Starkville Town and Country Garden Club ended its 2025-26 year with a patriotic floral demonstration by Allison Siddal of State Floral at its May 7 meeting held at Susan Turner’s barn.

“With everyone starting to think of decorating for America’s 250th anniversary on July 4, we decided it would be fun to have someone give us some table decorating ideas,” said Starkville Town and Country Garden Club Vice President Connie Templeton. “We also wanted to celebrate our many successes this year with a barbecue lunch.”

Allison Siddal and her assistant, Lauryn Moore, started their tablescape demonstration with a blank table, and then they decorated the table with items found at local stores, including Walmart, such as a table runner, plate chargers, patriotic plates and napkins, candlestick flag holders, bud vases with flowers and beautiful flower arrangements of red, white and blue flowers.

The table centerpiece was a live blue hydrangea plant, which Allison then flanked on either side with fresh floral arrangements of red and white roses, mixed greenery and American flags.

After the demonstration, President Lynne Strickland read some historical information about the country’s 250th anniversary, and then members stood and said the Pledge of Allegiance.

Strickland then shared the club’s success at the recent state convention by reading a list of the 16 awards the club won, and she introduced two new members, Johanna Blair and Tanya Thomasson.

After the introduction of the new members, committee chairs gave a brief report before everyone enjoyed the barbecue potluck lunch and participated in the plant swap.

Hostesses for the club’s May meeting were Lynne Strickland, Connie Templeton and Susan Turner.