That many of these herbs can take the place of salt was just one of important facts that Donald Haynie divulged when he spoke recently at the Bayne Center on the campus of Historic Christ Church in Lancaster County.

“Twelve Culinary Herbs Everyone Should Grow and Use” was the title of Haynie’s program. “The quality of life can be much improved with just a few special herbs,” was his opening remark. He added, “there are herbs that make food taste delicious, herbs for landscape enchantment, decorative and medicinal uses. But today we will review a select group of culinary herbs that everyone can grow and look at simple ways to use them to add quality to life.”

Haynie began to go through the hows, whys, uses and wherefores of basil, fennel, lovage, mint, oregano, parsley, rosemary, sage, salad burnet, tarragon, thyme and winter savory. His audience immediately knew that this true southern gentleman, with his enthusiasm, love for and knowledge of...