The Nora Lancaster Garden Club (NLGC) met Tuesday Jan. 21 at the Farmville Presbyterian Fellowship Hall.

The program was “History of Cider in Virginia” presented by co-president Tricia Crute. Crute traced cider making in Virginia from colonial days to modern times where it is becoming a beverage industry.

She discussed various kinds of apples, the process of putting them through a cider press to extract the juice and methods of preserving the cider. Members shared memories of making cider as children growing up on farms. She concluded her presentation with a cider recipe that can be easily made in today’s kitchens and giving samples of different kinds of apples and cider teas.

The hostesses served cider and other refreshments made from recipes using cider and apples.

The exhibit was “Branching Out,” an arrangement in the Oriental style using branches, greens, and flowers.

Blue-ribbon winners were Jane Crute, Tricia Crute, Lazelle Jackson, Becky Kelly, Dr. Barbara Smith and Helen Smith.

Winning ribbons in the horticulture category were (blue) Becky Kelly, Linda Rofe, Dr. Barbara Smith and (red) Helen Smith.