Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 1 March, April, May...
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Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. March, April, May 2017
Transcript of Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 1 March, April, May...
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 1 March, April, May 2017
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 2 March, April, May 2017
Thru the
Garden Gate
Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. mission is to provide
education, resources, and network opportunities for its
members to promote the love of gardening, floral and
landscape design, and environmental responsibility.
Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc.
Official publication
A 501(c)3 Organization
Thru the Garden Gate Bernadine Bennett,
Graphic Designer/Layout Catherine Ware, Publisher/Editor/
Business Manager [email protected]
Website
www.michigangardenclubs.org
Charley Bohland, Webmaster
Calendar Events
Use Submit Event button on website calendar
Marilyn McIntosh
Executive Board President
“Blooming in the Arts of Our
Mission and Membership”
231-546-3152
Carol Sue Brodbeck
1st Vice President
734-434-3795
Susan Kropschot, 2nd Vice President
Janet Hickman, 3rd Vice President
Karen Gentile, 4th Vice President
Peggy Hartman, Recording Secretary
Jenny Bond, Corresponding Secretary
Rosemary (Bunny) LaDuke, Treasurer
Deannie Picciotti
Advisor/Nominating
Database
Karen Motawi, Database Manager
Mary Pulick, Processing
Sandra H. Robinson
President, NGC, Inc.
“Leap Into Action”
Judy Newman
Central Region Garden Clubs director
“Cultivating Connections”
Table of Contents
President’s Page 3 Awards 3 MGC Life Membership 4 Thank You from MGC Treasurer 4 Scholarships 4 Archiving Club Material 5 World Gardening 5 Youth Gardening 5 Loda Lake 6 District I News 6 Flower Show School Info 6 Districts IIA, IIB, III News 7 Districts IV, V, VI News 8 Blue Star 9 Grand Ledge 75 Years 9 Environmental Studies School 10 Landscape Design School 11 MGC Convention Programs 12,13 Convention Registration Form 14 Wanted...Editor for Gate 15 Submission dates for Gate 15 Wanted...Sponsor for Gardening 15 Study School 15 Coming events 15 MGC Website info 15 Calendar of Events 16
The cover picture is a Plant it Pink Garden, taken early in Spring at DeWitt Millennium Garden Club member, Pat Molitor’s home.
MGC Convention
June 7 & 8, 2017
Ann Arbor, MI
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 3 March, April, May 2017
In just a few months, this administration “Blooming in the Arts of our Mission and Membership” will be ending. I have had the opportunity to work with our board, a “Dream Team” to bring our local clubs quality services with a foundation laid for the future. The first of February our combined Finance and Executive Committees met at the Michigan Nonprofit Association in Lansing for a strategy session with Organizational Planning Consultant Nancy J. Ryan, also President of Indian Hills Garden Club, District III. Results will be brought to you June 7 and 8 at the 2017 State Convention, “Grow and Share” in Ann Arbor. As you thumb through this issue, you will notice that there will be instructional workshops on flower shows, garden therapy, IRS 5019(c)3 Group Tax Exemption and treasurer guidelines. If you enjoyed the eighty seventh National Convention held in Grand Rapids, consider attending this year’s national convention, Virginia is
for Gardeners, with notable speakers such as P. Allen Smith and Peter Hatch, on May 18-20 in Richmond, Virginia. Why not start a tradition in your club to travel to these national events to learn
more about these locales and network internationally? And, for a fall encounter, try a Central Region meeting. This year, it will be held at the Wisconsin Dells, October 5-7. In 2018, Michigan will be hosting this event as part of the rotation with new Central Region Director Fran Stueck’s theme, Partners in Planting America. As your own club administrations change, Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. provides stability for you with a consistent framework of themes, projects, and programs together with leadership training and networking opportunities. Thank you from our board and myself for the opportunity to serve YOU as we wish Carol Brodbeck, incoming President, and her team all the best.
There were 88 applications sent in for awards in 2016 (54 for National Garden Club and 34 for Michigan Garden Clubs), up from 80 the year before. It was heartwarming to see some clubs apply for the two new MGC awards, #8 Native Trees and #16 Holiday Trees. Next year we hope to see even more. Five state applications for awards were sent in by President Marilyn McIntosh to be judged at the national level against other states. Four three-judge panels from Districts IIA, III, IV and VI met in Kalamazoo in mid-October to do the judging. Unable to finish, we met again in November to complete the task. Those that scored at least 95% were sent on to either Ohio (20 general) or Alabama (10 publication). Competition is always tough and it is often difficult to decide the winner, but judges try very hard to be fair. The projects done by clubs to better their communities are so impressive they all deserve an award. Keep up the good work! Sherri Sanelli said that six clubs sent in Books of Evidence for their flower shows. They have been reviewed and some will be sent on to NGC. Seventy-three yearbooks were submitted and judged in District V by nine people. The competition was stiff. Based on “club size” six of the yearbooks and one Flower Arranging Guild book were sent on to Central Region. If you are working on your next Yearbook, NGC requires the name “Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc” be placed on the cover.
