Tea By Design II:

Tea by Design II, the Calusa Garden Club of Marco Island’s fundraising luncheon and tea, was attended by a sellout crowd of 110 women.

The Marco Island Yacht Club dining room was beautifully decorated with floral centerpieces in pink and red in teapot containers, fancy teapots on each table, and pastel table linens.

Award-winning floral designer Janice Hamlin demonstrated how to braid and “boondoggle” leaves of areca palms, inflorescence stalks from queen palms, Liriope leaves and other locally available, tropical plant matter. Her engaging manner and comical commentary kept the audience amused throughout her demonstration. She made five floral designs that were raffled to the attendees.

Event proceeds will be used for the club’s community projects, including maintenance of the Blue Star Memorial at Veterans’ Community Park, Junior Gardeners at Tommie Barfield Elementary School, maintenance of the Butterfly Garden at Calusa Park, and the scholarships for a high school senior and for elementary school students at Camp Wekiva.

Calusa Garden Club thanks Curves, Kay’s on the Beach, Winn Dixie, Salon and Spa Botanica, Marco Island Clothing Company, Kathein Jewelers, Marco Island Florist, Red Rooster, Snook Inn, Patchington, Sandpiper Clothiers, Susan LaGrotta, Salon and Spa Botanica, Cocomo’s Grill, La Scarpa, and Marco Island Yacht Club, for donating silent auction items. Cyndi Bixler of Beach Girl Jewelry displayed and sold handmade jewelry, and generously donated 40% of her proceeds to the club.

Calusa Garden Club of Marco Island is a member of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs and membership is open to those interested in horticulture, floral design and environmental matters residing five months or more in Collier County. For information on membership, email calusagardenclub@aol.com.