LAUREL LETTERS REACHING FOR OUR DESTINY AS WE LEARN AND GROW

Transcription

1 LAUREL LETTERS REACHING FOR OUR DESTINY AS WE LEARN AND GROW SUMMER, 2014 JACKIE S JEWELS From a great Rodgers and Hammerstein musical ( Carousel ), come these words: June is bustin out all over, all over the meader (sic) and the hill. Here s hoping that your meaders and hills are bustin out. As I take my morning stroll through my gardens and have a moment of reverie, I think of so many of you and wish that you could be walking along beside me. Since we cannot all be together, I have decided to include a few photos of these daily miracles for you to enjoy. Take time to share your green thumb by posting and sharing on one of the many opportunities that our garden clubs give us. Learning and growing is at the top of our list. Some of us have nearly completed the four courses of Gardening Study Schools sponsored by Magnolia District. Don t miss out on the next opportunity. You may have to travel across Georgia (or maybe even cross over state lines), but you will be glad you did! Just think of the new friends that you will make not to mention the vast amount of knowledge that you will accumulate. It s not too late to register for Course III of Environmental Studies Schools sponsored by Camellia District to be held in Tifton in November. You need not have taken Courses I and II. Start in the middle. Laurel members are attending these schools also. Look for registration forms for Landscape Design School to begin in late fall. Your own district will be sponsoring this school which will be offered in Marietta. Join the caravan and travel with us. Echinacea 'Tomato Soup French Lace Weigela See other photos on page 6 So much has happened since our May Convention. Garden clubbers do not slow down just because those lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer * are here. The Garden Club of Ellijay will host a flower show on June 27 and 28. Don t miss it! Your Executive Committee will be attending a retreat to brainstorm ideas for the remainder of the administration. Oh, it is going so fast! So much is yet to be done with so little time available. If you have ideas, let anyone on the Executive Committee know. All ideas are welcome. Clubs are also meeting this summer to plan their meetings for the year. A multitude of materials is available for programs. Be sure to take advantage of them. Remember to incorporate learning and growing into your programs. Also, don t forget Youth are our future. Start a new youth club or work on ideas for existing clubs. Each club is challenged to sponsor at least one club. Some clubs are really showing off with more than one. And a final note Rest, Relax, Rejuvenate and Recharge to be ready to meet and exceed the challenges of our coming year. *Words by Charles Tobias 1 P a g e REACHING FOR OUR DESTINY AS WE LEARN AND GROW

2 Trayletaah Garden Club The Trayletaah Garden Club donated a copy of "Garden Insects of North America, the Ultimate Guide to Backyard Bugs" by Whitney Cranshaw to the Hickory Flat Public Library in honor of Georgia Garden Week, celebrated April 20-26th. Pictured are Trayletaah member, Gerry Slaughter (L) and Hickory Flat branch manager, Rhonda Broome. Townview Garden Club, Rome, had a gardening day with the Montessori School of Rome. The above pumpkin vine is on the run. This pumpkin is from an heirloom seed that kindergartens students have had access to for over 15 years. GARDEN CLUB OF ELLIJAY The Trayletaah Garden Club held its annual plant sale during this year's Canton Festival of the Arts. Pictured (left to right) are club members. Had a brunch to help new members better integrate into the club and make new friendships. Six new members in the Club were able to attend the brunch; we also had our board members and Senior Chairs for our large committees. Submitted by: Kelly Altman, President, Laurel District members were delighted to have our NCG President, Linda Nelson, attend the GCG conference in Macon. 2 P a g e

3 Anne Hathaway Happenings! We are just chugging along in In March, we learned about Indian Marker trees from Don Wells, President of Mountain Stewards. This is a very dedicated group of people who volunteer their time and efforts to document and preserve the history of these trees. We were treated to a snippet of the Documentary Mystery of the Trees. Indian trail trees still exist in many states throughout the Mississippi Valley and eastward. They seem to be most numerous in Kentucky, Ohio, Illinois Wisconsin, Michigan, Indiana and Missouri. For more information check out the website (First 4 pictures) April brought a surprise freeze for our annual plant/bake sale fundraiser--it was chilly but the sky was blue and there were a wide assortment of yummy baked goods for sale, hot coffee and plenty of plants for the die-hard gardeners who braved the frigid temps! We had a wide assortment of plants from our very own gardens and Gwen Pennington brought a variety of vegetable plants she started from seeds. We had local writer for Cobb Living Mark Maguire stop by to pick up plants for his garden. Thanks to Priscilla Smith for taking the pictures. 3 P a g e

