On December 12 the T & C Garden Club met in the lovely home of Mrs. Sandra Culwell with Mrs. Marie Shaw as co-hostess. Eleven members were present.
Members enjoyed a sumptuous pot luck meal. Afterwards, Frances Ball read a wonderful Christmas inspiration entitled "The Manger was Empty." The minutes were read and the Treasurer's report given and approved. Mrs. Shaw, President, called the meeting to order. Announcements included upcoming events. The 90th annual national convention will be held in Biloxi April 30- May 2.
The Garden Clubs of MS, Inc. will serve as hostess. With approximately 1000 garden members attending from across the U.S. and Internationally. The theme for the convention is "Gathering... On the Gulf." We are planning to showcase our beautiful state and all it attributes. Convention headquarters for the convention will be held at the famous Beau Rivage Resort Hotel. It will be an opportunity for all garden clubs to learn more about our national organization and participate in educational events of national council. This being an installation year makes it extra special. Also, it will be an opportunity to meet new friends from all over the nation and to introduce them to the most hospitable state in the U. S. There will be outstanding speakers on subjects such as landscape, floral design and horticulture to name a few. Also, a number of coastal tours are planned across the gulf. Members from across the state are asked to be attendees for table hostesses, ushers and exhibit room hostess and other miscellaneous jobs.
This is the first National GC Convention held in MS in several years. It should be quite a treat for those who have never been to our beautiful state. Much planning has already gone into this event and many hands are needed. It was voted that a donation will be made to the convention expenses. The convention chairman is Rhonda Rosetti, Vice Chair., Debby Cooper and Vice Chair., Carol Bullard.
In other events, a Christmas Tree was decorated at the Library by Sandra Culwell and Dale Shucker. A donation was given to La Bonher Hospital in Memphis in honor of little Amaury Eaves. Mrs. Shaw announced that the Legion State Park Landscape project is still in the plans. The Labor Day Project will begin in January. A program will be given in addition to the planting of a tree.
Mrs. Shaw has submitted 11 grant applications for Arbor Day, Garden Therapy and Legion State Projects. There will be a President's forum on January 23 at Brandon Municipal complex. The Southern Pines District meeting will be held in Louisville on May 19 at Lake Tiak-O-Khata. Plans are already being made.
A planning meeting will meet on Jan. 9 at 1 p.m. Mrs. Noniene Keen gave the horticulture which was the famous Christmas cactus.
She gave the nature and care of the gorgeous plants. They bloom in white, pink, and red. Sandra Culwell had the Design which was fresh greens with pine cones and Christmas balls. Door prizes were won by Dianne Dempsey and Elaine Thompson. The meeting was adjourned until January 17 at which time it will be at the Library.
