Board Briefs. The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Board of Directors. Dear Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Members,

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1 Board Briefs A Newsletter from The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Board of Directors VOLUME XV EDITION I SPRING 2016 LINDA RAGLAND, EDITOR Dear Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Members, The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. has been busy as it finished out the old year and started a new year. We have had a Board Meeting in Milledgeville and accomplished a lot of business. We had individual meetings after and in between the Board Meeting to keep our membership from having to make another trip somewhere else. It is so good to be able to work together to accomplish our goals. In December this president did the tours of homes in Atlanta Area including Bellmere. They were all superb. If you missed them, you missed a treat. The homes were beautifully decorated and funds were raised making the tours a complete success. This president also presented certificates to clubs that were celebrating anniversaries. It is always a pleasure to see how dedicated clubs can be to our organization. They make it happen. Presidential Activity Reports are coming into me, and I am thoroughly enjoying reading about the activities that our clubs are doing. Keep up the good work. We cannot make Georgia look good without your help. Deep South Convention is on the horizon on March 6-8. Hope you are making efforts to attend. National Convention is on May 2-6. It would be nice to have a good representation at this convention if at all possible. We need to be right there to see and take part of things that will enable us to be on the cutting edge. Our own Annual Meeting is on April with Finance and Executive Meeting on April 12. Dogwood District is working hard to make this a big success, and I need everyone to attend to welcome our National 1 st Vice President as well as to take care of business that we have to do. I am saving you a seat! PAGE TABLE OF CONTENTS Sowing Seeds of Knowledge Reaps Conservation with Beauty President s Page President s Calendar President s Special Project Water President s Special Project Native Plants Garden Week in Georgia Berry College 2016 Historic Preservation fundraiser Legislative & Governmental Affairs 2016 GCG State Convention - Macon President s Workshop & Tri-Refresher National & Deep South Projects Wild & Wonderful Youth Experience Cherokee Garden Library Program Blairsville Landscape Seminar Visions of Beauty NGC, Inc. Calendar Arboreta, Botanic & Memorial Gardens Grants and Scholarships State Parks & Public Lands Membership Development Suzanne Wheeler Flower Show School Wildflowers Litter, Pollution Control/Recycling The Community Wildlife Project Date Register Happy Birthday surprise for GCG President, Martha Price January 17th 1

2 March Gardening Study School, Rome 7-8 Deep South Convention, Tunica MS Flower Show School, Bellmere Garden House, Johns Creek 15 Flower Show Valdosta 18 Middle Georgia Judges Council Meeting 22 Investment Meeting, Macon 23 South GA Native Plant and Wildflower Symposium, Tifton 31 Awards Committee Meeting in Perry Where can we find our busy president? April GCG F&E Meeting in Macon for Annual Meeting Annual Board Meeting in Macon Garden Week in Georgia The Garden Club of Savannah s Annual NOGS Tour of Hidden Gardens - Savannah Tri-Refresher in Augusta Historic Preservation House & Tour Event and Fundraiser - Newnan May 2 7 NGC Convention Grand Rapids MI Where in Georgia is Martha? 1. 1 WATER Martha s Special Project Underground Water Protection Bill Before Georgia State House in 2016 In support of GCG President Martha Price s emphasis on Clean Water, please take note of Senate Bill 36 which passed the Georgia Senate during the last legislative session and is being held in the House Natural Resources and Environment Committee. To become law, the bill must pass during the 2016 session. SB 36, sponsored by Senator William Ligon of Brunswick and co-sponsored by several other South Georgia senators, identifies the need for underground water supply protection. It calls for the Department of Natural Resources to promulgate regulations which provide for the protection of underground drinking water. Please contact your state representative and give him your opinion on this important bill. For more information, contact your district legislation chairman or Tally Sweat, State Legislation Chairman at tallys@bellsouth.net. Mary Lovings Chairman GCG Special Projects Water 2

3 Native Plants Martha s Special Project Native plants are particularly adapted to the weather extremes we encounter in Georgia. They survive our rainy vs drought conditions. And native plants provide habitats for our native butterflies, insects, birds, and mammals. We have over 100 distinct environments throughout our state - and certain plants and animals thrive in each of them, but not in others. All in all, native plants require less maintenance than other cultivars you might purchase at the nursery. Please try to support those nurseries that specialize in native plants in your area. Native Plant Nursery List GNPI - If you want to use native plants in a gardening, or restoring project but you don t know where to purchase plants, plugs, stakes, or seeds, look no further than this list, produced by UGA. These specialty nurseries produce quality native plants appropriate for Georgia and the SE US, and they are following ethical collection and production guidelines. Click on this link: In South GA, the Native Plant and Wildflower Symposium is being held in Tifton at the Tifton Campus Conference Center on March 23 rd. Fantastic speakers, plant sale and exhibits. Click here to go to their website for all the details: Georgia Native Plant Society s members have chosen Indian pink (Spigelia marilandica) as our Plant of the Year for A hummingbird favorite, this vibrant perennial is native to most of the Southeastern US, growing from Florida west to Texas and Oklahoma, and north as far as Illinois and Indiana. Check out their website for tours, meetings and general info Georgia Native Plant Society Barbara Bourque, GCG Native Plant Chairman b.bourque@comcast.net 3

