April / May 2025

Care For Our Air - Plant A Tree

Care For Your Air - Grace Your Home With Houseplants

The Presidential term for Karin Pyskaty is coming to a close and we thank you for your outstanding support for her project. In total, Connecticut clubs have donated over $2000.00 to the eco-friendly collaboration between National Garden Clubs and the National Forest Service.

Many clubs invited Karin to speak at their meetings and were inspired to incorporate plantings of trees, shrubs and flowers into their milestone celebrations. Since the last issue of the CFNews the following clubs have shared their projects:

• The Long Hill Garden Club planted a native Hop Hornbeam tree at the Beardsley Zoo Arboretum. The club will also assist in the maintenance of the tree.   
•  The Wallingford Garden Club donated $150.00 to Plant-A-Tree. The club will also plant 95 spring bulbs in town in honor of their 95th anniversary this year.
•  The West Hartford Garden Club has donated 11 Black Gum Tupelo trees to the 11 elementary schools in town. A complimentary book, The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein was given to each school as an added educational element.

I appreciated hearing from all of you about Caring For Our Air - Plant-A-Tree. Thank you!

— Carmelina Villani, FGCCT President's Project Chair

“If You Do Nothing, Something Will Grow: Spontaneous Plant Recruitment and the Designed Garden”

with LARRY WEANER

Meet Some of Our Exciting New Vendors!

Want garlic salt? Or an antidote for poison ivy? Or some amazing pottery for your friend’s birthday?  Shop the amazing vendors at the Annual Meeting and Luncheon of the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut on April 16 at the Aqua Turf in Plantsville. The vendors will be set up by 8:30 am, giving you time to shop before the program begins at 10 am. 

New vendors this year include the Essex Garden Club, which makes a special garlic salt delicious on chicken, meat, bread — and even, some garden club members say, in a Bloody Mary!

Another new vendor, Wycked Cauldron, prepares herbal “potions” perfect for soothing poison ivy, burns and bug bites. Carib Creations, also new this year, offers wood products including trays, unusual serving dishes and wall hangings.

And of course, many perennial favorites will be back again this year, including Prairie Blossom Silver, Sport Hill Honey Farm (beeswax candles), Red Gems (unusual water bottle carriers and more), and handmade baskets by Suzann Kober at Heaven and Earth. Two potters will join us: Mark Bentz of Garden Grove Pottery will have beautiful glazed pots and platters with sunflower and sailboat themes, along with other unique items, and Suzy Staubach will offer colonial-style pottery including yellowware. 

Of course, Spear Head Spades, Connecticut Gardener, and Ballek’s Garden Center will join us as well. There will be jewelry from Joli Lily, and jewelry and other items from The Proud Peacock; glass flowers from one of our members, Jan Grant of Pizzazz; and beautiful flower art from Vivid Cottage’s Kerstin Rao, who makes everything from trays to towels to notecards to wall art. TJJ Sews has hats, belts, dog leashes and other items and Lisa Maree Designs has pocketbooks, pouches and more.

And best of all? 10 percent of what you spend comes back to the Federation for its scholarship Fund. So come early to shop ‘til you drop! 

Should we have a CPA perform an annual audit?

Whether or not to have a club's books audited is a complicated question — audits are not cheap, in fact, FGCCT with an annual budget of around $100,000 doesn't have an audit done.

Factors to be considered include:

1. How much money flows through the books of the club — as you get closer to or over the $100,000 mark, clubs may want to consider the option.

2. How complicated are the club's financial affairs — if you're fortunate enough to have an investment portfolio, or have several different sources of income, other than fundraising and dues, having an audit may be worthwhile.

3. Remember that the purpose of the audit is to reassure the membership that the financial statements they see are accurate and reflect fairly the financial condition of the club, and that financial processes are being followed, and are appropriate for the club.

