Able to be out but well masked are the members of the Hammond Garden Club at their President's Tea for installation of officers for the 20/21 year. Seated from left are the new slate of officers: Peggy Dunn-Parliamentarian,Karen Granier-Secretary, Sue Parrill-President, Jennifer Allen-President Elect, Karen Nelson-Vice President, Gayle Bornholdt-Chaplain. Standing second row: Linda Ryan-Installation Officer, Phyllis diBenedetto-Treasurer, Juanita Pearson-Ways & Means, Members-Pat Graves, Marta Lichtl, Ann Crain Simmons, Fran Steib, Lee Collins, Deborah Garafola-Historian, Member Mona Crapanzano, Mary Thornhill-Outgoing President, Members-Glenda Bice, Helen Tallo, Glenda Nelson, Sylvia Dileo,
Margaret Hawkins and Brenda Daussat
Margaret Hawkins and Brenda Daussat
WOW!! We almost know what it feels like to be in jail for months and be let out! Twenty four of the members of the Hammond Garden Club finally met for the President’s Tea on Wednesday August 12 at the Oak Knoll Country Club. Maybe there were only six at a table (social distancing you know), and we wore our masks until seated to eat, but we were out, we were socializing and talking to someone other than our family or grocery store employees! Sooo wonderful! Yes it was different but still wonderful!
Karen Nelson greeted everyone at the door with our gorgeous new yearbooks. The artwork on front and back cover was taken from our Cleanest City Scrapbook, authored and artwork by Phyllis Mire and Glenda Nelson. Everyone was so excited to receive their book and be able to see what fun things will be in store for the club this year.
Mary Thornhill our outgoing President opened the meeting by asking Chaplain Gayle Bornholdt for a prayer and then turned the meeting over to Linda Ryan for the Installation of Officers.
Linda explained that our incoming President Sue Parrill loved books by Jane Austen and because of that she chose and purchased a book’s title that would be appropriate for each office by Jane Austen and also related the duties each office would be responsible for.
The following is the new slate of officers: President-Sue Parrill, President-Elect-Jennifer Allen, Vice President-Karen Nelson, Secretary-Karen Granier, Treasurer-Phyllis DiBenedetto, Parliamentarian-Peggy Dunn, Historian-Deborah Garafola, Chaplain-Gayle Bornholdt and Publicity-Linda Broussard.
The meeting was then turned over to the new President that immediately asked for all to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and after a short speech our luncheon was served. The room was filled with fantastic pink placemats either encircled in pink chenille balls or a darker edging, on top of floor length white tablecloths and each with a beautiful mixed bouquet of flowers in the center. With the club’s colors being rose and lavender it was a lovely setting for a lady’s special luncheon.
Speaking of luncheon we were served a salad fit for a queen with oodles of mixed greens, filled with strawberries, mandarin oranges, pecans and topped with a strawberry blush wine vinaigrette. A simply spectacular salad served with crunchy wheat crackers and sparkling iced tea. Everything was just perfect for a hot summer’s day!
Sue then called on the committee for Woman of the Year, Juanita Pearson and Linda Ryan to present the award which went to Outgoing President Mary Thornhill who was honored with a Life Membership in the Louisiana Garden Club Federation.
Next Sue called on the committee for the Scholarship Award Brenda Daussat and Jennifer Allen. Jennifer stated that the scholarship was given to Ariel Ebanks who wasn’t able to attend because of having been in contact with someone that had tested positive for the Covid 19 virus. Ariel is studying for her Master’s degree and doing research in the roles of microorganisms in the wetland plant community and how they may benefit plants under stress. She is also a Teaching Assistant at Southeastern University. She wrote a thank you letter to the club which Jennifer read to everyone.
There being nothing else to discuss our new President called for a motion to close. The meeting closed but there was much camaraderie among friends not seeing each other for such a long time. And if I may, a quote from the Jane Austen book that I received as Publicity Officer, “The Wit And Wisdom Of Jane Austen” and it is from her book “Pride and Prejudice” ‘There is nothing so bad as parting with one’s friends. One seems so forlorn without them.’ And that’s the truth!
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!
by Linda Broussard
she is a member of the Hammond Garden Club