Azalea TrumpetAzalea Trumpet Fall and Early Winter 2014Fall and Early Winter 2014

Azalea Director’s Message

“Learning and Growing

in Life’s Garden.”

Fall & Early Winter 2014

.

AZALEA DISTRICT REPORT: September, 2014 Can you really believe that Fall is here and I am into my 18th month as Azalea District Direc-tor? Well, the Amazing Azaleas

have been very busy with different workshops and club and council activities in 2014. Azalea District has a total of 55 clubs with over 1300 members (changing all the time—we hope to a plus) and these clubs have been very busy during this past Garden Club year. We have added 58 new members from the last President’s Reports and according to the reports we have a total of 19 Standard of Excellence Clubs and two Councils with Standard of Excellence. I will also be handing out a total of 130 certificates at our Annual Meeting in Milledgeville to clubs that partici-pated in: Garden Therapy, Historic Preservation, Land Trust-Marshall Forest, State Botanical Gardens, Le-Conte-Woodmanston, Natural Disasters and 100% Sale of Calendars. We had a great representation at the Annual Conven-tion in Macon in May and many Azalea Clubs walked away with State Awards. Hats off to each one that at-tended as well as those clubs that won awards!! Re-member, if you don’t send them in—you will not win!!

On August 19, 2014, we held our Azalea Board Meeting at the State Botanical Gardens. We re-ceived a warm welcome from Dr. Wilf Nickolls, Director of the Gardens. He showed a short video of the future children’s garden “Reconnecting Kids with Nature” and after the meeting anyone that chose to do so was invited to take a garden golf cart tour of “behind the scenes” activities.

2

Peggy H. Tucker

District Director

(Director’s Letter continued) Celia Brown, “At Home with Flowers” chairman for the District has started a new class—the first of five being held August 27th at State Botanical Gardens. Azalea Dis-trict was well represented at the Wild & Wonderful Camp with 13 energetic campers. Augusta Council just sponsored a free one day workshop on Making a World of Differ-ence—Choices Matter and are busy working on upcoming Garden Study Schools. Check the Date Register on GCG website for future dates. Clubs in the Milledgeville area and Council are busy planning our Annual Meeting for October 22, 2014 at the Milledgeville Country Club. You don’t want to miss this “Fall Fiesta”. I have enjoyed representing Azalea District at the Founders Memorial Garden Lunch-eon, Following in the Footsteps of the Bartram’s at the Atlanta History Center, and the Cherokee Garden Library Luncheon. All of this is very interesting and informative in-formation. This is something that everyone needs to see. Then dine in the wonderful Swan House Restaurant. Also, I am travelling over the state during this month visiting the other six Districts. Amazing to see, learn about and enjoy! Amazing Azaleas are “Learning and Growing in Life’s Garden”

Fall Fun in the Founders Memorial Garden

Its been a wonderful Summer and there is still time to continue celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Founders Memorial Garden, the UGA College of Environment and Design (CED) will be hosting one more Friday evening event. What a wonder-ful place to enjoy a stroll through a beautiful garden and see an evening of FREE entertainment. So put October 10th on your Calendar for a viewing of the Wizard of Oz movie for all ages (Halloween costume contest, too!) For further information go to the CED.uga.edu website or call Melissa Gogo at (706) 542-0700.

3

Tab—YOU—Lation (Word definition - YOU gathering tabs for Ronald McDonald House)

Amazing Azaleas, “The race in on!”, says our ever ready Save-A-Tab State Chair-man, Betty Davis. Please get your tabs to your tabs chairman, Rachael Tribble, bring to the District Meeting or take them to the Ronald McDonald House. Be sure to let Rachael or Betty know how many pounds you delivered. In 2012-13 Azalea District won First in State. Last year we were Third. Let's get busy and move back into First for 2014-15. Our Pull-tabs help fund the Ronald McDonald House. It benefits families seek-ing medical treatment for their sick or injured child. The home has helped more than 16,000 families since opening its doors in 1984. Sooooooo please contact Azalea District Chairman Rachel Tribble at racheltrib-ble@att.net or 706-207-6244 for more information or to coordinate donations.

REMEMBER: Pull-tabs are a great way to recycle and keep metal out of our landfills!

