It was a full house March 29 at the Maben Public Library as the Maben Home and Garden Club held the March meeting there.
The noonday meeting was hosted by VP Sylvia Templeton, who also served as the monthly speaker. The program focused on the proper way to plant a hanging basket.
She chose to use the popular method of thriller (tallest plant), filler (bushy plants to fill in space and spiller (trailing over the side) for creating her basket. She chose a wire basket lined with coco liner and then half-filled the basket with soil and then mixed in some water.
After mixing this, she started with the spiller plants (ivy) around the edge and then added the thriller (Gerber daisy) for the center. After she placed these, she spaced the filler (purple petunias) plants. Be sure to break up the root system before adding the remaining soil and firmly pack around each plant and water. She then instructed everyone to make one and hang it outside and admire their handiwork.
The brunch/lunch meeting was catered by Olde Town Bakery of Maben. For the ladies’ eating pleasure, Jennifer Williamson had prepared chicken salad on croissants, ham, turkey and cheese croissant, orange slices, strawberries, apple slices and luscious green grapes, all served with water. Dessert was brownie squares, compliments of Sylvia Templeton, who also decorated all of the tables with Gerber Daisy centerpieces.
The regular business reports were made and filed for audit before the club voted to discontinue placing the Yard of the Month sign during the months of December, January and February.
The nominating committee presented the slate of officers for the 2019-20 club year as follows: President – Jane Collins, Vice president – Julie Fulgham, Secretary – Sylvia Templeton and Treasurer – Martha McMinn. These names will be voted on in April and the officer installation will be first on the agenda in May.
The MHGC also voted to use the Maben Public Library as a permanent meeting place.
Pat Harpole reported that she had acquired some new flags to be placed along Second Avenue (uptown), at the four-way stop, at the post office/Joy Dodd corner, and at the Maben Library corner. She also reported that she had spoken to Maben Fire Chief Wayne Yeatman about the fire department taking over the placement of the flags on holidays throughout the year, which they agreed.
The Civic Beautification Committee reported that the trees along Water Street and at former Wicks Elementary School had been shaped up. The plantings at the four-way stop, the post office/ Joy Dodd corner, the Maben Public Library and the “Welcome to Maben” sign had been cleaned up. Shuff Landscape will be planting new trees along Water Street beginning near the post office and on over toward the library.
The Yard of the Month Sign was placed in the yard of Mr. and Mrs. Duane Thomas, which is located north of Maben on MS Highway 15, by Joyce Hays and was assisted by Sandra Bishop.
The monthly devotion, “The Faithful Gardener” from The Anchor, was presented by President Jane Collins, who also returned thanks for the meal. A prospective new member, Gloria Graves, was special guest for the meeting.
The door prizes (Gerber Daisy centerpieces) were won by JoAnn Willers, Julie Fulgham and Dee Vail. These were donated by Sylvia Templeton.
The meeting was adjourned until April 16 with Martha McMinn serving as leader. Lisa Stewart of the Webster County Extension Service of Eupora will be presenting a program on bird identification.
