80 years of history blooms at Polo show

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POLO - A wonderful garden bloomed Saturday in the basement of the Polo Town Hall. With lilies, roses, dahlias, zinnias and some vegetables, the 17-member Polo Women's Garden Club held a flower show fundraiser that attracted about 100 people from Polo, Milledgeville, Forreston, Sterling and Rockford. The show was a celebration of the club's 80th anniversary. The club held a similar show 80 years ago, and the admission that day, and on Saturday, was 10 cents. There were presentations on how to divide hostas, and how to plant something in the fall, so it's ready to bloom in the spring. Youngsters brought in flower arrangements that used everything from a pink football helmet to a Coca-Cola can as vases. Eunice Conn, 70, of Polo, brought a set of Siamese twin cucumbers and a set of Siamese twin tomatoes. Although Conn is not sure exactly how it happened, she brought them to show off because "I thought they were cute," she said. "It's fun. You could learn so much from the ladies in the club," said Jean Dawson. "They have so much knowledge." Dawson, 57, of Polo, is the club president. For the members of the club, the monthly meetings are an opportunity to discuss tricks they learned while practicing their hobby. Through trial and error, Dawson has learned what it takes to grow certain plants and "decide what you like and don't like," she said. Finishing touches including the awarding of ribbons, was being completed. "I found it difficult to judge the entries this year," said Master Gardener Alice Cassens, a judge for the show. "There are great arrangements and good-looking flowers everywhere." Reporter Chris Johnson contributed to this report.