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MAGNOLIA MESSENGER 2019-2021 VOL 8 SPRING 2021

Magnolia symbolism:

Considering that the

Magnolia is believed to have

existed from the beginning of

time, it symbolizes longevity

and perseverance. That is what the District is!

MAGNOLIA DIRECTOR’S CORNER

Hello Magnificent Magnolias,

At the beginning of my term as Magnolia

District Director I was asked to select my

theme. When I choose JUST IMAGINE

THAT! as my theme I had visions of fun

events, meaningful programs, and fantastic

projects. And our first year was just that:

two beautiful luncheons at our Magnolia

Board Meetings. Our magical Fall District

Meeting at the Camellia Gardens where

Jean O' Shields and her committee created

a magic fairyland--Just Imagine That!

It was special for me to be installed as

Magnolia District Director at the GCG

convention in Columbus with Magnolia

District as the host. I met the District

Directors from the other six districts and

our Mom Peggy Tucker. Peggy was an old

friend, but all the others were new friends. I

DISTRICT DIRECTOR:

EVELYNA ROGERS PO Box 125 Newton, Ga 39870

Home 229-734-5286 e-mail: rogers2767@bellsouth.net

DISTRICT CO-DIRECTOR:

NILSA SUMMEY 721 Biggers Rd, Columbus, Ga 31904

Home 706.330.1587 Cell 706-536-8848

e-mail: nilsa.summey@yahoo.com

RECORDING SECRETARY:

ANN HOWELL PO Box 171, Buena Vista, Ga 31803

Home 229-649-7587 Cell 229-939-1766

e-mail: ahowell01@windstream.net

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: PHYLLIS ARGO

1216 Hancock Dr, Americus, Ga 31709 Home 229-924-8701

Cell 229-331-2299 e-mail: phyllisargo@gmail.com

TREASURER: CLARE JENKINS 495 Hunters Ridge, Coleman, Ga 39836 Home 229-732-3031

Cell 229-881-4098 e-mail: clareajenkins@yahoo.com

Co-Treasurer: Janice Cliett e-mail: jbcliett@bellsouth.net Cell: 229-924-4733

PARLIAMENTARIAN:

BESS HARTLEY 250 Cotton Hill Rd, Fort Gaines, Ga

39851 Home Cell 229-942-9490 e-mail: bessbhartley@gmail.com

CHAPLAIN: JOYCE CARREKER

641 Middle River Rd, Americus, Ga

31709 Home 229-924-6673

Cell 229-938-4280

e-mail: jcarreker33@gmail.com

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believe one of the benefits for all garden club members is the opportunity

to meet and make new friends.

It was a busy October, a long road trip as Tommy and I attended all six

District Meetings across the state ending with Magnolia District Meeting.

Each event was special and following different themes each was unique.

Some had plant sales, some had country stores, some had vendors, and

one had a Christmas theme with a Christmas Shopping Shop. The

tablescapes carried out the various themes. Each meeting featured a guest

speaker with special knowledge. Remember our speaker, Suzanne Finger,

is GCG Landscape Editor. Suzanne delivered an interesting talk laced with

humor and added another touch of magic to our District Meeting.

Then in March the magic went up in a poof. Who could have imagined

that! For a while we all just stood in wonder, in shock, in disbelief. How

could this be happening to our world?

Then Faye Frazier sent me an email and suggested we invite the Magnolias

to begin Sewing Face Masks instead of Sowing Seeds. Many Magnolias

answered the call and face masks were made for family, friends,

community, doctor offices, and hospitals. Magnolias produced a bumper

crop of face masks.

Yes, once again the Magnolias demonstrated they are indeed Steel

Magnolias...they fought back and claimed a new path for the difficult

times. Magnolias are sturdy, resourceful, creative, and determined. They

used this unexpected extra time for long postponed projects, worked in

their own gardens, rediscovered old interests and hobbies. They enjoyed

reviewing past events, and they made plans for the future. You just can't

stop a Steel Magnolia--Just Imagine That!

