The Herb Guild goes back in time for themed luncheon

The Herb Guild President Gail Morse, left, and Scholarship Chairperson Mary Kay Filipiak, right, presented scholarships to Patricia Kay and Greyson Rusher at their Aug. 7 luncheon.

Remember when life was simpler, much less hurried, perhaps a  little less casual and a little more refined? That is exactly the mood The Herb Guild was going for with its "Turn of the Century Fashion Show" on Aug. 7, presented by the Western Reserve Historical Society. Delightfully dressed models circulated among over 300 members and guests in an array of historical gowns reminding us of the fine tailored workmanship of yesterday's fashion. The table decor of graceful tussie mussie bouquets with a lady's lace glove draped at its base reminisced the same theme.

Mary Kay Filipiak, chairwoman of the organization's scholarship committee, awarded $1,000 scholarships to two of our area's college-bound students, Patricia Kay and Greyson Rusher.

Patricia, a 2013 graduate of Saint Joseph Academy throughout high school, was actively involved with her school's environmental club and led the club her senior year. She enjoyed volunteering at local summer camps and the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Patricia will be attending the University of Notre Dame to study environmental engineering this fall. 

Greyson, a 2013 graduate of Avon Lake High School, also pursued environmental studies and was a conservancy volunteer at Cuyahoga Valley National Park which taught him about caring for our environment and protecting our natural resources. He will be a freshman this fall at Ohio State University majoring in environmental engineering/environmental science. Environmental science involves the studying of agriculture, food storage, pollution, land use, natural resource management, urban planning, green architecture and waste management.

The scholarship luncheon is The Herb Guild's primary fundraising event for scholarships. A silent auction and gift basket raffle, selling of the guild's newest cookbook "Thyme & Again" and a herb culinary boutique area held during the luncheon also raised funds.

Founded in 1978, The Herb Guild is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. They meet on the second Wednesday of each month at Westlake Porter Public Library, 27333 Center Ridge Road. The guild encourages non-members of the organization to join them to learn more about how fascinating herbs are and their many uses so this knowledge can be carried on to the younger generation. For more information visit www.theherbguild.org.