special to the democrat

Ferriday — Amid butterflies on tables and a Lifetime Achievement Award for one member, the Ferriday Garden Club year came to a close.

Lena Bateman, former club president and current awards chairman, announced the winner of the coveted individual inter-club lifetime achievement award.

Bateman enumerated the many achievements and contributions of the award recipient as she announced the winner, a very surprised Marjorie Vogt. Vogt had been formerly honored by the FGC, the Town of Ferriday, and the Concordia Parish Library board and staff when the town declared Aug. 9, 2008, as Marjorie Vogt Day.

She was also elected recently to the prestigious Circle of Roses presented by the Louisiana Garden Club Federation.

Following the emotional presentation to Vogt, Bateman listed the annual awards earned by the FGC at the recent awards luncheon where winners were announced.

In all, the Ferriday Club walked away with 15 Louisiana awards, three deep south awards and two national awards.

The club members were then invited to view the display of awards as Bateman thanked the group for their help in making the garden club year a “roaring success.”

Following lunch at the Carriage House in Natchez, Vogt introduced the restaurant’s new executive chef, Bingo Starr.

The meeting ended with an annual installation of officers. Johnnie Ruth Sturgeon, protocol chairman for the Louisiana Garden Club Federation and Vidalia Garden Club member, installed the club’s 2009-2010 officers by describing various types and colors of pearls.

As each officer pledged to fulfill the requirements of her office, Sturgeon presented a necklace made of the kind of pearls that matched each officer’s duties.

The slate included Sherrill Sasser, president; Penny Gregg, vice president; Peggy Tucker, secretary; Joy Irvin, treasurer; Sandra Gibson, reporter; and Martha Ivy, parliamentarian.

Sasser welcomed Jane Vaughan and Lee Comer as new members and invited the members to meet Vaughn who was present.

Sasser thanked hostesses Amanda Taylor and Margie Vogt for the table arrangements, door prizes, keepsakes, and the care taken to carry out the overall butterfly theme.