The Gardener A Gardener’s Creed
(a retrospective of life in the 60s – Editor)
I believe in gardening, a most wholesome hobby, and do heartily commend it as a step toward a
more substantial culture.
I believe the garden is really a part of a home . . . to be used and to be lived in . . .
a private place of retreat where loved ones may gather in the beautiful twilight hours
to find peace after the strenuous grind of the day. A place where cares of the world can be dropped
for a while where strength can be renewed for the tasks ahead.
I believe it is not enough for me to spend hours
working in my garden, but believe I can really enjoy the plot of ground for which I have paid so much and worked so hard,
by being “A PARTNER IN THE GLORY OF MY GARDEN”
and spending more leisure hours there.
I therefore believe that my garden, with all its beauty and peace,
will be a healing beneficence to me and my family.
Submitted by Mrs. Robert C. Palmer
President of the Michigan Garden Clubs, 1969 - 1971
submitted by Carol Beckius, Awards Chair
Marilyn McIntosh
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 4 March, April, May 2017
MGC Life Membership Virginia Froehlich, Chair
I’m pleased to report that donations year-to-date for 2016-2017 total $10,561.98. A BIG THANK YOU for these most recent contributions: District I Livonia Garden Club Neighborhood Garden Club (two donations, one in memory of
Donna Langton) District IIA Loch Alpine Garden Club District IIB Meridian Garden Club District III Chula Vista Garden Club (honoring Bob Seacrist) Sturgis Garden Club
District IV Jenny Bond (in memory of Annelise Catherine McGoff) Jenny Bond (honoring Marge McGoff and Sharon Yantis) Nancy & John Higgins (in memory of Janet Thorsberg, Judith Schroeder, and Peter Szeszulski) Richard Schroeder (honoring Judith R Schroeder) Robert C. Lasky (funded a memorial scholarship for 2017-2018 at CMU in memory of Maria Lasky) Please contact me with your questions or suggestions. Donation forms are available on the MGC website. Sue Wittick, [email protected], 517-242-8259
MGC Scholarships Sue Wittick Chair
As I write this article, I am enjoying a brief respite from the bitter cold weather. Because I am still at home in Michigan, I’m not certain how long the above-freezing temperatures will last. But I am certain that by the time you read
this, you or your club may be wondering how to honor a member or fellow gardener in a special way. I have the perfect solution - - present them with a Michigan Garden Clubs’ Life Membership, which has the added benefit of supporting MGC’s scholarship fund. Life Memberships cost $100 and are easy to purchase. You can find and download the CURRENT form by going to michigangardenclubs.org, clicking on “Join” and “Life Membership.” The form may not download easily on some cell phones, so if you need assistance, please contact me at [email protected] or call me at 734-675-2944 and I will be happy to provide you with the form.
The questions on the form have been designed to help ensure your recipient is recognized for a variety of contributions and accomplishments. It is important to allow 4-6 weeks for processing to ensure you receive the certificate in time for your presentation. My apologies to new life member Chris Britts (Farmington Garden Club), whose name I misspelled in my last article. Please join me in congratulating these new Life Members. Hopefully, I have spelled them correctly. Carolyn Knapp Spirit of the Woods Garden Club Mitzi Dimmers Hillsdale Garden Club Patricia Rintamaki Seedums Garden Club Peg McAllister Highcliffe Terrace Garden Club Ruth Habalewsky Blue Water Garden Club Sally Fallon Hillsdale Garden Club
There is a great group of volunteers in MGC who provide services that make many different groups of MGC tick. They are the treasurers of the various districts, schools, the Michigan Association of Accredited Judges, the
Flower Show Symposium, the Michigan Consultants Council, and the 85th and the 86th Michigan State Conventions. Although it is likely to be a labor of love, these unsung heroes collect and deposit all the revenue, pay all the bills, make reimbursements, manage the bank account(s), and record and report all the details on behalf of MGC. With their help, these MGC groups can provide education, motivation, and a great deal of fun for MGC members. Please us join in recognizing the efforts of these many MGC treasurers. A big thank you goes to:
Juli Jeffery, Distr ict I and 86th State Convention Treasurer, Livonia Garden Club, Deborah DeLisle, Distr ict IIA Treasurer , Swan Creek Garden Club Arla Weaver, Distr ict IIB Treasurer , Williamston Red Cedar Garden Club Suzanne Budrow, Distr ict III Treasurer , Petal Pushers Garden Club Deannie Picciotti, Distr ict IV Treasurer , Holland Garden Club and Kent Garden Club Kent Dee Burau, Distr ict V Treasurer , Edelweiss Garden Club Alice Pearce, Distr ict VI Treasurer , Rainbow Lakes Garden Club Lynn Miller, Environmental Studies School and Michigan Association of Accredited Judges (MAAJ) Treasurer, Kent Garden Club Jolaine Snyder, Landscape Design School Treasurer, The Landscapers Garden Club
Alice Mesaros, Flower Show School Treasurer, Little Garden Club Sue Soderberg, Garden Study School Treasurer, The Friendly Garden Club Lynn Dinvald, Flower Show Symposium Treasurer and Michigan Consultants Council (MCC) Treasurer, Kalamazoo Garden Club & The Landscapers Garden Club Donna Dolinski, 85th State Convention Treasurer, Chemical City Garden Club
A BIG THANKS From Bunny LaDuke,
Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. Treasurer
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 5 March, April, May 2017
