SAR - South Atlantic Region of National Garden Clubs, Inc.
Pre-Convention Information
Important Announcement from West Virginia Garden Clubs, Inc.
The South Atlantic Region (SAR) of the National Garden Clubs, Inc. is composed of five states: North Carolina, South Carolina, Kentucky, Virginia, and West Virginia. Each state takes turns hosting the SAR Convention every five years, and every ten years, a past president from each state serves as SAR Director.
In 2026, it is West Virginia’s turn to host the SAR Convention. The planning committee has already begun preparations, and we are excited to announce that we will be combining our state convention with the SAR Convention to provide a meaningful, streamlined experience for all attendees—both SAR guests and our West Virginia members.
Save the Date!
The combined convention will be held at the Blennerhassett Hotel in Parkersburg from March 20–23, 2026. During registration, you will be able to choose which events and sessions to attend, so mark your calendars now for this special event.
| Convention Schedule | A draft schedule of the events planned for the combined convention. |
| A Garden for All | A way to honor your garden club or a member or to memorialize a friend or member with a gift to a flower fund. |
| Get Involved in the Garden | Volunteer to Help at the Convention as a Hostess. |
SAR NEWS
SOUTH ATLANTIC REGION CONVENTION
The Blennerhassett Hotel, Parkersburg, WV
March 20-21, 2026
The West Virginia Garden Club, Inc. and Linda Howle, our SAR Director are excited to invite
you to the South Atlantic Region Annual Convention at The Blennerhassett Hotel in
Parkersburg, WV. This year’s theme is "A Garden for All," emphasizing the idea that we are
better together in a garden for everyone.
Our SAR Finance, Executive Committees and the Board of Directors will meet on Friday
morning. We will have a luncheon that is not included in the package pricing but may be
purchased Ala Carte. A variety of engaging events are planned. Starting with an opening tea at
the Parkersburg Art Center where Youth Art will be on display. That evening we will kick off
with a celebration of our nation’s 250th birthday with Red, White, and Blue Birthday dinner, we
are asking everyone to celebrate by wearing Red, White and Blue. The following day begins
with a continental breakfast, then on to the SAR General Session. Attendees will also enjoy a
SAR Awards Lunch and Tara Ranson speaking on membership. The afternoon will include three
workshops designed to enhance knowledge and skills, culminating in the Vintage Design Dinner
on Saturday. We are asking attendees to wear vintage attire, jewelry or a hat.Linda Howle is the 2025-27 South Atlantic Regional Director. She is a NGC Master
Flower Show Judge and the immediate past president of The Nationally Associated
Judges’ Council of South Carolina and currently serving on the NGC Flower Show
School Committee.
Linda is a retired elementary school teacher and lives in Darlington with her husband,
Bill, and their 5-year-old Springer Spaniel. They enjoy spending time with their four
grown children and two grandsons. She is looking forward to her term as SAR
Director, promoting her theme, “SAR-Watch Us Grow!”
