CFN Masthead

Volume 76, Number 3   *    APRIL 2013  

In This Issue
President's Message
FGCCT ANNUAL MEETING
Returning Silver Awards
Flower Show School
Gardening by the Moon
FGCCT Travel
Guidelines for the NEWS
Love-ly Garden Award
Tax Alert
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Mt Laurel

Greetings!

With or without spring weather, the busy season for gardeners is upon us. First, we wish a grateful and fond farewell to our outgoing president, Ronnie Schoelzel. Also stepping down is our Horticulture Chair, Kathrine Neville, who leaves us with her secrets for successful gardening by the moon. And, after bringing us into the 21st century, Marty Sherman is handing the role of Website Director to yours truly. Our thanks to all of you for your selfless service!

Next up is our Annual Meeting at Aqua Turf and the installation of new officers. And it's time to reserve your space on the FGCCT trip to France....

This issue's Calendar is bursting with informative meetings and irresistible plant sales. We've made it easier than ever to find, with a direct link from this newsletter and from the web site, so you won't miss out on a thing. Enjoy.

 

Sincerely,  

Lynn Hyson, Editor
  President's Message President Ronnie Schoelzel 

 

Greetings Gardeners,

It has been my pleasure and honor to serve as president of The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc., for the past two years.  Thank you to my wonderful Board of Directors for fulfilling your jobs so well, and for keeping me on the right track.

We have successfully weathered Hurricane Irene, Winter Storm Alfred, and Hurricane Sandy!  Even though Alfred caused the cancellation of the Awards Meeting in October, 2011, we were able to re-schedule a holiday program in December with almost the same number who registered for the October meeting.  Sandy threatened cancellation of the Awards Meeting in October, 2012, but we carried on with a successful meeting and Judges Council Flower Show, "Autumn Mosaic."  Garden club men and women are persistent and stalwart, eschewing their tea party hats and gloves of yesteryear!  Instead, gardeners don their sun hats and gardening gloves, and they get to work.

FGCCT presented two state flower shows during this administration - "The Fabulous Fifties" in 2012 and "Love in Bloom" in 2013.  The time and effort spent on making this annual flower show is enormous, and it takes many volunteers and judges to make each one special and successful.  My heartfelt thanks go to everyone who worked on the two shows and the judges who gave their time and expertise to judge.

During the first year of this administration, the Board faced the challenge of finding a new venue for meetings and NGC Schools when we learned of a two-year building renovation project at CAES.  We were fortunate to find a new venue for these events at Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby.  There are state-of-the-art meeting rooms, a nature museum, and the historic Osborne House and Garden on the grounds.  The Board of Directors will meet at CT Forest and Park Association in Rockfall, CT, until CAES is available again.  Regarding NGC Schools, Connecticut offers all four Schools to garden club members and the public (with the exception of Flower Show School).  Connecticut boasts three NGC Four Star Members, those individuals who have taken and passed all courses and exams of all four NGC Schools.

The theme for this administration was "Preserve Connecticut's Horticultural Treasures," and my President's Project has been "Historic Landscapes."  We partnered with the Merritt Parkway Conservancy in their effort to preserve the Parkway, a national treasure built in 1938.  Our clubs contributed more than $7,000 towards the MPC project, "Tributes to Spring."  The CT Federation will contribute the balance of the $10,000 goal to Jill Smyth, Executive Director of the MPC at the Annual Meeting on April 17, 2013.  It is not too late for your club to contribute to "Tributes to Spring."  You can find my brochure with details on the website, www.ctgardenclubs.org.   

Also joining The Federation for the Annual Meeting will be Joyce Kimball, NER Director, and Ginny Urdi, President of the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., and Heidi Kost-Gross, President of the Massachusetts Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. Be sure to fill out and send in your reservation form today (click here) so you can welcome our guests and enjoy speaker Julie Lapham's creative design program.

The best part of my job has been meeting people and visiting garden clubs to install new officers, attend luncheons and speaker programs, flower shows, and share in club anniversaries.  Being president of The CT Federation has been an enlightening, fulfilling experience, and I thank each of you for your support and confidence.  I hope to see you soon at the Annual Meeting of FGCCT at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville.

Upcoming Calendar Dates 
April 3-5 - Flower Show School, Course IV, Derby, CT
April 17 - Annual Meeting, Aqua Turf Club, Plantsville, CT

Keep on gardening! 
   Ronnie Schoelzel  

 


rose

Thank you, Ronnie! 

