By Madeline Otten, Correspondent
The days are growing colder and the trees are shedding their bright colors. For the Fluvanna County Garden Club, this is the perfect time for them to hand out their biannual Dogwood Award.
The Fluvanna Garden Club was founded in 1995 and recognizes with this award an individual or business within the community that has enhanced and beautified their space.
“It encourages people to do some gardening, in hopes that people will do more in nature,” said club member Mary Owen.
On Nov. 8 the Fluvanna Garden Club presented the Dogwood Award at Grace and Glory Lutheran Church for its prayer garden. The tranquil garden is centered around a prayer pole, which was given to the church by a church member. The idea for the serene garden came from 2018 Fluvanna County High School graduate Cameron O’Dell.
Cameron O’Dell personally designed and prepared the prayer garden as his Eagle Scout project. With the help of his father and Scout leader, Jeff O’Dell, and other members of Boy Scout Troop 154, they were able to bring his creation to life. Even though Cameron O’Dell was unable to receive the award in person due to his attendance at James Madison University, his father was present and able to accept the award on his behalf.
Several locations throughout the county have been recipients of the Dogwood Award, including the Garden Shop at Mulch Monkeys, a flagpole garden in front of Fork Union Elementary School, Dr. Randy Lanford’s planting of flowering trees along Route 15, Beulah Baptist Church’s prayer garden, Fork Union Military Academy’s grounds, Fruit Hill Orchard, and Thistle Gate Vineyard.
