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The Camellia Connection
“Camellias, the Queen of the Winter Garden”
Spring, 2015 Issue ~ Volume 4
CAMELLIA DISTRICT IV
OFFICERS
Director
Avernell Rogers
1205 Westwood Dr.
Valdosta 31602
229-244-2618
avernellr@att.net
Co-Director
Genie McCook
793 Zion Hope Rd
Tifton, GA 31793 229-3869990
geniemccook@bellsouth.net
Recording Secretary
Helen Huddleston
225 Spring Ridge Rd
Thomasville 31792
229-227-9896
hh1051@rose.net
Corresponding Secretary
Sherri McLeod
109 Hillside Retreat Circle
Dublin 31021 478-2723796
sottomcleod@bellsouth.net
DIRECTOR’S MESSAGE
My Dear Classy Camellia Ladies,
What inspires you?
clean
water,
and
Perhaps it’s fresh air,
positive
change.
Its
greener choices, everything matters.
The
little things you do make a big difference in
GCG Camellia District by “Growing Georgia
Green” 2013-15.
What inspires me? It has been your friendship, your
leadership and for the many times you have said one little
word when I needed it most; Yes! Your positive support has
made the two years as the Camellia District Director a
special time in my life and I give you thanks for making the
Classy Camellias a class act for 2013-2015. Our officers have
fulfilled their duties with a “working together spirit” and
sharing their leadership skills.
Treasurer
Ximena Holcombe
2605 Rolling Road
Valdosta 31602 229242-4800
xnjholcom@bellsouth.net
Parliamentarian
Naomi Gerson
718 Allison Park
Macon 31210 478-4710622 478-737-4388 (C)
gers4177@bellsouth.net
Chaplain
Dee Knox
5854 U S Hwy 41, N
Hahira 31632 478-2723796
dknox49@windstream.net
Photo of officers with Camellia District Banner
Sherri McLeod (AKA The Fairy) Corresponding Secretary not pictured above
The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. has much to offer our clubs in promoting the mission
statement: Education-Conservation-Beautification. With your help our district has
sponsored five classes in basic design, 2 in Moultrie and 3 in Thomasville, giving new
opportunities for creating beauty for our homes. Betty McKissick, State Certification of
Basic Design Instructors provided “Inspiration” to a group of master designers and
we have 3 new Instructors certified in Camellia District. Congratulations to Barbara
Jones, Genie McCook and Marge Willis. Way to Go Girls!
Our State President, Suzanne Wheeler challenged the Classy Camellias to sponsor an
Environmental Studies School consisting of 4 schools with a study course on issues
regarding our: Living Environment, The Land, The Air and The Water. Two of the
schools were hosted in Valdosta and two in Tifton.
NGC Members from South
Carolina, Kentucky, Florida and Georgia have participated and soon we will have 18
new ESS Certified Consultants. Thanks to Renie Faulkenberry, State Chairman, Vickie
Johnson and Virginia Pennington, District Chairmen for giving freely of their time to
make this a success. But, most of all, thanks to Suzanne for Inspiring me to take the
challenge to make my grey matter grow!
The Councils of Camellia District have hosted Inspiring and educational District
Board meetings involving our clubs and members in service to others: Thomasville
hosted a Fun-Food-Flowers meeting using “recycled” miniature brown envelopes for
name badges, burlap table covers and a designers choice of newspaper flowers to lead
the way for “Growing Georgia Green”. Tifton Council held the winter meeting when it
was sleeting and snowing in South Georgia. Dublin hosted the August meeting
featuring green pine branches and the two Dublin students who attended the 2014 Wild
and Wonderful camp “Inspired” us with their reports on protecting and learning of
Georgia wildlife and the stars and elements of our planet. January 2015, we returned to
my home town, Valdosta! The Dogwood Garden Club, Valdosta hosted the wrap up
board meeting by featuring the Youth programs. They provided a DVD program “Keep
It Clean” featuring Sonny Schroyer, actor introducing students to the wonders of “Cash
for Trash”, a recycling opportunity featuring Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl in the wilds
of a South Georgia pine forest. The clubs with winners of the 2015 WO-SB were
presented with District Citations and “green funds” for the students’ participation.
Councils and Clubs were presented with copies of the republished booklet, GCG & Willie
Watershed which was originally produced by our own Karen Hendrix and Ximena
Holcombe.
Just a short year ago, the GCG Convention was hosted in Macon by our Classy
Camellias, and I must say, Macon Council really put on a weekend to remember! Now
it is time for us to travel to Jekyll Island to celebrate “A Coastal Magic” and install our
new district officers for 2015-17. Marie Andrews, Director-elect will Inspire us with
new opportunities as we plant a new garden of friendship in South Georgia.
