Speakers present program about Clinch River

The February 2020 meeting of the Town and Country Garden Club was held at noon at The Inn at Wise on February 11. President Henrietta Dotson presided. There were 23 members and two guests in attendance. Guests were Dr. Kathy Landy and Shelley Chretien, our program presenters. Mrs. Dotson greeted everyone and thanked the hostesses, Mary Costa, Margaret Huguenin and Amelia VanGundy.

The devotion and blessing were offered by Amelia VanGundy.

Betty Dotson circulated a sheet so that each group could sign up to serve as hostesses and arrange for programs for the next club year. The meeting was then recessed for lunch.

When the meeting reconvened, our speakers, Dr. Landy and Ms. Chretien from the Upper Tennessee Roundtable presented an informative program on the Clinch River. The Clinch is considered to be a biodiversity hotspot because of the many endangered species. They encouraged us, and any interested groups, to adopt a stream in order to clean up that stream and do a semi-annual count of water creatures.

Teresa Adkins and Sunny Singh presented a memorial for May Straughan, one of our founding members who passed recently. Then those present enjoyed a cup of tea in May’s honor since having tea was one of her favorite activities. May will be truly missed and our thoughts and prayers are with her family. Visitation and a memorial service will be held by her family at the end of February.

The business session began with the approval of the minutes from the December meeting. They were approved following a motion by Frances Sturdavant, second by Betty Dotson.

Kate Hibbitts gave the judges’ report as follows:

Horticulture:

Frances Sturdavant – 1 blue

Phyllis Williams – 2 blue

Sandy Yun – 1 blue

Artistic Design:

Betty Dotson – 1 blue

Sherry Collie gave the treasurer’s report and it was filed as presented. President Dotson presented Kate Hibbitts with a check for $315 for the Food Bank of Wise County. This amount was collected at the December 2019 meeting.

Old Business:

Mrs. Dotson reported on the successful Home and Business Christmas decorating contest.

New Business:

Following a motion by Kate Hibbitts, second by Beverly Viers, the group voted to purchase books in memory of May Straughan for the public library.

Betty Dotson agreed to fill the vacant position of First Vice President. Being no further nominations, Betty was elected, following a motion by Frances Sturdavant, second by Rose Ann Kennedy.

Kate Hibbitts and Patsy Stephens have agreed to submit award applications for the club. A volunteer is needed to complete the club scrapbook.

Club dues will be collected at the March meeting. The selection of the Silver Achievement Award winner will also take place in March.

Bonnie Aker announced Ladies Night Out at the Wise Inn on February 25.

Betty Dotson recommended that the document which details the responsibilities of the meeting hostesses be revised and included in the club yearbook.

The suggestion was made to bring a friend to the annual club picnic in order to introduce prospective new members.

President Dotson announced that the hostesses for the March meeting will be Betty Dotson, June Dotson and Rose Ann Kennedy.

The February hostesses awarded several beautiful plants as door prizes.

Being no further business, the meeting was adjourned.

Note: Please contact Beverly Viers at 328-9575 if you are interested in membership in the Town and Country Garden Club of Wise.
Submitted by Town and Country Garden Club