Volume XII Edition III Winter 2013 Linda Ragland, Editor.

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1 Board Briefs A Newsletter from The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Board of Directors Volume XII Edition III Winter 2013 Linda Ragland, Editor. Dear Garden Club Friends, Realizing that you all get Garden Gateways and not wanting to bore you to death, I will try not to be repetitive. In reality, the article for Garden Gateways was due before some of the events had actually taken place. I'm sure you all must be aware of that. The tri-refresher sponsored by the Landscape Design Consultants Council was wonderful. We toured seven gardens, took a boat trip on the Augusta Canal, visited a recycling center and had interesting lectures. It was a time of learning and fellowship. Congratulations to Chairman Judy Kirkland, VP of the LDC Council, for a job well done. Next in October came the seven District meetings. Those of us who attended all seven truly saw many miles of our great state. We traveled from Rome to Jekyll Island, Valdosta to Columbus, Atlanta and Stone Mountain to Augusta. Fortunately we did it in a much more travel friendly way! Each of the Districts is unique, but it is clear that each of them is full of members who are working hard to promote the missions and projects of GCG, DSR, and NGC. That's what makes us so respected in so many circles. It is such an honor and pleasure to represent The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. throughout Georgia. The end of October, the first course of Gardening Study School was held in Plains. Rebecca McNeil and Faye Frazier chaired this school and it was outstanding. I learned a lot about peanuts - not on the agenda but most educational. The speakers were very interesting. All of us enjoyed the hands-on workshop on the second day and we all left with plants that we are propagating in different ways. We have blackberry lily seeds, jade plant leaves, sweet flag divisions, mixed seeds to plant next spring, and fern divisions. It was a fun afternoon! Another added bonus was that the speakers were all enthusiastic, young, and cute. The first of November, 27 of us attended the first course of Environmental Studies School in Valdosta. It was chaired by Vickie Elliott locally and Renie Faulkenberry, State Chairman.

2 Although it was the third time I had attended an ESS Course I, I learned so many new things. All instructors bring their own expertise and life experiences to the lectures and there is so much to learn. I heard a great sentence on TV today - "We don't know what we don't know." Come to one of these schools and you'll find out some of what you don't know. The field trip to Lake Louise was fun and most of us did see part of one animal - the eyes of an alligator as it lurked in the middle of the lake. Gardening Study School will be held as follows: Course II - February 25-27, 2014 Course III - April 22-24, 2014 Course IV - June 24-28, 2014 Environmental Study School will be held by this schedule: Course II - June 2-3, 2014 in Valdosta Course III - November 3-4, 2014 Course IV - March 17-18, 2015 Please try to fit these courses into your busy schedules! I hope that many of you are signing up with the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail. The founder of this trail contacted me yesterday and said that she is going to identify the GCG members as members of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. This is a real opportunity for our organizational name to be put before the public, not just our initials. So, when you sign up, put your first name, last initial, town, and state, and then identify yourself as a member of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Please pass this opportunity on to your club members who may not be on the Board Briefs list server. As we enter this Holiday Season, please be safe. Enjoy your families and your heritage. Thank you for all you give of yourselves to The Garden Club of Georgia. May 2014 meet all of your expectations, and may you and your family be blessed. Suzanne Environmental Studies School in Valdosta The Camellia District of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., is sponsoring an Environmental Studies School (ESS) with courses to be held in Valdosta and Tifton, according to Virginia Pennington, Course Chairman. The course is open to both National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC) members and non-members. Course 2, to be held in Valdosta on June 2 nd and 3 rd, 2014, at the VSU Regional Center for Continuing Education The Environmental Studies School consists of four two-day courses. Each course consists of eight one-hour classroom units and a two-hour natural site field trip. Although the four courses form the ESS as a whole, they each stand alone, and participants may take any or all of them as desired. However, Certificates of Completion (for non-members) and Environmental Consultant status (for NGC members) require completion of all courses and respective tests.courses III and IV will be held in Tifton in the fall of 2014 and spring of 2015, respectively.

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4 DISTRICTS DIG YOUTH! Youth CLUBS is a Special Project of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Youth Garden Clubs Checklist You re back with your clubs and having lots of fun Send me your info and we ll share what you ve done. A quick write up or story with a photo is great Via or U.S. Post, it s never too late! Your Dues should be current; If not it s OK, write out a check and mail me today. $3.00 for Junior s; $5.00 for each High School club What a steal - in 2013 it s still a great deal! Youth Standard of Excellence Form Only takes a short time to complete; Find it on our website for your Youth Garden Club Achievement Certificate. Thank you for sharing your time with our Youth. I find myself amazed, to tell you the truth. As we plant the seeds, our children reap what you sow And Scatter Joy as they Bloom & Grow All forms are available on our GCG website. Please call or if I may answer any questions about Youth Garden Clubs, programs or GCG Youth Sponsored Projects. I will love to hear from you! SCATTER JOY AS Districts DIG YOUTH! Susan Turner GCG Youth Garden Clubs Chairman & Youth Team Coordinator 3380 Glencree, NW Conyers, GA glencree@bellsouth.net

