Civic Garden Club installs 2008-09 officers

Members of CivicGarden Club concluded a successful year by installing officers, presenting awards, and enjoying a salad luncheon at the lovelyhomeofLawanaSistrunk.Martha Clark, president, conducted the business meeting. Cheer cardswere signed, reports given, and announcements made.Donations were taken for Helping Hands, Adopt-a-Soldier project, and thewelcome reception for the Shakespeare Festival performers.

Program Chairman, Sandee Walter, introduced CharleneMizener ofTyler's Azalea GardenClub, whoconducted the installation of officers for the 2008-09 year. Lots of humor and laughter resulted as she gave each officer an item suitable for her particular task.Thumb tacks, a calculator, pocket dictionary, cell phone, coloring books, badminton racquets and a shuttlecock (for batting ideas back and forth)were given to the following officers: Sandee Walters, Parliamentarian; Wanda Bittick, Treasurer; JudyWilkins, Recording Secretary; Alma Nell Farmer, Corresponding Secretary; Kim Gore and Lawana Co-1st Vice Presidents (yearbook); SandeeWalter,2ndVice-President (programs); and Karen May, 3rd Vice-President (hospitality). Finally, Mizener gave Martha Clark, President, a toy stuffed blue monkey hanging froma bar and gave her instructions to "hang in there" for the coming year.

BettyHren,AwardsChairman,presented the following awards: ClaudeGillisAwardfor most blue ribbons in Large, Small, andMiniature designs, Lavada Thomas; Past President's award for the most blue ribbons in LargeDesign class, LavadaThomas;GenevaSmithAwardformost Horticulture Specimens class, (tie) Louise Raby and Jennie Daigle; Lavada Thomas Award for most blue ribbons in the ContainerPlants class, (tie) Elaine berkeley and Sandra Lewis; June Gardener Award for garden clubber of the year, alma Nell Farmer; and Outgoing President's Gift,Martha Clark.

Betty Lee presented a comprehensive study on the yucca plant, taken from "Legends and Lore of TexasWildflowers." A member of the agave family, the yucca was compared to the infamous "schmoos" of the L'l Abner comic strip because of its versatility. Discovered thousands ofyears ago,theplanthasmanymedicalproperties aswell as edible fruits.

Following the meeting, Marion Richardson offered thanks and a salad luncheon was served. Hostesses were Martha Clark, Kim Gore, Lawana Sistrunk, Sandee Walter, Karen May, Judy Wilkins, Alma Nell Farmer, and Wanda Bittick.

AttendingwereWandaBittick,Roberta Boggs, MarhtaClark,AlmaNellFarmer,KimGore, Betty Hren, Betty Jeter, Betty Lee, KarenMay, Diana Ponder, Marian Richardson, Darlene Sanders, Lawana Sistrunk, SandeeWalter, Judy Wilkins, and guest Erin Gore, Vernie Kunkel, and CharleneMizener.