Forget Me Not Newsletter of Tampa Federation of Garden Club Circles, Inc.

Transcription

1 Forget Me Not Spring Newsletter of Tampa Federation of Garden Club Circles, Inc Kitty Wallace, Editor Tampa Garden Club 2629 Bayshore Boulevard Tampa, FL (813) The mission of the Tampa Garden Club is to build relationships through education, beautification and preservation of our community. Our legacy and our future: Sue Angle, current FFGC president, talks about cherishing the legacy of our organization and realizing those same values as we create our future. Our legacy and our future. President s Message What an opportunity! I am humbled to have been elected president for and fortunate to be following such passionate, talented, and capable members who have handled the responsibility of being your officers so well Officers President Kitty Wallace Old Fashioned 1stVP Carole Guyton Founders 2nd VP Maria Johnson 3rd VP Linda Day R. Secy Sherry Leffers C. Secy Brenda Kinley Treasurer Ada Pyles, OF Shopping online? Raise funds for FFGC for garden clubs throughout the state. Use the link to Amazon from the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs website, I am constantly in awe of those Tampa Garden Club members and officers who have steered this ship into being the respected Tampa institution it is today.giving honor to our past and energy to our future. Along with my fellow officers for , we are looking for folks who want to contribute to that future and hope that many of you will volunteer to take on a leadership role or participate in the many opportunities that the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs offers. We will continue to make sure the building and the grounds are something of which to be proud. My vision of our next steps includes two areas of focus: education and community service. I wish you all a fabulous summer and look forward to working with you to create the future for the Tampa Garden Club. YOUR GARDEN CLUB NEEDS YOU!! Kitty Wallace, President If you have a particular area of interest and want to make a difference - start thinking about how you can make a contribution. You could chair or serve on a committee You could offer suggestions for program speakers. Step forward the next time you are asked to volunteer It has often been said that you get out of something what you put into it. Page 1

2 FOR THE LOVE OF A GARDEN GALA The glitz, the glamor, the music, the silent auction, the food - all for a good cause and all for fun! FLORIDA STATE FLOWER SHOW Valentine s Day, 2014, turned back the clock to showcase the music and fashions of the 1940 s. For Love of a Garden was a hit with everyone. The Paul Wilborn trio provided just the right sound for the occasion. Food from the Ulele Restaurant got rave reviews. The silent auction items all went to happy winners. The Tampa Garden Club building was stunningly beautiful, showing off the fresh, new look. Thanks go out to chairman, Darby Miller, and her committee, which consisted of: Becky Clarke, Becky Savitz, Cheryl Isele, Darri Adams, Elizabeth Kurz, Grace Hodges, Jenifer Owenby, Joanne Frazier, Kathy Lewis, Mattie Vega, Nancy Criswell, Nootchie Smith, Paula Meckley, Mary Jo Shenk, Liz Reynolds, Terrell Clark, ann Creed, Harrison Giddens, Lynn Townsend, and Denise Rasmussen. We have a winner! Diana Sullivan (TNC) and her climbing sea onion, bowiea volubilis, won Best in Show at the recent Florida State Flower Show. It is a spectacular specimen and Diana s display of her special plant was stunning. Every time she stood by the plant, people gathered around to find out more about it. Diana, we are proud of you! Many other TGC members contributed entries including: Charlotte Valenti (TNC), Lois McLane (TNC), Pam Slagg (OF), Kay Miller (Village), Kitty Wallace (OF), Betty Garcia (),and Kathy Echevarria (OF). Youth gardeners: Gina Carleton, Luiza Loges, Louise Cardenas, Ava & Lily Oliva entered horticulture and/or artistic collage. Their Youth Educational exhibit: Exotic, Invasive Plants of the Tampa Bay Area won top recognition. Village Circle members, led by Kay Miller, designed and installed the floral designs for 40 tables for the final night s banquet. They were beautiful! FFGC CONVENTION & AWARDS The recent state convention of the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., was an opportunity to learn from experts in the fields of horticulture, design, and conservation. Mike Echevarria, Chairman of the Board of Coral Restoration Foundation, Inc. inspired the group by showing pictures/video of the work being done to rebuild the coral reefs in the Florida keys. FFGC is sponsoring a blue garden there. Individual garden circles/clubs can contribute to this effort. Tampa Garden Club won awards for 2013 Standard Flower Show, Birds in the Garden, chaired by Karen Flaacke, Old Fashioned Garden Circle (OF) 2013 Flower Show schedule, designed by Ruth Smith, OF Community Garden, Kitty Wallace, (OF), garden coordinator High School Achievement, Town N Country Garden Circle/Rob & Fran Gamester The TGC 2013 Standard Flower Show just won the National Garden Club award for BEST FLOWER SHOW in the country. Congratulations Karen, Kathy, Kay, Pam, Ruth and all those who helped. Page 2

