MAYSVILLE — The Maysville E. H. Club met at the community building March 22 for the monthly meeting and a delicious lunch of Irish stew and soda bread. It was hosted by Melinda Crawley.

Orpha Wardlaw called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. The group sang “Danny Boy,” followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Katherine Tucker gave the inspiration of the day, entitled, “A Brand New Day.”

Melinda Crawley gave a very interesting lesson on the benefits of companion planting in the garden.

By using companion planting, many gardeners find that they can discourage harmful pests without losing the beneficial allies. There are many varieties of herbs and flowers that can be used as companion plants. Planting certain plants together can assist in the growth of others, provide nutrients, attract beneficial insects and repel harmful insects.

Some suggested companion plants were planting basil with tomatoes, which improves the flavor of tomatoes. Basil also repels flies and mosquitos. Dill improves the growth and health of cabbage and is a good friend of lettuce. Fouro-clocks are poisonous to Japanese beetles but are also harmful to humans and pets, so precaution should be taken when planting them if you have children orpets. A complete guide list of companion plants can be found on Wikipedia.

Bert Ballmann gave an eye opener on speeding up the rising process of yeast rolls by placing them on a container of warm water on your stove. The cultural art was given by Gwen Singleton. She demonstrated recycling glass jars into attractive containers for storing or gift giving by sanding off the writing and punching a hole in the lid, then inserting a screw and attaching an attractive wooden or metal topper.

Eight members answered the roll call by telling their favorite kind of shoe to wear.

Volunteer hours were turned in, and Sylvia gave a report of the use of the community building.

Old business included food for the Baptist Church project, Curtain Call, rescheduling the breakfast trip to April 17 and final plans for the spring fundraiser. Bert gave a report on senior day.

New business included a report on the new heating units installed in the bathroom, curtains for the dining room, club-sponsored community yard sale and preserving the old club scrapbooks. Melinda said, if any members wanted to go to the state E. H. meeting June 5-7, the county will pay the registration for anyone who has never attended.

Melinda Crawley drew the quarter package and the meeting was dismissed with the benediction.

News, Pages 11 on 04/11/2012