WELCH—The Redbud Garden Club announces Spring round of “Garden of the Season” contest, open to Welch-area residents.

Winner selection will be made in late March to early April, weather dependent. The club will score yards using a point system based on elements of design, color coordination, flowers, shrubbery, improvement, and previous selection.

All yards within the Welch town limits are automatically considered; yards outside town limits but within a five mile radius will be considered if requested. For more information or to request consideration for a yard outside town limits, call Betty Lovelace at 918-788-3291 or Marilyn Horner at 918-788-3988.

A sign designating the Garden of the Season will be displayed in the winning yard for one month and a news release of the winning garden will be submitted to local newspapers and WelchOK.com.

Click here to see previous winners.

Marilyn Horner of Redbud Garden Club presents the honors to homeowners Brett & Kathy Hanson

WELCH—The Redbud Garden Club awarded Winter Garden of the Season honors to Brett & Kathy Hanson.

The Hansons have resided at their home for the past six years, having relocated to this area eight years ago after a 30-year tenure in California. They have had lots of help decorating their yard, as three daughters and many of their 40 grand- and great-grandchildren live nearby.

The decorations continue inside with a large, intricate, miniature winter village that covers a 12-foot cabinet.

Mr. Hanson is employed at Umicore in Quapaw, while Mrs. Hanson keeps the house functioning.

Lonnie & Lew Ann Wynn awarded Garden of the Season

WELCH—Lonnie and Lew Ann Wynn are the recipients of the Redbud Garden Club’s “Garden of the Season” award for Spring 2010. Their yard, at 424 S. Jefferson in Welch, features beautiful trees and flowers on all sides of the house in both the front and back yards.

Both Lonnie and Lew Ann grew up in Welch, and they have lived at their current residence since 1980, adding on to the house in the early ’90s. Their son, Tyson (your humble WelchOK.com publisher and executive editor), and daughter, Shelby, grew up in this home, which is now also the residence of dogs Tinkerbell and Tess.

Lonnie is employed by C.T. Construction, which builds and refurbishes convenience stores and travel centers (most recently remodeling Snack City in Vinita). Lew Ann has worked at the Miami Housing Authority for twelve years.

The Wynns pose next to their backyard water garden

The Wynns' voodoo lily plant, which is very beautiful when it blooms but also smells like rotting meat

Betty Lovelace presents Paula Goodwin with "Garden of the Season" display sign

WELCH—Winner of the Welch Redbud Garden Club’s December 2009 “Garden of the Season” award is Paula Goodwin. Goodwin has lived in her residence—where she and her late husband, Bill, raised three children—for 44 years.

Each of the children has married and lives in this area with their families. Goodwin’s eldest daughter, Sherri Callahan, teaches in Vinita. Daughter Kari Miller is Welch Elementary School secretary and cafeteria coordinator, and son Shawn Goodwin coaches junior- and senior-high Lady Cats basketball and junior- and senior-high track.

Paula Goodwin has seven grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Another grandchild and great-grandchild are expected soon.

Goodwin has operated Welch’s Hitchin’ Post Cafe for 26 years, after working there many years previous.

Second place in the “Garden of the Season” contest for December 2009 went to Tommy Dodson and Barry Oliver.

Honorable Mentions were awarded to Larry & Billye Able and Bret & Kathleen Hansen.

Goodwin's first-place display lit up

Dodson & Oliver's second-place display lit up

Dorthy Smith contributed to this report.

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