The San Saba Garden Club meeting on April 5th featured an informative slide presentation and discussion by Dr. Jack Stanford, Professor Emeritus from Howard Payne University, who was handily assisted by his wife Gilda. In his discussion we were impressed to learn about the abundance and diversity of wildflowers found in our county. Dr. Stanford actually discovered a previously unknown species of fern in the Rough Creek area near Bend. There are far more than your average bluebonnets, Indian blankets and paintbrush gracing our fields and highways. Dr. Stanford also considers anything wild that blooms a "wild" flower, including red bud trees and mountain laurel. It was an excellent presentation, and we offer our many thanks to Dr. and Mrs. Stanford for making the trip from Brownwood to speak to us.

Our clubhouse had been decorated with Chinese paper umbrellas in bright solid colors that were suspended from the ceiling in clusters of three (April Showers!). There were swaths of spring green paper Easter "grass" on the table accented with Easter themed arrangements, ceramic eggs filled with Chipotle Chile Mixed Nuts, decorative paper placemats, artfully folded spring green napkins, topped with cones of White Chocolate and Strawberry Cheesecake Popcorn as favors.

Our luncheon buffet feast was no less than spectacular! First up was a delicious cheese covered white mountain called "24 hour salad," then there were Meat Balls drizzled with Cherry & Hot Pepper Sauce, Chicken Marsala thighs, and Spinach Balls with Cheese Sauce. An array of hors d’oeuvres included Rainforest Crackers with White Cheddar Cheese and Caramel, Cucumbers, Italian Street Sandwiches, and Chicken Sausage with roasted peppers and artichoke hearts capped with a spinach leaf skewered together – they looked like cute little potted plants! For dessert we treated ourselves to Italian Almond Tart, Chocolate Decadence, Meyers Lemon Bars, and Triple Cherry Streusel Cheese Cake.

We extend many grateful thanks and kudos to our hostesses, Ella Burton-Pavich (Chair), Dorothy Miller and Jeanne Sauer. Bravo!