4. Some clubs, including our treasurer’s home club, the Quiet Corner Garden Club, with annual cash flows of $20 - $25,000 have an "audit committee" which goes over the books with the Treasurer to make sure procedures are followed, and the statements provided to members seem accurate.

5. One unpleasant reason for an audit is to check up on the Treasurer and others with signing authority to ensure they haven't been taking money that they are not entitled to. We recommend that the Treasurer provide a periodic report to the President and / or Vice-President which includes the financial statement, and a reconciliation of the financial statement to a recent bank statement(s), together with a copy of the bank statement(s).

Is our club's EIN the same as FGCCT's EIN?

Some of our member clubs are mistakenly using FGCCT’s EIN when filing their annual 990’s. The IRS-issued nine-digit employer identification number (EIN) is the equivalent to your Social Security number because, just as an SSN identifies you, the EIN identifies your organization. Each club has its own unique EIN. You'll need an EIN to identify your organization in many of your dealings with the IRS, local bank, Stripe, or tax exempt paperwork. If you use FGCCT’s EIN it is equivalent to using your boss's SSN to file your own personal taxes, open up checking accounts, etc.

Your club’s EIN is a unique number assigned to your club and not FGCCT’s EIN! 

Are you sending your checks and reimbursement requests to the correct address? Some of our member clubs are mistakenly sending checks and reimbursement requests to outdated addresses. Kindly update your contact information in your online bank vendor list, email contact list, etc.

Joan Lenart

Office Manager 

FGCCT

P.O. Box 902

Wallingford, CT 06492

office@ctgardenclubs.org

— MaryAnn Lynn, FGCCT Assistant Treasurer

FGCCT Tours

Get on the Interest List!

Please consult the FGCCT website for tours that are in the planning stage and get on the Interest List by emailing us to be the first to get the brochures. 

Kathy Lindroth, FGCCT Tours Coordinator 860.836.3407 or tours@ctgardenclubs.org

"Signs of Spring" ~ It's a Wrap!

The 43^rd Annual Connecticut Flower and Garden Show was held at the CT Convention Center in Hartford from February 20 – 23, 2025. Vonice Carr, this year’s Chair, along with FGCCT President Karin Pyskaty and Kristie Gonsalves, President of Northeast Expos, opened the show on Thursday morning. Despite the cold, traffic issues and an overflowing parking garage, crowds came to welcome Spring.

Vonice and the Flower Show Committee harnessed the talents of over 100 volunteers from garden clubs throughout the state to provide planning and support for this wonderful show. The theme of the show alluded to the signs and celebrations of the solar and lunar calendars and astrological and planetary signs and wonders. Judges chose entries for National Garden Club awards and Federated awards in all five categories: Horticulture, Design, Education, Botanical Arts, and Photography.

This year’s design entries were no exception to past shows in their creativity.  Highlighted are The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Awards, including Design Awards: The Nell McGuinness Award and The Terry Stoleson Creative Design Award. Margaret Colby from the Leete’s Island Garden Club was this year’s recipient for both awards.

The Federation Garden Clubs of Connecticut Horticulture Awards included The Mary Lou Smith Award of Merit. This award was given to Leslie Martino from the Branford Garden.

Botanical Arts Awards were given by the National Garden Clubs. The theme this year was The Woodland Fairy Spring Gala, and included a “Crowning Glory” tiara, a cake designed for the centerpiece of the gala, and a necklace of “Enchanted Jewels."

— Linda Kaplan, FGCCT Publicity Chair

Spread the Word!

National Garden Week is June 1-7, 2025!



Click here to download a printable PDF of the 2025 poster.

~ or ~

Click here to download a "fillable" version that can be customized with your club's name, click here.

FGCCT Youth Awards

Congratulations to all FGCCT State Level First Place Winners in NGC Youth Contests!

(Click on a title to view the winning submission.)

YOUTH ESSAY CONTEST

Theme: Is Recycling Plastics the Answer to Our Plastic Disposal Problem?

