Cultura Garden Club celebrates Christmas
By Susie Hovater Malone
Columnist
Christmas for Cultura Garden Club members this year meant gathering around a table, sharing food made with care and enjoying the kind of fellowship that reminds us why we serve together all year long.
That spirit filled the home of Debra Spillers as members gathered to celebrate Christmas following the annual “Every Light a Prayer for Peace and Christmas Tree Lighting” ceremony sponsored by the club.
Beautiful holiday decorations were enjoyed throughout the home. Each club member contributed to the dinner by preparing a favorite holiday casserole, dessert, vegetable dish, meat, bread or tea. “I had a wonderful time with new friends,” Diana Wilson said. “Thank you, Debra, for hosting. Everything was beautiful and the food was great.”
Patricia Cox presented the program on the tussie- mussie, also known as a nosegay. The terms are used interchangeably. A “tussie” refers to a small bouquet of flowers traditionally held at nose level. “Mussie” refers to the moss placed around the stems to help keep the flowers from wilting, giving rise to the name tussie-mussie.
Cox shared the history of the tussie-mussie and stories associated with the flowers. She demonstrated how to create one, and members were provided supplies to make their own take-home tussie-mussies.
“Trish did such a good job presenting the program,” Spillers said. “I had seen tussie-mussies but didn’t know what they were or the history behind them. It was so good spending time with my friends. I love y’all.”
Club President Cheri McCain thanked members for their dedication during December, particularly their work with the Russellville Street Department to prepare wreaths, tie new bows and purchase new finials for downtown street poles.
Members also decorated the club’s Christmas tree with assistance from Gault Signs in preparation for the annual downtown Christmas Tree Lighting.
Despite rainy weather that required rescheduling the “Every Light a Prayer for Peace and Christmas Tree Lighting” and parade, the events turned out well.
Seven Cultura Garden Club members attended the “Every Light a Prayer Tea and Capitol Tree Lighting” in Montgomery. A governor’s tea was held at the Governor’s Mansion, followed by a side trip to Prattville for shopping and lunch.
The Alabama Governor’s Mansion “Every Light a Prayer Tea” is an annual event hosted by Gov. Kay Ivey for members of the Garden Club of Alabama. The event serves as a prelude to the State Capitol Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony, a tradition that began in 1951 in support of the armed forces.
This year, 40,000 lights adorned the Capitol tree under the theme “Every Light a Prayer for Peace.” The tree stands 38 feet tall and 24 feet wide on the front steps of the Capitol overlooking Dexter Avenue.
“Well, I’m embarrassed that I dressed for cold weather rather than Christmas,” Donna Lowery said. “I thought the rotunda was a covered area outside. I should have stood in the middle of the group to hide my clothes.”
The final Cultura Christmas celebration was the annual Dirty Santa party. Members were asked to bring a $15 gift for the exchange.
“We had many hugs and a lot of laughter,” Carrie Jo Hovater said. “I appreciate all of you.”
As always, the Dirty Santa game brought plenty of fun, and everyone left with gifts and memories. The meeting closed with wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all.
