of opinions on how to go from point A to point B (how can we not), but always find the road that leads us there together.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Sugar Land Garden Club – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others.
Sugar Land Garden Club is the oldest garden club in this area. Established in 1932, this club was organized for charitable and educational purposes. In 1932, Mrs. W T Eldridge was the first President, bringing the club into light for the community. Here is a small list of some of our Continuing Projects each year:
Brazos Bend State Park, Local School Gardens, SLGC Scholarship Fund for 2 qualified Horticulture students from Stephen F Austin University, Arbor Day Donation, Brookwood Community Volunteer Program, Habitat For Humanity, Collecting Donations for East Fort Bend Human needs Ministry and Women’s Center, Book Donations to Fort Bend County Libraries and Displays at Sugar Land Library.
As an organization, we have two major events each year to raise money. We have already finished with Bulb Mania, our Fall event and will be having a Silent Auction in April.
Our organization is only as successful as our volunteers. We have a plethora!
The first Tuesday of each month we have a workshop for members, the 3rd Tuesday is our general meeting and the 4th Tuesday is our field trip. Our workshops are always something garden related. Our field trips can take us anywhere in Texas… sometimes overnight in a treehouse!
The message I wrote in the beginning of my first year as President, for our members, still holds true:
Dear Members,
Sometimes, we think there isn’t enough time to read the poetry or listen to the music our garden of members make. Each one of us is a musical note or rhyme, finding their place on the music scale or in a sequenced poetry line. Gardening, like our lives is seasonal. Let’s nurture each other as we nurture our seedlings and harvest in our love of gardening and friendships.
Contact Info:
- Address: P.O Box 725
Sugar Land, Texas 77498 - Website: www.sugarlandgarenclub.org
- Email: sugarlandgardenclub@gmail.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SugarLandGardenClub/
Image Credit:
Carrie Sample and Terri Hurley
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