Grade 9:  Innovative Solutions for Plastic Waste: From Pollution to Progress by Sarvesh R. S.; The Garden Club of Brookfield

YOUTH POETRY CONTEST

Theme: My Garden Has Vegetables to Spare That I Can Share - Helping Fight Hunger by Sharing Vegetables From Our Garden

Kindergarten:  Do the Right Thing by Samantha A.; The North Haven Garden Club

Grade 3:  A Helping Handful of Veggies by Deanna D.; Westport Garden Club

Grade 4:  Enough Food for You and Me by Sean A.; The North Haven Garden Club

Grade 5:  Gifts by Tessa L.; Westport Garden Club

Grade 7:  To disperse the production of our land to the needy by Sunkyu J. K.; The North Haven Garden Club

Grade 8:  The Magic of Community Garden by Savanna A.; The North Haven Garden Club

YOUTH SCULPTURE CONTEST

Theme: Encouraging Youth to Keep Our Planet Green

Grade 4:  Abstract Water Design by Ellis H.; Danbury Garden Club

Grade 7:  Flowers in Container by Ashlyn P.; Danbury Garden Club

SMOKEY BEAR & WOODSY OWL YOUTH POSTER CONTEST

Smokey Bear Theme: Only You Can Prevent Wildfires!  OR Woodsy Owl Theme: Lend a Hand - Care for the Land

Grade 1:  Smokey Bear Poster by Audrey N.; The Stonington Garden Club

Grade 2:  Woodsy Owl Poster by Vivienne K.; The Stonington Garden Club

Grade 3:  Smokey Bear Poster by Jordan Q.; The Long Hill Garden Club

Grade 4:  Smokey Bear Poster by Sean S.; The Long Hill Garden Club

Grade 5:  Smokey Bear Poster by Jairam P.; The Long Hill Garden Club

— Kandra Houston, FGCCT Youth Chair

FGCCT Scholarships

Once again, The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc., (FGCCT) is happy to announce that it will award scholarships to deserving Connecticut residents in their junior, senior, or graduate year of a college or university in or outside of the state who are majoring in a field related to the interests of the organization.

Each year the committee is impressed at the quality of applicants and the diversity of their educational focus, whether it’s landscaping, forestry, the environment, agronomy and more. A full listing of the fields of study and other requirements can be found on the FGCCT web site under Education. A minimum GPA of 3.0 and a demonstrated financial need are necessary.

Applications must be received by July 1 and sent to scholarships@ctgardenclubs.org.

Since 1982 it has been through the generous donations of Connecticut garden clubs, individuals, and other organizations that it is possible to help worthy scholars ease their financial burden as they work hard toward achieving their career goals. We are profoundly grateful for the continuous support for the next generation of plant scientists, environmentalists, conservationists, and more.

Please get the word out so deserving students know of the scholarship and can apply for consideration. Thank you.

— Carole Fromer, FGCCT Scholarship Committee Chair

FGCCT Award Applications – May 31 Deadline!

May 31 is the deadline for submitting award applications that recognize individual and club projects for the June 1, 2024, to May 31, 2025, year. If your club has a significant project or an outstanding member worthy of an award, please complete an FGCCT Club or Individual Award Application. You may submit applications for multiple projects, but you are encouraged to make a compelling, detailed, single nomination for each project or club member. The digital applications and information are available on The Federation website under the Awards tab, Awards by Category. Applications must be completed online and cannot be reused from a previous nomination.

May 31 is also the deadline for nominations for two other awards:

• The Lillian B Rathbun Award is presented annually to an individual involved in all phases of garden club work. It is the highest award presented to an individual garden club member.
• The Lucille Schavoir Award is awarded annually to a club for outstanding garden club work during the awards year, June 1 to May 31. It is the highest award presented to a club.

