The Woman's Club of Warren recently held its first luncheon meeting of the centennial season. Following socialization in the parlors, the group adjourned to the upstairs meeting room. The featured speaker, Celia Knapp was introduced by Mary Kay Young. Knapp presented an entertaining and informative show about her recent trip to Spain, "From Madrid to Barcelona." The slides presented were mainly pictures of things not commonly seen in postcards or travel books. Featured were the many B&Bs where they stayed, formal gardens and wild flowers. Architecture of the region is interesting considering that most buildings are hundreds of years old. A 200-year-old house is considered fairly new. Many are built upon old Roman or Moor ruins. Wrought iron, stucco and stained glass are common. Spaniards love their flowers and gardens, and in the villages where homes are tightly packed, they take advantage of any place they can plant. Flowers adorn balconies, door steps and indoor courtyards. Also the parks and national monuments are breathtaking. Alternate energy forms, like wind and solar, are very mush in evidence. An unsettling view was that of acres and acres of green houses used to grow vegetables using pesticides and chemical fertilizers. These "gardens" supply much of Europe with their fresh produce. Knapp said visiting Spain was a memorable adventure she would recommend to anyone.
Hostesses Ruth Darby and Ellen Butkas decorated the tables with a Spanish flair, Spanish wine was served during the social hour. The menu, prepared by Lynda's Catering, featured paella for the entree and flan for dessert, in keeping with the Spanish theme.
In a brief business meeting, president Tana Fegley gave an update on the centennial campaign and projects completed. Most impressive is the paving of the back parking lot and alley to Fourth Avenue. The ballroom floor has been refinished. Work on the front porch is progressing.
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Celia Knapp, presenter
Upcoming events include The Equality of Rights Play and Tea to be presented in the ballroom on Oct. 13 at 3 and 7 pm. What's New for the Holidays is scheduled for Nov. 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and Nov. 11 from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. A beef on weck luncheon will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 10. The Christmas House tour and Victorian Tea will be on Dec. 9 from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. Presale tickets will be $18 and will be available at all area florists beginning Nov. 9. Homes featured in this year's tour are the Champlin house on Market Street, The Price's (Quinn Smith) house on Liberty Street, the Megill house on Fifth Avenue, the Conway house on Conewango Avenue, and the Waker (Blair) house on East Street.
The next meeting will be a luncheon on Oct.15. Sue Himes will present an update on the Allegheny Community Center. Reservations must be made by noon on Oct. 12; call the club manager at 723-5910 or email womansclubwarren@gmail.com.