At the Tuesday evening meeting Jane McCarthy and Ann Hamill conducted the induction ceremony for new officers of Old Alabama Town Herb Society for 2016-2017, using the language of plants for each officer’s purpose. Those present were President Duane “Duck” Mara, Secretary Christine Robinson, and Treasurer Maxine Taylor. After the induction, Jane McCarthy gave a demonstration of propagating plants and a walking tour of the OATHS herb gardens.
Category Archives: Member
April Program – Gardener’s Yoga
Old Alabama Town Herb Society Meeting
Tuesday, April 19, 6:00pm at the Loeb Center at Old Alabama Town
Tuesday, April 19, 6:00pm at the Loeb Center at Old Alabama Town
It’s a glorious spring day and you finally got your hands in the dirt.
It’s time for cleaning up the garden and flower beds, for getting new plants into the ground. Your hands and knees are sore and stiff – so are your neck and shoulders and your back is killing you.
You know the feeling? Then come learn and practice some easy yoga moves to limber up the joints and stretch your body back into shape. You’ll be ready to get back out there next the sun beckons.
Uschi, will show us the moves, she is a registered yoga instructor with the Yoga Alliance and has been teaching for a year.
Instead of potluck for the April OATHS meeting 4 members have volunteered to bring refreshments. They are Ryan Hoskins – Fruit Salad, Barbara Hightower – pretzels, and Ann Hamill – KeyLime pound cake.
In an update to this post, here are some shots of the gardeners doing a bit of yoga.
Mary Louise Garrett
Mary Louise was a dedicated member and a fixture of the Old Alabama Town Herb Society for approximately fifteen years. She contributed many ideas to the organization, served a term as secretary, chaired the Membership Committee for many years, as well as being a steadfast worker in the gardens. She was in charge of the Scent Garden for many years and being a lover of Roses she added many to the Garden. She reluctantly gave up chairing the Scent Garden to help us reestablish an Herb Garden at the Governor’s Mansion. She worked with Chef Jim Smith, the Chef at the Governor’s Mansion, to add culinary herbs for his use and persuaded him to present our herbal food demonstration at our 2013 Herb Day.
Mary Louise gave a lot to her community after retiring from a long and successful career as a social worker – her last professional position was Director of Social Work at Jackson Hospital. We also remember fondly that Mary Louise had a passion for Cajun Dance, a sight to behold. She volunteered with the international officers families and on occasion included her foreign friends in Herb Society activities. In addition to all this, she was a dedicated volunteer for Landmark events at Old Alabama Town.
Like the Roses she loved so much, Mary Louise could be prickly, and that, along with her humor we will sorely miss. Her dedication to the Old Alabama Town Herb Society will live long in our memories.
There will be a memorial Mass for Mary Louise on Thursday, April 14 at 6 p.m. at St. Bede’s Catholic Church, 3870 Atlanta Highway, followed by a reception in the Parish Hall.
Click here to link to her obituary in the Montgomery Advertiser.
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- With Maxine
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- With Carolyn and Jetson
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- Mary Louise with Chris Brown
Cleanup Day is Saturday
This coming Saturday, April 9th, 8:00am until 12:00 is a clean-up and plant day for OATHS members in the Herb gardens at Old Alabama Town to get the Gardens in top shape for the up-coming events that will be held in Old Alabama Town. Bring your garden tools and be ready to enjoy sprucing up the gardens, planting some new plants, and the company of other OATHS members. We won’t be there too long and if you want to bring a friend, feel free.
Remembering Malinda
On October 23, in a beautiful and heartwarming service conducted by St. Bede Catholic Church, Old Alabama Town Herb Society members said farewell to one of our beloved members, Malinda Barrera. Malinda was blessed with many talents and interests. Malinda and her mother, Audrey Mara, were active members in the Old Alabama Town Herb Society and participated in creating scarecrows for the herb gardens and the annual Herb Day Event. Malinda’s talents helped make the Herb Day Children’s activities successful and fun. She will be remembered for her fun-loving attitude and enthusiasm. Her parents, Duane and Audrey, her children, Tabitha and Omar and her family are in our thoughts and prayers. 
Malinda and her mom.
Lady Arrow at Herb Day.
Lady Arrow, Malinda’s clown persona.
Hops and Barley!
Lee Harrison of Fairview Homebrew, spoke about the herb Hops and brewing beer at the Tuesday meeting at the Loeb Center. We got to touch and smell different varieties of hops, and learned a bit about the brewing process. It was a fascinating topic from a genial and knowledgeable speaker. Fairview Homebrew sells home brewing equipment and supplies, along with an amazing assortment of craft sodas.In Society business, the changes to the By-Laws were passed, new handbooks distributed, and two new members welcomed.
August 18 Meeting Agenda
Mike Forster will present Planning and Planting the Fall Herb and Vegetable Garden on Tuesday, August 18, 6 p.m., at the OATHS regular meeting at the Loeb Center (301 Columbus Street, Montgomery). The business meeting will include updates on the handbook directory, membership, the gardens, making plans for Herb Day, May 7, 2016. Committees bring your budget requests for the budget committee. Come and enjoy OATHS members favorite August herbal dishes and delights.
July 21 Meeting Agenda
Our next meeting is Tuesday, July 21, 6PM at the Loeb Center (301 Columbus Street, Montgomery). At the meeting we will celebrate with a New Year “Kick-Off” by organizing and jump starting our committees, setting goals for the coming year and we may throw-in a few surprises. It will be a time for reviewing our standard procedures and outlining improvements for the coming year. Cool off by bringing your favorite salad or fruit, dressed up with herbs if you like. We are getting geared up for Fall herb garden planting, Scarecrows in the Garden, and a bigger and better Herb Day. Bring your ideas and your favorite herbal dish. If you are new, or thinking of becoming a member, just bring yourself!
A Letter from the Outgoing President
Hello All!
Please join us for a reception (herbal finger foods, herbal cakes and desserts) as we install and welcome our new officers for the 2015-16 year Tuesday, June 16, 6PM at the Loeb Center (301 Columbus Street, Montgomery 36104). New Officers will be Sherrie Hamill – President, Barbara Hightower – Vice President, Jean Szabo – Recording Secretary, Maxine Taylor – Treasurer and Marsha Allison – Corresponding Secretary.
Thanks to all of you who worked so hard to make this a year of accomplishments: scarecrows, beautiful handmade Christmas decorations, a successful Herb Day, interesting programs, fabulous functioning website, the nitty-gritty of handbooks, inspirational readings that helped us over some humps, garden work camaraderie and many occasions of fun, fellowship and of course always good food!
Come celebrate and bring your energy, ideas and support for our new leadership as we get off to a busy and fun new year for the Old Alabama Town Herb Society.
Sincerely,
Carolyn Gomillion
June 16 Meeting Agenda
Our next meeting is Tuesday, June 16, 6PM at the Loeb Center (301 Columbus Street, Montgomery). Please join us for a reception (herbal finger foods, herbal cakes and desserts) as we install and welcome our new officers for the 2015-16 year. Come celebrate and bring your energy, ideas and support for our new leadership as we get off to a busy and fun new year for the Old Alabama Town Herb Society.