 

 

FGCCT 2013 Annual Meeting

We are excited to have award-winning floral designer,

Julie Lapham,

as our guest speaker at the

 84th Annual Meeting.

Julie is a member of the Southborough Gardeners and the Worcester Garden Club of Massachusetts.  She is an NGC Accredited Master Judge and GCA Approved Judge for Floral Design.  Julie has exhibited throughout New England and beyond including several international shows.  She was chosen to be one of the six American designers to demonstrate at the 2011 WAFA USA in Boston. She also has exhibited at Boston's Museum of Fine Arts "Art in Bloom" and is now serving at the museum as a Senior Associate.  
You won't want to miss Julie's design program titled "Swing into Spring!" (Click here to access the registration form.)

* Maria Capella
Program Chair
NFS
 
OPTION
FOR RETURNING AWARDS SILVER
WON IN 2012
 
If your Club has won a Silver Award at the October 31, 2012, Awards meeting and wishes to return it at this time, you may do so at the upcoming Annual Meeting on April 17, 2013, to be held at Aqua Turf.  We trust you will find this arrangement a good way to return silver awards, one that will save your club money and relieve you of concern about its safety.  Otherwise, the silver will need to be returned via U.S. Mail, FEDEX, or UPS, insured, to a location to be announced in the next issue of CFNEWS.
Harcovitzad  

Flower Show School

 

Flower Show School Course IV is being offered April 3-5, 2013, at the Kellogg Environmental Center in Derby. Julia Clevett is our design instructor. She is a wonderful,  nationally known instructor. Johnna-Claire Metz, NGC Master Flower Show Judge, will instruct Horticulture classes.

 

The Flower Show School committee wants to help you finish the Flower Show School sequence.   Since this year it is Course IV, we are offering two scholarships to students who have successfully completed two ( 2) FSS courses. The scholarship winners will be chosen from a random drawing.

 

 The FSS brochure is now posted on our website at  www.ctgardenclubs.org . Click on Education Programs.  Please take a few minutes to review the course description.

 

* Jessica Fischer,

Flower Show School Chair

 

EYE ON HORTICULTURE:
Gardening with the Phases of the Moon


As this is the last Horticulture article I will be writing in our newsletter, I thought you would enjoy experimenting with a way of gardening that goes back as early as the Greek and Roman gardeners. To garden by the moon has most likely been around since we have been gardening. When I first experimented with this method, it was to prove it was just another myth. IT'S NOT. It makes gardening easier and more successful.

The first thing to do is to check your calendar; it will tell you when the moon is full, etc.

The four phases of the moon are:
moon
Phase 1: New moon to 7-1/2 days   
Phase 2: 7-1/2  to 15 days
Phase 3: 15 to 22-1/2 days
Phase 4: 22 � to 29 days

THE WAXING MOON
The complete moon cycle takes approximately 29.6 days. When the moon is in front of the sun, facing the earth, it is considered a new moon. It is best to wait a day or two before and after the new moon for planting, as the earth is drier and the plants may become woody.

Phase 1 -The first 7 days of the new moon is the best time to sow annuals and plants that produce seeds outside the plant. This includes vegetables in the Brassica family such as broccoli and cabbage, to name a few.

Phase 2- The next 7 days, or waxing moon, is the best time to plant leaf plants that produce seed inside the plant, such as peas, tomatoes, and beans. This is also a good time to plant vines such as pole beans and morning glories.

THE WANING MOON
It takes approximately 15 days for the moon to travel around the sun and become a full moon. At that time, water is at its highest and the weather conditions are usually damp, therefore it's not a good idea to plant a day or two on either side of the full moon.

Phase 3-  As the moon begins to wane, it's best to plant biennials, perennials, bulbs, shrubs and trees, including root crops. This is the time to take cuttings and do your transplanting. If you use a root cellar to store root vegetables, this is the best time to pick and store.

Phase 4 -The time before the new moon is when the water has been drawn deep into the earth. This is the best time for weeding, mowing, pruning and similar tasks.  This is an excellent time to prune the trees and bushes as the sap will not be rising and the tree or shrub will not "bleed" as much.

 
This little saying was written by Celia Thaxter, who was a poet and gardener in the mid 1800's.
"He who is born with a silver spoon in his mouth is generally considered a fortunate person, but his good fortune is small compared to that of the happy mortal who enters this world with a passion for flowers in his soul."

* Kathrine Neville
Horticulture Chair


The Kensington Garden Club
Proudly Presents Our

MAY PLANT SALE

May 18, 2013
9 A.M. - 1 P.M.