5 DISTRICT S DIG YOUTH! Youth is a Special Project of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Those of you in attendance at the Laurel District Annual Meeting enjoyed a wonderful program shared by The Laurels of Light Youth Team Leader, June Harrison. She has developed a method to help you form a Youth Garden Club from the ground up. We are so appreciative to June for her time and talents in this concept to help us in a new way to reach out to our young people in Georgia. Thank you, June for sharing this with us all! STepS TO STaRTInG YOUR JUnIOR GaRDen ClUb June Harrison Laurel District Youth Chairman Garden Club of Ellijay 85 Blackberry Ridge Ellijay, GA Home: (706) Mobile: (404) june.harrison2@bellsouth.net So, the question is- WHY start a Junior Garden Club? It is vital that we teach our youth to protect and conserve our natural resources on this planet. They are the future caregivers of our air, water, forest, land and wildlife. In The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. we want to take that responsibility seriously. And this, as you know, is the mission/directive from Suzanne, our GCG President. Let s go over a few steps to starting your club. First step is to talk to your garden club at a regular meeting. Get on the AGENDA. Then decide on whether you want to sponsor a Junior, Intermediate or High School Youth Club. Our club is composed of 8 & 9 year olds, so we are a Junior &/Intermediate category. Decide the best school, church, scout troop, community center or other resource for finding those children for your club. Then work with them to get permission for the selected children to become a garden clubsponsored Youth Club. Name your new club. Ours is called God s Gardeners. Arrange the location, dates and time for the Youth Club meetings. Most importantly- get your Youth Committee formed at your garden club. I have a few MGs, a Master Naturalist, some retired teachers, and just regular members like myself who thought it would be fun to work with kids. Every year we have an organizational meeting- a luncheon for our Youth Committee. Our President is in attendance. We prepare the calendar of activities for the year. Our club is now doing 7 Youth meetings per year, but 5 are required. I provide a sign-up sheet for my committee to decide which activities they want to co-teach with another team member on that date.

6 This does a couple of things: 1.) You want to give the team the experience of researching the info, gathering materials, and planning how the activity will be done. 2.) And you want to mentor new talent for a new Youth Chairman to follow you. Very important that you register your youth club with the GCG by completing the Youth Clubs Registration form you can access on line due annually Dec. 1 st Keep regular communication with your Youth Committee. I use . Communicate with the school or place where you conduct Youth meetings- or call the teachers or the contact. Especially report your youth events to your garden club at the monthly meetings. If you need materials to make Christmas wreaths, or items for a Fairy Garden, or containers perhaps ---- Members really support our club because we keep them informed of our needs and let them know our appreciation after the success of the activity. We are all here to help each other to work with our young people. They are our future leaders and our future Garden Club members! Here are more tips once you have formed your youth club. Youth Garden Clubs Scatter Joy as children Bloom & Grow! Sponsoring a Youth Garden Club may be easier than you think! Here are a few ways to begin and program ideas to help you get started: Steps to Get Going~ Work with an existing group such as a Scout Troop or Pack, school group, 4H Club, County Extension Coordinator or a class at your place of worship. Meeting requirement minimum is only 5 times per year. Be sure to apply for a GCG Youth Standard of Excellence Certificate. A Youth Club Registration Form and all youth forms & information may be found in this issue and on the GCG website@ wwwgardenclub.uga.edu ~A Few Program Ideas May Include~ Flower designs; start simple with a line design. Participate in a local Standard Flower Show or County Fair.

7 Environmental concerns such as air quality, conserving water, litter & recycling. Have a discussion with artwork or a craft (rain sticks are fun!). Sponsor a neighborhood or school clean-up. Annual NGC Youth Poetry Contest Contest theme is: Protecting & Conserving Our Natural Resources. NGC High School Essay Contest Theme is: Today s Choices Affect Tomorrow s World Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl Poster Contest. Create Holiday or Seasonal décor using fresh plant material found in the garden. Fresh, dried or a combination is easily obtained. Herb Program ~Bird Program ~ Container Gardening A Garden Therapy activity within your community is so appreciated. GCG*GCG*GC Wild & Wonderful Experience The 7 th Annual Wild & Wonderful Experience camp at Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center in Mansfield will be July 13 15, Children preparing to enter 5 th or 6 th Grades can join us to camp and enjoy hiking and learning Native American lore, fishing, a stream study, visiting with endangered species, container gardening, collage natural materials designs, painting bird houses & studies, astronomy and much more gave new understanding to nature and the world around us. We are thankful for the support of the Wild & Wonderful Experience camp and hope they will continue to share this mission with children in your lives. Remember, the date is July 13-15, 2014; mark your calendar and we ll see you at camp! Molly Kimler Susan Turner GCG Youth Team GCG 2nd VP & Youth Team Coordinator W&WE Chairman W&WE Co-Chairman Youth Sculpture is due Jan. 1 st Send to: Molly Kimler, 555 West Hightower Trail Social Circle Ph The Purpose as outlined in the GCG GUIDE (on-line) is: To encourage youth to keep our planet green and to get involved with saving the environment. This contest is open to children in grades 4 through 8. The sculpture is limited to a size that would fit onto an 8 ½ inch x 11 inch sheet of paper and must consist of recyclable, reused and reduced materials. What a great youth club program for creating a Holiday Design and then submitting a photo for the contest! GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GC

