After a most delicious lunch by Marilyn's Catering of creamy shrimp fettuccine and all the wonderful accompaniments, the members of the Hammond Garden Club were treated to a beautiful slide show by Linda Ryan and Pat Graves of last years New Orleans Museum of Art (NOMA),"Art in Bloom" exhibition. At last year's show Linda and Pat won a blue ribbon and a rosette for Best Plant Material. As they reported at the meeting there could be only real flowers and line material used, no silk or plastic. No artificial feathers, etc. they had to be from the "real thing".
The arrangements were created from a painting that was assigned to each entry and it had to look as if the flowers almost mirror imaged the painting. Some of the arrangements were beautiful almost lacy, some very stark each depicting the quality and lines of their respective painting.
Linda and Pat have already been given their painting and are wondering what flowers, line material, etc. they will choose since the colors that comprise the painting are yellow, black and red! Hopefully some of our members will be able to experience it this year, sounds like and looks like something we might all like to attend...maybe even get an idea of entering the following year ourselves!
After our dessert of scrumptious peach cobbler had been devoured President Mary Thornhill called on Phyllis diBenedetto for the Treasurer's report and we are so proud to mention that another of our garden club members has won the February Garden of the Month, Dr. James and Glenda Nelson and may I say that their garden is even prettier this month than last since we have had a little nicer weather than rain for five out of seven days! We are late announcing that because last month no business was discussed as we hosted the Area Garden Clubs Joint Meeting. The winner of this month's garden was announced by Kathleen Bohlinger it is Jim and Brenda Boshears located at 142 Oak Hollow Drive and she said it was quite lovely.
Mary asked if there was any new business and Carolyn Schwebel Todd (one day we'll get used to her new name), announced that the judges were coming March 20 at 9:00 AM to the City Council chambers for the District Cleanest City, the State competition will be held at a later date. Glenda Nelson then said that there was a clean-up day on Saturday March 16 at 8:00 to 10:30 AM. She asked all to come help even if you can't pick up trash you can give out pick-up sticks, bags, gloves, etc. or sign up the people that can pick up.
Linda Ryan then brought up the April 10 Field Trip to be at Chef John Folse's White Oak Plantation. Discussion ensued about getting a bus instead of caravanning, prices of menu and it was decided to get the info and then give it to those that have signed up for the trip at a later date.
Deborah Garafola announced that her committee had planted a native American elm tree for Arbor Day in Zemurray Park to replace the one that had died that was planted a few years ago by the plaque for former Mayor Lewis Tallo. Helen Tallo, member and wife of Mayor Tallo thanked the committee and the garden club.
During the past months the Executive Board has been going over the HGC Constitution to make some needed changes which had been done and emailed to the membership for their input if any and then opened for discussion at the meeting. There were a few Articles discussed, none that the membership saw a need to change. Motion was made by Clara Houston to accept the changes set out by the Executive Board, it was seconded by Lee Collins and all were in agreement.
Ladies that's all the business for this month but I wanted to say.....SPRING IS HERE, I think...unless there is one more freeze Mother Nature "springs" on us. I hope not since I have planted impatiens, white and hot pink geranium, big white bunnies adorn the black urns at the door surrounded by all pastel shades of petunias, the dwarf white and Formosa azaleas and roses all in bloom.....and it better not freeze or rain on my parade! Pray that the blooms all over town last through next week when the judges come...it'll be a first if they do!
The Hammond Garden Club is a proud member of the 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 the City of Hammond and God bless America!
by Linda Broussard
she is a member of the Hammond Garden Club
Linda Ryan, Activities Director giving information to the
ladies of the HGC about the NOMA "Art In Bloom Show" that she
and Pat Graves entered and attended last year. It was flower
arrangements that were matched with paintings and then judged
by professionals. They received a blue ribbon and a rosette for
Best Plant Material.