CFN Masthead

Volume 78, Number 4 *  MAY 2015   

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Mt Laurel
We say a hearty "Welcome!" to our new President, Jane Waugh, our new Board Members, and our new contributors to the News. Learn about our new President's themes and goals and the Annual Meeting at which the new administration was installed. Catch up on the good works we've been pursuing, including Scholarships, Youth Contests and Blue Star Memorials. And mark your calendars for the wonderful FGCCT Tours in the works.

For all the spring events and plant sales in this month's Calendar click here.


Sincerely, 

President's Message

I am truly honored to take on the position as President of The Federated Garden Clubs of CT.  I would do so with extreme trepidation if it were not for the many folks supporting my efforts: from National Garden Clubs to the Federation Board, plus my own Shippan Point Garden Club friends. So with all this help, I'm excited to begin.

If you attended the Annual Meeting, I realize this message will be a bit of a repeat for you, but I appreciate that you joined me on that special day.

My theme for the next two years is "GROWING TOGETHER: Tiny Acorns to Mighty Oaks." It has two distinct parts.  

The first and most obvious part is related to planting oak trees, which is not only our state, but also our national tree.

We have had a number of wonderful projects in recent years to which you have generously contributed.

For the next two years, I'd like us to plant a forest......a forest of oak trees.

But rather than have you contribute money toward the creation of a forest in a single spot in the state, The Federation invites your club to select a public location in your own community to plant an oak. The state tree is the white oak, but there are many other oaks native to Connecticut; we want you to choose a native oak, one that will thrive in the location you choose.

If your club will find the location and come up with a planting and maintenance plan, I'm very excited to announce that The Federation will pay for the tree, up to $200. That should buy you a tree big enough not to be trampled in a public location, but small enough to be able to be transplanted.  

I hope every club will take us up on this offer, in which case we will have planted a mini-forest all across the state, with oaks... the trees that enhance our wildlife habitat more than any other. And remember, planting an oak tree is a noble and unselfish act, because it is future generations who will enjoy the shade of its massive branches.

The second part of GROWING TOGETHER is a bit of a metaphor: Tiny acorns, the kernels, represent the beginnings of good ideas which with nurturing can grow into mighty oaks - that is, into significant accomplishments.

GROWING TOGETHER defines a commitment on the part of The Federation to work more closely with clubs, to develop ideas together, and to share them, to the benefit of all of us.  This includes a plan for an idea exchange among regional clubs with The Federation's assistance and participation. This acorn of an idea comes from the Bethel and the Redding Garden Clubs, which held a similar very successful meeting about a year ago. We thank these clubs for giving The Federation the idea and allowing us to build on it. Leslie Martino has graciously agreed to spearhead the plans for our club idea exchanges.
We hope to use not only these, but other methods of increasing communication with and among club members and The Federation, such as more efficient use of emails and better use of our website.

It is a proven fact that group dynamics - that is, building on each other's ideas - leads to more productive and creative solutions. So if we work together, we can achieve more than if we work alone.

Occasionally, I have heard grumbling that a garden club is an anachronism, no longer relevant in today's modern society.  I would suggest that we as a group are more important than ever. We educate our youth and our communities on better ways to preserve our delicate Earth. We add beauty to our world with our civic planting, our garden therapy programs, our flower shows, and in so many other ways. We are a powerhouse, a state and national organization, that makes significant and serious contributions to our communities.

But never forget that we also must have some serious fun while we're at it!

The Federated Garden Clubs of CT is your organization. Your ideas are needed and welcome - as we spend the next two years GROWING TOGETHER.  

* Jane Waugh


 Click here for a list of our new Board of Directors.





  Perennial Planters Garden Club
of Manchester, CT
invites you to attend our
2015 GARDEN TOUR
of 7 unique gardens
SATURDAY, JUNE 20, 2015
9:30 a.m. - 3:30 p.m

RAIN OR SHINE
Advanced Tickets  $20.00
Day of Tour  $25.00
For more information, please go to
www.manchestergardenclubs.org/
perennial planters

 

Annual Meeting Review

The 86th Annual Meeting of The Federated Garden Clubs of CT, Inc., was held at Aqua Turf on April 15, 2015, with 230 members in attendance.  It was truly a most inspirational and enjoyable event. President Jacqueline Connell welcomed representatives from the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Federations, including New England Region Director-elect Vera Bowen.  She further acknowledged current NER Director Maria Nahom, who together with Donna Nowak and Ronnie Schoelzel were Federation presidents from 2007 to 2013.

