Celebrating over 51 Years of Service to the Community OUR GARDEN PATHS Next Meeting August 13-6:30pm Annual Picnic Naomi Stutzman s Barn 9550 Liberty Rd. August 2015 Meetings are held the 2nd Thursday of each month at Christ the King Lutheran Church, 6:30 pm Sharp. Volume 10 Issue 6 Don t forget to bring your appetizer, dessert or side dish and a white elephant item for the auction! Welcome to Our Newest Members Cole Beason Carol Buczek Dennis Deegan Beverlee Helser Jim Nargang Lynn Nargang Nancy Kinser - August 4 Karen Murphy - August 7 Kaye Collins - August 19 Karen Conrad - August 19 Kristen Beason - August 25 Marcia Carsten - August 29 Michele Casto - August 30
July Meeting Notes Membership: Three new members have signed up making it nine new members this year. Cost of Freedom: Sue reported that approximately 16,000-20,000 people attended. The expenses for the event were covered by donations from the City of Twinsburg ($6,000) Twinsburg Twp.($5,000), and Reminderville($6,000). All of the plantings and flowers were also donated. As a thank you for their donations and support the plants were given to the three cities as well as to the Twinsburg Library, Veteran s Memorial Park, and the high school for planting. Thanks to Sue and Kaye, who watered the plants each night during the event using a water tank they took around on a golf cart, all of the plants survived. All of the planter boxes used during the event were sold and after expenses there was $150.00 left that was donated to the veterans through the VFW. The Northfield VFW paid for the fireworks display after the Cleveland Pops Concert. Donations are still coming in even after the event. Every single dollar will be used for the veterans. Virginia praised Sue for her commitment, hard work and dedication for the event. The plants and landscaping couldn t have been done without the help and direction of the TGC. Sue received a standing ovation from the club members. She thanked everyone for their support and participation and Gail for setting up and making arrangements for all of the live interviews and newspaper coverage. Sue suggested we check out the creative COF display at the Twinsburg Library, as well as the other memorabilia from Kay s father who was a career Army veteran who served in WW II. Sue also mentioned that three eagles flew over the COF during the closing ceremonies. It couldn t have been at a more appropriate time. Taste of Twinsburg: The event was very successful. Our booth handed out pamphlets and literature on soil and water conservation. We also had educational boards on planting native plants and attracting pollinators. In addition, Marie and Wanda had activities for the kids and members donated fifteen items to raffle off. We made about $230.00. A big thanks goes out to the members who worked on the event and donated items for the raffle. Grant: Virginia updated us on the grant we applied for. We received $500.00 from the Friends of the Library Foundation to be used for mulch, more plants, Preen and possibly a statue to incorporate into the garden. Flower Show: Marlene announced that all horticulture entries must be received on Thursday, July 16th between 4;00-6:00pm. Virginia will help with the horticulture classification and completing the cards, Nancy will be heading up design and staging, Michele Casto made pinless flowers for TGC members to wear during the event, Ada will be taking photos, Gail is dong the publicity, Kristen Beason is covering sign-up and Karen Conrad will be at the hospitality table. Program: Sam Friedman from Chagrin Valley Soap & Salve will be discussing the health and beauty benefits of herbs and essential oils. Hostesses: Judy Aplis and Kristen Rocco
Upcoming Events Flower Shows September 12th, 1-5pm & September 13th, Noon 3pm Artists in our Garden by Chippewa Garden Club September 19th, 2-5pm & September 20th, 10-5pm Listen to the Music in the Garden Throughout the Seasons by GCO Clubs of Canton Garden Center at the Canton Garden Center. Classes Tuesday, September 8th, 10am 3 pm GCO Day of Design Wednesday, September 9th GCO Day of Horticulture Ohio Division of Geological Survey Horace Collins Laboratory Conference Room by Alum Creek State Park, Delaware, OH. Cost $5, bring your own lunch and beverage. Contact Barbara Shepard 614-890-4629 or dshep380@sbcglobal.net. Here is another opportunity to learn horticulture.
