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

Dear Garden Club Members:

Many thanks to Jan Dolan for her lovely design creations at the September meeting.  I think we were all inspired to try our own designs, and I'm sure Jan won't let us forget when it is our turn to try making an arrangement.

I also want to thank Betti Pool and her committee, Joann Jenkins and Marylou Seaman, for judging the 2007 Good Neighbor Garden Contest.  It is a very successful event, which helps FGC find entries for the 2008 Garden Walk and spreads goodwill in the community.

The October 1 program is entitled, "The Man and His Roses."  Court painter to the Empress Josephine of France and nicknamed, The Raphael of the Rose, Pierre-Joseph created gorgeous, finely detailed and accurate botanical illustrations.  His depictions of roses were among his best known and loved.  Using reproductions of his prints, rose expert Deanna Stephens will present the evolution of botanical drawings leading to his famous rose illustrations.  I am sorry to miss this one; it sounds great.  I greatly appreciate that Chris Britts will be conducting the meeting.

Festival of Trees 2006 was able to raise over $224,000 for Children's Hospital of Michigan.  This year marks the 23rd annual Festival, and they are hoping to make it the most successful year yet.  Last year the 2' Tree Committee exceeded their goal of raising over $20,000 for the cause.  They would like to know if anyone in our organization would be willing to design/decorate 2' trees to be sold at the event.  The dates are Sunday, November 18th through Sunday, December 2nd at Compuware Headquarters in Detroit.  As in the past, the Festival will furnish trees at various pick-up locations in the metro area.
The one closest to us is Children's Eye Care, 6900 Orchard Lake Road, south of Maple, 248-538-7400.  The trees are available now, so there would be lots of time to work on one or more by yourself or with someone else.  If anyone is interested, the form will be available at the October meeting.  If you want additional info, call Stephanie Spinale at 248-207-2571.

The District I fall meeting will be held on Thursday, October 11, 9:30-2:30, at the Hellenic Cultural Center, 36375 Joy Road, in Westland.  Four Star Greenhouse will share what makes a "Proven Winner" plant.  The afternoon program will be "Rehabilitation of Birds of Prey" with Karen Young, licensed falconer, who will have some "special guests" including the Eurasion Eagle Owl, the largest species of owl (tethered, of course).  The cost is $22, which includes a buffet lunch.  We will have the sign-up sheet again at the October meeting and will car pool as always.

The Livonia Garden Club will have a fresh greens workshop on Saturday, December 1, 9:00-11:30 at the Livonia Senior Center, 15218 Farmington at Five Mile.  We will have the registration form, which is due by November 1, at the meeting.  The cost for supplies is $24.00. 
Dianne

Holiday Tables planning meeting will be on Tuesday, September 25 at 9:30 at the Spicer House, Heritage park - All members are welcome.

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Hostesses committee for October Meeting

Trudy McDonald, Chair; Trudi Ferguson and Kay Blakeney

* * * * * * * * * * * * *

Member - 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 singed up to bringing designs to this meeting, other opportunities will be available in March and May, 2008 If you have any question, please contact Jan Dolan at 248-473-8545.

Farmington Garden Club

22587 Gill Road

Farmington Hills, MI 48335

Monday, October 1, 2007

No Board Meeting

Business Meeting – noon

Program 1:15

“The Man and His Roses”

Visitors Center/Spicer House

Heritage Park FIRST CLASS MAIL