The Deercreek Home and Garden Club (HGC) is committed to enhancing our homes and community—while enjoying the friendship and camaraderie of our neighbors. As we begin 2025, it’s time to reflect on our 2024 program activities. We:
- Hosted 80 Deercreek residents at a membership kickoff in August featuring a hands-on flower arrangement activity. As a result, the membership has grown to 94.
- Partnered with the Deercreek Country Club (DCC), HOA and DWA for a back-to-school celebration where we gave cookies (that we baked) to children who donated nearly 200 books for Books A-Go-Go for the underprivileged in our Jacksonville community.
- Hosted a Sip and Shop event that raised $1,000, used to partner with the HOA Common Property committee to underwrite the cost of Holiday lights at the Deercreek entrance.
- Hosted two dozen members for a private tour of Mussallem Gallery, viewing priceless art collections, antiques artifacts and rugs.
- Partnered with DCC and HOA to provide pumpkins and decorations for neighborhood children during the Halloween Party at the club.
- Earmarked funds to assist the HOA in the landscaping of a common property location behind the pool on Deercreek Club Road; with member Lorraine Clancy representing HGC in the landscaping and development of plants.
- Explored tablescaping ideas through Barbara Ondo Designs while hosting Deercreek’s own Comfort N Quilters, where our purchases of their homemade quilts provided funding for the many charities they support; then raised $300 to send quilts for needy families whose home were destroyed by Hurricane Helene.
- Hosted a Fall festival party for club members to welcome the holiday season.
- Worked with DCC to sponsor the neighborhood’s annual luminary night with food trucks, decorated golf carts and activities for children—all designed to promote community within Deercreek.
- Decorated the Deercreek clubhouse and guard house for the holiday season.
Revised the HGC Bylaws to increase the eligibility of all Deercreek residents as members.
And in the next few months of 2025, we’ll bring new activities to our neighborhood:
- In January and April, expert-led clinics will provide herb gardening and palm tree trimming techniques designed to beautify our yards and neighborhoods.
- In February, entertainer Ruth Pangrace will present a dramatization of the renowned chef Julia Child. This meeting is open to the community and is a favorite one to invite other guests. A 50/50 raffle will provide funds for the club to support additional projects designed to enhance our community.
- Our annual Spring Fashion Show is set for Tuesday, March 18 and will include our raffle of luxurious gifts. We need your help with this event in two ways–providing raffle items and volunteering as a model to display the latest Spring fashions from Dillards. Wouldn’t you love to model beautiful clothes and get an idea on how to get out of your fashion box? Contact Cary Flynn to provide a raffle item. Contact Janet Daechsel to let her know of your interest as a model.
I hope you are looking forward to 2025 as much as your HGC Board is. Thank you for your participation and commitment.
Barbara Denman, President