Cultura Garden Club meets at Dismals Canyon

Sept.10 marked the first meeting of the year for the Cultura Garden Club for the program called “The Secret World of the Beautiful Sunken Forest called Dismals. Kevin Cheek, the Dismals director, spoke. As he presented the history and highlights of the Dismals, their staff prepared and served delicious sandwiches, homemade banana pudding and chocolate brownies with ice cream.

Cheek said the Dismals Canyon received designation as a “National Natural Landmark” from the National Natural Landmarks Program in 1975, a program administered by the National Park Service and the U.S. Department of the Interior.

He said the Dismals Canyon has a rich diversity of native plant life which includes old-growth virgin timber composed chiefly of Hemlock, Tulip Poplar, Sweetgum, Bigleaf Magnolia, Beech and more than 300 ferns.

After twilight, the canyon lights up with tiny bioluminescent creatures called Dismalites. These “glowworms” require a select habitat to survive and are unique to only a few places on Earth. They are “close cousins” of the rare glowworms found in Australia and New Zealand.

There are two peak seasons – the spring peak, late April through May, is the best. The fall peak is the end of September-first of October. Night tours, limited to 20 people per tour, last about 45 minutes. Reservations are recommended. It is suggested that children should be at least twelve.  In addition to the canyon, there is a country store, soda fountain, spa and massage, videos and reviews.

Garden club president Cheri McCain’s institute was “It’s Sea Turtle Hatching Time in Alabama.” This season is from May 1 until October 31. Six of the seven species of sea turtles are found in the U.S. and are listed on the endangered or threatened species list. For more information, see the Facebook page called “Share the Beach–Alabama’s Sea Turtle Conservation Program.”

Five members of Cultura Garden Club received certificates of Lifetime Membership to The Garden Club of Alabama, Inc. Kathy Suddith, president of The Garden Club of Alabama, Inc., signed the certifications. Debbie Nale, Susie Malone, Brenda Oliver, Martha Sibley and Barbara Sage received lifetime certificates.

The October 8^th meeting will be a Membership Drive.  The guest speaker will present “The Legend of Aunt Jenny Brooks Johnston.” Anyone interested in attending please contact a member of the Cultura Garden Club for more information.

The closing of the meeting was the reading of the Garden Club Collect. Members enjoyed visiting the Dismals Country Store and Soda Fountain.