4 Come Celebrate Garden Week in Georgia April 20, 2016 at Berry College With Tours of Oakhill House & Gardens and The House of Dreams The tour begins at 10:00 a.m. and ends at approximately 2 p.m. Boxed Lunch provided Cost $20 Your check is your reservation. Space is limited Checks should be made out to: Rome Federated Garden Clubs, Inc. c/o Ruth Martin 212 East 9 th Street Rome, GA Tim Brown, the curator of the Martha Berry Museum and Oakhill House and Gardens has opened these special places to garden club members as a thank you for the Historic Preservation Grants received to restore the gardens at Oakhill. Come and see all the work that has been completed in restoring the gardens to the original landscape plan commissioned by Martha Berry. Lunch will be served at Oakhill with the tour of the House of Dreams to follow. The House of Dreams is not generally open to the public, so we are in for a special treat to see Martha Berry s retreat, which has been lovingly preserved, on the top of Lavender Mountain. Don t miss this unique opportunity to see these special gardens. Tickets will be limited so be sure to make your reservation soon. Tickets are $20 and include a box lunch. Space is limited. Contact Caroline Alford (caroboone@aol.com) for any questions. Your check is your reservation. Contact Caroline Alford for more information. caroboone@aol.com

5 The Garden Club of Georgia Historic Preservation 2016 Historic Preservation Fundraiser In 1996, the Garden Club of Georgia launched the annual Historic House and Garden Pilgrimage to help raise funds to support a matching grant for the restoration of historic, non-profit, public landscapes and gardens in Georgia. Oak Grove Near Newnan, GA in Coweta County, GA Saturday April 30, a.m. to 4p.m. Oak Grove, will be the focus of the HH&G Fundraiser for The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., for Owned by George and Liz Tedder since 1983, the GCG tour will include not only the gardens but also the house itself, built in the early 1800 s and lovingly restored by the Tedders. The house, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, has a traditional farmhouse layout, with 4 rooms up and down and central hallway, originally heated by 4 huge chimneys with their fireplaces. Mrs. Tedder is in the process of writing a book about the discovery, renewal, and years of living in the house, and the continued growth of the gardens. This property was on the very first GCG Historic House and Garden tour set up by James Cothran, and the cemetery garden and other gardens have been greatly expanded in the last 20 or so years. Docent-led tours of both the house and of the gardens, an "interpretive restoration" of a plantation landscape, will be held all day. The $35 individual ticket brings you the beauty of the gardens, the uniqueness of the house, and includes a boxed lunch at midday on the grounds. Saturday April 30, 2016, from 10a.m. to 4p.m. Tickets may be purchased in advance by sending a check made payable to The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., and mailing to E. Wilbert 206 E. Camp St., Moreland GA Questions: call Deadline is April 15 5

6 Legislative, Governmental Affairs CAPITOL CONSERVATION DAY IN GEORGIA in Partnership with the Georgia Water Coalition "Beautification... Conservation... Education" as our Mission, GCG and its Legislative Team encourages individual members to contact their elected officials as constituents especially about conservation issues. At least 25 members of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., were among the 166 conservationists attending Capitol Conservation Day Feb. 17. The day began with a breakfast briefing on important legislation before the 2016 session of the Georgia General Assembly. Those attending heard from both legislators and environmental experts about pending legislation and were encouraged to support a new freshwater buffer bill, HB 966, as well as continue support for SB 36. Later that day, SB 383 was dropped. SB383 amends the Tree Trimming law to include cutting a 500 swath of trees parallel to rights of way to provide a viewing zone for commercial sites. The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. has traditionally been in support of clean water and against the cutting of trees on Georgia s roadsides. Members are encouraged to telephone or write their legislators on both issues before the session ends in late March. For more information, contact Tally Sweat at tallys@bellsouth.net or your district legislation and governmental affairs chairman. GCG President, Martha Price Sea of Green The Garden Club of Georgia was out in force in support of clean water GCG Chairman, Tally Sweat Presents GCG s Position 6

7 7 Governor Deal, GCG President, Martha Price, Tally Sweat & GCG Members U.S. Representative, John Lewis with GCG Members GCG Members with President, Martha Price David Ralston, 73rd Speaker of Georgia House of Representatives, with GCG and Laurel District Members Tally Sweat, Edna McClellan, Diane Harbin, Linda Ragland & June Harrison Greet Attendees to the Georgia Water Coalition Breakfast 7

8 2016 State Convention: Gardening Passion Dogwood District invites you to join us for an exciting mini-convention at the Macon Marriott City Center. April 13-14, 2016 Be sure to arrive on Wednesday afternoon so you can enjoy the workshops: Nurturing the Passion Nurturing Gardening Passion #1- Dr. Wilf Nicholls will share the news of the Children s Garden at SBG. #2- Tommy Alden will educate us on the use of Camellias in our garden, and #3- Johnny Berry will delight us with information on African Violets. Shopping with our vendors will be great fun. Viewing the exhibits and visiting with friends from across the state is always a treat. Of course, we are excited about the Awards Banquet Wednesday evening - a chance to congratulate so many hard-working clubs. Thursday morning is our short business meeting, followed by the Life Member Luncheon, Devotion to the Passion. Make your reservations now - $83 registration fee includes both meals and workshops. Click here to go to the GCG website where you will find the registration form, schedule of events, Hotel info and exhibit space request. March 12 th is the hotel deadline for reduced rates. March 29 th is the deadline for Convention Registration. We look forward to seeing you in Macon in April. Is your club, council, district or garden club organization having an event at which the general public will be in attendance? Would you be able to use old GCG calendars for handouts or examples of designs, or to make those in attendance aware of some of the advantages of membership in the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.? Free calendars from 2014 and 2015 will be available for pickup at the GCG Mini Convention in Macon in April. Please contact Mary Denney at srdenney@mindspring.com or or to reserve some calendars for your use. 8

