The Cultura Garden Club’s January meeting was held at the home of Cheri McCain. Serving as co-hostess was Martha Sibley.

Refreshments were served in high-tea style, which included an array of dips, cheese spreads, fruits and vegetables, sweet treats, cake, breads, tea and coffee.

Judy Baker gave an interesting program on garden totems. According to Judy, they are the gardening trend today.

Garden totems can be made of glass, ceramics, pottery, mosaic or wood, and they can be DIY or store bought. You can even buy off-the-rack garden totems online at places like Plow & Hearth. No matter how you acquire them, they are a great garden accent.

Judy shared a glass garden totem she made and gave a demonstration on how to make your own. For DIY, keep your eyes open at thrift shops, yard sales – even under your own sink. There’s finally a place to use those florists’ vases you’ve been hoarding.

You can arrange glasses inside glasses and upside-down plates, beads and more – get creative with your own garden totems.

For a door prize, Carol Dykes won the garden totem Judy made.

Patricia Cox gave the institute on Dismals Canyon, which is one of only a few places where insects called dismalites can be found. The larval forms of these flies emit a bright blue-green light to attract food and mates.

The Dismals Canyon has a great soda fountain and grill located in the country store. A veranda deck provides a convenient place to eat and observe the beautiful surroundings. Guided tours and cabins are available.

Another place of interest covered was the Eagle Weekend at Lake Guntersville State Park.  Eagle Awareness Weekends feature live bird demonstrations and programs provided by notable speakers, guided field trips for viewing eagles in their natural habitat and the natural beauty of the mountains and Lake Guntersville. This is the 35^th year for the observation, which begins Jan. 24 and runs through Feb. 16.

Plans are being made for the next garden club trip to the 1818 Farm, which is located in Mooresville. The farm features more than 10,000 flowers that show off their best colors and blooms.

The Cultura Garden Club will sponsor its annual Bean Dinner fundraiser Feb. 18 from 11 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the First Baptist Church Fellowship Building. The meal will include beans, cornbread, slaw, onions, dessert and tea or water and will cost $8 per plate.  People may dine in or carry out. Members are selling tickets.

Club Chronicles is written by Susie Hovater Malone.