The Yellow Jessamine Garden Club of Dillon attended The Garden Club of South Carolina’s 2016 Summer Expo at the State Farmer’s Market in Columbia, South Carolina, on Saturday, July 16. Five members were in attendance.

The Phillips Market Center was beautifully decorated with colors of the rainbow. Each district of GCSC was decorated in a certain color. There were several vendors placed around the building, selling and providing information on the promotion and beautification of gardening and wildlife. Tickets were available for purchase to enter the drawings at the vendors’ tables.
The meeting began at 9 .m. with registration and breakfast. Trish Bender then opened with a warmup activity. At approximately 10 a.m., President Yvonne Morris welcomed everyone and gave opening remarks. Ms. Mary Rivers gave the invocation. Afterwards, we all stood and recited the pledge to the American Flag and the GCSC pledge. Mrs. Yvonne Morris then recognized all of the former presidents by asking them to stand. She also introduced the speakers for the day.
Our first speaker was Mr. Matt Johnson from the SC Audubon Society. The mission of Audubon of SC is to conserve and restore natural ecosystems with a focus on birds, other wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of earth’s diversity. He spoke on how we could get “hooked on birds.”  His presentation was based on how we could plant native plants to sustain wildlife. It is very important to plant native plants because they provide wonderful population of insects for the birds to feed their young while non-native plants do not. Native plants are plants that are grown naturally in an area. A few examples of native plants that are helpful in increasing the bird population are the Red Buckeye, Black-eyed Susan, Yaupon Holly, Black Gum, Beautyberry and Passionflower. Some examples of invasive plants would be the English Ivy, Pampas Grass, Bradford Pear, Bamboo and English Ivy. These invasive plants may be pretty to view but contain foreign compounds that many of our birds will not eat.
The second speaker of the day was introduced by President Yvonne Morris. Miss Laura Blake-Orr from the SC Wildlife Federation presented her program. She is the Wildlife Habitat Manager for the SCWF and her job includes coordinating, implementing and overseeing all habitat programs. Some of these programs include Backyard Community, Schoolyard, and Wildlife and Industry Together (WAIT) Habitat Programs.  She encourages each person to certify a site that provides food, water, cover, and places to raise young. This will drastically increase the preservation of wildlife. A company, industry, organization or neighborhood association may also become a certified habitat. As our state becomes more industrialized, there is less land available for wildlife. This is why it is so significant to conserve and restore our wildlife habitats. A habitat certification application and more information on the way you can help or donate may be found online atwww.scwf.org.
The final speaker of the day was Mr. Pearl Fryar of Fryar Garden Topiary in Bishopville. Mr. Fryar began his garden with no experience in landscaping or gardening in the early 1980’s. When he bought his property that is now his garden, it was a corn field. By hard work and dedication, it became one of the most famous topiary gardens in the world. He told of using plants from the recycling bin and other shrubs that people discarded.  His garden is truly a work of art. His garden includes hedgerows, Driveway Island, sculptures, fountains, Fishbone tree, Sailing ship jumpers and Love, Peace and Goodwill. Each of these masterpieces is created by Pearl’s own hands and creativity. Even though his work takes years to develop, his patience and perseverance has earned him worldwide acknowledgement.  A documentary film entitled “A man named Pearl” was released in 2006. Today, visitors from all over the world come to visit these uniquely beautiful gardens.
After our wonderful speakers, our club divided into small groups for workshops, vendors and visiting. Workshops included an explanation of awards presented by Mrs. Karen Prewitt, social media presented by Jeannie Bluemel and public relations presented by Dee Dee Vaughters. The blessing was given by Ms. Mary Rivers as each district lined up to receive lunch. Chicken tenders, cookies, chips and pimento cheese croissants were prepared.  After lunch, The National Garden Club Awards were presented and there was a final call on tickets to be purchased for drawings from vendors.
To have a little fun, there was a District Competition. Each person had to find certain items in their purses to win Garden Club bucks. The District with the most money at the end of the game received $100.  The Coastal District received $50 for their district for winning second place.
Then, the vendors’ prizes were drawn. Miscellaneous items were won such as, topiary shrub from Mr. Pearl Fryar’s Topiary Garden, gift cards, rugs, birdhouses and many other items. Melissa Moody won a hammock!
President Yvonne Morris gave a few announcements and Ms. Mary Rivers gave the benediction. We were then dismissed!  The Summer Expo was a huge success and much appreciation goes toward everyone that played a part in making it possible!
The Yellow Jessamine Garden Club is a member of The National Garden Clubs, Inc., South Atlantic Region of National Council, The Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc., and the Coastal Division of The Garden Club of South Carolina.