It was a beautiful day in Swainsboro on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, when 181 garden club members from throughout the State gathered at the Nordson Center for the 68th Oleander District Annual Meeting. The theme for the meeting was "Blue Jeans, Boots, and BBQ", and all were encouraged to dress in Western wear.
Martha Cobb, District Director, called the meeting to order and welcomed everyone. Mary Virginia Keith, Chaplain, gave the inspiration with Martha Johnson, recording secretary, lead the pledge of allegiance.
Martha Cobb introduced Ken Warnock, CEO of the Swainsboro-Emanuel County Chamber of Commerce and Emanuel County Development Authority. Ken gave a very warm welcome from the community and gave the history of the Nordson Center. Interesting to learn the building was once a grocery store and that the beams and wood ceiling is original. Someone said it was interesting we were meeting in a grocery store and our program for the meeting was on, "a taste and history of the American Kitchen Garden”.
Honored guest, Diane Hunter, president of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. was introduced. Seated at the head table was District Director Martha Cobb, Co-Director Barbara Cromiey, recording secretary Martha Johnson, Treasurer, Michelle Rickeison and corresponding secretary Irene Michaeis.
Cobb introduced the speaker, Suzanne Finger from Thomasville, who gave a very interesting program on the "History of the American Kitchen Garden”, starting in Jamestown, the Colonial Beginnings (1600's-1700's) and ending with the "Modern Revival (1990'S -present)”. The program introduced the progress of the way gardens have changed over the years.
Greeting from our guest of honor, Diane Hunter was given. She presented a special presentation to Oleander District Director Martha Cobb.
After lunch, a very somber Memorial Service was presented by Chaplain Mary Virginia Keith. This service was for members that was lost during the year. Seedling Garden Club was saddened that Ann Peebles was among those remembered.
In the First Order of Business, District Director's report was given followed by Co-Director's report with reports from State and District Chairmen. Election of Oleander Officer's for 2027-2029 was held. Oleander Awards Chairman Betty Benner and Co-Chairman Mary Ogden presented Oleander District Awards.
The meeting was not all work and no play. Attendees enjoyed viewing the Educational Exhibits on display, bidding on the silent auction items and trying for the basket raffle, all furnished by clubs in the district.
We were so proud of how beautiful the Nordson Center was decorated for this meeting. The eye-catching entrance was decorated by Glad Garden Club of Swainsboro. Using American flags, tin wash tubs filled with mums and straw bales holding American flags and mums. Inside, a very beautiful display decorated the side wall. A windmill draped with a lighted leaf garland, straw bales held wagon wheels and mums was a perfect setting for club pictures designed by Seedling Garden Club member Cheryl Goodman. For the tables, Kay Peacock of the Seedling Garden Club used boots filled with broom sage and sun flowers with an under lay of blue and red bandanas.
Of the 181 guests, those introduced were Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Officers including Immediate Past GCG president, two former GCG presidents, GCG District Directors from other Districts, four District Directors, two Co-directors, Oleander District Officers, 11 former District Directors and one former Deep South Garden Clubs Director.
The two local garden clubs were well represented. Seedling Garden Club was presented the Standard of Excellence award, a prestigious award for planning and implementing a well-balanced program of work which is in compliance of work which is in compliance with GCG President's report. Seedling also received a certificate in appreciation and recognition of their support of the GCG's Centennial Celebration to be held in 2008. Seedling's own member, Kay Peacock, was awarded with the "Oleander District Outstanding Garden Club Member of the Year."
Hostess Clubs as assigned by rotation were Ailey GC, Glad GC, Glennville GC, Green Thumb GC, Lyons GC, Magnolia GC, Millen GC, Mount Vernon GC, Reidsville GC and Seedling GC.
A special thanks to the Glenville and Reidsville garden clubs for the morning coffee and fruit and sweets served before the meeting and to Boneyard BBQ for the delicious lunch. Also, thanks to Ken Warnock and Ivy Terwilliger for their endless help in securing the Nordson Center. It was the perfect location for the Oleander District Annual Meeting.
