Redbud Reporter Winter 2013

Transcription

1 Redbud Reporter Winter 2013 Cercis Canadensis Eastern Redbud REDBUD DISTRICT The Garden Club of Georgia National Garden Club, Inc. Rene Faulkenberry, Director Beth Wielage, Co-director Gail Berthe, Editor Our District Director s Message to the Remarkable Redbuds Remarkable Redbuds are Tending many Gardens Remember to plan ahead so all your Gardens may be Tended Remarkable Redbuds --Welcome to the New Year Redbud Report President s Reports I am looking forward to learning about all your projects. Redbuds always have a wonderful array. Please take the time to elaborate on your special projects. This is very important when your projects do not fit into the questions asked by the standard questionnaire. If you had a program given by a member on fragrance gardening please mention that. There are three awards not listed by the President s Report. Each requires a written application. #12 Betty McKissick Butterfly Gardening Award (Due June 1 st ) #16 Joy Walker Stuart Redbud District Member of the Year (Due Feb. 15 th )I know you have someone in your club who has earned this distinction--take the time to write a letter of nomination. #00 Renie s Special Award--Internet Technology or as we usually see it IT--what has your club done to embrace the new communication tools and include everyone in your garden club? (Due April 1 st ) Remarkable Redbuds Rendezvous: GCG Convention--Marietta--April 16 th -18 th Garden Gateways winter edition has all the information. Your hotel reservations need be made by March 16 th to assure the convention special rate. The registration deadline is April 1 st. Come and enjoy meeting other GCG members and learning about all the things done around our state. At the Redbud breakfast we will install new officers. The trolley tour of Marietta should be lots of fun--probably not as exciting as shooting a pumpkin from the special cannon as we did at the Rock Ranch trolley tour--but then, nothing beats our district meetings. There will be something of interest for everyone--flower arranging for movie buffs, learn about Georgia parks and historic sites, or even more about container gardening. Of course, we will cheer for our state award winners. Remarkable Redbuds Reap Rewards. Renie, Redbud District Director

2 Redbud District News Redbud District Annual Fall District Meeting The annual Redbud District Meeting was held October 16, 2012 at Rock Ranch between Barnesville and Thomaston.. Adam Pugh from the Rock Ranch welcomed us to the facility. The meeting was hosted by the West Central Georgia Garden Council...made up of The Thomaston Garden Club, Spade & Trowel Garden Club, and Green Thumb Garden Club. Sue Davy is council President, Janice Goins served as District Committee Chairman. John Cox presented the delightful program on container gardening which was concluded with a demonstration for a Thanksgiving container. clever Thanksgiving container several members report making this for their holiday table centerpiece. Concord Garden Club's Raffle entry Emily Wilbert (Redbud District Director nominee, and Ann Lundin from Sharpsburg Old Town Garden Club Redbud District Awards Presented at Annual District Meeting Sixteen Redbud District Awards, recognizing outstanding accomplishments by clubs, and presented in even numbered years at the Annual Fall District Meeting and at the GCG Convention District Breakfast in odd numbered years. These awards are primarily based on the information reported on the President s Report which each club s president will be preparing in the very near future. These reports are based on the club s activities and accomplishments during the past calendar year and are due to the District Director by February 15, Club presidents will be receiving more information very shortly or check out pp in the current Guide. Award #1 Jerry Tubb Award of the Year for the club with the highest score on the President s Report: Conyers Garden Club Award #2 Grace Chandler Award to the club whose membership was 20 members of less having the highest percentage of members in attendance: Shenandoah Rose Garden Club Award #4 Lullwater Gavel Award awarded to the club applying for the most awards at all levels state, regional and national: Conyers Garden Club (Thomaston Garden Club received the second place)

