SPADE & TROWEL CIRCLE
 
NEWS & ACTIVITIES    
 
 
 
PRESIDENT - PHYLLIS BOURDON
 

       OFFICERS

President Phyllis Bourdon
Vice President Pat Lopez
Recording Secretary Marguerite Whiting
Corresponding Secretary Cathy Thirlwell
Treasurer Lyn Davidson
Governing Board Representatives Shirl Phillips & Cathy Thirlwell


COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN

Awards   Pat Mastropaolo
Birds, Butterflies & Conservation Louisa Kupper
Chaplain Pat Wareham
Civic Concern Evelyn Fraley
Environmental Quality Sandy Fancher
Grounds Pat Lopez
Horticulture Arline Mason
Hospitality Nihla Trosset
House Joan Andersen
Membership Madge Trick
Parliamentarian Betty Adamson
Publicity Marilyn Barnini
Sunshine Lorrie Pelosi
Telephone Gail Holder
Trees Betty Fontana
Ways and Mean Mary Jane Raleigh and Ann Hartnett
Web Reporter Linda Williams
World Gardening Angie Wiggins
Youth Gardening  Marion Jordan & Ruth Ganter


MEETINGS & PROGRAMS

MEETINGS ARE HELD THE THIRD WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH
AT 9:30 A.M. AT THE HOME OF A MEMBER OR OTHER LOCATION LISTED BY DATE.


THE FIRST PERSON LISTED AS "HOSTESS" IS THE CHAIRPERSON

Sep 19, 2007

The Art of Bonsai, by Robert Kermpinski @ Garden Center         

Hostesses: Debi Sage, Angie Wiggins, Betty Adamson, Pat Wareham, & Cathy Thirlwell

Oct 17, 2007 Holiday Floral Arranging, by Leonard Beckett @ Home of Shirl Phillips          

Hostesses: Linda Williams; Sandy Fancher, Evelyn Fraley, Sybil Fleckinger & Joan Andersen                                                                                                         

Nov 14, 2007 2007 - HOME TOUR
Dec 19, 2007 Decorating the "Giving Tree" @ Home of Ann Hartnett                

Hostesses: Lorrie Pelosi, Mary Jane Raleigh, Marilyn Barnini, Barbara Costello & Lyn Davidson

Jan 16, 2008 All About Viera Wetlands, by Raleigh Berry, Project Director @ Home of  Louisa  Kupper

Hostesses:  Madge Trick, Lyn Thornwell, Betty Fontanta, Scootie Gettings & Marguerite Whiting

Feb 20, 2008 Women & Heart Disease, "Go Red For Women" @ Home of Gail Holder

Hostesses:  Nihla Trosset, Phyllis Bourdon, Pat Lopez, Marion Jordan, & Joan Laughter

Mar 19, 2008 Brevard Recycle Program, by Pam Shoemaker, @Home of Noreen Eavey

Hostesses:  Pat Mastropaolo, Fran Huntress, Arline Mason, & May Jenkins

Apr 16, 2008 Field Trip to Rivership Romance Cruise & visit to the Sanford Museum of History (3 hour luncheon cruise down the St. John's River)                                                                                                                                          

Hostesses:  Lyn Davidson & Ruth Ganter

May 21, 2008 End of Year Luncheon @ Rockledge Country Club  Hostesses:  Hospitality Group                                                     
 
 
ACTIVITIES
 
 
Spade and Trowel Meeting - April 16, 2008
 
"Rivership Romance Cruise"
 
 
     Members and guests took a leisure cruise this month on the elegant Rivership RomanceThe Rivership Romance, berthed at Monroe Harbor in historic downtown Sanford, took us up the St. Johns River, where we all took in the beautiful scenery.
 Members and their guests stop for a quick pose before boarding.  Left to right:  Jack (a guest), Joan Andersen, Bob (a guest), Evelyn Fraley, Sandy Fancher and Linda Williams.
 
    Smile ladies!  Enjoying their drinks and appetizers are from left to right:  Marion Jordan, Mary Jane Raleigh and Ann Hartnett.
 

Phyllis Bourdon and Nihla Trosset enjoying the tranquil setting. 

 

 Everything on the ship was top notch...the cuisine, the service, and the entertainment.  Many thanks to Pat Lopez for making all the arrangements.  It was truly a relaxing journey and was enjoyed by all.  When do we go again??

 

  Linda Williams, Reporter  

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Spade and Trowel Meeting - March 19, 2008
 
"Brevard Recycle Program"

    Our March meeting was held at Noreen Eavey's beautiful spacious home.   Some of us had the luck of the Irish and were able to get a personal home tour before the meeting commenced.

 
 

    Arline Mason holds up different sizes of philodendron to show just how enormous this plant can grow.  Philodendron, which is know by several names, including Devil's Ivy, is considered a nuisance plant as with some people, the juice can make the skin turn red and cause dermatitis.  However, it is also very easy to grow and will grow anywhere indoors or outdoors, and for that reason, this plant is loved by many and is found in most households.

