If you would have told me 20 years ago that I would be writing this article, I would have laughed.

I left Natchez after graduating high school with big dreams. Little did I know that those dreams would lead me right back home. In 2000, my husband and I moved back to Natchez and I had no idea what my future would hold. I always thought Natchez was a great place to visit. Now I know what a wonderful place it is to live and raise a family.

One of the things that I did when I moved back to town was join the Natchez Garden Club. My mother had been a member of the Natchez Garden Club for years and she thought that becoming a member would be a natural progression into social activities.

I was hesitant of joining for so many reasons, but because I was expecting my first child and I knew that I wanted her to have the opportunity to participate in The Historic Natchez Pageant — and because my mother said so — I knew that I had to join.

I began taking part in several of the activities and realized that the Natchez Garden Club has a much bigger purpose that The Historic Natchez Pageant. Right away I noticed that, despite my earlier hesitance, I enjoyed the activities and the people involved. Needless to say, the Natchez Garden Club was far from what I expected.

Fast forward to seven years later, I am more involved than ever with the Natchez Garden Club and loving every minute. I would like for everyone to come and see what I mean.

At 6 p.m. Thursday the Natchez Garden Club is having a party at Bowie’s Tavern. For an admission fee of $10 we will have food, a cash bar and a silent auction packed with great stuff!

The auction includes fantastic items from Magnolia Hall Gift Shop; Mississippi Museum of Art; Live Oak Nursery; Darby’s; One of a Kind; My Room; Intimate Home; Pyron’s Furniture; Growing Pains; Sun, Moon, and Stars; Dianne’s Frame Shop; Picket Fence; Kimbrell’s Office Supply; T.G. McCarey; The Sports Center; Hometown Sports; Bowie Outfitters; Cedar Grove Hunting Club; The Markets; H. Hal Garner Antiques; Neeley’s Spokane Resort; Just 4 You Monograms; High Cotton; Katie’s Ladies; Anruss; Pamper Me Please; Mo’s Flowers; Cover to Cover Books; Turning Pages; Pampered Sole; McDonough’s Package Store; Franklin Street Package; as well as local restaurants and donations from members and patrons.

I would love for everyone to come and see how much the Natchez Garden Club has changed and just how fun it really is to be a part of. I look forward to seeing you on Sept. 27!

Leigh Herrington Dickey is a native Natchezian and a member of the Natchez Garden Club.