The Monroe Garden Club, Inc.

Monroe Garden Club Press Release / GPotts                    January 10, 2012

Going "Yard Pickin'"

Developing Southern Garden Style

     His casual demeanor caught many in his audience by surprise. After hearing a rather lengthy listing of his accomplishments (which range from creating designs for Presidential inaugurals, White House state dinners, the Smithsonian, the New Orleans Museum of Art, and the San Francisco Museum of Art), Monroe Garden Club members and their guests weren't expecting his folksy, down-to-earth presentation.

                                                                                                    -  GP

     Ralph Null is charming, talented, and utterly disarming. This native Mississippian is synonymous with that carefree "use what you have at the time" southern garden style of floral design. For twenty-five years he directed the Retail Floral Design program at Mississippi State University before retiring in 1992. During a recent Monroe Garden Club meeting at Bayou DeSiard Country club for members and guests, Null appeared totally at ease while he created arrangement after stunning arrangement before the group. With each new design, Null gave invaluable hints and practical tips for making a pretty arrangement a breathtaking one.

     Null's primary focus was to show that one can create great designs from materials readily available in the garden and landscape. He warned that one must always call before going to a neighbor's yard to harvest a few things. "If you call first and they don't answer, then you know all's clear and you can go cut," he says. He quickly adds, "But always call after you've harvested from another and tell them that you've done it, but that you called first."  Not one person listening doubted that this is exactly the way Null does it!

     Null admits to a singular preference for a favorite flower: "I adore what I have in my hand at the moment," he confesses. Flowers are but one element that he incorporates into his designs. For this demonstration, he also used an astonishing variety of elements ---- red and orange peppers, hydrangea, roses, nandina branches, an odd vine ("I hope it isn't poison ivy," he noted as he bent the vine into a shape.  "But if it is, that's OK.  Not even poison ivy likes to be alone."), lemons, green bananas, apples, dried Black-eyed Susan stems, various grasses, even oak branches from a neighbor's trash pile. To these he added three or more stems of tulips or roses or lilies or larkspur or some other "civilized" bloom to tame the chaos of the design. 

      Near the end of his presentation, Null showed a trick of the trade that brought audible gasps of approval from his audience. After arranging a lovely bowl of hydrangeas and greenery, he took several stems of crème de la crème roses from his materials station. Blowing gently into each bloom's face, Null opened each to the fullest. "Looks like meringue, doesn't it?" he asked the delighted crowd, as he casually added them to the mix.

      Null is neither a design rules follower nor a design rules breaker. He is simply himself, doing with design what "feels right" and what "looks right" to his practiced eye. Once an elderly lady gardener with flower show judge credentials sat through a demonstration shaking her head from side to side as each design was completed. When he was finished, the little lady came straight to him.  "I have never before seen anyone do something so wrong that turned out so right," she observed. It was for Null a highpoint of praise that he's never forgotten.

      Chairing the hostess committee for this meeting were Pat Cascio and Barbara Trascher. Setting the tone for the gathering were arrangements in the foyer and in the main hall. Both featured flocked evergreen boughs, mirror-covered "presents" beribboned in gold and silver, and gorgeous winterscapes just waiting for skaters to appear. Working with Cascio and Trascher to create the winter wonderland were Diane Wagley, Mary Ann Riddle, Jeannie Niswanger, Janet Pearson, Sallie Shafto, Dayna Hudson, Pam Klagholz, Nancy Hemrick, Annetta Hill, Ellen Huey, and Carol Kight.

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 Monroe Garden Club Press Release / GPotts                    December 13, 2011

Dreaming of a White Christmas

MGC Creates Seasonal Beauty

     Bayou DeSiard Country Club is always lovely each holiday season, but it seems especially so this year. A number of very talented members of the Monroe Garden Club, cheered and encouraged by Rosemary Harrison and Diane Cage, took on the challenge of decorating the Club for the holidays. They performed design magic as only those with significant creative talents can. The result:  a series of eight spaces elegantly decorated with the most traditional of elements. While each space's "dressing" is unique, these ladies accomplished that most elusive of the decorator's tricks: they made each space "flow" aesthetically from one to another to another creating a seamless holiday  "look" ---- each at once individually striking and yet collectively harmonious. Magic, indeed!

