Official Newsletter of Marathon Garden Club. February 2014 Volume 17 No. 2

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1 Official Newsletter of Marathon Garden Club February 2014 Volume 17 No. 2 Letter from the President FABULOUS! This is the only way to describe the January Jamboree this year. The weather was wonderful, the club was busy and everyone had a great time. There are always so many people to thank for events such as this. So thank you to all our wonderful volunteers. We could not do it without YOU. A special THANK YOU to those who chaired the Jamboree: Susie Ley, advertising; Janet Oechsle, vendors; Carole Gieck and Dee O'Shea, Rummage Sale; Diane VanBeuren, boutique; Donna Barnes, membership & raffle; Linnea Cunningham, nursery plant sales; Loyal Eldridge, parking; Norm & Betsy Philipps, clean up. What a great effort and our results proved it...$5500. So start saving your treasures for next year's sale! Right after the Jamboree we welcomed Claudia Bates (Master Flower Show Judge and Floral Design Instructor from Gainesville, FL) who taught classes 1, 2, 3 of Floral Design. Claudia is a great teacher and we had 26 students: some from our Club, some from the Community and some from Key West. Everyone had fun and learned a lot too. So now we can relax a bit until our House Tour and Flower Show on March 1. Volunteers are still needed, so contact Cindy Wooten or Sandy Neiditz. The House Tour is a lot of fun and our Community really looks forward to this event every year. Tickets are $25; if you need more contact Sally Wood. Your board of directors has agreed that the building needs painting on the inside, so 3rd Vice President, Dale Chorebanian has been busy getting quotes to paint the main room and add a chair rail. She is also working on ideas for new carpeting. It's been over 5 years for both of these items and it's really time to give the club a fresh look. We hope to have the work completed by early November in time for next season. And finally, check out our new (still under construction) updated website [ Susie Ley, Director of Advertising has been hard at work and it's coming along nicely. Stay tuned for the final version. Rosemary Thomas Hi Everyone, The FFGC 2014 Convention is taking place in St. Petersburg, FL this year, along with the Deep South Convention. You may want to check the FFGC website to get information on these two great events. Log on to: I would like to encourage you and your members to consider attending the convention. I went to the one in Sanibel last year and had a wonderful time. Lots to learn and even more fun! If you are considering going, please let me know so I have an idea of what kind of representation we will be having from District XII. Thanks. Marylou Ruiz, FFGC District XII Director hazeleyes58@comcast.net 1

2 1st Vice President s Report Trying to lead a healthier lifestyle in 2014? Would you like a variety of colorful, mouth-watering heirloom tomatoes, tasty fresh arugula, spring lettuces and aromatic herbs delivered weekly to your table? If you answered yes to any of these questions, plan on attending the monthly meeting of the Marathon Garden Club on Friday, February 21, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Teena Borak, owner of Teena s Pride CSA, a Community Supported Agriculture program will discuss organic, sustainable farming on their 3 rd generation family farm in the Redlands. This is a family program with various pick up points throughout the Keys. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDAR CHANGE OF APRIL MEETING DATE The April monthly meeting scheduled to take place at the Dolphin Bistro Café, Marathon High School will be changed from Friday, April 18, 2014 to Friday, April 25, Friday the 18 th is Good Friday and the culinary students will not be in school that day. Time, cost and further details to follow. Mary Ann Wo hington Gift Shop New gift shop hours are Thursday and Friday from 10 am until 2 pm. Green MCG polo shirts can be ordered through Sally for $20, sizes S,M,L,XL. Orders must be placed by February 15th for delivery prior to the House Tour. Call or Sally Wood, , sallywood520@aol.com. Sally Wood Membership Report This month I would like to welcome 3 new members who joined at the January Meeting. Lanny Dixon is enjoying retirement and resides in Marathon. Jay Carvotta resides in Islamorada when spending time in the Keys. Lynn Schwiebert is at Long Key and Osceola, Wi. Welcome to our new members; I think you will see them actively participating in our upcoming events. Just a reminder that dues for the 2014 year are due now. We are off to a very good start as almost half have renewed already. Thanks so much for the early renewals. I ll see you at our February meeting. Donna and I will be there early again to receive your dues. Text Phyllis Schewe; Photos Donna Barnes Horticulture Tips It s a good time to start grooming your plants for the Flower Show. Horticulture rules and grooming tips will be available at the Feb. 21 meeting. We hope to have one container-grown plant or 1 cut flower on display from each member. Major plant categories are: Aroids (eg. Anthurium, Philodendron), Begonias, Bromeliads, Ferns, Cacti and other succulents and Orchids. However, you can exhibit any healthy pestfree plant you have owned for 90 days. Maximum container size is 12. Maximum length of cut flower is 18. Please try to identify the common and botanical name if you can. Container-grown plants will be registered on Wed., Feb. 26 between 10 & 2; cut flowers will be registered on Thurs., Feb 27 between 10 & noon. Pat Greeley 2

