The 65th Oleander Annual District Meeting of The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. was held on October 12, "Under the Chandelier" venue in Jesup. Seven members of the Seedling Garden Club attended: Martha Cobb, Cheryl Goodman, Paula Karrh, Nancy Lisenby, Diana Malone, Judy McWhorter and Kay Peacock.
Joni Thompson, Oleander District Director, called the meeting to order at 10 a.m. followed by a beautiful invocation by Chaplain Betty Waller. The flag presentation was by Wayne County High School ROTC with Barbara Cromley leading the Pledge of Allegiance. A welcome was given by Winette Almon, meeting committee chairman, and a special welcome from the community was given by Jesup Mayor Ralph A. Hickox, Jr. Guest of Honor, Lisa Hall, GCG President, gave a very inspiring greeting sharing her goals for the next two years for The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. We are proud that Oleander has bragging rights of Lisa Hall, new GCG president, since she is from our own district and lives in Savannah. Her theme for the next two years is "Plant America; promoting beautification, conservation and education." Betty Waller, District Chaplain, presented a very moving, loving memorial service for members lost in death this past year. Seedling was saddened that our own, Ginny Smith, was among the members lost this year.
Former Oleander District Directors were seated at the Honor Table and recognized. Seedling Garden Club's own Paula Karrh (1981-83), Kay Peacock (1999-2001) and Diana Malone (2021-23) was among those recognized. Seedling is honored to have four members now serving on GCG State Board and six serving on District Board.
Jessica Roberts, co-owner of Roberts Bee Company in Jesup, presented a very interesting program on "Bees Protect, our Pollinators." Roberts Bee Company is the third largest Bee Company on the East Coast and they send thousands of bees all over the world.
Each club in the district was asked to donate a basket to be raffled. This is the only fundraiser the district has. Our own Amber Albritton designed a large, beautiful basket for our club.
The meeting ended with presentation of awards. Seedling won a Club Standard of Excellence Award, Award of Merit for the club's Standard Flower Show held in 2022, which also won a National Award. Certificates were presented to club for donations made to the following: Arboreta/Botanial and Memorial Gardens, Garden Theraphy Fund, Natural Disaster Support and Roadside Beautification.
Seedling Garden Club was happy to be part of the 146 members attending this annual meeting. We enjoyed visiting with garden club ladies from all over Oleander, meeting our new GCG President and our new Oleander District Director, viewing the numerous Educational Exhibits and of course enjoying the delicious meal. Lucky club members winning baskets were Cheryl Goodman and Kay Peacock.
Seedling Garden Club is a member of National Garden Clubs, Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc., The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. and the Oleander District.
