MIDWAY – On the campus where Judy Shippey once taught – and where she led school beautification efforts – a new butterfly garden was dedicated in her honor.

Keep Liberty Beautiful, the Morning Glory Garden Club and local Girl Scouts unveiled the garden at the Liberty County East End Complex on May 15, naming it for the longtime garden club president.

“I am very appreciative of having this butterfly garden named in my honor,” Shippey said.

Shippey did much of the research and planning, and other Morning Glory Garden Club members took up the physical tasks.

“This is Keep Liberty Beautiful’s day of joy,” said Dr. Karen Bell, the Keep Liberty Beautiful executive director. “The Morning Glory Garden Club has done a wonderful, beautiful, inspirational project out here with the Girl Scouts.”

Dr. Bell’s office occupies what was once Shippey’s classroom at the former Liberty Elementary School, where Shippey taught from 1969-88.

The butterfly garden was a project of the garden club and Keep Liberty Beautiful for more than three years. Club member Helen Stripling thanked fellow club member Cindy Rigdon for all her efforts, along with Jill Anderson. The club also got help from Girl Scouts Troop 30396 and the City of Flemington.

“The Garden Club is thankful for all the help from all sources,” Stripling declared.

Stripling remarked on Shippey’s toils as a teacher at the old Liberty Elementary.

“She had her students paint outdoor trash barrels,” Stripling said. “They even worked on decorating the kindergarten restrooms. This garden which she researched and planned herself was just one more effort Judy spent endless time doing.”