President Connell's annual report was full of praise for the many members who contributed to the success of projects and events held during her two-year term, which included the four NGC Schools, the New England Regional Meeting and Symposium our CT Federation sponsored; the always well attended CT Flower Shows and the many programs our CT Clubs featured for their own members.   Connell's report was spoken with eloquent words and resonated with gratitude and pride on the success of her theme:  "Bee Kind to Pollinators - Plant Native Trees and Create Backyard Habitats."  She highlighted how organizations such as the National Wildlife Federation, The New York Times, and many states have become involved in conservation efforts to preserve our natural world and wildlife. The wilderness we used to think of as out there is now our own backyards.

Connell thanked the Shippan Point Garden Club for the beautiful table centerpieces.  She then introduced Backyard Habitat Chair Anne Harrigan, who presented award certificates to the four clubs that had the highest number of backyards registered with the National Wildlife Federation: Arbor GC of Clinton; Suburban GC of Cheshire; Kensington GC and Long Hill GC.


Connell then presented presidential citations to Barbara Bruce; Dottie Fox; Linda Helm; Lois Nichols; Becky Paul; and Louise Weber.
President Connell is shown presenting one of her Presidential Citations to CT Flower Show Chair Barbara Bruce.

Nominating Chair Inge Venus then presented the proposed 2015-2017 Nominating Slate which was adopted by unanimous vote.  Connell called on Second Vice-President and Membership Chair Leslie Martino, who read Connell's Letter of Recommendation for Life Membership.  Both Connell and Martino presented the pin to a very surprised Inge Venus.
Nominating Chair Inge Venus presents Nominating Slate for 2015-2017 for election by membership.


New England Region Director Maria Nahom undertook the installation of Recording Secretary Karin Pyskaty; Second Vice-President Arlene Field; First Vice President Leslie Martino; and President Jane Waugh.
NER Director Maria Nahom installs the four newly elected officers: Pyskaty; Field; Martino; and Waugh.


Newly installed FGCCT President Jane Waugh, properly pinned.


President Jane Waugh outlined her projects for the next two years in her acceptance speech, pointing to the several poster displays she and her Shippan Point Garden Club members had prepared for this occasion. Be sure to read the President's message above to learn the exciting plans during her two year term with the theme, "GROWING TOGETHER: Tiny Acorns to Mighty Oaks." Her message was well received.
One of President Waugh's five poster displays featuring her 2015-2017 theme "Growing Together."

Connell next introduced noted master floral designer, Candace Morgenstern, who fashioned seven beautiful designs - all of which were raffled off with the containers. Guests in attendance were able to enjoy several more display posters by Pomperaug Valley GC, Enfield GC and upcoming State Tours as well as shop at nine vendors.
Noted floral designer Candace Morgenstern fashioning one of her seven exquisite designs.


Just before lunch Connell made a presentation to NER Woodsy Owl poster contest winner, six-year old Evie Hladky.  This was followed by Judges Council Design Chair Trish Manfredi, who presented her idea of CT Club participation for the upcoming Fall Awards Meeting in October.
Connell presents NER award certificate plus $25 check to Woodsy Owl poster contest winner:  six-year old Evie Hladky, with poster contest coordinator Inge Venus holding up her winning poster.
 

After lunch, both Connell and Waugh held the gavel and together closed this meeting.   

* Inge Venus
Parliamentarian


All photos by Ellie Tessmer.