9 The Garden Club of Georgia 2016 State President s Workshop June 28-29, 2016 Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge It s a cool summer day at the Falls as Action Comes Alive! Conserving our World Tuesday, June 28 1:00 2:00 Registration 2:00 2:15 Welcome and Announcements 2:15-3:00 Native Plants in MY OWN Yard 3:15 5:00 The Herbal Way of Life 5:00 5:30 Lodge Check in/break 5:30-6:15 Social Hour with cash bar 6:15-6:30 The Rumble in our Tummies 6:30-7:30 Dinner Royal Buffet 7:30 7:45 Our National President Talks to Georgia 7:45 8:15 The District Directors Present Georgia on Our Minds and in Our Hands 8:15 10:00 Calling of the Moths and Social Hour with cash bar Wednesday, June 29 9:00 9:45 Buzzing in the Bee World 10:00 10:45 Beautiful Butterflies 10:45 11:30 Butterfly Magnets activity 11:30 12:15 Box Lunch 12:15 1:00 Wet and Wonderful 1:15 2:00 Beneficial Birds 2:00 3:00 Homes for the Birds activity 3:00 3:15 Closing Remarks Kids Day (Adults Optional) Wednesday, June 29 9:00 9:30 Welcome Wildflower Seed Bombs Project 9:30 10:00 To the Falls Hike 10:00 11:15 Creek Splash 11:15 11:45 Box Lunch at Picnic Shelter 11:45 1:15 Silly, Sneaky Salamanders 1:15 2:00 Return Hike to Lodge 2:00 3:00 Homes for the Birds 3:00 3:15 Closing 9

10 The Garden Club of Georgia 2016 State President s Workshop June 28-29, 2016 Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge Dawsonville, GA (Check if attending) (Name) Honey Bee (Signature) (Check if attending) (Name) Monarch Butterfly (Signature) (Check if attending) (Name) Herbal Fragrance (Signature) (Check if attending) (Name) Bird of Prey (Signature) (Check if attending) (Printed Name) Address Phone Garden Club(s) Regular Meals Vegan/Vegetarian Other (specify) Wednesday options: Remain in Lodge for programs all day OR (check one or both if desired) Spend am with Kids group/programs and/or spend pm with Kids group/programs Registration fee of $83 enclosed Check # Deadline June 1, 2016 Kids fee of $8 for Wednesday only. Mail to: Mrs. Caroline Silcox, 951 East Lake Dr., NE, Gainesville, GA Room Reservations by May 20, 2016 Contact Amicalola Falls State Park & Lodge, Rates: King ($104.25), 2 Queens ($104.25), 3-bdrm Cottage ($174.25) plus state and local taxes and $5 Park Pass For information, contact: Marilyn McDonnell at mmcdonnell25@comcast.net, Caroline Silcox at csilcox@bellsouth.net, or 10

11 THE NATIONAL AND DEEP SOUTH GARDEN CLUB PROJECTS Virginia Pennington, 3 rd Vice President - National and Deep South Projects Great Work Clubs on your fine projects that beautified our communities, nurtured our wildlife, educated the club members and brought awareness to the public! Our President says: The 2015 awards have been sent. Now is the time to identify your project with the appropriate award. Include under Favorites in your computer the National Garden Club, GCG, and Deep South Region websites for easy access to award information. Have the check list handy so you will cover all the necessary details as the project moves forward or comes to completion. The project summary tells: The story of member s participation Involvement of public or civic organizations Expenses Continued follow-up Evaluation of goal or achievement. The National Garden Club has a NGC Award application that is sent to ME and a copy to Jackie Fulmer, GCG State Awards Chairman. NGC President s Project, Service in Action has a different application form. This application is sent to ME and I send it to the NGC Projects Chairman along with a copy to GCG State Award Chairman. The Deep South Regional Project is a two-year project. This award is sent to Deep South at the closure of The award is sent to GCG Deep South Awards Chairman, Lou Ann Bleakley, who then sends it to Deep South and a copy to the State Awards Chairman. Great it is to believe the dream When we stand in youth by the starry stream; But a greater thing is to fight through And say at the end. THE DREAM (PROJECT) WAS TRUE. Leaves of Gold - Edwin Markham Many thanks to club presidents, club award chairmen, and members who told their project stories and shared them. You are making a difference! Keep planting and blooming! 11

