The Maben Home and Garden was entertained for the Feb. 18 meeting by Barbara McCants, a Master Gardener who spoke about butterflies in general and about creating a home butterfly garden specifically. Butterflies, like humans, need food, water and shelter.
For food, they like lots of colorful nectar-producing flowers: Cleome, bee-balm, Black-eyed-Susans, angel trumpets, butterfly bush, cone flower and milkweeds.
For water, an in-ground water source can be built, a small pond, and if all else fails — mud puddles are good sources of water. Have small stones in the sunny areas in the garden for them to sun on. Shelter is a must: from wind and rain, from predators, and hot and cold temperatures. Provide shrubs, butterfly houses, trees and logs. Avoid spraying pesticides in areas of flowers and water.
Mrs. McCants also issued several handouts: Butterfly Plants and Mississippi butterflies, Butterfly life cycle, and attracting butterflies to Mississippi gardens. These can be picked up at the Webster County Extension Service.
The February meeting was held at the Maben Public Library with Sandra Bishop and Jeanette McMurry serving as hostesses, who provided the lunch of sandwiches, fruits, chips, a brownie and water.
President Jane Collins called the business meeting to order and called for reports from the secretary and the treasurer, which were approved and filed for future reference or audit.
Because of a change in plans, the March 17 meeting will be held at the Maben Public Library and Janet Dean of the Mathiston Florist will present a program demonstrating basic floral designs.
Dee Vail will deliver the devotion for March. All members are encouraged to bring a sack lunch; water will be provided. The Yard of the Month sign for March will be moved by Julie Fulgham.
President Jane Collins presented the new 2020-21 slate of officers: president, Glenda Dobbs; vice president, Jeanette McMurry; secretary, Dottie Dewberry; and treasurer, Cathy Davis. Three committee chairs were also announced: publicity –Dottie Dewberry, calendar – Jane Collins and membership – Julie Fulgham.
Door prizes were Southern Living cookbooks donated from the estate of Glenda Zick from Many, La., via of Sandra Bishop. All members received one of their choice.
Before members left, each picked up a Valentine Garden Therapy sack filled with Hershey Kisses, a lip balm and a valentine to be delivered to area shut-ins. These were prepared by Cathy Davis.
The afternoon devotion was presented by JoAnn Williams, who read from Faithful Gardeners and from the Holy Bible John 15:1-4. This was about God’s pruning us to bring peace to our soul. She then blessed the food.
The meeting adjourned until March 17 at the Maben Public Library.
