Birthday Celebration held at Historic Josephine Hotel

By Debbie Rotton

The Chunnenuggee Garden Club held its March meeting at The Historic Josephine Hotel, with owner Joyce Perrin hosting the 176th Birthday of the garden club.

The tables in the cafe area were beautifully adorned with each place setting already set with a delicious spinach, strawberry, and mandarin orange salad. The centerpieces were tiered trays of assorted cookies. While members enjoyed their salads, president Faye Gaston led the business portion of the meeting.

There were eight members present along with three invited guests, Barbara McLaurine, Cathy Scroggins, and Joyce Rodine who is a friend of Sadie Pugh’s, visiting from Canada. Following the business meeting, a beautiful fruit layered cake was served and Ms. Perrin presented the most informative program on the founding and early years of the garden club, which at the time was called the Chunnenuggee Ridge Horticultural Society, established on March 16, 1847.

Included in the program were drawings done by Ms. Perrin, depicting what the greenhouse and garden would have looked like based on historical notes she had found. The greenhouse was round with a racetrack where ladies would race their horses during the May Fair held annually by the Society.

After the program, Karen Hall passed out the raffle tickets for the garden cart which was overflowing with garden related goodies to be given away at the Chunnenuggee Fair, which will be held on April 15, 2023. The members of the garden club welcomed Barbara McLaurine as their newest member. Each guest left with a bookmark with drawings of the garden by Ms. Perrin, as well as historical facts about the club. A good time was had by all who attended.