    Our speaker, Pam Shoemaker, shown on the left with President Phyllis Bourdon and Vice President Pat Lopez, gave an informative and interesting presentation on recycling in Brevard County.  At the end of the meeting Pam dispersed pencils made from what else, but recycled currency.  Pamphlets, including an extremely helpful and indispensable "Recyclopedia" for Brevard County were available for the taking after Pam's presentation.

 

    Looking smashing in green in celebration of St. Patrick's Day, hostesses are from left to right:  Sandy Fancher, Arline Mason, Pat Mastropaolo, Fran Huntress, Mae Jenkins and Marion Jordan.  Missing from the photo is our homeowner, Noreen Eavey.  My apologies to Noreen.  I suspect she was giving a home tour.

    Remember ladies...to do your part in helping our environment.  Use your canvas bags next time you go to Publix and get rid of those plastic bags forever.  Some cities, such as San Francisco, have banned them from the grocery stores.  And please remember to save those flip-tops from your soda cans for our next meeting.

    Linda Williams, Reporter   

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Spade and Trowel Meeting - February 20, 2008
 
"Women & Heart Disease, Go Red for Women"
 

The February meeting was held at Gail Holder's lovely home in Rockledge.

 

Pat Lopez stands with the speaker, Bonnie McClelland from Wuesthoff Cardiac Rehabilitation.  Bonnie spoke on the very important issue of Women and Heart disease and everyone wore red.
All the food prepared was healthy for your heart.  Hostesses from left to right:  Nihla Trosset, Phyllis Bourdon, Pat Lopez, Gail Holder (homeowner) and Cathy Thirlwell.
After the meeting there was a dedication of trees in celebration of Arbor Day at the Viera Wetlands.  Standing next to one of the trees is Pat Wareham who did an outstanding job.
Two of the three trees were dedicated in memory of loved ones members lost this past year.  The third tree was dedicated to Raleigh Berry, the project director of the Viera Wetlands.

 Liinda Williams, Reporter

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Spade and Trowel Meeting - January 16, 2008
 
"All About Viera Wetlands"
 
 
    The Spade and Trowel meeting was held at Adrian Kupper's lovely home with it's old world European charm.
 
 

  

Ladies "catching up" before the meeting. 

 

 

    Arlene Mason holds up small pencil cactus trees, more commonly called witches broom.  Pencil cactus trees grow in arid conditions and are very poisonous.  They are also sticky and when cut, the milky substance inside the plant can cause irritation, burning and swelling in eyes if left on the skin too long.  Not surprisingly, Arlene does not recommend this plant in your landscaping.
 

    Pat Lopez looks on as Raleigh Berry, Environmental Specialist with the Brevard County Natural Resources Office, answers questions from the ladies.  Raleigh gave an excellent and informative presentation on the Viera Wetlands.  Raleigh said the four wetland cells located on the 200 acre site has over 200,00 native plants with over 20 species of plants.  The protected wetlands with its mixed deciduous forest supports a rich diversity of bird life.  He further commented that it is a birder's dream come true as when you drive through and take pictures, the birds ignore you.

 

    Having an inquisitive mind, I checked out this little unknown Space Coast treasure immediately after our meeting and found that it was everything Raleigh said it was.  I found exotic birds, a rather large river otter frolicking in the water (I think he was showing off for me), and an alligator sunning himself on the bank.

    So next time you are shopping at The Avenue Viera, take a few more minutes to take a leisurely drive thru the wetlands.  You are only five minutes away from your favorite stores.  Hope you all enjoy it as much as I did.

 
   Hostesses left to right: Louisa Kupper, Adriana Kupper (homeowner), Scottie Gettings, Madge Trick, Marguerite Whiting and Lyn Thornwell.  (Betty Fontana is missing from the photo).

   Great job ladies!

  

(CLICK HERE TO VIEW ADDITIONAL PHOTOS)

 Linda Williams, Reporter    

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Spade and Trowel Meeting  -  December 19, 2007

"The Giving Tree"

    The Spade and Trowel December meeting was held at the home of Ann Hartnett.  The Hartnett home was alive with the spirit of Christmas where every nook and cranny was tastefully decorated for the season.  Who could help but to ooh and ahh over her beautiful trees and decorations.

The program or theme, if you will, was "The Giving Tree."   Only Ruth Ganter, who is always such a good sport, could pull off such a costume.  Dressed in overalls and a charming hat, checks from our members were adorned on her self-made Christmas tree.  "The Giving Tree" collected over four hundred dollars which will go toward the Wekiva Youth Camp.  Kudos to Ruth for being such a great sport. 
 Left to right:  Lori Pelosi, Phyllis Bourdon and Madge Trick help themselves to a little Christmas spirit.

 

    Gail Holder and Cathy Thirlwell give Santa their wish list.

 

 

    The hostesses made a feast rivaled only by Santa's elves.  It was all so delicious! 