8 AZALEA DISTRICT

9 District Calendar Chairmen no longer have a supply of 2014 Calendars. However, there is still time to order your club s 2014 GCG Calendars from me and have them in the member s hands before January 1, Send your order to: MARY DENNEY 500 HAYNIE ROAD MORELAND, GA DO IT NOW!!

10 The R.T. Jones Memorial Library conducted a children s class Wednesday morning to make butterfly gardens. Above: Ashley Cortes, 9, and Christopher Cortes, 11, children of Tina Cortes of Canton, work on adding plants to their gardens. Laurel District s Laurel Garden Club was recognized in the Woodstock Cherokee Tribune for a class several Laurel Garden Club members did in the Children's Section of the R.T. Jones Library in Canton during the summer of All aflutter! Left: Class instructor Ruth Burgess of the Laurel Garden Club fills a tray with soil for Logan Dean, 11, son of Liz and Josh Dean of Canton. Above: Nathan Sardonia, 7, son of Dan Sardonia of Free Home, adds flowers and parsley to his butterfly garden. Submitted by Mary Ellen Roos Laurel Garden Club

11 Laurel District Magnolia Garden Club The Civic and Public Areas Improvement Committee of the Magnolia Garden Club, Laurel District has planted "Pink Pots' at the entrance to the Hope Center, the local cancer treatment facility in Cartersville, celebrating October as National Breast Cancer Awareness month. Mary Siniard is chairman of this committee and Magnolia members and Breast Cancer Survivors are pictured left to right: Sue Tucker, Sandra McMillan, Ms. Siniard, Wanda Hicks and Marlene Henderson Magnolia Magnificent Market Shoppers, Carol Ann Roberts and Laura Lindler are being served hot tea and cookies at the Magnolia Magnificent Market held Friday November 8 at the Stiles Auditorium..Some of the fund raiser committee are shown, third from left, Judy Borkowsky, Sandra McMillan, Marlene Henderson, Flo Lundee, Beth Cooper, and members, Hazel Stephenson and Matha Gilstrap. The community was very supportive of the annual fund raiser and the proceeds will be used by the club for various projects such as education and beautification around the Bartow County/Cartersville area. Raffle tickets for the quilt and gift basket will be available until Dec. 13 and will be drawn at the Christmas Luncheon where the members will also bring toys for the Bartow area needy children. Tickets can be bought from any of the members. You may also contact Noel' Parro, Market Chairman at

12 LECONTE WOODMANSTON PARTICIPATION Please promote the Garden Club of Georgia's on-going support of the LeConte Woodmanston Foundation, by reminding all clubs to submit their donations for at least their minimum Club membership for this year. Their donations of $25 (or more) should be sent directly to: LeConte Woodmanston Foundation P.O. Box 179 Midway, Ga Certificates for participation will be awarded later this year. Thank you. Beverly Nash GCG Board Chairman--LeConte Woodmanston Note: In March of 2014 the annual Southern Garden History Conference will be held in the Savannah area. Members of the society will visit LeConte- Woodmanston as part of their "Day on Rice Plantations". Read more about the Southern Garden History Society.

13 Roadside Beautification Kathryn Litton, Chairman This is a reminder for all clubs to allocate money in their budgets for a donation to the Roadside Beautification Fund. For those who donate $25 or more, a certificate of recognition will be presented at the appropriate time. Budget cutbacks in funding for Highway Beautification in our state highway program make it even more important to give as much as we can to help keep our major highways and interstates beautiful. Many clubs are making donations as a memorial to a beloved garden club member who has passed on. This is a wonderful way to recognize the contribution that has been made by that person to the club. Notes of recognition will be sent to the family members when proper addresses are included with the donation. The donations are accumulated into a special restricted fund in Garden Club of Georgia, then when a sizeable amount is obtained this money is then presented to the Georgia Department of Transportation for their special restricted fund that is only used to plant daffodils and flowers along the major highways. Travelers from all over the nation who use our roads then get to enjoy the beauty that Georgia has to offer. Give generously to this fund; use the proper forms that are available on the GCG website, and send the money to the state treasurer with proper identification. THANKS FOR YOUR HELP