12 THE NATIONAL PROJECTS -Theme- SERVICE IN ACTION" Virginia Pennington, Chairman - National and Deep South Projects Bee Gap - adding pollinator plants to your garden The Monarch Watch - adding a butterfly Way Station in your garden The Frightened Frog - utilizing early reader and lessons plans K-3 rd grade. Be a Wildlife Action Hero - committing to gardens for wildlife. Join the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge and Make a Difference for Pollinators! What is it? A campaign to register a million public and private gardens and landscapes to support the health of bees, butterflies, birds, bats and other pollinators across America. Why pollinators? Pollinators are essential to the reproduction of roughly 75% of all flowering plants on Earth and are responsible for 1 in every 3 bites of food we eat, but many species are at risk. How can I help? One of the top causes of pollinator decline is habitat loss. Whether you are a farmer of many acres, land manager of a large tract of land, or a gardener with a small lot, you can increase the number of pollinators in your area by making conscious choices to include plants that provide essential habitat and food. Visit our website for more information. Register your garden today and BEE Counted! Planting for pollinators is the first step the second is registering your landscape on the S.H.A.R.E. map. Visit to learn more and get started! When asked, be sure and tell them National Garden Clubs, Inc. sent you! NEED A SPECIAL PROJECT! CHECK OUT THE MONARCH WATCH.ORG/MILKWEED RESTORATION PROJET 100,000 free milkweed plugs are being given away. This is the Monsanto monarch program. Monsanto has generously funded this program for large scale restoration projects. Just describe your site on the application form with a picture and include latitude and longitude. The type of habitat desired is: roadside, field, or prairie. A small fee is required to cover the shipping cost. Help bring back the monarch with this special project! For more information, go to: milkweed@monarchwatch.org 12

13 The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. & Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center Presents a Wild & Wonderful Experience July 10-12, 2016 Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, Mansfield, Georgia 9 Dear Youth Enthusiasts: We are already receiving s and phone calls about our 9 th Annual GCG Wild and Wonderful Experience Camp. Once again The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. will be teaming up with the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center for this exciting, fun-filled three-day environmental education camp. Our rising 5th and 6th grade youth will be eligible to attend this camp, July 10-12, Would a child you know love an opportunity to be surrounded by nature, go fishing, and put together a flower design or a container garden? Learning more about wildlife conservation, environmental issues and making new friends is all part of the experience as these young people enjoy a wonderful time this summer! Check out the 9 th Annual GCG the Wild and Wonderful Experience Camp! We have much fun and exciting programs planned with guest speakers and of course, all the fun and exploring 12 the Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center has to offer. Space is limited so don t delay in finding your special 15 camper! It is easy find on the GCG website under Youth: You may also contact: Molly Kimler Susan Turner W&WE Camp Chairman W&WE Camp Co-Chairman GCG Youth Awards GCG Ass t. Treasurer & Youth Coordinator mollykimler@gmail.com glencree@bellsouth.net 13

14 Siblings Matt and Ted Lee grew up and learned to cook in Charleston, South Carolina, in a townhouse on the city s fabled Rainbow Row. When they left to attend colleges in the Northeast, they so missed the foods of their hometown that they founded The Lee Bros. Boiled Peanuts Catalogue, a mail-order catalogue for Southern staples like grits, pickled okra, and, of course, boiled peanuts. When an editor of a travel magazine asked them to write a story about road-tripping their home state in search of great food, they embarked on a second career as food journalists and cookbook authors. Since 2000, they have written hundreds of food, wine, and travel features for magazines and newspapers, including The New York Times, Travel + Leisure, Martha Stewart Living, Southern Living, Saveur, Bon Appetit, and Food & Wine. Their three cookbooks, The Lee Bros. Southern Cookbook (2007), The Lee Bros. Simple Fresh Southern (2009), and The Lee Bros. Charleston Kitchen (2013) have, combined, won six James Beard and IACP Awards, and they are widely credited with bringing a richer understanding of Southern cooking into the mainstream. They were on-air commentators for all seven seasons of The Cooking Channel s hit series Unique Eats, and they are currently hosts and executive producers of Southern Uncovered with The Lee Bros. on Ovation. Matt, his wife Gia, and their three sons live in Charleston, SC. Ted lives with his wife, artist E.V. Day, in Brooklyn, NY. Please join us, Tuesday, April 12, 2016 at 6:30 PM for this fun event. Southern Small Bites and Signature Cocktails will be held at 6:30 PM, followed by the program at 7:30 PM, McElreath Hall, Atlanta History Center. Ticket price is $25. For tickets, visit AtlantaHistoryCenter.com/Lectures. For more information or to purchase tickets by phone, please call All lecture ticket purchases are nonrefundable. 14