Club presidents created innovative ways to keep their gardens clubs alive

and thriving. They found new places to hold meetings--city parks, member

gardens, outdoor pavilions, patios, and open spaces to spread out while

social distancing. Some clubs did not meet in person and held the

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members together with newsletters and phone calls. One club president

challenged her members to each take a photo of a favorite plant or tree and

tell why it was a favorite. The president put it all together as a program on

Face Book. Some clubs set up schedules so individual members could work

on a group project at a different time.

Many Magnolia Chairmen were able to encourage clubs to work on special

projects and programs. Fantastic projects were completed. Awards were

won--Just Imagine That! Congratulations Magnolias, you did a great job.

But Nilsa and I had made so many plans for our district and as the virus

progressed, we postponed events, and postponed again, and again, and

then reluctantly we canceled each event. Our once crowded calendar was

now swiped clean. I pulled out the crystal garden ball and we peered into

it's depths....nothing. Just Imagine That! If we could salvage just one of

our planned events it would be wonderful. Then the vaccine arrived and

more and more of our members were able to have the shots. Huge grins

began spreading across our faces. We could salvage one of our special

events. Yes, we could honor The Plant America national theme, and we

could honor our own most Magnificent Magnolia and former GCG

President, Martha Price. Plant Martha's Magnolia is back on the calendar

for April 15, 2021, Just Imagine That!

I have the perfect Dr. Seuss story to share with you, but that will be for

another time--Just Imagine That!

Evelyna

Garden Club of Georgia Collect

Our Father, who didst first reveal thyself in a garden, touch our eyes that

we may see Thee in power, wonder, majesty, and glory in every growing

plant. Attune our ears to Thy whisperings, among the trees. May Thy

Holy Spirit prune, purify, and nurture our souls, that fragrant deeds shall

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blossom in the lives and beautify the world. And grant that we may walk

with Thee through eternity in that promised Garden of God. Amen.

By Mrs. Frank Burney Adopted January 1959

NEWS FROM MAGNOLIA DISTRICT!!

Report from Magnolia District Secretary, Ann Howell:

The business of Magnolia District was handled by the District Director and Board members by email and telephone calls during the time of the Pandemic.

The Magnolia District Officers and Board of Directors terms normally end

at the state convention in April of odd years. The two-year term (2019-

2021) for officers will end in April of 2021 at the directions of the current

governing Garden Club of Georgia executive body. The nomination and

selection process were completed from June to September of 2020 with

the nomination and voting occurring during the time of the Fall – October

2021 Annual meeting. A nominating committee was formed during the

February 2020 meeting with a designated chairwoman. The vote was

compiled by email. The balance of the Board of Directors will be appointed

by the newly elected District Director for the 2021-2023 term.

The 2021-2023 slate of officers are as follows:

Magnolia District Director: Nilsa Summey

Magnolia District Co-Director: Kay Hagler

Treasurer: Janice Cliett

Recording Secretary: Ann Howell

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BRAVE SOULS TO SERVE ON THE

MAGNOLIA DISTRICT BOARD OF

DIRECTORS 2021-23

Hello Magnificent Magnolias,

Some of you have faithfully served our Magnolia District Board of Directors for years and we are truly grateful for each of you! Now that we’re rolling into our next term, we need your

help again to continue to serve in your present capacity, to volunteer to serve in a new chairmanship, or to be a first-time volunteer on the board. Serving on the board is a fun way to learn new things and make new friends—while wearing our facemasks and social distancing too. We’re all learning new things and there is absolutely no pressure—just a gentle “nudge”

to help us be all we can be. If you would like to continue to serve, please send an email to Nilsa Summey (nilsa.summey@yahoo.com) and Kay Hagler (haglerkays@hotmail.com) and let us know where your interests lie. Our goal for 2021-23 is for each of our 28 garden clubs to be represented on the board in some capacity. Won’t you please consider helping us achieve that goal? We need YOU—WANTED ALIVE ONLY!! We’ll be making our calls in the next few months so we can have the board “in place” by March 2021. We’re counting on you, so you can count on us!! Thank you for your consideration Pardners,

Nilsa & Kay

P.S. We’ll have a rootin’ tootin’ good time!!

