The Holden Beach Beautification Club welcomed Dane Fisher to the April Membership Meeting.  Dane is a horticulturist with an interest in growing plants that are adapted to Holden Beach.  He is currently working on coleus plants adapted to thrive in the sometimes harsh conditions found here.  He is breeding for drought tolerance, full sun, and other conditions that can make it difficult for our microclimate.

New members Marge Doyle, Judy Bayless and Sharon Berezo joined us.  Our hostesses for the meeting were Eve Venters, and Julia Anderson (co-chairs).  They were assisted by JoAnn Burke, and Sharon Butler.

Hostesses Sharon Butler, Frannie Pompeii, Julia Anderson, and Eve Ventners. Not in photo: JoAnn Burke.

Jane Ivey welcomes new member Sharon Berezo.

Dane Fisher is thanked for his presentation on plant propagation.

New members Marge Doyle and Judy Bayless are welcomed by Becky Willis.

HBBC received an exciting email from the Arion Family.  They are installing a pool and offered us the plants that would have been trashed during construction.  Our Landscaping Committee jumped on the offer and transplanted day lilies, irises, ice plant, oxalis, and amaryllis to Pocket Park, located at 628 Ocean Blvd. West.  As you can see from the photos the perennials were great additions to this lovely garden and will bloom for years to come.  The next time you are walking or biking Ocean Blvd. we hope you will take a moment to enjoy the beautiful marsh views and lovely landscaping at this tiny gem of a park.  We thank the Arion family for thinking of us!

The first step of refurbishing Padgett Garden has started.  Some of the plants that will not remain after the new design is installed were removed and potted.  The plants were removed in anticipation of renewed soil and fresh young plantings to accent the Town’s planned sidewalk at Padgett Garden.  The sidewalk will meet ADA standards.  The removed plants will be transplanted to other Town garden spots and sold at the Plant Sale in April.  The project should be completed next week!

For more information on the plans for Padgett Garden click here.

Saving the roses.

Overgrown shrubs being removed.

Saving the Yaupons and palms.

Members of the Longrange Planning Committee were on hand to supervise the work.

Removal of salvageble plants gets started,

Rocks from the former walkway are being repurposed to create rock borders around palms.

A new pergola is being constructed. It will match the pergolas in the Padgett Garden Extension.

The Seasonal Decorations committee spotted the Easter Bunny outside of Town Hall this week.  Sure signs of Spring!

The annual White Elephant Auction was a huge success!  The event had more items, more participants and raised more funds than ever before. Hundreds of items were auctioned off with a silent auction and a live auction.  Thanks to everyone who donated, attended, or worked on the event!  The funds from the event will go towards the Club’s goal of beautifying Holden Beach!

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It is time for the Annual White Elephant Auction!  We will have hundreds of items to bid on during the Silent Auction beginning at 1:00PM on Wednesday, March 14.  At 2:00PM the fun really starts with the live auction.  Look at some of these prizes!

• A Four-Day Weekend Rental at a Second Row Pet-Friendly home!
• A Four-Day Weekend Rental at an Oceanfront home large enough for the whole gang!
• Professional Cleaning Services – get ready for Spring!
• Oil Changes for your car – you know you’re overdue!
• A gourmet Carrot-Pineapple cake, large enough to share!
• Essential Oil Basket for your health and well-being.
• Wine Basket – enough said…

The best part of this auction is that the proceeds help fund the Holden Beach Beautification Club!  Questions?  Contact Diana Hadesty, 301-922-9366.

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Guest Speaker Charley Winterbauer and Second Vice President Diana Hadesty.

The Holden Beach Beautification Club welcomed Charley Winterbauer to our February meeting.  Mr. Winterbauer, President of the Cape Fear Audubon Society and Co-Chair of the NC Native Plant Society, discussed the synergy of native plants and animals.  It is important to use native plants in the garden to feed and shelter the native birds.  These animals have evolved over thousands of years with the native plant species.  Our native bird species are in decline.  Migratory birds are losing 1% of individuals each year – 50% since 1968.  Non-native plants don’t support the needed caterpillars and other insects that are needed for young birds.  Some non-native plants, such as Nandina, are highly toxic to birds.

During the business meeting officers for 2018-2019 were elected.  Gayle Todd will serve as President, Becky Willis will serve as First Vice President, Cecelia Weston will serve as Second Vice President, Janice Schaffer-Sullivan will serve as Third Vice President, Vicki Myers will serve as Secretary and Donna Aycock will serve as Treasurer.  There were two guests at the meeting and a new member, Kate Felmly.  The White Elephant Auction planned for March 14 was discussed.  Watch for some great items in this year’s auction such as beach home rentals and boat rides!

Hostesses Ann Landis, Judy Brock and Carol Gardener (not pictured).

Kate Felmley is welcomed to the club by Becky Willis.

Everyone loves an auction!  It is time for the 5th Annual HBBC White Elephant Auction, Wednesday, March 14.  The Silent Auction for hundreds of items will begin at 1:00 pm followed by the live auction at 2:00 pm.  There are some great items this year such as:

• Housekeeping Services
• Gift Certificates
• Beach House Rentals
• Boat Cruise
• Other fun and unique items

Everyone is welcome to get in on the fun and bargains!  Come to the Holden Beach Chapel at 1:00 and start making bids on the silent auction items, then get your bid paddle ready for the fun during the live auction at 2:00!  The best part of the event is that all the proceeds go to a great cause:  beautifying Holden Beach!

Want more information?  Contact Diana Hadesty, 301-922-9366

You’re invited to the

Holden Beach Beautification Club’s

5th Annual Auction!

Wednesday, March 14

Silent Auction begins at 1:00pm          Live Auction starts at 2:00pm

Club members, it is time to start gathering your donations for the White Elephant Auction.  The Auction Committee is busy preparing for the sale and needs club members’ help securing items large and small!  In the past, items that have consistently received high bids have been:

• Gift certificates to favorite restaurants
• Event or activity tickets including gardens and museums
• Baked goods (homemade and purchased)
• Bottles of wine
• Other consumable items

So use your creativity and start planning your donation!  Drop off of items will be Tuesday, March 13, 9:00AM – Noon at the Chapel.

Questions?  Contact Auction Chair Diana Hadesty.