By Connie Patterson
Valley Service Organization
When Valley Service Organization (VSO) members presented the traveling Marty Perue Memorial Golden Pitchfork award to their second recipient, they got a tour and a history lesson from the new recipient, Sherry MacKay. She grew up in the home and knows the history of many heirloom plants.
MacKay has one of the oldest yards in town and many of the plants she continues to succor have been in her family yard since it was purchased in 1903.
Huge cottonwood trees, now over 120 years old were planted as saplings taken from the nearby river while Bouncing Bets, also known as soapwort, wild sweet William and soapweed, originated in Europe and Asia and have since self-propagated throughout the world. As the name indicates, it is often used in making soap because it contains saponins. Saponins are plant-based compounds that work to make lather in soaps.
Sherry said her mother and grandmother planted many of the flowers in the yard. She remembers a pale pink rose bush was given to her mother, Doris Ledbetter when Russel and Doris Ledbetter hauled mail. Sherry has planted others and has managed to create a yard that is full of color throughout the spring, summer and fall by knowing when the plants will bloom.
VSO Judge Cheryl Ervin said the women’s organization is proud to acknowledge the efforts of local families who work to beautify the town by beautifying their yards.