3 Award #5 Gladys Manning Garden Therapy Award for the most outstanding Garden Therapy Project: Smoke Rose Morning Glories Garden Club (2 nd place Mountain Mums Garden Club, 3 rd place Spade and Trowel Garden Club, Honerable Mention to Pine Needle Garden Club) Award #10 Margaret Strickland Baird and/or Butterfly Gardening Program Award: Ladybugs Garden Club (2 nd place Conyers Garden Club) Award #11 Virginia Britton Kelly Garden Fragrance Program Award: Anita Brittain presented Fragrance in the Garden for Breckenridge Garden Arts I Award #13 Dian Goldwire Attendance Award: Spade and Trowel Garden Club Award #14 Deanna McFarlan Club Newsletter Award: Hunting Hill Garden Club (2 nd Winding Woods Garden Club, 3 rd Dunwoody Garden Club) Award #15 Mary Helen Lindsay Youth Award: Lullwater Garden Club (2 nd Satsuki Garden Club, 3 rd Winding Woods Garden Club) Award #16 Joy Walker Stuart Redbud District Member of the Year: Murl Jones member of Wedgwood Garden Club Just One Award! the challenge was to add new members to the club roster for Fourteen clubs added new members and Merry Weather Garden Club and Southwood Garden Club tied for first place. Standard of Excellence is awarded to clubs answering the first 2 questions and at least 22 others on the GCG President s Report of Garden Club Achievements. This certificate was presented to twenty-four clubs. (Redbud District has a total of fifty-four clubs) Please carefully consider and fill out your President s Report to qualify for any of these significant awards. You will note there are missing presented awards check these out and use them as a guide for future projects and programs. Please save the date - Monday, February 11 - for our upcoming Redbud District Winter Board Meeting at Callanwolde. Complete details will be forthcoming Redbud District Committee Reports and Newsletters Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. maintains a variety of committees each set up to administer and promote projects and resources essential to promote the goals of GCG Beautification, Education, and Conservation. The following articles highlight activities and goals of a few of these committees. Read them and learn of opportunities, needs, and activities ranging from service projects to educational opportunities available to our members. For more information consult the GCG, Inc. GUIDE. Consider how you can best serve an interesting committee and volunteer your services or monetary assistance. See pages for a list of addresses to send donations and reports.

4 Redbud District, GCG, Inc., NGC Inc. Environmental Projects and Committees Our district has sponsored and promoted various projects and workshops in the past couple of years. Beth Wielage, our district Environmental Studies Chairman, and Gail Berthe, the state Environmental Studies Chairman have organized both an Environmental Studies Course which was completed between 2010 and 2012 and a NGC Trifresher which included Environmental Consultants as well as Gardening Consultants and Landscape Design Consultants. Both these programs were held at the Education Bldg. at the Research and Education Gar-den, UGA Griffin (an ideal location for educational programs). The Trifresher is the most recent of these projects and was held Sept The two day program included presentations and a field trip day to Senoia to observe various aspects of all three disciplines. Trifresher class at Senoia learning about the environmentally planned parking lot Environmental Newsletter Caroline Silcox and Mary Ann Bryant check out the parking lot construction Judy Keenan writes a monthly newsletter which is distributed to the district by the ListServer. Here is the September edition Hat Off for Trees! Ahh, autumn. Just breathe in deeply and smell the thick, lushness of fallen leaves as they continue the cycle of life in the forest. Like rain on hot asphalt in the summer, just one whiff of fallen leaves brings back childhood in a flash: jumping in leaf piles and raking them back up only to send them flying again. Which brings us to the topic of trees. Trees have been called the lungs of the planet. They provide us with the very air we breathe and so much more. By now everyone knows that trees help reduce our carbon footprint by sucking up the carbon dioxide that has led to global warming. In fact, according to the United States Department of Agriculture, one acre of forest can absorb six tons of carbon dioxide and, in turn, produce four tons of oxygen. But trees do so much more. Like lungs, trees also filter out many harmful pollutants, such as nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone and carbon monoxide from our air. Furthermore, trees trap particulate matter, such as pollens, dust, smoke and ash. Who needs HEPA filters when you got trees?

