Quail Valley Garden Club

2011 September Meeting

Did you bring your coffee cup? As part of our conservation efforts, President Penny Johnson has added a new twist: bring your coffee cups to cut down on Styrofoam cups in landfills. You can see how much Membership Chair Joann Mayhall and Yearbook Chair Shirley Renfrow . . . are enjoying the new year. And didn't Shirley's new yearbook look gorgeous with that flame red bougainvillea cover? Wow.

Penny called the meeting to order and turned it over to Mary Francis Ashmore who led the Pledge of Allegiance and provided inspiration with the poem, Blessings for a New Endeavor . . . Mary is pictured in the foreground standing with all our shining faces.

The following program write up is taken from Bette Kraus' minutes.

1^st VP Programs, Barbara Thompson left, introduced our speaker, Elizabeth Barrow, of Papershell a Garden Gallery in Richmond.  She is a Certified Nursery Professional and a Master Gardener.  Papershell is both a garden center and an art gallery.  Susie Curry, a mosaic artist, accompanied Elizabeth and brought some of her work to display.  Elizabeth said all the art she carries is original and comes from local artists.

Elizabeth spoke to us about the drought.  She said it is the worst we have had in 100 years.  She has a tip sheet about surviving the drought by emailing her at elizabeth@thepapershell.com.  She said it will take years to overcome.

 

She spoke to us about landscape design in the garden.  She said that in the Western culture it began with the Romans.  The design principles are (1) style, identity and wit, (2) unity - which requires discipline, (3) focal points - where the eye is drawn to large things, (4) scale - where proportion is important, (5) color - the easiest, (6) texture - different surface materials.  Elizabeth said Folk Art in the garden expresses being a regular person.  We really enjoyed her presentation.

 

President Penny Johnson turns the
program over to Barbara Thompson.

  More fun . . . and education

 

Elizabeth also brought some art from her Gallery and did we have fun oohing and awing . . . Her Gallery is located at 4892 FM 2218 in Richmond (281 232-4485).

  Artist Marilyn Ellis (and past President of QVGC) is really having fun with the art! Elizabeth had some great tips on what art will stand up in the garden and the type of items you have to protect. Her Gallery always knows which pieces are protected or not . . . and she can tell you how to protect them if they're not.

We also enjoyed meeting mosaic artist Susie Curry (right) who accompanied Elizabeth. We saw some slides related to her work in the presentation as well as some of her original pieces.

After enjoying more snacks provided by Sharon Wright's hostesses Judy Belt, Jerre Anne Wagner, and Linn Wells . . . we had a great Horticulture program . . .with many bringing our "summer survivors" and Joyce Smith providing great direction and tips.

Get to know our new members  . . . here's the new members who attended . . . make sure you get acquainted!

Top picture left is long time member Ruth Anderson pictured with Inge-Lise Braswell,

Top picture right Sandy Smith

Left is Marsha Strain (with Juanita Ayres on right).

We hope to see our other new member Lu Lu De La Mora at our next meeting, which will feature Don Johnson on Insects . . . if you're thinking insects???? Do you like Hummingbirds ???? the nectar from feeders is only part of their diet. The main source of protein for many birds (including Hummingbirds) are insects. Hooray for Insects. Come learn at our October 13th meeting more about how insects impact your garden!

Keep our community giving going and our community beautiful . . . down load and sell to your friends our Caladium Bulbs!

To download your fliers and order forms,
press here to learn more about our
special discounts this year.

 

If you're not a member, join. We'd love to have you!

2011 Scholarship Winners

by Cindy Calender

This is Cindy's presentation at the May Installation. Cindy, Suzy Walters and Anne McBride make up the Scholarship Committee. Their work makes us very proud. 

Again, it is an honor for me to serve as a member of the 2010-2011 Scholarship Committee.  And I would again like to thank everyone for the effort that has been put forth to raise money for this very worthwhile cause.  While serving on this committee yields feelings of gratification, it also yields feelings of anguish and frustration.  Anguish and frustration because there are so many deserving students in our community.  You want to be able to do for all the students – but unfortunately, it is not possible.  Consequently, 1 High School student  and 1 College student were selected based on student achievement, extra-curricular activities, teacher recommendations, employer recommendations  and their personal letter.