4 (Pictures 5-10) May was a delightful field trip to Jack Driskell's garden. It was a glorious morning to tour Jack's yard. He has quite the eclectic variety of plants layered in a woodland setting. It was amazing to see what he has accomplished while fending off the deer who like to dine on his creations! We were treated to an amazing assortment of shade plants and yard art. Jack was a wonderful sharing his knowledge and design ideas for the shade garden. We sipped on lemonade and dined "al fresco" on light snacks. Jack shared some seeds and clippings from his vast collection. Thanks to Debbie Sellier for taking the pictures. We will cap off the season with a June picnic at member Nancy Martin's house. We will start back up in September after taking off July and August. Ball Ground Garden Club Spruces Up Downtown Submitted by Barbara Spryn On June 6, the Ball Ground (Anetsa Ga-Da G.C.) q1ycelebrated National Garden Week by sprucing up & watering all previously planted planters, baskets, and containers in downtown Ball Ground and at the school. Pictures include three large planters at the ball field; eight hay baskets on fences throughout Ball Ground; six beautiful planters at Ball Ground Elementary School & STEM Academy, and two L-shaped planters beneath the American Flag in the heart of downtown. Ladies present were Diane Smith, Marie Nordest, Evelyn Foster, Hazel Cochran, Beverly Poag, Paula Dorris, Vivian Little, and Jennie Byers. Many thanks go to Diane Smith, Beverly Poag, Linda Scrivner, and others who had a part in the planting. Thanks also to the Ball Ground Business & Community Association for assistance in purchasing flowers. Club members have signed up to water all locations with watering to be done three times a week, based on rain received. The ladies finished up the day with a wonderful lunch at Madeline s Café and Bakery in Jasper. Our little town looks beautiful! (See photos on page 5.) Submitted by Evelyn Foster, Publicity Chair 4 P a g e

5 NGC Week Spruce-Up Ball Ground Downtown Planters and Baskets June 6, P a g e

6 ANETSA GA-DA G.C CELEBRATE NATIONAL GARDEN WEEK On June 6, the Ball Ground (Anetsa Ga-Da G.C.) celebrated National Garden Week by sprucing up & watering all previously planted planters, baskets, and containers in downtown Ball Ground and at the school. Pictures include three large planters at the ball field; eight hay baskets on fences throughout Ball Ground; six beautiful planters at Ball Ground Elementary School & STEM Academy, and two L-shaped planters beneath the American Flag in the heart of downtown. Ladies present were Diane Smith, Marie Nordest, Evelyn Foster, Hazel Cochran, Beverly Poag, Paula Dorris, Vivian Little, and Jennie Byers. Many thanks go to Diane Smith, Beverly Poag, Linda Scrivner, and others who had a part in the planting. Thanks also to the Ball Ground Business & Community Association for assistance in purchasing flowers. Club members have signed up to water all locations with watering to be done three times a week, based on rain received. The ladies finished up the day with a wonderful lunch at Madeline s Café and Bakery in Jasper. Our little town looks beautiful! Submitted by Evelyn Foster, Publicity Chair WINDER GARDEN CLUB The Winder Garden Club ended its year with a sandwich, salad, and dessert picnic at the Winder City Pavilion. This was a lovely spot and our first time there. We had good food, fellowship, and a wonderful plant auction. This is our main money-making project for the year, and there were lots of pass-along plants, plus some unique ones. We usually don't meet during the summer, but we decided to do a "garden stroll" of member's yards. We're in the process of making plans for that and feel it might become a tradition! Pat Tucker Leucanthemum 'Aglaia' (Shaggy Shasta Daisy) (L) Monarda didyma 'Jacob Cline' Bee Balm (R) Hemerocalis 'Alabama Jubilee' Hemerocalis 'Siloam Double Classic' Left and Above, more of Jackie s Flowers 6 P a g e