For either of these two awards go to The Federation website, Awards tab then Awards by Category: Special Recognition Awards. Complete a FGCCT Individual Award Application online, and send it to the Awards Chair.

This year the Awards Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, October 22 at Aqua Turf Restaurant in Plainville. Reservations will be taken from approximately September 1 to October 1. Mark your calendar!

— Vonice Carr, FGCCT Awards Chair

With the glorious spring weather upon us, the FGCCT Gardening Council is thinking of the Lovely Garden Award! Again, this year we will be accepting only online applications beginning on April 15 with a firm cutoff date of August 15. Any garden club member may apply for their own garden or another member's garden. The only requirement really is a love for gardening! 

Gardens will be scheduled for a visit by the evaluation panel within two weeks of applying.

Allowing a two-week window to schedule a visit to the last garden will ensure that we meet the submission deadline of the Awards Committee. Digital images of the gardens help with on-site evaluation and one of the winning recipient's garden may be used at the Awards Meeting on October 22, 2025. 

Questions? Contact Lovely Garden Committee Chair Shelley Hedberg

shelley.hedberg@ctgardenclubs.org 

Tribute Awards

Tribute Awards Nominations Due May 31!

Tribute Award nominations honor individuals who have made outstanding contributions within their club. Think of it as a ”Lifetime Achievement” award for outstanding work and service to your club! Send a letter of nomination (no forms necessary) to 

secondvicepres@ctgardenclubs.org by the May 31 deadline. Be sure to include the name of the nominee, the category you are nominating them in, and your name and club affiliation. Awards are presented at the October Awards Luncheon.

The Tribute Award categories are: Civic Development; Communication; Conservation; Floral Design; Healing, Therapy and Senior Gardening (formerly Garden Therapy); Horticulture; Landscape and Landscape Design; Photography; Youth; All Around Excellence.

— Kelle Ruden, 2^nd Vice President, FGCCT

kelle.ruden@ctgardenclubs.org

Healing, Therapy & Senior Gardening Donations (HTSG)

What FGCCT members have known as Garden Therapy has been designated a new title by National Garden Clubs, Inc. Healing, Therapy & Senior Gardening (HTSG) has not changed its theme of providing garden-related activities & education to children, disabled, senior citizens, incarcerated citizens, & veterans. When your club donates to HTSG, please make out your very appreciated check to FGCCT and in the memo line, please indicate "HTSG." 

Applications for HTSG awards are online ONLY and the deadline is May 31, 2025. 

World Gardening Donations

Donations from your membership are greatly appreciated anytime throughout the year. The money is donated to organizations that will enhance the quality of life of third world citizens. When your club donates to World Gardening, please make out your very appreciated check to FGCCT and in the memo line, please indicate "World Gardening."

I would enjoy visiting your HTSG Committee to learn what you give back to this segment of your community. Please contact me at rosemary.bonaguide@ctgardenclubs.org

— Rosemary Bonaguide, FGCCT Healing, Therapy & Senior Gardening Chair

Moons again?? I know but bear with me for you see, the full moon of April, known as the Pink Moon, is named for … wait for it… a plant! And that plant is our native mountain pink or moss pink, Phlox subulata, a vibrant wildflower that covers the ground in early spring. So, what better time to explore the world of the genus Phlox, which consists of about 60 species, mostly native to North America. The name Phlox comes from the Greek word for “flame,” referring to its bright, vivid flowers that are a magnet for pollinators. 

Phlox species vary in form, time of bloom, and light conditions. There are the spring-blooming ones which range from ground cover to semi-tall 2-3 feet species. The summer-blooming ones are tall and mostly this is Phlox paniculata. Being the ground cover fanatic I am, I am going to focus on our native creepers. 

