ALEXANDRIA, VA – Alexandria’s Hunting Creek Garden Club members recently shared their love of nature’s beauty to lift spirits by creating fabulous “flower flashes” around town. First was Fire Station 201 on Prince Street in Old Town which was so well received that they followed it up with one at Charles Houston Recreation Center on Wythe Street in North Old Town.
Alexandria’s Hunting Creek Garden Club members created a spectacular “flower flash” at Fire Station 201 on Prince Street in Old Town to lifts the spirits of our community by sharing nature’s beauty in a unique way. Pictured (L to R) lead arranger and organizer Laura Francis, Suzanne Willett, Lea Shuba and Dottie Hawkins.The design talents of Hunting Creek Garden Club “flower flash” team are on abundant display at Fire Station 201 in Old Town with expertly designed flowerpots, floral cascades, wreath and floral pillows. Most of the floral material used were cut from members’ gardens.Hunting Creek Garden Club members (L to R) Dottie Hawkins, Karen Abramson, Suzanne Willett, Martha Manson, Lea Shuba and Laura Francis display their designs including a beautiful floral wreath and pillows with a “Thank You” to our City’s firefighters.A close up of the stunning flowerpots and cascades Hunting Creek Garden Club designed and installed at Fire Station 201 in Old Town.
Its sister club, the Garden Club of Alexandria, has “flower flashed” Alexandria as well, drawing upon the recreation center as inspiration for floral boxing gloves and a big orange basketball. The team was surprised by Alexandria Fire Chief Corey Smedley who happened to be driving by the recreation center and wondered if it was the same group who flashed Fire Station 201. He stopped and joined them to say, “Thanks for the flowers everybody. They really brightened up the station especially during this rough time.”
Alexandria’s Hunting Garden Club (HCGC) and Garden Club of Alexandria (GCA) members (L to R) Jackie Locke, Amy Bertles, Lynn Gas, Alexandria Fire Chief Corey Smedley holding a floral basketball, Margaret Gardner, Starlet Zarek and Laura Francis (kneeling).
Keep a lookout around town, we hear the clubs have more flashes planned! Alexandria’s Hunting Garden Club (HCGC) and Garden Club of Alexandria (GCA) “flower flashed” Charles Houston Recreation Center on Wythe Street in Old Town to spread a little sunshine in the community. Pictured left to right, GCA member Margaret Gardner, with HCGC members, Lynn Gas (kneeling), Starlet Zarek, Anne Irving (kneeling), Jackie Locke, lead arranger and organizer Laura Francis (kneeling) and Amy Bertles. Not pictured but also assisting were GCA members Michaela Robinson and Ruth Brightbill.HCGC and GCA arrangers created a pot de fleur arrangement beside the Charles Houston Recreation Center’s front doors with a note to “Be Healthy! Stay Safe!”
Hunting Creek Garden Club and the Garden Club of Alexandria are sister clubs that are members of the Garden Club of Virginia. The two clubs orchestrate the annual Old Town Alexandria Historic Home and Garden tour every Spring and in addition to a love of floral arranging, the clubs are provide civic grants for conservation and restoration projects.
Mary Wadland is the Publisher and Editor in Chief of The Zebra Press, the award-winning Alexandria news publication she founded in 2010 with a mission of celebrating community, culture, and all the good news happening across the city.
A longtime community advocate and storyteller, Mary was selected for the Alexandria Chamber of Commerce inaugural 40 Under 40 class and has served as President of Living Legends of Alexandria since 2022. Known for her deep local roots, sharp editorial instincts, and passion for connecting people through journalism, she has spent decades chronicling the personalities, businesses, events, and civic life that make Alexandria unique.
Originally from Delray Beach, Florida, Mary is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Hollins College in Roanoke, Virginia, and has been part of Alexandria’s publishing and media community since 1987.
