Gonder residence setting for Ben Lomond yule lunch

The residence of Donna Gonder, festively decorated for the holiday season, provided the setting for the December meeting of Ben Lomond Garden Club. Juanita Phillips was co-hostess.

President Bette Myers introduced guest Shona Ringgenberg and Wally Bigbee opened the meeting with prayer. Judges for the day were Pat Kuykendall and Joletta Dean.

Garden club member Pat Bigbee and her husband, Wally, presented a program of Christmas stories. He read “Rocking Horse Christmas” by Mary Pope Osborn and she read “A Bit of Applause for Mrs. Claus” by Jeannie Schick-Jacobowitz. The couple then gave a delightful performance of their rendition of “The Gift of the Magi” by O. Henry.

The club members enjoyed their annual Christmas luncheon and an ornament exchange.

To support Main Street McMinnville, the club voted to purchase a tree for downtown. The tree will be in memory of deceased Ben Lomond Garden Club members.

Donations were also made to Raintree Manor for Christmas presents.

Lee Zwemer was awarded a blue ribbon for her arrangement in the “As You Like It” category. Charlotte Boyd won a blue ribbon for horticulture.

Ribbons were also awarded for the most creative gift packages. Jean Marsh was awarded a blue ribbon; Connie Mullican, red; Louise Locke, yellow and Lee Zwemer, white ribbon.