ASHLAND — Floral Designer Barb Stauder of Honey Haven Farm presented a program Nov. 4 focused on festive holiday arrangements for the Art of Gardening Club.
Members gathered at Peace Lutheran Church to learn the art of creating displays for the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons. Cathy Siwek, member, recruited Stauder to share her expertise with garden club members.
Stauder also provided pumpkins from Honey Haven for last month’s community project at Brethren Care. She and Siwek, lifelong friends, organized the decorating of pumpkins with cat or owl faces.
Members assisted Brookwood residents in their creations.
For the Thanksgiving arrangement, Stauder gathered some late blooms. She demonstrated with a teacup planter -“I’m very thrifty” – using a clockface approach 12, 6, 9, and 3.
“Keep the arrangement short if it’s on your table.” Put in greens to give it a basic start and always give greens a fresh cut the same length working toward the center.
Boxwood makes a nice little filler in corners or vacant areas. Marigolds, as fresh as possible, were also prominent.
“Marigolds are becoming very fashionable,” President Pat Edwards noted.
The arrangement also contained mums.
All kinds of different items can be added. Stauder uses whatever grows wild behind her house and “all things in my yard” as well as scrounging in neighbors’ yards. Some of what she had on hand and highlighted were acorns, bittersweet, and even corn husks.
Not only did she grow up growing flowers, but she also grew up on a farm east of Honey Haven. She and her husband of 50 years this year, Jim, live in Savannah.
Even though she said her garden has 2/3 flowers and 1/3 vegetables, she emphasized it is closer to half and half.
Evergreens were the vocal point of the Christmas arrangement where Stauder started at the bottom and worked her way to the center. White pine was positioned a little above the oasis.
Holly is a good filler. Pinecones are a natural. Bows, berries, and ribbons can add lots of color.
Wine glasses, candle holders, other glassware, and household items can also serve to create festive arrangements.
Stauder started at Ashland Florist followed by working at Ihrig Floral where she became interested in floral design. She creates corsages, wedding arrangements and for the last 20 years, funeral flowers for family.
She became involved with Honey Haven Farm when her brother, John Boyer, started pumpkins in 1999 and the greenhouses shortly after. She’s worked at Sugar Grove Tree Farm for the last three years making fresh pine wreaths and swags as well as holiday arrangements.
It lasts about 3-4 weeks, Christmas season only.
Members with birthdays the closest to Thanksgiving and Christmas are Ruth Ann Linder and Faith McKinley who took home the arrangements.
A short business meeting with 18 in attendance preceded the program. Christmas decorating at the Freer House will be held Saturday, Nov. 14. Members will decorate the dining room at the Freer Field Home starting at 10 a.m.
Edwards and Wendy Schmidt will scout ahead. Rosemary Caster, treasurer, said there is no theme this year.
A committee to plan 2027 programs will meet Friday, Nov. 20 at 10 a.m. at Peace Lutheran Church. The meeting is open to anyone who would like to contribute ideas. Kim Tanner and Siwek oversee the committee.
Brunch at the Historical Society Manor is set for Wednesday, Dec. 2 at 11 a.m. Caster was given a show of hands indicating about 20 members will attend.
A food sign-up sheet made its way around for members to jot down the goodies they want to bring for the carry-in brunch.