Check out the National 4-H Youth Development Center Facebook page to see some interesting videos and photos about the two, new joint initiatives between the Ministry of Agriculture in Belize and the 4-H Center. They are building a covered structure to protect crops from heavy rains and insects and installing an irrigation system to extend the growing season during the dry months. The interview with Gary Ramirez will tell you more about the program to benefit schools with agricultural programs. There is also an interview with a young man who tells how his life has changed since completing the Center’s 10 month educational program that serves as a bridge between primary and high school for at risk young people. Thank you to the following clubs and individuals that have contributed to World Gardening between October 10 and January 10. Our scholarships are making a big difference in the lives of these young people. DeWitt Millennium Garden Club Garden Club of Greater Lansing Good Thyme Garden Club Jackie Tonks Livonia Garden Club Mott Foundation Portage Garden Club Rainbow Lakes Garden Club Sunshine Arrangers Guild Virginia Mauren
Please mail your donation checks made out to Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. to Kit Gunn, 4584 Boxwood Court, Ann Arbor, MI 48108. If interested in a presentation for your club about MGC’s World Gardening Project in Belize, please contact Kit at (734) 994-7455 or [email protected].
WORLD GARDENING KIT GUNN, CHAIR
YOUTH GARDENING ANN CAMPBELL, CHAIR
Ahh, spring. It has been a long wait but I see you on the horizon. With spring approaching our thoughts naturally turn to gardening and the joys of watching for the first bulbs to emerge from their long winter’s nap and for the first robin to appear in the yard.
While we waited for spring to arrive, District IIB held its semiannual winter flower show, Winter Wonderland. The show is designed to focus on youth participation and education. This year we had 76 young people from preschool through high school enter three categories. It was considered a HUGE success and many of the children asked why it wasn’t an annual event.
And now spring. In past articles I have stressed the importance of educating children and starting youth garden clubs. We now have
five vital youth clubs around the state and I congratulate all on their dedication and hard work.
Youth clubs are still vital and I do not want to discourage anyone from organizing one. However, clubs are not for everyone. I would like to encourage individual members to reach out to friends, neighbors, and grandchildren and invite at least one young person to work with and help you as you till the soil and plant this spring. Start by taking them to a nursery. They will be in awe of the variety and the wonderful display of color. You will be amazed at how many questions they ask and how easy it is to share your experience and knowledge. You might even have them select a packet of seeds and you can work together to plant them and share in the excitement of watching them grow. Please invite a young person to garden with you and you will both GROW AND BLOOM this summer and for years to come.
During the MGC State Convention in Ann Arbor on June 7 & 8, 2017 clubs may archive their records with the Bentley Historical Library at the University of Michigan, 1150 Beal Avenue. Under Michigan Garden Clubs’ contract, they can make an appointment at the library and bring their materials to be archived on Wednesday morning, June 7. Contact the MGC historian, Peggy Tully [email protected] for your appointment.
How to Prepare for Your Appointment
Files and materials should be labeled.
Create a list of what you are archiving (not detailed) - one for you to keep and one to give when you drop off your files.
At your appointment time, go around to the right side of the library building and back up to the open door.
Our contact is named Olga Virakhovskaya. She or someone else will be there to meet you and take your files.
What They Do Want
Anything that has to do with or is about the club and its activities in Michigan. This would include minutes, newsletters, yearbooks, awards (see below), projects, activities, etc.
Caution: If you send materials that cannot be archived, they will discard them, not return them.
What They Don't WantSecond pr intings of books or brochures.
No 3D objects like plaques or trophies. (you can take a picture and label and date)
No pictures of unidentified people, plants, food, animals, or flower arrangements.
No ephemera – raffle tickets, stubs, advertisements, menus, invitations or gardening instructions.
Not any national or regional materials (other than Great Lakes).No financial
information (reports, receipts, purchases and donations.) Continued on page 15
Archiving Club Materials with the Bentley Historical Library at the
State Convention
Submitted by Peggy Tully, Historian
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 6 March, April, May 2017
Great news! The final phase of the Loda Lake Infrastructure Improvement Project will be completed this summer. I know I have been talking about this for some time, but plans are now in place for paving the handicap-
accessible trails from the parking lot to the MGC pavilion and the hiking trailhead. Included in the plan is the smoothing of the path from the trailhead to the boardwalk to make a truly accessible route from the parking lot all the way to the end of the boardwalk. Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. will provide $10,000 in matching funding to make this portion of the project possible. Your generous donations are so important and I am so pleased with all we have been able to accomplish together over the past five years. The following clubs have donated to the MGC Loda Lake Fund since last October: Livonia Garden Club, Portage Garden Club, Tri-Cities Garden Club and the Garden Club of Michigan. Several clubs have scheduled docent led hikes that are always available for groups of 6 or more. If you are interested in scheduling
a tour or would like a club program on Loda, contact me at [email protected].
