Dina Braniff of the Lubeck Acres Garden Club stands with Wood County Commissioners Robert Tebay, Jimmy Colombo and Blair Couch as Couch reads a proclamation declaring June 1-7 as National Garden Week in Wood County. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

PARKERSBURG — The Wood County Commission recognized the efforts of gardeners to beautify the area and promote hard work and a spirit of independence.

Dina Braniff of the Lubeck Acres Garden Club appeared before commissioners on Monday for the signing of a proclamation, adopted on a unanimous vote, to declare June 1-7 as National Garden Week in the county.

“Gardening promotes a healthy lifestyle that lasts a lifetime, helps reduce stress from other areas of our life, teaches that rewards can come from diligent efforts…,” the proclamation stated. “Gardening enables members of Garden Clubs across the nation and world to serve others in communities where they reside and work….”

The Lubeck Acres Garden Club will host a gathering from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the South Parkersburg Branch of the Parkersburg-Wood County Public Library. The club will highlight some of the projects they do throughout the area and the club’s presence within the community, Braniff said.

In other business, the county swore in a new deputy for the Wood County Sheriff’s Office.

Wood County Sheriff’s Deputy Walker Riddle, center front, stands with Chief Deputy Mike Deem, left, and Sheriff Rick Woodyard as well as other members of the department. Riddle was sworn in Monday. (Photo by Brett Dunlap)

Walker Riddle was part of a program that allowed him to spend time with the office as well as attend the West Virginia State Police Academy while he was finishing up his enlistment in the U.S. Army.

While at the academy, Riddle was named the outstanding officer in his cadet class, Chief Deputy Mike Deem said.

“We are lucky to have him, and we are one step closer to being fully staffed,” Deem said.

Brett Dunlap can be reached at bdunlap@newsandsentinel.com