Blanket Flower (Gaillardia).  This NC native plant thrives at the beach.

Gardening at the beach is a challenge!  The NC Extension Master Gardeners in Dare County have created a great video on how to garden successfully on the Outer Banks.  Since gardeners on Holden Beach face many of the same challenges of poor, sandy soil, salt,  wind, heat and drought most of the video is applicable to our area as well.

The video explains the different zones on the islands, plant selection, watering tips, how to protect plants and planting dates.

Click here to go to the video and see if you can learn something to make your garden more successful!

President Gayle Todd and Second Vice President Carolyn Metrakos with Steve Mercer of Coastal Transplants.

The February meeting focused on our beach front.  Steve Mercer of Coastal Transplants gave a fascinating talk on the techniques he is using to protect and build the dunes on Holden Beach.  He plants a combination of Sea Oats, Bitter Panicum and American Beach Grass.  Each plant has a purpose and they work together to hold sand in place and trap sand when it blows.  Spartina, Seashore Elder and Sea Rocket are also common along our beach and lend a hand in building and stabilizing our dunes.

Hostesses Dolly Mitchell (Chairman), Sandy Miller, Marlene Hahn, Ros Stokes and Carol Lehr provided a beautiful assortment of snacks with a Valentine’s Day theme.

February Hostesses Dolly Mitchell (Chairman), Sandy Miller, Marlene Hahn, Ros Stokes and Carol Lehr (not pictured)

One of the most popular meetings on the HBBC calendar is coming up soon.  The Club’s annual White Elephant Auction will happen January 13 at 1:00pm.  Get your pen ready to bid on great items in the silent auction then make sure your auction paddle is ready to get your bids in during the live auction!  Members, guests, friends and the general public are welcome to attend – and the best part is that all the proceeds go to help HBBC beautify Holden Beach!

Over 200 items will be available at the Silent Auction and the live auction including wine, scented candles, baked good, antiques, silver, gardening gear, decor, and many other items.  HBBC Members (and anyone else who would like to donate) should bring their items to the Chapel on Tuesday, January 12 from 10-3.  If you would like to donate an item but can’t make the drop off time contact Gayle at 910-846-3007 to arrange pick up.  

So look through your Christmas gifts and closets for items that need repurposing and donate them to a great cause.  Then plan to come to the White Elephant Auction and bring a friend so you can both take home a great deal!  See you January 13!

Nineteen HBBC members enjoyed the December dinner and field trip to view Nights of a Thousand Candles at Brookgreen Gardens in Murrells Inlet, SC.

The gardens came to life amid the soft glow of more than 5,500 hand-lit candles and countless sparkling lights.  An 80-foot-tall fir tree decorated with 60,000 lights was dazzling.  Water features and pools filled with cranberries along with seasonal decor put everyone in the holiday spirit!

Becky Greene, JoAnnBurke, Gayle Todd (front row) Cecelia Weston, Sharon Butler, Renee Edwards and Carolyn Metrakos (back row) take in the sights.

Becky Greene, JoAnn Burke, Sharon Butler and Cecelia Weston at Nights of a Thousand Candles.

Look at those cranberries filling the water feature!

HBBC participated in the 8th Annual Tree Lighting sponsored by the Town of Holden Beach.  Members provided a gorgeous spread of goodies for the cake walk.  This month’s Yard of the Month was also tied in with the festivities.  Visit our YOM page to see Dwight and Becky Willis’ holiday lighting.

The holiday season is in full swing on Holden Beach!  The Seasonal Decorations Committee has outdone themselves with festive décor around the island.  Committee Chair Cecelia Weston made the hats and bridles for the herons and Eve Venters remade the wreaths for Town Hall.  Committee members donated greens for other areas.  Make a point to drive by at night, the lights are gorgeous!  Thank you ladies!
  

Seasonal Decorations Committee members Karen Fleischhauer, Cecelia Weston (chair), Donna Aycock and Connie Jo Boyte join President Gayle Todd on the Town Hall steps.

HBBC members enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving feast with Turkey and all the trimmings at our November meeting.

Friends and loved ones joined members as well as guests Mayor Alan Holden, Town Manager David Hewett and his wife, Cindy.  

Members brought their favorite dishes and desserts to share and hostesses Ann Landis (Chairman), Lindy Collinson, Connie Price, Carla Payne, Judy Brock and Peggy Schiavone provided decorations and drinks to go along with the two turkeys supplied by Gina Martin.  

As the meeting was on Veterans’ Day, vets were recognized for their service.  The luncheon also honored the memory of Tom Decker, husband of Member Jane Decker who passed away earlier that day.

The town-sponsored “Boo at the Beach” held Friday, October 30 was a big success! Hundreds of kids of all ages attended the event and the booths by local merchants, organizations and the town departments were great! There was a costume judging contest for the children. Each booth provided a game for the kids to play and gave out candy and other treats.  Gina Martin, Treasurer of HBBC, chaired the Club’s booth.

The members helping and shown in the picture are from left to right, Cecelia Weston, Gayle Todd, Donna Aycock, Joann Burke, Gina Martin, Janice Shaeffer and Becky Greene. In addition to the members that set up the booth and worked at the event, many other members contributed candy to give away.

The gardens on Holden Beach received their winter color this week.  Over 1600 flowers and other cool weather plants were added to Padgett Garden, Town Hall, Pocket Park and the Butterfly Garden.  Becky Greene, Chairman of the Landscaping Committee, along with HBBC members Donna Aycock, Joann Burke, Carol Colclough, Karen Fleischhauer, Gina Martin, Fran Pompeii, Linda Rast, Patricia Schwaiger, Janice Shaeffer, Gayle Todd and Cecelia Weston helped with the planting. Also helping were Tim Gibble, husband of member Susan Gibble and Tom Burke, husband of member Joann Burke.

Thank you to our dedicated members and their spouses who have made the darker days of winter a little brighter for all of us!

The Holden Beach Beautification Club hosted a very successful booth at Festival By the Sea this past weekend.  Congratulations to the Arts Committee for a job well done!

Calendars are still available.  Below are a few of the beautiful photos included.  Calendars can be purchased from HBBC members or online here.