We are all familiar with the benefits of the herbs that we commonly grow in our  gardens today, but in ancient times and throughout the Middle Ages, herbs were thought to have magical powers and the ability to attract fairies, enhance bravery,  ward off evil spirits, and those pesky werewolves and vampires!

As we approach Halloween with its  tradition of “trick-or-treat”, costumes, pumpkins, monsters,  witches, goblins, ghosts, and scary tales,   I thought it might be fun to reflect on the folklore that surrounded herbs in ancient times.

Hope you enjoy reading the fall  herbal fun facts (PDF), but BEWARE,  it could be a very scary experience!

Have a fun, safe Halloween!

Submitted by:  Martha Billman – Communications Committee

We are finally enjoying fall weather, so it’s a perfect time to attend a local event like the Texas Veggie Fair (Oct. 20th) or Autumn at the Arboretum  (Sept. 21 – Nov. 27).   Want to do some Christmas shopping, you might find that one-of-kind gift at the Heart of Texas Arts and Crafts Show in Plano (Oct. 11, 12 & 13).

If you feel really adventuresome you could plan a day trip to see the East Texas fall foliage, attend a Harvest & Grape Stomp (Oct. 19th),  or take a winery tour on  the Piney Woods Wine Trail.  If you like  scary, then there’s the Thrillvania Haunted House Park in Terrell (Sept. 28 – Oct. 31st).    There is always something fun to do in our area!

Submitted by:  Martha Billman – Communications Committee

The State Fair of Texas is scheduled to open Friday, Sept. 27, with the return of  “Big Tex”,  and runs through Oct. 20. This year’s theme is “The One & Only!”.  Visit the Fair’s website at http://www.bigtex.com for more information.

In addition to the great food and fun activities, you might also enjoy the Garden Show and informative gardening sessions from the experts during one of the Southern Living Speaker Series sessions.

General admission to the 2013 State Fair of Texas is $17. It’s $13 for Seniors ages 60 and up. Admission for children age 3 up to 48” in height is $13. Children age 2 and under are free.  Senior Citizens 60 years and older get in to the State Fair FREE each Thursday.  For more information on discounted admission, please see Discounts and Deals.

When: Tuesday, July 9, 6:00 p.m.

Where: 582 N. Collins Rd. Sunnyvale TX 972-203-1552 – Janet Nevil’s Party
Room

What to Bring: Dish for Pot Luck Dinner – Optional: Bring the recipe to
include in the SGC Cookbook we will be doing this year!

We eat and then we paint our ladybugs to use as decorations in our flower beds! They are just too cute.

For more information, please “click” on the link below:

How_To_Paint_a_Ladybug

Bring an apron or wear old clothes to paint in.

Submitted by: Martha Billman – Communications Committee

One of our club members, Johnette Russell (stage name Johnna Leigh), will be starring  in a one-night-only performance of A Southern Exposure  on  Saturday, May 11, 2013 – 8:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in historical downtown, Wylie, Texas.

First developed and produced by the Tony Award winning Barter Theatre for the 2011-2012 season,  A Southern Exposure , a comedy-drama, went on to productions from L.A. to Louisville with upcoming shows slated throughout the South. However, playwright, Kelley Kingston-Strayer, has restricted all theatrical productions in the Lone Star state until now. “Texas is my home,” she explained. “You want (creative) control of your own back forty. Know what I mean?”

Acclaimed Director and founding member of the Rockwall Community Playhouse, Darlene Singleton, was hand-picked by Kingston-Strayer to direct the all-female, 4 member cast.  Singleton, with well over 100 theatrical productions to her credit, is excited about the show. “I read a lot of scripts. It’s rare to find a new play that’s this good.”

The Honorable Mayor Eric Hogue will introduce the play and  the cast: Johnna Leigh, Deb Caperton Ballard, Abby Archibald McKinney and Stacy Kluttz .  All are veteran actors of the DFW area and will be on hand at 96◦ West Winery to sign autographs after the show.

For tickets go to www.damselflypublishers.com

* A percentage of the box office will benefit Wylie Christian Center and Equest, Wylie’s therapeutic horsemanship center for children with physical, cognitive and emotional disabilities.

Submitted by:  Martha Billman – Communications Committee

Don’t  miss the opportunity  to attend the 2013 DCCCD Sustainabiliy Summit, which is free, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. March 28 at Mountain View College, 4849 W. Illinois Ave. Registration is now open!

Hear keynote speaker, Joel Salatin,  talk about how his alternative methods of farming can heal the land.    Salatin’s 550-acre family farm, called Polyface, is featured prominently in author and New York Times columnist Michael Pollan’s 2006 book The Omnivore’s Dilemma and the documentary films Food, Inc. and Fresh.

His speech and the rest of the DCCCD summit are free. But you can spend a day with Salatin at a workshop March 27. Register for the $250 workshop, also held at Mountain View College.

You’ll also be able to view dozens of presentations and exhibits that will address how individuals, the local business community and educational institutions benefit from sustainability.

At the DCCCD Sustainability Summit, you’ll be able to hear presenters in five tracks:

• Healthy Living
• Urban Agriculture
• Resource and Energy Efficiency
• Smart Cities
• Green Careers and Jobs

Register now!

Dallas Arboretum – Sunday, March 4th

The Dallas Arboretum’s annual showcase of spring blooms runs from March 2^nd  – April 7^th.   This year in tribute to the Rory Meyers Children’s Adventure Garden, a playhouse exhibit entitled “The Adventures of Great Explorers will be part of Dallas Blooms. Six explorers:  Admiral Byrd, Marco Polo, Captain James Cook, Ponce de Leon, Lewis & Clark, and Hernan Cortes, will be showcased with small replications for children of destinations where each explorer traveled.

The Dallas Arboretum is located at: 8525 Garland Road, Dallas, Texas 75218, 214 515 6500.  Admission:   $15 for adults (13-64), $12 for seniors (65+), $10 for children (3-12), children under 3 free, onsite self-parking  $10.00 .

Submitted by:  Martha Billman – Communications Committee