Starting with our star of the month (or is that moon?) Phlox subulata, aka moss or creeping phlox. The species name subulata means "awl-shaped," referring to its narrow, needle-like leaves. It is a low-growing, mat-forming perennial about 4–6 inches tall and 1–2 feet wide. It thrives in full sun, preferring well-drained soil, and is drought-tolerant once established. Blooming in April–May, it produces a dense carpet of pink, purple, white, lavender, blue, or red flowers. I think every garden has one because they are in their glory when we gardeners cruise the nurseries in spring and hey, who can’t use another plant? There are more cultivars than I can plow through with names like ‘Eye Candy’ (purple-pink flowers with deep red eyes) and ‘Scarlet Flame’ (bold magenta-red). Some of the cultivar names are so over the top they read like stripper names.There is a new “series” out there called GoldiPhlox™ that comes in more colors than you need. “Series” is plant marketing for a grouping of cultivars. Regardless, it is a stalwart, low maintenance plant worthy of any sunny garden.

'Eye Candy'

'Scarlet Flame'

Above, 'Kim'

Above, 'Blue Moon'

For shade, my favorite is Phlox stolonifera also called creeping phlox. The specific epithet, stolonifera, means "having stolons," and I adore the way it spreads out without harassing its neighbors. The Mt. Cuba trials showed a spread of 1-2 feet per year. It too likes moist, acidic woodland soils and will grow in partial to full shade. This one flowers early in April–May and stands 8-12 inches tall. The strong performing purple cultivars, ‘Sherwood Purple’ and ‘Fran’s Purple’, are my favorites. If you like pink, ‘Home Fires’ and ‘Pink Ridge’ got good ratings too. There is a white cultivar, ‘Bruce’s White’, which was not strong in the trials but you could check it out as every growing site is different. For creeping phlox to do its best, rake very gently and don’t wood chip it to death.

'Sherwood Purple'

'Pink Ridge'

There are some other native species like Phlox pilosa (Prairie Phlox, Downy Phlox) and Phlox maculata (Meadow Phlox or Wild Sweet William) but I don’t see those often in nurseries. And I know, I left out tall garden phlox, Phlox paniculata, but honestly, that is just an exhausting list of cultivars. I love them in concept but my soil is too poor and dry, the battle with powdery mildew too draining, and the deer too hungry. If you have the right conditions (and more fortitude), I recommend checking out the Mt Cuba Trials for the list of cultivars. And yep, I even failed with the top rated ‘Jeana’.  

Enough lunacy for now, have a wonderful spring!

CT Pesticide Reform Coalition Targets Neonicotinoids

By Holly Kocet, FGCCT Conservation Chair and member of the Garden Club of Newtown

The CT Pesticide Reform Coalition was formed to petition the Environmental Committee to enact a bill for reducing the use of pesticides and especially Neonicotinoids (Neonics). Coalition members represent several environmental organizations including the Pollinator Pathway, the Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation, Connecticut Audubon, the Sierra Club, Rivers Alliance, Beyond Pesticides, ABC Birds, Save the Sound, Protect Our Pollinators and many more. The Coalition has spent the good part of a year developing language for a bill that would survive the legislative process. With the help of an attorney for Vermont’s Conservation Lawn Foundation and an experienced legislative lobbyist, HB-6916 was introduced on February 10, 2025.

Such legislation is critical when you consider that neonics are up to 7000 times more toxic to bees than DDT (banned in 1972), according to the Xerces Society. These systemic chemicals are present in all parts of the plant, from roots to leaves and especially flower pollen and nectar, and they can even contaminate the soil. And as bees are necessary for pollinating 80% of flowering plants and many agricultural crops we rely on for food, neonics must be restricted … and completely banned for cosmetic purposes.

Neonics are also used to coat agricultural seed — corn, wheat and soybean — despite the fact that neonic-coated seed provides little or no economic benefit to farmers. In Connecticut, we don’t grow a lot of wheat or soybean but we do grow corn. And the majority of corn kernels available to farmers are neonic-coated. The Connecticut Audubon Society reports that North America has lost 3 billion birds over the past 50 years and pesticides are a major contributor. Coated seed is devastating to birds. Just one neonic-coated kernel is enough to kill a songbird. A 2023 study by the EPA determined that neonics are a serious threat to endangered species. Because neonics are neurotoxins, they cause birds to become disoriented, which inhibits both migration and reproduction. And last June, The New York Times reported on a study linking neonics to the decline of monarch butterflies as well.