14 Where to Send Your GCG Donations,

15 Pull and Save Tabs for Ronald McDonald House Ronald McDonald Houses are Homes Away from Home for many families that have seriously ill or injured children receiving treatments in a nearby hospital. These homes provide beds, food, a place to do laundry, rest and be with other families in a similar situation, but most important to be near their child. All tabs are taken to the Ronald McDonald Houses or recycle centers in each district. Money collected is used toward items needed to make quests comfortable. Please continue to support this Special Project Be sure to put your Club's Name, Town & District on your containers. Listed below are the district Chairman's name, & phone number. If you need any further information or help, please contact your district Chairman or Betty Davis, State Chairman, Phone , bettyboop2315@yahoo.com. Thank you, Colette Tabs (photo) District Name Phone Azalea Rachel Tribble rachaeltribble@att.net Camellia Naomi Gerson gers4177@bellsouth.net Dogwood Nola Hawkinson nolaannh@comcast.net Laurel John Barnett, ThD drb9565@aol.com Magnolia Anne Brock briarwod@windstream.net Oleander Joni Thompson jjthompson@planters.net Redbud Celeste Williams celeste333@gmail.com GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GC

16 GCG STATE DEEP SOUTH REGION AND NATIONAL LIFE MEMBERS Giving someone a Life Membership in the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. provides an excellent means of honoring those who have made valuable contributions to your garden club, council or district. STATE LIFE MEMBERSHIP is $100.00, Deep South Region is $50.00 and National Life IS $ Benefits are many and your donation supports a most worthwhile cause. State memberships fund our GCG scholarships. It is tax deductible. The person s name will be recorded in the permanent Life Members book displayed at State Headquarters in Athens. The person s name will be published in GARDEN GATEWAYS and he/she will receive a subscription, for one year, regardless of garden club status. Recognition at State Convention is also customary. Deep South Life Memberships support the Deep South Scholarship fund. If you wish to become a Life Member, or wish to gift a membership to someone else, kindly use the application form below. Complete the application and mail with a check to Bess Hartley. Questions: bhartley@windstream.net or telephone: State, Deep South and/or National Life Membership Application Name of Applicant Address City, State, Zip Garden Club # District: Honored by: State Life $100. Make Check Payable to: The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Deep South Region Life $50 Make Check Payable to: Deep South Region National Life $200. Make Check Payable to: National Garden Clubs, Inc. Mail check with the above application form to: Bess Hartley 250 Cotton Hill Road Fort Gaines, GA 39851

17 HAPPY BIRTHDAY FOUNDERS MEMORIAL GARDEN! You are cordially invited To attend a Black & White Ball to be held in the Founders Memorial Garden in Athens, Georgia on May 15, Please send your check in the amount of $300 per couple payable to: University of Georgia Foundation FMG Gala And mail to: Stephanie Crockatt 7 Bishop House 285 S. Jackson Street Athens, Georgia 30602

18 Dear GCG Members, I recently sent out information that there is a Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail. Realizing that butterflies are losing habitat and wanting to help the plight of the butterflies, Mrs. Carter established a butterfly garden at her home in Plains. In April 2013, Annette Wise with the Georgia Department of Education established the Trail. Please go to for more information Anyone who has a butterfly garden may join the trail. When you sign up, it asks that private gardens put a first name and a last initial. I am asking that members of GCG put their first name and, rather than a last name initial, put GCG. In other words, mine would be Suzanne GCG. I have included the sign-up form below to copy and paste with your information into an to plainsed@jimmycarter.info As many of you know, Mrs. Carter is an Honorary State Life Member of GCG. The Winter Board of Directors Meeting of GCG is going to be held in Americus. I am extending an invitation to President and Mrs. Carter to join us for dinner on Wednesday, January 15, Wouldn't it be wonderful to tell her that many members of The Garden Club of Georgia had joined her butterfly trail! Please join me in supporting Mrs. Carter, Linda Nelson (our NGC President who is encouraging gardens to attract pollinators), and our environment by joining the Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail. Please support GCG by indicating you are a GCG member when you sign up. Thank you for your participation. Suzanne Wheeler, President The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GCG*GC Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail The butterfly trail in Plains began due to Mrs. Carter s desire to bring awareness to conserving butterflies, their habitats and for her love of nature. There are 8 public butterfly gardens located in Plains. We hope you will visit Plains and follow the butterfly trail! If you would like to join our trail, please complete the following information. The only information that will be posted will be your name (suggested first name or initials) and the city/state. Joining the trail indicates that you are providing nectar plants (flowers) as a butterfly food source and host plants such as milkweed or parsley on which butterflies lay their eggs. Name (First Name + GCG) City State Please this information to plainsed@jimmycarter.info. In the subject of the , please put Private Butterfly Garden Trail or School Butterfly Garden Trail.

