When RaeAnna Christina Hopkins was a tiny little girl, she and her godmother, Christa Fair, talked about the things RaeAnna would do as she grew older: Go to school and to church, meet friends, learn to drive.

One very important “to-do” on the list — a Sweet Sixteen birthday party — occurred in February at Anniston’s Classic on Noble.

RaeAnna’s guests included her Donoho classmates; her parents, Robin and Ray Hopkins; grandparents, Norman Hammonds and Virginia Hopkins; and friends from near and far, including Hailey Bain and Kim Bain, plus Bette and Sid Bain from Lexington, Ky., now residing in Panama City, Fla.

The affair was a fashionable one, as colored lights, purple balloons and silver glitter danced with the semi-formal-attired young people to the music of D.J. Michael Vice. Guests enjoyed a delicious cake (iced with lavender frosting) as they helped their friend celebrate her memorable, milestone birthday.

Persephone Garden Club plant sale returns

Here’s your chance to buy local, support a good cause AND beautify your green spaces. The wildly popular, always excellent, here-once-a-year Persephone Garden Club plant sale is scheduled for April 15, 10 a.m.-2 p.m., at Anniston’s First Presbyterian Church. The usual spectacular array of plants, herbs and flowers will include knockout roses, hydrangeas (lace cap, oak leaf and snowflake), Kimberly ferns, hostas, geraniums, impatiens, lantana and beautiful “mixed pots” planted by Marilyn Blair of Swan Cottage.

Two ornamental urns, also planted by Marilyn Blair, could be yours if you purchase the winning raffle ticket ($2 each, or three for $5).

Light lunch — finger sandwiches, fruit, cookies, tea and coffee — will be served at no charge (apparently, Persephone means uber-talented and gracious, but I digress ...).

Persephone Club members who have dug right in (figuratively and literally) to make this year’s sale a success include Sandie Lawson, invitations; Lauren Ward and Marjorie De Mille, publicity; Wilma Brown, banners; Loretta Carnes, Glenda Phillips and June Gray, food; Judy Jennings, decorations; Elaine McDaniel and Linda McCloud, cashiers; Sandra Reid and Wilma Brown, staging; and Anne Reid, acquisition of plants and flowers.

Profits from the sale will be divided equally between Community Enabler and Meals of Mercy.

Bring yourself and your truck (or at least your wheelbarrow) to the sale and see what’s bloomin’.

To share your news with Small Talk, contact Annette Maddox at starsmalltalk@yahoo.com.