The hearing for the neonic bill was held on February 19. Over 800 residents submitted written testimony in support of the bill, which has also received strong bipartisan support. So, fingers crossed that soon, golf courses, neighbors’ lawns, playing fields, plants sold, state and municipal properties, and farmers’ fields will be free of these harmful neurotoxic chemicals.

Legislative Report: Rodenticides, Helium Balloons & Nips

By Gerri Giordano, FGCCT Legislation/Government Action Chair

Rodenticides: Connecticut legislators are calling for a ban on harmful rodenticides, second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides (SGARs) that can affect Connecticut wildlife and public health. A pair of spider monkeys at Beardsley Zoo died after eating poisoned rodents. Testing of 101 deceased birds and animals found that 78 tested positive for second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides, including five bald eagles, eight great horned owls, an endangered barn owl and 56 hawks. HB 6915, "AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF SECOND GENERATION ANTICOAGULANT RODENTICIDES," addresses second-generation anticoagulant rodenticides.

Legislators also have concerns about neonicotinoids, which are pesticides known to harm pollinators (see "CT Pesticide Reform Coalition Targets Neonicotinoids" in this issue of CFNews). These pesticides contribute to the decline of birds, bees, and butterflies, all of which are species vital to agriculture and our ecosystems. HB 6916, "AN ACT CONCERNING THE USE OF NEONICOTINOIDS." addresses neonicotinoids. Please follow these two bills and act when necessary. 

Balloons: Legislators are still calling for a ban on helium balloons. They want to ban the sale, import, or distribution of helium balloons. Senate Bill 1154 would ban the sale, import, or distribution of any lighter-than-air-gas or helium balloons entirely, subject to a fine. There is still a 10-balloon limit on releases. They are looking into a biodegradable balloon, but that doesn’t address the strings attached to the ballon that causes the most harm to wildlife.

"Nips": Then there are those little "nips" bottles. Click here for a list of municipalities and how many nips are sold in each city or town and how much they make from the sales. Why not put that money into devising a machine that would accept those little "nips" bottles, and remove them from our streets, parks, gardens, lawns, parking lots, etc. for good? They could also be picked up by the people that collect bottles and return them for the cash. This would keep them off our streets. A bill setting a floor of 50 milliliters for liquor containers (Proposed HB 5235) — effectively eliminating the sale of those little "nips" — has been proposed in the current legislative session, but is not expected to pass.

The Windsor African Violet Society

The Windsor African Violet Society was organized in 1960 and is an affiliate of the African Violet Society of America, Inc. and a long-time affiliate of The Federation.

The object of the Society is to provide a forum for African violet enthusiasts to share their interest in the propagation and culture of the African violet and other gesneriads.

Many of their members, officers, and judges conduct educational workshops for local garden clubs and other organizations. Their membership welcomes opportunities to share plants and knowledge with others and to actively promote the African violet and its cultivation. Over the years, members have contributed to the AVM and other African violet and gesneriad publications.

The Society meets either in public venues or members' homes on the second Wednesday of the month, from September through July. Meetings begin with a business session and are followed by an informative program. Programs include techniques for growing and grooming violets, lighting, watering, fertilizing, pest management and more.

The Society sponsors a violet show and sale in early spring showcasing plants, including specimens, standards, trailers, miniatures, semi miniatures, and other gesneriads. Their education exhibit has information on all aspects of growing and caring for these wonderful house plants. Additionally, commercially grown plants from Lyndon Lyon Greenhouse are available for purchase. Members plants, leaves, and rooted leaves are also for sale. Admission is free and open to the public.



