Mary Wilhite presents cooking program for Civic Garden Club

A trip to Blue Moon Gardens near Tyler offered Civic Garden Club members a chance to learn how to combine plants from the garden with cooking skills to produce delectable culinary recipes. Nursery co-owner, Mary Wilhite, presented a program on "Making Salsa and Pesto." She gave pointers on selecting the freshest ingredients and handed out recipes that were her favorites. Following her talk, members were invited to taste delicious samples of salsa and pesto, along with assorted crackers, and flavored teas.

A short business meeting followed, conducted by president, Martha Clark. She reported that Civic Garden Club won sixteen awards at the District III Convention in Nacogdoches, March 7. She also announced that next year's District III Convention will be in Kilgore, hosted by the Kilgore Area Council of Garden Clubs.

After some discussion, members voted to donate money to the Flower Show Schools to be held over the next two years. By doing so, members will be able to attend at no charge and learn valuable information on design, horticulture and flower show procedures.

Donations were also made to the East Texas Treatment Center's upcoming "Party in the Patch," Helping Hands, and the Adopt-a-Soldier project.

Lawana Sistrunk gave the comprehensive plant study taken from "Legends of Lore of Texas Wildflower." Her subject was the Passion flower-a symbol of varied religious meanings. The center of the flower has a column which represents the cross of Christ. The corona is the "crown of thorns." The three knoblike stigma are nails; and the five stamen represent the wounds of Christ. Other attributes were later added. Many insects are attracted to the plant. In addition, medicinal qualities were ascribed to it. At Queen Victoria's request, a wreath of passionflowers was placed on the grave of martyred Abraham Lincoln.

Announcements were made regarding Evergreen Garden Club's Rose Show, April 3, at the Merritts's barn. Also, members were reminded that the club's April meeting will be held the third week of April (a change from the usual second week). If will feature David Reeves' program on "Shabby Chic Design," in conjunction with the club's popular plant auction.

Following the meeting, members enjoyed lunch and shopping in nearby Edom.

Attending were Wanda Bittick, Martha Clark, Jennie Daigle, Alma Nell Farmer, Betty Hren, Betty Lee, Sandra Lewis , Karen May, Doyce Maywald, Diana Ponder, Louise Raby, Darlene Sanders. Vicki Simpson, Lawana Ststrunk, Lavada Thomas, Sandee Walter, and Judy Wilkins.