Your continuing donations will help to improve the educational value of the sanctuary--forms are available for download on the MGC website, www.michigangardenclubs.org. We will always be looking for the next improvement!
Make plans now
to attend the
National Garden Clubs, Inc. www.gardenclub.org
Flower Show School – Course IV
May 9-11, 2017 in
Midland, Michigan
Hosted by: District IV,
Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. www.michigangardenclubs.org
NGC Central Region www.ngccentralregion.org
See Michigan Garden Clubs website,
www.michigangardenclubs.org, for more
details and registration form.
Contact: Flower Show Chair, Kathryn
Clary, [email protected]
Loda Lake News Karen Motawi, Chair
Winter at Loda Lake
Morenci Garden Club has been going for sixty-four years. It all started in 1953 when a wonderful lady, Lorene Whitehouse, and a couple other ladies
decided they wanted to get together and share gardening ideas. They started a small club in Morenci, meeting once a month in each other’s homes. Lorene started having speakers give presentations on all types of garden topics, including Flower Photography, Herbs, Leaves, Vegetable Gardening, Trees, Flower Arranging, Pruning, Bonsai Trees, Landscaping, Bees, and many more. In 1954 Morenci Garden Club became a Federated member of Michigan and National Garden Club – District IIA – Central Division and members started attending district and state meetings. The members became very interested in flower shows, attending several shows as onlookers and then submitting some entries and bringing home some winners! They also sponsored flower shows for several years. In 1956 Lorene decided they should take on a project for Morenci by beautifying the two city entrances. Eventually the club started having silent auctions, plant sales, bake sales, and Christmas home tours to raise money to fund club activities and to beautify the town of Morenci.
Lorene started to have flower arranging classes at her home, designed the club’s yearbooks, and kept scrapbooks of clubs events. These books are kept at our town’s library so anyone can take a look at Morenci Garden Club’s past. Lorene gave her all to the club. She even was a board member of Michigan Garden Club and State Awards Chairman; what a great honor for
both her and our club. In 1971 Lorene started writing a weekly column in our local newspaper titled “Gardeners’ Grapevine”. It is currently continued by club members. She also started the Junior Garden Club which is still going strong. Flower Shows – Landscaping – Educational Speakers – Slide Show Presentations – Beautifying the Town – Plant Sales – This was Lorene Whitehouse’s gift she gave to the club and town. She started a fabulous club that continues to grow through gardening…..and that’s how Morenci Garden Club started!!!! We lost our lovely member at 97 years old, on November 25, 2016. Lorene Whitehouse, you will be sadly missed and truly remembered!!
Remembering Lorene
submitted by Becky Schermerhorn,
President of Morenci Garden Club
Lorene Whitehouse
District I News Ruth Moline, Director
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 7 March, April, May 2017
District IIB held its biannual winter flower show, Winter Wonderland, in Okemos, MI on December 6, 2016. This show emphasizes youth flower arranging and was very well attended with many “Cups of Love” arrangements submitted. We are looking forward to 2018. Please join us at the District IIB Spring Flower Show "PATCHWORK " at the Michigan State University Pavilion, corner of Mt Hope and Farm Lane, East Lansing, MI. This standard flower show is part of the Home and Garden Show will be open Thursday March 17, 2017 through Sunday, March 19, 2017. Beautiful horticulture, floral displays and gorgeous quilts to view! A fun day for all! The District IIB "Spring Awakening" meeting is April 4, 2017 at Eagle Eye Convention Center, Bath, MI. Our speakers are: Morning speaker: Peter H. Carrington, Michigan State University, Assistant Curator of the historic Beal Gardens on the MSU campus Topic: Edible Wild Plants in the Spring Peter is recognized for his outstanding knowledge of edible and toxic wild plants and wilderness survival
techniques. He is an engaging and entertaining speaker and always open to audience questions. Afternoon speaker: Lisa Waud, owner of “pot and box” studios in Detroit and Ann Arbor Topic: Flower House from Blight to Beauty Lisa specializes in fresh floral and extraordinary horticultural design in her business. She is recognized internationally for creation of the Flower House, a forgotten structure in the city of Detroit repurposed with flowers. She also participates in Flower Week and is known for her fantastic floral installations. This presentation will include designs used in the Flower House but is so much more. It is not to be missed. For inquiries and more information please contact: Jenny Bond, chairman [email protected] 517-881-5623 Barb Lowes, Registrar [email protected]
HAPPY NEW YEAR DISTRICT III! Get ready for an exciting year!! We have some great happenings this year for you! First - Plan on celebrating Earth Day - on Saturday, April 22nd in Constantine, Michigan, the “SEED CORN CAPITAL OF THE WORLD”. COOL, now you have learned something new for today. The event will be held in the Constantine High School. Also on April 22, Meeks Mill Garden Club is hosting their District III Spring Meeting, “Back to Basics Day”, by promoting, “Renew, Reuse, Reduce and Reclaim”, the theme for Earth Day 2017. To celebrate all of the above, attendees will be encouraged to bring their own cup/glass to use for their beverages during the day along with used gardening books/magazines for the “Book/Magazine” Swap table. The morning speaker, Michael Ochsn, is from Monsanto and will be presenting a very interesting and educational program including, “Discover Monsanto in Constantine, MI”. Tickets will be sold to the public for the afternoon programs. Speakers include: Ilse Bebhard, “Establishing Native Plant Gardens to Attract Butterflies”, and Michael Hoag from Lillie House, “Growing a Garden of Hope, Introduction to Permaculture”. While the event is primarily for district III members, all garden club members are invited to attend. Your club president will be sent a registration form.
