Happy February to all! Hopefully the changes in the weather are not keeping you cooped up so you can get out and enjoy our next meeting this week!

The ladies of the Natchez Garden Club would like to invite each of you to our February meeting and program. At 11 a.m. Thursday our members will be meeting at Elms Court on John R. Junkin Drive, the home of Ms. Anne MacNeil, for a quick business meeting. Afterwards, there will be a program led by wildlife photographer, Joe Mac Hudspeth, along with a scrumptious lunch to be served.

From Brandon, Mr. Hudspeth is a self-taught photographer who enjoys capturing moments in wildlife for all to enjoy. Not only is he widely published nationally, regionally and statewide, but he is also the author of “In the Southern Wild,” which is comprised of photographs taken of all kinds of wildlife from all areas of the South, even some from our own area. His works have also been published as Mississippi State Duck Stamps and Mississippi Sportsman Licenses over the years.

He will be selling copies of his book after his presentation for you to enjoy at home or share with your loved ones as a wonderful gift. Please feel free to check out his website, www.southernfocus.com, to learn more about Mr. Hudspeth, his works of art and special talents. His website is full of many treasures that would make for the perfect gift for your valentine!

Be sure to make your reservations for this meeting by 2 p.m. Tuesday in order to enjoy lunch and this presentation. Call the Garden Club office at 601-443-9065. The cost of this event will be $12.

Also, in order to help our local community projects, be sure to bring personal hygiene items for the women’s shelter. We will also be collecting rice for the Stewpot. These donations are easy ways to contribute to our community and help those around us.

We hope to see each of you at our next meeting to take a gander at some beautiful photographs of local wildlife and others from around the South!

Jennie Guido is the publicity chair for the Natchez Garden Club.