Tinsel Trail - December 2021
Tinsel Trail St. Marys is a display of Christmas trees in downtown St, Marys Waterfront Park. The event was intended to promote the community while supporting Camden House as they work to help change the lives of victims of domestic violence and their children. Each tree purchased is decorated by a local corporation, group or family. The event was free to attend and open to the public. Our club joined the community in support of Camden House by decorating a six foot "Hometown Holly". The lighting of the trees was December 12th.
Donation to Helping Hands - December 17, 2021
Joan delivers this year's donations to Helping Hands pantry. Thank you to our club members for their generous contributions. Very much appreciated.
Joan delivers this year's donations to Helping Hands pantry. Thank you to our club members for their generous contributions. Very much appreciated.
Remembrance Park - November 2021
St. Marys Garden Club member Mary Ann Intravia is working with Allen Giese, Tree Board, Rotary and others to establish a Remembrance Park at the current St Marys City Park by the dog park. We have received permission from the city to rename the park, Remembrance Park. This will be a place to honor and remember those affected in some way by Covid. Our goal is to plant 25 live oak trees to honor those who lost their lives, caregivers, essential workers, family members and first responders. There will also be benches so you can sit and reflect. We are looking forward to help with this project and request that everyone share these flyers with their friends, neighbors and coworkers. We have partnered with Rotary so that donations will be tax deductible. Please help if you can.
November 10, 2021 Veterans Day
The following was published in The Brunswick News
Gordon Jackson, The Brunswick News, Ga.
November 11, 2021·2 min readNov. 11—Many in the audience for a ceremony to dedicate a Blue Star Memorial Highway marker Wednesday at the Exit 1 rest area on northbound Interstate 95 had the same question: What took so long? The highway markers have been erected across the nation since 1945 but Camden County, home to Naval Submarine base Kings Bay more than 40 years, didn't have one.
Betty King, president of the St. Marys Garden Club, said her organization began the effort two years ago to get the memorial highway designation for I-95 and the marker at the rest area. For King, whose late husband Col. Barrett King died from COVID-19 earlier this year, the marker was important. "I think our county deserves the Blue Star Memorial Highway designation," she said. "It's real personal for me. I had a husband and two sons serve in the military at the same time."
Kingsland Mayor Grayson Day said the designation is overdue. "I'm a little bit surprised it took so long, but I'm excited to see it," Day said. "Things take time."
Peggy Tucker, president of the Garden Club of Georgia, said Wednesday's ceremony in St. Marys was one of three planned this week in the state.
St. Marys City Manager Robert Horton said it was an honor to recognize "those willing to protect the freedoms of our great country."
"This signifies the city's commitment to never forget," he said.
Keynote speaker, retired Vice Adm. Al Konetzni, said he first served at Kings Bay in 1986 with the orders to be engaged in the community. "I live here and I love it," he said. He expressed appreciation at the quality of those serving in an all-volunteer military.
"We don't have a draft now," he said. "How do we get these men and women?"
He said Camden County's support for the military is the best in the nation. He used the construction of the St. Marys Submarine Museum 25 years ago as an example of what a close-knit military community can accomplish. The museum, with one of the nation's largest collections of World War II war patrols reports and a wide selection of artifacts from all eras, was built entirely on donations.
"There is no city in the country that can make that happen," he said. "You're bringing the veterans, the active duty folks to the community."
As for the new marker, Konetzni was succinct: "This is glorious."
The Invocation was led by Lieutenant Peter Agdamag, Chaplain, Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia.
"Let Us Pray - Lord we are gathered to ask a blessing on our tribute, a Blue Star Memorial Marker, to the service members that have gone before us, presently serving, and those who will voluntarily and publicly proclaim an oath to serve. For this Blue Star represents the force, the fighting, and family behind and for every service member to be prepared for war for the goal of Peace. That is our prayer, Father that the efforts The Garden Club of Georgia and this city, is for Visitors, who will pause for observance and ponder the sacrifice and find Peace on this entry and exit of our City, our County and our State, This Blue Star might put people on the Highway to You Father for the gratitude and recognition of all who bear true faith and allegiance to the same. So Help Us God!! Amen."
November 10th
Oleander District Volunteer of the Year Awarded
Our own Frances was honored as the Oleander District Volunteer of the Year 2021. Peggy Tucker, GCG President, presented Frances the framed certificate and gift card at the luncheon following the Blue Star Marker dedication.