There will be many other exciting displays so we hope you will make plans to spend the day with us on the St. Joseph River in Constantine, April 22, 2017. The next week, on April 24 and 25, Tuesday and Wednesday, is Landscape Design School in Kalamazoo. This will be held at the same spot that it was this past fall, the Haven Church in Kalamazoo on Sprinkle Road. We had well over sixty in Course 1, one of the biggest classes for any school EVER. The instructors were wonderful and all five of them are returning. Come join us for a great learning experience and have fun, too. See page 11 for registration information. *Note - this is a school where you don’t have to take the classes in numerical order. You can jump in at any time. April 7 is the deadline for registering for this class. Next - SAVE THE FALL DATE - October 19, 2017 - District III Fall Meeting sponsored by Colon Garden Club at the Amigo Centre, a Mennonite retreat center. (By the way, Colon GC celebrated their 80th anniversary this past year -2015) The theme - A DAY IN THE COUNTRY, focuses on effective stewardship by employing sustainable practice programs and the how, why and consequences of not doing so. Topics include water; vegetative buffer zones; protecting water in lakes, ponds, and rivers; and water fowl and their roll in the water eco-system. Take a nature walk or a wagon ride (handicap accessible, of course). Then relax around a campfire and enjoy the great outdoor vistas with cider and popped corn. Mark your calendars now for October 19.
DISTRICT III NEWS EVELYN FLYNN, DIRECTOR
Thank you to Lotus Garden Club for hosting the District IIA Fall Meeting at St. George Cultural Center in Monroe, MI. Lotus Garden Club President, Joan DeMarco, and her club put on a lovely day of gardening education, shopping to support local artists, and delicious refreshments.
Everyone who attended the event enjoyed the "Tiny Treasures - Bonsai and Fairy Garden Programs". Thank you again for hosting! District IIA along with District I is also very busy planning, organizing and promoting the 86th annual Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. convention in Ann Arbor on June 7 & 8, 2107.
Lisa W
aud
Peter H. Carrington
District IIB News Lynda Foster, Director
District IIA News Carolyn Gardetto , Director
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 8 March, April, May 2017
submitted by Diane Davis, Mason County Garden Club Historian
In 1926 a group of women and men
interested in promoting floriculture in Ludington and Mason County met to form a garden club. Today, 90 years later, the club is still going strong. Each month at their regular meeting programs are presented focusing on various floriculture topics. The Club’s 62 members gathered on Thursday, November 17, 2016 to celebrate the Mason County Garden Club’s history, honor its past presidents and recognize the founding of various club projects: the Garden Walk, Plant Exchange and Sale, Garden Therapy, Flower Shows, Gardening Angels (members who volunteer at the White Pine Village), LeVeaux Park in Ludington, Ludington Petunia Parade, and Cups of Cheer (flower arrangements made by members presented to the local nursing care facilities each month). The ladies enjoyed a wonderful luncheon presented by members of
the garden club refreshment committee with a delicious decorated cake depicting the 90th celebration made by a local baker. Past presidents and their successes were highlighted. Scrapbooks detailing the club’s history were also available for view. We were honored to have the District V director, Sue Soderberg, in attendance. She presented President Mary Ann Ferguson with a certificate congratulating the club on its 90th anniversary and for its outstanding support given to both the National Garden Club’s and Michigan Garden Club’s goals and objectives.
The Challenge…. come up with fundraising activities that members enjoy, willingly participate in, gain knowledge, work with other club members, and have fun in the process. Big Rapids Garden Club and Tri-Cities Garden Club have met the challenge. Big Rapids Garden Club holds a Workshop Bee in November for its members to prepare for the Annual Community Greens Workshop held in early December. A potluck luncheon is included at the bee. At the December Community Greens Workshop participants are provided with fresh cut greens to use with a purchased kit that contains foundations and decorations for wreaths, centerpieces, trees, swags, kissing balls, etc. Garden club members are available to demonstrate hands on as well as assist and mentor community members in making these items. Members also work with residents at Evergreen Terrace and Royal View facilities. Member, Linda Bechaz, even made a wreath for the Blue Star Byway. What a great way for members to bring their Garden Club to the community. Tri-Cities Garden Club begins their pre-order sale of wreaths and swags in October. Members meet in November at member, Bob Friese’s workshop to make all the ordered and prepaid wreaths and swags, complete with berries, twigs and lotus pods to enhance their beauty. This year the members created over 55 wreaths and swags. Bob treats members to a homemade soup luncheon.
