Glad Garden Club hears from Brasher during latest meeting
Glad Garden Club held its February meeting last Monday inside the picturesque Sudie A. Fulford Community Learning Center situated just inside the entrance of East Georgia State College. During that time, special speaker Jacquie Brasher, executive director of the Emanuel Arts Council, came forward and delivered an informative program on herbs.
Brasher is a gourmet cook who incorporates a wide variety of home-grown herbs into her tasty creations.
While with the Glad gardeners, Brasher talked about how to properly cultivate the herbs she has acquired over the years. Gardening catalogues were given to each member, and several samples of Brasher’s personal herb garden were handed out with explanations of what those samples were and how most of them could be included in the kitchen.
Brasher noted that Heirloom seeds are seeds salvaged before World War II, and she passed out samples of lemongrass, thyme, tarragon, Spanish and English lavender, and rosemary. Mint and lavender, she informed the group, were noted as mosquito repellants, and she spoke about the process of salt curing as well the Arbequina as well.
In closing, Brasher remarked she would love to try and grow olive trees in her garden. Members expressed enthusiasm for doing the same.
Moving the meeting along, the group of ladies discussed the many projects in the works for the group.
First on the agenda was Glad Garden Club’s Butterfly Garden in Pine Brook Park. Audrey West and Jeanette Hall, leaders of this undertaking, continue to work hard on the project. Specifically, these two are coordinating with the City of Swainsboro about the exact location, ground prep, finding of an available water source, and securing labor assistance.
Next on Glad Garden Club’s calendar is a fundraiser. This initiative was just recently initiated and will culminate in conjunction with this year’s Pine Tree Festival in May. Patrick and Margaret Sweet are credited with designing and printing the tickets for the fundraiser. Priced at $5 each or five for $20, these tickets will put purchasers’ names in the hat for a $500 gift card.
Initial plans for the upcoming flower show were discussed by the gardeners on February 14 as well. They were also reminded about several upcoming events, including: the South Georgia Native Plant & Wildflower Symposium in Valdosta on March 30; the Garden Club of Georgia Shrub Association & Convention in Milledgeville; and the Plains, Georgia Rosalyn Carter Butterfly Trail on May 5.
Reminders were also issued about projects to be conducted as part of Georgia Garden Week and National Garden Week with special emphasis being placed on the Garden Club of Georgia’s annual meeting and convention, set for April 12-13 in Macon. Members received registration forms and reservation forms for the hotel.
Hostess Margaret Sweet presented yellow jasmine and forsythia for the meeting’s horticulture display.
Jeanette Hall won a box of Valentine chocolates, and she happily shared these with her fellow members.
Audrey West was recognized for bringing gifts in the form of flowers to celebrate Valentine’s Day.
President JoAnn Trammell called the meeting to order. Seven people total attended the occasion, including Brasher.
Carolyn Brown gave a special inspirational message relating to Valentine’s Day, reminding the group that every woman, beautiful in her own way, is a Valentine.
New members of Glad Garden Club Lisa Parham, Sherri Clifton, and Thomosene Flanders were warmly welcomed by the group.
Members adjourned to Leannas for lunch upon the meeting’s conclusion.
Glad Garden Club is a member of the Oleander District of Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. as well as the Deep South Region of National Garden Clubs, Inc.