A lovely and cool weather day on April 7 was the perfect setting for a crowd of San Saba Garden Club ladies along with seven guests at the 2 p.m. meeting in the First Presbyterian Church fellowship hall. Tables adorned with fresh spring flowers and silks held an array of seasonal food favorites including deviled eggs, fresh veggies with dip, crackers, nuts, cheeses, and summer sausage made by member Tina Gunter, hostess chairman. Barbara Bell assisted Tina in preparation and serving. Cindy Sloan welcomed everyone, and Marjean Alexander led in prayer.
The focal table held a beautiful celebratory Italian Crème cake honoring Sharon Hayes, Member Emeritus, who has, this year 2026, served 50 years in San Saba Garden Club! A presentation of The State Garden Club Rose Ring of Honor certificate was handed to Sharon by Marjean Alexander recognizing her accomplishment.
Our friend and former member, Marti Free, told everyone of the first time she met Sharon at the San Saba Senior Center. Marti said the first thing that Sharon did was invite me, the “new to San Saba lady,” to Garden Club. So Marti did attend the next meeting and found many new friends! Sharon then introduced her daughter, Joy Hayes Gates, of Goldthwaite, to us. The honoree shared stories of the days when Garden Club members watered the plants by hand at Mill Pond Park, and she would take along her children, Joy and Ben. She related how they would help her, but mostly just wanted to play in the creek and never go home! Joy then gave a sweet message of remembrance of all the years she had been encouraged by her mom to appreciate, explore, and protect nature, its creatures and plants, and the entire world God has given us. Joy soaked all that in and now shares that gift as a middle school science teacher and nature enthusiast. Joy and her brother, Ben, have given a desert willow tree, in honor of their mom, to be planted in Mill Pond Park.
Other guests at our meeting included five ladies from Killeen Garden Club: Tess, Marlene, Pam, Trish, and Yvette. Before the meeting, they visited our clubhouse, that remains gutted at this time, and came to us giving encouragement and affirmation for all the club has accomplished in preparing for renovation. They then presented co-presidents Cindy Sloan and Marjean Alexander a $250 check from their club. What a blessing to us!
Tomato plants and zinnia seeds from Laurie Fleet were shared with members, and a Get Well Card was signed to be sent to member Gale Ivy who had back surgery recently. Sign up for help in Kids’ Nature Kamp was done and information for Clean Ups on April 18 by the Rotary Club and Keep San Saba Beautiful were announced.
In club business, the rebuilding committee reported that plans for beginning renovation are being made, bids from builders are almost complete, appliances chosen, and the City of San Saba has replaced the breaker box outside, readying the place for work inside. The membership is so thankful for our local community for all the financial support and appreciates all the outside donations as well. We are looking forward to see what lies ahead. Expecting greatness!