     The front entrance to the club was adorned with a pair of wreaths fashioned from seasonal greenery and festooned with gay ribbons in red, green, and white. Above the double doors and along the sides hung an enormous evergreen swag. Along the brick wall leading to the iron gates and patio area, two more wreaths were hung to welcome the guests as well as the season. Peggy Turnbough oversaw this installation.

     In the entry foyer, four magnificent evergreens of varying heights were placed atop the sideboard. These trees were hung with bronze foliage "ornaments" as well as clear ball-shaped ornaments containing sand reminiscent of new-fallen snow.  Wide satin ribbons in bright silver topped the trees as tiny white lights added just the perfect glow.  Joy Loomis, Stewart Scalia, and Tieise Ardito created this gorgeous arrangement.

     The round table centering the great hall was transformed into a towering stack of glorious gifts!  Each present (clever mirrored "boxes" of varying sizes beribboned with stunning gold and silver streamers) was lovely by itself; together, they were simply breathtaking. Tiny votive candles on mirror trays surrounded the gifts, with silver and white ornaments and greenery serving as backdrop. Vicki Robinson, Georgie Porter, and Buff Harvey created this masterpiece.

     To the right, tucked in the alcove facing the swimming pool, the ladies fashioned an elegant traditional Christmas tree laden with unusual ornaments in reds and greens. Some ornaments were lovely solid orbs; others, whimsical stripes. Yards of sheer glistening ribbons were woven into the tree's thick branches creating the illusion of movement. White lights emphasized the glittering objects hanging on the tree's limbs. On either side of the alcove entry, a pair of wreaths flanked the glorious tree. Barbara Trascher, Linda Trinca, and Pat Cascio were the talents behind this design.

     Peeking out from a small shadow-box space along the great hall was a delightful arrangement centered by two very flirtatious stags. They seemed to be saying that they, too, were past officers of the Club. Sheer glittering green cloth formed the "forest floor" on which these two proudly stood, and behind them --- if one looks closely --- can be found a partridge in a pear tree. (Actually, it's a dove in a whimsical glittered branch, but no matter.  This is Christmas joy at its best!)  Dianne Cage created the jolly scene.

     In the more casual dining space overlooking the immaculate greens and fairways, the ladies placed a tree with the children who frequent the space specifically in mind. The evergreen tree was topped by a jaunty green, white, and red plaid ribbon topknot whose "tails" cascaded down the tree's sides. Candy canes, snowmen faces, glittering cartoon poinsettia blooms, and other delightful baubles --- some shiny, some muted --- filled the glorious tree.  Creating this child's delight were Linda Clark, Sallie Sutherland, Gin Heflin, and Cathy Hall.

     The most elegant of the trees centered the bayou wall of the main dining room. This flocked beauty --- beribboned with wide swaths of cloth of gold and adorned with spectacular ornaments in white, silver, and gold --- stood proudly overlooking the large expanse.  For all of this tree's commanding presence, it is the tree's topper that takes one's breath --- a glorious clutch of golden glittery feathers reminiscent of Mardi Gras crowns. Terez Nagem and Rhonda Miller created sheer magic with this stunner.

     In the fireside room, the mantle was swagged in an evergreen boa into which sugared fruits, primarily the pear and the pomegranate, were artfully tucked. The gilded mantle above wore a simple garland of greenery. Flanking the fireplace were a pair of petite trees similarly dressed with ribbons and fruit. All held tiny white lights that danced with the fire's reflection. Designing this perfect fireside "look" were Diane Wagley, Johnette Sellar, and Margaret Horne.

     As MGC members gathered for a bit of "Christmas Cheer" to celebrate the season, they enjoyed delicious small bites including brownies, scones, lemon loves, and other seasonal delights. Chairing this lovely affair were Rosemary Harrison and Dianne Cage. Serving on their committee were Joy Loomis, Diane Wagley, Sue McGinn, Georgianna Martin, Barbara Trascher, Vicki Robinson, Linda Clark, and Terez Nagen.  Each of these ladies invited two or three other MGC members to join them in decorating the Club for the season, bringing the total number of designers to thirty-two. Their teamwork was as obvious as the lovely seasonal displays they created to the delight of everyone.

Please visit the MGC website at www.monroegardenclub.com to see additional photos from this presentation.

