Libraries

Libraries Chair 2023-2024:  Dianne Pleyn
Each November, the club holds a miniature flower exhibit—under 5 inches—at the Surf City branch of the Ocean County Library.  In addition to this annual  display, each month club members  provide fresh or dried flower arrangements for the Surf City library and the Beach Haven library. ​If you’d like to participate in this committee , please contact the Libraries chair.

Botanical Displays – March 2024

Photos by Dianne Pleyn (click on images to enlarge)

Delicate Displays – February 2024

Photos by Dianne Pleyn (click on images to enlarge)

 

Winter Inspired Arrangements – January 2024

Photos by Dianne Pleyn (click on images to enlarge)

 

Miniature Flower Exhibit – Surf City Library November 2023

Photos by Diane Macrides & Dianne Pleyn (click on images to enlarge)


Submitted by Dianne Pleyn from Widipedia – Mason Jar

A Mason jar, also known as a canning jar or fruit jar, is a glass jar used in home canning. It was named after American tinsmith John Landis Mason, who patented it in 1858. The jar’s mouth has a screw thread on its outer perimeter to accept a metal ring or “band”. The band, when screwed down, presses a separate stamped steel disc-shaped lid against the jar’s rim.

Mason lost his patent for the jars and numerous other companies started manufacturing similar jars. Over the years, the brand name Mason became the genericized trademark for that style of glass home canning jar, and the word “Mason” can be seen on many Ball and Kerr brand jars. The style of jar is occasionally referred to by common brand names such as Ball jar (in the eastern US) or Kerr jar (in the western US) even if the individual jar is not that brand.

In early 20th century American Mason jars became useful to those who lived in areas with short growing seasons. The jars became an essential part of farming culture, while being used at fairs to display jams and pickles for judging and awards. This was a reflection of the labor that went into making the jams. The jams, pickles, and sauces would be given and exchanged as gifts during the holidays as a canned preserved good was of much value. The peak use of Mason jars came during World War II, when the U.S. government rationed food, encouraging the public to grow their own. As migration to cities occurred, along with the rise of refrigerators, the more efficient transport of goods made fruits and vegetables available year-round, reducing the need for food preservation. Contemporary industrial preservation transitioned to the use of plastics like bakelite and nylon and billions of containers were produced instead.

In the early to mid-2010s a revival of the Mason jar occurred from a mix of the rise of thrifting and adoption by hipsters.  Used as a novelty by major corporations like 7-Eleven to advertise new drinks, for greenwashing being branded as zero waste consumer lifestyle, or as a trendy presentation for dessert. In a search for authenticity, commodification of Mason jars occurred leading to irony, as drinking out of canning jar highlighted overconsumption and lack of scarcity, the opposite of the designed intention of the jars. Its utility has been praised for use as a variety of household functional and decorative purposes; such as an oil lantern, soap dispenser, speaker or vase.

On August 15, 2017, the Registrar at National Day Calendar proclaimed National Mason Jar Day to be observed annually as a National Holiday on November 30th, beginning in 2017.

Library Arrangements  2023 

Photos: Dianne Pleyn (click on images to enlarge)