Our November GardenFest was not only an opportunity to mix and mingle with other District IV clubs, but a celebration of Art Burdett's life. I think we all did him proud that day. Our club had two tables full of plants and lovely collectibles. Everyone shopped 'til they dropped and sunny smiles inside the Duval County UF Extension Center held back the rain all afternoon.
We're not sure what Mickey was telling Carolyn here; maybe Carolyn just didn't believe the number of plants our club sold! We also had two "works of art" for door prizes: a hypertufa pot with interchangeable decorations, and a hand-painted hypertufa leaf.
Our speakers from the University of Florida told us about color in the garden, permeable pavers, and explained the concept of Florida-Friendly gardening. And "Glue-Gun" Jan Sillik gave us a lesson in artful flower arrangements while entertaining us with her humorous anecdotes. Mickey won one of her arrangements! Way to go.
Yes, at GardenFest it seems that NOBODY DOESN'T LIKE GREEN!
Christmas in Hastings
The Holly Jolly Hasting Christmas Party sponsored by
Pie-in-the-Sky was indeed very jolly and this author got her exercise organizing all the donations with Malea's grandchildren. Fruit Cove Baptist Church supplied the dinners.
A "gravy incident" enroute delayed their arrival, but not the dinner bell. Malea and the volunteer servers were a whirl! Plates were a little short on the sauce, but there was plenty of fried chicken and smiles to make up for the deficit.
District IV Garden Clubs was proud to unveil a Blue Star Memorial Marker at Jacksonville National Cemetery on January 24. The marker honors all who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
Our first meeting, January 8, 10AM at the Bartram Trail Library features Master Arborist, Chuck Lippi, who will talk about maintaining trees. This is anticipation of Florida Arbor Day on Friday January 16, when members of our club who are also Master Gardeners will be giving away up to five free tree seedlings per person in front of the library from 8:30AM until they run out. See my article in the St. Johns Sun, "Right Tree, Right Place, the Florida-Friendly Thing to Do."