"African Violets Are Out of this World"

Judged Show and Sale

Saturday - April 12, 2025

8:30 am - 2:30 pm

Grace Episcopal Church

311 Broad Street, Windsor, CT 06095

For more information visit: https://instafax.com/wavs/show.html

— Kelle Ruden, 2nd Vice President, FGCCT

"Club Corner" is a place for clubs to showcase exceptional or notable club achievements and activities. Has your club done something unique (or uniquely successful?) that you'd like to share? Visit "Club Corner" on the FGCCT website for more news from clubs! (This area is NOT for upcoming events—you can post those on the FGCCT Club Calendar.)

Send high-resolution photos, along with a writeup (200 words or less, please) and photo captions, to martha.sherman@ctgardenclubs.org to be considered for inclusion. Please ensure that you have appropriate permissions for all photos. We reserve the right to edit copy and select photos for inclusion.

Featured Club: The Danbury Garden Club

In Danbury, Kicking Off a Centennial Celebration in Style!

The Danbury Garden Club was founded on May 6, 1925, and will be celebrating their 100^th anniversary in 2025-2026. The mission of the Danbury Garden Club is to:

• Promote education in horticulture, conservation, native plantings and floral design.
• Educate youths by sponsoring horticulture, gardening and environmental programs along with flower design education and practical application following the National Garden Club guidelines.
• Provide scholarships to students for advanced education in fields related to agriculture, horticulture, environmental science (ecology), conservation and landscape design and architecture.
• Increase the knowledge of the artistic use of plants.
• Support and assist civic beautification.
• Aid in the protection and conservation of birds, wildlife and other natural resources.
• Promote the goals of National Garden Clubs, Inc., and the Federated Garden Clubs of CT.

With 72 members, Danbury is one of the largest garden clubs in the state. They are an active club, maintaining gardens at the Danbury Museum, Danbury Library, a butterfly garden at the South King Street School and the Blue star Memorial at Exit 5, Eastbound I-84. They offer garden therapy at nursing homes and work with youth in their junior program. The club offers tours of members' gardens as well as trips to public gardens. Their Artistic Design Committee makes flower arrangements for special events and creates designs shown at monthly program meetings. They offer informative programs, workshops, and have two plant sales each year. They are a charter member of the Federated Garden Clubs of CT. They are also the hosts of a very popular holiday luncheon that always features excellent speakers and draws attendees from garden clubs around the state.

They have many events planned to celebrate their anniversary year starting April 29th with a kickoff Cocktail Party at the Amber Room Colonnade in Danbury. With a theme of “Turning Points,” the evening will feature local public figures such as Commissioner Mark D. Boughton, Mayor Robert Alves, Brigid Guertin, Maura Newell Juan, Peter Kent, Ned Moore, Lisa Scails and Jessica Westerfield sharing short stories about turning points in their lives.

Additional upcoming public programs include "Spring Bulbs and Early Blooming Plants" with Michele Mackinnon and "Floral Design – Kicking off 100 years" with Lawrence Huzi.

Visit their website at danburygardenclub.com for more information about the club and all these 100^th anniversary events.

The Garden Club of Orange Prepares to Celebrate 95 Years!

The Garden Club of Orange is delighted to announce a series of special activities to celebrate its 95th anniversary. Established in 1930 with Mrs. Patrick O'Sullivan, the mother of Patrick O'Sullivan, who was the former Town Clerk of Orange. as its inaugural president, the club originally was formed to "create interest in gardens in general, and to promote the idea of village improvement and conservation of the beautiful in nature." The original members of the Garden Club played a huge role in supporting the town by naming and installing street signs. Today, it continues to enrich the community through various civic and conservation projects like planting annuals on the Town Green and High Plains Community Center and making holiday wreaths for municipal buildings, to name a few.