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Saying Goodbye to our wonderful Beautiful View Garden Club member and Magnolia District Board member: Irma Rodriguez Irma Rodriguez has moved to the Phenix City, Alabama. Irma has been a member of the local club and district for many years and has served on various positions at the local level and the district level. She currently chairs the following committees: Horticulture (Organic, Community, Herb, Vegetable, Gardening), Litter and Recycling, plus she was the official Photographer. We shall miss her. If she joins a Columbus club, maybe we will get her back in the district. The Beautiful View Garden Club knows she liked to write poems, so here is a poem for Irma:

Title: A Poem for Irma

I think we’re going to need a tissue.

Why? Because we are really going to miss you! The End!

That’s all!

COMMUNITY WILDLIFE PROJECT: Martha Price, Chairman

A Program to Enjoy: Terry Johnson with the Department of Natural

Resources has offered to zoom with a club with some new materials pertaining

to Nesting boxes and other needs for backyard habitats. You only need to ask

him to join your meeting. He is always a great source of information and does

an outstanding job with presentations. To get in touch with him:

tjwoodduck@bellsouth.net or contact Martha Price.

GCG Member photos for our Garden Gateways Covers: Send in photos from Magnolia District. Garden Gateways Photo Contest 2021 Our Editor, Victoria Chandler, was so

impressed by the photos submitted for the Wildflower Contest last year, that

she wants to use GCG Member photos for our Garden Gateways Covers for the

2021- 2023 term. You have until March 15th to enter this contest – limit 5 of

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your best photos per person. Obviously, it needs to be a vertical photo to fit on

the cover. All photos that have been entered in the Wildflower Contest will be

considered. No need to re-apply with those again. Besides wildflowers, any

animal wildlife (birds or pollinators) would be great. Don’t forget, we have four

seasons. Send in jpg format to both Victoria risingstar@ellijay.com

and to Barbara at b.bourque@comcast.net

To: All Magnolia District Garden Club Members and Magnolia Club Presidents

Save The Date

EVENT: PLANT A MAGNOLIA IN HONOR

OF FORMER GCG PRESIDENT, MARTHA

PRICE ON APRIL 15, 2021 AT THE BYRON

WELCOME CENTER . INFORMATION TO

FOLLOW.

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Dear Local Clubs: Thank You for Your Donations to the programs and projects of The Magnolia District, The Garden Club of Georgia, Deep South, and The National Garden Club!

News from Magnolia District Clubs:

In Memoriam: Obituary for Imogene Marchant

Jacqueline Imogene Weeks Marchant went home into

the arms of Jesus on June 22, 2020. She was a

member of the Dogwood Garden Club. She will be

missed.

In Memoriam: Obituary for Linda Gail Weathersby

Linda Gail Weathersby went home to the arms of

Jesus on June 26, 2020. She was a member of the

Daffodil Garden Club. She will be missed.

Vienna Garden Club

Vienna Garden Club has been meeting in a church social

hall rather than each other’s homes up to this month. We

have been keeping in touch via blast emails.

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Photo of a bluebird by

(google.com, bluebird images free). Photo of finches next page by worldbirds.org)

The Dogwood Antique Show & Sale March 19 & 20

From: Phyllis Tucker, President

of Town & Country GC, Leslie,

Georgia

The Dogwood Antique Show &

Sale sponsored annually by the

Town & Country Garden Club,

Leslie, Georgia is planned for

Friday March 19 & Saturday

March 20. Hours are 10 - 5 at

the Leslie Civic

Center. Delicious food will be

sold in the Tea Room.

The show had to be cancelled

last year due to Covid, but plans

are being made to come back

with an outstanding event.

Proceeds are used by the club

for community improvements.

For more information, please

Chaplain’s Message –

Joyce Carreker

Magnolia District Newsletter February 2021

Confusing times?? Somewhat anxious times??

You bet! Probably each one of us has seriously

wondered about these simultaneously

unprecedented “times” of pandemic, politics,

and awful violence in our beloved America.

