Newtown Florist Club marks 61st year

GAINESVILLE - The Newtown Florist Club celebrated its 61st anniversary Saturday night at the Gainesville Civic Center.

The club began in 1950 as a service group that would provide flowers to families in the Newtown Community when they lost a family member. But in the late 1970s, it began to evolve into a community action group that focused on environmental concerns in their neighborhood and the inherent health problems that arose from those environmental concerns.

The club usually has a keynote speaker each year for its anniversary gala but this year six male church choirs were the main feature. In additon, the club's Girls Leadership Program played an active role in the celebration.

Faye Bush is the longtime leader of the organization.