By Maurice Emery, Editor Emeritus
The Lake Gaston Ladies Club (LGLC) did not let the inclement weather stop them from honoring their own last week. For the first time in 18 years the ladies had to move the annual Memorial Garden service inside. Delayed from the original date of May 3 the service was moved into the Lakeside Lutheran Church on Friday.
Even though they had to reschedule the event it was still well attended with almost one hundred people coming out to honor recently deceased members and remember all the ladies who have been honored throughout the years. The annual service is as much a celebration of the deceased member’s life as it is a way of remembering them.
Vickie Evans, President LGLC, welcomed everyone to the event on what she called a beautiful but damp day. She noted the memorial walkway with the engraved bricks and paid special tribute to the ten members they lost in this last year. They were Ellen Poteat, Linda Fitt, Beth Anderson, Dorothea Webster, Kaye Capistran, Carolyn Palmer, Holly Tetterton, Beth Stockley, Sara Spinazzola and Inez Nelson.
Reverend David Smith, Pastor Littleton Presbyterian Church provided the invocation. Then Pat Royals led the group in the pledge of allegiance to the American Flag. Had the event been held in the gardens on Thursday, she would have proudly told the group about the importance of the flag flying over the gardens. The flag flew over our nation’s capital on Valentines Day especially for the ladies club. Because they were inside the church and using the church flag she decided not to mention it.
Helen Burtchell, Littleton United Methodist Church lay leader, introduced the guest speaker, The Reverend David Haley, Pastor Littleton United Methodist Church. In the introduction she noted that Haley has taken his ministry to over forty counties including trips for tsunami relieve and annual trips to El Salvador to help build homes for habitat for humanity.
Haley asked the gathering to imagine they were in the gardens because his remarks were prepared to give in the gardens. The reverend did a superb job of interweaving the variety and beauty of the gardens with the variety and beauty of the ladies club members. He also talked about all the work and time it has taken from the time the first two trees and one bush were planted to create the beautiful gardens they are today.
Getting started is the hard part, Haley told the gathering that we miss many things we could accomplish because we don’t make the small beginning. He also noted that the gardens are a sanctuary in the midst of the business of life.
After Haley’s beautiful message Jan Tomlinson, Chairman 2007 Memorial Garden Service, told the gathering that moving the ceremonies inside was a difficult decision.
“We mourn the passing of our lake gaston members through the years,” Tomlinson stated. She then added, “we are glad we have the opportunity to honor their memories with this special memorial service.”
Tomlinson then read the names of all the previous women who were remembered in the gardens. Noting, as she mentioned various members, the offices they held or if they were a charter member.
She then started the first of this years remembrances with Ellen Poteat who was not a member at the time of her death, but was named a lifetime member in 1989 for her work in the ladies club. Even after she moved away she kept in touch with the club through her cards every year. Tomlinson told the gathering that there was a photo display at the entrance with highlights of Ellen’s life.
She informed the gathering that a friend of each one of the ladies would give s brief highlight of each of the members being honored.
At that time Beverly Noland was introduced to remember her friend Linda Fitts known to the ladies as the Goddess of the ladies Jet Ski Club the FAB’s. Fitts showed up at her first FABS outing with a crown of flowers, feather boa and flip flops. From then on she was known as the Goddess of the jet ski club. Linda lived her life flying down the lake with the wind in her face dressed to the hilt and laughing every minute.
Mary Luck then remembered Beth Anderson. Luck said she was a friend and very good cook, seamstress and crafter. She loved her family and was instrumental in the last several years in getting her husband his long overdue ribbons from WW II service.
Next was Mary Radcliffe who remembered Dorothea Webster. Webster was a Charter member of the Ladies Club who loved cruises and loved the Lake. Webster made it her life’s work to meet everybody on the lake. She was a one person welcome wagon.
Geri Hatfield Keipe remembered her friend Kaye Capistran. A past President from 1984-1985. She was a busy, bright and caring person. An outstanding bridge player and who had lived on the lake since 1980.
Betty Guldberg remembered her friend Carolyn Palmer. She was a member since 1985 that loved the water; she also loved to read and started the bookers group of the Ladies club. “To most of us she was the memorial gardens. She cared for and loved the gardens,” Guldberg stated.
Next it was Betty Bowden’s turn to share her memories of Holly Tetterton. She was a member of the Flying Aqua Babes (FABs) whose motto is “we live to ride we ride to love.” Even though she was sick she participated in last years “Crossing” (an annual lake event held at Eaton Ferry Bridge). Tetterton, in a boat called “Where Pigs Fly”, and her family members swam alongside as they crossed the lake. She always had time to listen to other people’s troubles with a sympathetic ear. She had a weakness for chocolate and was a grand storyteller.
Nina Mathews then remembered her friend Beth Stockley. Stockley was never unkind to anyone and never condemned anyone. She was good friend who took time for her friends. She was a giving person but always anonymously even to the point of asking someone else to handle the giving so she could stay anonymous. Mathews said Stockley was very patriotic and voted every time. The last time she voted she did so even though she was in a great deal of pain.
Ann Critzer remembered Sara Spinazzola. She was a friend for fifteen years, a golfer and a bridge player. “She was joy beyond reason and loved all aspects of life,” Critzer stated. She was bright, sharp and witty and loved to laugh. She had a heart of gold and was there when the need arose. She loved to go on a yearly golf outing to Myrtle Beach with Critzer and two other friends.
Annette Aldridge remembered Inez Nelson. Nelson was a Charter Member who was married to Ray for 64 years. They were among the first people to settle on the lake in Wildwood Point. She loved to shop and would go to Rocky Mount for the day. She did more looking than buying and enjoyed it.
After the remembrances’ the Lake Gaston Ladies Club Gastonettes, lead by Sue Beazley with Carol Seidel and Marilyn Cockey on the keyboards, sang “The promise of the garden,” and “For the beauty of the earth.”
In Tomlinson’s closing remarks she stated what the members present felt, they will remember all the past members in fondness and think of them often. Afterwards the members and guests enjoyed refreshments.
You can find a photo display of the Memorial Garden Ceremony and the Gardens on our web site at www.littletonobserver.com.
