We had a beautiful day for our mystery tour this year!  We began our day at CCNC where drivers got their instructions for the day and we proceeded with our guests to two members homes, decorated for the season.   The homes were different in every way – one Meredith’s lovely contemporary home in CCNC and the second Pat’s country cottage in the Village.   Our theme for this year was “Random Acts of Kindness”.   Each guest and member received an ornament with an act of kindness attached as well as a home made cookie.

Following the home tour, we traveled to Mid-Pines for an eggnog welcome, a terrific treat in a program from the Pinecrest chorus, sharing their renditions of wonderful holiday music.   Then Matt Hollyfield shared inspirations on holiday arrangements.   Who knew the importance of using bleach???   We are thankful to Matt, whose creative team took items curated from members yards (pine cones, greens and over four dozen dried hydrangeas) to make the centerpieces for our tables for our wonderful luncheon.   We then as another random act of kindness we donated the arrangements to Clara McLean house to help cheer the families there.

Our November meeting at Weymouth Center for the Arts featured a special program presented by Carol Dowd, AFID and owner, Botanicals Fabulous Flowers and Events.  She offered a program on Designing Floral Arrangements inspired by Paintings and Art Objects.

Anyone who thought our ladies would opt out for touring three special gardens in the rain was seriously mistaken!   We welcomed fall at two beautiful houses with gardens that were just as special and finished our tour at the Given Library where our Club’s new piece of the library garden was unveiled by President, Linda Lindsay.  It was a glorious day!