STATE AWARD APPLICATIONS
DUE BY MAY 31st


If your Club is finishing up a project by May 31st, you may apply for a Connecticut State award.  Please use this interactive Award Application (  click here), which permits you to complete it online by typing directly into the document, printing it out as well as saving it to your computer files. This application form can also be found on our FGCCT website www.ctgardenclubs.org. Find it by clicking on "Forms" on the left side of our home page. This FGCCT form is an adaptation of the NGC form.  Please note that we no longer require Books of Evidence. Send your completed three-page Awards Application to the appropriate committee chairs, as follows:

Civic Development, Jan Hickcox, 148 Keeney Avenue, West Hartford 06107
Environmental Concerns/Conservation, Louise Weber, 9 Manor Rd., Old Greenwich, CT 06870 with a copy to Jane Polacco, 246 Platt Road, Watertown, CT 06795.
Garden Therapy, Dottie Fox,  99 Cole Lane, Kensington 06037
Historic/Memorial/Public Gardens, Nancy Lenoce, 59 Spinning Wheel
Rd., Trumbull, CT 06611-2674.
Horticulture, Pamela Weil, 67 Quinlan Avenue, Bridgeport, CT 06605, with a copy to Liz Rinaldi, 59 Neill Drive, Watertown 06795
Youth Activities, Ann Germano, 30 Natalie Road, Trumbull, CT 06611.

* Please send a duplicate copy to Awards Chairman, Janet Spaulding, 9 Applewood Lane, Glastonbury, CT 06033.



SCHOLARSHIP NEWS

This month we thank the following clubs for their generous contributions to the FGCCT Scholarship Fund:

Bradley Point Garden Club $150.  This was a joint fundraiser with West Haven Garden Club and the Beachwood Florist Shop of Milford, which did the program.
Branford Garden Club $35
Bristol Garden Club $100
Cheshire Garden Club  $50
Danbury Garden Club $100
Green Fingers Garden Club, Greenwich  $150
Hortulus  $100
Old Ripton Garden Club $50
Garden Club of Orange $25
Orchard Valley Garden Club, Southington $100
Sasqua Garden Club, Southport  $100
Wallingford Garden Club $50
Wilton Garden Club $100
Women's Club of Greenwich $400


***

Do you want to know where the FGCCT Scholarship money goes? Here is the last in a series of articles by the 2014 scholarship winners.

First, I want to thank The Federation for their generous scholarship for
Dustin Munson. Photo by Inge Venus.
the 2014-15 academic year.

For those of you I have yet to meet, my name is Dustin Munson.  I am currently enrolled at Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) as an undergraduate Environmental Earth Science major, with an anticipated minor in Geomorphology.   Previously, I attended Quinebaug Valley Community College in Danielson, CT, as well as John Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD.  Once I graduate, I intend to pursue a Master's Degree in Education with certification as a high school Environmental Science teacher.

   While pursuing my degree, I have been working as a student intern at the on-campus Institute for Sustainable Energy (ISE).  Under the mentorship of Laurel Kohl, our Energy Technical Specialist for Education and Training, I have been fortunate to assist in the development of environmental curriculum materials.  Also, I have been working as an administrative assistant for a Teacher Quality Partnership (TQP) grant program which helps train current teachers in developing environmentally related materials that align with Next Generation Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS), specifically using school gardens, yards, and resources to support environmental education.  This opportunity has been invaluable, as it has allowed me to observe firsthand how teachers develop and adapt curricula to best meet the needs of their students.

Along with my work in support of our educational programs, I have worked with others at ISE assisting students in the creation and maintenance of our on-campus community garden.  While still in its earliest stages, it has become a valuable resource, drawing students from area schools to teach them about the sustainable growth and harvesting of vegetables, which are ultimately donated to area food pantries.

I very much appreciated your scholarship award.  Thank you again.
    
Sincerely,
Dustin Munson




Youth

Congratulations to the three young students from our state  who won First Place in the New England Region Youth Contests.

 
Woodsy Owl Poster Contest: 
Evelyn Hladky, Grade One.  Sponsored by Wallingford Garden Club

Poetry contest:
Luke LaSarcina, Grade Seven.
Sam Schroll, Grade Eight. Sponsored by the Colchester Garden Club

When we teach our children to plant a seed, to arrange a bouquet of flowers or to look closely at a leaf or bug, we are encouraging an interest in the environment and teaching that child to respect the natural world.  So, as you plan your programs for the coming club year, remember to include a youth program.  It can be a simple one-day planting session, work on a scout badge, a weekly school program or a garden in a youth center.  Be creative; your best resources are your club members' talents and interests.

