Dr. Blake Layton Jr., an Extension professor at Mississippi State University, was the speaker for the Maben Home and Garden Club meeting Feb. 20 at the Central Station Grill in Starkville.
Lisa Stewart of the MSU Extension Service in Webster County gave the official introduction of Dr. Layton, whose specialty is entomology — study of insects.
The afternoon program was plant insects and ants. Each member had the option to ask a question to Dr. Layton, which he, most knowledgeably, answered to their understanding.
The best questions concentrated on ants. “No, grits will not kill ants. So don’t waste your time.”
If you have an unidentifiable insect, use a Q-tip dipped in alcohol and touch it to the insect, then place it in a bottle and send it to Stewart in Eupora or to Dr. Layton; they will be happy to identify it.
Numbers of questions dealt with lady beetles, termites, wasps and ANTS. Some problems could simply be solved by bug proofing your house – caulk up holes. Ortho Orthene fire ant killer products are an excellent product to kill most any insects: ants, aphids, bedbugs, fire ants, Japanese beetles, mosquitos, roaches, spiders, ticks as well as slugs and snails.
Dr. Layton suggested that fire ant poison (Amdro, Martins Surrender Fire Ant Killer and Ortho Orthene Fire Ant Killer) be put out several times a year: Easter, Fourth of July, Labor Day.
Several questions pertained to shrub insect pests, which Layton readily answered.
After the program, President Templeton called the business meeting to order; the minutes were read and approved as read and the treasurer’s report was given and filed for audit.
The Yard of the Month sign was placed in the yard of John and Sandra Byars by Jane Collins.
Sandra Bishop read a thank-you card from Loretta Norris for our benevolent offering from the club.
The Arbor Day tree will be planted as soon as it dries up some, possibly in March. This year it will be planted along Water Street, which is the next garden club project — planting a number of susanqua camellia.
The Civic Beautification Committee submitted the annual bill for maintenance at the Maben Library, the four-way stop on MS 15 and the “Welcome to Maben” sign. Also submitted was the bill for the planting of the street corners at the Maben Post Office and Joy Dodd’s. A bill was also submitted for the planting of the six new boxes placed on Second Avenue. These boxes were donated by the Home Town Boys Club of Maben: Ken Norwood, Lee Shuffield, Jim Scrivener, Junior Johnson, Phillip Doss and Wallace Sansing.
The nominating committee (Jackie Poss, Lynn Head, Dee Saylors) submitted this slate of officers for the 2018-19 club year: President-Dee Saylors, Vice President-Jane Collins, Secretary-Lynn Head and Treasurer-Martha McMinn. This slate will be voted on in March and then be installed in May.
Martha McMinn presented an in-depth report on the calendar sales: showing how many sold, how much it cost to print and how much revenue for the project. It also showed the membership and how many each sold.
President Templeton announced that the leaders would no longer call the membership to remind them of the next meeting as we all had a yearbooks with this information.
Anne Earnest delivered the devotion and the blessing. The afternoon leader was Dottie Dewberry.