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Monroe Garden Club Press Release / GPotts                       November 8, 2011

                  Pineapples and Spanish Moss: Botanical Cousins?

                              Jim McArthur Explores Bromeliads

     Who knew that pineapples --- that succulent fruit associated with hospitality and Hawaiian cuisine --- are in the same botanical family as Spanish moss, that wispy citizen of Louisiana's bayous? These quite different plants are both members of the Bromeliaceae family, a fascinating group of Neotropical plants native to the tropical zones in the Americas and one region in Africa. Their existence was first recorded when Columbus brought the pineapple to Spain returning from his second voyage to the New World.

     The story of how Jim McArthur, owner of Jay Mac Tropicals and recent speaker to members of the Monroe Garden Club and their guests, acquired these unusual plants mimics how the exotics moved from rare specimens belonging to the aristocracy to the readily available and quite affordable plants on the market today. "My aunt was very wealthy," McArthur explains with a smile. "She collected bromeliads when they first became available in this country in the late 1950's. She shared them with my mother. That's how I got my first ones."

      McArthur's interest in bromeliads began as a hobby, a release from his workday stress. "If you've ever been a coach," McArthur told the ladies, "you know there's a lot of pressure." 

      What began as a hobby quickly morphed into a viable small business as he continued to acquire and then propagate plants. The first year, he had thirty specimens, all of which he kept on the family dining room table. His late wife strongly suggested that he needed a greenhouse, so he built one that he thought would handle his growing collection. In less than a year, he built a second greenhouse, twice the square footage of the original. When his plants exceeded this space, he built a 96' X 26' "hoop" house to hold his treasures. In 1988, McArthur began his commercial operation in earnest. Today he has approximately 30,000 specimens under greenhouse roof and sells between 12,000 and 15,000 plants annually from Mobile to Galveston and points south.

      "The best innovation that has happened in the industry is cloning," McArthur explained. When growers have an exceptional plant, they can send tissue to a lab and thousands of identical plants become available. This has reduced the cost of bromeliads and helped make them accessible and affordable to the general public.

      McArthur explained that public interest is what drives bromeliad research and development. "What sells, or what will likely sell, determines which plants are propagated," he said. Sometimes, a seemingly unrelated event can significantly impact plant development.  "When the AIDS epidemic started, hospitals stopped allowing bromeliads --- or any prickly plants --- with spines on them to be placed within their buildings," McArthur noted. "As a result, breeders began working on developing spineless varieties. Today we have a nice group of those on the market."

      According to McArthur, there are several considerations when the home gardener decides to add a bromeliad to her collection. The first is color.  The variety of colors that these exotics will present --- flame orange, deep crimsons, vibrant yellows, pastel pinks --- means that the interior landscaper can coordinate the plant to the room's decor. The second is contrast. The best of the bromeliads offer a stunning contrast between luxurious foliage and the rossette "bloom". Finally, the gardener must resist the urge to "baby" the plants. "They are tough plants.  I don't go around to all 30,000 of mine and talk to them every day," McArthur said with a grin. "They'll be alright if you don't overwater them, give them enough light, and make sure they have good ventilation."

      The foyer and great hall of Bayou DeSiard Country Club was transformed into a bromeliad fantasy celebrating both Thanksgiving and this remarkable plant family. Designing the spectacular arrangements that perfectly set the tone for McArthur's talk were Jane Conrad and Phyllis Gordon who co-chaired the hostess committee, and committee members Vici French, Nancy Inabnett, Ellen Huey, Beverly Coumaeux, Susan Miksa, Cindy Price, Kristie Gammage, Nancy Hemrick, LaVerne Bodron, and Ann Cooksey. These creative MGC members gathered emblems of the season from their homes --- lovely ceramic Pilgrims and an enchanting Pocahontas, a variety of gourds and pumpkins, a glorious turkey smiling (it was more like a smirk!) from beneath his Pilgrim hat disguise --- and assembled them interspersed with Spanish moss and other wonderful bromeliad specimens. Everyone who saw them smiled with delight.

Please visit the MGC website at www.monroegardenclub.com to see additional photos from this presentation.