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20 GIVE A GIFT OF A SCHOLARSHIP Dot Williams, Scholarship Chairman This is the time of year to remember those we love by giving a gift. What better way to remember or honor someone special in your life, your club, council or district than with a gift of a scholarship? This will not only help a young, bright, gifted student obtain an education but will also enable GCG to fulfill its mission of education. The time to donate is NOW! The Scholarship Committee will meet in March to award scholarships to deserving students. The number of students who can receive a scholarship is directly related to your gifts. If you are planning on donating to the scholarship fund for this year, please do so by the end of February. Named Scholarships are donations of $1, to the General Scholarship Fund and can be sent to Dot Williams, 6521 Rivoli Drive, Macon, GA ( ) or at dwilliams@imediagroup.biz for additional information. Named Scholarships are published in the Expressions engagement calendar, the Garden Gateways and are preserved in the archives at state headquarters. A Patron of Scholarship represents a $ donation to the Scholarship Fund. Certificates of Appreciation are given at the Annual District Meetings and published in the Garden Gateways. These $ donations as well as any donations, large or small, can be sent to Assistant Treasurer, Clare Jenkins, 495 Hunters Ridge, Coleman, GA 39836, or clarejenkins@yahoo.com. The funds from the sale of the Expressions engagement calendars go to the Scholarship Fund. They make wonderful holiday gifts. You can gift a friend while, at the same time, fund a scholarship. A gift of an education is probably one of the most meaningful of all gifts and will impact a student s future forever. It is the gift that will keep on giving throughout a student s life. Legacies live on in scholarships. Will you, your club, your district give a gift of a scholarship to a student who needs your help? THANK YOU FOR YOUR PRECIOUS GIFTS TO OUR YOUTH

21 Arboreta, Botanic and Memorial Gardens Please encourage your club members to support the Arboreta, Botanical and Memorial Gardens. Donations of $10.00 or more, if received by March 1 st, 2014, will receive a certificate at the Garden Club of Georgia State Convention. Include club name and number, district name, club president s name and complete address. Gifts in honor and memorials are encouraged. Please send name and address of person being honored or memorialized and name and address of family or person to receive acknowledgement card. If you desire an individual or club membership to the State Botanical Garden, send a check for $20 payable to Friends of the State Botanical Garden. Make sure you include a form (Where to Send Your GCG Donations, ) with your clubs name and address, President s name, address, and a telephone number. (see below) Thank you for supporting our gardens. Ruthellen Anderson Laurel District Arboreta & Botanical Gardens Chairman Garden Club of Georgia Garden Club Club# District President: Phone: Treasurer: Phone: Check # Donations to the following GCG programs may be sent to the State Treasurer Make check payable to Garden Club of Georgia and mail to: Brenda Griner, GCG Treasurer 244 Satilla Drive Brunswick, Georgia if making donation Description Amount $ Arboreta/Botanical and Memorial Gardens- For Certificate of Appreciation, send $10.00 or more by March 1. $.00 donation for the State Botanical Garden in Athens $.00 for the Atlanta Botanical Gardens $.00 for Other Garden - list Cherokee Garden Library: For Cert. of Appreciation, send $25 or more prior to March 1. Founder s Memorial Garden: A certificate will be issued for clubs sending $25 or more prior to March 1.

22 Atlanta Botanical Garden Botanical Gardens in Georgia 1345 Piedmont Avenue NE, Atlanta *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Augusta Botanical Gardens (formerly the Georgia Golf Hall of Fame Botanical Gardens) Downtown Augusta *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Barnsley Gardens 597 Barnsley Garden Rd, Adairsville *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Callaway Gardens Highway 27, Pine Mountain **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Chatham County Garden Center 1388 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Coastal Georgia Botanical Gardens at Historic Bamboo Farm 2 Canebrake Road, Savannah **************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Columbus Botanical Garden Columbus Technical College c/omr. Bob Jones 928 Manchester Expressway Columbus *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Fred Hamilton Rhododendron Garden 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Garden State Research and Education Garden 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Georgia Perimeter College Botanical Garden 3251 Panthersville Road, Decatur *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Georgia Southern Botanical Garden 1505 Bland Avenue, Statesboro *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Masse Lane Gardens (American Camellia Society) Masse Lane, Fort Valley *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** State Botanical Garden of Georgia 2450 South Milledge Avenue, Athens *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Vines Botanical Gardens 3500 Oak Grove Road, Loganville *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Waddell Barnes Botanical Gardens Macon State College 100 College Station Drive, Macon *************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************** Arboretums in Georgia Coastal Plain Research Center P.O. Box 748, Tifton Lockerly Arboretum 1534 Irwinton Road, Milledgeville Thompson Mills Forest 8755 Highway 53, Braselton UGA Campus Arboretum Athens