Perhaps something like these times prompted

Natalie Sleeth to write this.

“Hymn of Promise”:

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree; in cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free! In the cold and snow of winter, there’s a spring that waits to be unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see. (1989 Methodist Hymnal, No. 707, v. 1)

This little verse reminds us not only that spring

is soon to come but also that our God is still in

control of all things. AND, just as we begin to

think about LOVE this February, we can

remember that our Heavenly Father will always

be in full control of His love for each of us—

covered by grace, amazing, and eternal!

Happy thoughts among these difficult times!!

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contact Jolie Ledger 229 942 5212 or jjl@sowega.net. Come and enjoy a day of

treasure seeking!

Photo left: Local collector Malcolm Perry is always a part of the annual Dogwood Antique Show & Sale sponsored by the Town and Country Garden Club of Leslie. By Beth Alston of the Americus Times Recorder

Subject: Poetry Contest insight! From Evelyna:

Magnolia District had 12 youth state poetry winners of which 5 received

1st place status and were sent to Deep South. Names and awards are usually

presented at the state convention, but we have not heard from anyone as to how

they will be distributed this year since we are not having the convention. We will

send the information out as soon as we receive it. Thank you for the hard work

of the District Committee Chairperson for Youth, Poetry, Drenna Sternenberg

and the local Club Chairpersons.

Bluebird vs. Blue Jay

Remember: Bluebirds can make nesting boxes their homes so watch your nesting boxes. Blue jays nest in branch forks of trees usually 5 to 20 feet above the ground. (Worldbirds.org. Photo and information)

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Daffodil Garden Club of Albany, Georgia BY: KATHY HICKS

Wreath Workshop by Members

November 17, 2020 was our first meeting in many months due to Covid 19.

Daffodil Garden Club, Albany met, wore masks and social distanced as

members created Christmas

wreaths for Seymour Southern

Comforts, an assisted living

facility in Bronwood. Members

used a variety of materials to

make nineteen wreaths. The

following Monday several

members delivered the wreaths

to Seymours. The residents were

delighted, and each had fun

choosing a wreath for their

room. Photos from left to right:

Mary Baynard, Marideane

Maxwell, Betty Bailey, and Kathy

Hicks

Bottom photo:

Front Row l-r Brenda

Dunham, Kathy Mainor,

Dale Aycock

Back Row l-r Betty Bailey,

Pat Brinson, Mary Baynard,

Pam Cochran, Jo Cochran,

Kathy Hicks, and Dale Coley

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Butler Garden Club

Blue Star

Marker

Fall was a busy

season for the

Butler Garden

Club. The

Butler Garden

Club gathered

November 11,

2020 at 11 A.

M. to honor all

veterans and lay a wreath at the Blue Star Marker.

Bird

Watching

with

Birdseed

A tradition of

the Butler

Garden Club is

supplying

Taylor County

Health and

Rehabilitation

with birdseed

throughout the

year.

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Holiday Cheer

The Butler Garden Club

members shared holiday

cheer with the residents of

Country Gardens Assisted

Living. Simply gifts can

and do bring holiday

cheer!

Thank you and we appreciate YOUR work.

Dear Local Club Committee Chairpersons and Magnolia District

Board Chairpersons: On behalf of the membership of the Magnolia District,

we would like to extend our appreciation for the amazing work by everyone for

the success of the 2019-2021 Magnolia District period. The time that you spent

working on the projects of the Magnolia District and Garden Clubs plus the

dedication that you have shown has impressed the entire membership

immensely. Your diligence and self-motivation under stressful conditions have

been a motivation for the membership. Thank you for all of your efforts!

THANK YOU AND WE DO APPRECIATE YOUR

LEADERSHIP: DEAR MAGNOLIA DISTRICT LEADERSHIP,

On behalf of the entire membership of Magnolia District, we would like to

express our sincere admiration for the amazing efforts put forward by the

Magnolia District Board and Leadership. We appreciate everything that you

have done over the 2019-2021 period. The endless hours that you have spent

working for the local, district, and state Garden Clubs has inspired us. Thank

you once again for all your contributions.

