Loosening Up With FNGLA Treasure Coast

Two nights after being with Lake Region Chapter, Billy and I headed south to party with the good people in the Treasure Coast Chapter. This group likes to add glitz to their holiday party. We showed up at the Pelican Yacht Club on Hutchinson Island ready to celebrate! The women were wearing their holiday dresses and the men in coats and ties. A very handsome crowd! Although I did notice many of the coats and ties found themselves on the back of chairs soon after dinner ended.

It was great to catch up with several FNGLA friends during the cocktail hour, as well as meet some new FNGLA members. It was nice to see several friends from the USDA Research Facility and IFAS there. When they all sat together for dinner they were titled the "brainy" table - a smart bunch!

While we mingled, Maddie Williams serenaded us with Christmas music. Maddie’s day job is with the Treasure Coast Builders’ Association where she and FNGLA chapter VP Cindy Hall have worked together on several industry projects. Once again, association networking pays off. When Cindy was put in charge of entertainment for this party, she knew just who to call!

It was easy to see why the planning committee chose the Yacht Club for this event. Beside the being on the water and the nice boats outside, the room was nicely decorated and the dinner served was delicious with plenty of choices. My favorite was the mahi mahi with mango sauce. I realized with this 2nd party, that with 6 more parties to go, I’ll need to work out more if I expect to fit in my clothes by the final party on Dec. 15th. Lots of good food! I also learned on this trip that Billy B. keeps snacks in his truck, so the calorie temptations are not just at the parties but coming and going from the parties! I may be trying those Jenny Craig meals come January!

The highlight of the evening was a tribute Chapter President Terri Pinder, FCHP, gave to Kevin Kraft. Kevin was instrumental in rejuvenating the Treasure Coast Chapter when he relocated Kraft Gardens from Deerfield Beach to Ft. Pierce. Kevin reminded all of us how important it is to meet on a local level, know who your industry neighbors are and to encourage the next generation to get involved.

Speaking of next generations, Alex Fell is a third generation member of Kraft Gardens. He and his wife Diana sat at our table, along with Bud Roberts, FCLT, who is 2nd generation FNGLA member. When Kevin and I noted we have known each other for 25 years via FNGLA, Alex, not so gently, let us know we are OLD! Thanks, Alex. Can't wait for your daughter to call you old!

More music and dancing followed dinner and everyone had a chance to win prizes. It’s always nice to get a beautiful plant as a prize (poinsettias and bromeliads at this meeting), but a couple of lucky people won boxes of tangerines from Kennedy Groves – Nursery Division. Nice to have those citrus connections within FNGLA! I wasn't so lucky with prizes at this meeting - didn't win anything! But I'm still having fun with my Estee Lauder from the Lake Region Chapter so I'm happy.

Before dinner Bud Roberts offered the prayer and it was from the heart! First time I’ve heard a prayer of thanks for the opportunity to “let loose” at a party – but it’s true, with so much economic gloom, these chapter parties are a great time to let loose and enjoy the company of our friends and colleagues. Thank God for chapter members and chapter parties! Amen!