* Ann Germano
Youth Chair




BLUE STAR MEMORIALS

Two member Clubs of The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc. will be dedicating Blue Star Memorial markers in May, 2015. Originally called The Blue Star Memorial Highway Program, the Blue Star Memorial program was adopted at the 1946 Annual Meeting of the National Council of State Garden Clubs (now the National Garden Clubs, Inc.) and conceived as a "ribbon of living memorial plantings traversing every state" to honor World War II veterans. The program has since grown to honor all men and women who had served, were serving or would serve in the armed forces of the United States and includes three different types of Memorials--Highway Markers, Memorial Markers and By-Way Markers.

The Middletown Garden Club will be dedicating a By-Way Marker at 11 AM on Saturday, May 16, 2015 at the Veterans Green, Washington St., Middletown.

The Bethel Garden Club will be dedicating a Memorial Marker and Garden on May 30 at the Triangle formed by Greenwood Ave (Rte. 302) and Diamond Ave, Bethel  The ceremony will be at 1 PM, preceded by a half-hour film, "Hometown Victory; Bethel Goes to WWII," which will be shown promptly at 12:00 PM at The Bethel Cinema. Please RSVP by May 12th to bethelgardenclubct@gmail.com if you plan to attend.

Congratulations to the members of these two clubs who worked so hard to bring these projects to fruition honoring those who have served and continue to serve our country. The ceremonies are open to the public.

Thank you for allowing me to work with these clubs as your Blue Star Memorial Chair. It's been an honor to serve.

* Patricia Dray
Blue Star Memorial Chair




GARDENING CONSULTANTS COUNCIL
2015 LOVE-LY GARDEN AWARD

Crocus, daffodils and tulips are finally peeking through the ground after a harsh winter and hopefully our gardens have survived the onslaught of snow and cold.  As you view your gardens emerging, please consider entering them for the Love-ly Garden Award.  This award is in honor of Penny Jarvis, who loved to garden and bequeathed funds to the Gardening Consultants Council.  

The application and directions are available on the FGCCT website under "Forms."  Applications can be submitted online or by standard mail.  It is also very helpful to have a few before-and-after photos of the gardens. The deadline is June 15 and judging takes place in July when most gardens are at their peak.  However, if your garden appears at its best in Spring or Autumn, indicate this on your application.  We hope to be visiting YOUR garden this summer!    

* Mary Sullivan, Chair
Gardening Consultants Council    



EYE ON HORTICULTURE: The May Garden

As I sit down to write my first article as Horticulture Chair, the first thing I'd like to say is how honored I am to have been chosen and how excited I am to share with you my love of plants.

While hopefully the spring bulbs are happily blooming and the garden cleanup is minimal (eager to get started, I'm writing this in March), the job that weighs heaviest on my mind is designing, purchasing and planting the contents for this year's planters. I know you all have heard of the thriller, filler and spiller method of planter design. I find this method to be truly effective and one of the easiest for beginners to grasp.

The first thing I would recommend is to have a color scheme in mind. While not using the same plants in all my containers, I do carry the same color scheme throughout. This gives a cohesive look to your garden and makes plant selection a little easier.

All of the following named thrillers will grow quite large, so be sure to choose a container that will let them. Neutral color planters work best, allowing your plants to shine. Think outside the box. It may take a little effort to find some of the following plants, but the result will be worth it. I love the lush tropical look of Cyperus papyrus "Little Tut," Red banana Ensete ventricosum  "Maurelii" and any variety of Colocasia for planters in full sun. Alocasia tigrina and Alocasia "Portora'" with their striking upright leaves are thrillers for part shade. Last year I also used a Majesty Palm houseplant that I purchased cheaply at a big box store. Since these will be the main focal point, expect to pay a little more, anywhere from $12.00 to $25.00. If you have the inclination, most of these can be dug up, overwintered and reused the following year. 


 
Coleus work great as  fillers. The varieties are endless, meeting both sun and shade requirements. Some of my favorites are "ColorBlaze Royal Glissade" (leaves are an olive green and raspberry color), "ColorBlaze Keystone Kopper" (leaves are a copper and pink color), and the lime green "Wasabi." All of these blend well with pink, coral or orange color schemes.