Berlin V.F.W. Post #10732 Pavilion

Massirio Drive, Berlin, CT.  

 

Annual/Perennial Plants at very reasonable prices
(with written information about each plant)
Fabulous Floral/Herb/Gardening Raffle Prizes-
(Created by our own members)
White Elephant Table with Garden Related Items

Contact Person: Susan Gacek - susanthemother@comcast.net

The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc.
TRAVEL: Garden Treasures  Along the Riviera and Provence, France

September 26- October 3, 2013

Travel along the sunny Riviera and through the renowned landscape of Provence on our fall tour.  Our custom itinerary, designed exclusively for The Federation, showcases a stunning array of gardens, both private and public, from Italianate to English style, all blessed by a temperate climate and abundant sunshine. An English speaking guide enriches the tour experience. Our hotels have ideal locations on the Mediterranean and in the heart of Aix-en-Provence.  Friends and family are welcome.      Deposits are due prior to April 15.

Thursday, September 26    Depart  US
Our coach picks us up in Hartford, New Haven and Westport en route to JFK.  Our Delta Airlines non-stop flight to Nice departs 9:20pm.

Friday, September 27    Aix-en-Provence      L/D    
On arrival at 11:25am, we meet our guide and we're off to Provence to experience the glorious landscape immortalized by artists through centuries. When we arrive in charming Aix-en-Provence, one of France's most elegant cities, we explore the narrow streets, leafy squares, and elegant architecture of this historic city.  Aix is also a center of art where numerous artists, including C�zanne, chose to live. We spend 3 nights at the Hotel Aquabella, in the heart of town. www.aquabella.fr

Saturday, September 28    Avignon        B/D
Explore medieval Avignon, tucked behind colossal stone ramparts and standing over the River Rh�ne.  Tour the
impressive  Palais des Papes and take a walking tour through the historic walled city.  The focus is on gardens when we visit nearby Abbey St. Andre, now privately owned, to see beautiful terraced gardens of Florentine inspiration, with wonderful views over Avignon. Italian style gardens surround the 17th century building.



Sunday, September 29    Les Baux-de-Provence
Tour two renowned Provencal villages.
St. R�my de Provence les Antiques is one of the "must-sees" in Provence and one of the oldest European archaeological sites. The spectacular hilltop village of
Les Baux-de-Provence is perched like an eagle's nest with a breathtaking panoramic view of the entire region.  Our garden visit today takes you to the intriguing
Jardin de l'Alchimiste, a modern alchemy and botanical garden of magical plants created by two of France's most original designers. It will be a delightful journey among flowers, plants, trees and colors.  
 

Monday, September 30    Riviera           B/L/D
We check out of the hotel and travel to the
Cote d'Azur, stopping in 
Grasse for a tour of the world capital of perfume, and the picturesque old town.  We explore a beautifully restored private garden at the
Villa Noaille, where the seasons can be distinguished by the aromas of the plants. For botanists, the collections of camellias, magnolias and roses are precious.  At the
Villa Fort France there are more than 500 varieties of plants and trees, whose beauty changes with the seasons. Overnight in
Nice, ****Hotel Massena www.hotel-massena-nice.com




Tuesday, October 1    Menton             B/D
In Menton, known for its temperate climate and beautiful gardens, explore  Serre de la Madone Garden, created at the beginning of the 20th century by the designer of  the English Hidcote Manor Gardens. It is a haven of greenery, peace and beauty clinging to the flanks of the hillside.  Visit Val Rameh,, whose collection  offers a round-the-world botany tour. We travel a short distance to the Italian border to visit Hanbury Botanic Garden, begun in 1867, where  there is a Japanese Garden, a Garden of Perfumes and a fine collection of roses.

Wednesday,  October 2    Eze, Monte Carlo    B/D
Enjoy the panoramic views of the Mediterranean from the medieval village of Eze at "a garden in the sky."  In Monte Carlo  visit a "magic garden" containing several thousand "succulent" plant varieties, and see the
Princess Grace Rose Garden  boasting  3,500 rose bushes of over
150 varieties.  You will have time to explore the charming streets of the Old Town, the Palace and the famed Casino. In nearby Cap Ferrat, we are dazzled at the seaside  Renaissance style Villa Ephrussi Rothschild,  and enjoy the seven themed gardens, a haven of peace and beauty. Back to Nice, for our farewell dinner.