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HORTICULTURE: WINTER-ACTIVE POLLINATORS

CAMELLIAS ARE

BLOOMING AND THE

BEES ARE SWARMING.

HOW ABOUT YOURS?

Pollinator or not? Importantly,

camellias provide a source of

nectar and food for pollinators

such as honeybees and

hummingbirds during the cold

winter months. Different varieties

have bloom times ranging from

September to April.

Marvel Mahonia

Pollinator or not?

Do you see any Bees in the photo? The bees are swarming this plant and I know the photo is too small to see the small bees, but they are a swarming!

Mahonia are often labeled

as a low-maintenance

planting. It has large, glossy

spiked leaves and bright

yellow racemes. Racemes

are a flower cluster with the

separate flowers attached by short equal stalks at equal distances along a central

stem. The flowers at the base of the central stem develop first. The flowers

of Mahonia typically start to open in November and the plant will continue

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flowering until February. It is not only us who are drawn to the flowers; they

are very attractive for winter-active pollinators as the flowers

produce quite a lot of nectar. Have a closer look and you will be surprised

at the pollinators you can see visiting the flowers on milder days in the middle

of winter. Mine are swarming with bees on sunny days

News From the State!!

State Awards: A Special AWARD ISSUE of the

Magnolia Messenger will be sent out when Awards

are announced.

You might be interested in a comparison of the total of GCG awards (not

applications) between 2019 and 2020:

Total Awards in All Categories (1st, 2nd, 3rd, HM)

2019 2020

Adult (non-flower show)

197 164

Flower Show 24 0

Jr/Intermediate/Youth 98 73

Total 319 237

Despite the absence of 2020 flower shows and the Youth Woodsy Bear Poster Contest, the numbers are pretty great! We are sending a huge thanks to everyone for doing such a wonderful job with submitting applications, for judging, and for submitting your summary sheets in a timely manner. June and I so appreciate your efforts as we all continue to work through the challenges of Covid-19. June Thomas and Betty Benner

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The Garden Club of Georgia supports many worthwhile projects. Thank you to each Magnolia District Garden Club who was able to contribute to The Garden Club of Georgia, The Deep South,

and the National Garden Club projects and programs.

Awards Programs, Blue Star Memorial, Gold Star Families, and Historic

Markers, Community Wildlife Projects, Garden Therapy, National Garden

Week, Garden Week in Georgia, Habitat for Humanity, Historic Preservation,

Historic House and Garden Pilgrimage or Fundraiser, Legislative Advocacy

and Issues, Litter Control: Pick Up for Georgia, Mountains to the Sea,

Roadside Beautification, Special Projects

Look at some of the many projects and programs above the Garden Club of

Georgia supports. Choose how your club can be involved and what works for

your local community.

Make sure that you have sent in your Presidents Reports.

Make sure that you have submitted your yearly membership list.

Make sure that you have chosen where you will place your contributions.

Environmental: We are still fighting to retain the current environment

in the Okefenokee Swamp!

The Okefenokee Swamp - vs Twin Peaks Mining: We are asking for your

help. Many of you wrote to the Army Corps of Engineers opposing the Twin

Peaks Mining operation on the border of the Okefenokee Swamp. They were

inundated with letters and emails. However, the rules have changed, and now

the feds are not providing oversight and only the State of Georgia can withhold

permits. It's up to Governor Kemp and his administration. Please

write to the Governor. Here's a link with an easy way to send a message

to Gov. Kemp.: https://www.protectgeorgia.org/#/245 You fill in your

contact info and edit the suggested message to make it personal - 400 word

maximum. Hit send. It's easy.

Please share the Okefenokee Swamp message

with your club members so members can write.

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National Garden Clubs Project: The 2019-2021 NGC ongoing project

is "Plant America" focused on "Educating, Supporting, Publicizing and Building

America's Garden Communities."

Deep South Garden Clubs Project: "Native Plants, Litter Control, and

Youth”

Check the websites for information related to programs, projects, and grants.