    Hostesses standing left to right:  Marilyn Barnini, Ann Hartnett (homeowner), Lyn Davidson, Lori Pelosi and Barbara Costello.  

 

    Wishing you all a healthy, happy 2008!                         http://www.flickr.com/photos/joleeblond822/tags/2007stcchristmas/show/

(CLICK HERE TO VIEW MORE PICTURES FROM CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION)

  Linda Williams, Reporter

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      The Garden Club reaches people in many ways and Meals-on-Wheels is so worthwhile and provides a service to people all over the county. 

Arline Mason, Fran Huntress, Louisa Kupper, Phylis Bourdon, Gail Holder, Cathy Thirlwell and Joan Andersen have been busy preparing gift bags at the Cocoa-Rockledge Garden Club. 
Evelyn Fraley, Bob Meischeid, Alan Jackson, Phylis Bourdon, Shirl Phillips, Liz Bowdren, and Marie Martin are holding gift bags ready for delivery with coolers containing food for delivery in the foreground. 
David and Phylis Bourdon, Chuck McMicking, Shirl Phillips and Evelyn Fraley Are ready to distribute gift bags to the drivers. 
 
Evelyn Fraley, Reporting
 
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Spade and Trowel - November 14, 2007
Christmas Home Tour
 
    The sluggish real estate market was reflected in the ticket sales in our annual Christmas Home Tour for this year.  However, even with the non-robust ticket sales, this year's event was still successful with the steady flow of traffic.  The homes were lovely, the weather was perfect and everyone from the parking attendees to the chairmen and all the little elves in between did a great job.  
 
  "The Cornell Home"  -  Standing left to right:  Cathy Thirlwell, Gail Holder, Margaret Whiting, Beth Byassee, Evelyn Fraley, Charlotte Hoe.  Front row:  Margret Cornell (homeowner), Angie Wiggins and Linda Williams.
 

 

 
    
 
     "The Whigham Home"  -  Standing from left to right:  Adrianna Kupper, Debi Sage, Mae Jenkins, Nihla Trosset and Katie Posey.  (Missing from photo is Louisa Kupper).
 

 

 
 
 "The Stillson-Perley Home"  -  Standing left to right:  Pat Mastropaolo, Shirl Phillips, Phyllis Bourdon, Madge Trick, Joan Laughter, Pat Lopez, Arline Mason,  guest helper and Marion Jordan.
 
    
  "The Whalin Home"  -  The day before the big event and still in work clothes, but looking gorgeous just the same, this crew reluctantly poses for a happy group photo.  Smile ladies!
 
    Standing left to right:  Noreen Eavey, Sandy Fancher, Sybil Fleckinger, Joan Andersen, Lori Pelosi, Marilyn Barnini.  Front row:  Fran Huntress, Dianna Huntress and Cindy Whalin (homeowner).    

 

 
 
    After the Home Tour, everyone was invited to Shirl and John Phillips' beautiful spacious home and a good time was had by all.  Thank you once again for sharing your home with all of us.
 
 
    Linda Williams, Reporter 
 
 
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Spade and Trowel Meeting  -  October 17, 2007
 
"Holiday Floral Arranging"
 
      Len Beckett, from Rockledge Roses & Wines, was our speaker this month.   The meeting was held in Shirl Phillips'  beautiful home.  The focus of the presentation was utilizing what we have as opposed to going out and buying all new decorations.  Len said that whatever was outside the front door should set the palette for the inside.  Len made several arrangements using the three basics of design: line, form and color.  He gave us many clever tips, including a very simple one which will save us all burnt fingers, and that was to use a pan of melted Oasis Glue Pillows.  They actually look like miniature pillows, but be careful.  These are low temperature pillows, therefore do not heat at a high temperature.  And you can get rid of that hot glue gun!
 
      Lynn also gave us the basics on decorating a tree and said that a professionally lighted tree should have 100 lights per foot.  Also, a tree should be decorated in quadrants and clusters of colors together.
 
      Three ladies volunteered to make a pave`, which is described as placing the flowers so closely together that it is difficult to tell where one ends and where the other begins.   The three lucky volunteers were able to take their creations home with them.
 
 

Len Beckett, our speaker, finalizing an arrangement.

 
 
 
 

    Phyllis Bourdon with one of the many arrangements Len created.

 

 
 

   The hostesses did an outstanding job.  And Shirl Phillips' Halloween table settings were straight out of Better Homes & Gardens.   We all enjoyed her orange punch with the spiders floating on the top for that extra "punch".

 

Hostesses (left to right):  Linda Williams, Joan Laughter, Sybil Fleckinger, Evelyn Fraley, and Joan Andersen.
 

 

    
 Chairwomen for the Home Tour (left to right):  Ann Hartnett, Pat Mastropaolo, Betty Adamson, Debi Sage, Angie Wiggins and Mary Jane Raleigh.
 
 
Have a Happy Trick-or-Treat Day!   Will see you at the Home Tour!
 
 
 
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