January’s Washington Garden Club presentation was given by Sandra Rhodes and entitled “Bluebirds in Your Own Backyard.” The presentation included information about the Beaufort County Bluebird Society and a video presentation of nesting bluebirds. Sandra warned that bluebird populations are dwindling and encouraged WGC members to join the society and put up nest boxes for bluebirds.

New members were initiated into the WGC at the January meeting: Marcia Harris, Cathleen Redmond, Alice Blackwell, Maryalice Johnston, Teresa Crozier, Grace Bonner, Sonya Griffin and Pat Nassef.

Sandra Snapp thanked the membership for their faith in her as a board member of Elizabethan Gardens.  Sandra will be replaced by Linda Davenport.

The Elizabethan Gardens will be closed during February. On Jan. 28, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., there will be a special sale in the EG gift shop. Sixty-three commemorative bricks have been purchased from the EG to date to represent original colonists, but more are needed as there were 117 original colonists. WGC decided to purchase one brick in the name of a colonist.

A suggestion was made by the publicity committee for participation in Washington City July 4th or Christmas parades. Entry fee is $50.

The month’s flower arrangement presentation was entitled “Think Sunshine.” Sandra Snapp was the only entrant in the Sunshine display with a display of winter plants and flowers from her garden.

Mary Paulson presented the bench show of plants found in the garden.

A reminder that Nandina has poisonous berries was mentioned and a suggestion was made to cut off the berries so birds don’t eat them.

A raffle sale was held for garden items that were donated.

In past news: the Washington Garden Club wishes to thank the Brown Library for the wonderful appreciation social held in the library Quiet Garden on Sept. 28. The social was attended by hosts library Director Sandra Silvey, library assistant Claudia Dahlen, children’s librarian and circulation department director Terry Rollins, library text and youth service coordinator Kim Davenport and circulation department aide Lisa Torgen. Also in attendance were the providers of the plantings from Lowe’s Home Improvement: Chris Harrison, garden center department manager, and Maria, Lowe’s garden center favorite employee. The City of Washington was represented by Mayor Mac Hodges, planning code department’s Clarence Gray, Washington Fire-Rescue-EMS Chief Robbie Rose and Fire Marshall Mark Yates.

The Brown Library Quiet Garden was designed and planted by WGC Brown Library committee chair Jennie Hoagland and committee members Peg Franklin, Sally Brody and Edie Miller. Sally Brodie, WGC president, and the WGC members are grateful for the support of the Brown Library staff.