MAGNOLIA DISTRICT Magnolia Messenger Kay Hagler, P O Box 436, Buena Vista, Ga 31803 Telephone: Cell for text of voice 706-566-8540 Email: haglerkays@hotmail.com

Deadlines Summer Issue (June, July, August) …… May 15 Fall Issue (Sep. Oct. Nov.) ………………… Aug 15 Winter Issue (Dec. Jan. Feb.) …....……… Nov 15 Spring Issue (Mar. April May) …………. Feb 15

All clubs are welcome and encouraged to send articles and pictures

to be published in The Magnolia Messenger. Share your great

accomplishments and give ideas to others. We love new ideas!

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UPCOMING EVENTS AND GCG CALENDAR

Important Dates: Be sure to check the Garden Club of Georgia website calendar for important dates. With the Covid concerns, check to see if the event has been cancelled prior to attending in person. FEBRUARY 2021: Capitol Conservation Day '21 - Activities Pending Some virtual meetings may take place. Stay tuned.

MARCH 2021:

Wednesday, March 24: South Georgia Native Plant Symposium Tifton

APRIL 2021:

April 18 – 24, 2021 Sun Sat Garden Week in Georgia

MAY 2021:

May 7, 2021 Rosalynn Carter Butterfly Trail Spring Symposium Plains, Ga

JUNE 2021: June 7-13, 2021 National Garden Week

Presidents: Please share the Spring Newsletter with

your club members. They will not receive it unless you share it.

Happy Spring!

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Recycle – Anti -Litter

Are you ready to try a plastic fast?

Published originally by: https://www.gardenclubjax.org/are-you-ready-to-try-a-plastic-fast/

Whether you’re religious or not, people often choose to let go of something or to fast from something at this time of year.

Green Spirits is a community outreach and social networking group at St. John’s Cathedral, whose mission is to take action to learn about, to protect, and to renew God’s earth and all who call it home.

This year, Green Spirits is advocating a fast from single-use plastics. They have provided a 40-day plastic fast calendar. which provides a tip each day to help us use less plastic and be better stewards of our beautiful planet.

Here are the tips from their calendar:

• February 17: #PlasticFast starts. • February 18: Switch to a metal water bottle. • February 19: Refuse plastic lids. • February 20: Set-up a home recycling system. • February 21: Pray for the Earth. • February 22: Bring your own take-out container. • February 23: Use a reusable straw. • February 24: Bring your own grocery bags. • February 25: Stop using one-use plastic cutlery. • February 26: Avoid produce in plastic packaging. • February 27: Ask your favorite restaurant to give up plastic

cutlery. • February 28: Pray for the ocean. • March 1: Switch to bar soap or tablets. • March 2: Bamboo toothbrushes instead of plastic. • March 3: Make your own skin care products.

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• March 4: Buy larger packaged items instead of travel size. • March 5: Make your own hand sanitizer. • March 6: Encourage restaurants to stop using styrofoam. • March 7: Pray for the unseen things. • March 8: Switch to bamboo toilet paper and paper towels. • March 9: Use biodegradable trash can liners. • March 10: Replace plastic cooking utensils with metal or wood. • March 11: Swap plastic bags and wrap for beeswax cloth. • March 12: Glass or stainless steel storage containers. • March 13: Start a community garden. • March 14: Pray for farmers and plants. • March 15: Make your own face masks from natural fibers. • March 16: Buy clothes from small businesses on Etsy. • March 17: Shop at thrift stores. • March 18: Avoid plastic accessories. • March 19: Ask for no plastic packaging when shopping online. • March 20: Walk your local park and pick up trash. • March 21: Pray for our rivers. • March 22: Give an experience instead of a toy. • March 23: Bake your own treats. • March 24: Don’t buy cheap plastic toys. • March 25: Use refillable pens and limit printed materials. • March 26: Put a no-junk mail sign on your mailbox. • March 27: Plant a tree and encourage others to as well. • March 28: Pray for areas affected by wildfires.

Published originally by: https://www.gardenclubjax.org/are-you-ready-to-try-a-plastic-fast/

Look around you and find the recycling site for plastic and other biodegradable items.

Think about how you can help our planet!