Another filler that is effortless is Lantana. They are indestructible. I purposely put them in my planters on the patio so we can have a close-up view of the hummingbirds that seem to look for them every year. Many of the Patriot Series Lantanas have beautiful colors changing from yellow, peach, coral to pink. However there are many other named varieties of Lantana that can be used.

Fuchsia "Gartenmeister Bonstedt'"is another, less widely used filler. The bright salmon tubular flowers add a touch of elegance. Lastly, a filler that slightly spills is Diascia. I love the orange and coral, but it also comes in pink. It has a delicate texture that works well with the bold, colorful leaves of Coleus.

Now for spillers. The new favorite of our group here in Watertown is Muehlenbeckia, a funky little thing with burgundy colored, wiry stems and tiny green leaves. I would recommend that if you find it as a plug, buy it.  It's a fast grower and you'll save a little money. Don't be afraid to give it a haircut once it gets going.

I don't like Calibrachoa when used solely in a hanging basket, but as a spiller in a mixed planter it looks great. Commonly known as Million Bells, it comes in many varieties and colors. My absolute favorite (I know I have many favorites) is "Minifamous Compact Watermelon." It has a watermelon pink flower with orange undertones that works well with pinks or oranges. Lastly, a great spiller seldom used is Alternanthera ficoidea "Red Threads." It looks like a bushy burgundy colored rosemary. For a spiller with a different leaf texture, this is it.

 

Any of the above mentioned plants may be used in any combination. When choosing your plants, keep in mind your color scheme. Mix up your leaf color and texture. You will need to purchase only one thriller, but, depending on the planter's size, you may need from two to six fillers that should be evenly spaced and planted around the thriller in the center.

Lastly, you will need anywhere from two to four spillers evenly spaced on the outside rim. I like a full, lush planter, so if you are unsure of how many plants to use, I'm of the mind more is better.  Be sure to water deeply at least once a day and fertilize weekly. Don't be afraid to pinch or cut back when needed. With a little extra effort in the beginning, you'll be rewarded with planters that will be the envy of the neighborhood.

* Liz Rinaldi
Horticulture Chair

FGCCT Members at Work

Kris Urbanik, Glastonbury Garden Club, and Trish Manfredi, Country Gardeners of Glastonbury Garden Club, comprised one of four Garden Club teams invited to participate in a Floral Design Challenge at the Festival of Flowers sponsored by the Springfield (Massachusetts) Museums on April 11th.  Kris and Trish had an hour to create a floral design from a surprise box of flowers, foliage and other items, in front of an enthusiastic audience.  The other teams were from Massachusetts.


* Trish Manfredi


Meet Lynn Hyson

Over the past couple of years, our readers have been treated to a series of well researched and beautifully composed profiles of many of our Federation's Board members by none other than our gifted NEWS Editor, Lynn Hyson.    We learned many facets of their lives, their educational and cultural backgrounds, their community involvement and their interesting hobbies.  

The time has now come for us to get to know Lynn herself.  First off, modesty prevents her from telling me about her many accomplishments so I had to use some gentle persuasion.  Unbeknownst to many of us, Lynn had a previous "life" before joining our Federation Board as CFNEWS Editor, soon to be followed by also serving as our Webmaster.
                     
Before Lynn settled in Connecticut, she grew up as Lynn Barry across the Sound on Long Island and graduated from Vassar College with a BA in English Literature. Shortly thereafter she got married to Kevin Hyson and worked as a production editor for Marcel Dekker, a scientific book company, until she had her son Sean. When Sean began school, she worked as an editor in the Consumer Electronics field for 15 years, rising to Managing Editor of Sony Style magazine.   It seems that even back then she was able to express her editorial talent.

When her family moved to Redding, CT, in 1995, she wrote feature articles for several local papers on a free-lance basis. In her spare time, Lynn pursued her two passions: gardening and history. After serving as president of the Redding Historical Society, she was Executive Producer of a documentary film on the village of Georgetown, CT. Called  A Georgetown Story,  the film was featured in the Connecticut Film Festival in 2008.  Now we need to add movie producer to her impressive dossier.

Lynn earned her certification as a Master Gardener in 2000. She has been a member of the Redding Garden Club for 17 years, serving in a variety of positions, and is now the VP of Programming. Her newsletter for the Redding Garden Club won an award from The Federation, which led to her current position as Editor of the Connecticut Federation NEWS.  

