Autumn is calling and Seedling Garden Club answered the call when it met on September 11, 2023, at Swainsboro Methodist Church Social Hall. After a long, hot summer, members were delighted to meet and begin a new exciting year.
Nancy Lisenby, the new club president, called the meeting to order and welcomed 17 members and one visitor present. Tammy Peebles was welcomed as a new member. Ann Peebles opened the meeting with an inspiration remembering September 11, 2001. On this anniversary of 9/11, we remember how God met us at our lowest point and rebuilt us. We are thankful we can see God's beauty in this broken world and enjoy the beauty of nature and can be a part of making it such a beautiful world through garden club work. Secretary Imogene Buckley reported that a new list of members would be given at the next meeting along with constitution changes. Kay Peacock, treasurer, gave the treasurer's report. It was approved as presented. Mary Pate Gay, chairman of Yard of the Month, reported Chapman Funeral Home was presented this award for the month of October. President Lisenby reported that Jane Durden and Jill Briercheck have agreed to plan our Arbor Day planting in February. Kim Hooks agreed to serve as Pine Tree Festival Chairman.
Under New Business: the club voted to put a wreath at the Blue Star Marker in front of the courthouse on Memorial Day and Veterans Day. We will alternate purchasing between The George's Flower Shop and Southern Traditions Florist.
The Club was invited to and reminded of the Oleander District Fall meeting to be held in Jesup on October 12, 2023. The club voted to provide a basket for the raffle at this meeting. This is a fundraiser for Oleander District. Amber Albritton will do the basket for club. Wanda Scarboro, our "bird lady", reported that the hummingbirds are very active now and are getting ready for their long trip to Mexico. Nancy Lisenby gave an interesting horticulture moment on vegetables to plant now, the task to get ready for fall, using the UGA extension Vegetable Garden Calendar, and plants to plant during this period of mild weather, the second planting of fall crops, and refurbishing mulch to control weeds and start adding leaves and other materials for the compost pile. Members enjoyed this presentation and was given a Vegetable Planting Chart: Vegetable Gardening in Georgia.
Hostesses for the meeting were Kay Peacock, Susan Stephenson, Sue Stockholm and Sally Willingham. Using a Fall theme, pumpkin plates and napkins were used for serving. The serving table held a runner with "Hello Fall". Cheese wafers were served from a wooden bowl draped with a tea towel embossed with needle point pumpkins and read "Enjoy". Chocolate cake and iced cinnamon loaf cake were served from a black platter. Canned soda was served from a country tin bowl. Jill Briercheck won the raffle item, which was a beautiful fall wreath made by Sue Stockholm. The meeting was adjourned by president Lisenby. All members were glad to be back and look forward to an exciting 2023-2024 year. As Joni Thompson, Oleander District Director states, “the glory of gardening; hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feel not just the body, but the soul. So beautifully said.”
The Seedling Garden Club is a member of National Garden Clubs, Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc., The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. and Oleander District.
