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.

Gup is a professor of journalism at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. Gup is also an investigative reporter who has authored several books. He worked under Bob Woodward at the Washington Post. Gup will speak on interviewing techniques and tips, among other things. You will enjoy his presentation immensely.

We have some excellent tours and dinners scheduled as well. On Wednesday, the off-site dinner will take place at Old Fort Jackson, located on the Savannah River and the oldest standing fort in Georgia. Fort Jackson served as the headquarters for the confederate river defenses during the Civil War. Following the “Captain of the Guard” program, which includes historic re-enactments and a cannon firing, dinner will be served and will feature a low-country boil buffet (boiled shrimp, sausage, potatoes and corn on the cob). Also scheduled is a historic downtown trolley tour and lunch at Mrs. Wilkes, a restaurant that offers family-style Southern cuisine.

See the agenda and registration form below for more details.

Of course, the meeting culminates with the TOCA Awards Reception Banquet on Thursday night.

TOCA AGENGA
18th TOCA Meeting – Savannah, GA. – 2007
‘Gates, Ghosts and Gardens: Catch the Spirit of Savannah’ – Hyatt Regency Savannah

Tuesday, May 1
2:00 p.m. – Board Meeting, followed by Board dinner at 6 p.m.

Wednesday, May 2
8:00 a.m. – Golf at Wilmington Island Golf Club (Sponsored by Snapper Pro) OR
9:00 a.m. – Historic Downtown Tour and Lunch at Mrs. Wilkes Boarding House
(Afternoon program sponsored by Jacobsen)
3:00 p.m. – Welcome: Bill Klutho, Board President; Den Gardner, Exec. Director
3:15 p.m. – Ted Gup, professor of journalism at Case Western Reserve University, former investigative reporter with Bob Woodward at the Washington Post. He will speak on interviewing techniques and other topics (Sponsored by Ewing Irrigation and PBI Gordon)
4:30 p.m. – Break (Sponsored by LESCO)
5:00 p.m. – Gup continued.
5::30 p.m. – Adjourn
6:00 p.m. – Old Fort Jackson on Savannah River – Reception/Dinner
                   (Sponsored by Syngenta, TruGreen ChemLawn, and RISE)

Thursday, May 3
(Morning meeting sponsored by John Deere)
8:00 a.m. – Breakfast
9:00 a.m. – Don Ranly, seminar on ethics in Green Industry publishing (Sponsored by Swanson Russell Associates and Phoenix Environmental Care)
10:30 a.m. – BREAK (Sponsored by LESCO)
10:45 a.m. to Noon – Ranly seminar continues
(Afternoon lunch and meeting sponsored by Toro)
12:00 p.m. – Lunch  
1:00 p.m. – Remarks by Board President Bill Klutho
1:15 p.m. – Business Meeting
                   Election of board, scholarship winners announced, other appropriate business
2:15 p.m. – Environmental Communicator of the Year Award
2:30 p.m. – Break for Historic Square and Park Tour
3:00 p.m. – Board Busses for Educational Tour of Savannah, The Forest City. Guided tour of Savannah parks, focusing on grounds maintenance with professionals in Park and Tree Division (Tour sponsored by BASF)
6:00 p.m. – Return to Hotel
7:00 p.m. – Syngenta Reception/Syngenta Awards Banquet

 Friday, May 4
Informal breakfast on own – head for home at leisure
           
Click here to download the Savannah Registration form.