March Meeting Minutes

Welcome and Call to Order

Parker welcomed everyone and thanked Hostesses – Liz Crew, Lamar Smith, Amy Smith, Rawson Grobety

Reading and Approval of Minutes

Parker mentioned the minutes have been posted to the website as of March 25, She passed around printed copies if anyone wanted to read them. She said we would come back and vote later.

Officer Reports

Vice President – Kendrick Williams:

Workday in Sarahs’ Garden – pics/history/article

Second Vice President / Speech School (Mary Ayres given by Parker Tekin):

The daffodils at the Speech School (given by late member Octavia Bernie) were lovely, but as always, too short-lived. You can see a few shots of our kiddoes in action, as they all pat “Dutchess” on the head when coming in from recess.

“Dutchess” is a commission of long-time Mimosa Garden Club member, Mrs. Tarber’s dog. It is my (Haven Long) understanding that the School planted all the daffodils in our garden in memory of Mrs. Tarber and had the statue of Duchess commissioned when they redid the garden and building in 2005.

The Speech School remains grateful for the Club’s support of the gorgeous space.

Third Vice President / Quarry Garden (Elkin Alston): NO REPORT

Corresponding Secretaries (Katie Bockstedt /Leslie Neely): NO REPORT

Treasurer (Margaret Warren given by Parker Tekin):

Three account balances:

Operating Account: $10,576*
Savings Account: $7,879
Party Account: $18,980

*Please note that dues to the Garden Club of Georgia have been paid, but that check has not yet been cashed/cleared. The actual operating account balance will be $9466 once that check clears.

Committee Reports

Programs -Britt Hill / Alden Potts: NO REPORT

Membership & Dues – Mary Mac Southerland: NO REPORT

Historian – Jinny Keough: NO REPORT

Parliamentarian – Jackie Cushman: NO REPORT

Website- Jennifer Hill (given by Parker Tekin)

Updates – More great work has been done by Jennifer Hill on the homepage one is able to see the upcoming hostesses, pictures of them and also RSVP to meetings online.

State Garden Club Liaison – WaWa Hines

Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge. Peachtree and lots of other garden clubs (nationwide and in GA)are involved in trying to preserve the natural beauty and they would like our members who are

interested to be involved also. Please remember to vote by April 9, 2024.

Party Chairs & Ticket Sales – Liles/ Amanda/ Shelby

$75 per ticket
All non-honorary members must by 4 Invitations are ready
Party is May 8 from 6-9 p.m.

Business

Sarah/Mary Mac – amaryllis announcement

Sarah and Mary Mac made a poster with the entries. They awarded prizes to:

1st Place – Susan Virgin
2nd Place – Jinny Keough
Last – Mary Huntz

Parker said we have 3 candidates for Voting will be open online April 1 – April 15. New members will be announced at the April meeting.

Parker said the nominating committee (Catherine Fleetwood, Kendrick Wiliams, Jessica Brown, Aimee Nix and Parker Tekin) met last week to work on the slate of officers for next year and we are done! We will talk about this in April / announce the slate.

Esther Garges/ Pattie Boykin has been in our garden club for 70 years!
- Pattie Boykin started the

Historic Oakland Cemetery Tour – Tuesday, April 10th, at 10:30 m. Sign up sheet

Alden introduced the speaker, Bruce Grant, of H.G. Robertson Silver & Gifts

Our next meeting will be April 23 at Nancy McGuirk’s house and Rick Spitzmiller is the landscape architect.

Thanks again – Liz Crew, Lamar Smith, Amy Smith, Rawson Grobety

Adjourn

The nominating committee has completed the slate of officers and committee chairs for next year. I am thrilled to present the 2024-2025 Mimosa Board.

We need to vote to elect these officers. Is there a motion to elect the board slate? A second? All vote in favor say aye. All opposed say no.

Mimosa Board of Directors 2024-2025

Ex-officio: Parker Tekin

President: Kendrick Williams

Vice Pres: Louise Moore

2^nd VP (Speech School): Alden Potts

3^rd VP (Quarry Garden): Britt Hill

Recording Secretaries: Abby, Allison, Kellie, Alice, Shannon

Corresponding Secretaries: Amy Underwood/ Genie Gray

Treasurer: Margaret Warren (2 year term)

Membership & Dues: Amanda Orr & Liles Thompson

Programs: Mims Hill/ Jennifer Raulet

New Member Luncheon: Rae Knox/Wawa Hines

Website: Jennifer Hill (again)

State Garden Club Liason: Esther Garges

Parliamentarian: Sarah McElroy

Historian: Jinny Keough (again)

Take action today to save the Okefenokee!

Email comments to Georgia’s EPD opposing permits for the Twin Pines mine.
Ask your Georgia legislators to support HB 71–a bill that can protect the Okefenokee for generations to come.
You can find your legislators here: Find Your Legislator – Plural Policy. Emails and phone numbers can be found on that website andmthe legislators’ profiles on the Georgia Legislature’s website: Georgia General Assembly

Here’s a sample message you can use.

As your constituent in House District /Senate District , I am writing to share my deep concern about proposed mining operations near the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge that threaten to irreversibly damage the Okefenokee’s fragile ecology.

I urge you to support HB 71, the Okefenokee Protection Act. This bill would prevent mining along an especially sensitive area adjacent to the wildlife refuge. Scientists at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Agency have raised concerns that mining in this area could cause devastating damage to the swamp’s complex water system.

Attracting more than 600,000 visitors annually, the Okefenokee Swamp is an economic driver for the surrounding towns and counties in South Georgia and for the state overall. It supports more than 750 jobs and generates more than $50 million in economic activity in the four counties surrounding the Refuge.

The largest intact freshwater wetland in North America, the Okefenokee provides habitat for numerous threatened species and serves as the headwaters of the St. Marys River and the Suwannee River. Its ecological value is so unique that it has been designated a Wetland of International Importance. The proposed mine on the edge of the Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge poses an unacceptable risk to one of Georgia’s and the world’s greatest natural treasures.

I urge you to support HB 71 and stand up and speak out on behalf of protecting the Okefenokee.

Thank you,

Alternatively, if you want to call their office directly, here are a few talking points that may help guide your conversation: Please support HB 71. Members of the House of Representatives can add their names as co-signers of the bill. Members of the Senate can be vocal about their support for the bill that is currently in the House.

Please encourage House Natural Resources and Environment Committee Chair, Rep. Lynn Smith, to bring HB for a committee vote before Crossover Day (February 29).
The Okefenokee Swamp holds significant economic, ecological, cultural, and historical value to local communities and all Georgians — and this globally treasured resource should be protected from any mining activity.
The Okefenokee National Wildlife Refuge attracts more than 600,000 visitors a year, supports more than 750 jobs, and generates more than $50 million in economic activity in the four counties surrounding the Refuge.
The Okefenokee is home to a stunning array of wildlife and plants. The Swamp is home to bald eagles, bobcats, black bears, and 13,000 alligators. Several endangered and threatened species reside in and rely on the Okefenokee, including gopher tortoises, wood storks, indigo snakes, and red-cockaded Over 850 plant species are found in the Okefenokee, from giant 400-year-old cypress trees to carnivorous pitcher plants and water lilies.