Summer is about over, and it’s time to start up not only a new school year but local community club activities.

It’s been a short summer, but not all the time has been spent on vacations or going to the beach or the pool. Many groups have spent their time in workshops, seminars and meetings to be prepared for their upcoming year.

Officers of the Book Lovers Study Club, for example, have been busy working on their club’s yearbook, which organizes their plan of action, projects and fundraisers for the year. Book Lovers President Patricia Cox attended a GFWC Alabama Leadership Workshop in Montgomery in July at the Alabama Supreme Justice Building. More than 100 club members across the state attended to learn about the many projects that are available for their Community Service Programs for education, conservation, international outreach, home life, the arts and public issues.

Three Book Lovers Study Club members serve on the GFWC Alabama Federation of Women Clubs Board of Directors: Cheri McCain, Education Community Service Program Chairman; myself, Legislation/Public Policy Committee Chairman; and Patricia Cox, North Region Assistant Director.

The GFWC Alabama Board of Directors coordinates the activities of the GFWC/AFWC clubs in Alabama. The board meets on a regular basis at the AFWC Headquarters in Birmingham and has regularly scheduled district meetings in the North, Central and South regions.

Russellville’s Cultura Garden Club is affiliated with the Garden Club of Alabama, Inc.; Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc.; and the National Garden Clubs, Inc.  Their officers for 2018-2020 are Hillary Hall, president; Michelle Sibley, first vice president; Cheri McCain, second vice president; Sherry James, secretary; Carol Dykes, treasurer; Doris Woodruff, historian; and Debbie Beason, parliamentarian.

They have been busy planning their projects, activities and fundraisers. Their projects consist of downtown beautification, Every Light a Prayer for Peace Observance, observing Arbor Day and Earth Day, stressing recycling, conservation awareness, the Woodsy Owl and Smoky the Bear poster contests and more.

The National Garden Clubs, Inc. theme is “Plant America.”  The Cultura Garden Club’s theme is “Planting Our Roots: 200 Years of Russellville.”

Club Chronicles is a weekly feature by Susie Malone.