Pictured below left to right are Penny Johnson, Cindy Calender, Hayley Leonard, EHS Counselor Debbie Cogan, Suzy Walters, Hayley's Mother.

The recipient of the High School  scholarship for the 2010-2011 school year is  Hayley Leonard.

 As you will soon see, she has been a very busy young lady while attending Elkins High School.  She received the 2010 AP Scholars Award, is a member of the 2010-2011 Texas State Champion Constitutional Law Team, is an outstanding participant in the 2011 National Achievement Program, twice member of the Region 13 Philharmonic Orchestra, Student of the Month for January 2011, and a member of the National Honor Society, the National Science Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, and the EHS Orchestra.  She also participates in many activities outside the school doors – at her church, with the DIVAS dance team and volunteering at the Houston Zoo during the summers.  One of her teachers said “Hayley is both diligent and imaginative,  which is an unusual combination.  She creates innovative pathways to solve problems and then perseveres to their solution.  Most important is that Hayley is an excellent self starter.”  Her current plans are to attend either Yale University or Princeton University and major in Economics.  Then she plans on becoming a Dentist and pursue becoming a Cosmetic Dentist.  She said “I believe that a simple smile can make an impact on a person’s self esteem and confidence.”  As of January, Hailey was ranked 11^th in her class of 556 students. 

With all this, I now present Hayley Leonard.

***She later decided on Baylor

 Our college scholarship recipient is Lauren Garcia from Texas A & M.

Lauren has been active with the field of horticulture since before high school .  Her short-term goal is to graduate Summa Cum Laude in May, 2013 with two Bachelor degrees – one in Horticulture and one Landscape Architecture plus a minor in Business and Urban Planning.  She then plans on going to a premier university for Masters Studies, preferable the Longwood Graduate Program.  One of her goals is to gain an administrative career within a botanical garden or arboretum.  She wants to develop education programs that breach the gap between nature and the general public as well as design garden displays that allow escape from the stresses of urban life.  At some point she would like to pursue her Ph.D. in order to become a professor and inspire future generations to enjoy horticulture.  Currently she is the VP of TAMU Horticulture Club, an active member of the student branch of American Society of Landscape Architects, and has competed in the Southern Region and National American Society of Horticultural Sciences competitions.  She is a member of three honor societies and has received the Who’s Who among Collegiate Students award.  Lauren has also sought out and participated in two Study Abroad courses, one in Guatemala and one in Costa Rica.  One of her professors said “She knows what she wants to do professionally in the future and she has prepared herself for the type of work she loves.  This is a sign of maturity that we don’t see in all students at this point in their college career.”

Lauren wanted to be here to thank us, but she flew out Tuesday to South Carolina for her summer internship program.  She is hoping to attend one of Fall meetings.

Since Lauren was unable to attend, we do not have a photo of her.

May Installation at Historic Dew House

The DeWalt Heritage Center and Dew House (pictured on left) was an appropriate setting for our Installation of 2011-2012 officers that will serve during our 40th anniversary of community service.

The Quail Valley Garden Club brick we gave the Dew House had just arrived and greeted us just before we entered.

Jerre Anne and Penny's cheerful yellow/orange theme really complemented the Dew . . . and made for a festive mood. Add to that the clever centerpieces coordinated by Mary Chan, which were then donated to the Dew for their upcoming Butterfly Garden, as well as some horticulture exhibits.

 On the beautiful antique burlwood piano, Andrea Wood played during our coffee hour. Andrea is pictured left with County Historian Diane Ware and incoming President Penny Johnson.

 

 

 

 

 

Mary Francis Ashmore's inspiration for the meeting was,  

As gardeners, when we take time to touch the earth, we feel the closeness of God.

 

 

 The quality of light in the Dew House and how the transom windows soften the light is one of the lovely features of the home. In the photo above Diane Peyton and Ann Caraway enjoy the living area. Built in the late 1890's the kitchen is extremely modern and has been faithfully replicated. Ernestine Barr and Jerre Ann Wagner show off this lovely kitchen's modern appliances bathed in  beautiful light. When I think that my Grandmother and Grandfather during these same years were living in a dugout in Oklahoma, I marvel at this kitchen everytime I see it.

But what this day is really about is new officers and transitioning to next year. While I was proud as now Past President of the many accomplishments during the last year, the real accomplishment is how the ladies of this club work together to keep growing better community year after year.

