Newsletter--November 2008

Dear Garden Club Member,

Wow! October was such a busy and fun month starting off with a lively meeting. Thanks to our hosts, Jeannie Moore and Patty Childs for the festive Halloween decorations and yummy refreshments. Kelly Thomas and Ace Hardware were recognized for faithfully donating a plant each meeting for our raffle. The spotlight was also shined on the winner in the Booster drawing for October, “Shamrock Pest Control”. The Club voted to accept Buddy King into the membership. He has worked tirelessly for the Club for several years so we are all delighted he is now officially a member. We had one guest, Taylor Kroll and we hope he will join the Club at our next meeting. The Club also voted to support the National Garden Club’s World Gardening Committee’s project to help bring drinking water to Ojo de Aqua Quiche, Guatemala. I would like to thank Carrie Milligan for offering to take our food basket to the Lake Area Ministry and to everyone who brought in food. We hope to also take a basket in November and December so please remember to bring non-perishable food items to the next meeting to be given to needy families in our area. LAM can also use $ donations.

Cheryl King & Deirdre Murphy reported that the Yard of the Month for October Award was given to Debbie and Russ Hansley on Pine St. in Melrose. Their pictures and reports in the “Monitor” have been outstanding

Pauline Carter thanked members for contributing flowers and plants to Hospice patients the last few months and sent around a sign-up sheet for the next six months. Those who signed up are: October-Pauline Carter; November-Cheryl Owen; January-Carrie Milligan; February-Fran Fowler; March-Jackie Host; April-Louise Irvine-Sammaro; May-Cheryl & Buddy King. Please Note: Hospice meetings are the 2nd Monday of each month at 3:30 pm and have moved to the Keystone Christian Church, 3521 SE SR 21 (located between Harveys and the SFCC-Watson Center).

Awards Chairman Jeannie Moore said summaries for applications were needed by November and Book of Evidence completed by 2nd week in January. So far she is helping 3 committees with awards. Thanks Jeannie!

Maggie Greathouse reported they have cleaned up the Natural Park Butterfly Garden and discussed a butterfly project for Melrose. She also reported The Greathouse Butterfly Farm has been designated as a Butterfly Sanctuary. On behalf of the Club, I know I can say without reservation how much we all appreciate the Greathouse family (Zane, Maggie & Mary) for their support of the Club and all the wonderful things they do to educate the public and help preserve one of the garden’s most exquisite visitors, the butterfly.

Cheryl Owen still could use more help at the McRae Elementary School Butterfly Garden. Cheryl and Buddy King have really done a great job in helping her get it cleaned up. There are quite a few nice perennials established and the butterflies were plentiful. Caterpillars were busy eating the passion vine on the trellis. I met with the Principal last week and we are hoping to get some teachers, parents and students involved soon. A Girl Scout Troop is also planning to make the garden a service project. I hope you will consider helping out as this is a very worthwhile project to educate the children about gardening and butterflies. The garden has huge potential for award winning status.

Zaire Ankeney discussed the Christmas luncheon at our meeting. It had been reported that some people did not want to do the customary “gift exchange” so it was suggested and agreed upon, that members bring a gift to be taken to the VA Hospital in Lake City instead. I have since been contacted by one member who said some members are asking why can’t we do both as the group had fun with the exchange in the past. The Board is fine with either one of these ideas. At the next meeting we’ll ask again what the majority would like to do. Officers will bring meat to the luncheon and members are asked to bring something to go with it. Last year the luncheon was fabulous! A sign up sheet will go around at the next meeting so please think of something you would enjoy sharing.

 This year the Halloween table downtown was manned by Little Sprout Aleece Pickering’s Dad, Mike, who is also one of JSO’s finest. Cheryl Owen, Buddy and Cheryl King also helped out. We had too much fun for grown-ups….NOT!!! Thanks to this group for letting the children and their parents know our Garden Club supports community projects.