4

(l-r) Janet Oglesby; Ann Roedler-President & Nancy Hardigree

(l-r) Carolyn Wise-Corresponding Secretary; Donna Herron-Recording Secretary & Pam Car-roll-Hostess Committee

Nancy Hart Garden Club - Hartwell, GA;

60th Anniversary Celebration

(held at the May 2014 Meeting)

5

Azalea District Board Meeting at State Botanical Gardens

August 19, 2014

Speaker, Dr. Wilf Nickolls, New Director of State Botanical Garden.

Dr. Nickolls was delighted to get a call from UGA," he says, lauding the esteemed reputation of the University of Georgia's horticulture program that features world-renowned masters in the field includ-ing Michael Dirr, Allan Armitage and Jim Affolter. He states, "We can't afford to be thought of as just a pretty place, I want to be a better teller of the gar-den story," he continues. "We have an opportunity to educate and inspire through beauty and delight and to make people advocates for gardens and plants."

That sounds like a great motto for GCG members, don’t you think?

August District Board Meeting Chair-man—Virginia Lassiter presents Azalea District Director, Peggy Tucker, with a painting of Plum Leaf Azalea” Rhodo-dendron Prunifloium, the official flower of Azalea District . “.

Member Peggy Tucker, Director; Linda Har-ris, Pine Tree Garden Club President, Laura rider, Sandra Brown and Janet Massey en-joyed the tropical garden.

Endangered Pulpit Plant

Sandra Brown and Laura Rider are amazed at the tropical garden plants.

6

FABULOUS FUND RAISERS — GREAT FOR BOOKS, GROCERIES, KNITTING, BIBLE STUDY, ETC.

For only $7.50 donation to the GCG scholarship fund, you can have one if these beautiful bags. They are handy bags and they also sup-port GCG State President, Suzanne Wheeler's "Ban the Bag" project. These bags will be made available at District Board meeting and our Annual District meeting in Milledgeville.

Ladies, We all love to shop, and as Garden Club members, strive to save the environment. These Cloth bags keep more plastic out of the overburdened landfills

and are a great buy for only $10. They are insulated, just perfect for shopping in our cot or cold weather.

Please support your District Projects by buying at least one.

You’re going to them.

7

Pine Tree Garden Club Members in Hartwell Stays Busy….

Annual Scarecrow Competition in Hartwell This year club chose “Ban The Bags” theme. We have two ladies—one standing tall with her canvas bags and one bent over picking up her groceries where her bag ripped with plas-tic bags tied in the shrubbery

This is the rare book for Azalea District at Cherokee Garden Library. Pictured L-R: Peggy Tucker, Azalea District Director, Suzanne Wheeler, GCG State Presi-dent and Linda Harris, President Pine Tree Garden CLub

Members of Pine Tree GC pose in front of large picture of Hartwell Dam at City Hall after Mayor Brandon Johnson read the proclamation of Geor-gia Garden Week as proclaimed by Gov. Nathan Deal. L to R Linda Harris, President of Pine Tree, Laura Rider, Georgia Garden Week Azalea Chair-man, Peggy Tucker, Azalea District Director

Peggy Tucker, Azalea District Director Picks Blueber-ries at member Janet Massey’s mini farm. Peggy had just attended a meeting where Art Schronce with the Georgia Dept of Agriculture stated that blueberries were the #1 berry fruit in Georgia.

Members Sandra Brown, Bobbie Gaines and Peggy Tucker, Azalea District Direc-tor presented Easter Eggs to a staff mem-ber of the Nursing Home in Hartwell for patients to use when playing B-I-N-G-O

8

Adventures for Ladies’ Garden Club of Athens On September 3rd several members of Ladies' Garden Club and guests toured one of the State Botanical Gardens most recent developments, The Mimsie Lanier Center for Native Plant Studies. Heather Alley is seen in the photo telling us how native plants are grown, native plant nurseries are assisted, UGA classes are involved, and about the native pant sale in early October. A tour of the green-houses and protected fenced areas viewing endangered species was an interesting part of our tour. This field trip was an exciting kick off to our new year of meet-ings and events.

