West Low Country District
The members of Fairfax Garden Club, Ivy Garden Club of Ridgeland, Magnolia Garden Club of Varnville, and Seed & Weed Garden Club of Hampton join me in extending to you a warm invitation to attend the Annual Meeting of the West Low Country District.
THEME: "Blooming for Generations: Heirloom Plants and Seeds”
WEST LOW COUNTRY DISTRICT DIRECTOR
CHRISTY SLOAN
I learned at an early age that I loved flowers and working in the garden. My Nanny Green loved to garden, and I loved helping her in her yard. Her passion was azaleas, but she had beautiful hydrangeas, irises, crepe myrtles, and dogwoods. She planted beautiful flowerbeds, but also had a habit of plunking a flower or bush anywhere she had an empty space. Born in 1914, she would spend hours outside unaffected by the heat, and she was known to pull off the side of the road and dig up a plant if she thought it was pretty. She planted vegetable gardens every spring and spent days canning and freezing her harvests. Jams, beans, collard kraut, and corn lined the shelves of her base ment, and I dreamed of learning those skills so I could be like her. 
I grew up in Graniteville, South Carolina, attended USC-Aiken, and earned a BS in Elementary Education. In 1995 I married my high school sweetheart and moved to North Augusta. I taught middle school for 16 years and raised four wonderful daughters, now ages 16-24. In 2016, my late husband Greg and I built the home of our dreams on twelve acres. I am currently planting flowers and trees and trying to grow my own vegetables. If I can get vegetables to grow, I will fulfill my dream of lining my pantry shelves with my own canned goods. My next adventure is building a coup and raising my own chickens.
At the invitation of Kathy New, I joined Garden Makers Garden Club in 2020. I now serve as the Secretary for Garden Makers. In 2022, I agreed to serve as President of Cereus Gardeners to build back the club after 2020 caused the club to almost disband. We now have 12 members and two new community projects. I represent Cereus Gardeners and serve as Publication Chairman on the Aiken Council of Garden Clubs. I am active in my church and lead the Prayer Shawl Ladies Group in crocheting shawls and lapghans for sick and homebound church members. I am learning so much with Kathy New’s help, and I look forward to serving the next two years as Assistant Director of West Low Country District.
WEST LOW COUNTRY ASSISTANT DISTRICT DIRECTOR
MATTISON BOLEN
I was raised in the close-knit town of Williston, South Carolina—a place where the days were quiet and creativity was essential for fun. I was always the child riding bikes, digging in the dirt, or making mud pies, developing a deep love for the outdoors that has stayed with me throughout my life. My mother, Rhonda Bolen, past vice president of the Ivy Garden Club of Williston, jokingly encouraged me to join to help attract younger members. What began as a playful invitation soon became a meaningful way to connect with others and continue a legacy of planting and growing in our community. Watching my brother grow into a dedicated farmer further deepened my respect for agriculture and the hard work it takes to nurture the land.
In my professional life, I serve as the Grant Compliance Specialist and Special Projects Coordinator at Southeastern Housing and Community Development. In my personal life, I am the owner of Sonshine Creations, a small business that allows me to express my creativity through handmade candles, shirts, and family-centered products that celebrate faith, community, and joy. I am also the author of Still I Rise: A Devotional Journey Through Cancer, a book that reflects my personal journey as a two-time cancer survivor and offers inspiration to others facing similar battles. Through my experiences, I have learned the true meaning of grit, perseverance, and faith, and I have chosen to stay active and purposeful—in my work, in nature, and with my family.
These days, I find peace mowing the lawn, working on landscaping, or planting something new. I have a four-year-old son who shares my love for the outdoors. Whether he’s splashing in the water, helping plant flowers, or proudly picking blooms just to admire their beauty, I see the same spark in him that I had as a child. It’s proof that a love for nature can be passed down and often begins with the smallest moments right in our own backyards. As the Assistant Director of the West Low Country District, I hope to inspire and recruit more young individuals by educating them about pollinators and how simple backyard gardening can make a difference. Together, we can plant the seeds for a stronger, more connected future—one garden at a time.
gcsc CLUB SPONsORED YOUTH CLUBS
Organization(Grade/Student#) Sponsoring Garden Club(District)
Girl Scouts “Sprouts”(K-7 /7) Seed and Weed
West Low Country District Federated Garden Clubs:
044WL- Beaufort Garden Club, Beaufort, SC
268WL- Beech Island Garden Club,Beech Island, SC
336WL- Blackville Garden Club, Blackville, SC
248WL- Camellia Garden Club, Beaufort, SC
098WL- Campbell Ashley Garden Club, Cottageville, SC
486WL- Carolina Hills Garden Club, North Augusta, SC
139WL- Cereus Gardeners, Aiken, SC
116WL- Country Gardeners Garden Club, Aiken, SC
258WL- Dataw Garden Club, Dataw Island, SC
158WL- Dirt Dabblers Garden Club, Bamberg, SC
080WL- Dogwood Garden Club, Orangeburg, SC
283WL- Elloree Garden Club, Elloree, SC
508WL - Evergreen Garden Club, Elleree,SC
545WL- Evergreen Garden Club, Brunson, SC
170WL- Fairfax Garden and Study Club, Fairfax, SC
156WL- Garden Club of Aiken, Aiken,SC
658WL- Garden Club of Blufton, Blufton, SC
330WL- Garden Makers Garden Club, Aiken, SC
287WL- Green Gardeners Garden Club, Aiken, SC
657WL- Hardeeville Garden Club, Hardeeville,SC
173WL- Ivy Garden Club, Ridgeland, SC
269WL- Ivy Garden Club, Williston, SC
100WL- Ladys Island Garden Club, Ladys Island,SC
376WL- Magnolia Garden Club, Varnville, SC
115 WL Mayfield Garden Club, Walterboro, SC
012WL- Palmetto Garden Club, Beaufort, SC
324WL- Palmetto Garden Club of Denmark, SC
082WL- Palmetto Garden Club, North Augusta, SC
024W – Palmetto Garden Club, Orangeburg, SC
553WL- Plantation Garden Club of Hilton Head Island,SC
241WL- Sea Island Garden Club, Beaufort, SC
205WL- Seed and Weed Garden Club, Crocketville, SC
390WL- Springfield Garden Club, Springfield, SC
151WL- Suburban Garden Club, Aiken, SC
232WL- Sunshine Garden Club, Aiken, SC
311WL- Terrace Garden Club, North Augusta, SC
255WL- The Avid Gardeners, Hilton Head Island
658WL- The Garden Club of Bluffton
490WL- Wagener Garden Club, Wagener, SC
District Councils
C20WL- Aiken Council of Garden Clubs, Aiken, SC
C04WL- Beaufort Council of Garden Clubs, Beaufort, SC
C10WL- North Augusta Council of Garden Clubs, North Augusta, SC
C14WL- Orangeburg Council of Garden Clubs, Orangeburg, SC
