FARMINGTON GARDEN CLUB NEWSLETTER

Member Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc.

October 2007

President –Dianne Szabla          www.farmingtongardenclub.com                           Editor – Jan Dolan         248.626.6322                                      “Live With Beauty”                                      248.473.8545


Welcome,

Our November 5 program will be the delightful speaker, Carole Czechowski, who will be telling us about tiny plants for small gardens.  In her talk entitled "The Fairies' Herb Garden" she will be reminding us what truly magical places gardens can be, whether large or small, indoors or out.  (Possible entry in the 2008 Ford Flower Show)?

I understand that the speaker at our October meeting gave a very interesting talk with beautiful slides showing how the court painter to Empress Josephine of France developed his method of making very detailed and accurate botanical prints.  Thank you Chris Britts for chairing.

The District I Fall Meeting at The Hellenic Center in Westland was also very interesting and informative.  I have purchased Proven Winner plants for years without knowing how they come to have that designation.  Four Star Greenhouse, wholesale growers in Carleton, MI, is one of only three growers in the country who develop and test plants before they are given the Proven Winner label.  They gave us beautiful catalogs showing new plants for next year and well as a list of plants that have been discontinued because they haven't lived up to expectations in spite of pre-sale testing.  Proven Selections, which many of us thought was a competing label, actually indicates Proven Winner plants that are especially well adapted to our growing conditions.  The afternoon speaker's presentation with live birds of prey, which she walked up and down the aisles with, was also worthwhile. 

Many thanks to Dottie Young who organized a table at the Farmington Farmers' Market this past Saturday to publicize Holiday Tables and sell raffle tickets.  Thanks also to Joann Jenkins, Eleanor DiGirolamo, Joan Hinkle, and Betty Beausoleil who volunteered to help.  We sold 42 raffle tickets.

Joan Hinkle is having a workshop on December 17 at the Spicer House 10:00-12:30 (or as long as you can stay) to make holiday arrangements for the Woodhaven Retirement Community in Livonia.  Please bring pruners and gloves, greens and small Christmas decorations to donate for project.  This is always a fun event, so please join us there.

                                                                                                                        Dianne

November Program – “The Fairies’ Herb Garden”

Carole Czechowski

 

Hostess committee – Chair Betty Bock, Joan Hinkle and Betty Ritchie

 

Yearbook correction:  Rita Roberts should be listed as photographer/historian.
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Reminder - Member Participation - Flower Arranging – November 5

Many thanks to all members who signed up to bring a flower arrangement to the November Garden Club meeting. The title is “Home for the Holidays”.  If you are bringing a table design remember that if it is for a sit down meal – the flower design must be low enough to permit conversation across the table.  For a buffet table, height in not a problem and a design for a coffee table will be viewed from above, For all table designs, please bring along a piece of the tableware and a napkin so we can appreciate the combination of colors.  If your design is not for a table: bring design you will be using elsewhere in your home during the holidays. Tables will be set up for your arrangements.  This should be a fun, learning opportunity not just for the arranger but also for all our members. For those not signed up to bringing designs to this meeting, other opportunities will be available in March and May, 2008.  Tables will be set up for your designs and Kay Blakeney will critique designs. Be ready to talk briefly about your choice of plant materials and a little about your arrangement.   Have a great time!!!

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Tropical Breezes”

“Tropical Breezes’ District 1 Flower Show is scheduled for March 2008.  I will let you know in the next news letter the horticulture classes open to garden club members – we had great participation in 2007 and I hope to have even more members think about entering their prize house plants and/or horticulture specimens.

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“Holiday Tables” committee meeting – Spicer House – Wed. Oct. 24-9:30 a.m.

All members’ welcome

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Farmington Garden Club

22587 Gill Road

Farmington Hills MI 48335

 

Board Meeting 11:00 am

 Business meeting noon

      Program – 1:30                            FIRST CLASS MAIL