At October meeting Historic Northside Garden Club added two members, learned about jewelry making, planned an auction

The Historic Northside District Garden Club met Thursday evening October 23, 2025 at the home of Jack and Bethany Dalton. The Daltons’ lovely home was decorated for Christmas, with a nod to the curent Fall season. Bethany, Jill Smith and Jan Eastman were hostesses for the evening.

About twenty ladies enjoyed relaxing, chatting and admiring the decor as all the members arrived. Bethany took a bit of time out from kitchen duties to show those of us who had not see them, the extraordinary outdoor rooms that she and Jack have, for quite a while, been bringing to life. We all agreed that their patience, planning and effort had paid off very nicely.

Rebecca Browning introduces speaker Louise Hewlett

After enjoying an excellent meal, everyone gathered around the dining room table to hear from the evening’s guest speaker. Artist Rebecca Browning introduced Louise Hewlett, who now lives in the Birmingham, AL area, but has lived in a variety of countries and traveled extensively.

Hewlett gave a very engaging talk about her processes for making jewelry, including the selection, preparation, slicing and polishing of stones, fossils and other interesting materials. Hewlett even offered tips on where to look for bargain prices on centerpiece stones, and how to recognize interesting artifacts, etc. to be used in crafting one-of-a-kind pieces. She was trusting enough to pass several of her unique creations around the room, and, to my knowledge, all of them made their way back to her. I’m fairly sure, though, that some items found new homes that night, as there were several ladies present who are devotees of Louise Hewlett’s one-of-a kind artistry.

After the speaker concluded her talk, Nina Beth Capaning presented a devotional, followed by Club President Louann Staggs, who covered a series of business items. Two new members, Joan Carr and Kathryn Cagle, were welcomed into the Club. A budget for the 2025-2026 period was discussed and several upcoming events were called to the attention of club members

Staggs also discussed the Historic Northside District Garden Club’s upcoming auction, scheduled for November 20th at the Union County Heritage Museum. Members were asked not to deliver their auction donations to the museum until the day before the auction, and to complete the information slips to accompany donated items. Staggs also reminded members that funds raised at the auction provide important support for the Club’s scholarships and other community services.

The last item on the agenda was drawing names for several door prizes, all gayly presented in holiday bags with beautiful bows. Mine will likely get a new life, replacing the original bow on a treasured wooden Christmas wreath now approaching 40 years of age.