Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Garden club gathers
Jewelers mark diamond anniversary
Susan Hutchinson, Arkansas’ first lady, and Holly Wyman, Governor’s Mansion horticulturist, were the featured speakers at the Bentonville Garden Club’s annual holiday auction and luncheon Nov. 20 at Four Points by Sheraton in Bentonville.
The two offered insights into the creation, growth and maintenance of the gardens on the mansion’s grounds, including the addition of bee hives.
The pre-Thanksgiving tradition serves as a fundraiser for the club’s projects and scholarships for University of Arkansas students in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences. This year’s scholarship recipients are Autumn Brown and Juan Moscoso.
Those gathering with the club for annual event included Scarlett Besore, Tami Bevers, Elaine Kerr, Cynthia Coughlin, Sandy Edwards, Betsy Phillips, Lynne Walton, Becky Alexander, Julie Knight, Corrin Troutman and
P. Allen Smith, television host and honorary club member.
Early childhood development backers joined Helen R. Walton Early Initiatives Center for Giving Tuesday on Nov. 28 at the Walmart Museum in Bentonville.
Michelle Barnes, center executive director, told those gathered, “Our goal is to improve the quality of care and education provided by the nearly 500 Arkansas childcare programs that serve over 32,000 children in our region.”
Proceeds from the giving day will help support scholarships for the Child Enrichment Center. Barnes said 32 children at the
center would not be able to attend without scholarships.
Those championing early childhood education included Jen Cozens, Eric Howerton, Susan and Nelson Peacock, Krysten Boozman and John Schmelzle, Lauren Boozman Northey, Alex Ahmad, Matt Hartsook, Marcy and Juan Camacho, Sheri and Rick Hammond, Jeff Shipley, Isaac Cody and Scott Benedict.
Underwoods Fine Jewelers in Fayetteville marked its 60th anniversary with a celebration at the store Dec. 2. The diamond anniversary festivities included charitable donations and drawings for jewelry.
Each year the store makes donations to five area nonprofit organizations, Laura Underwood told those gathered. “We are thrilled to support our community’s nonprofits.” This year’s “Fab Five,” as they call the receiving groups, were Fayetteville Junior Civic League, Life Styles Inc., Meals on Wheels, Fayetteville Public Education Foundation and Arkansas Children’s Northwest.
Those celebrating with the Underwoods included Jane and Dave Gearhart, Nancy and Larry Bittle, Pam and Steve Jones, Michael Cross, Emily and Dan Hollenbeck, Julia and Gary Thorn, Jennifer and Tim McMahon, Ann Rosso, Martha and Mark Haguewood, Rhonda and Tim O’Donnell, Ann Rosso, Mandy and Bryan Hunt and Amy and Lenny Whiteman.
For more event photos — nwadg.com/photos/society.