The Rincon and Springfield Garden Clubs hosted the 49th annual meeting of the Oleander District at New Ebenezer Retreat Center on Tuesday.

County Commission Chairwoman Verna Phillips welcomed garden club members to Effingham and thanked the local garden clubs for all the work they had done to prepare for the meeting.

“This will be a day of learning, sharing and honoring accomplishments that you have made,” she said.

Phillips told the members about her own experiences in the Rincon Garden Club.

“Garden Clubs give the opportunity to grow as horticulturalists and citizens,” she said. She said they are a place to share lives, hopes and dreams with others.

“Garden Clubs are no longer tea sipping ladies of leisure—you ladies are busy,” Phillips said.

She commended members for teaching the younger generation about nature, and all the work they do in the community.

State Rep. Buddy Carter (R-Pooler) said the first thing he learned as mayor of Pooler was to count to four because he needed four votes. The next was to have the garden club on his side if he wanted to get anything done.

Carter commented on the beatification projects garden clubs are involved in throughout the state and improvements that have been made from the efforts of garden club members.

“Thank you for the work you’re doing in your communities,” he said.