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Monroe Garden Club Press Release / GPotts                                       October 12, 2011

            Distinguished Designer "Brings the Outside Indoors"

      Lynette McDougald Creates Intriguing Floral Designs "For Anyone"

     When Monroe Garden Club members and guests took their seats recently, expectations were high and cameras were poised. The guest speaker, Lynette McDougald, had been eagerly anticipated. McDougald's vita is certainly impressive --- Mississippi Designer of the Year 2001, international traveler and presenter to designers and wholesalers alike, mentor to Mississippi State University students enrolled in that institution's unique floral management degree program --- this busy lady wears many hats, and wears them well!

     The backdrop for McDougald's work station was an abundant display of plant materials, containers both exotic and handcrafted, and a designer's best friends: foam, wire, submersible lights, two sharp knives, and glue. From these, McDougald created informal, easily replicated arrangements that would work nearly anywhere in the home.  Sunflowers, chinaberries, aspidistra, pigweed, orchids, roses, bromeliad florets, palm fronds, mums, cotton bolls on stalks, pinecones, hydrangeas, yew, red maple, nandina, lilies, bare branches, and acuba leaves (but not a "faux botanical" in sight) --- all of these disparate elements were artfully combined in the hands of an experienced arranger. McDougald's fast-paced, quick-witted demonstration left everyone fascinated. 

      According to McDougald, color is the easiest element to work with in design. "When you are 'blocked' on a design, work the color," she advises. "Using masses of like flowers, especially those in receding colors, always gets you out of trouble." McDougald urged grouping like elements together for more impact.

     Clearly, working with her students is one of the most rewarding aspects of McDougald's busy life. She manages the university's seventy-six year old floral shop, which is staffed by university students. "It gets interesting sometimes," she says with a smile. "The students will be working away, and then it's time for them to go to other classes. Then here comes in a new group. Somehow, it works!" 

     There were chuckles galore throughout the demonstration as McDougald offered amusing tips. "If you mess up an arrangement," McDougald advised, "just say that's how we're going to do it today.  That's what I tell my students!" When her students question how she knows which way to place a bloom in an arrangement, McDougald replies with a straight face, "The flowers talk to me and tell me how they want to go." She adds with a mischievous giggle, "After that, they just listen to me very carefully. I think they're afraid I'll snap someday!"

      Following the demonstration, the arrangements that had been created by McDougald were auctioned off with proceeds going to support MGC projects. LaVerne Bodron and Fran McKenzie, MGC Zoo committee co-chairs, reviewed their committee's very exciting program of work for this club year. Stuart Scalia, Beautification chair, reported on the recent joint project with St. Francis Medical Center on the refurbishing of Anna Gray Noe Park. Vicki Robinson and Vickie Krutzer of the MGC Recycling committee demonstrated the abundance of recyclable materials that we toss in the landfill everyday. Their committee is selling reusable cloth shopping bags and has begun exploring with City of Monroe administrators possible cooperative ventures to encourage citywide recycling. Other MGC projects underway include the March of Dimes Gala and the partnership between the Junior League's Kids in the Kitchen program.

     Setting a perfectly-pitched tone for the early fall gathering were a variety of stunning arrangements designed by October hostesses Carol Lawrence and Ann Murray and their very talented committee Carla Hardy, Cecile Wiggins, Penny Haddad, Amanda Barry, Ann Sanders, Sara Golson, Ann Murray, Mary Bertrand, Donna Aron, and Debby Edgerton.  Their arrangements of pumpkins, gourds, ornamental grasses, and fall flowers were perfect reflections of this favorite of all seasons. Before the meeting, members and their guests enjoyed a "lady's brunch" featuring a decadently rich asparagus omelet, creamy cheese grits, petite biscuits, muffins, assorted sweets, fruit juice, and coffee.

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Monroe Garden Club Press Release / GPotts                                                               September 14, 2011

                                Lemon, or Cream? It's Tea Time

                      Monroe Garden Club Hosts Dorothy Breard Silver Tea

     A more perfect early fall day would be hard to imagine. The cloudless blue skies overhead --- the murmuring of the twin sugar kettle fountains bubbling in the lush gardens --- the several hundred members of the Monroe Garden Club gathering after a long, hot summer to share news, sip tea, and celebrate the coming season --- the Monroe Garden Club's annual Dorothy Breard Memorial Silver Tea was the perfect excuse to get "out and about" once again.