District IV News Monica Taylor, Director
Evergreen Terrace Centerpiece Wreaths being made
Wreath for Blue Star Byway
Well, here we are already starting 2017 and I’m wondering where 2016 went. This New Year is bringing many new changes to not only our country but also to our Michigan Garden Clubs, Central Region and National Garden
Club. This year will bring new presidents to each to start the next two-year term for each organization, while our country’s president has four years. On a more personal note, I have been receiving many new garden seed catalogs and enjoying going through each and trying to pick what I will be planting this year.
The year 2016 was an especially wonderful year for District VI. Many club members supported and volunteered to work on the 2016 NGC national convention at the Amway Grand in Grand Rapids. Our state garden club received many wonderful praises for their work on
this convention. At the same time, District VI clubs and members volunteered for, and pulled off, one of the best MGC state conven-tions, the 85th in Frankenmuth. Other significant events included: the dedication of two Blue Star Markers in our District VI in Franken-muth and Caro, a multi-club picnic in the thumb, the spring and fall “Flower Show Schools” hosted by District VI in Midland, as well as our District VI Fall 2016 meeting in Breckenridge, hosted by Evening Blossoms and Rainbow Lakes Garden Clubs. While doing all of these activities, each individual club also had their own meetings and club projects to attend.
I want to thank all my clubs and club members for all their efforts this past year in making 2016 such a wonderful time for District VI. I also need to thank everyone for their support and input to help me do my job as District VI director. Thank you to all.
District VI News Ronnie Dush, Director
District V News Sue Soderberg, Chair District V News Sue Soderberg, Director
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 9 March, April, May 2017
Organized June 17,1941, Grand Ledge Garden Club has been celebrating this their 75th year. “Grand Ledge Garden Club – 75 Years and Still Growing” is the theme of the celebration year. The special anniversary events began with a luncheon at the annual meeting in June. The newly-elected board was installed. Outgoing President Dess Johnson received her Past Presidents pin. Nearly 50 people attended the luncheon at Southern Exposure. Special guests included past presidents and Michigan Garden Club District IIB Director Lynda Foster. Members of the Garden Club entered the Yankee Doodle Days Parade July 18 to celebrate the 75th anniversary. Some rode on an antique truck decorated with flowers and trees and others walked along-side to pass out red carnations to women along the parade route. A memorial boulder in honor of the 75th anniversary of the club was dedicated that afternoon at a curve on the Memorial Tree Trail, a part of the dedicated walkway that has been developed in Grand Ledge. Mayor Kalmin Smith accepted the installation on behalf of the City of Grand Ledge. At the request of the garden club, the city designated this S-curve portion of the walkway as “Memorial Tree Trail” between East Jefferson and River Street. That walkway is expected to eventually link up to the Grand River Walkway. Many flowering trees have been planted on the Memorial Tree Trail in honor of, or in memory of, individuals in the community under the auspices of the garden club as part of the club's Memorial Tree program. City beautification is the primary focus of the club.
A few of the Milestones for Grand Ledge Garden Club include:
June 1941 – The club was first organized.
1942 – The first city beautification project was at the intersection of South Clinton Street and Willow Highway. This was followed by planting 50 lilac bushes on Second Island.
1945 - The club was federated with Michigan Garden Clubs.
1959 – The traditional “Hanging of the Greens” decorating the Grand Ledge Public Library for Christmas began.
1981 – The Memorial Tree Program began. More than 400 trees have been planted throughout Grand Ledge in the past 35 years.
1984 – The club's annual geranium sale began. Money raised has helped fund the restoration and landscaping at the Opera House, development of Lincoln Brick Park, Island Restoration, and plantings at the Library, Fitzgerald Park, and City Hall.
2003 – The club carried out a major overhaul of the Library garden, including the statue of Webster the Cat and a bench for the garden patio.
2010 – On Patriot's Day, September 11, a Blue Star Marker, honoring all of the nation's service members, was dedicated at the Riverwalk. The plantings around the marker were installed and are maintained by the club.
2013 – At the entrance to Fitzgerald Park the garden club planted a native plant garden which it maintains each year.
2016 – The Memorial Tree Trail marker was dedicated.
Memorial Tree Trail
Memorial Marker
Several clubs have expressed interest in dedicating a Blue Star Memorial in 2017. These beautiful markers are greatly appreciated by our veterans and are a wonderful way to connect your garden club with your local community in a patriotic celebration. A few reminders:
Allow at least three months for the creation and delivery of your marker before your dedication.
