As we stroll through the Kelly neighborhoods today, it is hard to imagine that just a few decades ago, this lovely Destin community was still finding its roots – literally. From 1998 to 2018, the Kelly Garden Club played a vital role in shaping not only the landscape but the spirit of our neighborhoods.

Back then, Kelly was a fresh canvas. New homes dotted the streets, and yards were mostly gaining ground from earlier sand and dreams. But with shovels in hand and hearts full of enthusiasm, neighbors came together to transform their plots into lush, welcoming gardens. The Garden Club became the heartbeat of this effort, offering guidance, camaraderie, and plenty of inspiration.

Garden tours were a highlight of those early years as we forged friendships. But the Kelly Garden Club was more than just petals and pruning. We rallied around causes that reached far beyond our fences. One particularly memorable initiative was our support for the Maddog Army Troop 4 stationed in Iraq in 2010. Through their “wish for items,” we sent four large boxes filled with essentials, like sun protection, coffee, shampoo, soap, and magazines. It was a powerful reminder that even a small neighborhood club could make a global impact. The packages were delivered through Dan Paul’s company, General Dynamics. 

Our first club president was Laura Hall, serving from 1998 to 2004. Additional presidents were Maryann Paul, Laurie Kane, Elizabeth Carnelll, Jane Carron, and Linda Bryan. 

Over the years, the club had a Holiday Progressive Dinner, helped with Toys for Tots, enjoyed Ikebana Japanese Flower Arranging by Palma Cooper, tried cooking with Louisa Fornaciari, feasting on Linguine with chicken in Cream Sauce and tiramisu for dessert. We toured the “Brew Master’s” garden, Tom Anderson, with his wife Deanne, in Niceville. There was a garden tour of the Thai Temple in Fort Walton Beach, and we all bought lunch from the vendors cooking Thai food. 

Talking about food, one of my favorite programs was the night we had Cooking with Tess Reilly at her home, where she served us all an INCREDIBLE meal. We did so many fun things, like the fashion show from LulaRoe, a cooking demonstration from Jackacuda’s, and an ABC Wine and Spirits Sommelier giving us a wine talk. 

After a member attended “Paw in Prison,” a training of dogs by men in prison at Bay Correctional Facility, the club donated dog food, stuffed toys, tennis balls, dog beds, collars, and leashes. What an excellent program for the men and dogs! 

We created floral decorations in Christmas mugs for nursing homes and hospitals. We ended the year with a walk through the luminaries at Eden State Park and a tour of the Wesley House. Boy, these were such fun years. I wish we could have something like this happen in Kelly again one day.

When the Garden Club disbanded, we had money sitting in our bank account. The club officers, along with Sara Wood, our Treasurer, decided to spend some of these funds to give back to Kelly by planting three beautiful crepe myrtle trees in front of the Kelly dog park that provide beautiful blooms to the community every year. All the presidents of our club have Presidential Stones placed under these trees.

Looking back, the Kelly Garden Club wasn’t just about gardening but reaching out to others. Here’s to the roots we planted and the blossoms that continue to thrive, as some residents are redefining what it means to cultivate

beauty—proving that a garden can be just as enchanting without a single flower in sight.

Take Terri Hensley’s whimsical garden entrance, where a trio of metal frogs greets visitors with playful charm. The centerpiece frog is a local celebrity of sorts, donning a new outfit with each passing season—whether it’s sunglasses in summer or Tennessee colors in the fall. Just beyond, PVC piping has been transformed into a flock of exotic birds, each one bursting with rainbow hues and crowned with wild, top-knot hairstyles. These avian sculptures don’t just decorate the space—they demand attention, stopping even seasoned garden-goers in their tracks.

Cindy Dohner’s Garden way up north in Kelly, on Bellbouy Landing, offers a lush, leafy escape. Her collection of Colocasia and Caladiums creates a tapestry of texture and color, with heart-shaped leaves that dance in the breeze. The colors and textures of these leaves are amazing in their color combinations; not a single flower is needed to enhance this enchanted grouping. But the true showstopper is the Arrowleaf elephant’s ear—affectionately nicknamed “Mickey

Mouse,” as each leaf seems to have two ears and a mouth. It is a masterpiece, with colors ranging from deep green to silvery gray, buttery yellow to crisp white. No two are alike, making every glance a new discovery. 

These gardens show us that nature’s artistry extends beyond just petals and stems. Whether it’s metal frogs in costumes or foliage that matches any wild artist’s palette, Kelly Plantation features gardens that highlight creativity, personality, and the unexpected.

Let me know about your garden treasures. Laura Hall, 974-0203