Whitehall Garden Club News - November

The Whitehall Garden Club's meeting was on November 2 at Borden's conference room. The room was packed with members and visitors all enjoying the beautiful brunch set out by Karen Nielsen and Judy Chadwick, full of delectables and deliciousness! Ham croissants, freshly-baked muffins, homemade granola, and berry fruit salad. What a "treat" to follow lots of tricks on Halloween. Thanks to both Karen and Judy.

Jayne Dean presented a Fast 5 Minute talk on the history and importance of sunflowers. Did you know that sunflowers are hyperaccumulators and absorb toxins (even radioactive/lead, etc.) from soil and ponds? Scientists use sunflowers for these purposes and more all over the world.

The business meeting was interesting and so full of information. There were nominations for 2023 Garden Club officers and a big round of applause for those volunteers. Another BIG round of applause for the WGC Pie Auction and Pie By The Slice held at the Star theater, (a huge thank you to Colton Anderson for such a great welcome) for the Fall Festival. Many of the non-profits enjoyed the "fruits" of so many pie bakers and pie buyers! Thank you!

Glenna Waltee presented a very interesting program on the "Legends and Traditions of Holiday Plants and Their Possible Dangers." Glenna offered many facts about evergreens, our traditional holiday plants, and flowers that we enjoy in our homes. For instance, where did the Christmas tree tradition come from? One belief is from 17th century Germany that evergreens possessed god-like powers, symbolizing immortality, but as Christianity spread, the evergreen was decorated to delight the households. The poinsettias, a native plant in Mexico with a rich history, was brought to the USA for commercial use by Joel Poinsett (hence the name) and fills homes across our great country. It is mildly toxic for cats and dogs and caution is suggested for humans, (don't eat them). Other holiday plants like holly and other evergreens all had ancient beginnings but we all are most familiar with mistletoe. Mistletoe is a "semi-parasite" not entirely dependent on a host plant because it in fact uses photosynthesis to create its food. It has medicinal properties and the Druids believed that kissing under the mistletoe encouraged marriage. Another fun tradition, "wassailing" (which means "good health") practiced in Britain took place on the 12th Night (January 5) practiced by farmers and Lords, where they went out to the orchards and sang to the spirits of the apple tree encouraging a good crop the next year. It is rumored that hard cider and other spirits were used to help with the caroling and celebration.

Thank you, Glenna for an interesting and informative program about the many holiday plants we enjoy in our homes.