'Winter Gardening' topic of Civic Garden Club meeting

Hostesses for Civic Garden Club November meeting: Virginia Hudson, Pam DeCeault, Erin Gore, Kim Gore, David Reeves and Jennie Daigle. Members of Civic Garden Club combined community service along with learning about winter gardening at their November meeting.

Hostesses for the meeting were Jennie Daigle, Pam DeCeault, Virginia Hudson, Kim Gore, Erin Gore and David Reeves.

As members arrived, they were invited to assist in assembling health kits for the Kilgore Crisis Center. Containers of shampoo, soap, combs, toothpaste, toothbrushes and washcloths were provided by project chairman Wanda Bittick. She thanked everyone for helping fill the plastic bags. This is the 22nd year that Civic Garden Club members have provided the kits for the Crisis Center.

Refreshments, displayed on a lovely fall-themed table, were served as members mingled and visited. President Martha Clark then called the meeting to order. Invocation was given by Marian Richardson. Reports

were given, cheer cards signed, and donations made to Helping Hands and the Adopt-a- Soldier Project.

Martha then introduced the speaker, Pat Skarda of Frankston Garden Club. Pat is a Master Gardener and a National Garden Club-accredited flower show judge. Her topic, "Winter Gardening," provided solutions to the gray skies and bare branches we so often encounter during the months of September through December.

She stated that by following a master plan, it is possible to have color from evergreens, berries, pyracantha, pansies, dianthus, snapdragons, cyclamen and Johnny-jump-ups. Preparing beds, chilling bulbs, mulching trees and shrubs, dividing perennials, applying pre-emergent for weeds, pruning dormant shade and fruit trees, and checking houseplants for pests are also part of the master plan as well.

By December, soil-testing is recommended as time to prepare for spring gardens will soon be here. At the conclusion of her talk, she answered questions from the group.

Awards for large designs were given as follows: David Reeves, a first; Erin Gore, a first; Mary Jan Formby, a first; and Kim Gore, a first. Horticulture awards were awarded to Betty Lee for two firsts, and Martha Clark, a first.

The December meeting will be a Christmas luncheon and gift exchange at the home of Lawana Sistrunk.

Attending were Wanda Bittick, Martha Clark, Jennie Daigle, Pam DeCeault, Ruby Dodgen, Alma Nell Farmer, Mary Jane Formby, Joy Foster, Erin Gore, Kim Gore, Betty Hren, Virginia Hudson, Betty Jeter, Betty Lee, Karen May, Diana Ponder, Louise Raby, David Reeves, Marian Richardson, Darlene Sanders, Lawana Sistrunk, Judy Wilkins, and guest Pat Skarda.