By Peggy Chandler
Carol Nocilla, Jasper Lane, Nancy Steeves and James Byrne hosted this year’s Royal Pines Bunco party. The party was held at the home of Frank and Carol Nocilla on Saturday, February 25.  A large assortment of delicious foods and drinks were provided and a relaxing and enjoyable time was had by all.
Royal Pines Garden Club news as reported by Marie Spencer: The Royal Pines Garden Club had a field trip during the month of February and visited Spring Island.  We had the opportunity to see the beautiful trillium gardens and native landscaping.  Marie Goode-Spencer, club president, along with many of the garden club members, enjoyed a wonderful hayride around the island and saw many wonderful native plant features. We also had lunch

[caption id="attachment_6012" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Pat and Dan Lauzon of Royal Pines."]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Royal-chatter-3-8.jpg"><img class="size-thumbnail wp-image-6012" title="Royal chatter 3-8" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Royal-chatter-3-8-150x150.jpg" alt="" width="150" height="150" /></a>[/caption]

and visited their native plant nursery.  A wonderful time was had by all.
Mrs. Pat Lauzon, who lives on Thomas Sumter, is a member of Royal Pines Garden Club and recently received the 2012 Silver Trowel Award at the annual luncheon in February. This award was presented at the annual meeting of the Beaufort Council of Garden Clubs.  The council represents Beaufort, Camellia, Dataw, Lady’s Island, Palmetto, Royal Pines and Sea Island garden clubs. This award was presented by the president of the Beaufort Council of Garden Clubs, Mrs Cecille Dorr.   Pat was honored with this award for her true spirit for gardening and many hours of volunteering. The Beaufort Council of Garden Clubs parade committee, with the assistance of Pat, worked throughout the summer planning a float to represent gardening in Beaufort for the 300th anniversary of Beaufort Parade. Pat worked unselfishly to help with this huge undertaking, not only in the planning, but also in the implementation of the plan for the community. (Not to mention, volunteering her husband to drive several garden club members, club presidents and junior gardeners from the Boys &amp; Girls Club through the Beaufort parade route.)
Chandler News: Curt and Sherry Newill, parents of our daughter-in-law, Kristen, visited my husband and I this past week. We spent a wonderful day in Savannah sightseeing and enjoying the beautiful weather.  That evening, we dined at 11th Street Dockside.  The Newill’s hometown is Streetsboro, Ohio, and luckily for them they are able travel south to Florida annually and lucky for us, they stop for a visit in Beaufort.
Marisa Sherard of Gator Lane, hosted her annual Oscar Party.  This is a girl’s only event where Marisa entertains the group by playing games and movie trivia contest along with tasty tidbits and drinks.  Marisa puts time and much effort into this gathering and it is always a fun night.
If consignment shopping is your thing, be sure to visit Kathy at “The Velveteen Rabbit” across from McDonald’s on Lady’s Island where you will find her shop stocked with all kinds of “things.”
If you have information or a story to share, please contact me at buddysoma@embarqmail.com.