5 With summers seeming to get hotter and longer, we can rely on trees to help cool us down. A healthy young tree has the net cooling effect of ten room-sized air conditioners operating 20 hours a day. Plant trees near your home and not only will they reduce your air conditioning costs, they will increase your property value. A yard planted with healthy, mature trees can increase your home s value by an average of 10 percent. Wow. In urban areas, trees help to reduce the heat island effect. Cities often have temperatures that are 5-10 degrees warmer than their rural counterparts. Planting trees in town helps. They also help to dampen the noise of traffic and to reduce stress. One study out of Texas A&M found that it took as little as 5 minutes of visual exposure to trees to reduce blood pressure and muscle tension in test subjects. Other studies have shown that tree-landscaped neighborhoods help to reduce violent crime in the inner city. When we think of trees, we usually think of all the work they do above ground, but they also help clean our planet from below ground. First, the root systems store tremendous amounts of water, thereby reducing urban runoff and erosion. Trees also help to filter sewage and chemicals from farming. Finally, trees provide food and fuel. Next time you curl up next to a nice warm, wood-burning fire while snacking on some nuts with a sip of hot apple cider, thank a tree. Happy autumn! Judy Improved Cultivars is another of the helpful committees supported by dedicated volunteer chairmen. Vickey Cooper is our Redbud District chairman. She reports in the Redbud Reporter about new developments in horticulture. The 2013 Gold Medal Winners for Georgia are announced in the January/February issue of Georgia Gardening. Native Plant Muhlenbergia capillaris (Muhly grass) Annual Torenia fournieri (Wishbone flower or clown flower) Perennial Polygonatum odoratum Variegatum (Variegated Japanese Solomon s seal) Shrub Gardenia jasminoides or Gardenia augusta (Compact gardenias) Each of these plants has been evaluated by the Gold Medal Plant Selection s Committee which is based at the State Botanical Garden in Athens. They are selected to perform well throughout Georgia. For selections from past years, search for Gold Medal Plant Selections, Georgia on your computer. You will have excellent results with any of these award winners as long as your observe good horticulture practice which is basically the right plant in the right place! There are several Horticulture Committees to help you with any horticulture information. These include: Container and Indoor Gardening Sandra Wheeler, swheels!@bellsouth.net Native Plants and Wildflowers Judy Keenan, thekeenanfamily@comcast.net Shrubs and Trees Carol Weaver, bungiecat@bellsouth.net Vegetable and Herb Gardening Nancy Green, mngreen@wirelesshometown.com Basic Horticulture Gail Berthe, gail.berthe@gmail.com (if you would like to receive the Basic Horticulture Newsletter by please contact Gail to be added to the list.)

6 ROADSIDE BEAUTIFICATION Anita Brittain Roadside Beautification Chair, Redbud District Another of our district s very important committees fulfilling the goals of GCG A Georgia law passed in 2011 took the money from the specialty tags, like the Wild Flower license, and redirected that money to general purposes. Originally, the onetime fee for the specialty tag was $25.00, and it primarily went to the Georgia Department of Transportation for the purchase and planting of daffodils and wild flowers along the highways of Georgia. With the new law, a new tag must be purchased each year at a cost of $35.00, plus registration, plus tax, and only $10.00 of that goes to the Georgia DOT for the wild flower planting. There is a better way to keep Georgia beautiful!!! Clubs and members can help. Clubs are encouraged to contribute $25.00 directly to restricted wild flower funds. Please send to Emily Wilbert, 206 Camp Street Moreland, GA by February 1, Give more if possible. Let's keep Georgia BEAUTIFUL as well as clean. Please do your part, Thank you Cut here and send with your Check A donation of $25.00 or more with receive a Certificate of Appreciation Date District Check # Club name and # (GCG Guide) President Treasurer Founders Memorial Garden Restoration and Preservation GCG Special Project Mary Denney, Redbud District Chairman reports on this ongoing GCG, Inc. project. The Founders Memorial Garden is on the grounds of the Old GCG Headquarters on Lumpkin Street in Athens and is primarily a boxwood Garden. The garden will celebrate its 75 th anniversary it the near future. UGA College of Environment and Design is cooperating with GCG to restore the garden features and refurbish the plantings. GCG is supporting an endowment fund to protect this historic green space on the original UGA Campus. All members, clubs and districts are encouraged to join in this support. Last year only four of our Redbud District clubs contributed to the fund! Please support this special project by a contribution during this second year of President Silcox s term by mailing your check to state chairman Charlotte Waters, 638 Milledge Circle, Athens, GA

7 Flower Show School If you have interest in becoming a flower show judge or learning more detail about design and horticulture consider the NGC, Inc Flower Show School which is sponsored by Middle Georgia Judges Council. Several Redbud District flower show judges are included in the planning of this school which will be held in Monroe and is easily accessible by Redbud District members. The school is beneficial for any person with an interest in both horticulture and floral design. NGC Accredited Flower Show School COURSE III, March 11-13, 2013 St. Alban s Episcopal Church, 206 N. Broad Street, Monroe Sponsored by the MIDDLE GEORGIA FLOWER SHOW JUDGES State Flower Show Schools Chairman Jane Johnson, 809 Reynolds Street, Millen, GA pincejohnson@bellsouth.net (cell ) MGJC President, Ellen Goodrich Flower Show School Chairman Betty McGaughey, 2795 Bold Springs Road, Monroe, GA , bcmc1@windstream.net Course Registrar Betty McKissick 921 Crystal Drive, Thomaston, GA flowergirl 921@charter.net GENERAL INFORMATION and GOALS The Flower Show School consists of four courses of an in depth study of Flower Show Procedure, Horticulture and Design. This is the third course in the series. The first or second course is not required for your participation. An understanding of the standards of exhibiting and judging is acquired from the lectures, horticulture specimens, design, and student participation. To train and certify NGC flower show judges To increase interest in and knowledge of the fields of horticulture and design. To encourage beautiful and educational flower shows. Any interested individual may attend the courses. Topic Study Outlines will be given to students. Outside reading of specified books in each course is required. To be eligible for credit toward a NGC Judges Certificate, one must be an active member of a NGC club, have a current Handbook for Flower Shows, and have a current subscription to The National Gardener.

