Spring Newsletter May 2022 | |
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What does it mean to be a leader? That is the big question. District 2B leaders or members considering leadership roles attended the Spring Leadership Meeting with District 6 hosting in Mt. Pleasant. It was a beautiful day, and the meeting was well attended. Much was accomplished as we had exceptionally good presentations from Monica Taylor and Nancy Ryan providing us with updates and reports from Michigan Garden Clubs and National Garden Clubs. We have so much to do, and we can do so much!
When I do new a member orientation for our local club, I make sure to point out to these new recruits that they need to join with the idea of being part of the construction and maintenance of the club. It is their club. We hope they bring skills, ideas, and a willingness to work in teams. With any new member, they have preconceived expectations and the club may not meet all their expectations. I always explain that they need to engage and find partners within the club to help make the club what they want it to be. The way members create change is to be actively engaged and willing to take on leadership roles.
Many of our clubs have returned to in-person meetings and the District Steering Committee and Presidents continue to meet with Zoom. In our District, we had two Bluebird programs, Winter Seed Sowing in milk jugs, “Greening the Garden,” “Growing Your Vegetables,” “Growing Herbs and Mints,” “Planning the Gardens, Hoop House,” Landscaping, Hydroponic Gardening and more. There were a few workshops; making terrariums, garden plate art, Pysanky egg painting and more.
District 2B Photographers’ work was on display twice this spring and we were part of the Capital Area Orchid Society’s Exhibit and Sale. We also put on one great Standard Flower Show with over 200 entries at the Greater Lansing Home and Garden Show. This show was very well attended, and we gained several new members, because of those who were impressed enough to express an interest in being part of a garden club.
Our clubs continue to grow with a considerable number of new members joining this spring. This reflects the work we put into creating programs, workshops and exhibitions attracts people to become involved.
This has been a busy quarter with the planning of the MGC Annual Conference. Music, wine, presentations, and a tour of MSU trial gardens at an evening reception held in the MSU Plant and Soil Science Solarium is on June 8th. On June 9th the Conference will be a the all beautiful, newly renovated Crowne Plaza in Lansing and we offer 7 dynamic presenters. We hope you will come join us.
Your District Director,
Carol Grainger
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Plan to Attend Our Annual Conference! | |
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Gardening -
The Great Escape
Conference
June 8th - MSU Gardens
June 9th - Crowne Plaza Hotel, Lansing
Registration deadline is May 15, 2022
2022 Conference Registration Here
Wednesday June 8, $30.00
Thursday, June 9, $115.00*
* Your registration includes a continental breakfast, morning snack and beverages, luncheon and afternoon refreshment.
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Need Accommodations?
A block of rooms have been set aside at the Crowne Plaza. Reservations must be made by May 9.
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Keynote Speaker
Vince St. Marie –
“The Pollinators—Who They Are and How to Help Them” Beyond the well-known honeybee, just who are the pollinators and what do they need to succeed? What is the relationship between pollinators and plants and how are we dependent upon them? What contribution do pollinators make to agricultural production nationally and in Michigan? These questions and more are answered in this visually rich and information packed presentation. Plants with Purpose will be available for sale at the conference. Preorders/inquiries are encouraged by e-mail at windyrocknursery@outlook.com or phone/text to 734.358.8260. A current catalog is available by request.
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Natalie Carmolli – Proven Winners
Natalie will help all “Create a Great Escape in Our Own Backyard” using Proven Winners new shrubs for sun to shade along with an array of other Proven Winner plants.
Paige Filice – MSU Cooperative Extension
Paige specializes in “Gardening to Protect and Beautify Lakes, Rivers and Ponds”. Come learn how landscaping options and gardening techniques can improve the quality of our waterways.
Pooh Stevenson – Owner of Owosso Organics and Photography
Pooh is a multi-talented gardener, musician and photographer among other things. She will be talking about “Photography for Documentation and Pleasure” using your cell phone camera. Discover a new talent for yourself.
Suzannah Barrie – Owner/Operator of Barriebeau Herb Farm
Suzannah is a well-known herb grower in the Grand Rapids area. She uses herbs in many ways and will offer new ways to “Use Herbs in Your Kitchen”
Merry Kim Meyers – BA, MA, CGIP. Program Coordinator for the MSU Institute of Agricultural Technology at Montcalm Community College.
“Conquering Scientific Names”. You’ll become a charter member of the Carl Linneaus Fan Club, cheering for his wisdom behind the binomial nomenclature system and fearlessly learning how to pronounce even the scariest scientific names. Metasequoi glyptostroboides, anyone?
