San Saba Garden Club (SSGC) held its first meeting of 2023 in Mill Pond Clubhouse on January 3rd. Members gathered to celebrate the organization’s 87th birthday in surroundings of pastel balloon bouquets and linen-draped tables with floral arrangements in crystal vases. Hostesses Jan Beaver (chair), Susan Kissko, and Sarah Lott treated attendees to a smorgasbord laden with warm hors d’oeuvres, a classic charcuterie board, crackers with gourmet dips and spreads, assorted tidbits, fresh fruit, and assorted cupcakes topped with towering swirls of buttercream icing. The beverage bar included coffee, iced tea, and flavored water.
January’s program was a staged reenactment of the club’s most memorable historical moment: the day in 1955 when two Garden Club members, Katylee May and Sally Arhelger, stood between a wrecking ball and the old gristmill in Millpond Park while Alma Ward Hamrick, Lady Wynn Felts, and Sally Hayden negotiated with the town mayor, Wilson Shook, to stop the demolition and allow their organization to turn the ransacked building into a permanent clubhouse. The consequence was a 99-year lease of the building followed by many fundraising projects, challenging physical labor, and community collaboration that, over the years, has produced the San Saba Garden Club Clubhouse in use today. In addition, thanks to these determined women of yesteryear, one of San Saba’s historical buildings was rescued and preserved for posterity.
The original Dodging the Wrecking Ball play was written by Aileen Roberts and first performed in 1992. Current SSGC members Lisa Foil and Cindy Sloan edited the script and organized its revival. Members participating in the performance were Marjean Alexander, Rebecca Britton, Lisa Foil, Marti Free, Dianna Furlan, Janis Murray, Debbie Shahan, Cindy Sloan, and Karen Sloan. Keith Shahan played the part of the mayor and the Shahans’ grandson, Risien Shahan, made an impressive wrecking ball operator.
Following the performance, the club conducted its monthly business meeting.
Those unfamiliar with the club’s history were encouraged to tour the clubhouse grounds and read the State of Texas Historical Marker honoring Alma Ward Hamrick (located near the front walkway). Dianna Furlan also pointed out a small headstone in the rear that commemorates Katylee May’s long SSGC association.
In honor of the recent passing of Jeanne Rainbolt, members took a few minutes to reminisce about her sweet and humorous contributions at past Garden Club meetings.
Of particular interest to the community is the upcoming biannual Garden Club Garage Sale at the Civic Center on March 31st and April 1st. Be sure to mark your calendars and take advantage of some of the best deals of the year.