AUGUST 22, 2019 MEETING:
President Jennifer Stanek opened the August 2019 meeting of the Memphis Herb Society to order at 7:00 in the Goldsmith Room at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Members and guests were given a warm welcome and all those that brought refreshments were extended a special thanks. Members and guests were reminded to renew their memberships for the upcoming year, which would run through December 31, 2020. Also the Memphis Herb Society has a Facebook page and website with information about upcoming events and volunteer opportunities.
On motion made, seconded and approved, the July meeting minutes as presented in the August Newsletter were approved.
Sherri McCalla gave the Herb Garden report. First there will be a Throw Down Thursday event on September 5th in the Herb Garden from 5:00 to 8:30-ish. The topic will be “Herbal Hodgepodge”. Second, on September 14th, there will be a Herbal Work Study program beginning at 8:00. Participants will work until about 10:00 a.m. and then Sherri will teach a class on herbal salves. Finally the Herb Garden is back! All are encouraged to visit the new garden. The next job within the Herb Garden will be to replace the signage.
Our speakers for the evening were introduced. Anne Froning and Sean Murphy own and operate a farm that they have named the ArtPharm. The farm has been in Sean’s family for generations and he grew up helping his grandparents with their garden. Anne and Sean also build outdoor instruments, some of which can be found at the Memphis Botanic Garden. Anne shared how her interest in herbs has grown, including her work with elderberries. Anne prepares tinctures and syrups. We were able to taste several of her products. Sean then spoke on Bitters. Bitters are a complex tincture, including one or more elements that provide the bitterness. We were able to sample examples of the bitters that Sean has formulated. Both Sean and Anne recommended several books and resources for those that would like to try making their own tinctures, syrups and bitters. Hands-on opportunities were available to taste different bitters in cocktails and use the juicer that Anne uses to extract juice from herbs. Anne and Sean’s products are available for sale.
Following the presentation, tasting and hands-on opportunities, the meeting was adjourned.
The next meeting of the Memphis Herb Society will take place on September 25, 2019.
~~Submitted by Anita Lotz
(Photos below are from our August 22 program with Anne Froning and Sean Murphy.)