Field Trip to Florabundance Gardens Nursery in Darien October 12th
Our first destination was Florabundance Nursery and a special tour by the owner, Deb Sheppard. There was plenty of time to look around on your own and do some shopping, too.
After the nursery, we had lunch in Darien at the new restaurant, Spartina Grill. We had a table on the screened porch overlooking the Altamaha River.
Florabundance Gardens grows native plants for pollinators and wildlife, as well as other interesting plants you may not find in standard nurseries. Plants are grown outside under the trees using organic soil and recycled containers. The nursery is located in an interesting landscape featuring marsh, pond, forest, and a developing display garden, that is home to many pollinators and predators providing interest and activity throughout the year.
Thanks to everyone for a great day trip to Florabundance Nursery made even more special with lunch at Spartina Grill. The weather and company were fabulous.
Our first destination was Florabundance Nursery and a special tour by the owner, Deb Sheppard. There was plenty of time to look around on your own and do some shopping, too.
After the nursery, we had lunch in Darien at the new restaurant, Spartina Grill. We had a table on the screened porch overlooking the Altamaha River.
Florabundance Gardens grows native plants for pollinators and wildlife, as well as other interesting plants you may not find in standard nurseries. Plants are grown outside under the trees using organic soil and recycled containers. The nursery is located in an interesting landscape featuring marsh, pond, forest, and a developing display garden, that is home to many pollinators and predators providing interest and activity throughout the year.
Thanks to everyone for a great day trip to Florabundance Nursery made even more special with lunch at Spartina Grill. The weather and company were fabulous.
Fairy House Workshop September 22, 2021
An enthusiastic group of creative garden club members met at Christ Episcopal in the fellowship hall. Their mission to create the ever popular Fairy House ornaments.
Fairy House workshops are always fun! I love sharing time with friends and burning my fingers with glue gun and seeing all the creativity!
Special thanks to Judy for gathering materials and setting up workshop.
Annual Plant Sale - June 12
Our very successful annual plant sale was held on the grounds of Orange Hall. Traditionally this plant sale was held during the Rock Shrimp Festival. It was changed to be a stand alone event held on the Conyers side of Orange Hall. Plants were spaced to allow for Covid suggested spacing. Ample parking close to our sale area were well received by our plant shoppers.
Brown Bag Lunch and Meeting in the Park - June 8th
Our meeting was held in Gilman Park. It was so good to see everyone after so many months. Our own club member Janice demonstrated flower designs from material in our yards in addition to grocery store flower purchases.
Historic Chapel Rosary Garden - May 10
Dear Garden Club Members,
I want to thank all the ladies who have reached out in sympathy and generosity on the death of my husband, Barrett. What started out as a bench and plant in his memory at Our Lady Star of the Sea Historic Chapel evolved into a much bigger endeavor because the church had plans to create a Rosary Garden. It was dedicated on Mother's Day. I would like each of you to take the time to stop by and see the lovely, peaceful garden that has been created with a combined effort of church members and garden club members led by Judy Molnar and Karen Greco. Stop by anytime.
With Love and Gratitude, Betty
Dear Garden Club Members,
I want to thank all the ladies who have reached out in sympathy and generosity on the death of my husband, Barrett. What started out as a bench and plant in his memory at Our Lady Star of the Sea Historic Chapel evolved into a much bigger endeavor because the church had plans to create a Rosary Garden. It was dedicated on Mother's Day. I would like each of you to take the time to stop by and see the lovely, peaceful garden that has been created with a combined effort of church members and garden club members led by Judy Molnar and Karen Greco. Stop by anytime.
With Love and Gratitude, Betty
Arts in the Park May 2nd
Friends of Crooked River State Park hosted an Arts in the Park festival May 2nd from 10am-4pm. This inaugural year of the festival celebrated nature with visual art, dance and music. The festival featured plein air painters, community dancers, local artisans, & music to be enjoyed throughout the day. Attendees were encourages to bring their chairs and be entertained with performances by local creatives on the lawn throughout the day or stroll down the waterfront and watch the plein air painters as they create a one of kind masterpiece before your eyes.
St. Marys Garden Club participated by having a booth and sold our cookbooks, fairy houses and notecards. The biggest hit was Karen’s jump ropes and checkerboards, which she made and gave away free. A fun day getting to talk to fellow members as well as the public.
Helping Hands Vegetable Beds - April 27
Thanks to Karen G, Mary Ann, and Joan for helping to plant peppers, squash, eggplant, and more for Helping Hands Food Pantry.