(Please note: Placing the cursor over a picture gives you some info on it....)
August 2008 brought the society to Austin to visit the home and garden of Randy and Cathy Smith. They have been living in their home for about 12
years now which sits high on a bluff in northwestern Austin. The yard has always had a large slope to it but they have been working diligently over the
past couple of years to terrace the back yard to make it more usable. Their project has come out wonderfully. They now have multiple bedding areas for
their palm collection.
Per the norm, members arrived at high noon and mingled around the grounds and admired the palm and plant collection. The Smiths have an extensive cold
hardy palm collection. As members socialized they enjoyed refreshing sodas, beer and 'Dr-Watsons' (tequila & tonic). Soon it was time for the first guest
speaker to talk about disappearing fountains. Members sat on the shade covered manicured grass and listened to the presentation. Shortly there after we all enjoyed
a wonderful luncheon prepared by the Smiths.
After eating we had one more presentation on cold hardy palms in Austin and then we had our normal society meeting. We discussed up coming meetings
as well as a treasury report. A motion was set to send a donation to the Oblate Theology School that hosted our society last month to cover some of the costs, the
motion was carried and approved. A push was made for any one wanting to host a meeting next year to claim their desired month as part of the year is
already booked. After the meeting concluded, some members made their way over to see fellow Austinite Clay Fischers' garden. Hope you enjoy the pictures from the
meeting and we look forward to seeing some of you next month in San Antonio.
Our next meeting will be in San Antonio on 13 Sep. Look forward to seeing you at one of the up coming meetings.
Meeting summary and web page by John Volk. Photos by Ed Ladd and John Volk.
