Submitted by Melissa Moody
The Yellow Jessamine Garden Club of Dillon met on February 2, 2016 @ 6:30 pm at the home of Larue Bracey. 12 members were in attendance.
President Mildred Mishue welcomed everyone.  She also thanked Larue Bracey for being the hostess and greeted the guest speaker for the evening, Mrs. Amanda Allen Morrell. Frances Tyler then gave the devotion and prayer for our meal. Larue Bracey provided chicken salad, fruitcake, crackers, fresh cantaloupe and roasted pecans as our refreshments.
After the meal, Mrs. Cathy McDaniel introduced Amanda Morrell. Amanda is member of the Magnolia Garden Club of Latta and a Landscape Architect for Stantec; Urban Places Group.  Stantec is an architectural company that employs more than 15,000 employees working in over 250 locations.  Stantec also consults in interior design, landscaping, surveying, project management and many other areas of infrastructure projects. Amanda’s employment allows her to visit towns and cities of all shapes and sizes, and she enjoys bringing youth into her designs. She focuses on community, and her designs are based on bringing people together for generations. One of her beloved projects is the Latta School District Nature Play Park. Seeing kids play and bond with the outdoors in this “one of a kind” play area makes her very happy.
After her introduction, Amanda began her presentation on The Legacy Tree Trail. Along with The Garden Club of SC, the Magnolia Garden Club, Dr. John Kirby, the Latta community, educators and many sponsors and supporters, the Legacy Tree Trail came to fruition.  This trail is located in Latta on the campus of Latta Schools. This trail will be a tranquil place for citizens, particularly youth, to walk, exercise, play and connect with nature through active learning. She explained how the Legacy Tree Trail will be a civic space that celebrates history and increases the love for outdoors.  There are many steps involved in preparing for this project. Step 3 in the project was a workshop for the first and second graders. The two hour workshop entailed an art station, snack station and a move and maze station. The kids were able to interact and to have fun while being educated. At the art station, the kids made collages; some of the beautiful artwork will be placed on the signage along the trail. Also, one the steps of the process was to find supporters. Donors were needed for the trees and signage that are to be positioned along the trail.  On the Legacy Tree Trail, trees are planted in honor of people that have made a lasting impact in the area. For example, Amanda and her family planted a tree (Nuttall oak) in memory of her dad, Glenn Allen, and a sign will be placed along the trail with a biography and a child’s artwork from the workshop. There are still a few steps for the Legacy Tree Trail to be complete. With the hard work from the community and wonderful supporters, the Legacy Tree Trail will be a great asset to the community and surrounding areas for years to come!
We thanked Amanda for the very informative program and presented her with a gift.
The meeting was then called to order by President Mildred Mishue. Forms were completed for the registration of The Coastal District meeting, and dues were then paid.  Secretary Judy Powell called roll by the answering of your favorite plant. Judy read the minutes from the previous meeting, and they were approved.
Projects and Litter Chairman, Frances Tyler, discussed meeting together to rake J. P. Camp Roadside Park when the weather permits. She also encouraged anyone who would like to stop by and “spot clean” the park, they were welcome to do so.
Ways and Means Chairman, Judy Powell, had no business at this time. Publicity Chairman, Melissa Moody, handed out the monthly newsletter, “The Twining Vine.”
This newsletter allows members that are not able to attend the meetings to be informed and to encourage others to join our club. As she handed out pamphlets for the Garden Clubs of South Carolina, Melissa mentioned to start planning the GCSC awards that our club would like to present. Chaplain Helen Prevatte, did not attend the meeting; however, her calls as a reminder of the meeting were made to all members.
Birds Chairman, Dianne Pittman presented a program on Wood Storks. Wood Storks are usually found near swamps and wetlands. They love to feed in outlying pools made by tides due to simplify their hunt for meals.  They are tall birds with long legs, striking bill, no feathers on their heads and white body. These storks eat large quantities of small fish, such as minnows, and are found in flocks. After her report, Dianne displayed a pink pillow on which she had painted a Wood Stork.
As the next order of was business, President Mildred Mishue made mention of our Coastal Spring meeting, here in Dillon, on March 9, 2016. Each member of the club brought 3 bags with $10 gifts.
Larue Bracey made a beautiful rose arrangement for our enjoyment, “Love in Bloom.”  Judy Wyman won the door prize, a crafted wooden cedar birdhouse. The meeting was then adjourned.
The next meeting will be March 1, 2016 at the home of Cathy McDaniel. The program leader will be Earline Moody, and she will present the program on “Roses.”
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 District of the Garden Club of South Carolina.