It isn’t only flowers and trees that bloom with the arrival of Spring, the island’s social calendar also bursts full with plentiful activities and exciting events. This year, Cassina Garden Club is embracing Earth Day on April 22 and will be joining together with various other community organizations and businesses to present a full week of varied entertaining and educational activities for all ages through their annual Tabby and Tillandsia Garden Walk on April 29. Also celebrating a “Grow, Thrive, Bloom” theme is the CASA Fashion Show on April 13, which will salute local garden clubs and organizations or businesses involved with beautifying our community through gardens.
The CASA Fashion Show and Luncheon takes place at The Cloister on Sea Island Thursday, April 13 at 11:30 a.m. Recognizing that the job of court appointed special advocates for children is one that promotes nurturing and growth, just like those who tend a garden, fashion show organizers say, “Like flowers, children thrive when nourished with love and tender care. We honor those who plant the seeds in our community. When nurtured and cared for properly, the resulting bloom is something special.” Models from the various local garden clubs, The Vine, and ACE Garden Center, among others, will be showing off fashion from Butler’s Stash, Carlisle & Per Se Collection, The Cloister Collection, Cloth + Label, Cricket Shop, Evelyne Talman, Gentlemen’s and Lady Outfitters, Go Fish Clothing & Jewelry, Indigo and Cotton, J. McLaughlin, Love & Sweat, Maggie’s Boutique, Mari Max, McRobins, Meo’s Suite, The Pampered Foot, Planters Exchange, Roberta’s, Ronne’s on Market Street, The Sea Island Shops, Tibi, Two Friends, White House/Black Market, Wild and Personal, and Yellow Canary. Tickets are $80, $100, and $130. There will be no raffle this year, but there will be a special door prize. The luncheon is the perfect time to come celebrate with CASA. Under the leadership of Cary Greenfield, CASA Glynn has expanded services to Camden County, and was awarded the 2017 Award of Excellence as CASA of the Year in the State of Georgia. For more about CASA Glynn, its services, volunteer opportunities, and to purchase tickets to the April 13 Fashion Show and Luncheon, visit casaglynn.org.
Saturday, April 22, will open “It’s a Southern Thing!” Garden Walk week events for Cassina Garden Club. Earth Day at Cassina’s Tabby Cabins and Gardens at Gascoigne Bluff is open to 3rd through 5th graders, accompanied by an adult. Myrna Crook from the Coastal Georgia Historical Society will be discussing archaeology, preservation and restoration. Amy Schuler of Coastal Wildscapes will be presenting information about the monarch life cycle. Rebecca Pfailer from Florida Fish & Wildlife will be talking garden snakes and there will be some on hand. Lydia Thompson of the Audubon Society will teach coastal bird identification and illustrate drawing shorebirds. Sara Blocker from Ashantilly Press will help kids make impressions of garden pollinators with portable presses. A local beekeeper will explain bees, pollination, and the honey making process. Children will also learn about recycling from Keep Golden Isles Beautiful, participate in an I SPY Scavenger Hunt in the Cassina Gardens, and enjoy other fun take-home crafts, face painting, photo opportunities, and more. It’s going to be a BIG fun Green Earth Day!
On Monday, April 24, make some art! From 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., Nancy Muldowney and Gee Gee Adams will host Nature’s Prints, a printmaking workshop for everyone at Glynn Visual Arts. There is a $75 fee for the class to cover materials and remainder will be split evenly between Glynn Visual Arts and Cassina Garden Club.
On Thursday, April 27, it’s Cassina Celebration Thyme! The Garden Club invites friends and guests to join them to celebrate the completion of the restoration of the first of two tabby slave cabins at Gascoigne Bluff. Enjoy cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvres provided by Tasteful Temptations at the A.W. Jones Heritage Center from 5:30-7:30 p.m. There will also be a raffle of 25 bottles on a “Wall of Wine” and silent auction items as well. Tickets are $75 per person and proceeds benefit the Cabin Fever Capital Campaign as restoration of the second cabin begins.
On Friday, April 28, sip and shop at Two Friends in Redfern Village. A portion of proceeds from all sales will be donated to Cassina Garden Club. On Friday or Saturday, you can also visit the Community Gardens beside McKinnon Airport, Glynn Visual Arts will be hosting a “Wildscapes” exhibit, and ACE Garden Center invites you to come in and select something to purchase on Saturday when you can come in with your Garden Walk ticket and receive a 10% discount.
Saturday, April 29, is the main event, Cassina Garden Club’s annual Tabby & Tillandsia Garden Walk. “It’s a Southern Thing” because all of the diverse and beautiful gardens being featured on the tour are located on the South end of St. Simons Island. The Garden Walk hours are 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and there will be a local artisan marketplace of garden arts and crafts at the Tabby Cabins from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. There will also be a Garden Party at the cabins from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m., with entertainment by the Golden Isles Strummers at 2:30 p.m. At 3:45 p.m., there will be a wet paint sale of works painted by the artists in the various gardens throughout the day. Additionally, Garden Walk attendees can purchase raffle tickets for arrangements made by members that will be available at the gardens. Winners will be chosen at the Garden Party at 4:00 p.m. For more information about the Garden Walk events, tour stops, and to purchase tickets, visit cassinagardenclub.org.
It's Spring, so throw off the weight of winter and join your friends and neighbors in helping our community to grow, thrive and bloom by attending some of these wonderful events.
