There were 11 members, one guest and six youth in attendance. Billie Blair, president, opened the meeting. Barbara Brown, assistant chaplain, gave the devotion followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag.
The hostess presented a program on bamboo. She displayed bamboo facts and a brief summary of how it grows using an educational board, all while being able to see the bamboo canes in her daughter’s backyard.
Bamboo is a great plant for individuals concerned with a green environment. There are some 1,500 different species and it is the fastest growing plant on this planet.
It is a crucial element in the balance of oxygen and carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. Bamboo is a viable replacement for wood because it can be harvested in three to five years versus 10 to 20 years for most softwoods. It is a great soil conservation tool, in that it greatly reduces erosion.
Humes also gave other facts about bamboo, including that its new shoots can be eaten; it can be made into fiber for clothing; can be used in concrete reinforcement; and it can provide livestock feed with the foliage. Bamboo can also tolerate extreme conditions that most plants cannot.
Humes provided bamboo canes for the members and youth to make their own fishing rods. After the youth split the ends of the cane and attached a string and tackle, they painted them and were able to take them home.
Blair opened the business meeting with Lelia Ware, assistant secretary, reading the minutes from the last meeting. The treasurer’s report was given by Cynthia Humes, treasurer. The club has received an invitation to attend the Standard Flower Show sponsored by the Garden Club of Signal Mountain. Blair plans to attend.
Thanks to the hostess were extended by Charlotte Timberlake. Other members in attendance were Kay Cox, Barbara Ector, Sheryl Gash, Dorothy Keith, Reginia Piersaul and Charlotte Scott, guest Prisavia Croft and youth: Madison Humble, Tiffany Croft, Bailey Zimmer, Trevor Croft, Autumn Hubbard and Ke’lynn Enalls.