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16 VISIONS OF BEAUTY NGC, INC. CALENDAR All members of clubs affiliated with National Garden Clubs, Inc. are invited to send digital photos as examples of skill and artistry for the 2018 Calendar. All types of designs are requested: Traditional, Contemporary, New Trends, and those appropriate for seasons of the year and holidays. Photos of a small area of your garden, such as pocket garden, are also accepted for consideration. Requirements: Submit only Vertical digital photos. Professional Photographer shots are preferable. If taken with a camera or phone, it should have a minimum of eight (8) megapixels. - One should avoid using the zoom feature when taking calendar photos - One should avoid resizing the photo digitally for the same reason. A digital print, size 5 x 7, must be sent by mail including an entry form. For additional information and entry form: CALENDAR DEADLINE: July 1, 2016 Mail to: Brenda Bingham 7 Lenape Trail Cedar Grove, NJ ENTRY FORM 2018 Vision of Beauty NGC, Inc. Calendar Name Print clearly, type or use address label Address Zip Garden Club or Affiliate (Required) Photographer Title of Picture Write a short caption (30 words or less) including components and botanical names of plant material. photo (jpeg) to ngcvob@gmail.com, include title and designer s name. Must also mail digital photo and completed entry form to: Brenda Bingham 7 Lenape Trail Cedar Grove, NJ Entry Deadline: July 1, 2016 Maximum of five (5) entries, one (1) background per entry, one (1) entry per form If duplicates are made of this. All entries become the property of NGC, Inc. 16

17 Arboreta, Botanic and Memorial Gardens Ruthellen Anderson State and Laurel District Arboreta & Botanical Gardens Chairman The University of Georgia, Athens, Georgia Please encourage your club members to support the Arboreta, Botanical and Memorial Gardens. 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, please go to GCG s web site look up state chairmanships in the new GCG Guide then Arboreta, Botanic and Memorial Gardens for the different memberships that you or your club might consider. This site also has instructions of where to send your check for membership. Thank you for supporting our gardens. 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 Donation Amount $ $.00 donation for the State Botanical Garden in Athens $.00 donation for the State Botanical Children s Garden in Athens $.00 for the Atlanta Botanical Gardens / $.00 for Other Garden - list Why not plan a club field trip to one or more of the gardens listed below, we are fortunate to have so many beautiful gardens here in Georgia. Arboretums Lockerly Arboretum 1534 Irwinton Road, Milledgeville Smith-Gilbert Arboretum 2382 Pine Mountain Road NW, Kennesaw Thompson Mills Forest 8755 Highway 53, Braselton The Coastal Plain Research Center 2356 Rainwater Road, Tifton UGA Campus Arboretum Athens, Georgia 30602, Campus Arboretum Map Botanical and Memorial Gardens Atlanta Botanical Garden 1345 Piedmont Avenue NE, Atlanta Atlanta Botanical Garden 1911 Sweetbay Drive, Gainesville Augusta Botanical Garden 1100 Reynolds Street, Augusta Barnsley Gardens 597 Barnsley Garden Road, Adairsville Callaway Gardens Highway 27, Pine Mountain Chatham County Garden Center & Botanical Garden 1388 Eisenhower Drive, Savannah Columbus Botanical Garden 3603 Weems Road, Columbus Founders Memorial Garden UGA Campus, 325 S Lumpkin Street, Athens Fred Hamilton Rhododendron Garden 1311 Music Hall Road, Hiawassee Garden Station Research and Education Garden 1109 Experiment Street, Griffin Georgia Perimeter College Botanical Garden 3251 Panthersville Road, Decatur Georgia Southern Botanical Garden Georgia Southern University, Bland Avenue, Statesboro Gibbs Garden 1987 Gibbs Drive, Ball Ground Masse Lane Gardens 100 Masse Lane, Fort Valley (American Camellia Society) The State Botanical Garden of Georgia 2450 South Milledge Avenue, Athens Vines Botanical Gardens 3500 Oak Grove Road, Loganville Waddell Barnes Botanical Gardens 100 College Station Drive, Macon

18 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. After those funds were depleted, the GCG Board decided it was such a great project, that it has continued to fund this Grant with monies from the GCG Treasury. We wish to support community projects undertaken by our member garden clubs. 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. Remember, applications must be accompanied by a Proposed/Completed Project Financial Statement, including proof of other matching grants, or donations of goods/services. Everything is included in the packet of information. When your club plans a civic project, please allow the Garden Club of Georgia to help. Community on My Mind is an ongoing project that may be applied for anytime during the fiscal year -- May 1st to April 30th. Go to the GCG website and look at the two-page application. Easy-peasy. We're in the money give away. Sherle Beck Civic Improvement Chair 150 Plum Nellie Lane, Brunswick, GA ; sherlecbeck@gmail.com With Appreciation to you! The GCG Scholarship Committee wishes to extend a big THANK YOU to all of our participants in the Dollars Educate Scholars Fundraiser. This new campaign was a huge success in raising an additional $7, Combined with the generous contributions made by clubs and individuals, the Scholarship Committee has awarded a record breaking $72,000. in GCG Scholarships to 22 very deserving students! The collective donations of our 34 Named Scholarships, along with Patrons, club donations, Honorariums, Memorials and of course the $1.00 from so many members have made all the difference in the lives of these students. You will notice that 10% additional funds came from our Dollars Educate Scholars fundraiser! We are now officially into the new GCG Scholarship giving period. We will continue with our scholarship gifts as listed above, including Dollars Educate Scholars. What a great way for each member to play a role in the success of a young person dedicated to the same mission as The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., Beautification, Conservation & Education. Ruth Ellen Anderson, Mary Denney, Betty Grimes, Brenda Griner, Pat Hathaway, Jane Hersey, Kay King, Martha Price, Susan Turner & Marge Willis. 18 Again, our sincere thanks to all! The GCG Scholarship Committee Dot Williams, Chairman