     There are twenty-two area ladies in the Monroe Garden Club's 2011-2012 "freshman" class. They were the guests of honor at the Silver Tea held at Bon Aire, the official residence of the president at the University of Louisiana at Monroe.  Welcomed into this energetic and talented group were Donna Aron, Kathi Barnhill, Cathy Cheek, Deborah Edgerton, Kristie Gammage, Nancy Hemrick, Pam Hill, Dayna Hudson, Pam Klagholz, Diane Maxwell, Rhonda Lord Miller, Gay Morris, Rhonda Neal, Rhelda Nolan, Alise Oliver, Kay Prince, Lisa Ragsdale, Debbie Ryan, Amber Salas, Sharon Scott, Johnette Sellar, and Vicki Zambie.

     Such a singular event on the club's social calendar requires teamwork that will include creative thinking, boundless energy, deft floral design, and a keen sense of organization. The hostess committee met the challenge beautifully! Chairing this year's event was Joan Chardkoff with Buff Harvey serving as co-chairman. Their talents were obvious to everyone entering the lovely home. Working with them to create an event to remember were committee members Jane Hayden, Martha Hayden, Traci Canterbury, Travis Breard, Sue Nawas, Martha Arrington, Candy Gough, Alpha Spence, Phala Wright, Freida Brian, and new members Cathy Cheek and Kathi Barnhill.

     Throughout the residence and on the patio overlooking the gardens, elegant floral arrangements accented the various public spaces. These were artfully arranged by Alpha Spence, Phala Wright, Buff Harvey, Candy Gough, and Kathi Barnhill. All of the arrangements in subtle ways reflected the official maroon and gold colors of ULM as well as those synonymous with the highly anticipated fall season. Pink peonies, yellow callas, delicate white orchids, and vibrant tea roses grown in the gardens of Adele Ransom and Diane Smith were seen throughout. Green and gold accents appeared in the designs through the foliage interspersed among the stems. Seasonal branches and fresh herbs accented several of the designs. The arrangements, executed in silk, will remain at Bon Aire as part of the Investiture festivities honoring ULM president Dr. Nick Bruno.

     Entering guests were directed to the Bon Aire library where they were received by ULM First Lady Linda Bruno and MGC president Nannette White. The 2011-12 yearbooks were distributed here allowing the members to see their calendar for the new club year for the first time. There were many obvious expressions of delight at the program and social offerings to come. Three small orchid arrangements provided the perfect "jewelry" for the stunning wood-clad room with its signature fireplace. 

     A highlight of the afternoon was the formal presentation of an Honorary Life Membership certificate to Phala Wright. Wright's selection for this honor was announced at the spring luncheon, but she was unable to attend. Immediate Past MGC president Dianne Cage made the presentation and commended Wright for her dedication to the organization and to our community.

     A selection of delicious tea fare was prepared by Aramark, the University caterer. In the formal dining room, an elegant hammered-silver bowl held a seasonal fruit salad. Nearby were twin platters heavily laden with an assortment of artisanal cheese and fresh fruits. Toasted pecans and roasted vegetables completed the presentation, accompanied by a cracker assortment. In the breakfast area of the great room, petite sandwiches of chicken salad and cucumber were offered together with trays of traditional teacakes and shortbread. Here, too, were the "talk" of the table --- utterly charming cookie teaspoons with their bowls filled with delicious lemon curd, a unique presentation of that ubiquitous tea table delight: the lemon tart.

     Past club presidents took turns pouring a variety of exquisite teas and coffees throughout the affair while gifted pianist Julian Jones provided lovely background music that added the perfect touch to a remarkable afternoon. Members lingered to listen to his talented renditions of familiar favorites including the classics and show tunes.

     Even during this social gathering, however, the Club's business was being conducted. Stuart Scalia, chairman of the Beautification committee, announced an upcoming project in early October at the Anna Gray Noe Park to coincide with the 100th Anniversary of the founding of St. Francis Hospital. Reflecting the club's goal of raising awareness of the importance of conservation and recycling efforts in the community, the newly-formed Conservation Committee offered reusable bags for sale. Kathy Chandler, chairman, and committee members Vickie Krutzer, Martha Stevenson, Stuart Scalia, Joan Chardkoff, Carla Hardy, Lillian Matthews, Betty Farr, Vicki Robinson, Kay Prince, and Debbie Ryan will be spearheading this effort during this club year.

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