3 THE YEAR IN REVIEW The Tampa Garden Club (TGC) holds one meeting per year to which all members are invited. Each circle has the opportunity to give a short report of the year s activities & achievements. Amaryllis Garden Circle President, Sita Monti, reports that members have been very active helping at Gasparilla and For Love of A Garden. Their recent Wine Walk was very successful and was a highlight of their year. Azalea Garden Circle President, Jan Gruetzmacher reports focused on going back to the basics of gardening, offering skills. They are making a donation to the renovation efforts purchasing a couple of new large trash receptacles. that their circle has programs on basic gardening at the Tampa Garden Club by Calliandra Garden Circle President, Anna Mahlum, reports that they have enjoyed participating in each of the events of the TGC and have given financial support to several the FFGC projects. They have planted two trees in the National Forest in honor of their circle and one in honor of the Tampa Garden Club. Founders Garden Circle President, Harrison Giddens told of the fun-raising, and fund-raising programs that they had this year. The construction of the expanded wedding garden will begin in July. The country bridge will be replaced by an elegant arbor, with matching pergola set at the south end of the area. When completed, there will be seating for 250 guests. Old Fashioned Garden Circle continues active support of the Tampa Heights Community Garden as well as making contributions to various FFGC projects. OF members took on a new project:: design and implement the landscaping at the Tampa Heights Community & Youth Development Center. Moonlight Garden Circle has continued their evening meetings and has enjoyed adding some new members this year. Members learned a lot at their programs. They have made contributions to various TGC and FFGC programs. Garden Circle had a very successful 2014 Earthly Paradise garden tour. They have focused on reshaping their bylaws and invigorating their membership. President, Sherry Leffers, reports that members have refreshed their section of the grounds at the center. They are also collaborating with the City of Tampa to redesign the landscape at Fred Ball Park and bring back the natural spring that flows there. Town N Country Garden Circle President, Sharon Cooper, past year including the hundreds of hours working on Youth Council., participating in the Veteran s Day Parade, Expo, Gasparilla at TGC, and many, many, many more. reviewed the activities of the projects with the TNC the TNC Plant Sale and Village Garden Circle President, Susan Ogle shared about the school garden project at the Dorothy Thomas Exceptional Center. They enjoyed the students enthusiasm. Members also provided flower arrangements for a variety of functions, notably the FFGC convention banquet with a stunning bromeliad centerpiece for 40+ tables. PILLAR OF PRIDE AWARDS: MISSY WEINER WAS HONORED WITH THE PILLAR OF PRIDE AWARD AND GIVEN A STANDING OVATION. CAROLE GUYTON WAS OFFICIALLY PINNED WITH HER AWARD, ANNOUNCED IN Page 3

4 SPOTLIGHT ON MEMBERS The annual meeting of the Tampa Garden Club was honored to have four past presidents in attendance: (L-R) Patty Jenkins (Calliandra, ), Kathy Echevarria (Old Fashioned, ), Lollie Scott (Calliandra ), Jayne Hemstreet (O.F) , Tampa Federation of Garden Club Circles, Inc. Officers President Missy Weiner 1st VP Kathy Lewis Azalea 2nd VP Kitty Wallace Old Fashioned R Secy Denise Rasmussen Amaryllis C Secy Linda Day Treasurer Nancy Criswell Azalea Officers Installed Ladies Room Renovations Linda Day, incoming 3rd Vice President of the Tampa Federation, gave a stirring update on the renovation in the Ladies Room. She suggested that each circle consider making a donation to complete the project. The 12th annual Kids in the Garden summer nature camp is filled with excited youngsters. If you are interested in lending a hand, let Chairperson, Kitty Wallace, know: kittwal@aol.com COMBINED CIRCLE MEETING There will be three combined circle meetings in as follows: Florida Water and Land Legacy Amendment: We need to pass Amendment 1 in the November election to ensure stable, dedicated funding for springs protection, among so many other important water and land conservation needs. And we need your help now more than ever! WE HELPED GET IT ON THE BALLOT.NOW, LET S VOTE! October 1 The restoration of Ulele Springs, speaker: Tom Ries, ecological engineer. Information on the upcoming election: Let s get out the vote for AMENDMENT 1. January 7, 2015 Local grower, Phil Elting, will present: Care of orchids and bromeliads. He will also bring some plants to sell. March 4, 2015 Fairy Gardens, What is all the fuss about? Page 4

5 The Salon The renovation of the salon is complete. The small room in the foyer was previously used as a library. Books are now housed in the prep room, the small room on the right side of the stage (ballroom). The salon is ideal for small meetings, for event preparations, and as a bride s room. Donations from Circle were the primary source of funding for this transformation. Member, Sandra Chancy, interior designer, provided the inspiration and legwork on selecting just the right materials, colors, accessories, etc. Thank you, Sandra a million, gazillion thanks, for an outstanding job. SPECTACULAR! Community Service The Tampa Garden Club met with Metropolitan Ministries CEO, Tim Marks, to provide the first of 3 checks which fund the Reflection Garden at the residential facility for families, Miracle Place. Over the next 3 years we will have donated $14,000. Community Growth Grant The Tampa Garden Club is proud to announce the inauguration of the Community Growth Grant. This grant will provide financial support to projects that complement our community priorities. Our priorities include: Stimulating an awareness and interest in the value of gardening Preserving our community s green space and natural resources Educating the public on environmental and beautification concerns The maximum amount for each grant will be $1,000. Eligibility The following organizations will be eligible: nonprofit 501(c)3 organizations, recognized civic associations, schools or faith-based organizations. The organization must have existed in the Tampa area for at least one year. Application The application can be downloaded from our website: or a copy can be requested from the TGC office, Deadline is June 1, MEMBERS: WE NEED VOLUNTEERS FOR THIS COMMITTEE Page 5