Dear Editor,
Ex-Gov. Nathan Deal resolved in April 2011, that the third week of April would be Garden Week in Georgia, which acknowledges the importance of gardening and the numerous contributions of gardeners in GA. One of Georgia’s greatest resources is its beautiful landscapes and gardens. Georgia economically benefits every time tourists visit our botanical gardens and state and federal historical gardens. Garden Week provides an opportunity to celebrate and recognize the importance of the areas of our state.
Gardeners have passion for nurturing the beauty and resources of the earth through the planting of seeds, the care of all plants, and riches of their efforts.
Gardening enables members of Garden Clubs across the state of GA to serve others in the communities where they reside and work. Gardeners seek to add beauty, splendor, fragrance, and nutrition to our lives through the growing of herbs, vegetables, foliage, and flowers.
Gardeners work to preserve our country’s traditional spirit of independence and initiative through innovation and hard work.
Gray Garden Club encourages everyone to celebrate the third week of April as Garden Week in GA. GGC is placing an article in The Jones County News. Mayor Ed Barbee and Chairman of the Board Chris Weidner signed a Garden Week in GA Proclamation. Signs are being placed at the W. E. Knox Civic Center in Gray and Round Oak Ancestor’s Memory Park in Round Oak.
Members will be placing flowers in public places in recognition of the week. Members have a trip planned to celebrate gardening. Members will help residents play Bingo at Lynn Haven Health & Rehab in Bradley.
They also will be helping with activities at Pre-K in Gray in celebration of Earth & Farm Day.
Brochures publicizing Garden Week in GA will be placed at the local Ace, the Chamber of Commerce and Library in Gray. They also will help to maintain the Round Oak Ancestor’s Memory Park in Round Oak in conjunction with Great American Clean-up. Members will be giving the Jones County Senior Citizens three hanging baskets in honor of GWinGA. GGC is giving the 2026 Gray Garden Club Elmyr Henderson Memorial Scholarship to a deserving student interested in horticulture. As you can see, GGC is celebrating Garden Week in GA being active in many activities.
Please join the members in celebrating Garden Week in GA.
Sincerely, Mary Musselman
Letter of support
Dear Editor,
I am proud to support Mrs. Marilyn Miller Norfleet for Chairperson of the Jones County Board of Education. I have known Mrs. Norfleet over 30 years as a friend, co-worker and sister-in-Christ. She is a highly educated and deeply committed member of our community, holding a Bachelor of Science from Xavier University of Louisiana and a Master of Public Administration from Georgia College and State University. Her professional background is exceptional. She worked as a Registered Medical Technologist at Coliseum Park Hospital, later retiring from Brown & Williamson Tobacco Corp., where she managed a multi-million-dollar international operations portfolio. Marilyn also dedicated many years to education beginning as a volunteer math instructor at Central Georgia Technical College and retiring as Site Manager for four counties, helping learners at every level succeed. Marilyn and her husband, Rev. Dr. John Samuel Norfleet III, have been married for 47 years and have a blended family of four children and seven grandchildren. Their sons attended Jones County Schools, and their youngest graduated from Jones County High School. Her husband and sons proudly served in the United States Marine Corps.
For more than 40 years, Marilyn has served Jones County through the Library Board, Family Connection, and the College and Career Academy. She is a woman of integrity, experience, and unwavering dedication to our children and community.
I whole-heartedly support Marilyn Norfleet for Board of Education Chairperson.
Sincerely, Evelyn Hill
