Page 9 - MNLGA Free State Spring 2025_WEB

THIS BUSINESS OF OURS A Mike Hemming

Celebrations, Family, Fun

and Pride

nother winter has After five days back
come and is now home, Flo and I got
Aclose to gone. I’m on the Auto Train to
still looking at the 10-day Florida for another
weather forecasted cruise and then a
nighttime temperatures. submarine reunion in
The big question is: Will Charleston. The Auto
there be one last frost? Train was a fun new
It is now the last week of experience and quite
March and poly needs to well done. However,
be removed from most, one day before we
if not all the houses. Is left, the reunion was
it too soon or too late? cancelled, which was
Last year with all the a disappointment for
rush in business in March sure. So, another miss
it might be too late. to Charleston’s gardens.
January was very slow; However, on the drive
February was OK and back north we visited
March has been very relatives and submarine
busy. I hope it has been Topiary friends. We did stay in
busy for you, too. Pawley’s Island, SC for
four days to see one friend in particular.
In January, MANTS was its usual wonderful self. Every
year it inspires me and makes me glad I belong to While in Pawley’s Island, Flo and I went to Brookgreen
such a great industry. We are doing good work for the Gardens several times over three days. The tickets were
country, our state and ourselves. good for a week so we could walk through in about
three-hour segments to go easy on my knees, as it is a
Flo and I took a cruise with Larry and Lori out of large place. There are many formal gardens with nice
Baltimore the second week of January. Going out of water features and sculptures in each one. Included in
Baltimore Harbor, it was sad to see the wreck of the Key Brookgreen Gardens is the Lowcountry History involving
Bridge. We went down the coast to Florida and to three a trail and the Floyd Family Farm exhibit. More to Flo
islands. It was an anniversary celebration of both of us: and my liking was a zoo that had great outdoor aviary,
our 60 and the 35 for Larry and Lori. Unfortunately, river otters and best of all, three red wolves which are
th
th
because of a schedule change we didn’t get to stop in rare and beautiful animals. However, the wolves did
Charleston, SC, so I have nothing to write about their manage to stay as far away as possible. I would say
gardens this time.
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Membership Matters • SPRING 2025 9