7 Spade and Trowel Garden Club, Rome, recently participated in the Community Wildlife Backyard Habitat certification program. Donna Barnes, Chairperson for Laurel District Community Wildlife, earlier presented a program on Backyard Habitat and Hummingbird Haven for Certification to Spade and Trowel Garden Club and encouraged members to apply for one or both programs for their yards to be certified. As a result, the club included applying for certification as part of its celebration of Garden Week in Georgia. Ten members participated in the Community Wildlife Project completing the Backyard Habitat survey, and four also completed the Hummingbird Haven survey. Spade and Trowel received awards at the Garden Club of Georgia Convention in Macon on May 14 15, The club won first place and the Trophy Award for Horticulture Program which is awarded to the garden club presenting the best single horticulture program during the year. Susan Williams program on hydrangeas was the winning program. (Photo below). The club s newsletter, Digging Up the News, placed second in Publications, and the Yearbook received Honorable Mention. Townview Garden Club had their May meeting before the summer break at the beautiful home and gardens of Martha Berry. Tim Brown, Director of the Martha Berry Museum gave a tour of the home and the new additions of pictures from the Berry family. Also the gardens, esp. the back hill behind the home is being "taken back" to the days of Martha. He referred to "Garden History of Georgia " printed originally by The Garden Club of Georgia in Tim Brown's copy is a reprint from the 70's. The gardens are still laid out the same, which many of the historical gardens can't claim. If you are in our area this summer be sure to include the museum and home and gardens in your ramblings. You will be impressed!!! No instructions needed. See Photo Below Have a Safe and Thankful July 4th OAK HILL TOUR! 7 P a g e

8 Protecting Our Pollinators, Carol Brody Chair Summer has arrived and with it come butterflies of all sorts. In addition to growing vegetables and flowers, gardeners may also be interested in encouraging butterflies and pollinators in general, into their garden or backyard. Below are two ideas for doing so. 1. Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail In 2013 Mrs. Carter established her butterfly garden to bring awareness to conserving butterflies, their habitats and for her love of nature. The trail idea emerged after discussing the garden and Mrs. Carter s desire to bring public awareness to the declining number of the monarch butterfly population. A plan was established to promote public, private and school gardens. Information about plants and garden features to have in your garden are detailed at You are invited to join the Trail. 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. Jackie Fulmer and I are interested to know how many Laurel district members are participating in this activity to promote butterfly habitats. If you join the trail, please me at cbgeorgia@yahoo.com with your name and city you live in or garden club you are a member of. 2. Monarchs across Georgia MAG is a committee of the Environmental Education Alliance and works together with teachers, students, families, communities and garden clubs to study Monarch butterflies and restore butterfly habitat across the state of Georgia. Its mission is to inspire future caretakers of the natural environment by educating about monarch butterflies and other pollinators. The website has a wealth of information on making your backyard pollinator friendly and as well information on volunteering for Monarchs Across Georgia ( Just a thought: Work like you don't need the money Love like you've never been hurt Dance like nobody's watching Sing like nobody's listening and Live like it's Heaven on Earth. 8 P a g e