8 INSTRUCTORS Horticulture Marie Harrison Fay Brassie--Design For information about the qualified NGC instructors and more information about the school please refer to Note: Reading List for Course III can be downloaded from the NGC site. The list will also be ed upon receipt of registration for the course. FLOWER SHOW SCHOOL COURSE III Registration Application Deadline to register is March 6, 2013 Name Address City State Zip Phone address: Garden Club District NGC Life Member # If applicable: Registration Fees: Check appropriate box $ Full Course with Exam, includes lunch $50.00 One Day includes lunch Monday is Design Tuesday is Horticulture $ Refresher/non Credit Students, with lunch Make Check payable to Middle Georgia Judges Council and mail with completed form PLUS, attach current label from National Gardener Magazine to Betty McKissick, Registrar, 921 Crystal Drive, Thomaston, GA The School schedule will be sent to upon receipt of your registration OVERNIGHT ACCOMMODATIONS: (Mention FS School for discount rates) Country Hearth Inn, 1222 West Spring Street, Monroe, GA (770) (877) Fort Yargo Cottages, 7 miles from Monroe Senior Discount

9 Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. News Deep South Region 2013 Convention, Savannah Dear GCG Friends, We're thrilled that you are planning to attend DSR 2013 Convention at Hyatt, Savannah, March ! "Georgia's Treasures" is going to be a fun time for all! Fantastic, large floral designs in Hyatt's grand lobby will make an awesome, lasting impression, as we honor and salute LA, MS, AL, TN, FL & GA Presidents and our DSR Director. Savannah is especially beautiful at that time of year. If you haven't done so, check out DSR web site for Hyatt Reservation info, Official Call letter, Schedule of daily events and Convention Registration form. Friends, our block of rooms at Hyatt is selling out fast! We don't want you to miss out on the special Convention rate of $ PLEASE reserve your room, today!!! Use this link for special prices. This is the toll free reservation number Transportation advice - Shuttle Services etc.: Gratefully, Shirley Lewis, Chairman Dyanna Byers, Co-Chairman

10 Garden Club of Georgia Awards Received at National Garden Club, Inc. Convention 2012 NGC Awards Won by GCG Member Clubs, Individuals, and The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. FLOWER SHOW AWARDS Award # 5 C Standard Flower Show The Garden Club of Ellijay, Ellijay, Laurel District Award #25 C Petite Standard Flower Show Dogwood District Award # 30 B District Standard Flower Show Redbud District Award #35 Near Club Standard Flower Show Skint Chestnut, Sweetwater, Town and Country, Ama-Kanasta Garden Clubs Douglasville, Dogwood District Award #57 A Standard Flower Show Staged in a Public Building Chattooga Garden Club, Summerville, Laurel District David Andrew Gianino Quynh Pham SCHOLARSHIPS OTHER AWARDS AND CERTIFICATES NGC Plantings for Public and Special Places Trees and Shrubs Certificate and $ Blairsville Garden Club, Blairsville, Laurel District Member Award of Honor, Deep South Region Mabel Milner, Rome, Laurel District NGC Award #3 Literary Horticultural Interest Award of Merit and a silver tray Gil Nelson NGC Award #6 A ii Conservation Certificate of Commendation Lullwater Garden Club, Atlanta, Redbud District NGC Award #7 D iii Special Achievement Wild and Wonderful Youth Camp Certificate of Commendation The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. NGC Award #12 2 A iii Publications Newsletter 1 st Place Cassina Garden Club, St. Simons Island, Oleander District

