The Seedling Garden Club met on Monday, September 14, 2026, at the Swainsboro Methodist Church social hall to begin a new year. We are excited to begin a new year of projects, learning and promoting the mission of Oleander District and The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.
President, Kay Peacock welcomed everyone and presided over the meeting. She was excited to welcome four new members. New members welcomed were Betty Champlin, Katie Egolf, Terri Walters and Abbie Youmans. We are very happy to welcome these ladies to our club.
Nancy Lisenby opened the meeting with a beautiful prayer, blessing our new year and thanking God for the privilege of gardening. The prayer was prepared by Paula Karrh who was unable to attend the meeting.
Due to this being the first meeting of the year no formal program was presented. It was more of an organization, planning meeting for the year. The previous minutes were presented by secretary, Cheryl Goodman. The treasurer's report was given by treasurer, Wanda Ellis. These were approved as presented. Yonna Bailey, Yard of the Month chairman, presented the yard of the month chosen for September. The honor went to the home of Jody and Angela Wilson on McGarrh Mill Pond Road. Nancy Lisenby presented the September Horticultural Hints prepared by Paula Karrh. She read a poem by William Cullen Bryant that states, "we know it is September when we see these flowers in Bryant's poem. These horticultural hints each month are very helpful and members appreciate them.
In the Business Session: Nancy Lisenby reported that the garden beds located at the Emanuel County Nursing home have been cleaned from the spring planting and new soil and plants are being planted. Club voted to continue this project, and club has applied for an Oleander District Award for it. The club voted to continue decorating the downtown wagon and was pleased to learn that Mr. Willie had cleaned out the wagon. Club will meet this week and decorate for Fall. The club has also applied for an Oleander District Award for this project. Martha Cobb, Oleander District Director, presented plans for the Oleander Fall Annual Meeting. This meeting will be held on October 21, 2026, at the Nordson Center in Swainsboro. Theme for meeting is, "Blue Jeans Boots and BBQ Celebration." This is a large affair, and ten clubs will host the meeting including the Glad Garden Club of Swainsboro. We are excited to host this event in our hometown, Swainsboro. Martha also presented plans for the Spring Flower show to be held during Pine Tree Festival Week. Seedling will present this show.
President Peacock announced that the club has applied for five District Awards. These will be announced at the district meeting in October. Keeping our fingers crossed that we win. Also, a winning project is the collection of "Pull a Tab" for the McDonald House. Clubs bring tabs collected, they are weighed and club with largest weight wins.
Refreshments were served. Hostesses chose an apple theme because, "apples ripen as summer turns toward Autumn." The serving table was draped with a red, white checked tablecloth. Gracing the table was an arrangement of red zinnias in an apple shaped cookie jar. Apples tied with raffia and cinnamon sticks lined the table. Using apple shaped plates refreshments of apple dumplings topped with vanilla ice cream, mixed nuts, apple juice, ginger ale and water was served.
The meeting was adjourned with Wanda Ellis winning the raffle basket.
"Falls a Calling" and Seedling Garden Club is happy to answer the call by beginning a new year!
Seedling 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.
