The Glove and Trowel Garden Club met on Wednesday, February 8, 2017, at 3:00 p.m. at the City of Dillon Wellness Center with 17 members and one guest present.
Our Hostess, Kathryn Bumgardner, served refreshments from a beautiful table decorated with a Valentine theme.
President Julie Sawyer called the meeting to order, welcomed everyone, and then called on Program Chairman, Debbie Rogers, to introduce our guest speaker, Karen Garris, who is with the South Carolina DHEC and who talked to our members about things we can do to help promote clean water.
Karen is from Lake View, S.C. and is the daughter of one of our members, Miriam Hayes. She received a Bachelor’s Degree in Biology from Francis Marion University in Florence, S.C., has been with DHEC for 10 years, worked in the environmental field for over 20 years, works in the Drinking Water program, and mainly conducts surveys and responds to concerns that the public may have about their drinking water. DHEC has 12 offices located in eight regions across the State. In each office, DHEC provides services to help protect the quality pf the air, land, and water in South Carolina. It’s priority is to serve the public, and to respond to customers concerns and complaints within 48 hours.
The types of concerns and complaints include:  Air Quality (excessive emissions, open burning, and odor.) Solid and hazardous waste management (illegal dumping and improper disposal.)–Waste Quality (overflowing manholes, sewage spills, sewage backups, septic tank waste haulers and safety concerns as well as sanitary conditions at public swimming facilities). It’s important to protect our drinking water from contaminants. Animal waste, fertilizer, pesticides, motor oil, gasoline, and other contaminants can get carried to our drinking water source through runoff pollution. We can help reduce runoff pollution by doing the following:  “Compost or mulch yard debris and keep piles for pick-up away from storm drains; Use a soaker hose instead of a sprinkler to reduce runoff; Use pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers sparingly, use mulch as a fertilizer, and always buy environmentally safe pesticides and herbicides; Have our septic tank inspected every three years and pumped out as necessary; properly dispose of used auto fluids and batteries at designated drop-off or recycling locations; Pick up pet waste and dispose of it properly rather thank leaving it on the ground where it can wash into storm drains and local water bodies.”
Residents with a complaint or concern about environmental activity should contact their local regional office. Dillon is in Region 4 so we would contact the Florence Office. (843) 661-4825. It’s up to all of us to conserve water. Of all the water used at home, 50–70 percent us used for watering lawns and gardens. We can look for products with the partner for our landscape watering system. These help reduce water usage, lower bills, and conserve water.
During the business meeting, the minutes by Molly Pittman, Secretary, were approved, Any address, telephone, or E-Mail changes to be given to her. Ellen Jordan, Treasurer, reminded us to pay our dues. The nominating committee will present a slate of new officers at our March meeting. We voted to change our meeting time from 3:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. starting in September and Linda Dutton gave an update on our Blue Star By-Way Marker.
Celebrating February Birthdays are:  Jeanne McLaurin (February 4) and Julie Sawyer (February 21).
Upcoming dates to remember:  March 14, 2017:  Spring Meeting of the Coastal District hosted by the Georgetown Garden Club held at Pawleys Plantation and Country Club Conference Center, Pawleys, Island, S.C. and April 27–29, 2017 GCSC Convention, Western Poinsett Hotel, Greenville, S.C.
We are members of the Coastal District, the Garden Club of South Carolina, the South Atlantic Region, and the National Garden Clubs, Inc.