11 NGC Award #12 3 B Newsletter 1 st Place Dogwood District NGC Award #13 1 D ii Publication Guide 1 st Place The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. NGC Award #13 4 A ii Publication History 1 st Place Ladies Garden Club, Athens, Azalea District NGC Award # 13 6 D ii Publication Calendar 1 st Place The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. NGC Award #13 7 A ii Publications Cookbook 1 st Place - Anesta Ga-Da Garden Club, Ballground, Laurel District NGC Award #13 7 B Publications Cookbook Thomasville Garden Clubs, Inc., Thomasville, Camellia District NGC Award #16 A 2 Yearbook Award of Merit The Thomaston Garden Club, Thomaston, Redbud District NGC Award #16 B Yearbook Award of Merit Thomasville Garden Clubs, Inc., Thomasville, Camellia District NGC Award #26 D iii Landscape Design Education Certificate of Commendation The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. NGC Award #44 A iii Pressbook Medium Club Certificate of Commendation 1 st Place Hiawassee Garden Club, Hiawassee, Laurel District NGC Award #44 B Pressbook Council Certificate of Commendation 1 st Place Thomasville Garden Clubs, Inc., Thomasville, Camellia District NGC Award #44 B Pressbook District Certificate of Commendation 1 st Place Redbud District NGC Award #48 Horticulture Therapy Garden Project - Certificate of Merit Town and Country Garden Club, Eatonton, Azalea District NGC Award #50 Historic Preservation Award Certificate of Merit and silver tray Blairsville Garden Club, Blairsville, Laurel District NGC Award #50 A iii Historic Preservation Certificate of Commendation Cassina Garden Club, St. Simons Island, Oleander District NGC Award #51 Decoration of a Historic Building Certificate of Merit Roswell Garden Club, Roswell, Dogwood District NGC Award #60 Junior Leadership Award Certificate and $ Jean Carter, Blairsville, Laurel District NGC Award #63 B Website Certificate of Commendation Rome Federated Garden Clubs, Inc., Rome, Laurel District NGC Award #63 D iii Website Certificate of Commendation The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. NGC Award #71 Operation Wildflower Roadside Award Certificate of Merit and $1, The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. NGC Award #71 A iii - Operation Wildflower Award Runner-up - Certificate of Commendation and $ Live Oaks Garden Club, St. Simons Island, Oleander District

12 Poetry Contest 1 st Place Krista Campbell 3 rd Place Bolan McCall Sculpture Contest 4 th Grade 1 st Place Damion Titow 5 th Grade 1 st Place Kennedy Howard YOUTH POETRY AND SCULPTURE Gardeners on Parade Theme of 2013 GCG, Inc. Convention April Marietta, Georgia Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Hotel and Conference Center at 500 Powder Springs Street The Laurels of Light are delighted to invite you to the 85 th Annual State Convention, which will be held at the Hilton Atlanta/Marietta Conference Center, in Marietta, Georgia on April 15 th - 18 th, Our theme will be Gardeners on Parade. The committees have been chosen, and we are hard at work making plans for your visit to Marietta. My co-chairman Mary Ellen Roos and all the Laurels of Light are looking forward to seeing you in Marietta next April, to be part of our Gardeners on Parade., this fantastic, full three-day state convention features a design program, workshop, awards, interesting speakers, venders and a most interesting tour. April 15: Finance, Executive Board Meeting April 16: State Board Luncheon, followed by Opening of Convention and Dinner April 17-18: Exciting Convention Activities Ruthellen Anderson

