Gold Star Marker/Blue Star Marker Dedication in Macon, Georgia 17 September 2016

 

Memorial Marker Dedications

Saturday, September 17, 2016

The First Gold Star Memorial

Marker in Georgia

along with a Blue Star Memorial

Marker

 

These Dedications were conducted in Rosa Parks Square across from the Government Center in downtown Macon, Georgia.  To the East of this Park is the Macon Armory Building, home of the Macon Volunteers which was constructed in 1885.  This is the perfect setting for Memorial honoring Our Nation's Heroes and also the Families who have lost loved Heroes.

 

 

Set up for the dedication.  The Markers are covered for the unveiling.
The Government Center in the background.

The Color Guard was provided by the Georgia Army
National Guard 48th IBCT. 

The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. Blue Star Marker Chairperson, Jan Thiese
Welcomes all participants and guests.

The Invocation for the Dedication Ceremony was
given by Rabbi Larry Schlesinger
Macon-Bibb County Commissioner

This picture and the next one show the Markers ready to be
unveiled.

Members of the Central High School Glee Club await the time
to Sing the National Anthem.  This group is Directed by
Isaac Gibson

Members of the Patriot Guard Riders provided the Avenue of
U. S. Flags and the Service Flags.

The Color Guard ready to perform.

Patti Smith, President, America's Gold Star Families
addressed the attendees.

Andrea Little, Chairman of the National Garden Club's Blue
Star Memorial Marker Program addressed the attendees.

The Medal of Honor Memorial honoring
Sgt. Rodney Maxwell Davis

Gordon Davis, Brother of USMC Sgt. Rodney Maxwell
Davis, Medal of Honor Recipient addressed the attendees.

The Chairman of the National Garden Club's Blue Star Marker
Program provides Certificates to the Marker's Major Sponsors

The Atlanta Postal Credit Union
The Federated Garden Clubs of Macon, Inc.
 in cooperation with
The Macon-Bibb County
The Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

The Unveiling of the Gold Star Memorial Marker.

The acceptance of both Markers was performed by Macon-Bibb
Commissioner Mallory Jones

The Tribute of Flowers for each Marker was placed by
Gena and Bob Courtney
Proud Parents of USMC Sgt. Kelley Lance Courtney (KIA)
and
USMC SSgt. Donovan Eugene Courtney

The program was concluded with the singing of the following words
from the U. S. Navy Hymn, "Eternal Father" by Alan F. E. Thiese:

"Lord, guard and guide the men who fly
And those who on the ocean ply;
Be with our troops upon the land,...
And all who for their country stand:
Be with these guardians day and night
And may their trust be in thy might."

A group picture of all the participants for the Dedication.

The Chairman of the National Garden Clubs, Blue Star Marker
Program, The President of America's Gold Star Families and the President
of the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc.

The Families of the Gold Star Heroes along with
Patti Smith, on the left and Andrea Little.

Members of the Davis Family.

Gena and Bob Courtney

The Gold Star Memorial along with the Wreath.

The Blue Star Memorial along with the Wreath.

Macon-Bibb also had the Government Center (formerly the
Macon City Hall) appropriately adorned for the Dedication
Ceremony.

This is a view of the Rosa Parks Square with the Markers and the
Medal of Honor Memorial and our Flag with the City Auditorium
in the background.

Flower Fun Time

Flower Fun Time

The Middle Georgia Council of Flower Show Judges

sponsored an arranging workshop

on 12 June 2016

at the Federated Garden Clubs of Macon, Inc. Headquarters

also known as "The Neel House"

in Macon, Georgia

These pictures were taken during the workshop so there is really no proper backdrop, however you can see the various designs.  During the course of the presentations a Flower Show Judge who formerly was a Garden Club member in the National Capital Area (Washington, D.C.) informed us all about a book which she recommended we acquire.  The title of the book is:

"Did You Know...?'



Wise Words & Advice for Gardeners & Floral Designers" from - Members & Friends of National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc.

It was published in 2007, however I found a copy at a very reasonable price on a Web Site.  I have enjoyed the book very much and can certainly say that it is filled with useful knowledge. 



Blue Star Memorial Marker

Rededication

Pine Forest Garden Club

Baxley, Georgia

May 16, 2016

This rededication was for a Marker that was first

dedicated in 1949 to Honor those who served

in World War II.

The President of the Garden Club of Georgia, Martha Price Welcomes
all present on behalf of the National Garden Clubs and the
Garden Club of Georgia

The Garden Club of Georgia Blue Star Memorial Marker
Chairman, Janice Thiese gives the History of the Marker Program

The National Anthem is performed by the
Appling County High School Chorale

Everyone assembles on the Library Grounds for the unveiling and
acceptance of the Marker

 

Lee Lewis, Appling County Manager unveils the marker

The Appling County High School Chorale performs
"America the Beautiful"

 



Note the wording on this marker which was first
dedicated in 1949

Janice  Thiese and Martha Price at the
Rededicated Marker

The Official Party for the Marker Dedication

The Boy Scout Troop 472 performed the Pledge of Allegiance and
the Presentation of Colors.  Shown here with their Scoutmaster

The flower arrangement
for the reception

The reception was held in the Library Multi-purpose room

May Garden Projects

Garden Work

Middle Georgia

The weather in recent days has been very cooperative with gentile rains and mild temperatures.  So, It is time to accomplish those gardening task that need to be accomplished before it gets too dry and/or too warm.

My Bride pruned back the Azaleas that flank the front entrance.  These are on the left side with the Azaleas on the right side yet to be pruned.  This pruning must be accomplished before the buds for the Spring 2017 blooms start to set which can normally happen during the last week of June or the first weeks of July.









This is a Corkscrew Rush which I acquired with funds I was given for my volunteer photography at the recent Volunteer Luncheon which honored the many volunteers that give of their time and talents to Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful.  I also purchased the colorful planter with these funds.







This is a Fountain Grass named "Pennisetum  salvena "Fireworks"  I also place several in the ground.  This plant should thrive in sun to part shade. 

I placed two of these plants in pots which are on the ends of the steps to the back garden.  It is a Bacopa plant which also is reported to thrive in sun to part shade.

 These two views are Caladiums which I placed under the Tea Olives and full shade.  They add a bit of cool color and interest to an area where there were no other plants.

 The plants I selected for the six planters that decorate the front steps are:  Chrysogonum virginianum (with the yellow blooms) and Dead Nettle known as "White Nancy."  They are reported to thrive in part shade with some sun light. 

 Because of the poor soil I always use garden soil available at plant stores and nurseries to give the plants an opportunity to thrive.

2016 Garden Club of Georgia Historic Home and Garden Tour

Oak Grove

Garden and Home Tour

near

Newnan, Georgia

April 30, 2016 - A delightful day to participate in a revisit of this Historic site which also was the very first Garden Club of Georgia Historic House and Garden Tour which was over 20 years ago.

My Bride and I, along with several other Garden Club members from Macon made this trip to Newnan.  Admittedly I could have taken many more pictures, however I also desired to be a visitor and not just a photographer.  This was a wonderful trip and also a wonderful opportunity to support the Historic Restoration Projects that are but one aspect of the Garden Club of Georgia, Inc. projects.

In summary I am glad I participated in this event.

I have never seen rail road spikes used as an edging.

Again Beauty Abounds in Middle Georgia

The Wonderful Rain

Early this Morning prior to Sunrise we received one half inch of rain.  It washed the Pollen away and everything looked so brilliant that I determined to document the wonderful morning with a series of pictures.  The message today is enjoy the Spring Beauty that surrounds you where ever you are!!!