A California scrub jay asserts ownership of a suet bird feeder on Jan. 17, 2024.

Vivian Zikmund was up to her wrists in peanut butter, but she was quick to laugh about the sticky mess.

It is, after all, for the birds.

“When it gets cold, the birds will start hitting the suet cakes and pine cones,” she said, trying to stir the separated oil back into the natural peanut butter.

Nearby, Deb Zikmund was creating a similar mess by mixing up a concoction for homemade suet cakes full of birdseed, cracked corn and oats.

This bird-focused activity was part of the program for the Baker County Garden Club’s monthly meeting on Jan. 10 at the home of Judy Head.

And it was definitely a messy program — those gathered packed the suet cakes into plastic containers, and then slathered pine cones with peanut butter and rolled them in a pan full of birdseed.

Although the gardening season is fairly short in Baker County, this club meets year-round for activities, such as making feeders for birds, and to hear educational programs with guest speakers.

Membership is $5 per year, and the attendance varies from month to month.

“People pick and choose depending on the topic,” Sue Danielson said.

Meeting topics are planned a year in advance and published in a booklet for members.

Also, a committee calls members each month to remind them about the meetings, and the notice is published in the Baker City Herald.

The location varies by month — some are held in members homes or at Community Connection in Baker City, and others are at local plant nurseries where attendees enjoy lunch and have the chance to buy flowers or vegetables for their gardens and yards.

New members are always welcome — simply show up to a meeting.

The club gathers on the first Wednesday of each month. The next meeting is Feb. 7 at 10 a.m. at Community Connection, 2810 Cedar St. Lunch is $5.

Janice Cowan will talk about fire-resistant plants.

Other projects

In addition to monthly meetings, club members tend the Prowell Garden, a section along the Leo Adler Memorial Parkway near Campbell Street that was established by Barbara Prowell, who passed away in July 2023.

Also, the club has a fundraiser in August, which allows the organization to support other local groups.

The Baker County Garden Club meets on the first Wednesday of each month. New members are always welcome. Here is the schedule:

Feb. 7: 10 a.m., Community Connection, 2810 Cedar St., Baker City. Topic: fire-resistant plants presented by Janice Cowan. Lunch is $5.

March 6: 10:30 a.m., 995 J St., Baker City. Speaker is Janice Cowan. Bring a sack lunch.

April 3: 10 a.m., 35603 Manning Creek Road, Durkee. Topic: “Feed Your Soil” presented by Janice Cowan. Potluck lunch.

May 15: 10:30 a.m., Eagle Cap Nursery, 45328 Mother Load Road, Keating. Bring a lunch.

June 5: 10:30 a.m., 3710 Baker St., Baker City. Topic is native plants. Bring a lunch and chair.

July 5: 10 a.m., Community Connection, 2810 Cedar St. Identification of plant families, presented by Janice Cowan. Lunch is $5.

August: Annual garage sale; location and date to be announced.

Sept. 4: 10:30 a.m., Oregon Trail Nursery, 600 Elm St., Baker City. Lisa Constantine will be the speaker.

Oct. 2: 10:30 a.m., 13877 Red Fox Lane. Topic is garden crafts. Bring a potluck dish and chair.

Nov. 6: 10 a.m., Community Connection, 2810 Cedar St. Topic is Medicare Part D presented by Helen Loennig. Lunch is $5. Also, members will discuss ideas for 2025 programs.

Dec. 1: 11 a.m. Christmas luncheon; location to be announced.