23 Ball Ground Garden Club Visits Cox Arboretum Cox Arboretum & Gardens *Tour reservations required & donation of $8.00 per person requested* 1621 North Lake Drive Canton, Georgia Telephone: Some of the members of the Ball Ground (Anetsa Ga-Da) Garden Club recently enjoyed a very informative and beautiful walking tour of Cox Arboretum in Canton, GA. The arboretum is owned by Mr. Tom Cox, and covers 14 acres. Tom gave us a 3 hour walking tour. He is an expert on Conifers and Ginkgo trees. It is so beautiful, the colors were magnificent...many, many maples, conifers, ginkgo and much, much more! He wrote the book "Landscaping with Conifers and Ginkgo" We'll be going back! We had a great time! Pictured L-R: Diane Smith (MG), Mr. Cox, Marie Nordeste, Beverly Poag (MG). Not pictured: Evelyn Foster. Diane Smith is pictured in front of a Juniperus Formosana. Formosana means "beautiful" in latin; A multistemmed species, it's spreading branches and pendulous branchlets create a fountain effect in the landscape. One of the best forms of any weeping juniper, and native of Taiwan. (See Page 136 from the above book written by Tom Cox and John M. Ruter). Tom Cox Submitted by Evelyn Foster, Publicity ChairmanLinda, I thought of

24 Historic Landscape and Garden Grant In this issue: - Partner Spotlight: The Garden Club of Georgia Partner Spotlight: The Garden Club of Georgia By Marcy Breffle, Outreach Program Assistant This month we feature our partnership with the Garden Club of Georgia (GCG), a non-profit organization of green-thumbed preservationists who seek to promote awareness of historic landscapes and gardens across the state. Founded in 1928, the Athens-based organization boasts over 12,000 members and 420 individual garden clubs. A board of directors oversees the GCG's seven geographic districts, appropriately named after favorites like the azalea and magnolia tree. The GCG offers a variety of programs, including flower shows, youth clubs, beautification projects, and grant programs. One GCG initiative is the Historic Landscape and Gardens Grant. The grant is made possible through a partnership between GCG, HPD, the National Park Service (NPS), the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and the Cherokee Garden Library at the Atlanta History Center. It provides funding in the form of 50/50 matching grants, worth up to $3,000 each. Eligible projects include landscape restoration, cultural landscape reports, and restoration plan development. Since 1998, GCG has sought

25 to raise awareness of historic landscapes and gardens, as well as nurture partnerships between organizations across the state. This year, the grant committee awarded funding for nine projects, including two grants to Certified Local Governments (CLGs). In Athens, the Friends of the Oconee Hill Cemetery received grant money for tree removal. The N. Alexander School in Washington will produce a master landscape plan with GCG funds. The grant committee is co-chaired by Joy Vannerson and Julie Groce, and includes HPD's own tax incentives and grants coordinator, Carole Moore. In regards to the partnership between HPD and the GCG grant program, Moore says, "This is an important partnership to maintain because the organizations can inform and complement each other as they seek to recognize and preserve Georgia's historic landscapes and gardens. We are fortunate that the GCG offers this grant program for Georgia's open-to-the public gardens and that HPD is invited to serve on and offer a preservation perspective to the grant committee." For more information on the Garden Club of Georgia and the Historic Landscapes and Gardens Grant program, please visit For More Information:

26 GCG Special Projects The Membership Connection "We are the Link to Membership" Active Membership is the key! Two new programs: What is This Thing Called Garden Club? This special project is a membership and development program. It is a power point presentation for the orientation of new and prospective members. To scatter this information, we are asking the garden club Councils in the state to sponsor it. We encourage each council to form one new club of 15 members. Suzanne Wheeler, State President has gracious offered to come and present the program. Contact Suzanne directly for a scheduled time. Each District Director has a CD of the program along with the dialogue to be used in their district. As we Scatter the Joy, may we Scatter this Information As We Bloom and Grow new members! Retention: Keep the old with well-planned Meetings- Start and end the meeting as Scheduled Keep Business Brief Have short Reports Have a great Program-share the joy of what you learned or experienced Have worthy projects for community and environment Have cordial Friendly Social Time Spread the joy of the fun you are having in Garden Club! New Member Pins It has come to our attention that the best laid plans can go amiss and to prevent this and any new member falling through the cracks, we have a new distribution plan for pins. Currently each new member is sent a welcome letter from Suzanne, our State President upon joining. We would like to add the pin in this letter. We feel it is timely to the new members joining GCG. Bonnie Nash our Business Manager at state headquarters will do this; send the pin with the letter. Since the last district meeting of Oct 23rd in Azalea District, we have had 22 new members join. I have sent Bonnie the remaining pins that I had. With this distribution plan, she will send the letter and pin at the end of each month to new members. She will also know when to place an order for more pins. At the 2014 District Meeting, we will continue to congratulate the clubs on their increase in membership as we did this year. At this Thanksgiving Holiday, I am grateful to have such a receptive team of ladies to work with on GCG Membership. I wish each of you a joyous holiday and Christmas Season! I will be away from the computer as I will be with my grandchildren In Tennessee from Nov 22 -Jan 1, If you need assistance during that time call me on my cell at Virginia Pennington 4th Vice Pres. Membership Development

27 MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT I am excited that you are joining with me to invite a prospective member to garden club You are invited to: Garden Club: Date: Place: Address: Program: Time: Please fill out, cut out and give out this invitation to a future member. Garden Club Membership is on the increase!! Virginia Pennington Membership Chairman 4 th Vice President The Garden Club of Georgia