Daedre McGrath - Director of MSU Trial Gardens “MSU Trial Gardens
What’s New This Year and Breeding Breakthroughs”. What makes a trial garden winner over the years.
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MGC 91st ANNUAL CONFERENCE PROGAM BOOK
This year’s Michigan Garden Clubs’, Inc. Conference Program Book is being specially designed as a resource that all garden clubs will want to have and keep. We will have listings of all the gardens in District 2B a total of 14 clubs. While at the State Conference attendees will find a listing of unique and destination worthy gardens and trails in the Lansing Area. Nancy Ryan has put together a listing of little-known gardens around the State of Michigan. All these gardens will be worth putting on your garden visits this summer and for years to come.
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May
17 IIB Photographers - Okemos Library
18 Youth Garden Club, 5:30 pm - Watershed class
21 Meridian Garden Club Plant Sale - 9 am - 2 pm, Central Park Pavilion, 5151
Marsh Road, Okemos
26 II B Crafters Garden Girls Workshop
June
1 Youth Garden Club, 5:30 pm - Finish planting all gardens
8-9 Michigan Garden Clubs State Conference - Crown Plaza Hotel, Lansing
15 Youth Garden Club, 5:30 pm - Pollinator week 6/20-6/26
29 Youth Garden Club, 5:30 pm - Bees, honey and pollination
July
9-10 Marshall Annual Garden Tour
10 IIB Designers - Plan 2023 IIB Flower Show Schedule
13 Youth Garden Club, 5:30 pm - Stepping stones garden art
27 Youth Garden Club, 5:30 pm - Garden learning, harvest and maintenance
October
11 Fall District meeting
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Meridian Garden Club
Founded in 1970, the Meridian Garden Club has been a Community Service and Education oriented organization. We currently have 80 members and continue to grow.
| Meridian Garden Club Masked Christmas 2021 Event | |
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Our main fund-raising project this year is the annual spring plant sale on Saturday, May 21, 2022, 9:00-2:00pm at the Central Park Pavilion in Meridian Township. We’re hoping to top last year’s numbers, when we offered more than 700 plants to local gardeners. Most of the plants are perennials from our own gardens, which means they are tried and true for mid-Michigan. We will also offer a selection of native plants, saplings, and house plants. Garden specialists will be available to assist customers with plant selections and gardening questions. A “Garden Goodies” section is loaded with all things garden related: gently used tools, books, yard décor, pots, and garden theme items.
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The monies from our Plant Sales go toward maintaining our 12 award-winning gardens. All the gardens around the Meridian Historical Village are planted and maintained by the Club. The Club also maintains the Okemos Post Office, Okemos Police and Fire Stations, Blue Star and Administration Building and Two Memorial gardens
Community Landscape Beautification Award from the
Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association for the
Okemos Post Office Garden.
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Scarecrow for the Back Yard Garden Created by Girl Scout Troops. | |
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At the Grettenberger Farmhouse, our Back Door Gardens include: herb and fruit gardens, and vegetable gardens with produce being donated to the Food Bank. These gardens are dedicated to horticultural education for all ages. The members who maintain it have developed a curriculum for Historical Village events that stress a hands-on appreciation of vegetable gardening.
Multiple Girl Scout troops in Meridian Township have assisted the backdoor gardeners with various tasks including: updating the scarecrow, laying mulch, making seed tape for the root crops, and decorating garden markers and rocks.
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Along with our Community Services, Meridian Garden Club is very active in District 2B Interest Groups. These Interest Groups provide avenues for our members to meet people outside of our area to share interests in Photography, Floral Design, Crafts and Quilting.
Welcoming new members has been an important part of Meridian’s mission. Reaching outside normal channels to attract new members, Meridian uses its Plant Sale and other Community events to attract potential new members.
We have a welcome breakfast and program to inform new members how Meridian Garden Club relates to Michigan Garden Club, Central Region Garden Club and National Garden Clubs. Not a simple thing to understand.
| Understanding the benefits that membership in Meridian Garden Club provides increases new member participation in the Schools which expand their knowledge about horticulture, conservation, environmental studies, and floral design is important. Members also know they can further develop leadership skills, compete for grants and receive rewards for projects. | |
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New Member Breakfast and Orientation
| Special Tributes were presented by Senator Curtis Hertel, MI 23rd District and Representative Julie Brixie MI 69th District. | |
Club and Social Media News | |
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Plant and Craft Sale!
