~~~~~~~~~~~Garden Chatter~~~~~~~~~~~~
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National Garden Clubs, Garden Clubs of Illinois, District VII Newsletter____________________ _____June 2011
FROM YOUR DIRECTOR
I must tell you just a little bit about my trip to the GCI Annual Convention in April. My friend Paula Cochran and I left warm, sunny southern Illinois and took Amtrak to Chicago. Then we took another train to Northbrook where the meeting was held. Northbrook was the chosen location because of its close proximity to Chicago Botanic Garden. We attended a Native Plant Seminar at the ‘Garden’ which was really very informative. The tour included an extensive rooftop garden where native grasses and succulents are being tested in a variety of growing mediums. But COLD, WINDY, RAINY!! We even woke up to snow while there.
Aside from the weather, I was pleased with our experience at the convention. I was happy to be there to accept District VII awards (mentioned in ‘Club News’ in this newsletter). Vendors, exhibits, presentations and accommodations were all very nice. NGC President Renee Blanche was in attendance and performed the installation of new GCI President Susan Cooney. Former GCI President Stephanie Greene will take over as editor of Garden Glories. I enjoyed being able to put faces with the names I see in emails and Garden Glories. GCI board members work very hard conducting the business of our state organization.
Most importantly, I was proud to represent all the fine garden club members of District VII at this event. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Elaine Dunn
UPCOMING EVENTS FOR YOUR CALENDAR
June 11: DuQuoin Garden Walk, 10:00 – 2:00 pm
June 11: Marion Garden Tour, 9:00 am – 3:00 pm
June 14: Blue Star Memorial Dedication, Eldorado
65th anniversary celebration, Eldorado
June 16: Anna-Jo Garden Tour, 5:30 pm – Dusk
June 25-26: District VII Flower Show
July 17: Anna-Jo Flower Arranging Class, Public invited
July 18: GCI Summer Meeting, Collinsville
October 27: District VII Semi-Annual Meeting, Anna
(Location change: Anna Heights Baptist Church)
Once Upon a Story
District VII Standard Flower Show
June 25-26 at University Mall, Carbondale
Yes, the time is almost here. After all the planning and preparation, it’s time to enter your creations and/or horticulture in the Flower Show ‘Once Upon a Time’. Jeanne Wacker has regularly provided all clubs with updates. It’s a perfect opportunity to showcase your creative talents. I know it will be a great display of exhibits. Participation from all our clubs is needed. Don’t miss this opportunity!!
GCI SUMMER MEETING
Attention all District VII Garden Club Members!!!
AGENDA: 9:00 am Registration, 10:00 am Meeting, 12:00 noon Luncheon, 1:00 pm Program
LOCATION: Double Tree Hotel, 1000 Eastport Plaza Drive, Collinsville.
The speaker after lunch is William Iseminger, an archeologist who has worked at Cahokia Mounds since 1971. He has written extensively on Cahokia Mounds including his book, Cahokia Mounds: America’s First City. Currently he serves as assistant site manager, curator and public relations director at Cahokia Mounds Site.
This is the most convenient opportunity you will have for awhile to attend a ‘State Meeting’. Our neighboring district, District V, is hosting on July 18 in Collinsville. Let’s support this with a great showing of attendance from ‘downstate’. All registration information appeared in the last issue of Garden Glories. I will repeat it below (just in case):
Registration of $30 includes meeting, lunch and program. Checks payable to District V should be sent to Pam Baker, 492 Glen Crossing Rd., Glen Carbon, IL 62034. Phone is 618-288-9797 email bakerherbs@aol.com Registration should be received by July 2. Make travel plans with your friends now.
SUMMER MEETING COMING TO DISTRICT VII Another note about the Summer Meeting (FYI): Location alternates annually between northern and southern Illinois. We, District VII, are scheduled to host the meeting in 2013. Your district officers are making preliminary plans and will be calling on all clubs to participate in hosting this event.
HIGHLIGHTS FROM DISTRICT VII ANNUAL MEETING
First of all, let me extend a huge, heartfelt thank you to DuQuoin Garden Club for all the hard work that went into hosting the Annual Spring District VII Meeting on March 24. Accommodations, food and decorations were excellent!
Changes in district bylaws were approved by a vote of all members present. Copies were given to each club president.
Awards were presented that day to many district clubs. Anna-Jo, Metropolis, Eldorado, Evergreen of Carbondale and Marion Garden Clubs received Achievement Awards. Horticulture Awards were presented to Anna-Jo, Eldorado, Metropolis and Marion. Clubs earning a certificate recognizing an increase in membership were Anna-Jo, DuQuoin, Metropolis and Thompsonville Garden Clubs. Eldorado Garden Study Club was awarded a red rosette for having the best district yearbook.
