If one did not know better just by looking around at all we have accomplished, it would seem that all the San Saba Garden Club does is party! Our last meeting in December was set aside to have a good time and get to know each other better. Our first meeting this year, January 8, 2013, was time to celebrate our 77th anniversary and reach out to past members and prospective new ones. The club was organized and federated January 1936. Six very excited and enthusiastic hostesses led by co-chairs Sandy Kuykendall and Becky Moore, had been working on this anniversary event since we began planning programs last summer! Other hostesses were Leanne Pollock, Andrea Robinson, Sharon Conyers and Judy Brister. They offered a wonderful cold punch or hot coffee to guests and members as they arrived in the RAIN. Dainty finger sandwiches and beautifully decorated cupcakes adorned the serving tables. Party hats and whistles decked the white tablecloths and crepe paper streamers gave a party atmosphere to the clubhouse.

Special guests were invited to our historic clubhouse for the event. Those who were able to attend were: Bernice Sloan, Kate Beckes, Linda Thompson, Vicky Stevenson, Kay Stewart and Donna Baker. Bernice, Vicky and Kay have all been very active members in the past and have contributed much to our legacy. Our very special guest was our speaker, Marlene Gillman of Killeen. Marlene is the Corresponding Secretary and Trustee for District V of the Garden Club. She spoke on the importance of participating in State and National events and encouraged us to share our accomplishments and aspirations with our sister clubs. She was an entertaining speaker and was totally unruffled (as were we!) by the lightning and thunder during her presentation. No one appreciates rain here more than Garden Club members and their friends.

Members attending the party in addition to the hostesses were: Gail Bruner, Sherie Clarkson, Trish Fullerton, Dianna Furlan, Imogene Hawkins, Ann McElroy, Lynn McHenry, Louise Oswald, Clione Rochat, Debbie Shahan, Patricia Warren, Anna Wilson, and Jane Randolph.

Next month’s meeting will be February 5th at the clubhouse at 2 p.m. We will have licensed Landscape Architect Jami Nelson, of Austin, (aka The Garden Sleuth) to explain how to transform our water and labor intensive gardens into beautiful, drought-hardy ones requiring far less water, chemicals and work – sound good so far? If so, join us at the clubhouse for a delightful and informative afternoon!