Select a dedication date with the Blue Star chair when you order your marker. Your date will be listed on the MGC calendar.
Consider sharing expenses with another garden club or a civic organization in your community. Their name may appear below “in cooperation with” on the large memorial under the name of your club.
Honor local veterans by sponsoring the sale of memorial bricks. Names of individuals may be placed under/ near the Blue Star Memorial.
Check the information on the Blue Star pamphlet posted on the MGC website under projects/ Blue Star for plaque descriptions, prices and procedural steps.
Scroll through the photos of prior club dedications on the MGC site. Call or email the Blue Star chair, Jean Goetz, anytime to discuss your plans. 517-349-4791 [email protected]
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 10 March, April, May 2017
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 11 March, April, May 2017
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Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 13 March, April, May 2017
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 14 March, April, May 2017
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 15 March, April, May 2017
Wanted: One good club to be the local sponsor for Gardening Study School.
Contact: Janet Hickman, Gardening Study School Chair, at 989-600-1390 or email: [email protected] Gardening Study School offers you the opportunity to learn more about horticulture, botany, identifying and treating pests and diseases, pruning, and how to use
plants to enrich your life both indoors and out.
www.michigangardenclubs.org
Visit this resource for promoting the love of gardening across Michigan. We intend for it to support the informational enrichment of our garden club members and to invite you and others to join a garden club in your local community and experience the pure satisfaction of nature.
Wanted: Thru the Garden Gate Publisher/Editor/Business Manager
When: Beginning with the Fall 2017 issue. Term would begin June 1, 2017.
Duties: Accept, edit, and submit to the graphic designer all articles for the quarterly MGC newsletter, Thru the Garden Gate. Work with graphic designer to complete issue.
Set printing schedule with printer and submit completed issue.
Request current member information to be sent to printer.
Approve final proof.
Attend finance committee and state board meetings four times a year. Provide mailing data and costs.
While I have enjoyed serving in this capacity for the last two years, family and local garden club responsibilities prevent me from continuing. However, I will be available to share current information, historic data, and publishing/editing processes in place with the next editor. It’s a fun ride. You should try it!!! Remember, we have a great graphic designer, Bernadine Bennett. You don’t have to do it all.
Catherine Ware
Publisher/editor/business manager of Thru the Garden Gate, 2015-2017
Thru the Garden Gate dates for
submission of articles: Submit articles and information to [email protected]
Due April 10, Summer...June/July/August Issue
Due July 10, Fall...September/October/November Issue Due October 10, Winter…December/January/February Issue
Due January 10, Spring...March/April/May Issue
Contact Catherine Ware at [email protected] for guidelines for submitting articles.
Basic Information Bentley Historical Library University of Michigan 1150 Beal Avenue Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109-2113 Phone: 734-764-3482 Fax: 734-936-1333 e-mail: [email protected] Home Page: http://www.bentley.umich.edu/ My Contact: Olga Virakhovskaya e-mail: [email protected] Phone: 734-647-2737
Two Ways to Access Information In order to get copies of anything that is archived, you must contact the Reference Department by letter or phone (734-764-3482). The fee is 20 cents a copy. Or you can visit. Research materials do not circulate outside the library. Reference archivists provide guidance for researchers visiting the library. Collections are retrieved by reference staff for the researcher to use in a supervised reading room.
Other Useful Information Michigan State Garden Clubs have a contract with Bentley Historical Library. Any files local clubs wish to archive will be under our contract, (Donor No. 9842) so no paperwork is required of you.
A drawback You can never have your files back.
continued from page 5
District Meetings
District IIB
April 4
District III
April 22
Leadership
Meetings
District IV
April 19
District V
June 1
Schools
Landscape Design School
April 24 & 25
Environmental Studies School
April 17 &18
Flower Show School
May 9 - 11
Central Region has a new name.
It is Central Region Garden Clubs, Inc.
Central Region was the first to obtain a
501(c)3 designation through the IRS. It
was emphasized by NGC that our
relationship will remain the same even
though the Central Region will now be
financially independent. This is important for our
website, yearbooks, meetings and correspondence.
