P.E.O. Chapter hosts 3rd Annual Kimball Garden Walk

Kimball’s P.E.O. members invite the public to attend the third annual Kimball Garden Walk for a refreshing change of scenery, as well as refreshments, a chance for door prizes and most importantly, to raise funds used to further women’s education and well-being.

The P.E.O. Chapter GN is hosting the third annual Kimball Garden Walk on Saturday, July 9, 2016, from 8 to 11 a.m.

More than 75 participated in the inaugural event and 85 enjoyed the second annual Garden Walk.

Four unique gardens will be on the tour again this year, according to event organizer Jean Barrett. This year’s featured gardens belong to Judie and Kraig Brighton, Darla Evertson, Liz and John Ferguson and Claude and Doug Jones.

Some of the diverse features this year will be a terraced garden complete with water feature, a yard overlooking Lodgepole Creek, a patio garden surrounded by a windbreak and one with a variety of deciduous trees next to strawberry beds and perennials.

Tickets for the Garden Walk can be purchased at Larsen’s Jewelry Store or by contacting JoAnn Mueller, DeVota Burry, Joan Knapp, Deni Waite or Jean Barrett.

This event is a fund-raiser for the chapter and the monies collected support national and international educational opportunities for women, including loans, grants and scholarships.

One such scholarship is the International Peace Scholarship, awarded to women from other countries for graduate study in the United States and Canada.

The International Peace Scholarship, established in 1949, is based on need, but is not intended to cover the total winning applicants total expenses. Still the maximum amount awarded to a student is $12,500, though lesser amounts may be given depending on individual needs.

P.E.O., a philanthropic chapter focused on educational opportunities for women, also supports a fully accredited girls college, Cottey College, located in Nevada, Mo.

Cottey College is an independent, liberal arts and sciences college for women, founded by Virginia Alice Cottey Stockard in 1884 and owned and supported by the P.E.O since 1927.

According to Barrett, the college has offered young women the opportunity to learn and grow into leaders, role models and confidant individuals.

Until 2011, Cottey College offered only associate degrees, but in the Fall semester of 2011 Cottey began offering Bachelor degrees in english, environmental studies and international relations and business.

The following year the school offered a B.A. in psychology and in 2013 in business and liberal arts.

In addition to Cottey College, funds raised through the Kimball Garden Walk may support the Nebraska P.E.O. Home in Beatrice. This is an assisted living facility for women in a gracious and elegant, home-like, family-oriented atmosphere. According to Barrett, it is open to active P.E.O. members or family members of the Nebraska State Chapter, P.E.O. Sisterhood.

Nebraska P.E.O Home is not just a residential care facility, but also a micro-community, boasting just 20 apartments, making it preferable to many for its small size.

For more information about the P.E.O. Chapter GN or the Third Annual Kimball Garden Walk, please contact Jean Barrett at 308-235-2794.