28 NGC GARDENING STUDY SCHOOL MAGNOLIA DISTRICT The NGC Gardening Study Courses are designed to provide information on topics of interest to those especially interested in gardening, horticulture and related topics. The program consists of a series of four courses, held about six months apart, scheduled usually for two days of instruction, followed by a general examination on the morning of the third day. Topics include basic botany, soils, growing annuals, perennials, trees and shrubs, fruits and vegetables, lawns, pests and diseases of plants, plant classification, pruning and selected topics of local interest The first session of the NGC Gardening Study School was held at the Plains Research and Education Center in Plains, GA on October 29, 30, and 31, This Gardening Study School is sponsored by the Magnolia District and is being organized and directed by GCG Chair of Gardening Study Schools, Rebecca McNeill and co-chair Faye Frazier. Instructors for this session were Laurie Felton, Stan Jones, Mark Collier, and Bill Starr. Ms. Felton is a professor of Botany at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Tifton. Mr. Jones is Director of the Plains Research and Education Center and a specialist in Soils. Mr. Collier is an instructor of Horticulture at South Georgia Technical College in Americus. Mr. Starr is the Sumter County Extension Agent. All gave interesting and informative presentations, encouraging questions both during class and during breaks. Hands-on activities varied by class topic but all were well-designed to illustrate the ideas presented in the lectures. During Ms. Felton's Botany class students were able to see the structure of flowers and grains of pollen on the flowers through electron microscopes. Mr. Jones showed examples of soils by types and discussed soil acidity and fertilizer needs. Mr. Starr talked about plant propagation and demonstrated seed scarification as well as offering hands-on activities in different propagation techniques. Mr. Collier discussed caring for house plants during the winter, emphasizing the contrast between the light and water requirements for those grown indoors and those grown outdoors. Students were offered the opportunity to plant bulbs and other plant cuttings in containers to take home. Students enjoyed learning in class and from each other's gardening experiences. Session II of Gardening Study School will be offered in Plains on February 25, 26, and 27, Lawn care and camellia propagation techniques will be among the topics discussed. Cost for this session is $50 with certification test and $45 with no certification test. The group photo is most of us who were at the Gardening Study Course. front row, Frances Ambrose, Vivian toney, Janice Cliett, Dollie Harper. 2nd row, Jackie Fulmer, Sylvia Roland, Sylvia Eubanks, Carolyn Walker, Willie Maxwell, Suzanne Wheeler, and Jeannie Stanfield. At the back are Elaine Henderson and Phyllis Argo. For registration information contact Rebecca McNeill, rrdmcneill@live.com or Faye Frazier, ffrazier@sowega.net.

29 The DeKalb Federation of Garden Clubs has a yearly event, the Leading Lights Luncheon, which gives the opportunity to raise funds, specifically for expenses associated with being an integral part of Callanwolde. This year the fund-raiser is earmarked for the restoration of the Conservatory, the former glass green-house attached to the Dekalb Federation offices at Callanwolde. Always a wonderful time, the luncheon includes a fashion show, favorite dishes from previous years, and an auction. The afternoon includes Bingo, and shopping with the multiple vendors who have set up for the day. Shopping options included jewelry, holiday gifts, specialty items such as chocolates, and sweet music from the piano as the participants chatted, shopped and played their cards. Always held in November, mark your calendars for next year, when it will be held on November 20, Emily Wilbert Redbud District Director Garden Club Day at Christmas at Callanwolde December 10:00 am - 4:00 pm Self-guided tour of the Mansion decorated by Atlanta s top interior and floral designers Group sales of 20 or more: Call Tickets may be purchased online or at the door. Callanwolde Fine Arts Center and the DeKalb County Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., welcome all area garden clubs to Christmas at Callanwolde for a special Garden Club Day. Garden clubs will be treated to the always spectacular holiday displays at the house with additional events planned to focus on floral design both big and small. Events include: 10:30 am 11:30 am Holiday Flowers European Style Laura Iarocci of Faith Flowers demonstrates Holiday Floral Designs European Style influenced by her annual European flower tour. (included with general admission) 12:30 pm 2:00 pm Holiday Centerpiece Workshop by Faith Flowers Create a floral centerpiece for your holiday table with floating candles. $75 includes all materials and entry to Christmas at Callanwolde. Purchase ticket for this event HERE. 1:00 pm Lecture: Marcia Weber of Gardens to Love (included with general admission) 2:00 pm Lecture: Ramoa Hemmings, Senior Horticulturist at the Atlanta Botanical Garden (included with general admission)