Rudbeckia hirta (Native Plant—Commonly called Black-eyed Susan)

9

Gray Garden Club has enjoyed many informative programs this year.

The top three winners were the following programs:

“Butterflies” By Terry Johnson, Retired Wildlife Biologist, Program Manager, Non-Game Conservation Program

“Annoying Insects” By Keith Fielder, Putnam County Extension Coordinator.

“21 Century Trees with improved genetic characteristics”. The speaker was the late Jim Garner. He was Executive Director of Lockerly Arboretum until his untimely death on July 5, 2014 He will be missed by many GCG members.

10

11

Native Plant Symposium When: Wednesday, January 21, 2015** Where: The Garden Club of Georgia, Terrace Room Time: 8:45 am - 3:30 pm

Fee: $60 (lunch included) More information on topics and speakers plus a registration form will be sent when plans are finalized. Doris Nevels Hall 2014-15 GCG Native Plant Symposium Chair

Native plants are uniquely adapted to local conditions, having co-evolved with other plants, animals, pollinators, and soil biota. Therefore they re-quire little maintenance and withstand temperature and moisture ex-tremes. Most importantly, native plants provide diverse sources of food and shelter for a wide variety of insects and birds, butterflies, mammals, reptiles, etc. in the complex web of life. Join us for a day-long program that considers gardening with native flowers and trees along with related conservation issues. Learn how to incorporate your appreciation of these plants into your home landscape plan during this day long series of pres-entations.

Passiflora incarnata L.

Purple Passion Flower Maypop Vine

Symphyotrichum Georgianum Georgia Aster

12

Course II Gardening Study School will be held November 14-15 in the Sun Room at First Baptist Church of Augusta, 3500 Walton Way Extension, Augusta, GA. Future courses are III, February 27-28. 2015 and IV, May 1-2, 2015. Contact jukirk-land@knology.net or 706-556-3417 Gardening Study School is a series of four courses covering basic botany, soils, annu-als, perennials, trees and shrubs, fruits and vegetables, lawns, pests and diseases of plants, plant classification, propagation, pruning, and selected topics of local interest. The courses do not have to be taken in order. Garden club members successfully completing all four courses and passing the exams will receive a certificate and the status of Accredited Gardening Consultant. The general public may take the courses and may attain Consultant status by joining a garden club during the course series or shortly after completion. Certificates must be renewed within five years according to NGC procedures. Upon renewing for the fourth time, a Master Status is granted.

Gardening Study School

Series 21,Course II

PLEASE PRINT

Name__________________________

Address________________________

City/State______________________

Zip__________ Phone____________

E-mail Address___________________

Garden Club Member: Yes___ No___

Name of Club____________________

Master Gardener: Yes___ No___

Total Cost: $80 includes lunch Special dietary needs? ___________________

PLEASE CHECK CORRECT BOX:

( ) Full Course (with exam)

( ) Refreshing (Gardening Consultant)

( ) Non-credit student

TOTAL ENCLOSED_______________

I subscribe to The National Gardener____

MAKE CHECK PAYABLE TO: Augusta Council of Garden Clubs, Inc.

Registration Deadline: Wed, November 5 Mail to: Marilyn McDonnell 1311 York Street Evans, GA 30809

13

Attention All Azalea District Clubs: Please have pictures and information to be included in the January Trumpet to me on or before January 10, 2015. It would even be better if you email items to me as soon as you have your event, that way I can avoid the last minute panic! Newsletters will be published four times per year. Deadlines Are:

Winter/Early Spring January 10 Spring/Early Summer April 10 Summer/Early Fall July 10 Fall/Early Winter October 10

Suggestions and feedback about Newsletter are always welcomed. Janet Massey, Newsletter Editor jandjmassey@usa.net

IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER (Conventions and Board Meetings)

October 22 - Azalea District Meeting in Milledgeville (ALL Azalea District Club Members urged to attend)

January 14-15 GCG State Board Mtg in Rome, GA February 3 Azalea District Bd. Mtg in Sharon-Raytown April 15-17 GCG State Convention in Jekyll Island

These get-togethers are so important to the success of the Garden Club Of Georgia and all the individual garden clubs in our great state. Please try to attend as many as you can.