The Yellow Jessamine Garden Club attended the 2017 GCSC Expo at Ebenezer Lutheran Church in Columbia, SC on Saturday, July 15, 2017. Six members were in attendance.
The Expo opened as all members were registered by their district. Light refreshments were available and the raffle tickets for the silent auction were obtainable.
Around ten o’clock, GCSC 2017-2019 President Donna Donnelly welcomed everyone and expressed her gratitude for her new presidency. Her slogan for the 2017-2019 presidency is “Birds of a Feather , Garden Together.” Dee LeMay, GCSC 3rd VP, then gave opening remarks and explained a few housekeeping tips for the event. Mary Rivers, GCSC Chaplain, gave the invocation and all members stood and recited the pledges to the American and GCSC flags.
Succeeding the flag pledges, Linda Howle, GCSC Flower Show School Chairman, stated the dates for the classes and encouraged all to attend.
Dee LeMay then introduced our speaker for the day, Mr. Tom Pray.
Mr. Pray’s informative program, entitled “Birds of Pray” began as he explained several ways of identifying birds. Listening to the calls and songs, estimating size and shape, color consideration, facial markings, bill characteristics, habitats and regions, geographic variation and sub speciation are very important when trying to brand birds. Getting involved with other gardeners and networking with websites and books would also help to identify birds. Several websites are: www.carolinawild.com, http://ebird.org, and www.audubon.org. Mr. Pray quoted, “ Bird identification is a skill. It can be learned and perfected over time.”
After his presentation, GCSC 2nd VP Yvonne Jordan, mentioned two workshops that were offered before lunch. One workshop was on GCSC Awards and the other was Camp Wildwood.
The blessing was given for lunch. Chicken, pimento cheese sandwiches, cookies and potato chips were provided. Latterly, the NGC Awards were presented by former President Yvonne Morris and the District Challenge was awarded.
The Silent Auction items were drawn. Several items, such as, work bags, bird houses, and gardening books were won.
At the finale, announcements were read and Mary Rivers gave the benediction.
Special thanks to the generous donations, and support of sponsors, District Directors, Co-Directors, Vendors and Speakers.
The Yellow Jessamine Garden Club is a member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., South Atlantic Region, The Garden Club of South Carolina, Inc., and the Coastal District of South Carolina.