9 COMMERCE GARDEN CLUB The Commerce Garden has been busy this spring. On February 25th, the Club met at The Sandy Creek Nature Center in Athens. The members learned the history of the center and the educational opportunities that the Sandy Creek Nature Center provides for the extended community. Programs are presented on different plant and animal species, and individual plants and animals may be observed in the museum displays. The Nature Center also provides home school science programs and summer camps for the primary grades. The Commerce Club members toured the museum, observed the indoor displays, and the outdoor plant habitat. First photo shows some members of the Commerce Garden Club at the sign that the Sandy Creek Nature Center welcomed us with. In March, the Commerce Garden Clubs had the Gala Winds Flute Ensemble perform, A Musical Journey Through the Garden." This musical trip included tunes such as, Edelweiss", "Summertime", Blue Bells of Scotland", and "Lo, How a Rose". One attachment showing the flute ensemble playing. On April 22nd-Earth Day- the Commerce Garden Club met to learn about Earth preservation. Speaker Dotti Jones used gardening as a topic for renewing, recycling, and saving our precious planet. May concluded the Commerce Garden Club's year. This last meeting consisted of a buffet and a plant sale. Members brought extra garden plants that were sold through vigorous bidding contests that energized everyone on a hot day. Amicalola Garden Club Baltimore Quilt Raffle Photo (left) of the Caroline Silcox Daylily that was presented at the 2013 GCG by the Kennesaw Mountain Daylily Farm, located near Powder Springs. This lily was sent by Caroline. 9 P a g e Tickets: $2.00 or 3 for $5.00 Queen-sized, embroidered Baltimore quilt, made byamicalola Garden Club Members. To purchase tickets, call (770) ; or mail a self-addressed stamped envelope with payment to: P.O. Box 25, Tate, GA 30177; or purchase tickets on November 1, 2014 at Tate gym during Tate Day. All proceeds are utilized for community projects. Drawing will be held November 1, 2014 at 3 p.m. at Tate Gym. You do not have to be present to win!

10 Wanda Wilburn and Janie Carroll, Members of Dogwood Garden Club of Lawrenceville, Georgia The Dogwood Garden Club of Lawrenceville, Georgia, recently held a garage and plant sale to raise funds to purchase a tree to be planted in our new city park, The Lawrenceville Green. Of course, we plan for it to be a dogwood tree. We have had programs on garden design and floral design. Our June program took us to a Gwinnett County park, McDaniel Farm, where one of our members oversees the herb garden. ENVIROMENT IS IMPORTANT Members of the Mountain Ivy Garden Club of Clayton toured State Botanical Garden in Athens in May. "Fun" Chairwoman Gwen Fink arranged the trip. Pictured are Fink, Bev Wilson, Susan Fisher, Diane Mobley, Bess Green, 10 P Nancy a g e Nolte. I hope you know our National President, Linda Nelson, wants us to learn new ways to garden that protect our earth. One expert I hope you will come to know is Howard Garrett at DIRTDOCTOR.COM I believe you will enjoy his website as well as his radio program. In the Rome area on 1470 AM and 98.7 FM, I listen before Sunday School and Church. Hopefully other stations in Laurel will carry his Dallas, Texas broadcasts. Howard has years of experience in using natural rather than dangerous chemical products and his sick tree treatment works wonders if a Everything we put on our yards has the potential to harm us as well as our air, land and water so I hope we can all learn new things to help protect our environment and support Linda. Georgia Burns Environmental Team and Air/ Water Chair

11 Garden Club of Ellijay Flower Show Cherokee Beauty Open & free to the public Location Gilmer Arts Association 207 Dalton Street, Ellijay, Georgia Friday, June 27-2:00 to 5:00 p.m. (Reception 3:00 to 5:00) 11 P a g e

