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By Jan Newton

Society President

On Sept. 13th, the Greenville Camellia Society (GCS) had its first meeting for the 2023-2024 year. The meeting was revved up with a surprise visit from Mayor Dexter McLendon. And what wonderful news he had for GCS!  

Mayor McLendon said the City has contracted with Bobby Green of Fairhope to design the Beeland Park Gardens and other potential gardens in and around the city. Green, a renowned camellia garden designer, will be overseeing our beautification projects as the GCS prepares for the Camellia Show on January 27, 2024.  

Green, a camellia lover, sees the value of marketing our city as The Camellia City. He plans to keep our branding by planting camellias in Greenville. The GCS and the city will work together to achieve our goal of shining our brightest light on Greenville for all the guests coming to visit our wonderful city and its citizens. 

Another exciting presentation was by member TK Pouncy, our talented “Artist in Residence”.  She unveiled her design for our GCS logo and the club was thrilled with her work. GCS now has a branding that will be recognized everywhere as we continue our mission of beautifying Greenville, restoring the Beeland Park Gardens, and promoting our beautiful camellias in The Camellia City. 

Pouncey presented the logo with a 40” x 52” painting of a camellia that will be offered as a prize during a silent auction the weekend of the show.

Holiday wreath sales have begun! Every year, the garden club has sold holiday wreaths for the beautification projects around town. The GCS, now a nonprofit organization, has adopted the wreath sale project and all the money raised will go to funding the camellia show in January.  The prices are: 

• 28” Wreath = $40      
• 22” Wreath = $35   
• Door Swag (approx. 30” x 19”) = $35.    
• 10’ Garland = $25

The wreaths are made of Noble Fir and are one-sided. The Garland is made of Western Cedar.  Persons interested, can contact a society member or call (334) 437-2509 to place an order. Payment is made at the time the order is placed. Buyers will be notified to pick up their order at Beeland Park upon delivery, sometime during the first week of December.  

We hope the citizens will support us in this endeavor for the good of the community.