As they gathered for their regular meeting on October 2, 2012, members of the San Saba Garden Club were greeted with fragrances from 25 different herbs decorating the clubhouse in Mill Pond Park. The program focused on growing, harvesting and cooking with herbs as well as using them in fragrances and for medicinal purposes. The hostesses – Jimma Byrd, Sherie Clarkson, Pat Belk, Nancy VanEtten and Andrea Robinson, chair – had decorated the tables with herbs – all twenty-five different ones – placed in beautiful crystal bud vases. The herbs were all grown in Jimma’s luscious gardens and the vases were from Andrea’s extensive collection. As members arrived, they drew a slip of paper from a basket with the name of an herb on it and their challenge was to match it to one of the herbs on the tables. Some were simple, others not so much, since some were uncommon herbs. Now, however, they are somewhat familiar to everyone.The serving tables were laden with herb treats such as Onion Arugula Tart; Garlic Herb Pinwheels; Dill Dip accompanying fresh tiny carrots, cauliflower florets and grape tomatoes; Herb Focaccia; Lemon Tea Cake with Rose Geranium and Rosemary Cookies. The beverages were herbal teas and peppermint infused water. Sherie, who owns Ye Old Thyme, a small herb business in Mason, had a selection of beautiful, healthy herb plants for sale to club members.Jimma, who is a master gardener extraordinaire, shared information on growing some of the popular garden herbs. The plants don’t necessarily have to be in a dedicated herb garden but can be tucked here and there throughout the landscape – pots are a great way to contain those that tend to be invasive such as mint and oregano. Sherie gave tips on growing from her perspective and suggested which herbs should be in sun and those that grow best in shade. Andrea, who attended cooking school in Paris (France, that is!) and lived in Italy for ten years, shared her recipes and cooking tips. She pointed out that not only are herbs delicious but are also high in nutritive values. Herbs add interest as well as flavor to every type of cooking.Following the program, President Ann McElroy conducted the business meeting. There was much to discuss as well as wonderful news to share and plans to make. If you are a member and attended the meeting you are in the know. If not, well, stay tuned….Following the meeting, the members who had a few more minutes to spare retired to the Senior Center where more exciting things are happening. Our next meeting will be at the Center, 705 East Storey, at 2 p.m. on November 6, 2012. Those present for the meeting were: Pat Belk, Judy Brister, Gail Bruner, Jimma Byrd, Marcia Chown, Sherie Clarkson, Sharon Conyers, Shirley Dickison, Trish Fullerton, Imogene Hawkins, Fran Hulgan, Sandy Kuykendall, Carol Littlefield, Anne McElroy, Lynn McHenry, Marilyn Miller, Louise Oswald, Andrea Robinson, Clione Rochat, Debbie Shahan, Nancy VanEtten, Patricia Warren, and Anna Wilson.