MARION -- With the improvement in the pandemic level, Marion Garden Club was able to hold their June 16 meeting at Heartland Christian Church, their normal meeting place. President Debbie Lattuca welcomed members and noted how great it felt to meet in person again.
Lattuca then noted that the garden tour held on the 12th was a success with 118 visitors viewing the yards of six members on a very hot, humid day. She thanked everyone who helped, especially the committee of Kathleen Kelly, Sandy Long, Phyllis Walker, Polly Williams, and herself. Funds from the donations of visitors and from the plant sales will be used for the Club's civic projects.
Since the planned virtual program "The Murals of Marion" by Shawn Vincelette had to be postponed due to technical difficulties, the meeting continued with committee reports. Conservation Chairman Ronda McWilliams talked about composting and Sheila Dingrando reported that David and Lorna Collins were selected as the June Garden of the Month recipients.
Ornithology Chairman Kathleen Kelley talked about birds after dark and their sleeping patterns. She said birds often catnap, however diurnal birds that sleep at night find a place to perch or hide. They fluff out their feathers, tuck their beak into the back feathers, and pull up one leg to the belly to keep warm at night.
Nocturnal birds such as owls sleep during the day by finding a safe place and closing their eyes to block out the light. Some birds can sleep with one eye open in a unihemispheric slow-wave sleep pattern that allows half of the brain to be awake and perhaps allows them to sleep while flying. This is especially true in waterfowl and migrating birds that do not have many chances to stop and rest on long flights such as over the ocean.
Horticulture co-chair Polly Williams provided a list of herbs that can be used for first aid for minor skin problems related to outdoor gardening. At the bottom of the list, is a note that prevention should be a priority. That includes not wearing perfume, etc. to attract bees and wasps; wearing protective clothes such as shoes, hat, and gloves; and using sunscreen and insect repellent. Use cool water and soap to clean cuts and scrapes and ice to reduce any swelling.
At the end of the program, Lattuca presented Youth Activities Chairman Twila Couey with a framed article noting that she was honored by the Marion Carnegie Library as an Unsung Hero for her work with the youth in the Children's Story Hour. She also read a thank-you from Marion Library Director Loretta Broomfield for the Club's help with the Summer Reading Program kick-off and their dedication of the Pollinator Garden. Additionally, Lattuca read a thank-you, with a donation included, from the Parkway Villa.
See mariongardenclubofillinois.weebly.com.
Anyone wanting more information about the club, which is part of District VII, Garden Clubs of Illinois and Central Region, National Garden Clubs, Inc., is encouraged to visit the club website at mariongardenclubofillinois.weebly.com.