Fabulous Flower Show I am very impressed with the quality of the designs and I am delighted that so many new designers did so well. The horticulture was wonderful. The educational exhibits fit the theme very well and were a joy to read. The Artistic Crafts Division stole the show. Our members are very talented! The judges were very impressed with the quality of the show, the volume of horticulture specimens and how we fit so much into the space we had. They've recommended that we go ahead and prepare a brief in hopes of winning a state-wide award for the show. Congratulations to all! Marlene Hatton
Fabulous Flower Show All I can say is that I appreciate everyone taking time out of their busy lives to participate in our flower show! Marlene and I loved that people "stepped up to the plate" to make the show a successful one from members that brought bakery to members that created designs and brought their beautiful horticulture. Karen Fullerman
Homemade Remedies Natural Bug Sprays Homemade Insecticidal Soap Bugs normally aren't a big problem in your garden as natural predators will keep the bad guys in check. Sometimes though, Mother Nature needs a hand if bug populations get out of balance. That is where you can help. A soap based insecticide is very safe for the environment and your family. It works by drowning the offending pest. Here is an easy recipe to make your own soap: Materials Needed: A tightly lidded jar that holds 2 cups of liquid (For example, a mason or mayonnaise jar and a spray bottle). Ingredients: 1 cup of vegetable oil; 1 tablespoon of Ivory liquid soap, or another pure liquid soap. Note: Adding a teaspoon of garlic or pepper to this recipe can make it more effective as a pest deterrent if desired. Making the Insecticidal Soap: Add the oil and the liquid soap to the jar and shake the jar vigorously to mix the soap and oil well. Add 2 teaspoons of the mixture to every cup of water in the spray bottle when ready to use. Mix one cup mouthwash with seven drops lavender oil and spray on body. * * * * * To keep ticks away drink apple vinegar and eat garlic or mix geranium oil with vodka and spray on body. * * * * * To keep fleas away from pets combine lavender oil, cedar oil and witch hazel or add one tablespoon apple cider vinegar to your pets water. * * * * * To keep mosquitos away plant citronella grass, catmint or rosemary in your yard. Deer Repellant This recipe was received from an Amish Gardener. Mix one half ounce of peppermint essential oil and one half ounce rose geranium essential oil into 5 gallons of water and water plants that are being "bothered by the deer". You wouldn't want to use it on anything you are going to eat, however, it would be a cost effective method to try on hostas, day lilies, etc. The Village Herb Shop Chagrin Falls How to use Insecticidal Soap: Shake the spray bottle often while applying, to keep the water and oil mixture blended. Spray the plant all over; both the top and bottom of the leaves. Try to avoid spraying in the direct sun to avoid scorching the leaves. Insecticidal soap works by drowning the offending pest, so the trick is to get the spray on the bug. The residual acts to deter future bugs. You may need to reapply 2-3 times with 2-3 days between applications. Then wait a week or so. Watch for the presence of new bugs. Bluestone Perennials
Garden Tours Giz and Ken Roddie s lovely Garden of the Week has some perfect places to hide away with a good book. Our own Laura Bartel s Garden of the Week features areas of colorful flowers.
More Garden Tours We have visited such beautiful Gardens of the Week this summer on the Garden Tours. Each one has been filled with lovely flowers and unique features. A wishing well and deer, who don t sample the tempting flowers, are featured in Bill Blake s garden on the left and bottom. The Fussner s garden on the right has a cute little cottage with a putting green as well as a bridge tucked in among the colorful flowers and shrubbery. The hard work, loving care and pride is evident in each of these gardens..
Purple Martins Green Islands Magazine - Summer 2015 Karen Fullerman Judy Aplis, Editor 216-970-8838 Phone jcaplis1204@aol.com