Here are the ladies who will guide us on our 40th year. Mary Francis  did a wonderful job of reminding us to execute our jobs to the benefit of the club and members. She used the symbolism of returning the Green Carnations we're each holding to the vase -- to serve and work together. And after the meeting the flowers were taken to Karen Meier who was recouperating from a hospital stay.

 
Pictured above left to right are Mary Francis, 2011-12 President Penny Johnson, First VP Programs Barbara Thompson, Second VP Membership Joann Mayhall, Secretary Bette Kraus, Treasurer Judy Belt, standing in for Corresponding Secretary Karen Meier is Mary Chan, and Past President, Parliamentarian Janice Scanlan. 

Penny's theme for her Installation is "Greening and Reaching Out" and how she wants to continue "greening" our area and "reaching out" to the community and new members. She recognized Patsy Armbruster as one of our Founding Members as well as the contributions of many people through the years.

One of the most thoughtful touches was the wonderful book presented by Penny to me. John P. O'Neill's Great Texas Birds is a book I will cherish for years to come!Thank you all for making a great year! You "Go Girls."

One of our scholarship winners, Haley Leonard and her mother, were present, along with Debbie Cogan and Barbara Whitaker. Cindy Calender's presentation made the recipients "live" for us . . .read more about them here.

Following is the write up by incoming Secretary Bette Kraus in our minutes about the Dew House program presented by Diane Ware, Fort Bend County Historian and Project manager for the Dew House. She and volunteer Roger Beeler conducted a tour for the members after her talk. Diane is shown in white on the right.

“Dew House Preservation and Land Trust”

Diane Ware, Fort Bend County Historian, gave a wonderful talk about the history of Dew House.  Hugh Saunders Dew built the house in 1899 and lived there with his family and four brothers.  The house had been occupied by a Dew family member until the 1960’s.  Nine plus family members lived in the house.  They were in cattle, oil, sugar and cotton.  In 1938, Frank Dew, underwrote the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.  Without his money, we wouldn’t have a Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo today.  The house was vacant for many years.  In 2006, Missouri City bought the house for $1.00, cut the house in half and moved it to its current location.  The cost of the move was $125,000.

The official meeting adjourned shortly after noon. Diane and museum volunteer Roger Beeler gave us an interesting tour of the home, both upstairs and downstairs.  There are some antiques and pictures of the family scattered throughout the house.

  Roger Beeler and another tour group.

 

After the tours, we had a luncheon buffet prepared by those who did not bring dishes to the Holiday Party.

It was a day of celebration, fellowship and learning.

 Click here to view all photos of the Installation.

 

More about DeWalt Heritage Center
and Kitty Hollow Park

Kitty Hollow Park is one of the most family friendly parks in Fort Bend County and it and the DeWalt Heritage Center are funded and maintained by Fort Bend County, Fort Bend County Museum Association and County Commissioner Grady Prestage. With all sizes of pavillons, lots of playground equipment, trails, and fishing, it's a popular place for picnics and outdoor events. The ponds are spring fed so there's water during the drought. Environmentally responsible, the pavillons and lights are solar powered.

Home of the DeWalt Heritage Center and 1897 Dew House, the Museum is open 1-4 on Sunday. It provides a glimpse of how one of the families lived that shaped our area. It has become a popular place for weddings and community events. Drive to the back (west side) of the park.

Kitty Hollow Park is located east of Sienna Parkway on Highway 6 at  9555 Highway 6 South.  

Heading east toward Arcola on Highway 6, turn left about 2 city blocks from Sienna Parkway. You'll see the American and Texas flags.

Final Board Meeting and Celebration

Our final Board Meeting for 2010-2011 took place in Janice Scanlan's home and garden Tuesday, May 10th. . . after reports about our year, we took a breather to relax.

This Board worked very hard this year and its accomplishments include donating Holiday lighting decorations to the Quail Valley Fund after years of paying for storage, development and installation of Holiday Lighting, reducing the risk of Caladium bulb sales by emphasizing pre-orders, transitioning to an activity (revenue based) budget, a successful back yard tour that reached more Quail Valley Neighbors with colorful fliers, and just a terrific year of programs, events and enjoying fellowship.

 

Thank you.! Janice