Message from the President |
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Greetings!
This month, our own Polly Brooks will be installed as President of The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc.! Often referred to as ‘The Federated’ or ‘ FGCCT’, it is one of the two umbrella organizations with which the LGC affiliates. Please join me in congratulating Polly and wish her well with her new leadership role. Doreen Hampton and I recently chatted with Polly about her upcoming venture. Doreen’s wonderful article is below. You can register to see Polly's installation at the FGCCT annual meeting using the link in the article.
The Policy Committee, chaired by Susan Magary, has spent the past many months reviewing the LGC policies and bylaws. Please read the committee’s recommendations and then join them for a Q&A session on April 10.
At the next Executive Committee meeting, the board will begin discussing if we can safely resume in-person club meetings. Perhaps we will be able to meet again as early as the May business meeting, though we don’t want to jump the gun! Safety will be the paramount consideration.
All the best and stay well, Annie
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Virtual Meeting
Creating a Pollinator Paradise
Hosted by
Wendy Lindquist and Kate Jamison
April 15, 2021
2:00 PM
Wendy Lindguist, of Lindquist Design Associates, in Bridgeport is a horticulturalist of note. Lindquist Design Associates creates and manages landscapes that are in harmony with their natural and architectural heritage. Wendy Lindquist established the company in 1993. Today they are a team of three designers working on the design and installation of projects in several states.
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Please join the meeting from your computer, tablet or smartphone
or dial in using your phone
Per usual, a Zoom link will be sent prior to the meeting
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Polly Brooks to be Inducted as FGCCT 2021 President |
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On April 14th, Marana “Polly” Brooks will become the President of The Federated Garden Clubs of CT, Inc (FGCCT) at The Federation’s 92nd Annual Meeting. Polly’s previous leadership positions in the FGCCT include Environmental School Chair (2015-2017), Second Vice President (2017-2019) and First Vice President (2019-2021).
The FGCCT was organized in 1929 with 31 Connecticut garden clubs as charter members. Through the years, the FGCCT’s interests included Civic Development, Environmental Concerns/Conservation, Garden Therapy, Historic and Memorial and Public Gardens, Horticulture, Legislation/Government Action, Public Relations, Scholarships and Youth Activities. The Federation sponsors four Schools: Flower Show, Landscape Design, Gardening and Environmental, for the continuing education and benefit of its members. The FGCCT’s membership has ‘blossomed’ and today includes 121 garden clubs. Learn more about the FGCCT.
The position of President of such a prestigious, statewide organization may seem daunting to some, but not to Polly. An active LGC member since 1983, she has both chaired and co-chaired numerous committees including Conservation, Program and Bulletin. Polly values the great depth of what garden clubs have to offer, especially the educational programs and scholarships for students. She quotes the Entomologist Doug Tallamy, “Garden as if your life depends on it,” because Polly believes it does! Whether we live in an urban or suburban area, our environment sustains us.
During her two-year term, Polly hopes to meet in person as many garden clubs as possible. She hopes to shine a light on what clubs do and their ability to influence our future. Polly believes garden club members have “attitude”. How else could they take on Mother Nature? Her best advice, “Try something you haven’t tried before. Do what you love…what you enjoy…and then share what you are enjoying.”
Everyone is invited to join The Federated 92nd Annual Meeting on Wednesday, April 14, 2021, 10:00 – 11:30 am, which will be presented as a Zoom Webinar. Reservations must be received by Monday, April 12, 2021.
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Committee Reports & Announcements |
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Please review the attached revised LGC documents: Policy and Procedures Handbook and Bylaws. The EC has approved the Handbook, and the membership will vote on the new Bylaws at the May 20 business meeting. A Summary of the revised provisions is attached for your clarification. We will be holding an informational session on Tuesday, Apr 20 at 10:30 to address questions and comments. A zoom link will be sent prior to the session. Thanks!
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NATIVE PLANTS FOR POLLINATORS SALE
We are delighted to announce the White Memorial Conservation Center native plants for pollinators sale!! Please place your pre-orders now for curb side pick up on May 22. All plants are grouped by shade or sun and come in three different sized kits. Happy planting!
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The snow has melted after a long winter. Soon a walk in our yards and neighborhoods will include seeing flowers. It is not strange that our thoughts turn to our yards and gardens after a period of isolation. Seeing plants grow and bloom gives us a sense of optimism and joy. Now is the time to plan your garden but planning a garden can be overwhelming. Litchfield Land Trust and White Memorial Conservation Center native plant sale is the right option to help make the job easier. Learn more
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The update for the April sweepstakes is that it will be VIRTUAL. The EC met and decided LGC will meet virtually until at least May at which time it will be considered, depending on the virus, vaccines, etc. So we will not be at the Community Center in April, we will be virtual on Zoom for the meeting.
Visit the Floral Design Sweeps Web-page for Floral Design Sweepstakes April 2021: Fine Art and Flowers.
On another note, this is a gentle reminder for the upcoming Floral Design Conference “Springtide” that will be held virtually on Thursday, April 8th beginning at 11AM. The conference is Free for All, but you must register to receive the link to the Meeting! Scroll down to learn more about "Springtide."
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I trust that not only have you all been outside enjoying this gorgeous weather gardening, hiking, or just sitting in a chair, but also that you will have taken the opportunity to cut a few branches to force for the flowering branch sweepstakes. I described the parameters in the March newsletter, but for those who cannot find it, the rules are simple. They are also listed on the horticulture sweepstakes page. The background should be a neutral backdrop of one color flattering to your flowers, not patterned or diverse. Don’t dawdle! I am asking for the photos by April 10th. My cut forsythia branches are already starting to bloom!