Nine of our members represented the Club at the District Meeting in Orange Park on 10/13: Joan Jones, Buddy King, Cheryl King, Cheryl Owen, Shirley McKendree, Carrie Milligan, Elsie Mills, Robin Foy and me. We had a great time and our Club was recognized for all of the outstanding civic projects we have been doing for our community. We also were the only Club to have 3 members win a raffle or door prize. It was a real honor to be able to join our state President, Cinny O’Donnell and the other state and district officers and hear their reports. This year’s focus will be on water quality and conservation and all clubs were urged to join the Clean Water Network. I think everyone will agree the highlight of the program was a visit from William Bartram (1739-1823) who told us all about his life. Bartram was a great American naturalist who loved to explore the wilderness, commune with nature, then sketch and describe the flora and fauna he observed. He traveled through much of the southeastern United States including Florida. In 1728, his father, John Bartram, a botanist, established the first botanical garden in the U.S. (Philadelphia). The District Director, Art Burnett; our hosts, the Garden Club of Orange Park and the Garden Club of Green Cove Springs; and the others that organized the event really did a super job.

 On 10/18 Cheryl Owen, Robin Foy, Zaire Ankeney, Cheryl King and I went to Gardenfest held at the Duval County Extension Center in Jacksonville. We had a terrific time. The speakers were entertaining and informative. We learned everything from growing your own worms for the castings, how to recycle many items, safe pesticides and fertilizers to use and new laws about their use, among other horticulture tips. I especially enjoyed the demonstration on how to make a wreath using vegetables. There were a lot of very nice plants, bulbs and other gardening items for sale by the other Clubs. We made a little over $100 at our own table so it was a profitable as well as a fun event. I wish more of you could have gone and that next year you’ll put it on your calendar.

 Our next meeting will be November 13th, hosted by Evelyn Henderson & Deirdre Murphy. Our program is on “Bromeliads” by Gus Aldrich. Please bring a bulb, seed or plant to trade in our “Plant Exchange”!!!

Below is a list of field trips scheduled for the Club so you can mark your calendar. While it is understood everyone can’t always go to everything I hope you will be able to come and enjoy as many of the field trips as possible.

 -Wednesday, November 19th, 10 am- Hatchet Creek Nursery (free)-Meet at Church at 9:15 am to carpool 

Sunday, December 7, 12:00 pm-Garden Club of St. Augustine Tour of Homes ($15 advance purchase, $20 day of tour) - Meet at Hitchcock’s 9:30 am to carpool (we will eat lunch in St. Augustine before tour)

-Thursday, December 11th, 10 am- UF Poinsettia Open House- Meet at Church at 8:45 am to carpool -

Wed,January 28th, 10 am– Cummer Art Museum ($10 adults $6 Seniors/Military/Students)-Meet at Hitchcocks at 9 am -

Wednesday, February 25th- Kanapaha Botanical Garden ($6/adult over 10 grp rate $4.50)- Meet at Church to Carpool -

Wednesday, March 11th, 10:00 am- Glenn St. Mary Nursery (free)- Meet at Hitchcock’s at 9:30 am to Carpool -

Saturday, March 14 th, 10:00 am- Ravine Gardens, Palatka ($4 per car with over 2 people)- Meet at Hitchcock’s, 9:30 am

-April 15-17th- Spa, DaFFGC 83rd Annual Convention, Plaza Resort and spa Daytona Beach, FL- since this is so close to us we are hoping some members will want to team up and attend this state meeting -

Wed April 29th 10 am – UF Bedding Plant (Spring) Trial Gardens (free)-meet at Church at 9 am to carpool. Those who wish to go visit the UF Butterfly House could do so after viewing the trial gardens as it just down the road.

 Last but certainly not least. I would like to encourage everyone to attend the at 1Veterans Day Ceremony, Tuesday, November 11that 11am. Our VMP Committee and Chairman, Joan Jones does an outstanding job putting on this program and maintaining the Pathway. It would be a wonderful way for your family to honor the United States of America and our Veterans.

Thanks to all of you who make this such a wonderful Club to be a part of,

Jackie Host, President