The Inter-Se Study Club met at 2 p.m. on Jan. 15 at the Jacksonville State University Alumni House. Hostesses were Mary Owens and Ann Smail.Dr. Kenneith Calvert introduced the guest speakers, David and Victoria Dubose of The Blooming Miracles. Dubose told how they built the nursery 10 years ago with an initial investment of $6.34.
He spoke of his particular love for Japanese maples and said there are over 300 varieties of Japanese maples dating from the 1600s.
He showed photos of various types of these maples and talked about their use in landscaping. He mentioned that these plants lend themselves well to container gardening. The Blooming Miracles has one of the largest collections of Japanese maples in the Southeastern United States.
Gayle Martin was voted in as a member.
Mary L. White announced the creative writing winners from Ohatchee high and Pleasant Valley high schools.
Winners from Ohatchee are: 8th grade, Whitney Roberson; 9th grade, Sierra Thompson; Category III Winner (7-9th grade), Whitney Roberson; 10th grade Nick Norton; 11th grade, Will Haynes; 12th grade, Amanda Muns; Category IV winner (10th-12th grade), Nick Norton.
Winners from Pleasant Valley are: 11th grade, Dalana Parker and 12th grade, Jake Green. Jake Green won the Category IV (10th-12th grade) award.
The Category III and IV winners will be forwarded to the Alabama Federation of Women’s Club state convention for entry in the AFWC State Creative Writing Competition.
The convention will be held April 24-26 at Lake Guntersville State Park.
Mary Owens thanked Ann Smail for helping her host the meeting. Other members present were Carolyn Brooks, Martha Ann Christopher, Carolyn Dunaway, Margaret Stem, Constance Sims, Audrey Vander Yacht, Vera Miller and Kenneith Calvert.