We will have a cut flower sweepstakes in May when finally we can all come together for our monthly meeting. I will send you that schedule next month.
Julia and I have created the propagation video that I’ve been promising, and it will be coming out to everyone soon. I can’t wait to see it and hope that I haven’t made a fool of myself!
I hope that everyone knows about the GCA's Montine McDaniel Freeman medal which is awarded every year to a North American native plant. Scroll down for additional info on plant of the year. For a spreadsheet of native growing or retail nurseries where we can shop, click HERE for link .
The plant that was chosen this year was Cephalanthus occidentalis, buttonbush. It is a very adaptable shrub with beautiful flowers and fruit for 24 species of birds. Its other common name is honeybells because the flowers are irresistible to bees. It is a pollinator magnet and feeds many desirable moths and butterflies. We have been offered seed, and since it is apparently not hard to grow, we shall make it a challenge class for next year.
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The GCA Plant of the Year: Montine McDaniel Freeman Medal
The Freeman Medal was established to highlight underutilized, but highly worthy North American native plants: trees, shrubs, ground covers, vines, and perennials. The goal is to encourage their use in the landscape and make them familiar to gardeners and more available in nurseries. Learn more
Why native plants?
Restoring native plant habitat is vital to preserving biodiversity. Native plants, once established, are generally economical since they are low-maintenance and require far less water, conserving natural resources. They provide vital habitat for birds, protective shelter for many mammals and many other species of wildlife.
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GCA Around the Green Flower Show - it's the first time that anyone from any zone can easily enter an Annual Meeting Flower Show. There has been collaboration in which the club’s photography and horticulture committees work together to help their members take photos of their cut specimen entries. All the information on “how-to” is in the schedule. Scroll down to the bottom of newsletter for a quick guide to entering the GCA Around the Green Virtual Flower Show. All the information you need, and the links to the entry card/jot form are in the schedule.
Last, but not least, the new Spring 2021 issue of The Real Dirt is out. Click HERE to read.
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The Membership Committee is reaching out to all Regular Members, asking if any of you would like to change your membership status to “Associate”. The only differences between “Regular” and “Associate” Membership are that you are not able to vote at the business or annual meetings, nor are you able to act as a primary sponsor to a potential member. You still retain all of the other perks of being a member, such as attending meetings and workshops and entering sweepstakes. Please see the policy handbook for more details.
We would love to move all three of our Provisionals to regular membership, and if you feel comfortable modifying your membership, the MC would greatly appreciate it.
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We have some good news! Doreen Tango Hampton was juried into the GCA Annual Meeting, “Around the Green”, Photography Division. In addition, Susan Magary has entered the Philadelphia Flower Show Photography Division, and Cathy Oneglia will have a few of her bird photographs in the American Bird Exhibit at the Philadelphia Flower Show.
Our Spring Sweepstakes is themed “Buds and Blooms”. Please visit the WEBSITE for schedule and details. Your images are due in Jpeg form sent to coneglia@gmail.com by April 25th. Should we be fortunate enough to hold our May annual business meeting in person, we will exhibit our art in printed form! Also, please keep Saturday, May 2nd on your calendar for our iPhoto workshop with Thadeus Kubis.
Finally, this is a gentle reminder that the deadline to send in photos for the GCA Covid Project is May 1, 2021. Learn more about the project. Click HERE for guidelines and to submit.
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From the Communications Desk |
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Blog Posts: How and what to post? Take a look at what has been posted already, and that may spark a thought. Entries are up to approx 200 words. Send your image(s), article and article title to Joan Burgess for posting.
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Member News and Upcoming Events |
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Click the image above to learn more and to register |
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Federated Garden Clubs of CT 92nd Annual Meeting - A Zoom Webinar - April 14, 2021 |
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The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut will hold its 92nd Annual Meeting. The meeting will commence with an extraordinary and inspiring presentation by world renowned and award-winning landscape designer and acclaimed author, Julie Moir Messervy.
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SPRING IS FREE AT THE WADSWORTH ATHENEUM MUSEUM! |
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Admission to the museum will remain free for the spring season, through June 2021.
Spring free from winter hibernations and come connect with great art at the Wadsworth. Reserve your tickets online via thewadsworth.org. Walk-up visitors may be accommodated based on availability. Hours are Fridays: noon–8pm, and Saturdays and Sundays: noon-5pm. Masks, social distancing, and a contactless temperature check required. Check our website for more information on how we are preparing for your visit.
MAY FLOWERS While the Wadsworth’s annual Fine Art & Flowers event will not take place this year, a scaled-back celebration of the season, May Flowers, will feature different floral arrangements each weekend April 30–May 23. Live music will be performed in the galleries on Sundays, May 2–23, at 2pm. For more info, visit their website
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The Watertown Garden Club is offering woodland plants in starter sizes - the most economical sizes when starting or expanding your shade garden. Potted plants are well rooted in 2 inch cubes (tree band pots) and bareroot plants are bagged. Click HERE for the selections chosen by the Club for this year's sale. SHOP to pre-order your choice of sets. Plants will be available for pick-up at a Drive-Thru-Plant-Sale on May 1, 2021. The exact Watertown, CT location will be on your Order Receipt. Pick-up times are 9:00 to 2:00 p.m. Special considerations can be accommodated by contacting the Plant Sale Manager at orders@watertowngardenclub.org
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Click image above for additional information |
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Click Image above for additional information |
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Click Image above for additional information |
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Litchfield Garden Club | PO Box 848, Litchfield CT 06759
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