Garden Club members had a rather busy month in November. The Club held its annual Lobster Fest, attended by more than 50 members, spouses and guests. Lobsters were lovingly prepared by Jack Sweeney and his crew of eager volunteers. Appetites were appeased with lobster tails done to a turn, salads, fresh baked goodies and adult beverages, and no one appeared to leave hungry. A rousing cheer for all those who made this Lobster Fest a triumph! Also in November, members gathered for another annual, seasonal ritual…the preparation of gift bags for senior shut-ins. Colorful bags were filled to their brims with toiletries, toothbrushes, candy snacks and decorative ornaments. Bags were delivered to the Dana Point Community Center which will distribute the bags to the shut-ins. On the Club’s agenda for December is the annual Holiday Party which will be held in the ClubHouse on December 19. After lunch, members will exchange gifts. We want to wish Linda Koppang, our club’s Vice President, a speedy and complete recovery from her recent illness. We look forward to having her back with us soon.
Warning to all gardeners: A word of warning to homeowners: many plants are poisonous for humans as well as pets, and can even lead to death. Following are some of the more common plants and shrubs to be wary of, and the symptoms that will be experienced, so be careful out there!
Hyacinth, Narcissus, Daffodil Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea. – May be fatal.
Oleander -Extremely poisonous. Affects the heart, produces severe digestive upset and has caused death.
Lily-of-the-Valley – Irregular heart beat and pulse, usually accompanied by digestive upset and mental confusion.
Iris Severe-but not usually serious digestive upset.
Rhubarb Fatal. Large amounts of raw or cooked leaves can cause convulsions, coma, followed rapidly by death.
Wisteria – Mild to severe digestive upset. Many children are poisoned by this plant.
Laurels, Rhododendrons, Azaleas – Fatal. Produces nausea and vomiting, depression, difficult breathing, prostration and coma.
Jasmine – Fatal. Digestive disturbance and nervous symptoms.
Lantana Camara (Red Sage) – Fatal. Affects lungs, kidneys, heart and nervous system. Grows in the southern U.S. And in moderate
climates.
“I have no plants in my house. They won’t live for me. Some of them don’t even wait to die, they commit suicide.”—Jerry Seinfeld
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