Many White Elephants are enjoying new homes after a very successful White Elephant Auction!

Members and guests participated in both silent and live auctions of more than 100 donated items.  Over $800 was raised to help fund the gardens and run the club.  Becky Greene served as auctioneer and led the spirited bidding during the live auction.

This month’s hostesses focused on a St. Patrick’s Day theme and featured green treats.

During the business portion of the meeting, members were reminded to pay their dues for the upcoming year.  If you missed the meeting, your $20 dues may be sent to Donna Aycock, 125 Durham St., Holden Beach, 28462.

Preparation for the Spring Plant sale is in full swing and members are reminded to get sponsorships turned in ASAP.

Officers for 2015-2016 were elected and will be installed at the May Social.  The slate includes:

Next month’s meeting is the field trip to Airlie Gardens.  RSVP to Carol Ann, 910-842-1576.

Hostesses for the March Meeting were Carol Keane, Sharon Butler, Joann Burke, Becky Greene, Diana Hardesty and Jane Ivey.

Just a few of the items donated for the White elephant Auction.

Becky Greene served as the auctioneer.

Members enjoyed the fantastic weather Sunday afternoon while creating works of art to be sold at the HBBC booth at Days at the Docks.  Art Committee Chair Cecelia Weston led the group’s creation of pallet art and the painting of flower pots which will be adorned with clay shapes and painted again.

Carolyn Metrakos, 2nd Vice President, Derek Smith, NCDOT and President Carol Ann Lohman discuss wildflowers.

February Hostesses Sharon Butler, Donna Aycock, Patricia Schwaiger and Becky Greene.

At the February meeting, HBBC members heard from Derek Smith, Coordinator of NCDOT’s Roadside Wildflower Program. Derek coordinates the 14 areas of the state that plant the incredible patches of flowers you see as you drive along our major highways. Funded by personalized license plate fees, the NC wildflower program is the largest in the nation. Derek gave a presentation on how his department plants and maintains the beds and showed slides of some of the award-winning beds from across the state.   HBBC members each received a book on wildflowers and a seed packet to sow in their gardens. HBBC hostesses stayed with a flowers and Valentines theme, including potted Dianthus and other early spring flowers for each member to take home and either plant in their garden or nurture for the plant sale in April.  Members were reminded that March is the popular White Elephant Auction. Check the website for details!

Pots for Festival by the Sea

Reminder – Workshop Saturday, 13 September 2014, at Fran Pompeii’s at 11:00 AM.  We will be making flower pots with old sheets or towels and cement.  Bring rubber gloves (dishwashing variety), wear old clothes or apron and bring scissors.

Workshop Sunday, 14 September 2014, at Fran Pompeii’s – 1:30 PM.  We will be painting the flower pots.  You might want to wear gloves and old clothes again.

These pot will be sold  at Festival by the Sea to raise money for our gardens.  Come out and help any time you can.