Submitted

The Southside Farm Club met Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the home of Ellen Dolan in Trenton.

Ellen Dolan welcomed members with a potluck lunch at noon, followed by fellowship and the club’s business meeting. Janice Belvel called the meeting to order, and Dolan presented the question of the day, asking members to name one of their favorite things in their home.

The discussion brought a wide variety of answers, including pictures and artwork, a washer and dryer, a favorite Beatles album, a keyboard, Desert Rose vintage dishes, Van Briggle pottery, a father’s guitar, Precious Moments figurines and a craft room.

As part of its ongoing community support efforts, the club voted to send donations to Children’s Mercy and Trenton’s Food Pantry.

Members attending were Jackie Altenderfer, Janice Belvel, Sue Brewer, Rhonda Clark, Marie Dolan, Jeanie Gibson, Babette Hill, Jacky Mack, Robin Meservey and Judith Urich. Guest Marcy Meservey also joined the group.

During the business meeting, Jackie Altenderfer won the hostess gift and Marie Dolan won the mystery gift. Both received succulent plants from Graber’s Greenhouse in Jamesport.

Following the business meeting, Sue Brewer and Ellen Dolan presented a program on interior designers and the ways people design their homes.

Brewer spoke about the book An English Vision: Traditional Architecture and Decoration for Today by Ben Pentreath, which she had borrowed from Dolan at the club’s January meeting. She said her interest in Pentreath’s work began after reading about the designer of rooms used by Prince William and Kate at Kensington Palace. Brewer said she later discovered Pentreath had once lived in Dorset, about 10 miles from where she had lived in England.

She also shared that she began following Pentreath’s website and blog, where he and partner Bridie Hall have documented projects and travel for several years. Brewer said the photography and design style reminded her of England, including scenes of snowdrops, bluebells and warm kitchens filled with family, friends and animals.

Brewer also spoke about Dorset and neighboring Somerset, where she was born, and noted Pentreath’s involvement in designing parts of Poundbury, the town launched by King Charles in 1993.

Dolan then spoke about designer Kelee Katillac, whose work she recently saw during a tour of the Henry Blosser Estate. She shared one of Katillac’s table books and showed examples of the home’s interior design. Dolan encouraged members to look online for information about the estate’s upcoming March tour in Malta Bend.

She said she especially enjoyed seeing the creativity and beauty of the rooms, while also reflecting on how some design choices may be more visually striking than practical for everyday living. Dolan added that her interest in interior design has also grown through her son, Aaron Dolan, and Jon Trigg, who operate Studio Home in Columbia. She shared several simple decorating ideas from her own home, including the use of seashells and pottery bowls as display pieces.

The meeting adjourned on a cheerful note, with members expressing appreciation for Ellen Dolan’s hospitality and the opportunity to gather in a relaxed, welcoming setting.

The next meeting will be hosted by Viola Paschall, with the location to be announced soon.