3 to a Wine and Cheese Reception on Friday, February 28 from 5-6:30 pm to preview the Flower Show, Celebrate Spring, and to toast the opening of the House and Garden Tour & Flower Show Free Admission, Snacks & Punch; Donation requested for Beer/Wine <><><><><><><> The 38th Annual House & Garden Tour, featuring homes in Key Colony Beach, is Saturday, March 1, 2014 from 10 am to 4 pm. Tickets are $25 per person. <><><><><><><> Marathon Garden Club s Small Standard Flower Show, Celebrate Spring, is at the Garden Club Center, 5270 Overseas Highway. Saturday, March 1st from 10 am to 4 pm Free Admission to Flower Show and MGC Gardens <><><><><><><><><><><><><><> Marathon Garden Club presents the Gardens of London {including the Chelsea Flower Show} May 17-24, 2014 Contact Debbie Hegland, Sea the World Cruises and Tours. (305) or stw@seatheworldtravel.com Highlights...London City Tour, Diner s Choice, Chelsea Flower Show, Hampton Court Palace, Kew Gardens, Windsor Castle, Wisley Gardens THE CHELSEA FLOWER SHOW is often billed as the world s greatest flower show. You can enjoy full access to opening day at this spectacular event so tied to British culture. <>><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><> On behalf of Pinecrest Garden Club and Environmental Committee Chair, Margaret Poppe, all Garden Clubs are invited to the Pinecrest Garden Club s second environmental program on Climate Change presented by the CLEO Institute. Where: Pinecrest Gardens Historical Entrance When: February 19th, 10 am to 12 noon Light refreshments will be served, free admission RSVP Ines Mander neshinava@bellsouth.net Go on link below to learn more about CLEO. 3

4 Minutes Membership Meeting January 17, 2014 At 1:10 P.M. Rosemary Thomas, President, called the meeting to order at the Marathon Garden Club. Rosemary requested that drink cups not be put on the floor and that only one person speaks at a time. Rosemary welcomed all the members and guests. As Janie Byland, Chaplin was absent; Rosemary gave the invocation that was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. As there were many guests, Rosemary asked those who were guests to raise their hand. Phyllis Schewe, Membership, announced we had two new members for a total 103 members. As January is membership renewal month, Phyllis stated she was taking membership renewals and renewal notices were being sent to the members. Rosemary recognized the hostesses Sandy Neiditz, Barbara Driscoll, Janet Oechsle, Donna Barnes, and Stephanie Palmer. The beautiful floral design was done by Germaine Main. The greeters were Loi Baltes and Ann McLaughlin. Germaine Main made a motion seconded by Carolyn Belcaster and group approval that the minutes from the December membership meeting be approved as written and published in The Seeds for Thought. The treasurers were not present, but Rosemary reported that they had reported at the board meeting that the club was on budget. The club has two major events that the resulting funds will be accumulated to pay for the major projects of room painting, chair rail and new carpeting. Rosemary also emphasized the club s Out Reach to the community. There is a basket for KAIR donations in the lobby that will be collected and delivered by Sande Neiditz. Rosemary also reported that due to few volunteers, the Gift Shop will be open on Thursday and Friday from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. from now until the end of March. Nancy Miller reported that the Floral Design Classes would be January 27, 28, and 29. Claudia Bates will be the instructor. The cost is $75.00 dollars for the three day classes and floral material will be provided. Nancy outlined some of the information taught in the classes. Rosemary, Janet Oechsle, and Carol Gieck provided information on the January Jamboree that is Saturday, January 25 th from 8:30 to 3P.M. Rosemary stated there will be no bake sale this year except for specialty items as jams and jellies. Sign-up sheets were passed for the membership to volunteer. Rosemary asked that rummage be brought to the Garden Club Monday- Friday from 9-3. Janet explained the duties for those people who volunteered to be outside and also mentioned the venders who would be present. Cindy Wooten stated the House Tour will be Saturday March 1 st. Members will be given three tickets to sell and 10 raffle tickets. The cost of the tickets is $ Sandy Neiditz requested that members volunteer to be hostesses. There will be flower arrangements in the homese Nancy Miller stated there will be a Small Standard Flower Show in conjunction with the house tour. It was requested that persons serving as hostesses in the houses wear green Garden Club shirts. If members do not have shirts Sally Wood will be ordering shirts for $ Rosemary announced the Master Gardeners will be at Home Depot Saturday January 18 th. As there was no further business a motion was made by Carolyn Belcaster with a second by Scarlett Duffy and member approval that the meeting be adjourned. Following the meeting Mary Ann Worthington introduced the speaker Juanita from Juanita s Orchids who spoke on Re-Potting Orchids and had orchids for sale. Respectfully submitted, Claudia Hamrick, Recording Secretary Editor s Note: Price of polo shirts is now $20. 4

