After a fantastic summer hiatus, the Glad Garden Club is excited to be back in the beautiful Sudie A. Fulford Learning Center located on the campus of Georgia Southern University-East Georgia Campus. Our first fiscal meeting was held on Monday, September 14, 2026, with many new members with many new invigorating ideas. We are proud to improve on existing projects and to take on new projects. Our Club is so fortunate to be able to meet at a facility that has a mission that so closely coincides with that of the Garden Club of Georgia. Our small but mighty club shares the philosophy of creating meaningful learning experiences for both the club and the community, strengthening community relationships and enhancing the quality of life for Swainsboro, Emanuel County, and surrounding communities. Mrs. Sudie Akins Fulford herself was a beloved and highly respected Emanuel County teacher for more than 30 years. Her profound dedication to education and family continue to shape the spirit and purpose of the Fulford Center today along with the mission of the Oleander District of the Garden Club of Georgia.
The meeting was called to order by President, JoAnn Trammell who was thrilled to welcome seven new members. New members officially welcomed are Amber Albritton, LeaAnn Williams, Donna Gaddy, Dawn Arnette, Gail Johnson and Sherrie Burke. Margaret Sweet has been a former member but was absent for a few years and has decided to rejoin this dynamic group. We are so very thankful for these wonderful ladies and their new and refreshing ideas. If YOU like gardening, digging in the dirt or even if you don't, we are a fun group that gather with green thumbs and glad hearts. Come join us! Glad Garden Club meets the second Monday of every month from September to May at the Sudie A. Fulford Learning Center at 10 a.m.
Since this was our first meeting of the year, no actual program was presented but members were all excited about roles in planning for the Oleander District Annual Fall Meeting, to be held at the Nordson Center in Swainsboro on October 21,2026. Costumes and decorations were the topics of interest in the meeting theme of "Blue Jeans, Boots and BBQ Celebration" honoring the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America. There are ten clubs in the Oleander District that will host this event, and we are so proud that this event will be held with our sister club, the Seedling Garden Club, in Swainsboro.
Even though Glad Ladies have been on summer hiatus, there was no lack of preparing and planting. Our club maintains the six entrances to Swainsboro known at one time as "The Crossroads of the Great South". These entrances are maintained in coordination with the City of Swainsboro. The purpose of this project is to give folks entering and leaving Swainsboro a good first impression of our city. Members give seasonal care and maintain native plantings. Another project that has been maintained throughout the summer months, is our work with the Veterans in the Veterans and First Responders Park in Swainsboro, located at the corner of West Main and Tyson Streets. Members have redone our butterfly Garden there which have a better chance of survival now that the Veterans have cleaned up the park and trimmed low hanging tree limbs. There are also plans for additional landscaping in coordination with the Veteran's to make this park a beautiful place where visitors may have a quiet place to eat lunch, rest or just relax.
The meeting was adjourned with members enjoying lunch at Leanna's in Swainsboro.
The Glad Garden Club is a member of National Garden Clubs, Inc., Deep South Garden Clubs, Inc., The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. and the Oleander District.
