The members of Annevar Garden Club recently celebrated their club's 80th anniversary, and they also held their annual amateur flower show at the Portage County Gardeners' Center in Rootstown.

On Feb. 7, 1928, 13 women met at the home of Ida Severance and formed the Junior Garden Club, with Ardella Ingelson as president.

In 1930, they joined the State Garden Clubs and changed their name to Annevar -- Ravenna spelled backwards.

The annual flower show is one of the most popular meetings of the year.

The members competed for ribbons in 12 categories. Ron Snowberger of the Garden Club of Kent was the guest judge.

The first place winners were Arlene Neuman, large arrangement; Jean Cabe, small arrangement, wildflower arrangement, mini arrangement not over two inches, best perennial specimen (hydrangea), and houseplant; Dorothy Clark, foliage arrangement; Betty Schwinn, dried arrangement; Wilma Calland, mini arrangement not over four inches; Ruth Newberger, best annual specimen (bells of Ireland); and Nancy Sweet, best herb arrangement and cactus.

The members voted for "Best of Show" and honored Dorothy Clark's foliage arrangement.

Refreshments including an anniversary cake were provided by Linda May, Jackie Diezman, Arlene Neuman and Norma Edmonds.

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Timothy St. Hilaire/Record-Courier

Admiring the cake for the 80th anniversary of the Annevar Garden Club are members, from left, Dorothy Clark, Ruth Newberger and Arlene Neuman with their winning plants from the annual flower show.