Newly installed officers at the luncheon at Michabelle's seated from left Outgoing President Carolyn Schwebel, Parliamentarian Peggy Dunn, President Mary Thornhill. Standing from left Vice President Karen Nelson, Secretary Karen Granier, Historian Sue Parrill, Treasurer Phyllis diBenedetto, President-Elect Shirley Pellichino and Publicity Linda Broussard
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The day began with Mother Nature gracing us with beautiful weather, many ladies attending in elegantly stunning hats and outfits for the Installation of Officers Luncheon at the Historic Michabelle Inn. There was about an hour for camaraderie with our friends before beginning the decadent meal David Bradley had prepared in the charming setting of the dining rooms at Michabelle Inn. It is said that no matter how good a cook you are, the presentation of the food and the "setting" from which it is served is a large part of the art of eating which Michabelle's made us feel we were in the middle of a Monet painting! The feast began with a crunchy mixed green salad slathered with a creamy dill dressing that came right before the beautiful slices of beef roast in a velvety mushroom gravy, pared Irish potatoes in a rich yellowy cheese sauce with Oriental mixed vegetables as a side. But best of all was the dessert...a slice of scrumptious dark chocolate cake with chocolate icing and on the side was a puffy white cloud of whipped cream with a big juicy red strawberry perched right in the center...presentation my friends, presentation, but it was also sooo delicious! After the luncheon was complete our Past President Carolyn Schwebel called on Linda Ryan to begin with the installation of new and renewed officers: President Mary Thornhill, President Elect Shirley Pellichino, Vice President Karen Nelson, Secretary Karen Granier, Treasurer Phyllis diBenedetto, Parliamentarian Peggy Dunn, Historian Sue Parrill, Chaplain Paulette Hebert, (absent that day) and Publicity Linda Broussard. Carolyn then gave her gavel and president's pin to Mary wishing her the best of luck and telling her with the Executive Board she will be working with she would have no problems and I will be right there if you need anything! Carolyn then gave awards to all of the members that had perfect attendance the entire year, too many to mention all the names here. She also gave a gift to all of the members of the Executive Board for being so supportive of her during her two terms (four years) as president. Still conducting business till the end of this day Carolyn called on Sue Parrill for the April Garden of the Month which went to Anette LeBell at 19104 Magnolia Banks in the Oak Creek Subdivision and the winner for May Garden of the Month from Sylvia Dileo went to Joe and Dawn Sobilo at 904 Del Mar Blvd. in Villa West Subdivision. Information for the winner of the May Link Award was given to me by Linda Ross and it went to Home Depot. She then called on Linda Ryan and Pat Graves for a report on the Art In Bloom Show in New Orleans that they entered with a wonderful arrangement for the Hammond Garden Club. So wonderful it was that it took First Place in their category among the tremendous amount of entries that participated. Included in the arrangement were Birds of Paradise, orchids and white hydrangea, pin cushion protea, curly willow, seeded Eucalyptus, delphinium and more. The abstract art that it was designed from was painted by Will Henry Stevens in 1940 and hangs in the New Orleans Museum of Art. A wonderful slide show was set up at our luncheon to be able to see their fantastic arrangement and also the many other entries. Pat related that it was a great learning experience, Linda did most of the work, and she wanted all of us to come next year, she knows we would really enjoy it! Included for all the members to view in the library with the slide show was the wonderfully artistic Book of Evidence by Phyllis Mire and Glenda Nelson that was relevant for the winning of the Cleanest City Awards and the exceptional Historical Scrapbook compiled by Sue Parrill plus the spectacular entertainment provided by guest Barbara McKaskle...WOW! who could ask for anything more to add to that fantastic luncheon! Glenda Nelson then came forward to thank all those that came out for Keep Louisiana Beautiful at the Hazardous Household Waste Recycle Day. Many were there to help which makes it easier on everyone. Glenda also reported that on the same day the judges would present us with the District VI Cleanest City win, (heard about last month), they would judge for State title, which we have been told recently that we have also won. We are just waiting for them to present the award to the Mayor. (Pictures at a later date when the city is given the award). We can't be any prouder for the huge participation we and the city get from Whitney Statham and her crew of city workers, the prisoners, Dori St. Cyr and her enclosed trailer of pick-up sticks, bags, gloves and anything needed to pick up trash, individuals like Barbara McKaskle and E.J. Forgotsten that stop on the road and pick trash up, all the organizations and their members. The Keep Hammond Beautiful Organization and its members together with the Hammond Garden Club, Mayor Pete Panepinto, Glenda Nelson and Phyllis Mire and all the many others, we have managed to get the award for District and State Cleanest City for Twelve Consecutive Years, an accomplishment we are told that we are the only garden club in Louisiana to attain this honor and it is thanks to all the people involved in this huge undertaking! The saying goes "It takes a village to raise a child" and we say "it takes a village of many people to win 12 straight years of having the Cleanest City"! There will be a brief month or two before our next column...it is the Garden Club's vacation! See you again in August! Hope you have a grand summer vacation too! Don't let the sun burn you or your flowers...looks like it's going to be a hot one...pray for some rain! The Hammond Garden Club is a proud member of the District VI, Louisiana Garden Clubs, 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, let's keep trying to keep her clean again! by Linda Broussard she is a member of the Hammond Garden Club |