Conference and Events
Southeast District Gathering 2026
Peaches and Herbs Reunited and it Feels So Good!
Southeast District Gathering Agenda
11:00 AM-12:15 PMMeet at the Heart of Dixie Train Museum,1919 9th Street, Calera AL 35040.
Snack provided. Board the train for 75-minute ride. Following ride, tour the museum.
12:15-3:30 PM Travel to Petals from the Past Garden Center, enjoy refreshments and paint a Souvenir wine glass from Muscadine Vineyards in the Pavillion.
3:30-4:30 PM REGISTRATION with Peach Bellini provided
4:30-5:30 PM Business Meeting
5:30 PM Dinner at “the Barn”
Catered Italian buffet by Bertolone’s
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18TH
9:00 AM Meet at “the Barn”, Coffee & treats
9:15-10:45 AM Pampering Yourself with Herbs by Deborah Boutelier 10:45-11:05 AM Break, visit Ways & Means Tables
11:10 AM-12:10 PM “MISO” Happy to Cook Peaches & Herbs!
Cooking demonstration of Peach, Prosciutto & Basil Crostini by Linda Franzo
Miso Magic: Making Authentic Japanese Miso Soup Presentation, Demonstration of Technique, Tasting and Recipe by Dr. Florene Johns, Nashville Unit of HSA
12:15-1:30 PM BBQ Buffet OR Baked Potato Bar Lunch with Peach Ice Cream 1:30-2:30 PM Tea Chi—Healthful Tea Blends by Julie Walsh
2:30-2:45 PM Break, visit Ways & Means Tables
2:45-3:45 PM Tai Chi Presentation & Activity by Bob Varley
3:45-4:45 PM Tour Petals from the Past and shop!
4:45 PM Depart time to drive to Durbin Farms for dinner and more shopping! (SELECT A SANDWICH & SOUP FOR DINNER ON REGISTRATION FORM.)
7:00-9:00PM Pajama Party Mahjong (optional). Fee is $35.00 per person.
See optional activity information. Nibbles provided to enjoy.
SATURDAY, SEPTEMBER 19TH
9:00-10:00 AM Shrubs & Oxymels by Kelley Cochran
10:00-10:30 AM Break and visit the Ways & Means Tables
Refreshments provided by the HSA Alabama Wild Thyme Unit
10:30-11:30 AM Old Roses by Jason Powell
Flower Petal Vinegar by Linda Franzo 11:30 AM-12:00 PM Wrap up and shop. Lunch on your own.
Gathering Site
The gathering will be held at Petals from the Past Garden Center, located at 16034 Co Rd 29, Jemison, AL 35085. Meetings will be conducted in the new educational facility, fondly known as “the Barn”. Participants are welcome to explore the grounds, gardens, pavilion, and gift shop.
Jason and Shelley Powell, both horticulturalists, manage Petals from the Past Garden Center. Jason holds a master’s degree in horticulture from Texas A&M University, while Shelley has a BS in Horticulture from the same institution. Since opening Petals from the Past in 1994, they have combined modern techniques with a passion for cultivating old-garden plants as well as new varieties. The Garden Center is recognized for its outstanding selection and customer service. The knowledgeable and friendly staff are available to help you find the perfect plant for your landscaping or home. Specializing in antique roses, heirloom shrubs, and hard-to-find perennial flowers and herbs, Petals is dedicated to quality and expertise.
Each member is highly encouraged to contribute items to be sold at the ‘Ways & Means Table’ to benefit the Southeast District Operating Account.
Accommodations
A block of rooms is reserved at the Hampton Inn (2000 Big M Blvd, Clanton, AL, 35046, US). MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS EARLY to ensure availability of the limited rooms at the special rate of $139.00 per night with breakfast included. Call the hotel directly at 205-479-1777 extension 0. Be sure to say that you are with The Herb Society of America to get the reduced rate.
General Information
Thursday, September 17th, arrive at the Heart of Dixie Railway Museum in Calera by 11:00 AM for a snack and board the train for a 75-minute ride through the Alabama countryside. Experience a nostalgic trip back in time riding restored open-air and vintage closed railroad coaches pulled by a first-generation diesel-electric locomotive. The historic Calera & Shelby Railroad runs on a portion of the former L&N Alabama Mineral Railroad, established in 1891. Following the ride, tour the Heart of Dixie Train Museum.
Catering Information
- Breakfast is provided by the hotel each morning with many options to choose from.
- Thursday Lunch - following the train ride will be charcuterie at Petals from the Past.
- Thursday Dinner - will be a catered Italian feast by Bertolone’s served at the Barn. “Good celebrations start with great food, and the best ones are Italian”. Included are salad, focaccia, eggplant parmigiana, ravioli rose’, tortellini with pesto cream sauce & chicken and Bertolone’s chocolate cream cake.
- Friday lunch - will be either a catered BBQ buffet featuring a peach BBQ sauce with several side items including Mac & Cheese, Cole Slaw, Garden Salad OR a baked potato bar. This will be served at the Barn at Petals.
- Friday dinner at Durbin Farm - you choose one option of a sandwich and one soup option. Pasta salad and a drink are included.
