APRIL — Everyone loves hummingbirds! These tiny birds with extraordinary abilities lead fascinating lives. Education Director Melanie Furr of Georgia Audubon told us about A Year in the Life of a Hummingbird, from their courtship and breeding to their incredible migration. As the caregiver for the world’s only ambassador hummingbird, Melanie shared unique insights into the lives of these miraculous little birds and brought Polly along to demonstrate many of the facts she shared with us. It was a great evening that every one enjoyed.

FEBRUARY —- Dr. Tim Smalley, Josiah Meigs Distinguished Teaching Professor Emeritus, UGA, was our featured speaker for our noon meeting at Bethesda Senior Center on February 21st.  Dr. Smalley discussed his project documenting the Significant Trees of Georgia and showed pictures of various trees that are situated throughout Georgia.  These are trees with historical and horticultural significance, and trees on public and private land. A horticulturally significant tree is a unique species or is an outstanding specimen for the locale. A historically significant tree is associated with a historical site or has “witnessed” a historical event.

MARCH – Brad Livesay, Program Supervisor for Harvest Gwinnett, shared information about the new community garden initiative in Gwinnett County at our March 21^st meeting.  A program of Live Healthy Gwinnett, Harvest Gwinnett was launched in 2019 to connect community members through hands-on environmental education, plant fresh produce to improve resident food access and nurture engagement opportunities leading to improved health outcomes. There are currently nine gardens throughout the county. 

Due to the weather conditions, our in-person meeting at Bethesda Senior Center on January 17th was cancelled and we hosted a Zoom Meeting for our members. Bet Sobon, a Native New Yorker who moved to Georgia twenty years ago and began growing roses. Bet shared very detailed knowledge about growing roses in Georgia and covered types, fertilizers, diseases – just all aspects of rose growing.

She now grows over 150 roses and has almost all types of roses. Bet is currently President of the Greater Gwinnett Rose Society which is affiliated with The American Rose Society through which she is a certified Consulting Rosarian.