Newsletter of the Redbud District of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Winter 2019 From the District Director In the coldest part of winter, we're looking ahead to Spring. After two hectic months of holidays, many of our clubs are back at work planning for planting, organizing their community projects and digging out from under the wet weather doldrums. We've passed the shortest day of the year and we're ready to get back in the dirt. As the calendar year starts anew, there are several non-digging projects we must attend to. First, I can't tell you how important it is that you fill out your President's Report on time. They are used to select several Redbud Club Awards and must be completed on time to receive a Club of Excellence Award. Even if you don't care for awards, these reports help GCG and all of us share program and project ideas. Last year 79% of our clubs completed the report; let's increase that percentage. The deadline is February 15, 2019 to mail your copy. You can find the report at President's Report. Remember: one copy to the District Director, one copy to the GCG President and one copy to your Council President, if any. Second: January is Dollars for Scholars month. If we all can contribute one dollar per club member, we can raise over $10,000 for scholarships. Our own Susan Turner heads up this effort and eagerly awaits your contributions. Third: We're getting to convention season! On March 11-13, the Oleander District and the Garden Club of Georgia host the Deep South Garden Clubs Inc. convention at Jekyll Island. Redbud is responsible for a lobby design thank you Anna Burns and Janet McGinnis and for the table designs for the gala dinner. Please let me know if you are planning to attend. We can use the help! Deep South will host several refresher opportunities this year. Then, make plans to attend the state convention in Columbus, Georgia hosted by the Magnolia District. Expect to be wowed by the Magnificent Magnolias on April 16-18. And plan to attend the Redbud District Breakfast where we'll inaugurate our new Board and, on the following day, anoint our fabulous new Director Quill Duncan! Registration forms and information are available online on the GCG Website. Lastly, our last Garden Studies school will be February 8 and 9 at the UGA Experimental and Research Garden in Griffin. This has been a wellreceived and informative experience. So, make plans to finish up or just refresh. Contact course leader Emily Wilbert (themomemw@gmail.com), Garden Studies Chair Marilyn McDonnell (mmcdonnell25@gmail.com) or registrar Barbara Adam (barbaraadam@att.net) for more information. Many thanks to these ladies along with our own Gail Berthe, the Godmother of Redbud Horticulture! I really look forward to seeing your reports; you make me proud to be a Remarkable Redbud! Diane Hunter District Director
We re Going to the Capitol! Join your Garden Club of Georgia friends and other members of the Georgia Water Coalition on February 20 from 7:30 a.m. until 12:00 pm to learn about and advocate for environmental issues. Tell your state representatives and senators that we value water for our families, economy, health, and future generations. Organized by the coalition's 200+ partner organizations, the event is free. You must, however, register at the following address: https://www.gawater.org/blog/event/capitolconservation-day-2019. GCG will visit with our new governor as well. Now is the time to show Governor Kemp what our Redbuds care about. Limited parking is available across from the Capitol at the church but we urge you to carpool or take Marta. Tally Sweat will be sending out more information as the date gets closer, so please open your emails. Let her know if you plan to attend! Meet for free breakfast at Central Presbyterian church across from the Capitol where you will be briefed on the major environmental issues, trained on how to advocate for positions, and then sent across the street to meet with your legislators.. Winter Board Meeting The Winter Redbud Board meeting will be held on Monday, February 11 at 10:30 a.m. In the Courtyard at Callanwolde. All board members and club presidents are invited to attend. Don't know how to get there? Just plug Callanwolde Fine Arts Center into your GPS, phone or Google Maps. Let s get everything set up for the new year!! Coffee and "nibbles" will be available when you arrive. Please bring a dish to share for lunch after the meeting - along with a serving utensil. Board members giving a report should bring copies for the District Director (drmchunter@yahoo.com) and Secretary (joyzaidan4986@gmail.com). If you cannot attend, please let Diane know; drmchunter@yahoo.com, 2