13 GCG, Inc. Legislative Committee Activities Members of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. joined President Caroline Silcox and Legislative Chairman Tally Sweat (seated L-R) on Tuesday, January 8, 2013 at the Georgia Supreme Court where oral arguments regarding HB179 were presented by attorneys for the City of Columbus, Trees Columbus and The Gateways Foundation, Inc., as well as attorneys for the defendants, Georgia DOT and the billboard industry. Attorney Thomas Christina, Esq., representing the Columbus plaintiffs, challenged the constitutionality of the bill and asked for a reversal of Billboard Bucks (a complicated formula of payment for tree removal in front of billboards) and requested more definitive language concerning regulation on allowable beautification projects. The billboard industry attorney asked the Justices to lift the year-old injunction issued in Muscogee Superior Court last January that banned any tree cutting on Georgia roadsides. Trees Atlanta, Scenic Georgia and GCG had earlier filed an amicus brief in support of the Columbus suit. The Justices rulings will be forthcoming and GCG members will be apprised! Back Row: Hal Silcox, Helen Grogan, Mary Lovings, Renie Faulkenberry, Joan Brown, Sondra Threadcraft, Stephanie Benefield, Dorothy McDaniel. Front Row: Susan Turner, Caroline Silcox, Tally Sweat (not pictured Kerry Quinn). Questions? - please contact Tally Sweat or tallys@bellsouth.net Conservation Day at the Legislature on February 28. Please mark you calendar for Feb. 28 and plan a trip to Atlanta for Capitol Conservation Day when we partner with Georgia Conservation Voters for a legislative breakfast (invite your legislators), and Georgia Water Coalition for a legislative update and a visit to the Capitol wearing your green jacket/sweater/scarf. Please encourage your fellow garden club members to attend as we would like to have a huge turnout! Please read the attached information just in from Georgia Water Coalition which references several bills that will need our attention this session--and there will be more. Also, please send Chandra@gawater.org your name, local info and name/s of your legislator/s and she, in turn, will send you breaking news and alerts for action. Also, please visit to read the 2013 Dirty Dozen list. A waterway near you is probably on the list of 12. GCG is a member of both Georgia Water Coalition, which numbers more than 180 organizations, and Georgia Conservation Voters, which supports a broad spectrum of environmental causes. Thank you. Tally Sweat, GCG Legislative Chairman

14 Georgia Water Coalition Update and Legislative Preview Legislative Session Preview 2. Your Help is Needed 3. Save the Date: 2013 Legislative Breakfast and Capitol Conservation Day Legislative Session Preview The 2013 session of the Georgia General Assembly starts today, Jan. 14, and the GWC is ready to be a voice for healthy waterways at the capitol. Throughout the session the GWC will be focused on the following legislative priorities. Emergency response The Georgia Environmental Protection Division s poor response to a rash of illegal spills and fish kills in Georgia s waterways has shown that the agency no longer has the capacity to adequately respond to these emergencies. The GWC supports legislation that will clarify what actions must be taken by EPD and others in the event of a threat to public health and safety, wildlife, and drinking water sources. Hazardous Waste Trust Fund The Hazardous Waste Trust Fund (HWTF) was designed to provide money to clean up hazardous waste sites in Georgia, which threaten clean water. About $16 million is collected each year through fees from the transfer of solid waste and the handling of hazardous waste, but only 40% of the collected funds go to their intended purposes. The HWTF will sunset in June 2013 and must be renewed. The GWC supports the renewal of the HWTF and legislation that will ensure that the trust funds are appropriated for their stated purpose. Flint River Drought Protection Act The existing Flint River Drought Protection Act (FRDPA) is not protective of Flint River flows and is expected to be reconsidered during the legislative session. The GWC supports restructuring the FRDPA to secure a comprehensive low-flow policy that is effective in protecting our precious water resources. Ethics Reform The GWC will work to support ethics legislation that provides for caps on gifts to legislators, open records and open meetings laws applicable to the General Assembly, restoration of authorities and funding for the Campaign Finance Commission, and more. No Rollbacks The GWC will monitor legislation and stay on the front lines to oppose any proposed rollbacks to our clean water protections. 2. Your Help is Needed During the 2013 Legislative Session If you know your legislator (or a legislator) please send a quick note to Chandra Brown (chandra@gawater.org), the GWC's Legislative Organizer, letting her know a. your name, b. what GWC Partner group you're with, and c. the name(s) of the legislator(s) you know. For those of you who have relationships with your legislators, Chandra will be your point of contact for breaking news during the session. As key bills are introduced and moved through the legislature, she will keep you informed and let you know when personal phone calls to your legislators are critical. Through this process, we hope to help all of our partner organizations become fully involved in the important effort to protect the laws that protect our waterways. You can contact Chandra at chandra@gawater.org or (478) Save the Date: 2013 Legislative Breakfast and Capitol Conservation Day Mark your calendars for Feb. 28 for the 2013 Legislative Breakfast and Capitol Conservation Day and plan to attend. More details will be coming soon. The GWC is 188 Partners Strong! Thanks to all of your efforts in helping to strengthen the Georgia Water Coalition!

