Eve Venters is presented with a bird feeder in appreciation of leading the program by Second Vice President Cecelia Weston and President Gayle Todd.

For the last regular meeting of the year, the Holden Beach Beautification Club enjoyed a presentation by one of our own!  Eve Venters led a hands-on fruit carving demonstration.  Members who wished to, carved beautiful floral designs into watermelons at Eve’s direction.  Eve was also the hostess for the meeting and showcased several carved melons, celery roses and vegetable roses along with a “palm tree” made of pineapples and palm fronds!

During the business portion of the meeting, new officers were elected for next year.  Linda Rast will serve as President, First Vice President will be Julia Anderson, Second Vice President will be Marlene Barz, Third Vice President will be Dolly Mitchell, Denise Mirandola will serve as Secretary and Donna Aycock will serve as Treasurer.  Linda announced her other Board Members and Committee Chairs.  Donna Blume and Carolyn Metrakos will co-chair the Art Committee, Jane Ivey will chair the Devotion and Sunshine Committee, Becky Greene will chair Landscaping,  Kate Felmly and Marge Doyle will co-chair the Plant Sale, Seasonal Decorations will be chaired by Judy Bayless, Susan Gibble will cover Yard of the Month, Vicki Myers will chair Website and Publicity and Becky Willis will serve as the photographer.

The May Social will be May 8th at noon at Dock House.  Contact Janice Sullivan to RSVP at jvschaffer49@gmail.com.

The Holden Beach Beautification Club took a field trip to Coastal Transplants in Bolivia.  Coastal Transplants is the firm that does the plantings for our beach.  Each fall they gather the seed heads of the Sea Oats, remove the husks, then germinate them.  The seedlings are put in floating trays to grow out to plantable size.  After the weather warms in the spring they can be planted back at our beach.  They also grow bitter panicum and American beach grass as well as other plants for beaches in TX.

Following the greenhouse tour, the group went to lunch at Fishy Fishy in Southport.

President Gayle Todd, Barbara Ann Little of Coastal Transplants and Second Vice President Cecelia Weston.

Our dear friend and fellow Beautification Club member Judy Brock is missing.  Judy was last seen on the morning of Friday, March 15.  If you have seen or spoken with her please contact the Holden Beach Police Department at 910-842-6707.

The Holden Beach Beautification Club met on Wednesday, February 13th. The program was presented by Jan Wutkowski and was entitled “Tips and Techniques for Choosing a Flattering Hat.”  Club members got to model her beautiful creations, some of which will be sold at this year’s Kentucky Derby. Everyone left with new knowledge about how to chose the proper hat for any occasion.

Hostesses for February HBBC Meeting Left to Right: Judy Brock, Peggy Schiavone, Ann Landis, not pictured (Carol Gardner)

Speaker and HBBC Member Bennie Hall with Second Vice President Cecelia Weston.

The Holden Beach Beautification Club held their regular December meeting on December 12.  Bennie Hall, ASID, NCIDQ, presented “Fast, Fun and Affordable Holiday Decorations”.  Besides being an HBBC member and Golden Gardener, Bennie is a professional designer and has also worked in the floral industry.  She shared tips she uses in her own home as well when decorating for others.

The Holden Beach Beautification Club wishes everyone a happy and safe holiday season and a wonderful 2019!

HBBC Member Dolly Mitchell samples the goodies provided by Marlene Barz (Chair), Kate Felmly, Jean Smithson, Carolyn Metrakos and Judy Bayless.

The members of the Holden Beach Beautification Club and their guests enjoyed a Thanksgiving feast with all the trimmings!  Members, spouses, and guests were joined by Town Officials and staff members.  This annual potluck meal is always a favorite with members!  Donna Blume and her committee, Bev Compton, Joyce Lanning, Janice Sullivan, and Jean Smithson, created beautiful tablescapes featuring festive fall decor.

Hostesses Beverly Compton, Joyce Lanning, Janice Sullivan, Donna Blume (chair), and Jean Smithson.

The Holden Beach Beautification Club has chosen Hilda and Cartland Allen’s yard on Yacht Watch for the November yard of the month. The yard is planted with numerous pink muhly grasses that are in full bloom now. They have other bushes and many palms trees planted in the front and back yards. Their grandson, Chase Richards is pictured among the grasses. Congratulations to the Allens!

The Holden Beach Beautification Club will be sponsoring a booth at Festival by the Sea this weekend, October 27-28, featuring the skills of the very talented HBBC Art Committee Ladies.  They have worked all summer on fun items to add to your yard or give as gifts.  Watch for Snowmen to brighten your yard this winter, coastal Lighthouses for your deck, porch or garden, hypertufa leaves that can be used as bird baths or shallow planters, and our ever-popular mushrooms!

We also have the garden gloves that everyone raves about in all sizes – perfect for getting your fall garden set for the winter months!

New this year, we will be taking credit cards as well as cash!

Best of all, all proceeds from our booth go to fund the club and our mission to beautify the public garden areas of Holden Beach.

President Gayle Todd, Judy Thuer, 2nd Vice President Cecelia Weston

The Holden Beach Beautification Club welcomed Judy Thuer to our October meeting.  She spoke on pollinators in the garden and containers and the importance of bees, hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators in the environment.   Pollinators assist 80% of the world’s flowering plants!  Hostesses for the meeting were Diana Hadesty (chair), Jean Blanton, Lillian West, and Sharon Butler.

The Club also finalized plans for the booth at Festival by the Sea October 27 and 28.  Stop by the HBBC booth to check out the work of our talented Art Committee members!  As always, proceeds from the booth further the goals of the club to beautify our island!

Members also signed up for the annual Thanksgiving Luncheon.  Contact Janice Sullivan to let her know if you are attending the luncheon, if you are bringing a guest and what side dish you are bringing to share.  The November meeting is always a favorite!

Hostesses Sharon Butler, Lillian West, Diana Hadesty (chair) and Jean Blanton (not pictured).