30 Azalea District The Azalea District has been busy with their Annual Meeting that was held at the new KROC Center in Augusta. What a beautiful place to hold a meeting such as this! Our meeting was well attended and enjoyed by all that were able to attend. We had a total of 186 registered. The Augusta Clubs did an outstanding job on the beautiful molded leaves that they made as center pieces for the tables and to sell in the Country Store. They were different shapes and sizes and then the members painted them in various colors. They were a hit and can be used for arrangements in the future. Also, Azalea District has for sale the large Insulated Tote Bags. These also were a hit at the District meeting. We have now placed our second order of the bags. We re trying to do our part in keeping our state clean. Azalea District also placed first in the Ronald McDonald Pull-A Tabs Project for this past year and members are still pulling for this project. Many of our clubs are finding local nursing homes, hospitals, etc. in order to contribute their Garden Therapy items. Magnolia Garden Club of Madison has just recently completed a new Laughin Place Garden at the library in Madison and they received a 2013 Evergreen Award for Public Places from the Greenspace Commission in Madison. Congratulations to Magnolia Garden Club. We can all make a difference by Learning and Growing Together-In Life s Garden Our club, Pine Tree, Hartwell, just had a fundraiser. We have an auction and made around $ All members bring items and we have a guest auctioneer. It is a lot of fun and we always raise around $ to $ Peggy Tucker Azalea District Director NOTICE: Please mark your calendars: Azalea District Board Meeting in Hartwell on February 18th.

31 Community on My Mind/ Civic Improvement From: Sherle Beck, Community on My Mind, Civic Improvement Chairman It s a grant not a loan!! When I was chairman before I had unlimited money to give away, well within reason. Then they, whoever they is, cut my funds to $2,000. Either 10 $ loans or more depending on the amount requested. I ve had four (4) requests! Is anybody in the state doing any project that The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. can help with? The form is simple, self-explanatory and y all may need a few extra dollars. Please let me know. Oh and apply for the Civic Improvement and Holiday Decorations Awards Community On My Mind Program In 2005, the Community On My Mind Program was established with monies provided by the Georgia Power Foundation to help and encourage local garden clubs and councils to implement civic improvement projects which provide public benefit. These could be any project which beautifies or conserves in a community setting, and benefits citizens of that community. Projects which benefit only private entities or private institutions are ineligible for grants. Please see the Community On My Mind packet (PDF) (MS Word) for this year's guidelines and application information. Garden Clubs or Councils may apply for a $200 matching grant for qualifying projects. As of July 2013, there have been more than 135 projects that have been approved to receive the COMM grant resulting in more than $26,000 that local clubs or councils have used to beautiful their communities. The GCG garden clubs and councils are urged to continue to apply for the COMM grant until the funds are depleted. While matching funds may come from the treasury of a club or council, applicants are urged to seek matching funds from other non profit service organizations and community groups, thereby spreading awareness of garden club work. Questions about this grant program should be directed to: Sherle Beck Remember, applications must be accompanied by a Proposed/Completed Project Civic Improvement Chair Financial Statement, including proof of other matching grants, or donations of 150 Plum Nellie Lane goods/services. Everything is included in the packet of information. Brunswick, GA / sherlecbeck@gmail.com

32 DATE REGISTER December 9-10 Awards Committee, Perry Welcome Center, Perry January 14 F & E January State Board Meeting, Americus January 23 North Georgia Native Plant Symposium, Athens January 28 Camellia District Board Meeting. Tifton February 4 Azalea District Executive Board, Athens February 20 Awards Committee, Perry Welcome Center, Perry February Gardening Study School - Plains February 18 Azalea District Board Meeting, Hartwell March 5 Scholarship Committee, Headquarters, Athens March 6 Budget Committee, Headquarters, Athens March 27 - South Georgia Native Plant and Wildflower Symposium, Tifton April DSR Convention, St. Petersburg, FL April 16 - Investment Committee Meeting April Gardening Study School, Plains April 30-May 4 - NGC Convention, Oklahoma May 13 - F&E, Macon May GCG Convention, Macon June 2 & 3 Environmental Studies School, Valdosta June 3 Awards Committee, Perry Welcome Center, Perry June Gardening Study School, Plains August 5 Azalea District Executive Board, Athens August 19 Azalea District Board Meeting, Athens August 26 Camellia District Board Meeting, Dublin September 16 F&E September State Board Meeting, Little Ocmulgee State Park September NGC Fall Board Meeting, Des Moines, IA October 8 Camellia District Meeting, Tifton October 9 Magnolia District Meeting, Americus October 14 Laurel District Meeting, Canton October 15 - Dogwood District Meeting, Atlanta October 16 Redbud District Meeting, October 21 Oleander District Meeting, Richmond Hill October 22 Azalea District Meeting, Milledgeville November 3 & 4 Environmental Studies School, Tifton December 9-10 Awards Committee, Perry Welcome Center, Perry January 13 F&E January State Board Meeting, Rome January 22 North Georgia Native Plant Symposium - Athens January 27 Camellia District Board Meeting, Valdosta February 3 Azalea District Executive Board, Athens February 18 Azalea District Board Meeting, Hartwell February 19 Awards Committee, Perry Welcome Center, Perry March 4 Budget Committee, Headquarters, Athens March 5 Scholarship Committee, Headquarters, Athens March 26 South Georgia Native Plant and Wildflower Symposium, Tifton May NGC Convention, Louisville, KY