Maureen Mitchell, Joyce Tillman, and Mary Gussie Jessel enjoy a cup of tea at the 70th anniversary of the Mimosa Garden Club. A tea was held, with hats optional, on Tuesday, September 23 at 2 pm, at The Siebels House, 1601 Richland Street, in celebration of the 70th Anniversary of the founding of the Mimosa Garden Club.

Joyce Tillman, current president, welcomed honored guests, Margret Glenn, Garden Council president and the 11 past Mimosa presidents attending the tea.

The 11 past presidents in attendance included Mrs. H.K. Potts Jr., 1969- 70; Mrs. C.G. Kretschmar, 1976- 77; Mrs. Ben O. Stands, 1983- 85 and 1993- 95; Mrs. J.M. Valpey, 1988- 90; Mrs. Keith Straka, 1996- 98; Mrs. John Runy, 1998- 2000; Mrs. Sterling Beale, 2000- 01; Mrs. Cary Smith, 2001- 02; Mrs. Richard Day, 2002- 03; Mrs. Joe Hick, 2003- 05; Mrs. Harold Tillman, 2007- 09.

The Mimosa Garden Club was organized on September 17, 1938 at the home of Mrs. J.P. Elliott and voted into the State Federation on October 12, 1938. The first officers were: Mrs. J.P. Elliott, president; Mrs. M.H. Mullis, vice president; Mrs. W.D. Barnett, secretary, and Mrs. E.P. Sanders, treasurer.

Gloria Rhodes and Patsy Deborde are members of the 70th Anniversary Tea Committee. The Mimosa Garden Club, a member of the Garden Club Council of Greater Columbia, has been in active existence for 70 consecutive years.

The special 70th Anniversary Tea Committee included Carolyn Cosby, chairman; Joyce Tillman, president; Mary Ann Straka, Jane Spencer, Tina Forsthoefel, Barbra Jones, Gloria Rhodes, Sandra Eudy, Patsy DeBorde, Lynn Brennan, and Uta Valpey.