Please come and support our Brighton Mi Garden Club.
May 14th, 8am-1pm
Brighton Farmers Market 180 N 1st St, Brighton
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Our April presentation was
“Growing Herbs and Mints to Produce Natural Products”
Alyson Natural Products was created based on our love of natural oils, butters and essential oils to produce whipped body butters, sugar scrubs, body and facial soaps, and so much more. The “Lavender Lemonade Linen Spray” was our first product and definitely our most favorite item.
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DeWitt Millennium Garden Club
shares
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Michigan’s Two Poison Ivy Species
Eastern and Western Poison Ivy, learn more
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“Hello, I'm a dandelion"
A lot of people call me a weed but I'm a friend and come to help you!
When you see me, remember that I'm the ONLY one who wants and can grow in that particular spot. Because:
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Either the soil is too compact / hard / stomped and I want to loosen it for you with my roots.
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Or there is too little calcium in the soil - don't worry, I will replenish that for you with the dying of my leaves.
.… See more
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The Garden Club of Greater Lansing
shares this upcoming event
Our Spring Plant Sale is just 2 weeks away! Take a look at these beautiful annuals that will be available. Every purchase helps support our largely self-funded gardens, including wages for students and staff, maintenance of the gardens, and much-needed upgrades and improvements.
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Grand Ledge Garden Club
Our Annual Geranium Sale
GLGC has a Geranium sale each spring. This is our only fundraiser.
We purchase 4 ½” cuttings from Rosecrans in Charlotte. We sell 6 colors: red, white, fuchsia, salmon, and light and dark pink.
Order packets are distributed at the March GLGC monthly meeting, with return date for orders on or before the April 15.
The plants are delivered on Tuesday, May 10 and are available for customer pick-up from 4-7pm or Wed the 11th from 10 am to 4pm. The locati… See more
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Hartland Home and Garden Club | |
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Howell Garden Club
Our April meeting was great!
Three new members! Welcome Rosie, Rita and Jane!
Speaker: Jolanta Piecuch explained how plants deal with adversities, what companion planting is, how it benefits
plants, and how to use it in our own gardens. It changed the way we look at the plants from inert and defenseless to smart and powerful fighters for survival.
Dottie made a beautiful centerpiece and our members all kicked in to provide snacks to share. So much fun!
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Thank you Lynn for providing the screen and video equipment.
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Looking Glass Garden Club Shares
Michigan Wildflower Farm
Are you planning a wildflower seeding project this year?
May is the perfect time to start site preparation. Our May issue includes how-to's. If you are looking to provide cover for wildlife our native Indian Grass and Switch Grass are strong and hold up great, providing ... more
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Mason Sycamore Creek Garden Club | |
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Marshall Area Garden Club shares
Smithsonian Gardens
Happy 200th birthday to the man many call the founder of landscape architecture in America: Frederick Law Olmsted. F. L. Olmsted (1822-1903) and his firm were … See more
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Sherwood Garden Club
Webberville Garden Club
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Williamston Red Cedar Garden Club
GARDENING TIPS FOR MAY FOR WILLIAMSTON, MI
• Divide late-summer or autumn-flowering perennials. If necessary, go after phlox and artemisia with a sharp spade or even an ax. If delphiniums need to be divided, remove and replant the new little plants growing around the outside of the clump. Discard the hard old heart.
• Trim climbing roses and attach securely to fences or trellises.
• Scatter crushed eggshells in a thick ring around roses to deter slugs.… See more
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It has been determined by the MGC that District IIB using the roman numeral II will be replaced by the number 2. This change is to avoid confusion.
Be on the lookout for this upcoming change.
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Join a D2B Special Interest Group
Belonging to District IIB offers opportunities to participate in many activities. These groups include Photography, Crafting and Design.
Each interest will be able to plan their own schedules, activities and interactions. There are no requirements for participation and no cost (except perhaps for materials for a specific project). You can participate as much or little as you desire— but without signing up, you won’t know what’s happening! See the contact information below.
IIB Crafters - Contact – Deb Plichpa, debplichpa@gmail.com , 517-242-6076
IIB Designers - Contact Kathi Dominguez, dominguezk@comcast.net, 517-927-4665
IIB Photographers - Contact Melinda Pope, melindapope56@me.com
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Facebook Pages and Groups Changes
We are currently rebuilding our Facebook presence for District IIB. We are starting with a page that all clubs are invited to post your activity too. Please click below and like the page as a club and individually. We are sorry for any inconvenience. Like us here.
