"Wow Them With Weeds"

     The Monroeville Garden Club met on January 8, 2015, at 1:00 pm at the home of Voncile Stringer.  Jean Booker was co-hostess.
     Mrs. Vivian Layton, a member of the Brewton Garden Club, presented a program on "How To Wow Them With Weeds".  She explained that by using common "weeds" - plants and vines found growing in the wild - you can decorate your home for special occasions at practically no cost.
     Mrs. Layton brought a wreath which she had made from deer antlers.  Each week in December she added items to the wreath.  First she added greenery using smilax, then berries from nandina, and later small battery operated lights.
     Following her talk, members of the club decorated their own grapevine wreath with items such as eucalyptus, pinecones, cedar, smilax, camellias and other natural materials.
     A business session was held after this and members reviewed the recent Christmas luncheon.  It was decided to have the event again next year.
     In April the club will sponsor a "Garden Tour and Tea".  Tickets will be $10.00 each and will be given out at the February meeting for members to sell.
     Members who attended were Laura Bodiford, Evelyn Bond, Jean Booker, Sara Bradley, Bev Colquett, Dorothy Crawford, Pat Hornady, LeNette Knapp, Carolyn Hutcherson, Dana Shinholster, Ree Smith, Vonceil Stringer, Gail Touchton, Patsy Wadlington, Sharon Porterfield, Nancy Ziebach and new member, Lynn Byrd.

Our speaker,Vivian Layton.

Antler wreath embellished with other natural elements.

Gift packaging is another way to use natural materials.

  

Patsy working on her wreath using camellias.

Vivian added smilax, camellias, and rosemary to this wreath.

New Sign

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

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

More Christmas Luncheon Pictures

Guests viewing tables prior to the luncheon.

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

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.

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.

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