Meet our Co-Presidents, Anne Lee and Jan Wayne

We call them the dynamic duo, but individually Jan Wayne and Anne Lee bring a lot to the table as Co-Presidents of the Land O’Sky Garden Club. Read on to learn a little more about these fearless co-leaders and their thoughts on the year ahead.

How long have you been a member of the Land O’Sky Garden Club?

AL: Julie Huneycutt recruited me to join the Club in 2019. I’d known Julie long enough to know if this was a group she was a part of, then it’s where I wanted to be too!

JW: Three years.

What drew you to joining the Club?

AL: My buddy Julie Huneycutt.

JW: I enjoyed the social aspect and meeting new people of varied ages and backgrounds.

Tell us a little about yourself and your family.

AL: Like so many from the low country, I’d been coming to the Saluda/Flat Rock area for years. Tim and I made the leap and purchased a home in Saluda in 2017. Beyond cooler summers and beautiful mountain lakes we love the overall natural beauty and the people; I’m not sure they get any nicer.

JW: I was born and raised in Hendersonville. After college and getting married, my husband, Bo, and I moved around NC quite a bit. He was a banker with BB&T, and I taught elementary school. We were in Winston-Salem for 14 years before making the move back to Hendersonville. We have two "kids", Spencer (32) and Catherine (30). Spencer and his girlfriend Katie live in Candler and Catherine and husband John, live in Winston Salem. We have a mean ol' kitty named Muffin that has a big personality, and she makes us laugh.

What do you most enjoy about the benefits of membership?

AL: The LOSGC members are second to none! Amazing and engaged women who know everything from when/how best to plant, how to cultivate the biggest dahlia’s east of the continental divide and how to have a whole bunch of fun along the way. The other part I really appreciate about LOSGC is our philanthropy; from gifting horticultural scholarships at Blue Ridge Community College to supporting educational programs at Bullington Gardens, Veterans Healing Farm and more! We have the privilege of learning, cultivating gardens and friends and giving back to our community. My time at LOSGC has been a win-win!

JW: I enjoy the friendships that I see in the Club. I also appreciate our philanthropic focus of giving back to the community we all love.

Any bragging rights from your gardening experience or flower growing?

AL: Despite going to Clemson University, I do not bring a whole lot of horticulture or agricultural know-how. But, I’ve had a great time learning and appreciate being included in this great group of women.

JW: I'm probably the most non-gardening member of the garden club. My kids howled with laughter when I told them I was joining the garden club because I'm well known for having a black thumb! We have not one blade of grass on our property. I will say though that I inherited two of my grandmother's 50 year-old Thanksgiving cactuses four years ago and they are still alive and flourishing on my watch!

Top travel destinations on your bucket list?

AL: Don’t really have any. Just go where the wind blows!

JW: We love to travel and have enjoyed many trips since retiring. I'd have to say a river cruise on the Rhine and Danube has probably been my favorite. Seeing the castles and vineyards on the riverbanks as we floated along was just magical to me.

What do you want our members to know?

AL: Jan and I feel honored to be a part of the leadership of this Club. We’ll do our best to keep our part ‘Short, Sweet & Fun!’ and we welcome all suggestions. Let’s gather, learn and do some good for this sweet place we have the privilege of calling home.

JW: I am so excited about the LOSGC this year. Ginger has planned wonderful, educational programs, we continue to help our community and strengthen these friendships in the club.