Westlake Garden Club

We invite you to "do lunch" with the Westlake Garden Club on Wednesday, September 24, 2014 at the Lakewood Country Club at the annual Fete des Fleurs fundraiser luncheon.  Doors open at 10:30 a.m. to view the fantastic raffle baskets and numerous delicacies from the Bake Shoppe.  A delicious lunch of pasta with chicken and grilled vegetables in a lemon white wine sauce, salad, bread and butter, non-alcoholic beverage, and dessert will be served at noon.  Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.  A cash wine bar will be open.  After lunch, you will be enlightened and entertained by the local Minister of Culture, Michael Heaton.  Michael is an award-winning columnist and reporter.  His byline has appeared regularly in the Plain Dealer since 1987.  Prior to that, he was a critic and columnist for the San Francisco Examiner and a reporter for People magazine.  He is a graduate of Kent State University.  A book collecting his Plain Dealer columns, titled Best of the Minister of Culture, was published in 1992.  The son of legendary Plain Dealer sportswriter Chuck Heaton and brother of actress Patricia Heaton, Michael lives in Bay Village, Ohio.  For tickets or more information, please contact Regina McCarthy at 440-892-1861.  Tickets are advance sale only for a donation of $35 which includes valet parking. Deadline for reservations is September 17, 2014.  Proceeds support educational and community projects.  Don't miss this opportunity to have a delicious lunch in an elegant but casual setting, make some new friends, and meet and hear the Minister of Culture, Michael Heaton speak. 

Several garden club members carpooled to the Cleveland Botanical Garden to see the 2014 Orchid Mania, and it was well worth the trip.  Go to Photo Galleries, Orchid Mania 2014 to view photos.

Spring is the perfect time to start a Nature Journal.  It is a wonderful time to experience the rebirth of plants, trees and flowers, and to observe the birds who start showing up in great numbers.  You do not need any special skills or materials to keep a nature journal.  You can purchase a fancy "journal" or just use a spiral bound notebook.  While the weather is still cold and snowy, stay indoors and sit by a window to observe what is going on in your yard.  When the weather improves, go outside and sit on a patio, deck or balcony, or go to the park.  You may choose to just write your observances in your journal.  You could also add drawings of what you see, or pick up a leaf, flower or feather to press in your journal. You may even write your observances in poetry form.  Some people take photographs to add.  Just begin writing and write often.  Journaling is an excellent way to archive your thoughts, feelings and inspirations as you watch nature unfolding.  Do not be critical or edit your writing.  We are all a part of nature and should learn to respect and enjoy it to the fullest.  So, grab your  pen and paper, find a comfy seat by a window on on the porch, watch and listen and soon you will be filling the page with your observations.  It is a wonderful way to spend a few minutes, or a few hours.