Remember, a happy heart doth good in the Gardens of South Georgia, and I appreciate
our District Chairmen in promoting the work of GCG. Now I am looking forward to
reading all the Club President’s reports and compiling an Inspiring GCG report of your
accomplishments to share at convention.
The October 8, 2014 District Meeting was hosted by The Council of Garden Clubs of
Tifton at the UGA Conference Center.
They welcomed us with the theme of “Flower
Power” and the program was given by Patricia Weeks, owner of The Blue Tassel florist.
She created fall arrangements that we could use in our homes for the Thanksgiving
Holidays. Her designs were given as prizes to the attendees and the Fall Wreath was
auctioned raising $100.00 towards our GCG Named Scholarship.
Patricia Weeks giving a demonstration
Thanks to the District Councils for donating themed baskets for our Fall Fundraiser and
to Anita Allen for hosting the Country Store.
Gift Baskets for raffle in Tifton
Anita Allen at Country Store
Mary Tomlinson, Nominating Committee Chairman presented the slate of officers for
the 2015-2017 administration and the District members elected them with resounding
thanks! These ladies will be installed at the GCG 2015 Convention, Jekyll Island, April
16, Thursday morning breakfast. This will be an exciting time, planning for a new
administration while making new friendships under the umbrella of Camellia District,
GCG, Inc. Please support our new administration and volunteer by contacting Marie
Andrews at mariega@rose.net, Phone 229-226-2039, 412 Dillon Road, Thomasville, GA
31757.
Marie Andrews, Director, Thomasville Garden Clubs, Inc.
Helen Huddleston, Co-Director, Thomasville Garden Clubs, Inc.
Genie McCook, Recording Secretary, The Council of Garden Clubs of Tifton
Suzan Bennett, Treasurer, The Federated Garden Clubs of Macon
In gratitude for your friendship and sharing the love of gardening,
Avernell Rogers
Camellia District Director 2013-2015
Memorial and Celebration of Life
Suzanne Wheeler, GCG President 2013-2015
Dear Friends of GCG, Camellia District,
It is with sadness we acknowledge the loss of Suzanne Wheeler and her passing to a
Heavenly Garden on February 28, 2015. Suzanne last visited with us at our October 8,
2014 Annual Meeting in Tifton and gave an overview of the Clubs projects and
accomplishments as reported in the Club Presidents’ reports. During the morning, the
District Directors had an opportunity to have a photo made with Suzanne and our
District Banner. Often time’s conversations are shared and she commented how lovely
our banner was and that GCG did not have such a banner to place before the members
in state meetings and such a banner would be cherished. The District Directors usually
provide a gift in honor the President as she completes her administration and in January
2015 at State Board, this Director spoke with my DD Sisters and Martha Price,
President-Elect, requested that we give consideration to having a custom made GCG
Banner by Artist, Mark Ballard. He is a friend of Naomi Gerson, former DD 2011-2013
and the Artist who made our lovely Camellia District Banner. Each of the seven
District Directors were supportive of this gift in honor of Suzanne. Now that she has
passed, the GCG Banner will be a memorial of her service over the past several
decades. The banner will be presented to GCG and dedicated to Suzanne Wheeler at
GCG State Convention, April 2015 in loving memory. Clubs and personal memorial
gifts can be made to "The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc., Blue Star Marker Fund".
Mail to Brenda Griner, Treasurer, 244 Satilla Drive, Brunswick, Ga. 31523
Pictures of Suzanne at various district and GCG functions:
More pictures of Suzanne
TIFTON COUNCIL OF GARDEN CLUBS
The Tifton Council of Garden Clubs held the 12th Distinguish Service Award Ceremony
on December 7, 2014 at the First Baptist Church on Love Avenue. The service was to
honor outstanding garden club members who have worked personally for beauty
through garden club activities, church, civic work and home. A reception was held
immediately following the service at the Fulwood Garden Center, form home of Mr. and
Mrs. P. D. Fulwood. Mr. Fulwood was a pioneer in vegetable plant science and
production. Celeste Bowen and her son, William Bowen, Jr., cut the first slice of the
cake celebrating the 100th year of the modified Dutch style home. The home was
purchased by the Council in 1985 and has been returned to its early 20th century
appearance. The home features a Rufus Porter style mural in the stairwell and foyer.
The house is on the Georgia and National Register for Historic Homes.
