Our Team
Meet our volunteer
Board of Directors
PRESIDENT
LES DAVIS
Les enjoys working outside even if his talents are limited to mowing the grass in straight lines! He is a business graduate of Wake Forest University and retired from a career in manufacturing. Les has an adult son and daughter as well as two adult step-daughters. His six grand-children keep him and his wife Ann busy. Les is also a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, so the primary mission of the Rotary Community Garden to feed the hungry complements the mission of the Salvation Army to help the homeless.
VICE PRESIDENT
(VACANT)
(VACANT) Consider joining our team!
DEANA MURPHY - TREASURER
LISA FOX- SECRETARY
RUSTY SAYER — HONORARY LIFETIME BOARD MEMBER
Rusty was involved as a grower since the garden began and contributed thousands of hours of thoughtful planting, tending, marking, harvesting and sign-making. A disabled veteran, Rusty would often commute from his home to the Garden via a motorized wheelchair, often pulling mulch and other garden supplies in a small trailer! Sadly, Rusty passed away on March 27, 2019 with loved ones at his side. There will never be another Rusty, and he will be deeply missed.
BOARD MEMBERS AT LARGE
PAST PRESIDENT AND VOLUNTEER COORDINATOR
LYN ANDERSON
Lyn grew up in Gastonia, but became a devoted conservationist and gardener while leading Girl Scout troops in Florida in her twenties and thirties. She has a B.A. from Moravian College in Bethlehem, PA in Political Science and a Paralegal degree from St. Petersburg University in St. Petersburg, FL. She has worked as a legal professional for over 35 years. Lyn has held many leadership positions at First United Methodist Church in Gastonia. She and husband Jim share a blended family and enjoy five (5) grandchildren. Lyn loves the outdoors in many ways, gardening, hiking, camping. She is passionate about local food, and proud to serve in this worthwhile effort to combine food access, love of nature, and local advocacy.
GROUNDS COMMITTEE CHAIR
PHIL DESMARAIS
FUNDRAISER CHAIR (VACANT)
TIZ JOHNSON
Tiz Johnston is a horticulturist and avid gardener. She received a Bachelor’s degree in Horticulture with a concentration in landscape design from North Carolina State University in 1988. Tiz’s passion for plants led her to work in various aspects of the horticultural industry over the years. Two of her most memorable years were spent as the Head Gardener at the Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden. Her desire to learn more about the construction end of her industry led her to begin working with Bruce Clodfelter & Associates, where she worked for fifteen years. For the past five years Tiz has been working on her own. Her company, Garden Design, offers both commercial and residential services in the Southeast.
CAROL ELLIOTT
DAVID STULTZ
David Stultz is a native Gastonian and holds a BS degree in Biology and Economics from Mars Hill University. He was formerly the Educational Curator of Schiele Museum and founded EducaTours in 1984, specializing in educational field trips. David has planted a garden every year since he was eight years old and is looking forward to working with the Rotary Community Garden. He is a former Rotarian and a Paul Harris Fellow. He and his wife, Jennie, have been married 54 years and have a daughter, Amy, two adult grandchildren and a great grandson. They spend much of their free time at their mountain home in Boone.
GROWERS AND RECEIVERS COORDINATOR
THERESA MCINTOSH
Theresa has lived in Gastonia since 7th grade when her father, a Methodist Minister, took a job at First United Methodist. She attended Ashbrook High School and Pfeiffer College. Theresa and Mark McIntosh have been married for 33 years and have two awesome daughters - Hope (24) and Holly (21), both Girl Scout Gold Award recipients. Holly painted the mural at the Garden as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award. Theresa loves the outdoors, tennis, gardening, working in her yard and volunteering. She’s very active with her church family at First United Methodist Church. In addition to volunteering at her church and with the Garden, she also gives generously of her time at Family Promise of Gaston County, Girl Scouts (leader over 15 years), and the Magnolia Garden Club (past president).
DEDE BECKNER
Dede is a retired teacher who moved to North Carolina after spending more than 30 years moving around the world with her husband and two daughters as a military family. She enjoys being involved in the local community and is committed to volunteering. Dede is currently a member of the NC State Beekeepers Association and helps out with the Garden bee hives. When she is not buzzing around the Garden, you might find her reading, sewing outfits for her four grandchildren, adding to the 1,000+ pictures on her phone, or tending to her own beehive.
GROWERS of our goodness
Extension Master Gardeners of Gaston County
Rosemary & Thyme -Herb Society of Gaston County
Phil & Terry
Gastonia Evening Rotary
Off The Streets
Alley Cats
Garden Friends
Literacy Council
Mack and Dale
Magnolia Garden Club
Rotary Club of Gastonia
Edokpia Garden
Altrusa Club
Cub Scout Troop #11
First Presbyterian Church
FUMC
First ARP
The Garden of Eatin’
Rusty’s Place (Shiele Museum)
RECEIVERS of our bounty
Cornerstone Christian Ministry
Highland Association
CAM