Hammond Garden Club learns about Japanese Landscapes
Beautiful weather led the members of the Hammond Garden Club to Oak Knoll Country Club for our April meeting. What was supposed to be “April Showers” turned into “Nothing But Blue Skies” did we see! Sounds like I’m beginning a 1940’s musical…..but not that day…..just lovely weather to listen to and see Dr. Charles Fryling speak and show us a slide presentation about his extensive trips through much of Japan and many of its awesome landscape gardens.
Dr. Fryling is a Professor in the Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning Department at Louisiana State University.
He spoke about many kinds of Landscape Architecture but those of the most importance were the simplistic ones that the Japanese thought brought the most feelings of sublime peacefulness which is very significant to the Japanese people. He said when there was much ado about nothing, ”it was just a landscape artist showing off.”
Many of the landscapes had beautiful waterfalls in the pictures or some element of water such as a brook or a stream. And many were shown from a wonderful vantage point as inside of the home looking out on a vast setting of manicured greenery almost appearing surreal like it was an actual oil painting that possibly hid cars passing on the street behind it.
Some of his slides were from areas in the United States that used Japanese gardens as their mode of decorative landscaping…..to perhaps hide traffic there also.
There was much applause at the end of his presentation when Vice President Pat Graves presented Dr. Fryling with a gift from the club.
V.P. Graves was filling in for our President and then asked our Chaplain Mary Thornhill if she would lead us in prayer and soon Mary Monteleone’s ladies began serving our lunches which were delicious as always.
Pat continued the business of the day which was much information about our involvement in Northshore’s Second Annual Arts In Bloom which will take place Friday April 28 and continue through Sunday April 30.
Ladies signed up for volunteering at the Greeters table in the Columbia Theater or to help in any position needed. If you attended this event last year you’re in for an even better treat this year! So much has been added including there will be 33 competitors making arrangements to depict the art (painting) they were given, professional florists making huge arrangements in the theater lobby, a children’s event, plays, musicians roaming downtown, and so much more. Tickets may be purchased at the Columbia Theater or on line at www.northshoreartsfoundation.com or PH- 985-602-6837.
Next up was Phyllis Mire speaking about events for cleaning up the city. It will be held on Saturday April 22 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The event called “Love The Boot” is organized by the Keep Hammond Beautiful Organization, Tangipahoa Chamber of Commerce and the City of Hammond. It will be held by the Hammond Chamber of Commerce on Northwest Railroad Avenue. Pick-up sticks, gloves and bags will be provided. Students who need community service hours please come to help pick up litter. It will help you by getting those service hours you need and help to clean up the City of Hammond because shortly the judges will be coming for the Cleanest City Contest…..and get there quick because the first 25 people that come will receive a free tee shirt!
I’ll leave everyone with a very short quote from Maya Angelou. I’ve sent it before back in ’21 but it’s so worth hearing it again: “Be the rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
The Hammond Garden Club is a proud member of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc. and the Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc. doing our best to unify and beautify our homes, gardens, our city and our nation every day to the best of our ability. God Bless America and God Bless the City of Hammond!
by Linda Broussard
she is a member of the Hammond Garden Club
Beautiful weather led the members of the Hammond Garden Club to Oak Knoll Country Club for our April meeting. What was supposed to be “April Showers” turned into “Nothing But Blue Skies” did we see! Sounds like I’m beginning a 1940’s musical…..but not that day…..just lovely weather to listen to and see Dr. Charles Fryling speak and show us a slide presentation about his extensive trips through much of Japan and many of its awesome landscape gardens.
Dr. Fryling is a Professor in the Landscape Architecture and Regional Planning Department at Louisiana State University.
He spoke about many kinds of Landscape Architecture but those of the most importance were the simplistic ones that the Japanese thought brought the most feelings of sublime peacefulness which is very significant to the Japanese people. He said when there was much ado about nothing, ”it was just a landscape artist showing off.”
Many of the landscapes had beautiful waterfalls in the pictures or some element of water such as a brook or a stream. And many were shown from a wonderful vantage point as inside of the home looking out on a vast setting of manicured greenery almost appearing surreal like it was an actual oil painting that possibly hid cars passing on the street behind it.
Some of his slides were from areas in the United States that used Japanese gardens as their mode of decorative landscaping…..to perhaps hide traffic there also.
There was much applause at the end of his presentation when Vice President Pat Graves presented Dr. Fryling with a gift from the club.
V.P. Graves was filling in for our President and then asked our Chaplain Mary Thornhill if she would lead us in prayer and soon Mary Monteleone’s ladies began serving our lunches which were delicious as always.
Pat continued the business of the day which was much information about our involvement in Northshore’s Second Annual Arts In Bloom which will take place Friday April 28 and continue through Sunday April 30.
Ladies signed up for volunteering at the Greeters table in the Columbia Theater or to help in any position needed. If you attended this event last year you’re in for an even better treat this year! So much has been added including there will be 33 competitors making arrangements to depict the art (painting) they were given, professional florists making huge arrangements in the theater lobby, a children’s event, plays, musicians roaming downtown, and so much more. Tickets may be purchased at the Columbia Theater or on line at www.northshoreartsfoundation.com or PH- 985-602-6837.
Next up was Phyllis Mire speaking about events for cleaning up the city. It will be held on Saturday April 22 from 8:00 AM to 10:00 AM. The event called “Love The Boot” is organized by the Keep Hammond Beautiful Organization, Tangipahoa Chamber of Commerce and the City of Hammond. It will be held by the Hammond Chamber of Commerce on Northwest Railroad Avenue. Pick-up sticks, gloves and bags will be provided. Students who need community service hours please come to help pick up litter. It will help you by getting those service hours you need and help to clean up the City of Hammond because shortly the judges will be coming for the Cleanest City Contest…..and get there quick because the first 25 people that come will receive a free tee shirt!
I’ll leave everyone with a very short quote from Maya Angelou. I’ve sent it before back in ’21 but it’s so worth hearing it again: “Be the rainbow in someone’s cloud.”
The Hammond Garden Club is a proud member of District VI, Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc. and the Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc. doing our best to unify and beautify our homes, gardens, our city and our nation every day to the best of our ability. God Bless America and God Bless the City of Hammond!
by Linda Broussard
she is a member of the Hammond Garden Club