Jean Bodine and Keith Straw

On January 9, 2014 , Jean Bodine and Keith Straw, two well-loved members of The Gardeners Garden Club, received the PCGCA Distinguished Service Award in recognition of 23 years of service as “Guardian Angels” of The Magnolia Tribute Garden. The award was in the form of an elegant inscribed glass bowl.

The National Parks Service presented Jean and Keith with a framed photo of The Magnolia Tribute Garden in recognition for their dedication in maintaining the garden, organizing maintenance and fundraising. Congratulations to both!! The ceremony took place at Independence Hall in Philadelphia. Anne Barnett and Sallie Greenough, the incoming chairs of the Magnolia Tribute Garden Committee for PCGCA, organized the event. Well done ladies!!

The Magnolia Tribute Garden was dedicated in May 1959 and given to Independence National Park by the Garden Cub of America to commemorate  George Washington’s love of magnolias and to honor the original thirteen colonies.