The regular meeting of the Glad Garden Club took place at the Sudie A. Fulford Learning Center. This center is conveniently situated at the main entrance of East Georgia College, located at 131 College Circle, Swainsboro, GA, 30401. The meeting was held on Monday, October 13, 2025. Members wore red shirts in memory of Charlie Kirk. Happy Birthday, Charlie. The meeting was called to order by President JoAnn Trammell at 10:00 AM. Present were JoAnn Trammell, Sylvia Durden, Donna Gaddy, Margaret Sweet, Lisa Parham, Amber Albritton and Gail Johnson. Sylvia Durden gave an inspirational message referencing I John 4:7, "As God commanded us to love one another, as love comes from God and everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God...because God is love." Special love and prayers go out to member Carolyn Brown as emergency surgery was required, but she is home now and recovering. Carolyn is so loving and has such a positive outlook that she hopes to return to the club after the first of the year.
Reports of the roses planted at the Emanuel County Medical Center are thriving. The Clubs landscaping of the entrances to the Old South are ongoing and quite varied. Some sites are doing well, and some need some extra love and attention. Discussion was had to perhaps change the type of plantings at a couple of sites due to fact that alternative shrubs just might thrive better and recover from poor soil quality. Some of these "entrances" are quite a challenge. Ongoing projects such as Christmas projects, Sunshine House, Veterans at the library, Wreaths Across America and pre-K Fig Leaf Project.
JoAnn Trammell was delighted to give a report on the Oleander District Annual Meeting held in Brunswick, Georgia. An informative program was given by Charles McMillan regarding the "Importance of land conservation in Coastal Georgia" in particular reference to the Okefenokee Swamp which is the largest black-water wetland and wildlife refuge in the nation. With over 400,000 acres it is home to at least 15,000 alligators!!! Not only informative but JoAnn won a Christmas themed basket full of decorative goodies and a silent auction item of a decorative mirror with varied colored glass gems in the frame. Glad Garden Club was also recognized as a Standard of Excellence Club by the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., for many accomplishments for 2024. Members were also reminded that Glad Garden Club was also recognized as Outstanding Garden Club of the Year in 2024 for receiving the highest score as reported on the annual President's Report. Glad Garden Club was also recognized as being among the oldest of established clubs at 75 years of age.
Our horticulture item was presented by Sylvia Durden on the papyrus plant. How versatile and useful. Moses floated down the Nile in a papyrus basket and papyrus was even transformed into paper. Sylvia handed out samples to members and insisted that the proper way to get the plant to survive was to plant it upside down. WE will see as several members took samples.
Amber Albritton won the beautiful decorative mirror in the raffle drawing.
Glad Garden Club dismissed to tour the Main Street Market Antique Mall--Home of the Music Memories Museum. A big Thank You Michael Bright for his enlightening presentation and hospitality. It was fun learning about the history and all the displays at the museum.
The Club adjourned to All the Fixin’s-Swainsboro for a delightful lunch.
The Glad Garden Club is a member of the Deep South Region of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. and the Oleander District of the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.
