By MRS. C. TRUEBLOOD It was the "Crow Wing County Garden Flower Society" when a group of interested people formed the organization in June of 1924 in the basement of the H. F. Michael store (now S & L store) on South Seventh Street. It wasn't until 1950 that the name, "Brainerd Flower Society," was adopted.

The first flower show was held in the Webb building on Front Street on Aug. 21-24, 1924. A peony and fall flower show were held annually in the County Courthouse until August 1939, when the Society was invited to hold its shows in conjunction with the Crow Wing County Fair.

The Society was incorporated on March 17, 1932, by A. L. Alexander, Tom O'Brien, L. W. Hawkinson, G. I. Badeaux and A. A. Arnold. During the term of Dr. R. A. Beise as president in the early 40's, two of. the first projects were the beautifying of Gregory and Lum Parks.

A living Christmas tree was planted at the Brainerd Public Library in 1952, and is lighted each year by the organization. The stone planter and plantings in front of the Library was a 1957 project.

That same year, the Flower society was responsible for the distribution of several hundred copies of state laws governing the conservation of windflowers, especially the state flower, the lady slipper. Many copies were mounted and posted in resorts and other locales.

Society funds each year go toward the support of the Minnesota Arboretum, some of the money raised through seining corsages at the Fair (a county-wide project). One of the major programs of the Society is the promotion of the planting of ornamental flowering crab apple trees sold by the group, and it has also given financial support to Crow Wing State Park.

Until recently, the Flower society sponsored the annual flower show at the County Fair, but in 1970, the Crow Wing County Council of Garden Clubs was organized by Betty Twombly, and now all clubs of the county participate.

Last year, with the help of city officials, concrete planters were placed on several downtown Brainerd corners. Society members are responsible for planting them with flowers in the spring and spruce trees in the fall.

The Brainerd Flower society is active year-round. Since 1924, when L. P. Hall of Bay Lake was named first president, a total of 27 people have served. Mrs. Alma Caughey is president this year. A Centennial year project has been spearheading a program to encourage the improvement and beautification of the community.