Sunday, December 21, 2014

New Sign

     The new sign has been put up in the Katherine Lee Rose Garden.  Hopefully, the arbor will be fixed soon.


Saturday, December 20, 2014

Club Hold Christmas Luncheon

     The Monroeville Garden Club sponsored a luncheon fundraiser on December 11, 2014, at 12:00 p.m. at Grace Baptist Church in Monroville, Alabama.  The event was well supported by the community with 110 ladies in attendance.  Funds raised will be used by the club to beautify the downtown square.

     Members of the club decorated the tables with various Christmas themes and a favor was provided for each guest.  The lunch was catered by Mark's Barbecue of Excel and the menu included Salad, Smothered Chicken, Green beans with Potatoes, Macaroni and Cheese, Rolls, Layered Chocolate Dessert, and tea.

     While guests ate their lunch, a program and slide presentation was given by June Mays, a garden designer from Birmingham, Alabama.









June Mays, garden designer, who gave our program.

More Luncheon Pictures










Tuesday, December 16, 2014

More Christmas Luncheon Pictures











Guests viewing tables prior to the luncheon.

President Gail Touchton presents a door prize to guest, Sue Owens.




Saturday, November 29, 2014

Containers Get a "Touch" of Christmas

     Last year we added large red mesh bows to the containers around the square but this year most of the shrubs are so large and the decorative cabbage and kale have grown so, there is little room to put  in a bow.   Even though the scale is not exactly right, smaller red bows were added to drape on the side of the pot.


Friday, November 14, 2014

Club Has Program on Garden Containers

     The Monroeville Garden Club met on Thursday, November 13, at St. John's Episcopal Church in Monroeville, Al.  Dotsy Compton was hostess and LeNette Knapp served as co-hostess.

     The program was presented by Casey Teel, owner of Andalusia Garden Center and Landscaping.  He brought a number of different plant containers and talked about what effect the container had on the growing conditions for the plant.  Mr. Teel then took various gardening questions from the members.

     Following the program and business session, members enjoyed refreshments of  Pumpkin Bread, Turkey Cranberry Sandwiches, Lime Dip and Crackers, Spiced Nuts, Tea and Coffee.

     The following members were in attendance:  Laura Bodiford, Evelyn Bond, Jean Booker, Sara Bradley, Judi Burns, Bev Colquett, Dotsy Compton, Dorothy Crawford, Audrey Griffin, Margaret Groves, Pat Hornady, LeNette Knapp, Dana Shinholster, Ree Smith, Vonceil Stringer, Patsy Wadlington, Sharon Porterfield, and Nancy Ziebach.

LeNette Knapp and Dotsy Compton

Casey Teel, Owner of  Andalusia Garden Center and Landscaping


Dorothy Crawford shares a Christmas hanging basket she made.

Fall Planting Around The Square

     Last month we added decorative cabbage and kale to the containers around the square and in front of City Hall.  After Thanksgiving we will add some red bows to give the containers a touch of Christmas.
     We had some of the cabbage and kale left after planting the containers and these , along with some aztec grass, were used in the bed at Johnson Jeweler's and in the one near the old Monroe County Bank Building.






Monday, October 13, 2014

October Garden Club Meeting

 


   The October meeting of the Monroeville Garden Club was held on October 9, 2014, at the home of Laura Bodiford.  Dorothy Crawford served as co-hostess.

     The program was presented by Nicki Bayles who demonstrated how to make a burlap wreath and then use it in several ways.  She owns a home-based business called "My Happy Place" which specializes in custom wreaths and other decorative items.   Information about her shop can be found on Facebook and Etsy.

     During the business session, members discussed details regarding the Christmas luncheon which will be on December 11 at 12:00 pm.  Tickets are $20.00 and can be purchased from any garden club member.  June Mays, a garden designer from Birmingham, will present a program on low maintenance planting.

     Reports were given on various  club projects   Fresh straw will be put in the rose garden soon and decorative kale and cabbage added to the large containers around the square.

     The city has budgeted $4000.00 for beautification projects next year and $1500.00 of this amount will be designated to the garden club for purchasing plants and supplies for the square.

     Following the business session, members drew numbers for a plant swap and then enjoyed refreshments of Roast Beef on Baguette Slices with Creamy Horseradish and Arugula, Roast Turkey on Baguette Slices with Pear-Cranberry Conserve, Cheese and Crackers, Hummus and Vegetables, Spinach Dip and Bread, Chocolate Cookies, Mini-Chocolate Cupcakes, Rice Krispie Treats, Apple Orchard Punch, Iced Tea, and Coffee.

     Attending the meeting were Laura Bodiford, Dorothy Crawford, Sarah Bradley, Carolyn Hutcherson, Margaret Groves, LeNette Knapp, Evelyn Bond, Ree Smith, Dotsy Compton, Bev Colquett, Gail Touchton, Dana Shinhoster, Sharon Porterfield, Patsy Wadlington, and Brenda Gardner.





( L to R) Sharon Porterfield, Carolyn Carter, Gail Touchton, and Laura Bodiford.
Nicki Bayles, owner of "My Happy Place" shop and some of her creations.


APPLE ORCHARD PUNCH RECIPE


                                               64 oz. apple juice, chilled
                                               2 cups orange juice
                                               1 container frozen cranberry or cran-raspberry concentrate
                                               1 liter Ginger ale
                                               Apple slices




Thursday, September 11, 2014

Using Antiques in the Garden

     Monroeville Garden Club held its first meeting of the club year on Thursday, September 11, 2014, at 1:00 pm at the home of Gail Touchton in Monroeville.

     A program on "Using Antiques in the Garden" was given by Vicki Sims.  Vicki is the owner of the  shop, The Red Door , located in Excel.  She brought a number of items which had been re-purposed and used in her garden.  Some  of those items included a large birdcage that was used as a planter and filled with moss and ferns, a chandelier made into a bird feeder, a whimsical "lady" yard stake made from a metal cover, and an old mirror embellished with decals, to name a few.

     Following the program, there was a business session. Members were given their new yearbooks and projects for the year were discussed.  On December 11th at 12:00 pm, the club will sponsor a Christmas Luncheon featuring a guest speaker.  Tickets will be $20.00 each and can be purchased from any garden club member.  On Saturday, April 25th, the club will sponsor a garden tour from 9-2 and tickets will be $10.00.  All funds raised will be used for beautification of the Square.

     Gail Touchton shared a garden hint.  Recently she read of a recipe for a weed killer which she tried and found that it successfully killed weeds within 24 hours.  The recipe calls for 1 gallon of vinegar, 2 cups of epsom salt, and 1/4 cup Dawn Dish Soap. Mix these ingredients and then spray on weeds.

     At the conclusion of the meeting, members enjoyed refreshments of pimento cheese finger sandwiches, brownies, lemon squares, chocolate covered almonds, grapes, coffee and tea.  Members attending were:  Gail Touchton, Bev Colquett, Ree Smith, Patsy Wadlington, Dorothy Crawford, Audrey Griffin, Nancy Ziebach, LeNette Knapp, Laura Bodiford, Dana Shinholster and guest, Carolyn Hutcherson.

Vicki Sims with some "re-purposed" items for the garden.



A whimsical garden stake made by Vicki.

Our hostess, Gail Touchton.

(L to R)  LeNette Knapp, Carolyn Hutcherson, and Patsy Wadlington

Work Days Around the Square

      Charlotte and others from garden club worked on the Katherine Lee Rose Garden on Thursday, February 15th .  They worked so hard that n...