15 I hope you will all be able to join me for the next Southern Garden Heritage Conference at the State Botanical Garden of Georgia on Friday, February 15, 2013, 9:00 AM to 4:00 pm. The theme this year is Heritage Landscapes: Exploring Southern Tradition of Landscape Design with Heirloom Fruits and Vegetables. The day-long learning experience is for gardeners, cooks, horticulturists, landscape architects, preservationists, and plant lovers of all levels of expertise who want to know more about finding, sharing, and growing heirloom fruits and vegetables as well as exploring the rich gardening traditions in the South. Sponsored by The State Botanical Garden of Georgia and UGA College of Environment and Design in cooperation with The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., Friends of The State Botanical Garden of Georgia, Cherokee Garden Library of the Atlanta History Center, and the Southern Garden History Society. Featured speakers are: Dr. William C. Welch A renowned horticulturist, speaker, and prolific author is one of our speakers whose zeal and passion for heritage gardening is contagious Felder Rushing A celebrated garden writer, speaker, and horticulturist from Mississippi whose laid-back, yourneighbors-might-talk-but-so-what approach to gardening is intoxicating Dr. Virginia Nazarea A noted author and Professor of Anthropology will speak on the topic of seed saving--its cultural aspects and influence on the lives of farmers and gardeners. Don't miss this opportunity to learn about "time tested plants" that have helped to color the fabric of the Southern landscape tradition. You can register online at: All the best, Staci Staci L. Catron Cherokee Garden Library Director Kenan Research Center Atlanta History Center Margaret Mitchell House 130 West Paces Ferry Road Atlanta, GA p f e SCatron@AtlantaHistoryCenter.com Find out what's new now at Ladies, there are many of you out there who have been waiting for the New Year to purchase your wonderful "Expressions" calendars. Well,

16 here's your chance...i still have a large supply left just for you. Contact me today & get your club's calendars shipped directly to you so that you are ready to face this New Year with your date planner in hand. Please contact me for more information. I'll be waiting to hear from you. CALENDARS = SCHOLARSHIPS! Remember that every penny earned from the sale of GCG s engagement calendar goes to support the Scholarship Fund, so please purchase many calendars and encourage others to do the same. (The calendars make excellent reference guides for anyone interested in floral design and horticulture tips.) The Redbud Calendar Chairman is Molly Fitzsimmons or mmfitzsim@hotmail.com or Charolette Thompson, 7744 Linton Road, Sandersville, GA or SouthernStitchin@aol.com The 2012 Expressions Engagement Calendar was the recipient of the NGC calendar award, judged to be the best calendar in the entire nation. The 2013 calendar has also been submitted for a 2013 NGC publication award. We re keeping our fingers crossed that it s also a national winner. Natural Disasters Committee Unfortunately, we ve learned too much about natural disasters in 2012 with special emphasis on Sandy, the extreme tropical storm which hit the northeast Atlanta coast with disastrous results in late October. NGC, Inc has a committee specifically charged to aid those affected, the Natural Disasters Fund. It is set up to offer help to these affected areas reclaim and restore a public area. The restoration project may be sponsored by a state garden club or a member club. Past years efforts have help with Katrina, tornado damage in Alabama and Missouri just to list a few examples. Now would be an excellent time for your club or individuals to make donations by February 1 to be eligible to be included on your President s Report. Donations should be sent to: Judy McWhorter GCG Natural Disasters Chairman 812 Oaklawn Dr. Swainsboro, GA Let us hope your area has not experienced a natural disaster this year, but if necessary your club can also apply for disaster relief. For more information contact Judy McWhorter.

17 -CHEROKEE GARDEN LIBRARY AND GCG- The Cherokee Garden Library at the Atlanta History Center is the premier institution in the Southeast for education and the preservation of Southern Garden History. The Library has been a partner with GCG since 2003 through our Landscape Initiative and Landscape and Garden Grant Program. The needs of the Library are many, from preserving 16 th century books to expanding and keeping the collection current. We are including a $25 donation from clubs and individuals in our GUIDE, and a Friend of the Cherokee Garden Library certificate will be sent to you for your contribution. Please consider placing the Cherokee Garden Library on your list of donations of $25 or more that your club makes each year, by checking the What to Send Where section of the GUIDE. In addition to the already extensive state-of-the-art archives, the Library is interested in expanding its collection of Georgia s garden club heritage. Your club can help by donating your scrapbooks, flower show schedules, or other garden club ephemera to the archives. Please contact Lee Dunn at lee@dunnshouse.com for questions and further information. Lee Dunn, GCG Cherokee Garden Library Chairman Local Redbud District Club News Smoke Rise Garden Club Wraps Toy Filled Shoe Boxes for Hospital Edith Morton president of Smoke Rise Garden Club reports the members annually wrap shoe boxes with Christmas paper and at the November meeting, the Club fills these boxes with toys, etc. The boxes are then delivered to The Children's Healthcare of Atlanta/Egleston Fifty shoe boxes were taken to the Hospital on November 20, 2012 by the president and herhusband. The staff will distribute them to the children. Edith Morton, President