New officers were installed by District Director Elaine Dunn. Susan Sherwin will serve as treasurer of District VII and Barbara Willis as secretary.
Proceeds from Ways & Means sales and auction totaled just over $200 which will go into the district general fund. Thank you to everyone who contributed to this effort.
Twelve clubs were in attendance at the meeting.
CLUB NEWS
Town & Country Garden Club of Benton reports that they had a pecan sale fundraiser. As a result they made generous monetary donations to the Benton City Park and the Dan Malkovich Park. The funds will be used for shelter and playground repairs and landscaping.
Metropolis Garden Club is focusing on herbs in 2011. Their January meeting featured a program on the uses of herbs by club member and master gardener Shirley Dishinger. Their yearbook contains valuable information on herbs. Metropolis GC is responsible for beautiful pansies and redbuds that provided spring color at the Massac County Courthouse. They presented certificates and books to local winners of the National Garden Club’s Youth Poetry and Essay Contests. The club’s garden therapy committee obtained a $50 GCI grant and they made tray favors for hospital patients. Metropolis GC does not meet for business meetings in July and August so they have more time for field trips and visits to gardens.
CONGRATULATIONS to Marion Garden Club, proud winner of GCI first place for their 2010 press book. This is a National (NGC) entry as well. This director was privileged to install new officers and enjoy lunch with this lovely group of gardeners. Their members have been busy with 2 plant sales this spring and their Garden Tour will be June 11.
Evergreen Garden Club of Carbondale has participated in 2 plant sales this spring but their members have been especially busy preparing for the upcoming District VII Flower Show. They have sponsored design workshops each month highlighting the classes included in the flower show schedule.
Eldorado Garden Study Club will be dedicating a new Blue Star Marker on June 14 near their NGC Award Winning Wildflower Garden. They are also celebrating a milestone anniversary. Congratulations on 65 productive and successful years!
DuQuoin Garden Club will be hosting a Garden Walk on June 11 from 10:00 am – 2:00 pm. Tickets ($5) will be available at the MIMI/GAZEBO on Main Street. The club had a 2-day plant sale in April at the DuQuoin Fairgrounds.
Carbondale Garden Study Club enjoyed a program by Chris Benda, president of the Southern Illinois Chapter of the Illinois Native Plant Society. It featured a beautiful slide show depicting native plants and wildlife abundant in our region. The club also had a program about Honeybees presented by Minnie Ahrendt, member of Anna-Jo Garden Club and Master Gardener. In March club members visited Plantscape Nursery in Herrin where Margie Rehagan, horticulturist and manager, gave a timely program on organic gardening supplies and companion plantings.
Benton Garden Club members bring a horticulture example to each meeting for roll call.
Anna Jonesboro Garden Club has had 2 very successful plant sales this spring. Members have planted flowers in Anna City Park and Anna-Jo Garden Club Park, as well as pots in the Anna Business District and the Village of Cobden. Garden Therapy committee members conducted an activity of planting sunflower seeds with preschool children at Anna Heights Baptist Daycare Center. They also planted flowers at City Care Nursing Home. In observance of National Garden Week the club will create floral arrangements and place them in many local businesses. CONGRATULATIONS to Anna Jo Garden Club on receiving the GCI Bird Protection Award for 2010. This is a National (NGC) entry as well. Club members arranged to have a bluebird trail erected in AJGC Park in spring of 2010. Bluebirds chose to use the house next to the flagpole and babies have already fledged this spring. How fun!
REMINDER
*I am still missing current yearbooks from several clubs. Please send a copy to Elaine at the address printed below.
*Does your club have Garden Therapy projects? You are entitled to receive a $50 grant from GCI each year. Call Susan Sherwin (833-7173) if you need application information.
*Send information about your club for Anne Parmley to put on our district website. anne.parmley@gmail.com
*Contributions to SIU Scholarship are due August 1. Send to District Treasurer Susan Sherwin, PO Box 634, Anna, IL 62906
*Send email address changes or additions to Elaine at the address below.
_____________________________________________________________________________________GCI: www.gardenglories.org NGC: www.gardenclub.org District VII: www.AnneOutdoors.Info
Please send news of your club’s activities to Elaine Dunn, PO Box 5, Cobden, IL 62920 or email elaine.dunn@yahoo.com (618) 893-2365