The Glove and Trowel Garden Club’s regular meeting date was also the date of our Coastal District Meeting (March 9, 2016) hosted by the three garden clubs in Dillon held at the City of Dillon Wellness Center. We were privileged and honored to have one of our members, Julie LeChette, serving as the “Meeting Chairman.” We would like to express appreciation to Julie for serving in this capacity, and organizing a planning committee with the other two garden clubs in Dillon. Two members from each of the three clubs along with the three Presidents served on this committee: Pat Laird, President of the Dillon Garden Club; Julie Sawyer, President of the Glove and Trowel Garden Club; and Mildred Mishue, President of the Yellow Jessamine Garden Club. Plans were made and all members worked together. Julie’s objective was: “Members will learn to work with the other garden clubs in Dillon in order to have a successful District Meeting.” Indeed they did.!! Compliments are still being received from the ladies who attended. The theme was “VISIONS OF SPRING” and the Wellness Center was beautifully decorated with tables covered with white table cloths, arrangements of mixed Spring Flowers, and china dinner plates brought by members. Decorated jars of mints on the table were the favors for each person.
Name tags were presented upon arrival to the 158 pre-registered attendees.
Vickie Simerly catered the food for the “Hospitality Hour.” Her table of fruit arranged in the shape of a butterfly was the topic of conversation along with her blueberry muffins, cinnamon rolls, cream cheese coffee cakes, etc. and juice/coffee.
Vendor sales were also available during this hour: Betty Collins (Avon); Fisher Road Oils & Honey, Clemson Extension Service, W.K. Price Farms, GCSC Logo Sales, South Strand Garden Club, and Heather Tyndall (Aloette).
Allyson Hirsh, Coastal District Co-Director from Myrtle Beach, called the Business Meeting to order in the absence of Director, Linda Siceloff, from Little River who was unable to attend due to family illness. After the invocation by Reverend Dr. John O. Bumgardner, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church, Dillon, our Mayor, the Honorable Todd Davis, expressed much appreciation to all garden clubs for their dedication in helping beautify our cities and State. A response was given by Joan Schuster, President of the Driftwood Garden Club of North Myrtle Beach.
GCSC President, Yvonne Morris, from McCormick, S.C., whose theme is
“Let’s Bloom and Grow Together” gave an inspiring talk about our GCSC’s Fundraising Project “NICHOLS FOR NATIVES.” This is for the GCSC Native Plant Garden at the new Youth Garden of Riverbanks Botanical Garden. Proceeds will fund this totally native plant garden for our youth and public to enjoy. It is a living tribute to our heritage plants and in educating our youth and the public in gardening with native plants.
Julie LeChette introduced our Guest speaker, Mary Ridgeway, Garden Director at Kalmia Gardens in Hartsville, who gave an outstanding program about “Invasive and Native Plants” and “Kalmia Gardens” as she talked and showed slides of the beautiful gardens and their functions for educating groups and special group retreats.
Karen Prewitt, GCSC Awards Chairman, made comments about the importance of applying for the many awards available. Winning from Dillon and presented by President Yvonne Morris were: Yellow Jessamine (2nd Place Yearbook) and Glove and Trowel (2nd Place Civic Beautification Project at the Train Depot).
Nancy Corrigall, Coastal District Nominating Committee Chairman, announced the following: 2017 – 2019 Coastal District Director, Allyson Hirsh; and Co-Director, Susan Carter. Serving on the GCSC Officer Nominating Committee are Dorothy Richardson with Janice Cutts as 1st Alternate and Fay Sloan as 2nd Alternate. These were approved!
After the Blessing by Jan Austin, a delicious luncheon catered by “Candy Sue’s” of Lumberton, N.C. was enjoyed by all.
Coastal District Design Chairman, Emily Stephens, commented on the four Design Arrangements: “Spring Fever” designed by Sammy Martin; “Beach Music” designed by Jo Ann Johnson; “Sun Shine: designed by Joan Schuster; and “King of the Road” designed by Emily Stephens.
GCSC Herb Chairman, Carl Claytor from Loris, displayed two plants and made comments of uses and how to grow them before auctioning them off.
An invitation to the 2017 Coastal District Meeting in Georgetown was given by Nancy Corrigall.
Everyone attending left with a Door Prize and a pleasant memory of a very successful Coastal District Meeting hosted by the three garden clubs in Dillon!
The next meeting of the Glove and Trowel Garden Club will be on Wednesday, April 13, 2016, for a field trip to “BROOKGREEN GARDENS” with Becky Lyell as Hostess and Program Presenter.
