Mission Statement

The Rosemary-n-Thyme Herb Society of Gaston County is a member of The North Carolina Herb Association (NCHA) and North Carolina Extension and Community Association (NCE&C).

The goals of the Rosemary-n-Thyme Herb Society of Gaston County are to:

Raise awareness of the healthful benefits of using herbs through monthly meetings and community involvement
Foster and nurture friendships, information sharing, plant and recipe exchanges
Maintain and encourage active and new members
Offer educational opportunities from speakers, members and workshops
subjects include:
- history of herbs
- cooking
- medicinal use
- aromatherapy
- cosmetics
- gardening
- landscaping with herbs

Member Benefits

Receive monthly newsletter
Discounts on fieldtrips, conferences, seminars
Discount on being a vendor at conferences
Fun
Fellowship

Year at a Glance - 2008

The Rosemary-n-Thyme Herb Society meets the third Saturday morning at 10:30 a.m (Business portion of meeting for members begins at 10 am.). at the Lucille Tatum Bldg, in Gastonia NC, on Osceola near the intersection of Union Rd. & Garrison (with some exceptions). As time and meeting location vary, please call before traveling 704.864.4134.

January 19 - Business & Speaker Meeting "Tea Thyme with Linda"

A. Present officers will remain until June 08. Executive Committee will call to ask members to serve on a committee. Nominations from the floor will be accepted.

B. "Tea Thyme with Linda" will be an educational review of different teas, their tantalizing tastes and ways to enjoy them. Samples will be served.

February 16 - "Sweetheart Rosemary Herbal Wreath Workshop" - Joyce Hartung

Free to members - $25 for visitors
Bring all the rosemary you have. Learn how to design and create a heart shaped wreath for “heart month”. You will leave with a lovely memento to take home. Extras to be sold as fundraiser.
Hospitality with tea

March 15 - Participate in ECA Yard/Bake Sale - 8am - 2pm (date to be announced)

Sell herbs to public and members, and have fun. Herbs for Spring Herb Garden planting *need members to donate and/or attend workshop to make herbal products to sell.

April 17 - Farmer’s Market - We will sell and seek new members

Bring any herbs, cut fresh, dried, or plants and spreads made with herbs. Each member is asked to work 1-2 hours. Cookbooks, wreaths, herbs,etc.

May 24 (date tentative) – Guest Cooking Expert Cooking with Herbs

Workshop. Observe as professional cooks teaches methods while preparing a delicious "herbal" meal. During the demonstration, everyone will get to taste the special foods. Guests welcome- cost $25 for meal and instruction.

June 21 - High Tea at member home w/ Speaker

Our 2006 tea was such a grand success that everyone wanted to make it an annual event. . Each member brings an exquisite china tea cup to exchange.

July 19 - Maybe Gaia Trip (Tenative)

This will be real treat. This commercial herb farm is open only 1 day per year to the public. Picnic. Leave L. Tatum @ 9am. Arrive back 6-8 PM. Date may be different.

July 25 - 27 - NC State Herb Convention

Valle Crucis, NC Mountains.

August 18 - Herbal Workshop

Herb-Of-The-Month
Hospitality with tea

September 20 - Farmer's Market

Bring fresh cut herb, herb seeds, and crafts to sell. Need each member to work 2-3 hours Greet public and have fun.

October 18 - "How To Use Raw Foods & Herbs to Stay Healthy" - Annis Meeks

Herb-Of-The-Month
Hospitality with tea

October - Cotton Ginning Days

Date to be announced. 3 days.

November 15 - Holiday Wreath Workshop

Our workshop will be lead by a professional designer who will instruct and assist each member make a beautiful

Herb-Of-The-Month
Hospitality with tea

12*Participate in ECA’s "Holidays Around the World"

Members need to attend tree & help sell products.

December 20 - Annual Christmas Party

Covered dish luncheon at member home. Bring $10 gift to exchange and update yearly events in album. Details later.

Recipes

(A working women's life saver)

Lemon-Thyme Zest Herb Paste

4 tablespoons Shallots, chopped
3 tablespoons Ground almonds
Grated zest of 4 lemons
2 tablespoons Fresh Thyme
1/2 teaspoon white pepper, ground
3/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons Fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon Chives, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cloves garlic, chopped

In food processor, blend the shallots, almonds, lemon zest, thyme, parsley, chives, and garlic. Mix in salt, white pepper, and honey.

Slowly drizzle in the oil while the blade is turning. Transfer to tempered glass jar and store in the refrigerator (8-10 weeks) or freeze for one year.

Serve as a snack or appetizer - pesto with crackers or bread; as a meal, server with pasta - goes well with tomato based recipes.

Member of The North Carolina Herb Association (NCHA)

The NCHA is a not for profit organization established in 1986. Its purpose is to promote the production, marketing, and use of herbs and herb related products through education and research. As a member we invite you to discover, visit, and promote the many beautiful herb gardens, farms, and businesses that offer healthful products and/or produce to the Piedmont area.

NCE&A's mission is statement is to strengthen families through leadership development, volunteer work, educational support, research based education from NC State University & NCA&T State University.