Virginia Pennington, Tifton Council President, Martha Price, GCG President Elect,
Avernell Rogers, Genie McCook at the Garden Center
Ladies from Tifton clubs - Outstanding Members 2014
GARDEN THERAPY
The Winter Board meeting of The Camellia District IV was delightful, successful and full
of things to think about and to achieve. Garden Therapy was right in place. We made
felt stockings and other projects for the Christmas Holidays. The people present were
given a report and viewed a poster about Christmas projects carried out in their
communities. Those projects now completed, it is time for Easter eggs and other
choices. It is time to get out the felt and decorations to make beautiful felt eggs and
other appropriate projects for the organizations we serve in our communities. Join the
Garden Therapy group in your club! If there is not one, start one! You will be glad you
did! Sandra M. Davis, Camellia District Garden Therapy Chairman, Valdosta (229)
244-1738 or Wdavis7@earthlink.net
Garden Therapy photos above
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES SCHOOL
What size foot print do you leave on "Mother Earth"? The Camellia District, GCG
hosted The Environmental Studies School III At the Tifton, UGA Center in November
and 17 ladies have reduced the Size of their foot print! Does your foot print make a
difference in our environmental future? The final class of ESS will feature studies
regarding Water and every drop counts! One of the focus projects for 2015-2017 will
address Georgia's Water. Plan now to come join us for ESS IV, on March 17 & 18,
2015. The final class will be held at NESPAL, Tifton Campus. See registration form.
ESS Pictures
Field Trip by boat at Bringham State Park., Adel, GA
Avernell Roberts, Renie Faulkenberry,
State ESS chair, Eddie Seagle,
Virginia Pennington
SOUTH GEORGIA NATIVE AND WILDFLOWER SYMPOSIUM
It’s that time of year: time to plan a great day of learning new things! Please take a
look at the web site and the schedule for the South Georgia Native and Wildflower
Symposium, March 25, 2015 ( http://www.sgnpws.org/ ) (Hover over the website and
press ctrl + click and go directly to the website). Hope to see you in Tifton! Amy
Carter, University of Georgia, Tifton Campus.
Congratulations and Thanks SGNPWS Committee!
Amy B. Carter, Chairman, Glenda Gibbs, Dana Cheek , Mary Phillips, Pattie Parrish
THE GEORGIA URBAN FOREST COUNCIL
PRESENTS 24th ANNUAL GEORGIA
URBAN FORESTRY AWARDS
The Georgia Urban Forest Council (GUFC), a nonprofit organization with the mission of
sustaining Georgia’s green legacy by helping communities grow healthy trees,
presented its 2014 Excellence in Urban Forestry Awards Program on October 22 at the
Classic Center in Athens, Georgia. This annual awards program rewards individuals
and organizations for outstanding work in protecting and enhancing our community
forests. One Grand Award was given to each of the following categories: Business,
Civic Organization, Education, Greenspace, Media, New Initiative, Streetscape
Revitalization, Student, Individual Achievement, and Judges’ Choice. Each award
recipient received a framed print of the Athens “Tree That Owns Itself,” from an
original painting by artist Barry Nehr, commissioned for GUFC. The South Georgia
Native Plant and Wildflower Symposium, a project of the CAMELLIA DISTRICT,
Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. and the University of Georgia College of Agricultural
and Environmental Sciences, Tifton, received this year’s Outstanding Education
Grand Award.
Ladies, now is the time to register for the 15th annual symposium to be held at NESPAL,
Tifton! Mark your calendars for March 25, Wednesday. The NESPAL building has
seating for 100 people, so don’t delay. PRE-REGISTRATION IS REQUIRED: Deadline
is March 10, 2015. Download registration form at www.sgnpws.org or call 229-3916868, Glenda Gibbs: SGNPWS, 155 Oakland Heights Road, Sylvester, GA 31791.
Symposium Cost $30.00, Lunch Box $10.00, Total Fee $40.00:
Hope to see you there, Avernell Rogers
Pictures of Urban Forestry Award
Left picture, Mary Phillips, Amy B. Carter, Chairman, Dana Cheek and Glenda Gibbs
receiving the award. Right picture: Avernell Rogers, Camellia District Director and
Genie McCook, Co-District Director admiring the award.
TABS FOR RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE
Thanks to the three Valdosta Clubs; Dogwood, Holly and Magnolia who collected a total
of 32 lbs of Tabs recycled at the Camellia District January Board Meeting in Valdosta.
Pictured are Jerry Powell, Rita Hightower, Dogwood GC; Avernell & Naomi and Bobbie
Lester, Holly Garden Club.
