The Seedling Garden Club ended its fiscal year on Monday, May 8, 2023, at 5 p.m. at the home of Amber Albritton (Rountree Ranch).
Before the meeting began members were given a tour of the grounds. This was quite a tour as members were shown the art studio, meditation station, workshop, Maltipoo Manor, the Doxie Den, the Airstream, and the green house. Albritton has really put a lot into making these four acres a showplace.
After enjoying the tour, Club President, Diana Malone, called the meeting to order and welcomed the twenty-one members and two visitors who were present. Members were delighted to welcome former member, Diane Newman, back for the picnic. She now lives in Alabama and is missed. The invocation titled; "Talents Given by God" was given by Ann Peebles. It explained that everyone is given a special talent by God and how they choose to use it is left up to them. This is so true in garden club work. Everyone combines their special talents and shares them with the club ultimately making it a great garden club. No secretary's report was given. The treasurer's report was given by treasurer, Kay Peacock. The report was approved as presented. President Malone was excited to announce that the club's flower show was awarded First Place in State and First Place in National. The flower show schedule won third place in State. The club applied for the Flower Show award after the flower show was held in April of 2022. The book of evidence was judged by a panel of judges. The Seedling Garden Club was excited to win due to the fact that they had a lot of other clubs applying for this award.
Seven members were announced as having perfect attendance for the year. These members are Yonna Bailey, Cheryl Goodman, Mary Pate Gay, Diana Malone, Judy McWhorter, Kay Peacock, and Ann Peebles. For their perfect attendance they were rewarded with a beautiful plant.
The new 2023-2025 officers were installed by new Oleander District Director, Joni Thompson of Sylvania. Using a Bird Theme, the following new officers were installed: President, Nancy Lisenby, Vice President, Susan Stephenson, Treasurer, Kay Peacock and Secretary, Imogene Buckley. Director, Thompson, presented new President, Lisenby, with a President's Pin and club gavel.
Members enjoyed a celebration picnic with an assortment of refreshments including a variety of salads and desserts furnished by members. During this time members began to remember the many things the club has done this past year. The list includes; adding three new members, sponsoring a Youth Garden Club, recognizing a local deserving home owner each month by giving them the award of "Yard of the Month", planting three trees for Arbor Day, co-hosting Oleander District Annual Meeting in Statesboro, donating a beautiful basket for raffle, successfully having a club auction which was their only fund raiser, making donations to National and GCG projects, and their fun and educational programs which members recalled as being “great.” Some of the many educational programs members looked back on were the Gourds for Fall decorations, the how-to care for after-Christmas pot plants, caring and planting Camellias, the journey of the honeybee for making honey, and a visually beautiful program with a focus on yellow and green hues using yellow flowers and greenery and tips on designing in clear containers.
Special thanks to the leadership of president, Diana Malone, the club has had a very productive year. In appreciation of her dedication, she was presented a special gift.
The fun meeting adjourned with the gift swap. Hostesses for this meeting were: Amber Albritton, Kim Hooks, Mary Pate Gay and Kim Lamb. The club's fiscal year has ended but members are looking forward to beginning a new Seedling Garden Club chapter in September. Anyone wishing to join the Seedling Garden Club as they travel a new road is welcome. Get in touch with club members to learn more about how to become a member.
The Seedling Garden club is a member of National Garden Clubs, Deep South Garden club, The Garden of Georgia, Inc. and the Oleander District.
