Pam Evans, fourth from left, back, served as guest speaker at the Nora Lancaster Garden Club’s November program. On hand for her presentation were, from left, front, Martha Alice Thompson, Barbara Smith, Connie Moore; back row, hostesses Suzanne Anderson and Melanie Anderson, Frankie Standford, Jane Crute, Rebecca Kelly, Brenda Puryear, Judy O’Steen, Jane Clark and Lazelle Jackson.

The November program for The Nora Lancaster Garden Club was “Sentimental Flowers,” flowers with “sent” and flowers with meaning.  Pam Evans — a nurse practitioner for 20 years and director of health at Longwood University — served as guest speaker. Evans is interested in flowers that have a healing purpose such as turmeric for inflammation and arthritis. She was part of making 5,000 dream pillows for student sleep aids consisting of chamomile, sage, lavender and valerian root.

Evans explained the significance of “sent” in sentimental flowers. “Rose” is associated with rosary and “Mary” is the mystic rose. So, “rosemary” means remembrance, which is used in weddings. It is helpful for memory; plant them at your front door. Marjoram is an ancient great leaf for reducing stress, which can always be added into soups. She assisted the club in making nosegays suggesting the addition of family lace, broche or something with meaning as part of the arrangement. 

Artistic Exhibit Awards were given out to Jane Crute (blue), Lazelle Jackson (blue), Rebecca Kelly (blue), Barbara Smith (red) and Helen Smith (blue). Awards for Horticulture Exhibits were given out to Jane Clark (blue), Rebecca Kelly (blue), Brenda Puryear (blue) and Barbara Smith (red and yellow).