Friday, October 3    Return to CT    B/D
Enjoy free time this morning before we bid farewell to the Cote d'Azur. Fly  non-stop from Nice to JFK on Delta, departing at 1:45pm. We arrive JFK at 4:40pm, where our coach stops at Greenwich, New Haven and Hartford.

Tour Cost:  $3,300.00 includes:  JFK transportation, non-stop Delta flight, 6 nights hotel, 5 dinners, 4 lunches, guide, coach, admissions and more.  


For a brochure and more information contact:  Joan Cox, FGCCT tour coordinator, 203-262-9809  or Carew Travel Consultants  800.621-1113, tours@carewtravel.com

Policy Guidelines for the Promotion of Activities
by Member Clubs/Affiliates for Inclusion in the CFNEWS

Every effort will be made to assist our member clubs and affiliates to publicize their upcoming programs and events in our Connecticut Federation NEWS.   We are providing several opportunities to do so:

CALENDAR LISTINGS
in the CT Federation NEWS announce events by member clubs and affiliate members and such listings are FREE. The purpose of a calendar listing is to provide information.  Generally, they include monthly programs with speakers; flower shows; garden tours; plant sales; holiday luncheons and similar fundraisers.  The
information needs to be brief and must include the following - in this order: date of event, name of club, name of presenter, title of presentation, location, guest fee if any, contact information, and time.
Sample:
Month 24 Anytown GC  Rose Glover: "Improving Your Garden's Color." Public Meeting House, 6 Main Street. 1:00 PM. Guests $5. Info: Iris Gardener: 203-860-0000 or irisg@provider.net.   

Send calendar listings to Calendar Manager Ellie Tessmer at calendarcf@yahoo.com. Please call Ellie at 203-269-2653 if you have any questions.

PAID ADVERTISING
Advertisement in the CT Federation NEWS encourages attendance at special events, often fundraisers.  Generally, people need to purchase tickets for these events.  The purpose of the advertisement is to generate interest and revenue for the organization sponsoring the event.   Member clubs and affiliate organizations pay a reduced "Member Rate."   All other outside organizations pay for advertising at the "Non-Member Rate." Send camera-ready advertising copy (either as a JPEG of PDF) to Advertising Manager Diana Abshire at di@abshire.net.

NEWS ARTICLES
We would like to hear about special goings-on in town that your club has become involved in. For example, was your club involved in a recent town beautification project?  Was your club honored with a special award from your town?  Did your club establish a new scholarship award for citizens returning to college to study environmental science or gardening related subjects?  Did your club create new youth-oriented or senior-oriented programs to help the disabled?

Send a two- to three-paragraph long news release to CFN Editor, Lynn Hyson, at cfeditor@optonline.net.  If a current photo is available, send it as a jpg attachment.  Please call Lynn at 203-431-0613.

CT Federation NEWS publishes monthly except January and July. Deadlines for articles, calendar items, and advertising are ALWAYS the tenth day of the month PRIOR to the MONTH OF PUBLICATION.

 
January 10 for February issue
February 10 for March issue
March 10 for April issue
April 10 for May issue
May 10 for June issue
July 10 for August issue
August 10 for September issue
September 10 for October issue
October 10 for November issue
November 10 for December issue




 

 


LOVE-LY GARDEN AWARD

Now that Spring has arrived, it is time to think about entering your garden, or a fellow club member's, for the Love-ly Garden Award. Any size garden is eligible, and you may resubmit a garden after 5 years if major changes have occurred.  The main criteria include a love of gardening, as symbolized by Penny Jarvis who is honored by the award, and the history of the garden as told by the owner.

    
The application and guidelines for entry are found on our website at http://www.ctgardenclubs.org.  Click on Forms on the left side of the Home page. Return forms by June 15 to Mary Sullivan, 22 Autumn Ridge Rd., Oxford, CT 06478.  Questions can be addressed to my email or at 203-881-1620.  Garden visits will be made in July/August.

Mary Sullivan, Chair
Gardening Consultants Council    




CALENDAR GUIDELINES
  •  Space in the Calendar listings is reserved for FGCCT member clubs and affiliates only.
  •  Submit on the 10th of the month before the issue date.
  •  Include in this order: Date of event, club name, presenter's name, title of program, location, guest fee (if any), contact info (if any), and time of event.
  •  Please do not send press releases.
  •  Send to calendarcf@yahoo.com.



_________________________________________

 

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

or Go To

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

_________________________________________ 

 

CFNews
 

APRIL 10:

Deadline for MAY 2013 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

 

7,101 Members

 

133 Clubs

 

15 Affiliates 

Mt Laurel