PERRY FLOWER SHOW
OCTOBER 9 - 11, 2015
"Once Upon a Time" there were GCG Districts known as the “Classy Camellias” & the
“Magnificent Magnolias” When these two districts joined forces it was like a fairy tale
come true. We invite you to join us October 9-11, 2015 for fun and fantasy as the
Georgia National Fair and Camellia & Magnolia Districts present a Standard Flower
Show. “Once upon a Time,” in Perry at the Georgia National Fair.
"The Magnolia District hosted the 2014 show , A Collection of Treasures".
Willie Maxwell - Table Artistry Award
Faye Frazier, Show Chairman
Youth Award for Pollination with the Wind
Hostesses, Julie Groce and Dee Knox
welcome visitors to show
Youth Award Design
BASIC DESIGN CLASS - THOMASVILLE
The Thomasville Garden Club, Inc. hosted our final class of Basic Design on January 29
in their newly decorated home. Helen Huddleston welcomed Genie McCook and
Barbara Jones, Camellia District Instructors and the 25 attendees. Barbara and Genie
gave demos and tips for the Creative Designs and Miniature Designs. The designers
provided unique containers to set the theme for their perfect miniatures! Two of the
favorites were a miniature mass design of small pink roses and a line design of orange
miniature roses set in a pair of nuts, normally used in construction. Just think Nuts &
Bolts became a woman's tool to create beauty. The Creative Designs were a challenge
for me, but the three yellow roses in a simple black container with a branch of Georgia
Pine would have won a top ribbon in any show and it was perfect for displaying in your
home. A special thanks to the Thomasville members for providing lunch using recipes
from their cook book, "Fun, Food, Flowers"
Instructor Barbara Jones giving a demonstration
Various designs
Genie McCook, Helen Huddleston and Barbara Jones
Beautiful creations from the Basic Design Class
BLUE STAR MEMORIAL MARKER
I write this today with a heavy heart, having just learned that our GCG President
Suzanne Wheeler passed away this morning. The Blue Star Marker Program was very
special to Suzanne. In support of the program and to have as many markers dedicated
as possible during her term, Suzanne graciously offered to help fund a marker for each
District from the GCG President’s discretionary funds. Accepting her generosity,
Camellia District voted to request permission to place a marker on Moody Air Force
Base in Valdosta. After many months of communicating with people in various offices
on Moody AFB, the request to allow Camellia District and The Garden Club of Georgia
to place a Blue Star Memorial Marker on the base finally made it to Col. Franks, the
base commanding officer. Col Franks graciously accepted our offer and the Blue Star
Memorial Marker has been ordered. The date for the Blue Star Marker Dedication at Moody
is April 8th at 9:00AM. An invitation will be sent via List Serve as soon as the date is set.
Please plan on attending not only to show support for and honor our Armed Forces, but
to also honor Suzanne, our beloved President, who in partnership on behalf of GCG
with Camellia District made the Blue Star Memorial Marker for Moody AFB possible. A
By Way Marker, also a “dream” of Suzanne’s and a partnership between GCG and
Azalea District will be dedicated on March 15 at 4:00 p.m. at Founders Memorial
Garden on the campus of UGA in Athens. If your schedule allows please join GCG and
Azalea District at this dedication. As always I encourage you to support the Blue Star
Memorial Marker Program and call me if I can assist in any way. Jan Thiese, Camellia
District
and
GCG
Blue
Star
Marker
Chairman,
(478)
477-650,
janicemariemaconga@cox.net.
Scholarship Report
Dot Williams, Scholarship Chairman
The Scholarship Committee met on February 20, 2015 to award scholarships to
deserving Georgia students. Because of your generosity, we are excited to announce
that we were able to award $62,600.00 in scholarships to 32 students. Two of these
students were submitted to National in hopes they will be awarded a National
Scholarship. This is a record number of scholarships awarded, and a record number of
renewed and new Named Scholarships.
Many heart-felt thanks to those who
contributed to the scholarship program by purchasing calendars, becoming a Life
Member, purchasing a “Bagging for Scholarship” bag, giving a Patron of Scholarship,
purchasing a Jean Givens book, or making a donation, large or small. I am so proud of
Camellia District for renewing a Camellia District Named Scholarship for the past few
years. I want to thank Barbara and Lynn Jones for sponsoring a Named Scholarship.
The students who received these scholarships have not only worked hard to achieve
high GPA’s, they are also committed to preserving the earth’s natural beauty,
environmental health and education of others in the many fields of landscape,
horticulture, historic preservation and other garden-related areas . They all share a
common need – they are not able to accomplish their goals and dreams due to family
hardships without your help. We can all be proud of how we fulfill our missions through
these students. The cycle begins again. In February, 2016, the Scholarship Committee
will meet again to distribute funds to students who are in need. I hope that you will
continue to support the Scholarship Program. Student’s futures are in your hands. Can
we count on your continued support?
