North Myrtle Beach Times Serving our Community and the Grand Strand for over 50 years
Members of the Loris Garden Club were warmly welcomed to the home of Laura Hardee, co-hostess with Gloria Kinney, for the January meeting. Laura’s home was lovely with Christmas decorations and vases of camellias throughout the meeting area.
Delicious refreshments were served. Gardening gloves were given as favors. Laura’s beautiful arrangement, A Fresh Beginning, was in an elegant antique blue and white vase using Acuba, Yew, Spirea and Tea Olive with a variety of camellias.
President David Stoudenmire welcomed members, thanked the hostesses and led the club collect. Roll call and minutes were presented by secretary Ruth Ann Jones, and treasurer Rosanne Claytor gave the financial information.
Members were thanked for their participation in making Christmas magnolia wreaths for the Loris Library doors on Dec. 1, and for helping plant a Crepe Myrtle tree on the library grounds on Dec. 7 in observance of Arbor Day. Awards chairperson Wanda Cox announced Books for Evidence final submission date will be Feb. 1. Members interested in learning how to complete books of evidence on projects were invited to her home on Jan. 7 at 4 p.m.
Awards will be presented at the Spring District meeting March 14 in Conway. Loris Garden Club receives awards each year for civic projects. Memorials received for our faithful, longtime member Clyde Richardson, who passed away on Nov. 12, 2018, were acknowledged and will be used to create a lasting tribute in his honor and in appreciation for his faithful, vital years of service. Loris Garden Club members, as well as District and State members, are saddened about his passing and grieve with his lovely family. His kindness and dedication to helping others will be long remembered.
President Stoudenmire acknowledged a thank you card from the Buck Creek Foundation expressing appreciation for the donation. They will resume work on the Giving Hope Nursery at the former Clardy Nursery site and will appreciate assistance from volunteers. Club members will be happy to help. At the February meeting, the Nominating Committee will present names for proposed officers for 2019-21.
Special Projects chairperson Linda Morrison gave an update on the fundraising project of a lunch, and silent auction scheduled for March 30th. Further details and tickets will be available soon. Funds raised will be used to upgrade the Blue Star/Thelma Suggs Memorial Garden on Highway 9 West Business.
Vice president Louise McQueen introduced the speaker, Mack McKinnon, vice president of the Grand Strand Camellia Society.
McKinnon, a retired engineer, is chairman of the Grand Strand Camellia Show which will be held at Inlet Square Mall Jan. 13-14. A camellia is a flowering evergreen shrub with origins in the Orient and recognized for its tea properties. The shrubs were introduced to Europe in the Victorian era by plant hunters. These plants became popular in our country in the 1700 in southern regions for their beauty as evergreen shrubs with flowers and many varieties of color and size.
Camellias are well suited for the southern climate and prefer moist, well drained acidic soil. McKinnon gave information and handouts on proper planting and care of camellias. He also brought beautiful camellia blooms of various colors and sizes and plants that are sold by the Society.
He presented a very informative and delightful program on planting, growing and caring for camellias in our yards. McKinnon may be reached through the Grand Strand Camellia Society. members appreciated this excellent program by the speaker.
Gloria Kinney presented a very moving inspirational message on being a child of our Heavenly Father. Following the drawing and presentation of the door prize the meeting closed with the club benediction.
