Creating a Sensory Garden

       The Monroeville Garden Club met on February 10, 2022, at 1:30 pm at the Monroeville Presbyterian Church.  Nancy Ziebach was hostess and Sarah Countryman was co-hostess.

     Hannah Dykes, Regional Extension Agent for Home Grounds presented a program on creating a sensory garden.  A sensory garden uses plants and other design elements to provide experiences for seeing, smelling, hearing, touching and tasting.  Sensory gardens can serve many functions. They're used for teaching, socializing, and therapy.  Sensory gardens encourage interaction with plants so interpretive signs and access to the plants are important.  A handout gave details on each element as well as plant suggestions.

     Mrs. Dykes stressed the importance of having a soil test done as the first step in any gardening project.  Soil test kits are available through the extension office.

     Following the program, members were treated to refreshments with a Valentine theme.  They were served cupcakes, mint brownie bites, toasted pecans, heart shaped cheese straws, and coffee.

     The following members attended:  Dianne Bond, Elba Bonham, Sharon Brewton, Bev Colquett, Sarah Countryman, Pat Hendrix, Charlotte Lambert, Sammye Long, Ann Pridgen Jeanne Sewell, Jean Singleton, Ree Smith, Holly Tennimon, Patsy Wadlington, and Nancy Ziebach.

Hannah Dykes, Regional Extension Agent for Home Grounds

                  

                     (L to R)  Hostess, Nancy Ziebach and co-hostess, Sarah Countryman

Club Learns How to Grow African Violets

      The Monroeville Garden Club met on January 13, 2022, at 1:30 p.m. at the home of hostess, Dianne Bond.  Laura York was the co-hostess.

     Mr. Jere Trigg, Baldwin County Master Gardener, gave a program on African Violets which included a handout on growing tips.  Mr. Trigg  brought a number of African Violets that he had grown and offered these for sale to members.  One of particular interest was "Jere's Roll Tide" which was a violet with Alabama colors  that he had hybridized .

     Following the program, members were served Shrimp or Chicken Chowder and snowman themed refreshments of snowman cookies, Melted Snowman  (water), Snowman Soup (hot chocolate) and a chocolate bar dressed as a snowman.

     The following members attended:  Evelyn Bond, Ree Smith, Sharon Brewton, Jean Singleton, Ann Pridgen, Jeanne Sewell, Bev Colquett, Carolyn Hutcherson, Nancy Ziebach, Pat Hendrix, Charlotte Lambert, Dianne Bond, and Laura York.

                                                          Recipe for Seafood Chowder

1 qt. half and half

2 cans of mushroom soup

4 cans cream of potato soup

2 cans whole kernel corn (undrained)

1 pkg. green onions

8 oz. cream cheese

1 stick butter

1 tsp red pepper

1 pound of meat

Jere Twigg

Jere Trigg with the violet he hybridized, "Jere's Roll Tide"

(L to R)  Laura York and Dianne Bond

Christmas Luncheon

      The Monroeville Garden Club had a luncheon and ornament exchange on December 16, 2021, at Vanity Fair Golf Club.  Hostesses for the luncheon were Patsy Wadlington and Carolyn Hutcherson.  The tables were decorated with red tablecloths and fresh flower arrangements featuring red roses, pine and other mixed greenery, dried hydrangea blooms and bird ornaments.  As a favor, members were given an ornament painted by Sharon Owens.

     A buffet lunch of Chicken Parmesan over Rice Pilaf, green beans, rolls and a variety of deserts were served.  Following lunch members exchanged Christmas ornaments.

     The following members attended:  Dianne Bond, Evelyn Bond, Sharon Brewton, Judi Burns, Tonja Carter, Bev Colquett, Brenda Gardner, Carolyn Hutcherson, Charlotte Lambert, Sammye Long, Ann Pridgen, Jeanne Sewell, Jean Singleton, Ree Smith, Holly Tennimon, and Patsy Wadlington.  Jean Booker, a former member, was a special guest.

Hostesses:  Patsy Wadlington and Carolyn Hutcherson

                                                   Centerpiece designed by Carolyn Hutcherson

Garden Club Members Show Their Creativity

The Monroeville Garden Club met on November 4, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. at the Monroeville Presbyterian Church.

 Mrs. Sherri Scott of the Purple Guinea Studio led the group in painting zinnias on a flower pot. After getting basic instructions on painting the flowers, members then personalized their pot in creative ways.

 Sharon Brewton was hostess for the meeting with Jean Singleton and Brenda Gardner as co-hostesses. Members enjoyed cupcakes, snack mix cups, and fresh fruit during the social time. 

 The following members were in attendance: Bev Colquett, Dianne Bond, Judi Burns, Sharon Brewton, Brenda Gardner, Pat Hendrix, Charlotte Lambert, Sammye Long, Jeanne Sewell, Jean Singleton, Holly Tennimon, and Patsy Wadlington.

Sherri Scott of the Purple Guinea Studio

(Seated L to R)  Dianne Bond, Jeanne Sewell, Jean Singleton, Holly Tennimon

(Back Row L to R) Brenda Gardner, Bev Colquett, Patsy Wadlington, Judi Burns, Pat Hendrix, Charlotte Lambert and Sammye Long

Garden Club Shenanigans

(L to R)  Hostess, Sharon Brewton and Co-Hostesses, Brenda Gardner and Jean Singleton

Trip to the Grand Hotel

  For the October meeting, the Monroeville Garden Club traveled to Point Clear, Alabama where tour guides gave the history of the hotel followed by a tour of the grounds.

  The guide for the grounds identified plants, offered cuttings, and recommended using Fuslaide (a selective herbicide) to get rid of weeds such as Torpedo Grass which is a big problem in the beds around the courthouse.  The guide said that they water their pot plants every day and include a small amount of fertilizer in the water.

   After the tour, members met in the Bayside Grill where they had a lunch of Honey Pecan Chicken Salad Croissant and fresh fruit.

   The following members made the trip:  Laura Bodiford, Dianne Bond, Evelyn Bond, Elba Bonham, Sharon Brewton, Bev Colquett, Pat Hendrix, Carolyn Hutcherson, Charlotte Lambert, Jeanne Sewell, Jean Singleton, Patsy Wadlington, Laura York and Nancy Ziebach.

Snack of Blueberry Muffins provided by Patsy 

L to R:  Dianne Bond, Laura York, Evelyn Bond, Charlotte Lambert, Carolyn Hutcherson, Jeanne Sewell
Patsy Wadlington, Bev Colquett, Laura Bodiford, Sharon Brewton, Nancy Ziebach, Elba Bonham.
Kneeling L to R:  Jean Singleton and Pat Hendrix

Touring the herb garden

Beautiful Pink Muhly Grass being admired by Jeanne Sewell

Carolyn Hutcherson and Pat Hendrix examine one of the planters