Who We Are and What We Do…
Sally Chao, President, Cassina Garden Club, 2024-2026
“We are grounded in the Deep Roots of Cassina’s history, nourished by nearly a century of dedicated women who made beauty, service, and friendship flourish on this island….
As we continue to grow, our Enduring Bonds will be strengthened by a full year of fellowship—through our new fabulous programs, garden days, fun field trips, member gatherings, workshops, outreach projects, and our signature events…
And our Lasting Impact? It’s visible in the gardens we tend, the children we teach, the beauty we create, and especially in the stewardship of our beloved Tabby Cabins. Everything we do, no matter how small, contributes to a legacy that we’re building and reaches beyond us…
In just a few years, we’ll celebrate Cassina’s 100th anniversary, and this year marks the beginning of that journey. That’s why I’m thrilled to introduce our new “Dig a Little Deeper” Seminars. These seminars will bring our heritage to life and prepare us to share it proudly with the community in 2028.
Monthly Programs – “Here We GROW Again!”
Get ready to dig in and have fun! This year’s Monthly Meeting Programs are all about celebrating GROWTH—of our gardens, our club, and ourselves. We’ll honor our roots, branch out with fresh ideas, and look ahead to an exciting future. Each month brings a new lineup of lively speakers and inspiring topics.
Our year begins with Introducing the Class of 2025: Here We GROW Again! Our New members embody our Cassina ideals and will carry on our Mission: To preserve and maintain our historic Hamilton Plantation Cabins and grounds; to promote the love of history, gardening, and horticulture; to protect our native plants and wildlife; and to encourage civic and community responsibility for the same.
100 Years of GROWING Glynn highlights the story of Madge Merritt, Glynn County’s first home demonstration agent, whose vision and partnership with the Cassina Garden Club helped shape the early beautification of our island home. Fast-forward to today, and meet our current agent, M.C. Hallbrook, who will share how her office’s resources continue to support and inspire our community.
Tim Keyes, wildlife biologist with the Georgia DNR, presents Coastal Bird Conservation: How Their Presence Impacts GROWTH. Keyes champions the protection and conservation of wildlife, rare plants, and habitats. He has developed training materials and instructions for learners of all ages.
Cassina Members will get to choose from a “Menu of Topics” and gather in the cozy setting of a fellow member’s home. It’s a fun and intimate way to learn together—because Cassina Members are Always Learning and Always GROWING!
We welcome Dr. Marie Meranda from the University of South Florida as our Annual Luncheon guest speaker. Dr. Meranda will take us on a journey through her fascinating local digs at Cannon’s Point, Hamilton Plantation, Cumberland Island, Sapelo Island, and Little St. Simons Island. It’s a perfect chance for members to be GROWING with an Expert in Archaeology!
What GROWS Here? is the question every island gardener asks—whether you’ve just moved to the island or have been digging in this dirt for years! The ACE Garden Team will share their expert advice on what to plant, when to prune, and how to landscape so your garden thrives in our special island environment.
We will put our creativity to good use and support our biggest fundraiser during the Garden Walk Silent Auction Baskets: Ready, Set, GROW! At the April meeting, members will team up to create themed baskets that will be showcased during the Garden Walk and auctioned off at the grand finale—the “Celebration Garden Party.”
Let’s wrap up our 98th year by Celebrating Another Year of GROWTH! with good food, great friends, and plenty of cheer! Bring along a tray of nibbles to share, kick back with fellow members, and enjoy an afternoon of laughter, reminiscing, and celebration!
As we begin this new year together, I’m honored to share the theme I’ve chosen to guide us during 2025-2026: “Deep Roots, Enduring Bonds, Lasting Impact.” These words reflect who we are — and who we aspire to be.
Community Projects and Outreach
From beautifying public spaces to supporting local schools, historical sites, and other nonprofits, our projects are designed to enhance the natural beauty of our area and foster a sense of connection among our neighbors. Each project allows us to come together, share our expertise, and make a lasting impact in the community we love.