5 Nursery Shares Information and Sells Plants Saturday s January Jamboree was a big success thanks to many committed and hard working volunteers! Even though it was a walk to our hidden nursery the crew at the front table enticed the buyers to find it. Riet Steinmetz and Toni Appell began in the morning while Janie Byland, Carol Gross and Dale Chorebanian continued to provide nursery location info in the afternoon. Sandy White created colorful signs which directed the path to the nursery. Meanwhile the pots in the nursery are grouped in similar family groups, marked, priced and groomed for sale. Phyllis Schewe and Ginny Davison are Thursday morning regular volunteers who water, weed, fertilize and trim dead leaves. The more attractive a plant, the quicker it sells. Betsy and Norm Phillips donated Burle Marx Philodendron and Colocasia which sold immediately. Mary Salinger donated the ever popular old Florida staple Curley Ruffle. As customers admired the array of plants and orchids, donated by Juanita s Orchids, Judy Shaw and Scarlett Duffy, both Monroe County Master Gardeners helped them to choose the right plant for the right spot in their yard. The flow of buyers remained steady throughout the day. Carl Miller, our Treasurer, visited on a regular basis to relieve us of extra cash. The total from plant sales was $701 dollars. Now we have empty areas in the nursery which will be filled with newly propagated pots. Remember if you have bushes which need trimming or plants which you no longer want, they could find a place in the nursery. Thank you one and all for your commitment and fine work at the January Jamboree! The day was a success because of you. Linnea Cunningham <><><><><><><><><><> MGC Yearbook is available electronically; If you haven t already received it, watch your inbox. Send an to Nancy if you need a printed copy. Cnmil@msn.com 5 Scholarship Update The Scholarship Committee is happy to report that Sean Roussin was recently awarded $1,000 from our club. Sean, a 2013 graduate of Marathon High School just completed a very successful first semester at the University of Central Florida in Orlando. His full course load included chemistry, biology and other coursework. He received excellent grades and is back starting winter term with another set of science courses. We are very proud of his fine start to his college education. Sean stated that the money will be used for books and other college expenses and was very appreciative of this financial help. Scholarship applications for 2014 scholarship will be going out this spring. Barbara Wright Mark your Calendar Feb 15 Plant Clinic-Home Depot 9 am-noon Feb 20 Prep/Set up for Horticulture Exhibits Feb 21 MGC meeting - Hydroponics! See page 1 & 2 for more information. Feb 26 Container-grown plants to be entered between 10 am and 2 pm. Set up for Design Feb 27 Designs to be completed between 10 am - 2 pm, cut flowers to be entered Feb 28 Wine & Cheese Reception 5 pm-6:30; see page 3 Mar 1 House Tour & Flower Show 10-4 See info on other pages Mar 21 Membership Mtg. Invasive Reptiles Apr 25 Note date change for luncheon (p2)

6 January 25, 2014 Jamboree PHOTOS BY SUSIE LEY.THANKS SUSIE! FLORAL DESIGN STUDY - Jan Instructor, Claudia Bates Claudia s Design Shown here are some outstanding designs created by students who attended all 3 classes. Thanks to Mary Ann for the photos. MARATHON GARDEN CLUB Mailing Address: P. O. Box Marathon, FL Member of National Garden Clubs, Inc. & Deep South Region Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. & District XII **************************** Newsletter Editor, Nancy Miller or Cnmil@msn.com 6