Deep South Region
Convention 2010
March 7 - 9, 2010
Natchez, Mississippi
"Living & Growing on the Mississippi" 
-  Deep South  Convention  -    Spring   March 7 - 9, 2009 - Natchez, Mississippi 
Registration includes a free tour of  five Antebellum Mansions on Sunday, March 7
Ellicott
 Auburn
 Magnolia
 Stanton
 Longwood
House on Ellicott's Hill

In 1934, the Natchez Garden Club voted to purchase a dilapidated building on Ellicott’s Hill overlooking the Mississippi River in downtown Natchez and to restore it as headquarters of the club.

This was the first restoration project in Natchez.
Auburn

Auburn is located in Duncan Park  in a setting of huge moss-draped oaks, magnolias and pines. Famous for its architecture and its beautiful free-standing spiral stairway unsupported to the second floor., Auburn became a house that influenced the design of countless other antebellum mansions across the South.
Magnolia Hall

Magnolia Hall, the beautiful mansion at 215 S. Pearl St., was built in 1858 by Thomas Henderson, a wealthy planter, merchant and cotton broker. Henderson was a 60-year-old widower when he built his new mansion on the site of his family home, Pleasant Hill.
Stanton Hall

Stanton Hall, one of the most magnificent houses of antebellum America, stands on a rise on High Street, bordered by Pearl Street on the west and Commerce Street on the east.
Longwood

On the outskirts of Natchez, deep among forest trees heavy with Spanish moss, stands the largest and most captivating octagonal house in America, the “Oriental Villa” called Longwood.

                Learn more about these lovely Mansions  - Click 


Theme: Living and Growing on the Mississippi


View a  Flash presentation  inviting you to the convention prepared by Joseph Frank for the Natchez Garden Club.
Closest Airports are Baton Rouge, LA and Jackson, MS Airports are aproximately 2 hours away from the hotel.  For those of you flying to this desitination  we have provided Car Rental Information (pdf)
  • Agenda - Schedule of Events (pdf )
  • Registration  Form (pdf)
HOTEL RESERVATIONS:  Make reservations  at The Grand Hotel, 111 Broadway Street,Natchez, MS (ask for Deep South Convention rooms).  Phone   1-866-488-0898 (toll free); 601 446-9994.  Room rates start at $109.99.  Cut off date for special room rate is February 7, 2010. For more information on the hotel and directions visit:   http://www.natchezgrandhotel.com/


Suggested places to visit while you are in Natchez:
  •  Rosalie Mansion - A National Historic Landmark overlooking the Mighty Mississippi River
  • http://artsnatchez.org/
Promoting ArThe Arts in the Greater Natchez Area
  • tours
Natchez Pilgrimage Tours
A Plant Sale will be staged on Monday, 8 March. Each state's attendees are asked to bring plants to sell as a fundraiser for our own Deep South Unified Project--the money  each state earns will stay in their state!

If you are able to bring plants, potted or bare rooted, seeds or bulbs, that will greatly help our cause. Each person bringing in plants will receive a ticket that allows them to enter the sale early, before the general attendees, to purchase a special souvenir plant to take home.

Guidelines for the Deep South Region Plant Sale at the Convention in Natchez on Monday March 8th.2010  See Hort-Design
 Download "THE GREAT JEWELRY EXCHANGE" flyer for all the details and distribute to your members as you promote the big sale at our Deep South Convention in Natchez, March 8 and 9, 2010. See Habitat Page

Report of Deep South Regional Director
Mary Sue Colvin
2010 Deep South Regional Convention
Natchez, Mississippi
March 9, 2010


As Regional Director, this has been a year for official travel representing the Deep South Region - Texas to Missouri to California. This Spring the highways and flyways will lead this Director to Alabama, Louisiana, Tennessee and Georgia.

It is exciting to read or hear of activities in the Deep South Region's six states that range from projects promoting the Deep South Unified Project: "Protecting Our World - Living Green - Living Clean," to participation in NGC's "Golden Days," "Beautify Blight," and "Plant It Pink," to implementation of ideas that honor our Deep South theme, "Together as One - Our Hands and Hearts are POWER." Today, you will hear of many of these activities as the Presidents report for their garden clubs and Chairmen of the Deep South Region make their reports.

I think that God often sends an angel to whisper in our ear when we are in the process of making a decision about a matter of some importance. It was not an easy task for this Director to choose a theme that would resonate throughout garden clubs of the six Deep South Region states. We are, after all, a very diverse and unique population - and often - highly opinionated. After much deliberation and meditation, the choice was made (or the angel whispered) and "Together as One - Our Hands and Hearts are POWER" was selected. As you well know, the letters P. O. W. E. R. represent the words 'Protecting Our World's Environment and Resources.' Imagine my surprise and delight on learning that our theme was an affirmation of the theme Renee Blaschke had chosen as the NGC theme, "The World Around Us - Love It - Beautify It - Protect It."

I had no idea over a year ago, (but I suppose the angel knew) that this same theme would again be the perfect choice for a new 2010 Deep South project. We plan to produce a booklet offering hope, strength and courage for those facing the challenge of breast cancer and you will be the authors of the book by sharing your words of advice and counsel on the subject of surviving breast cancer. Using our Deep South theme as the book's title: "Together as One - Our Hands and Hearts are POWER" is a statement of the empowerment we hope to convey to our breast cancer heroes and their support groups. This time the letters P. O. W. E. R. represent "Pearls Of Wisdom, Enlightenment and Recovery."

Remember to put your thoughts and experiences in writing and ask others in your garden club, family, church - to share their pearls of wisdom, enlightenment and recovery for this inspirational and educational book. You may send them to me or to your State President.

Do you recall several years ago your children's and grandchildren's interest in the Power Rangers? This is a Deep South Region Power Angel pin. By purchasing and wearing this pin you accept a commission that shows that you care and you have also made a donation to Breast Cancer Research and to our Deep South Breast Cancer P.O.W.E.R. project.

I ordered these pins (probably that angel again) several weeks ago, little knowing that just prior to this Convention -within the last two weeks - my lifelong friend - practically my sister (we're both only children) - would be diagnosed with and undergo surgery for breast cancer.

At this time I would ask all of you in the audience who have personally faced this challenge or have a loved one, a friend or an acquaintance who is facing or has faced the challenge of breast cancer - to please stand.

I would ask that those of you who are actually breast cancer survivors to remain standing at this time. You are our heroes and it is because of you that we are launching this project. Renee Blaschke, please accept this DSR Power Angel pin in honor of our Deep South Region Breast Cancer Heroes.

 
 Deep South Convention 2010
Carol Frank -Co-Chairman smokyejoe@hotmail.com
Jo Ann Herrington - Co-Chairman herrington@bellsouth.net