Does Lynn have any time to pursue her favorite hobby?   Together with her husband, Kevin, she enjoys the challenges of gardening on her wooded, rocky property.

Over the last couple of years it's been my privilege to get to know Lynn in connection with producing our CFNEWS and with updating our website.  I continue to be impressed by her professionalism and her upbeat attitude in trying to meet the deadline each month, but foremost by her kindred spirit.  I can only echo the comments I've heard from many about the quality of her work - glad you joined our CT Federation Board, Lynn!

* Inge Venus
Website Chair




FGCCT TOURS

HISTORIC GARDEN AND ESTATE   
TREASURES IN THE HUDSON VALLEY
September 9-11 2015

Discover the continuing beauty of late summer gardens on our three-day tour.


Tour private gardens and prominent estates, savor dinner at the Culinary Institute of America and enjoy winery tasting as we explore the Hudson region. Members, family and friends are welcome.  

Wed. Sept 9
Pick-up locations are at Berlin Webster Sq. Shopping Ctr. at 7:30am, New Haven Railroad  Station at 8:15am and Westport I95 Exit 18 commuter lot at 9:00am.  Overnight parking is available at New Haven and Westport. We travel in our comfortable coach to Pawling, NY, to see the Brine Garden, a private six-acre, botanical garden on the scale of a municipal garden. Landscape designer Duncan Brine will show how he has gradually transformed a former pasture into a naturalistic garden with a wide variety of indigenous grasses, perennials, shrubs and trees.

Brine Garden, Pawling, NY.


 After lunch  we continue to Cold Spring, NY, for a tour of Stonecrop Garden. Just 12 acres, Stonecrop might seem at first like a little gem but it's really a vault full of jewels. You'll be awed by the acres of cliff rock gardens, woodland and water gardens, enclosed English-style flower beds and even a lakeside conservatory, all at an 1,100-foot elevation. We have dinner in a charming Hudson River town and spend 2 nights at the Hampton Inn, Fishkill, NY.

Stonecrop Garden, Cold Spring, NY.


Thurs. Sept 10
We begin the day with a scenic stroll across  the " Walkway Over the Hudson," the longest and highest pedestrian walkway in the world. Go at your own pace on the converted railroad bridge that is now a state park. The  panoramic view is a photographer's delight. Our day is filled with late-summer garden treasures as we tour historic estates in Hyde Park, NY.  The garden of the Vanderbilt 'Gilded Age' Estate has an Italian-style, terrace garden containing mass plantings and  varieties of roses, annuals and perennials.  Playing fountains, the reflecting pool, statues and shady arbors are attractions.
Walkway Over the Hudson, Poughkeepsie, NY.


After lunch, visit the Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site to see FDR's Home and Presidential Library and enjoy the Rose Garden with 28 different varieties of roses.  Another delight, Beatrix Farrand Garden at Bellefield , is located on the grounds of FDR Historic Site. The enclosed formal gardens were created in 1912 by Beatrix Farrand, the first recognized woman landscape architect. The garden is noted for its perfectly composed borders of pink, white, blush, cream, grey, mauve and purple
colors.
FDR National Historic Site, Hyde Park, NY.


   We complete the day at Culinary Institute of America,  with a campus tour. We enjoy dinner at the college's famous, student staffed restaurant, the American Bounty, which has a focus on seasonal and Hudson Valley products.  
 

Fri. Sept 11
We check out of the hotel after breakfast and visit one of the "world's ten best gardens." Innisfree is a powerful icon of 20th century landscape design. Over 50 years in the making, it is largely the work of landscape architect Lester Collins, with important contributions by his client, the artist and teacher Walter Beck.  The garden merges the essence of modernist ideas and traditional Chinese and Japanese garden design principles. The result is a distinctly American stroll garden on 185 acres surrounding a large, shimmering lake.
Innisfree in Millbrook, NY.


After lunch  enjoy a five-star wine experience with a tour and tastings of award-winning wines at Millbrook Vineyards and Winery. A truly authentic winery, tastings are conducted in a restored and beautifully appointed, 1940's Dutch style barn. Millbrook Winery has been voted "Best Winery" in the Hudson Valley for the last 19 consecutive years.  

