Hurricane Florence was waiting in the wings as we met at the Weymouth Woods-Sandhills Nature Preserve.   Despite all the work they had preparing for the storm, Park Ranger, Billy Harkness, offered us the opportunity to learn more about our native trees (did you know the longleaf pine has a tap root that is especially deep and thus protects the trees in strong wind?)  He also shared with us taxidermy of animals and birds native to the Sandhills and how they fit into our ecology.   It was a rainy day but we got so much out of the presentation.    It’s always important to learn how important fire is to preserving our environment.

Our Club gathered at the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities for a lovely coffee and mimosa reception with delicious refreshments (provided by hostesses Anne Howell, Thea Pitassy and Elaine Porzio).  This was followed by a wonderful program delivered by Ellen Ashley.   Ellen is an Educator, Speaker and Plantscape Consultant and we all learned SO MUCH.  The program centered on Creating Your Own Cut Flower Garden from Zero to a Gorgeous Garden in 90 days.

What a beautiful day and a gracious setting for our winter joint meeting with the ladies of the CCNC Garden Club.   We had a wonderful program presented by Audrey Moriarty of the Given Library on the Women of Pinehurst  who have made a difference in our community over time .  The lunch following the presentation was made extra special thanks to the lovely table settings and the gorgeous tulip magnolia sitting just outside the ballroom in full bloom!