19 Marilyn McDonnell GCG Parks and Public Lands Chairman As spring arrives we are all anxious to get back outside to see what we can create for this growing season. It s also time for all Clubs, Councils, or Districts to get in touch with your District State Parks & Public Lands Chairman to plan those matching grant projects for our State Parks. Funds for the current fiscal year will expire at the end of April. Forms and grant information are located on the GCG web site under the Awards tab. Your State Committee is looking forward to seeing what great things you can pull together to support these areas that we all enjoy visiting! Large or small, our work will benefit all who enjoy the pleasures of our Parks and Historical Sites. Remember: the continuation of the grant program will be dependent on contributions from Clubs, Councils, or Districts to the Parks & Public Lands fund. Please encourage all groups to participate with whatever funds are possible to support this worthy program. Do you know a young artist? Be sure to encourage them to enter the 18th annual Wildlife Forever State-Fish Art contest. This contest is open to kids in Grades K-12 with a deadline for entries on March 31 st. You have to enter to win! To enter, young artists create an original illustration of their chosen fish from the official State-Fish List. A personal one-page written essay, story or poem based on its behavior, habitat and/or conservation needs is also required and awarded (not required for participants in K-3 rd grade). Winning contestants from each state, plus Ontario, Canada and international entries, will be honored in four grade categories, K-3, 4-6, 7-9 and Entries must be postmarked by March 31, Judging will be held in April and winners announced by Tuesday, May 10, All Georgia Entries are due postmarked by March 31, 2016 at the Go Fish Education Center (1255 Perry Parkway, Perry, GA 31069). For all 2016 details and to view the 2015 winning images, visit 19

20 MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT MEMBERSHIP CAMPAIGNCAN LEAD GCG TO New Adventures Diane Harbin, 4 th Vice President, Membership Development On Jan. 16, 2016, Expedition 46 Commander Scott Kelly shared photographs of a blooming zinnia flower in the Veggie plant growth system aboard the International Space Station. Kelly wrote, "Yes, there are other life forms in space! YES! There is new life in space and here in Georgia! Our new life can and will result from new members in The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. As we approach the spring, it is time to put on our walking shoes and visit with our neighbors to share the exciting activities of gardening. Let s inform new and old friends about the programs for the youth. Spring is a wonderful opportunity to encourage growth in our gardens and in our garden clubs. The president s reports are in. How can the individual clubs gain a few points? The answer is simple MEMBERSHIP INCREASES. By increasing membership, we can gain points but more importantly we will be able to continue funding two state scholarships. Membership is important to our community and the youth of tomorrow. Save The Date: Flower Show Judges Symposium July Athens, GA Watch for Details in June 1 st Board Briefs! 20

21 Suzanne Wheeler Flower Show School Sponsored by: North Georgia Council of Flower Show Judges FLOWER SHOW SCHOOL COURSE II In memory of former GCG President Suzanne Wheeler, North Georgia Council of Flower Show Judges is sponsoring a Flower Show School to be held at Bellmere Garden House in Johns Creek. Come and join us March 14-17, 2016 for Course II. Learn the ins and outs of flower shows and how to judge floral designs and horticulture. Trece Chancellor, NGC Flower Show School Design Instructor, will exhibit and discuss Creative Designs with minor and moderate abstraction, as well as Creative Mass Designs. If your focus is on horticulture, then you ll want to come and hear our very own Carolyn Hawkins, NGC Flower Show School Horticulture and Flower Show Procedure Instructor, talk about Daffodils and woody perennials, with an emphasis on Aucuba, and how to grow, show and judge them. She will also present Flower Show Procedure and the rules associated with holding a flower show. Flower Show School is not only for prospective flower show exhibitors and judges, but also for all garden club members and all persons interested in flower design and horticulture. While the primary purpose of these courses is to train those aspiring to become flower show judges, many people attend for information only. Each of the four courses, offered approximately six months apart, includes Horticulture curriculum, Flower Show Procedure and Design instruction. The cost for each course is $ for fulltime students and a judge s special of $90 for the two-day course. Courses need not be taken sequentially, so if you missed Course I, you can begin with Course II and pick up Course I later. For further information, contact Joy Zaidan, GCG Flower Show Schools Chairman at jzaidan@bellsouth.net or **Mark your calendars for Course III: September 26-29, 2016 and Course IV: March 27-30, 2017** The Suzanne Wheeler FLOWER SHOW SCHOOL Course II Registration Deadline: March 7, 2016 NO REFUNDS AFTER FEBRUARY 14, 2016 Students, Full Course (with exam) 18 Students, Full Course (no exam) 21 Course II: March 14-17, 2016 (The 2007 Handbook is required for credit) Name Address Phone # Garden Club Make Checks Payable to NGCFSJ Flower Show School Mail to: Cookie Roland, Registrar & Co-Chairman 2771 Anscot Court, Snellville, GA r_cookie@att.net Student, One Day Auditing (Check one) Judge s Auditing Special, Full Course Judge s Auditing, One Day, Tue., Horticulture Judge s Auditing, One Day, Wed., Design Total Enclosed $130 $115 $ 65 $ 90 $ 55 $ 55 $ Fees include lunch and snacks on Tuesday & Wednesday

