The Glad Garden Club held is monthly meeting at the Sudie A. Fulford Community Learning Center to conduct an organizational business meeting and finalize plans for duties and assignments at District meeting in Statesboro at the Oak Room of Ogeechee Technical College on October 19. Glad Garden Club is the host club along with five other district garden clubs. Members brought many items to be placed in raffle baskets and silent auction. These items are meant to be fundraisers for the Oleander District. So many items were volunteered that some members voted to meet the next day at Margaret Sweet’s cabin to finish assembly. Among items were candles, roasted pecans, homemade jellies, soaps, towels, olive oil and balsamic vinegar. So many items were volunteered that the club ended up putting together three baskets including two for silent auction. The club is grateful for the creative, hard work by Audrey West, Carolyn Brown, Jeanette Hall, Margaret Sweet and Sylvia Durden.
On October 18, members met at Ogeechee Tech to set up for our Oleander District Annual Meeting. Members arrived bright and early at 2 p.m. Tables were clothed, centerpieces placed, some raffle baskets arrived and were placed, coffeepots (the most important item) were setup, assignments for an exciting next day were given. Then, the big event on October 19, it was reunion time. The meeting was cancelled last year to Covid, and members were anxious to renew acquaintances. The coffee was perked, and morning homemade goodies were served.
In coordination with five other garden clubs of the Oleander District of the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., the meeting was called to order by Genelda Reese, District Director. A fascinating program was given by Jackie Phillips of the Flower Girl Florist entitled “Local Holiday Flowers with Flair,” and included a demonstration of arranging local flora such as driftwood, ivy, sunflowers, fall leaves, cosmos.
The Glad Garden Club is proud to announce that it received several awards. The 2020 awards received for contribution to GCG Natural Disasters, third place for yearbook and appreciation award for ongoing commitment and dedication to the historic preservation of Georgia. Current 2021 awards given were a silver bowl and the Mary Helen Ray Beautification & Historic Preservation Award to a group who has accomplished the most in beautification and historic preservation. Other awards included the Garden Club of Georgia, INC, certificate of appreciation for their contribution to the GCG natural disasters, a certificate in recognition of valuable contributions to the roadside beautification in Georgia and a certificate of appreciation of work done to enhance and promote conservation of nongame wildlife populations and habitat in the backyard habitat category to Sylvia Durden.
In memorial, a candle was lit to remember Betty Flanders who passed away last year. She was known to always have a smiling face and cheerful spirit through many tribulations. She, along with her sparkling personality, is missed by Glad Garden Club members.
The Glad Garden Club is a member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., the Deep South Region, the Garden Club of Georgia Inc., of the Oleander District.