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 16 March, April, May 2017
Michigan Garden Club Inc. 6410 Crane Road Ypsilanti, Mi. 48197-8850
Saturday, March 11 – Taylor – 9th Annual Growing Great Gardens Hosted by Taylor Garden Club, Taylor Conservatory & WCCCD. Time: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Location: 21000 Northline, Taylor. Fee: $45 ($55 with optional Lunch & Learn session) until January 31. Breakfast, snacks, lunch, four nationally known speakers plus Lunch & Learn option, MarketPlace with 35+ vendors. Download information @taylorgardenclub.com Thurs. – Sun., March 16 - 19 – East Lansing, District IIB Flower Show “Patchwork” Hosted by District IIB clubs. Time: Thursday, March 16, 3 p.m. to 9 p.m.; Friday, March 17, Noon to 9 p.m.; Saturday, March 18, 10 a.m.- 5 p.m.; Sunday, March 19, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Location: MSU Pavilion, 4301 Farm Lane, East Lansing. This Standard Flower Show will be held as part of the Lansing Home and Garden Show. Tuesday, April 4 – Bath - District IIB Meeting “Spring Awakening” Hosted by The Garden Club of Greater Lansing. Time: 8:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Location: Eagle Eye Banquet Center, 15101 Chandler Road, Bath. Fee. Registration begins at 8 a.m. Contact Lynda Foster, District IIB Director for more information [email protected]. Wednesday, April 5 - East Lansing - MGC Finance Meeting Time: 2:00 - 5:00 p.m. Location: Hampton Inn Board Room, East Lansing. Business phone for hotel reservations: 517-324-2072 Thursday, April 6 - Lansing - MGC Board of Directors Meeting Time: Social Time: 8:30 - 9:30 a.m. Meeting: 10:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m. Location: Plymouth Congregational Church, 2001 Grand River Avenue, Lansing. Business phone for emergencies: 517-484-9495. Executive Committee Meeting: 8:30-9:30 a.m. (Parlor). Mon. & Tues., April 17 - April 18 – Holland - Environmental Study School Course II Sponsored by District IV. Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:45 p.m. both days. Location: First Reformed Church, 630 State Street, Holland. Fee: $65, exam/refresh fee $5. Lynn Miller, registrar, 616-676-2274, [email protected].
See Page 10 or MGC website for Environmental Study School registration form. Wednesday, April 19 - Big Rapids - District IV Leadership Meeting Time: 9:00 a.m. - 3 p.m. Location: First United Methodist Church, 304 Elm Street, Big Rapids. Saturday, April 22 – Constantine - District III Spring Meeting Hosted by Meeks Mill Garden Club. Theme: Back to Basics While the event is primarily for District III members, all garden club members are invited to attend. Club presidents will be sent a registration form. Mon. & Tues., April 24 - April 25 – Kalamazoo Landscape Design School – Course II Hosted by the Landscapers Garden Club and Petal Pushers Garden Club¸ District III. Time: 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. each day. Location: Haven Church, 5350 N Sprinkle Rd. Kalamazoo. Contact Carol Beckius for more information. [email protected]. See Page 11 or MGC website, www.michigangardenclubs.org, for registration form. *Tuesday, May 2 – Rapid City - Juniper Garden Club May Basket Fundraiser Hosted by The Juniper Garden Club of South Torch Lake Time: 12:30 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. Location: Clearwater Township Hall, 5440 River Road, Rapid City. Viewing and bidding for baskets will begin at 12:30 p.m., with winning bids announced at 2:00p.m. A light lunch and refreshments will be served. *Tues.-Thurs., May 9 - May 11 - Midland - Flower Show School Course See Michigan Garden Clubs website, www.michigangardenclubs. for more details and registration form. Contact Flower Show Chair Kathryn Clary, [email protected] for more details.
*Saturday, May 20 - Saugatuck - Plant Sale Hosted by: Saugatuck-Douglas Garden Club. Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Location: Old School House, 130 Center Street, Douglas. The club's annual fundraiser kicks off the growing season with sales of flats, annuals, ferns, perennials and pots of flowers. Contact: Vicki Ort, 269-470-5351 or vicki [email protected]. Tuesday, Sunday, May 16 - May 21 - National Garden Clubs, Inc. 2017 Convention Location: Richmond, VA Sun. – Sat., June 4 - June 11 National Garden Week Plan events to celebrate National Garden Week in your community. Thursday, June 1- District V Spring Presidents Leadership meeting Hosted by The Cadillac Garden Club. Time: 10:00 am - 3:00 pm. Location: Over 26 Depot, Cadillac, MI. For District V club presidents and 1st vice presidents. Includes lunch, leadership training, and sharing time. Wed. & Thurs., June 7 & 8 – Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. 2017 Convention Hosted by Districts I and IIA. Location: Holiday Inn Ann Arbor, 3600 Plymouth Road, Ann Arbor, MI *Saturday, June 24 - Paw Paw - 10th Annual Carnegie Garden Club Garden Tour Hosted by Carnegie Garden Club. Time: 10:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m., rain or shine. Location: 129 S. Kalamazoo St., Paw Paw. Fee: Tickets $8.00 pre-event or $10.00 day of event. Free refreshments. For more information call Colleen at 269-760-7900. *Saturday, June 24 – Grand Haven – 23rd Annual Garden Walk Theme: By the Bayou. Hosted by Tri-Cities Garden Club, Inc. Time: 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Fee: Tickets are $10 and may be purchased at the Historical Museum or at the homes on the day of the tour. Refreshments. Check our website for further details - www.tricitiesgardenclub.org
To post events directly on the calendar, visit the MGC website at michigangardenclubs.org.
Click on Calendar at the top of the page and click on Submit Event. *Events marked with an
* have more details on the website calendar at www.michigangardenclubs.org
Calendar of Events
March Through June
