20th year commemoration and rededication of the Faulkner Literary Garden
Guests enjoyed a presentation from author Felder Rushing in honor of the 20th anniversary and rededication of the Faulkner Literary Garden. Sherra Owen was honored for her years of dedication to the garden and to the community.
Attendees packed the fellowship hall at Cleveland Street Community Church yesterday to mark the 20-year anniversary and rededication of the Faulkner Literary Garden. The garden was created by the New Albany Garden Club and the Union County Heritage Museum in honor of William Faulkner and his “postage stamp of native soil”.
The keynote speaker for the evening was Felder Rushing and the title of his talk was “Gardening Away the Blues: It’s All About the Little Things”. Rushing is known to many fans of Mississippi Public Broadcasting as The Gestalt Gardener and has written 30 books on gardening. He spoke to attendees about the joys of gardening and said that while horticulture has rules, gardening does not. Rushing’s advice is to add native plants that are permanent and that you love so that you can enjoy looking at your garden all year long- whether it’s blooming or not. These could be plants that you find beautiful or that have a special meaning for you.
The heroine of the evening was Sherra Owen. Over 20 years ago, she had the idea for a garden that celebrated Faulkner’s writings. She planned it, taught people what to do, and oversaw its creation. Scores of Master Gardeners have volunteered their time and knowledge in helping bring the Faulkner Literary Garden to life. Rep. Ben Creekmore presented Ms. Owen with a state proclamation recognizing her service and an engraved plaque honoring her will be placed in the garden.
Attendees then transitioned to the garden for the rededication and enjoyed food and beverages in the garden and the museum. A blue Melmac tree sculpture was also “planted” in the garden in Ms. Owen’s honor. The sculpture has 20 leaves, one for each year that she has been chair of the literary garden.
