by Tiffany Titmouse

As you prepare for the holiday visits of family and friends, don't forget to welcome the many fine-feathered friends to your garden. With cold weather coming, the birds will count on you to supplement their diet. All the regulars will be there such as chickadees, titmice, cardinals, doves, house finches, bluejays, wrens, and woodpeckers. New arrivals will be our winter migratory visitors such as the goldfinch, kinglet, junco, flicker, cedar waxwing, white-throated sparrow, brown thrasher, and sapsuckers.

To attract the regulars and the newcomers alike, hang different types of birdfeeders filled with different food types. Feeders come in all shapes and sizes - tube, hopper, platform, ball, suet, and peanut. Preferred seeds are black oil sunflower (the #1 seed), safflower (squirrels don't like it - lots of other birds do), thistle (favored by goldfinches), and millet (preferred by the native winter sparrows). Suet cakes (especially peanut, berry, and almond) and peanuts (both whole and shelled) will provide protein and energy on cold days. Also, a fresh, clean water source is critical to a bird's survival.

Creating a backyard feeding station is a definite holiday treat for the birds! They will appreciate your efforts and repay you with their presence year-round. Pick up one of our Seed Saver program cards when you stop in and save on your birdseed purchases throughout the year.

The 6th Annual Tea Off was a big success! We had many entries in both the herbal tea and the herbal dessert categories. Sampling the entries after the judging was enjoyed by all, of course!

The first place winner in the Herbal Tea category was Lori Cannafax with her delightful entry named "Aunt Virginia's Tea." Lori won a $50 NHG gift certificate and an elegant crystal pitcher. Second place went to Elaine Taylor with her delicious "Lemon Ginger Tea." She took home a $25 NHG gift certificate. [See page 7 for the winning recipes.]

Edith Hiett delighted the judges with her "Brownies with a Hint of Mint," walking away with first place in the Herbal Dessert category. Edith received a beautiful dessert platter and a $50 NHG gift certificate. She has won the Herbal Tea category for several years' past. Gladys Denham made irresistible "Rosemary Lemon Crumb Bars" and took second place in Herbal Desserts, for which she received a $25 NHG gift certificate.

Mary Nell Jackson, a member of the Herb Society of America, presented the Saturday program on The Meaning of Herbs - Myths, Language, and Lore. "Did you know that if you are holding lavender, you will be able to see ghosts???"

On Sunday, Becky Watts, also a member of the Herb Society of America, gave an interesting demonstration and workshop on Homemade Herbal Harvest Condiments. This was a "hands-on" program and everyone really enjoyed it!

Mark your calendar for next year's 7th Annual Tea Off, which will again be the end of September! Start planning your herb gardens for next year - and think about what enticing creation you will submit to be one of our Winners! Congratulations and thanks to all who participated this year.