Redbuds Abound in Flower Show Several Redbud Designers and Judges participated in the December 4 Design Specialty show Fa La La held at Bellmere. The show, organized by the North Georgia Council of Flower Show Judges, boasted 48 designs from luminary to cascade to low profile and a plethora of petites, as well as table designs. Three educational exhibits covered antique tea and chocolate service, design techniques, and gift wrapping. Botanical Arts were well represented with wreaths, topiary and collage. Designer's Club member Shirley Porterfield chaired the holiday show with lots of help from Designers members especially from co-chair Betty Trankina. Over 70 members of the public attended, getting an early dose of holiday cheer. Atlanta Orchid Show and Orchid Daze And speaking of orchids, the Atlanta Botanical Garden will hold their annual Orchid Daze events from February 9 to April 7 this year. Thousands of blooms can be viewed inside the Fuqua Orchid Center during this event. The Atlanta Orchid Society is holding an Orchid Show and Sale in Day Hall at the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Show hours are from 9 am to 5 pm on March 8 and 9, and from 9 am to 4 pm on March 10. The show will feature 10 exhibits of flowering orchids. This will be an American Orchid Society sanctioned show that will include award judging as well as educational classes. Six vendors will have plants for sale and will be available to offer free advice on growing these beautiful plants. Orchid Market Weekends will be held on February 9 10, March 2 3, and April 6 7. A wide display of potting supplies and plants will be on sale during these weekends. Each Saturday of the Orchid Market Weekends will feature an Orchid Care Clinic where guests are invited to bring up to two orchids for expert advice. Vanilla Sunday will be held on March 3 as part of Orchid Daze. From 1 4 pm, Discovery stations will be set up in the Fuqua Orchid Center. You ll be able to see flourishing vanilla vines and learn how the vanilla pod is used to create vanilla extract. Volunteers will share their knowledge of how vanilla is produced and how pods grown in different countries have unique flavors. Cooking demonstrations featuring a splash of vanilla will be offered in the Outdoor Kitchen. - 3 -
Now Is the Time! It s here! January is officially GCG Scholarships Month. Our Dollars Educate Scholars is underway and we appreciate your support of this fundraiser. Scholarships contributions will be awarded in February 2019. NOW is the time to make your contributions. We are so thankful to all who have contributed to Scholarships! REMEMBER, WE HAVE BIG SHOES TO FILL! Many students are counting on your support. It s not too late to purchase our 2019 Expressions from GCG Calendar Marketing Chairman Janet Carn Jbc0112@gmail.com or 706-373-4861 New club members, speaker gifts, neighbors, EVERYONE will enjoy this beautiful edition with designs, healthy recipes, State Parks and so much more! HOW TO CONTRIBUTE? NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS, PATRON OF SCHOLARSHIPS, GENERAL DONATIONS, HONORS & MEMORIALS, DOLLARS EDUCATE SCHOLARS FUNDRAISER, CALENDAR SALES AND LIFE MEMBERSHIPS ALL CONTRIBUTE TO HELPING STUDENTS REACH THEIR ACADEMIC GOALS. JOIN THE MISSION TO ENRICH THE LIVES OF STUDENTS AND A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR ALL! See the GCG website for the appropriate forms to make your scholarship donations: http://gardenclub.uga.edu/support.html#5 Questions? Contact Susan Turner, Scholarships Chairman 770-922-4411 glencree@bellsouth.net Rosemary Maulden, Assistant Treasurer 912-267-9623 rosemarymaulden@bellsouth.net - 4 -
