Hometown Brandon - Fall 2015

Everything’s
Coming Up
This year spring quickly turned into the
usual hot Mississippi summer, with children and
adults searching for a fun daytime activity. The
2015-2016 members of the Brandon Garden Club
(BGC) executive committee decided to host an
early-morning garden party for their
grandchildren and “grandfriends,” all ten-years
of age and younger. Adults and children alike
enjoyed a laid-back, bright summer day before
the mid-morning heat chased everyone indoors
to one of life’s best inventions, air conditioning.
The garden party was held at the home of
Suzanne Ross. While the hostesses made final
preparations, Suzanne introduced the children
to herbs and other plants in the mini French
courtyard-style garden. They picked and tasted
parsley and rosemary, rubbed pieces of mint on
their hands, but declined to pick or taste garlic
chives. The success of this small garden tour
was best expressed by Fallon Frisby, who said “I
really want a garden when I grow-up.”
All children like to give flowers to their
Moms, Nanas, Mimis, and even Suzies, so the
next activity was chosen to help make those
gifts happen. BGC used an idea demonstrated
by The Garden Club of Jackson at the spring
Natchez Trace District Workshops - a small
floral design formula using three components:
thriller, spiller and filler.
With a little adult guidance to know the
difference in plants, each of the nine children
made floral arrangements in a variety of
containers from candlesticks to empty bubble
bath bottles to take home to very special
people.
And you can’t have a party without food.
The menu and table decorations were chosen to
be easy and child friendly. Red tablecloths,
green and white dishes, and a centerpiece
containing potted plants enhanced the
plantings in patio area. The small arrangements
were added to the table while guests and BCG
executive committee members enjoyed chicken
salad sandwiches, watermelon, carrots and
celery with peanut butter and Nutella dip, and
plenty of lemonade and water to wash it all
down. The eye-catching and delicious ice
cream flower pot desserts were made by new
executive committee member Marion McKee.
The best testimonial came from Mary
Ainsley Zischke, who said “This was a FUN day,
Maymay!” ■
Front row - Debbie Zischke, Lily Chapman, Kameron Jordan, Fallon Frisby.
Middle row - Ross Gaskin, Anna Reagan McKee, Dylan Chapman, Mason Jordan, Charla Jordan.
Back row - Suzanne Ross, Mary Ainsley Zischke, Ethan Chapman, Delena Hamel, Ginger Parker, Marion McKee.
56 • Fall 2015