Retreat 2007

Gourd Retreat Southern Style - Ebinezer

The Gourd Retreat, Southern Style held at The New Ebenezer Retreat Center in Rincon, Georgia was a HUGE success! The show was very well organized, with vendors such as Turtle Feathers, Primitive Originals, and raw gourd vendors and many wonderful classes to choose from. The classes were informative, fun, and sometimes challenging. Some of the classes that I attended were: Relief Carving by Judy Poulson; Washi Paper by Kathy James; Coiling with Danish Cord by Marianne Barnes; and Gourd Purse making by Laraine Short. There were approximately 200-gourders attending the show from as far away as Canada. What fun it was to meet fellow gourders from so many different places who were eager to share their gourding techniques and knowledge. The New Ebenezer Retreat Center is a very quiet and peaceful place that makes you feel like you have just stepped back in time. The cabins were very clean and well kept, nested in the edge of the woods, the Ebenezer staff were friendly and helpful and the food was scrumptious. Bill Layne of Debary, Florida sang our blessing before supper Saturday night with a song that he wrote in memory of a friend who suffered from cancer and Charlotte Durrence’s niece, Emily Hendrix, provided entertainment by singing gospel music. WOW, what a powerful voice for a 12 year old, check her out at www.emilyhendrix.com. My hat goes of to Faye Davis, Charlotte Durrance, and all the members of the Coastal Gourd Sprouts who took part in making this such a wonderful Gourd eveny.

If you took photos at the Gourd Retreat Southern Style and would like to share them with others please send them to me and I will post them on the web. You can send digital photos via eMail or on CD, paper photos, or negatives. Email me at (ggswebmaster@comcast.net) or call 678-969-2360 for address.