22 Help Needed! WILDFLOWERS DIGITAL PHOTOGRAPHIC CONTEST Through the GCG photographic contest, we hope to create an appreciation of our wonderful Wildflower Heritage. We wish to encourage photographers to view and photograph their beauty and share with others. DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES EXTENDED MARCH 25, 2016 Chairmen: Evelyna Keadle Rogers - rogers2767@bellsouth.net & Barbara Johnson Webmaster/2nd Vice-President - Barbara Bourque - b.bourque@comcast.net ENJOY & SHARE THE WILDFLOWERS! You are needed to help make this the best ever Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Wildflower Digital Photo Contest. Even if you never photograph a single wildflower, you can help the contest be our best ever by helping to get the word about the contest out to all our members. How? Make an announcement about the contest at all of your garden club meetings. And remember, there is a separate category for all of your non-garden club friends. Encourage Pineland Petunia participation. The wonderful Wildflower pictures are posted on the web by Webmaster Barbara Bourque for everyone to enjoy. Every variety of wildflower deserves a picture on our web. This is a wonderful way to share the beauty of wildflowers, and to increase our wildflower knowledge. Be a part of something beautiful. Spread the word about the wildflower Digital Photo Contest. We also hope you will be sending in your favorite photos, and getting the word out to your friends. Contest rules can be found at and the application can be downloaded from Evelyna, Barbara & Barbara WILDFLOWERS We are pleased to answer your questions: rogers2767@bellsouth.net Remember those fantastic mud pies you once made? This recipe provides an opportunity to play in the mud again without having your friends and family becoming concerned about your bizarre behavior. This recipe is so simple, good results are predicted even for those allergic to cooking. And, if you need some help, kids love to play with dirt, too. Make a batch today. Serve with pride. You will impress your gardening friends, and bring beauty to some special, or neglected space. FABULOUS WILDFLOWER BALLS Yield: Between 40 to 50 balls MATERIALS: You will need a bucket, or dishpan; a cookie sheet; newspapers; dry organic compost; and dry pottery, or terracotta clay. RECIPE: 1 to 2 parts organic soil 1-part wildflower seed Evelyna Keadle Rogers & Barbara Keadle Johnson GCG WILDFLOWER CHAIRMEN DIRECTIONS: Place in bucket or dishpan and mix well: 5 parts dry pottery soil, or terracotta clay Blend well with above ingredients: 1 to 2 parts water Add water a little at a time, mixing well with each addition of water. HINT: The mixture should be the consistency of dough If in doubt about the consistency of dough, consult Caroline Alford. Test: dough should not fall apart if squeezed into a ball. Cover cookie sheet with several layers of newspaper. Pinch off a small amount of dough, and roll into a ball. Balls should be approximately the size of a marble. Placing balls about one inch apart, continue until all dough used. Place cookie sheet of balls in sun, or warm dry place for two days to thoroughly dry. Wildflower seed balls should be scattered on bare soil. Use about 10 ball for each square yard. DO NOT BURY WILDFLOWER SEED BALLS and DO NOT WATER. ADITIONAL THOUGHTS: A fun project for club, or youth groups; Fun and thoughtful gifts; country store item; wrap in fabric and tie for gifts, or favors. Share your experience with us, rogers2767@bellsouth.net Chefs, Evelyna & Barbara 22

23 Litter, Pollution Control/Recycling THE GARDEN CLUB OF GEORGIA, INC. Evelyna Keadle Rogers & Barbara Keadle Johnson, Chairmen MAKE RECYCLING FUN Recycling is nothing new. Our grandmothers and greatgrandmothers were great at recycling. Those treasured homemade quills were made from out-grown or worn-out clothing. Many children grew up thinking old car tires were made for swings and the inner tubes from those tattered tires served as floats for enjoying summer fun on lakes, and creeks. Grandma's old pedal sewing machine (I have been searching for one for years), is no longer needed for making aprons from flour sacks. Those old sewing machines bases are now topped with glass or granite and used as tables in homes and gardens. Once Mason jars were recycled to hold each new season of vegetables, jams, and preserves. Yes, those same Mason jars we now fill with little bouquets for a casual party and, when not holding a bouquet of flowers, the jars may be used for sweet tea or Bar-B-Que sauce. Remember those Piñatas you made in school, and those relief maps? Paper machete is made from old newspapers, glue and water. There are probably hundreds of ways old newspapers are recycled. Think of a few. I won my first flower show Blue Ribbon at age nine with a recycled boot. Unfortunately, my uncle was not ready for the boot to be recycled. My cousin and I thought we had a wonderful idea for our entry in the youth division of the flower show. We borrowed a boot from our Uncle for our theme, There was an old woman who lived in a shoe. I suppose we did not exactly explain what we intended to do with the boot. We painted the tall lace up boot a bright pink enamel and cut a few small windows in the boot for the little dollhouse children to peep out. The boot's tongue made a slide and the laces up the button holes provided a perfect jungle-gym. The boot was placed on a large tray lined with fairy grass, (moss from a ditch), buttons for a walkway, a sunken mirror for a little pond and little doll house children everywhere. We were so excited over our creation and won the youth division Blue Ribbon. While my cousin and I were trying to agree over how to divide our Blue Ribbon, our uncle was yelling that he would not wear a pink boot and did not care that it had won a Blue Ribbon at the flower show. I am sure there is an important lesson in this. Now it is your turn. We would like to share your projects, and your ideas for recycling. Please send to: rogers2767@bellsouth.net Recycling is just as important today as in days gone by. Recycling, a great way to clean-it-up, make something beautiful, make something useful, or funky. Recycling, a great way to have fun. 23