Scholarship bags and
calendars
Dot Williams, Chairman
Scholarships
FAIRY TALES AND HAPPY ENDINGS--A STANDARD
PETITE FLOWER SHOW
"Fairy Tales and Happy Endings" a Standard Petite
Flower Show, will be held at the Federated Garden Clubs,
Inc. Center at 730 College Street in Macon during the
Cherry Blossom Festival on March 24th (2:00-5:00 P.M.,
25th and 26th (10:00-5:00 P.M.). Plan to come and enjoy the Petite show featuring: doll
size beds with breakfast trays, miniature table arrangements, vignettes, lighted shadow
boxes with reflective designs, hanging kinetic designs, hummingbird swings, miniature
wheel barrows, and botanical necklaces. We plan to include dwarf or miniature
horticulture. We would love to have your participation if you have horticulture to enter,
Monday 1:00-4:00 P.M., Tuesday, 8:30-9:30 A.M.. Please call Elaine Flanagan for
Horticulture :478-335-3364. If you would like to enter a design call Bobbie Appling: 478477-3372.
There will be a Fairy Party on Tuesday night for children to see the show, dress as
fairies if they wish, and learn how to make Fairy Gardens! Call Cindy Little at the Center
for reservations at $10 per person.478-742-0921.
Refreshments will be served daily. Dolls and clothes, dollhouses, toys and other
memorabilia will also be on display. The beautiful Neel Reid exhibit is now on
permanent display upstairs.
A FEAST OF COLOR:
RECENT WORKS BY TOM VENTULETT
When:
Where:
March 22, 2015 – April 26, 2015
State Botanical Garden of Georgia
2450 South Milledge Ave.
Athens, GA 30606
Please join us in the Visitor Center Gallery as we exhibit recent watercolors from artist
and internationally recognized architect Tom Ventulett. This exhibit is a must see for
horticulture enthusiasts and flower lovers. A series of Limited Edition Giclées will be
available in the gift shop. A portion of the proceeds will benefit the State Botanical
Garden of Georgia. Admittance to the Show is free!
SHOW DATES
Sunday, March 22, 2015
Sunday, April26, 2015
SHOW HOURS
Monday: Closed
Tuesday- Saturday: 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Sunday: 11:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
**Please note that the gift shop closes at 4 p.m. on these days
ARTIST PRESENTATION
Sunday, March 22: 12:30 p.m.–1:15 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public.
OPENING RECEPTION
Sunday, March 22: 2 p.m. - 4 p.m.
This event is free and open to the public.
JANUARY DISTRICT BOARD MEETING
Often Time we look back in time and find that the issues from yesteryear are just
as important today. Thanks to Madlyn Hightower, a long time Valdosta Garden
Club VIP and collector of historical programs, we were treated to a renewal of the
1990's "Keep It Clean" program. This DVD was produced by Bob Bradham at VSU and
Sonny Schroyer, actor in Dukes of Hazard, to encourage our youth on issues
of recycling and how to turn "Trash to Cash- Reduce-Reuse-Recycle". The Dogwood
Garden Club of Valdosta made copies of the DVD and provided them to the Camellia
District Councils as program material for Youth Garden Clubs. The DVD still speaks to
our Youth of today and Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl Contest is a great way to get the
message to our Youth and Club Members. "Keep IT Clean" will be available to schools
and clubs. Please contact Madlyn Hightower, Valdosta Council President for more
information. Thanks Dogwood GC , Madlyn Hightower and Inday Bauer for a
wonderful program!
Club presidents with Citations for
Winners of Smokey Bear/Woodsy
Owl contest
Marie Andrews, Director Elect having
lunch with district members
Mat Hightower with Aaron Strickland
KLVB Director and CEO
Dogwood Garden Club members
hosted the luncheon for the board meeting
Special Guests for "Keep It Clean" Program
Pictured on previous page: Floyd & Avernell Rogers next to Bob Bradham: Standing,
Dr. Robert Bauer & Inday Bauer, District Youth Chairman, Sonny and Paula Schroyer
(seated) and Ximena Holcombe
Ximena Holcombe
Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl Posters
Inday Bauer and Karen Zahniser, District Youth Chairs, judging the Smokey
Bear/Woodsy Owl Contest posters
Thanks to Mary Phillips for serving as Ways and Means Chairman. We have sold
insulated tote bags to District, dried okra at Convention, conducted a theme basket
raffle at the fall district meeting and in January 2015 she dug white amaryllis bulbs and
sold them at the winter board meeting.
EDITOR, SUZAN BENNETT
waynebennett@bellsouth.net
478-476-8228