The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Dollars Educate Scholars Mark your calendars for January as GCG Official Scholarship Month! What a meaningful way for every member to contribute to our Scholarship Mission. Each member contributes $1.00 to your Garden Club treasury. The club treasurer will write one check to GCG and mail with the Dollars Educate Scholars Transmittal Form to Assistant Treasurer, Rosemary Maulden 302 Bushoan Road, Brunswick 31525-9447 Support your District and Your Director as the 3 rd Annual Dollars Educate Scholars Challenge is on! The Winning District with the most contributions for Dollars Educate Scholars by membership percentage will have their Director Honored at the GCG Annual Meeting in April, 2019 For additional information contact Susan Turner, Scholarships Chairman 770-922-4411 glencree@bellsouth.net -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dollars Educate Scholars TRANSMITTAL FORM MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO THE GARDEN CLUB OF GEORGIA, INC. OR GCG Please complete the following information and mail with your clubs check for $1.00 per member, or any amount you desire, to Assistant Treasurer, Rosemary Maulden. 302 Bushoan Road, Brunswick 31525-9447 Please write legibly. Contributions received now through January, 2019 will count in this giving period. Name of Garden Club: Club Number: District: Garden Club President or Representative Data: Name: Email: Title: Phone number: Number of Members in your club: 100% Participation? Circle one. Yes No Amount Enclosed: $ Questions? Contact Susan Turner, Scholarships Chairman 770-922-4411 glencree@bellsouth.net - 5 -
DeKalb Federation Celebrates 70 Years! The DeKalb County Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. celebrated their 70 th anniversary at the 16 th Annual Leading Lights Luncheon and Fashion Show on November 8. 180 guests enjoyed shopping the many vendors, bidding on silent auction and raffle items, a delicious lunch, and gorgeous fashions provided by Von Maur at Perimeter Mall and modeled by our own Federation Lovlies! The highlight of the day was a commendation for 70 years of service to our community, presented by GCG President, Jane Hersey, to Federation President, Glenndolyn Hallman (photo right). Special recognition was given to Avondale Estates Garden Club, charter Federation member, who have been active members for the last 70 years. Recognition was also given to all former Federation Presidents in attendance, representing the last 50 years. Lake Ivanhoe News from the Clubs While volunteering during Christmas at Callanwolde in December, Lake Ivanhoe members Peggy Denmark and Mary Jean Orr pose with Santa. - 6 - Carol Hayes, member of Lake Ivanhoe Garden Club, pictured with the display she made and arranged at the Reid H. Cofer Library in Tucker. Carol, a veteran herself, did this to honor all our veterans for Veterans Day in November.
Smoke Rise Morning Glories Deck the Historic Halls December s chill brings out some very creative talent with Redbud District clubs, and the Smoke Rise Morning Glories enjoy the challenge. Again this year, the club volunteered to provide historicallyaccurate holiday theme designs for the Wells-Brown House in Stone Mountain Village. Many of you may recall that the Neo-classical residence was featured in the 2017 Expressions Calendar published by the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. The house is now the headquarters of the Stone Mountain Historical Society, and over the holidays they sponsor many events in the home. A few years ago the Morning Glories offered to provide the seasonal décor in support of the community and the Historical Society. Each year the decorations reflect a simpler time where the primary decorations would feature native plants and locally available items, such as pine cones, magnolia, boxwood, cedar and juniper, and fruits and nuts. The club has also used dried materials, such as hydrangeas, eucalyptus, seed pods and decorative sticks for the arrangements. Swags of fresh cedar form garlands for the staircase and upper balcony. Bows are used but sparingly. cold rain began. Marsha Pittard provided the clovestudded oranges for that special accent. Two days later, eight club members met at the house on a frosty morning and installed all the interior greenery. The staircase is always a challenge, as the swags need to be doubled and secured and still create a beautiful natural accent to the bannister. In total, twelve club members worked on the project, and several others contributed greenery and brought snacks to the hard-working members at the house. The community enjoys the display as it lends a very festive holiday air to a grand old house on a quiet street in Stone Mountain Village. The clove-studded oranges are a wonderful addition for both scent and color to the arrangements on the mantles and in bowls around the rooms. Citrus was probably available at that time but expensive. Cloves were in general use in baking and seasoning. This fun project takes several days of planning and preparation before the actual day of decorating. A workshop was held two days before off-site, on a damp and chilly morning. Volunteers MaryAnne Anderson, Quill Duncan, Glenndolyn Hallman and Bonnie Pennington created the front gate and lamp décor, the front door wreath, the two candelabra bases, and the balcony swags. The group moved the items to the house and installed them before the - 7 -
