GCS March meeting notes

The agenda for the Greenville Camellia Society March (GCS) meeting was full.  After a delicious lunch catered by Rebecca Duncan, the meeting was called to order.

Six new members were introduced.  Paula Sexton introduced their new camellia queen, Karya Likely and her court: Emilee Myrick, Rakiya Peterson, and Anya Cobb.

Three murals were on display for members to see.  These murals depicted the story of the camellia starting with their Japanese origins, how they got to Butler County, and historical Beeland Park Camellia Gardens that were added to the American Camellia Trail in 2023.

The murals debuted at the GCS Artisans Market and Gee’s Bend Exhibition at Beeland Park during their camellia show week-end.

Helena Shirley gave a report on the camellia show.  Mary Bates gave a treasurer’s report, and Melanie Stonestreet gave the Beeland Park Project report.

They invited the local camellia show winners and awarded them their blue ribbons. Congratulations were given to Mollie Waters, Pat Skipper, and Sabyn Waller.

Then, GCS President Jan Newton introduced speaker Jason Dean, Treasurer of the International Camellia Society, to talk about companion plants for camellias.

After a raffle of two dozen fresh eggs and a sour cream pound cake, they adjourned