Club members travel back in time on tour

By Dorothy Bambach

The ladies of the Yaupon Garden Club recently took a journey in a time machine which carried them to a Myrtle Beach of long ago. It was in the 1940’s, along Highway 17. There were fresh water lakes, native tree canopies and undeveloped Atlantic Ocean beaches. It was a peaceful, quiet Myrtle Beach, which calmed the soul and provided respite from the busy highway just yards away. It was a special place: the 500-acre Meher Baba Spiritual Center. Their travel leader, Janet Files, pointed out the various native plants and trees along the way to the delight of the gardeners. Upon return to 2026, the Yaupon Garden Club members convened at the Lava Korean Steakhouse for their regularly scheduled luncheon and meeting.

President Phillis Newman welcomed the members and distributed planning worksheets in preparation for the next YGC year. Committee chairman Dorothy Bambach gave an update on plans for the 2026 National Garden Week observance and the progress in the Eleventh Avenue Plant America Grant. Lynne Payne reported the Pollination Station Committee met on Wednesday, April 15, to spruce up and plant this season’s delights.

President Newman congratulated the members whose applications were selected for awards at the Coastal District meeting in Dillon on March 12. Those cited include:

First Place – Joann Johnson National Garaden Club Week-Dorothy Bambach

First Place – Horticulture Award for the Pollination Station-Phillis Newman

First Place Club Yearbook- Kathy Jenkins

Second Place Arbor Day-Redwing Trail-Susan Platt

Second Place-Gladys Taylor Memorial Conservation Award-Redwing Trail-Susan Platt

Second Place-Youth Award-Ecotots -Mary Templeton

It was announced by Mary Templeton that the next gathering of the Ecotots will take place on Friday, April 17, with a lesson on “Garden Weeds.”

The meeting was adjourned at 3 p.m. with the singing of Happy Birthday to Pam Maness and Graceann Phillips.