24 The Community Wildlife Project (CWP) is a joint effort of GCG and the Department of Natural Resources Non-Game Division. Its purpose is to better manage non-game wildlife and plant habitats in rural, urban, and suburban communities seeks to: Enhance native nongame animal and plant populations and their habitats in urban, suburban and rural communities throughout the state. Foster wildlife conservation stewardship and education in Georgia communities. Promote respect and appreciation of wildlife in combination with community beautification. Improve the quality of life for Georgians living in these communities. Many of the GCG members and friends have met the qualifications to have their yards certified as wildlife habitats. They are proudly displaying the CWP signs in their yards. Have you completed the forms to see if your yard is qualified? Participation categories include Individual Backyard Certification (revised by DNR), Hummingbird Haven, Nesting Box Certification (Revised by DNR) and Communal Living Backyard Certification (for apartment, condo, townhouse, or assisted living dwellers). AND THE WINNER IS: A certificate will be awarded to the district with the highest certification of the year in both the Backyard and Hummingbird Haven categories based on percentage of membership. The winner will be announced at the April Annual meeting in Macon. Individual Backyard Certification (download application here) Neighborhood Backyard Certification Invite your neighbors to complete a survey Communal Living Backyard Certification For apartment, condo, townhouse, or assisted living dwellers (download application here) Community Certification An in-depth, multi-faceted program intended to educate the community while creating a diverse and large scale habitat for wildlife Hummingbird Haven - Individual Yard Certification (download application here) Neighborhood Box Certification Register your neighborhood s roosting/nesting boxes (download application here) Complete the forms available above and see if your yard qualifies to be a "Certified Wildlife Habitat." Once certified, you are eligible to purchase the beautiful metal sign pictured left for $8.00, (if mailed, add $6.45 for postage). The purchase information for the sign will be included with your letter of certification. For further information, contact: Terry Waith, twaith@bellsouth.net, or Jean O Shields, oshieldsjj@bellsouth.net, GCG Community Wildlife Co-Chairmen. 24

25 DATE REGISTER MARCH Tue-Thu Gardening Study School Rome 7-8 Mon-Tue Deep South Convention Tunica, Mississippi Mon-Thu The Suzanne Wheeler Flower Show School Course II Bellmere Garden House, Johns Creek 23 Wed South Georgia Native Plant and Wildflower Symposium Tifton APRIL Tue GCG F&E Meeting Macon Wed-Thu GCG Annual Meeting Macon Sun-Sat Garden Week in Georgia Fri-Sat The Garden Club of Savannah's Annual NOGS Tour of Hidden Gardens Savannah Fri-Sun Tri-Refresher Augusta MAY Mon-Sat National Garden Club Convention Grand Rapids MI JUNE Sun-Sat National Garden Week 6-9 Mon-Thu Gardening Study School TBA JULY Sun-Tue Flower Show Judges Symposium Athens AUGUST Thu Magnolia District Board Meeting TBA 8 Mon Redbud District Board Meeting TBA 9 Tue Dogwood District Board Meeting TBA 11 Thu Laurel District Board Meeting TBA 16 Tue Camellia District Board Meeting Jeffersonville 16 Tue Oleander District Board Meeting Reidsville 18 Thu Azalea District Board Meeting TBA SEPTEMBER Tue GCG F&E Meeting Peachtree City Wed-Thu GCG State Board Meeting Peachtree City Mon-Fri NGC Board Meeting Portland ME Mon-Thu The Suzanne Wheeler Flower Show School Course III Bellmere Garden House, Johns Creek OCTOBER Sat-Sun NGC Board Meeting Portland ME 4 Tue Magnolia District Fall Meeting Albany 5 Wed Camellia District Fall Meeting Macon 11 Tue Dogwood District Fall Meeting Douglasville 25

26 12 Wed Laurel District Fall Meeting Marietta 13 Thu Redbud District Fall Meeting Atlanta 18 Tue Azalea District Meeting Charlie Elliott Wildlife Center, Mansfield 25 Tue Oleander District Fall Meeting TBA JANUARY Tue GCG F&E Meeting Thomasville Wed-Thu GCG State Board Meeting Thomasville 24 Tue Oleander District Board Meeting TBA 31 Tue Camellia District Board Meeting Fitzgerald FEBRUARY Thu Magnolia District Board Meeting TBA 13 Mon Redbud District Board Meeting Atlanta 16 Thu Laurel District Board Meeting TBA MARCH Mon-Thu The Suzanne Wheeler Flower Show School Course IV Bellmere Garden House, Johns Creek APRIL Sun-Sat Garden Week in Georgia 17 Mon GCG F&E Meeting Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain Tue-Thu GCG State Convention Callaway Gardens, Pine Mountain MAY Tue-Sun National Garden Club Convention Richmond VA 26