Spotlight on Members

Earlene grew up in Fullerton, California. She met Jack Ketchum in 1971 and they were married in 1974. In 1977, they moved to Riverside County.

Earlene Ketchum

Both Earlene and Jack were always interested in growing things, so when they moved here, they first built two greenhouses, one on their own property. Jack began building and selling terrariums. They sold and delivered them to flower shops, nurseries, and restaurants, etc. Eventually they bought “Palm City Nursery” in west Riverside.

The Ketchums had two children, a daughter and a son. Earlene’s daughter has blessed her with a wonderful son-in-law and two grand-daughters, ages 6 and 1. The girl’s mother is an English major and home schools the children. Earlene sometimes baby-sits the girls. She says, “They are the apples of my eyes.” Earlene’s son has started his own woodworking business and takes his own trailer and tools to owners’ homes who have him re-do their kitchens, entertainment centers, etc.

When the children were little, the Ketchum’s would take them to visit one of their grandpas who was heavily involved in horticulture. He raised everything from bulbs to fruit trees. The children would crawl around on the ground, visiting all the plants and trees – while the adults got their hands brown from planting and from shelling pecans. From parent to child – the love of growing things passed on. Both daughter and son are involved in the gardening world, and have worked at the Riverside Flower Show and been judges at its events.

For years Earlene helped her husband at the nursery. She was widowed about ten years ago, but continued to run the nursery. Recently, however, she has decided to put the nursery up for sale, and states that she is now in the process of “reinventing” herself.

Earlene has learned that many clubs have so much to offer, and realizes that many people are not aware of all the clubs/organizations that are available to their varied interests. So when she can, she gladly gives interested people, names of clubs, and telephone numbers of knowledgeable people that could be of help. Earlene is a very active lady and belongs to several clubs herself. Besides our rose society, she has been a working member of the Riverside Flower Show, and is now the Vice President. She also belongs to the Palm Society; Gates Cactus and Succulent Society; Granite Hills Garden Society; the Glen Haven Cultural Center and their Garden Club, and is also a member of the Riverside Chamber of Commerce.

Earlene urges everyone to come to the different clubs’ meetings. She says, “There is so much to learn and enjoy about gardening. So take advantage of the knowledge you gain – and the new friends you make by getting to know your fellow members.”