Fall is finally beginning to show its face around Andalusia.

Members of the Andalusia El Martes Garden Club were welcomed at their monthly meeting by a floral arrangement of Umbrella palm, Tiger Grass plumes, Golden Rods, Limelight Hydrangea, Caladium leaves and Hawaiian Lily seed pods. Upon entering the meeting room, members viewed individual table arrangements of Purple Jew, Gerber Daisies, Caladiums, Asparagus ferns, chrysanthemums, Popcorn Tree seeds, Tropicana roses, Old Rose roses, red Spider lilies, hydrangeas and coleus. The artful arrangement on the refreshment table held Caladiums, red Spider Lilies and orange and maroon Asiatic Lilies.  The foyer arrangement, as well as those decorating the tables in the Dixon Room of the Andalusia Public Library, were created by member Jerri Stroud. All of the floral pieces came from her own yard, so perfect for the club’s opening day meeting.

This year’s El Martes officers served as hostesses for the meeting. The officers are: president, Barbara Nichols; vice president, Melissa Gambill; secretary, Jenny Pitts; treasurer, Pat Stewart; and parliamentarian, Jerri Stroud.

New yearbooks were distributed to members by Gambill as program chairperson.  Jean Jones serves as the yearbook chairperson.

The main part of the meeting was spent discussing the flower show in conjunction with the 2013 Kiwanis Covington County Fair. Barbara Bryant and Betty Johnson are the El Martes chairpersons for this event.  Barbara reviewed the rules for the show for the club members.  The club group is in charge of registering horticulture entries for judging.  The public is encouraged to submit entries on Oct. 13 from 1 p.m. until 5 p.m. Judging will be on Mon., Oct. 14.  Interested persons need to pick up a set of rules and guidelines at The Andalusia Star News

The meeting was adjourned after the group enjoyed refreshments of creamy Waldorf salad, sausage balls, assorted muffins, cheese and nuts, with coffee and orange juice.