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Since 1932, the care and maintenance of the former Hamilton Plantation slave cabins and grounds have been entrusted to the Cassina Garden Club. Maintaining the grounds, gardens and historic tabby slave cabins is an ongoing project with participation by all members.
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Cassina Garden Members are available each Wednesday, 10 AM to 12noon, to share the history of Gascoigne Bluff and the Hamilton Plantation tabby slave cabins with visitors. Docents are also available, upon request, to conduct private and educational school tours. Please see the Cabin Tours and Educational Programs sections of this website.
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To better tell the story of the slave cabins and Cassina property on Gascoigne Bluff to our many visitors, in 2009, glass-enclosed cabinets and hanging display panels were installed in the Meeting Cabin. Themed educational displays were added to the exhibition in 2010 using artifacts found on Cassina's property, period photographs, and storyboards.
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Cassina has provided protection, signage, care, and community tours at the site of the grand cedar located adjacent to the Cassina Garden. This tree is estimated to be almost 400 years old and has been measured by the U.S. Forestry Service to be the second largest of its species in the United States the largest in Georgia. In 2023, winds from Hurricane Idalia broke off a main section of the cedar tree. Cassina contacted a local woodworker to create cedar benches which you will see displayed in the two different areas in the gardens.
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Cassina is a proud participant in this festival that celebrates the history and culture of African Americans here in Coastal Georgia, providing information on the club's historical sites.
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Cassina donated $25,000 to the Saint Simons Land Trust in 2009-2010 for the construction of a gazebo at the then-new botanical trail in Frederica Park as a resting place and focal point along the trail. We were proud to be a part of this project: Frederica Park was the first new park to be built on Saint Simons Island for more than 50 years.
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In 2017, former member Nancy Harper helped Girl Scout Hannah Williams earn her Gold Star Award by creating a 10 x 10 Monarch Butterfly Waystation on the Cassina grounds. The garden is officially called Hannah’s Butterfly Kisses Gold Award, #10653. In August 2022, Cassina expanded the garden to include a second 10x10 square. Both squares were created using guidelines from the Monarch Watch Waystation Program. The Cassina Garden Club Garden Committee continues to take care of this garden room to provide resources necessary for monarchs to produce successive generations and sustain their migration. In 2024 Girl Scouts will use the butterfly garden to participate in The Great Southeast Pollinator Census, a citizen science project created by the University of Georgia Extension.
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This project was started several years ago when Cassina partnered with Hospice of the Golden Isles to design and plant a pink garden at the entrance to the hospice facility. Currently, we plant seasonal flowers at the entrance of the Hospice main building as needed.
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Cassina volunteers "ring" during the Red Kettle Campaign for the Glynn County Salvation Army during the Holiday season. The Red Kettle Campaign is the best way for the community to get involved in helping provide desperately needed food and lodging to people in our region year-round.
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Morningstar Children and Family Services, located in Glynn County, is Georgia's only residential care community for foster boys aged 12-21 with developmental disabilities, including autism and complex care needs. Serving up to 55 boys, their mission is to provide a nurturing home that fosters a brighter future through life skills, therapeutic counseling, and workforce coaching. Several times a year, Cassina enhances the entrance with flowers and plants, creating a welcoming atmosphere.
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Cassina had the privilege of becoming involved in Habitat for Humanity through its newly ambitious project, called the 15-home Century Place. HFH's projection is to build homes on four acres in Brunswick. Cassina provided the landscaping, sod, and volunteer labor for the first three homes.
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Twice a year, Cassina volunteers visit Magnolia Manor and The Vitality Senior Living on Saint Simons Island. With fifty bunches of purchased vibrant flowers and greenery gathered from our own yards, we create stunning bouquets together with residents that brighten their rooms. This experience is not only fun but also deeply rewarding, as we forge new friendships and share our love for floral design.