The Sandhills Council of Garden Clubs kicked off its new year with a meeting at the Weymouth Center on Sept. 5.

New officers, Kathryn Talton, president; Cathy Jones, vice president; Joan Owen, secretary; and Laurie Odiorne, treasurer, reported.

After distribution of directories and introductions, the council, which represents 21 area garden clubs, discussed and voted on several topics. Among them was a special gift of $250 to be given to the Weymouth Center for the Arts and Humanities.

The new Dirt Gardeners' Assistance Program asks each participating club to spend one day throughout the year assisting the team of volunteers who take care of all of the grounds at the Weymouth Center. Volunteer hours are important for obtaining grants as well as for manpower.

The October educational program, "An Anthology of Flowers," which will be given by Alice Romans-Hess, is a jointly sponsored program to be held Oct. 18 at Owens Auditorium.

Admission is $10. The meeting is open to all with no reservation required.

Larry Cohen, horticulture chairman, recommended a day trip to Pearl Fyars topiary garden in Bishopville, S.C., which can be easily combined with Bethune Pottery and Beyond Bargains in Camden, S.C., a small boutique nursery.

A "show and tell" of member directories and yearbooks facilitated the sharing of ideas as well as printing methods and cost comparisons.