Sandra Horling, the current president, unveiled plans for two new projects and initiatives that honor the club's rich history and invest in the town's future. "These activities were selected to pay homage to those who helped make the club successful while also laying the groundwork for continued growth and community engagement," she stated. The Garden Club of Orange will be sponsoring a one-time $1,000 scholarship to a graduating Amity High School Senior. This scholarship is open to current residents of Orange who have demonstrated a commitment to community service and are pursuing post-secondary education in environmental sciences, agriculture, landscaping design, or related fields. Additionally, the Club will be constructing a Memorial Garden in the back section of the historic Stone-Otis property at the corner of Orange Center Road and Tyler City Road. This garden will serve as a tribute to the dedicated members who have contributed to the club's success since its inception in 1930. The club selected designer Marguerite Kreuzkamp, a landscape architect and former member of the Garden Club, who has ties to Orange and is studying at the Rhode Island School of Design. The project is expected to span several years. The Garden Club of Orange is a proud member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, New England Garden Clubs, CT Horticultural Society, Orange Land Trust, Orange Conservation Commission, CT River Conservancy, and CT Forest and Park Association.

Also in Orange, Floral Design Takes Center Stage in February …!

In February, club members were challenged to make designs in a tapestry format (pictured below, top). Also in February, guided by club members Lisa Stackpole, Sally Denny and Margharita Lisi, members also learned how to create beautiful floral arrangements using a reservoir on wine bottles.

Learn more about this busy club here.

North Haven Garden Club Honors Founding Member Lois Stover

The North Haven Garden Club is thrilled to have been able to share in our clubs founding member Lois Stover's 100th birthday at her home for a 2 day open house on Friday March 7th and March 8th. Lois is still an active member, attends meetings, and supports the club in all of our fundraisers. First Selectman Mike Freda presented Lois with a citation that afternoon. Lois also received an Official Statement from Governor Ned Lamont congratulating her on the occasion of her 100th birthday. Lois received many flowers, gifts and cards from a multitude of friends and family. Light refreshments were served and we all enjoyed reminiscing with Lois. (Pictured above, seated left to right: Club President Gerri Giordano and Lois Stover; standing left to right: Poonam Karnwal, Marge Quinn and Cindy Golia.)

In honor of Lois, the North Haven Garden Club presented her with a card which included this message; "To one of our founding members Lois Stover, God Bless you on this special day. In your honor The North Haven Garden Club will plant a shrub of your choosing in your named garden The Lois Stover Pollinator Garden." A plaque commemorating this special occasion will also be placed by the shrub. 

Don't forget to check out The North Haven Garden Club on Facebook for lots of useful and entertaining information and pictures of all our club does in our great town of North Haven! For membership information, please email Italia at italia_a@comcast.net. 

North Haven Garden Club is a member of The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Inc., New England Garden Clubs Inc., and The National Garden Clubs Inc.

One of many beautiful flower arrangements

North Haven First Selectman Mike Freda presenting Lois with her citation.

100 years in balloons!

Would you like to see your club recognized in the CFNews Club Corner? Let me know what you are excited about! kelle.ruden@ctgardenclubs.org

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FGCCT is on Facebook and Instagram and we love to post your news and photos! Please send upcoming events, club activities, civic projects, milestones, and hort tips. Include photos and a brief writeup of the news your club would like to share. The best format is text in an email with jpg photos attached. Take active photos showing members at work or showcasing beautiful gardens, flowers, and plants (please name the flower if it is a hort only photo). Let’s follow each other! Send submissions to social@ctgardenclubs.org

Deadline to submit articles/photos, ads and calendar events for the June / July 2025 issue of the CFNews is May 10, 2025.  Please submit to:

ARTICLES/PHOTOS

Martha (Marty) Sherman

martha.sherman@ctgardenclubs.org

ADVERTISING

office@ctgardenclubs.org

CALENDAR

Ellie Tessmer

Club Event Submission Form

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