Letter from the President 

Hello Fellow Gourds,

It’s hard to believe it is the end of July! It seems like yesterday we had our Gourd Education Day. We had 47 students in 8 workshops. Other than a few sprinkles of rain, the weather was great. I think everyone enjoyed the Bluegrass Band. The music was kinda toe-tapping. Now we are gearing up for our Gourd Event at the Orangeburg Fair in October. Joanne Crouch is heading this up and needs volunteers to be there during open hours of the show. If you would like to help and have the time please contact Joanne. This will be the SCGS highlight for the fall and hopefully will reach as well as produce new interested Gourders in the lower region of the state.

 We’re very happy to see a new gourd society established in Mississippi this summer. There are many folks in that area interested in Gourds so we now have a sister society there.  We’re looking forward to working with them as they become a member of the gourd family. Welcome aboard Mississippi Gourd Society!  A number of states have folks wanting to establish a State Gourd Society in their area. It’s great seeing interest grow in the world of gourding.  Last fall we saw the Washington State Gourd Society and the Michigan State Gourd Society established and become part of the American Gourd Society.  The South Carolina Society continues to grow with new members. We would also like to establish more Patches in different areas of our state. Please contact me or a Board Member if you’re interested in a Patch(a group of folks meeting once a  month to learn about gourds and crafting techniques) in your area.

 In February of 2008 the members of The American Gourd Society reviewed and voted to accept the American Gourd Society Judging Handbook as the AGS Standard. This will give unity to the judging at the State Shows across the nation. The American Gourd Society President, Bob James and a Committee worked long and hard at reviewing information and talking with folks about what would be needed in such a set of guidelines.  The results are ones to be quite proud of and will benefit each state show or event. Also there will be a training workshop held for those desiring to be a certified judge using the Handbook.  For complete review of the Judging Handbook check the American Gourd Society web site.

 As a grower, the report for the 2008 crop is pretty good.  The plants really need some rain so hopefully we’ll get some soon.  The 2007 crop wasn’t as good as it could have been because of such a hot, dry summer. Let’s hope 2008 isn’t a rerun.  We still have a good selection of gourds available so give us a call if you’re needing gourds.

 We will be scheduling a fall Board meeting in the near future. If you have input feel free to contact me or any of the board members. My e-mail address is rmartin@backroads and phone number is 864-682-5251.

 Keep on Gourding,
Dickie Martin