left to right: Morning Glories Carolyn Woodson, Nancy Hudgins, Brenda Jones, MaryAnne Anderson, Ruth Ann Hill, Bonnie Pennington, Gloria Cooke. Not pictured: Glenndolyn Hallman, the photographer DeKalb Federation President Glenndolyn Hallman and Morning Glories President Bonnie Pennington hard at work! - 8 -
Conyers Garden Club Conyers Garden Club Studies Elements of Floral Design The Conyers Garden Club was treated to an outstanding presentation on floral design techniques by one of their own, Susan Turner, during their November meeting. An informative discussion which explored design possibilities for the Thanksgiving season took place while the group enjoyed Susan's beautiful creations. Susan Turner is a National Garden Club (NGC) Accredited Flower Show Judge and has presented design demonstrations to CGC and other clubs as a novice designer and an NGC Student Judge. The Conyers Club gained many tips and is grateful to have Mrs. Turner share her expertise. Conyers Garden Club Shows Special Thanks to Homegrown Heroes The Conyers Garden Club showed special thanks to the Conyer's Police Department, Rockdale's Sheriff Department and Rockdale Firefighters by providing cookies for them to enjoy. For these special Homegrown Heroes who do so much for the community, the Conyers Garden Club is honored to salute them. Conyers Garden Club Celebrates Christmas -- The Conyers Garden Club enjoyed a festive oldfashioned Christmas celebration at their December meeting. The group reminisced by viewing past Garden Club scrapbooks, singing favorite holiday songs around the piano, preparing Christmas stockings for nursing home residents and fellowshipping over a delicious lunch. - 9 -
Conyers Garden Club Members Meet Falcon Player Grady Jarrett -- While delivering cookies to the Rockdale County Sheriff s Office to salute their hometown heroes, members of the Conyers Garden Club had a chance to meet Rockdale native and Atlanta Falcon Grady Jarrett, who was at the Sheriff s Office to make a donation for Shop with the Sheriff. Left to right: Susan Hicks, Jessica Warren, Grady Jarrett, Rose Morrison, and Juanita Barron. (Staff Photo: Larry Stanford) Shenandoah Rose Garden Club In October, our club visited the Blue Heron Nature Preserve. Located on Roswell Road, the Preserve is 30 acres of green space in the heart of Atlanta. Projects and Operations Manager Brooke Vacovsky gave a very informative presentation on the history of the Preserve, organic gardening and pollinators. Afterwards, she led us on a guided tour of the grounds of the Preserve. For our November meeting, member Sandy Reed demonstrated how to make a Thanksgiving centerpiece using a pumpkin and cuttings of succulents. We held our annual holiday party in December. Members brought ornaments or small decorative items to exchange. The most original was the napkin tree made by new member Michele Meltzer. - 10 -
At a Glance List of Upcoming Events Event Date Location Gardening Studies School, Course 2 January 18-19 UGA Research and Education Garden, 129 Ellis Road, Griffin Gardening Studies School, Course 4 February 8-9 UGA Research and Education Garden, 129 Ellis Road, Griffin Winter Redbud District Board Meeting February 11 Callanwolde Fine Arts Center, 980 Briarcliff Road, Atlanta Deadline for President s Report February 15 Atlanta Camellia Show February 16; 1 5 pm Atlanta Botanical Garden 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Capitol Conservation Day February 20; 7:30 am - noon Atlanta Central Presbyterian Church and the State Capitol Orchid Daze February 9 April 7 Atlanta Botanical Garden 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta Atlanta Blooms! March 1 April 30 Atlanta Botanical Garden 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta Daffodil Festival Early March mid- April Gibbs Gardens, 1987 Gibbs Drive, Ball Ground, GA Atlanta Orchid Society Show and Sale March 8 10 Day Hall, Atlanta Botanical Garden, 1345 Piedmont Ave. NE, Atlanta Deep South Convention March 11 13 Jekyll Island Convention Center GCG Convention April 16-18 Columbus Trade & Convention Center - 11 -