Friends and Flowers Garden Club news
by Dixie Taylor

With Christmas and New Year's Day behind us and Valentine's Day just ahead, it's hard to believe the middle of February is almost here.

They say "time flies when you're having fun," and that sure rings true with the Garden Club ladies. On February 6th, it was a day spent in Canton, Texas having fun and learning about roses.

Upon arriving in Canton, first on the agenda was lunch at Flo and Ed Pickett's Savannah Winery & Bistro, located at 574 E. Dallas (Hwy. 64) east of downtown Canton.

The program for February was Carol Blakely, Martha Hardwick, Jean Dean, Mary Williams, and activity planner Dixie Taylor giving tips on "Growing Roses in East Texas." To top it off, a demonstration on how to sculp a rose from clay was given by Mr. Pickett.

A larger than life bronze statue of a "Kneeling Soldier" is being sculpted by Ed Pickett at the Savannah Winery & Bistro and all are invited to go by and view the progress. This statue will be placed in the Van Zandt County Veterans Memorial Plaza in Canton.

At the winery, Mr. Pickett gave the group a tour of the wine cellar where the company's wine is processed.

Next on the agenda, a trip out Hwy. 19 to visit the "Paul Michael Company" where the ladies shopped the big massive building filled with beautiful home decor. Leaving there, it was now time to explore another home decor shop, "The Very Thing," located in downtown Canton on the square.

Those who made the trip to Canton were Billie Barker, Carol Blakely, Jean Dean, Carol Bridges, Martha Hardwick, Pat McBride, Wanda McCreary, Dixie McLean, Nettie Jo McLean, Rosemary Parmley, Bobbie Sparks, Sara Taylor, Mary Williams, Lou Gossett and Dixie Taylor.

February Garden Tip: Roses need at least six hours of sun daily and prefer rich, loamy soil. Give them their own space, away from other plants, and make sure they don't stand in water.