My son Charlie is a nine-year-old who desperately believes in Santa Claus…so much so that he hand-lettered signs welcoming Santa and his reindeer and placed them in our front yard. He also created over two dozen single sheets professing his belief in the jolly guy from the north and why others should join his crusade. Those were in a file folder nailed to a post next to the welcome signs in our yard for all passersby to pirate away while they walked their pets. The world is glorious place for a believer.

What do you believe in enough to put it on your front lawn? A political candidate? Religion? A yard-care company?

It’s such a fragile magic
A puff of wind can break the spell
And all the golden threads are frail as spider webs
Savannah fare you well.

The lyrics above are from my favorite Jimmy Buffett song, an obscure ditty from his vast-as-the-Atlantic ocean collection titled “Savannah Fare You Well.” I’ll be singing the tune as I board the plane to Savannah, site of the 18th annual meeting of the Turf and Ornamental Communicators Association set for May 1-May 3 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

Of course, Savannah has a tough as Hulk Hogan-act to follow. If you went to last year’s meeting in Napa Valley, you know what I’m talking about.

But, as the chair of this year’s program committee that also includes Debbie Clayton, Felicia Gillham, Troy Blewett and Den Gardner, I guarantee that Savannah, if I may borrow from Mr. Buffett, will fare you well.

We have an excellent lineup of speakers and tours for this year’s meeting, whose theme is "Gates, Ghosts and Gardens: Catch the Spirit of Savannah."

Slated to appear are two journalistic greats — Don Ranly and Ted Gup. Ranly, a professor of journalism at the University of Missouri, will speak on ethics. Ranly is a former newspaper reporter, magazine editor, weekly columnist, radio host and television producer, director and host. His broad experience is also reflected in his education: he has master's degrees in journalism and speech from Marquette University, a certificate in film, radio and television from New York University, and a doctorate from the Missouri School of Journalism. During his 30 years of service at the J-School, he has conducted nearly 1,000 writing and editing seminars for press associations, corporations, associations and individual newspapers and magazines. I’ve seen Ranly before, and you won’t be disappointed.