We continue to Connecticut where we drop off participants.  We estimate arriving in Westport at 5:30pm and continue on to New Haven and Berlin.  Arrival will depend on the day's traffic pattern.

Tour Cost per person.
$825.* (share) $175. single supplement
*cost based on minimum of 20 persons

TOUR INCLUSIONS:
? Motor coach transportation on tour
        Stops at Berlin, New Haven & Westport
? 2 breakfasts, 2 dinners, 3 lunches
? Tours and admissions as per itinerary
? Private garden visits
? 2 nights accommodations inclusive of tax
? Gratuity for the  driver

DEPOSIT:       $300 before  June 1
BALANCE:        Due prior to  July 1.

CANCELLATION PENALTIES:   per person $100.00 fee for all cancellations.  In addition: June 1-July 1. additional $200.00
After  July 1  No refund; insurance recommended.
 
For  tour information contact :
Kathy Kobishyn, FGCCT tour coordinator at 203 . 915. 6017 kathy.kobishyn@gmail.com or  Carew Travel  800.621-1113,  tours@carewtravel.com
 


CONGRATULATIONS FROM FGCCT!

We are pleased to note that both Middletown and Litchfield Garden Clubs will be celebrating their 100th Anniversaries this year.
And Bristol Garden Club is having its 50th anniversary this spring.
Best Wishes to All.
Glastonbury Council Meets

The Glastonbury Council of Garden Clubs held a Spring Social for members of the town's five clubs, Tuesday, March 24. Socializing, refreshments and a brief presentation from each club comprised the evening's activities.

Deb Morgan from Hill and Dale Garden Club described how her club had transformed the Buttonball School courtyard into an outdoor learning center and garden area.  

Bethanne Couture of Woodside Garden Club talked about pollinators, the essential part they play in horticulture, and what gardeners can do to encourage them.

Carol Quish of Glastonbury Garden Club introduced the audience to the "Crazy Snake Worm," an invasive species of earthworm detrimental to backyard compost piles and forest floor vegetation.

Theresa Waltz of Evergreen Garden Club gave a brief lesson entitled "Federation 101," explaining the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc., its organization and how it benefits clubs and individuals.

Trish Manfredi from Country Gardeners of Glastonbury created a simple but beautiful flower arrangement.  

Begun in the 1960's originally to coordinate member clubs' plant sales, the Council has facilitated civic projects in Glastonbury in the intervening years.  This year's Spring Social gave members from different clubs an opportunity to meet and socialize with each other, and the Council plans to repeat this very successful event next year.




URGENT WARNING

ALL FGCCT CLUBS MUST FILE WITH THE IRS!!

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR CLUB PRESIDENTS AND TREASURERS

 

To maintain your garden club's Tax Exemption status, your club MUST file with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) EVERY YEAR. You must file a form 990, 990-EZ, or 990N (the e-postcard).

 

Clubs that fail to file an annual 990-series return or notice, for three consecutive years, will AUTOMATICALLY lose their tax-exempt status.

 

CLICK HERE FOR INFORMATION

o r Go To

www.irs.gov, then click link for "Charities & Non-Profits."

 

CFNews
 

MAY 10:

Deadline for JUNE/JULY 2015 ISSUE  

  

Email Articles and Photos to:
cfeditor@optonline.net
Email Advertising to: di@abshire.net
Email Calendar Items to: calendarcf@yahoo.com
FGCCT Web Site: www.ctgardenclubs.org

CT Federation NEWS

Published monthly except January/July

 

Direct Articles/Dates/Events to:   Lynn Hyson, Editor    

49 Seventy Acre Rd., Redding, CT  06896     203-431-0613

 

Direct Advertising Queries to: Diana Abshire, Advertising Manager

26 Diamond Hill Rd., Redding, CT  06896    203-938-1114

 

Direct Circulation Queries to:  OFFICE SECRETARY, FGCCT

P.O. Box 854, Branford, CT  06405     203-488-5528

  

 

Our Mission Statement 

To coordinate, stimulate and encourage higher standards in all aspects of Garden Club work

 

To protect and conserve our natural resources, preserve our heritage and promote civic beauty.   Federation logo

 

6,750 Members

 

128 Clubs

 

15 Affiliates 

Mt Laurel