12 Saturday, June 28-10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. (Youth Reception and awards 1:00-2:00) ELLEN AXSON WILSON AND THE WHITE HOUSE ROSE GARDEN Press conferences, photography sessions, official announcements, policy declarations, celebrations of astronauts and sports champions, and weddings have all taken place in the White House Rose Garden. Over 100 million visitors have explored the lush grounds that surround the Oval Office. These gardens, containing diamond shaped beds, are bordered by boxwood and thyme. They are flanked by Magnolia and seasonal plantings; however, the primary focus of the gardens is the array of roses including Queen Elizabeth grandiflora roses and the tea roses Pascale, Pat Nixon, and King s Ransom. This most prestigious site in our nation s capital was established by former First Lady of the United States Ellen Axson Wilson in Wife of Woodrow Wilson, Ellen grew up in Rome, Georgia, where her father served as minister of the First Presbyterian Church. Ellen thrived at the Rome Female College as an avid reader and lover of art and flowers; she later studied at the Art Students League in New York. She painted her entire life and relied on her artistic talent for solace and creative inspiration through the years that she served as First Lady of Princeton, First Lady of New Jersey and First Lady of the United States. Her preferred method of painting, plein-air, reflected her desire to honor the great beauty in nature on canvas. As First Lady, Ellen Wilson not only retained her identity as an artist, she also became a role model for future First Ladies. Mrs. Wilson was the first woman to campaign with her husband, to attend speeches given to Congress by her husband, and to represent her own cause rather than only those of her husband.she fervently lobbied for the renewal of the inadequate housing in the alleys surrounding the White House; this cause became one of her most important crusades. As she lay dying in the White House, the Alley Bill that she had so strongly supported was passed by Congress. Ellen spent the last months of her life suffering from Bright s Disease, a kidney illness. However she continued to work on her design of the Rose Garden. Her design included the famous Rose Walk through which Presidents stroll from the Oval Office to the living quarters. According to author Kristi Miller in her book, Ellen and Edith: Woodrow Wilson s First Ladies, Ellen Wilson transformed the role of the president s wife. Her hometown of Rome, Georgia is celebrating her life with several events this year. As first lady, Ellen Wilson planned to come back to Rome in September of Due to her untimely death, this homecoming did not take place; instead her body was brought to Rome to be buried next to her parents in Myrtle Hill. A memorial service will take place at The First Presbyterian Church on August 11 the site on which her funeral was conducted. On loan to the Rome Area Council for the Arts from The Woodrow Wilson House, a National Trust, Washington D.C., an exhibition of 21 of Mrs. Wilson s paintings will be displayed at the Oak Hill and Martha Berry Museum from July to October. Author Kristi Miller will speak at Berry College on September 11. The Rome Area Council for the Arts and the Oak Hill Martha Berry Museum invite you to visit Rome for this long awaited celebration of one of our nation s most influential First Ladies. By Emily Hjort, Four Seasons Garden Club 12 P a g e

13 Cumming Garden Club Fun with Flowers Program held May 3, 2014 Taking its lead from the Spring 2014 issue of Deep South Matters, Cumming Garden Club hosted a flower arranging workshop for a local Girl Scout Troop. Ruth Sutton, president of Cumming Garden Club, conducted the workshop and demonstrated making a traditional design, using the same materials provided for the girls. Parents of the girls joined in the fun, too. Six Girl Scouts displayed their designs. They were assisted by Club members (L to R in rear) Sherry Brownlee, Shirley Thomas and Ruth Sutton. 13 P a g e

14 CELEBRATING SOUTHERN STYLE The 86 th Annual Meeting of The Garden Clubs of Georgia, Inc. The Macon Marriot City Center was the location of the GCG State Convention. The Rome Federated Garden Club had many members attend the meeting. Awards received by the RFGC or member clubs are listed below: National Garden Club Awards #13-2-Ai: Educational Publication 1 st Townview Tree Talk #53B Website (Council) 1 st RFGC, GCG 1 st RFGC, NGC, Best Overall Deep South Region Award: 7-i: Litter Control: 2 nd Townview The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Awards #7: Special Achievement: 3 rd Townview #10 1.A.i Garden Therapy: 2 nd Townview [Type a quote from the document 3 rd Three or the Rivers #10 summary 1B: Garden of an interesting Therapy: 1point. st RFGC You can position (Trophy the text Winner) box anywhere in the #16 document.] A Yearbook: Clubs of 20 29: 1st Townview HM Spade and Trowel Club of 70 99: 1 st Seven Hills Trophy Winner Seven Hills #16B: 5-15 clubs: 1st RFGC #19.i Horticulture Award 1 st Spade and Trowel Trophy Award #25, A-2 Scrapbook, CD, 2 nd Townview #26, Poem Award, Class B 1 st Kathy Donahue, Townview Joy #28B: Publicity Press Book: 2 nd RFGC #37Ai (newsletter): 2nd Spade and Trowel 3 rd Three Rivers HM Townview #37 B: 1 st, RFGC (Newsletter-Council) #37 b.2.i: Tree Talk Manual Educational; 1 st Townview #37b5Ai: (Membership Brochure) 1 st Three Rivers 2 nd Townview #40 Ai; Gardens for the Challenged: 1 st Townview #43Ai: Litter and Pollution Control Award 1 st Townview #46Ai: Public Relations Awards 1 st Townview #49B: Holiday Decorations Councils- 2 nd RFGC #53B Website (Council) 1 st RFGC, GCG 1 st RFGC, NGC, Best Overall #58 A Junior Club Leadership Activities 2 nd Townview, Sharon Norman #59Ai: High School Gardeners Activities Award 1 st Townview (Trophy Winner) #60Ai: Garden Week in Georgia 1 st Three Rivers (Overall Winner) 3 rd Townview #H2 High School Gardener Yearbook 1 st Townview (Trophy Winner) 14 P a g e Check the National Garden Club winning website at clubs.com > Please save the date Wednesday, October 15, 2014, > The Cherokee Garden Library will host Central Park Conservatory > Garden Director and Author, Lynden B. Miller, who will discuss > her award-winning book, Parks, Plants, and People: > Beautifying the Urban Landscape