18 Green Thumb Garden Club, Thomaston Blue Star Marker In an inspiring ceremony a Blue Star Marker has been placed in Thomaston as a tribute to the Armed Forces who have defended our country. Betty Lester, bettylester@charter.net can give you the necessary information to accomplish this very worthwhile project Conyers Garden Club The Conyers Garden Club recently dedicated a book to the Nancy Guinn Library in honor and memory of member Sue Owens. The book entitled The Story of The Masters by Clifford Robert details the history and legacy of Augusta National Golf Course. The Masters Tournament was a long time love of Sue s. The book describes the land s history as an Indigo Plantation and its garden s today. Kathy Williams, CGC President is shown presenting the book to Darryl Fletcher, Library Director.. Lullwater Garden Club In celebration of National Garden Week, 2012, the members of Lullwater Garden Club hosted a Champion Tree Dedication Ceremony, the morning of Saturday June 9 at the Lullwater Conservation Garden. Refreshments and beverages were served to the guests. Mulched pathways provide comfortable viewing of the Champion Trees A Champion Tree meets the criteria as set by Atlanta Tree Spaces. Check out their web site and you might find your garden club knows of a tree which might qualify.

19 Concord Garden Club Concord Garden Club s Lunch and Learn coincided with Georgia Garden Week, April 15 thru 21, This annual event was held on April 19 in the historic and renovated Strickland Building and commemorated the eighty-eighth anniversary of the founding of this venerable club dedicated to Pike County s horticultural heritage. The enthusiasm of the local community was amazing. At least 150 attended for a program emphasizing Homegrown is Best Floral arrangements using only plant materials from their own gardens were demonstrated by three club members table arrangements, terrariums, and party designs were featured by Martha Boswell, Beth Jones, and Anna Evans. Several of the arrangements were also created for the luncheon tables. Martha Boswell's terrarium ideas Anna Evans creates a card party design Our 2013 Lunch and Learn will be at the Strickland Building in Concord on April 18 beginning at 10:00. The speaker will be Helen Phillips from Garden Solutions in LaGrange discussing Color in the Garden. She will be bringing plants to sell and we also will have several of the outstanding vendors from our Wednesday and Saturday Farmers Markets. Plan to come. More information will be sent this spring.

20 Dates to Remember FEBRUARY Tue North GA Judges Council Meeting Bellmere, Johns Creek 9 Sat GA Iris Soc. Mtg.- Northlake Library Tucker 11 Mon Redbud District Board Meeting Callanwolde, Atlanta 15 Fri Arbor Day in Georgia Fri-Sun Southeastern Flower Show Cobb Galleria, Atlanta 19 Tue GA Perennial Plant Assoc. Mtg. McElreath Hall, Atl 22 Fri GCG Awards Committee Meeting Athens MARCH Thu Scholarship Meeting HQ, Athens 9 Sat GA Iris Soc. Mtg.-Northlake Library Tucker 12 Tue GA Native Plant Soc. Evening Mtg. Atl. Bot. Garden 18 Mon Middle GA Judges Council Meeting Macon 19 Tue GA Perennial Plant Assoc. Mtg. McElreath Hall, Atl Sun-Tue Deep South Convention Savannah 27 Wed South Georgia Native Plant/Wildflower Symposium APRIL 2013 Tifton 13 Sat GA Iris Soc. Mtg. Northlake Library Tucker 15 Mon Trustees Meeting Marietta 15 Mon Finance/Exec Meeting Marietta 16 Tue GA Perennial Plant Assoc. Mtg. McElreath Hall, Atl. 16 Tue GCG Board Luncheon and Meeting Marietta Tue-Thu GCG Full Convention Marietta Sun-Sat Garden Week in Georgia MAY Tue GA Native Plant Soc. Evening Mtg. Atl.Bot.Garden 17 Fri East GA Judges Council Meeting Augusta 20 Mon Middle GA Judges Council Meeting Macon 21 Tue GA Perennial Plant Assoc. Mtg. McElreath Hall, Atl Tue-Mon NGC Convention Seattle, WA JUNE Sun-Sat National Garden Week JULY Sun-Tue Wild and Wonderful Youth Camp Charlie-Elliott Wildlife Center, Mansfield Sun-Tue Flower Show Judges Symposium UGA, Athens