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Michigan Native Plant Feature
by Lynn O'Shaughnessy
The CUP PLANT
Silphium perfoliatum
The first thing that drew me to getting one plant of the Cup Plant was the fact that the opposing leaves on the stems of the plant clasp together forming cups that collect water for thirsty birds and butterflies. A variety of pollinators are attracted to the bright yellow flowers…especially the bees.
The Cup Plant will grow in a variety of soils from clay to loam to sand but it does prefer it a little more on the wet side. It likes sun to part sun and makes an excellent plant for the back of the garden. Why the back? It can get up to 10 feet tall! I have two years of experience with it so far. The first year, it grew to about 5 feet tall. The second year it got to be about 8 feet tall. I am looking forward to seeing wat it does this year. The plant itself is quite sturdy as the stems are complete square and can get up to 1.5” x 1.5”. In the fall, the finches love to chow down on the seeds as they are on the large side and quite plump.
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Photos – Whole plant – yes, this is one plant in it’s second year. The fence is 4 feet t | |
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Steering Committee 2022 - 2023
We look forward to working together and helping you make the most of your Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. membership.
Carol Grainger, District Director, mailto:district2b@migardenclubs.org
Ronnie Polad, District Treasurer, mailto:rpolad@gmail.com, 517-896-4442
Jolanta Piecuch, Awards/Grants/Scholarships, mailto:jolantapiecuch@yahoo.com, 517-655-9869
Ann Schoals, Events/Member Services, mailto:bathien@frontier.com, 517-281-1101
Nita Campbell, Website, mailto:nitacprn@comcast.net
Lynn O'Shaughnessy, Facebook, mailto:freespirit@pleurothallids.com
Terry Such, Newsletter, mailto:terry.such@gmail.com
Debbie Richards, Newsletter, mailto:richdebbie@gmail.com
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Gardening School is a series of courses designed and accredited by National Garden Clubs to stimulate interest and understanding in the growth of plant material. The series consists of four two-day courses offered approximately six months apart that can be taken in any order. Each course inc.. read more
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Michigan Garden Clubs
Grow and Share Programs
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All members of garden clubs in District IIB are welcome to the Friday Morning Member Meetings. These meetings cover a broad range of topics and are held on Zoom the First and Third Fridays of every month. The meetings start at 10:00.
Go to the Michigan Garden Club website Member Area to attend.
See more upcoming
May 20, 2022 Explore the Botanical Art of Jewelry-Jolanta Piecuch
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Friday Morning Member Meetings
Library of Recorded Content
- Go to MGC website -www.michigangardenclubs.org
- Sign in username: “member” and password “mgcgrow”
- It is under Morning Member Meetings -drop down menu
- Select Monday/Friday Morning Meeting Folder
- Select and open 2022 Meetings Folder
- Select and open 1-21-2022 Fill In The Blanks Folder
- Open: Recording: GMT20220121-150213_Recording
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Your copy should address 3 key questions: Who am I writing for? (Audience) Why should they care? (Benefit) What do I want them to do here? (Call-to-Action)
Create a great offer by adding words like "free" "personalized" "complimentary" or "customized." A sense of urgency often helps readers take an action, so think about inserting phrases like "for a limited time only" or "only 7 remaining"!
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Wildflower Association of Michigan
Our mission is to encourage the preservation and restoration of Michigan's native plants and native plant communities . You can become a member here.
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NGC Our Schools
Environmental
Flower Show
Gardening
Landscape Design
Refreshers
Symposiums
International NGC Schools
Helping members become accomplished environmental consultants. Helping others engage in environmental education.
CLICK TO FIND A SPECIFIC COURSE
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This year’s Michigan Garden Clubs’, Inc. Conference Program Book is being specially designed as a resource that all garden clubs will want to have and keep. We will have listings of all the gardens in District 2B a total of 14 clubs. While at the State Conference attendees will find a listing of unique and destination worthy gardens and trails in the Lansing Area. Nancy Ryan has put together a listing of little-known gardens around the State of Michigan. All these gardens will be worth putting on your garden visits this summer and for years to come. | |  |
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Get on the map!
THE MAP is an interactive community-based visual that will show each person’s contribution to planting native by State, County and Zip Code. Click here to get on the map to add your garden.
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Please note the website address change for Central Region
The new CR website address is: ngccentralregion.com
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