15 ROADSIDE BEAUTIFICATION By KATHRYN LITTON, STATE CHAIRMAN The Roadside Beautification program is alive and well in the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Again this year the program received national recognition with the book of evidence presented to NGC and a check for $500. It is important for each club to budget the $25 or more donation to this project so we can continue helping make the highways beautiful. Another exciting bit of news for the beautification program is that the Callaway Foundation will donate $4,000 per year for the next three years for the planting of daffodils on the highway leading off I-85 to Callaway Gardens. After the three years they will consider continuing with the donations. This will make a wonder daffodil trail all along this highway. 15 P a g e

16 LAUREL LETTERS REACHING FOR OUR DESTINY AS WE LEARN AND GROW SUMMER, 2014 STONEHEDGE GARDEN CLUB OF BUFORD ENJOYS FIELD TRIP. The Stonehedge Garden Club of Buford, Georgia had a field trip to Historic Oakland Cemetery in May. The cemetery is only five blocks east of the State Capitol in the midst of a revitalized, urban residential and commercial area. Oakland is one of the largest and most beautiful green spaces in Atlanta and is the city s oldest landmark in continuous use. It was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in The cemetery simultaneously functions as an outdoor art, architecture and history museum; and invaluable education resource; a botanical garden; an arboretum; an Audubon wildlife sanctuary; an events venue; and an active city park. STONEHEDGE GARDE CLUB ON TPIRS We hired a tour bus to drive us down, had a wonderful Tour Guide take us through the cemetery, and then enjoyed lunch at a fun restaurant across the street called Six Feet Under. Thank you to our Program Chairman Jean Bowen for organizing this fabulous field trip for our Garden Club! 16 P a g e OAKLAND CEMETARY

17 THANK YOU FOR SENDING SUCH INTERESTING INFORMATION. OUR NEXT ISSUE WILL BE IN THE FALL. PLEASE HAVE A WONDERFUL AND SAFE SUMMER. KATHY DONAHUE, LAUREL LETTERS EDITOR,( HOE N IN EUHARLEE PRESENTATION OF PROCLAMATION Sad News from Hoe n in Euharlee Beth Wesley, 11 years old lost her fight with cancer!!! Beth was one of our youth members from our Sprouts Garden Club. She was one of our first sprouts when we started this club some five years ago. Her grandmother, Liz King, is a member of the Hoe n In Euharlee Garden Club. SUMMER, 2014 Amicalola Garden Club Awards Scholarship The Amicalola Garden Club is a service club organization that was established in 1935 in the Tate Community. We celebrated our 79th anniversary of active service in March this year. Our club is affiliated with the state and national garden clubs and one of the areas of work we must fulfill to remain an authorized club is the inclusion of schools as beneficiaries of some of our projects. This year, three of our members, Fran Cathey, Pam Yeargin and Linda Allred brought a proposal to the club that we sponsor a scholarship for a Pickens High student to further his or her education and was subsequently approved by the club. The winning recipient should be seeking a major in a gardening field-horticulture, botany, landscaping design, agriculture, or other related study at a college or technical college. We asked Mr. Sullivan and his committee to oversee the selection process for us. On behalf of the Amicalola Garden Club and Ms. Jane Griffeth, our President, I am pleased to announce that the $500 scholarship is awarded to Miss Emalee Elizabeth Gentry, who will be majoring in horticulture at either Chattahoochee Tech. or Lanier Tech. 17 P a g e REACHING FOR OUR DESTINY AS WE LEARN AND GROW