KGC Logo
July 2016
From Our President

Dear KGC Friends,
 
Happy Summer!
 
P. G. Wodehouse said it best when he said, "Flowers are happy things."

KGC's June in-house Flower Show was a very happy thing indeed!
 
Floral Design Judge Lyn Little said that she was inspired by the creativity, vitality and artistry of all our entrants in Floral Design, Horticulture and Photography. Each and every one of our terrific judges -- Sue Cozzens, Shelley Galloway, Nancy Kurz, Cristy Laier, Lyn Little and Carole Read -- remarked about the quality of the entries and the innate talents abounding within KGC. Kudos to our entrants. I'm sure that each of us learned a lot from the experience. Let's practice with our garden flowers this summer, too. Send a quick iPhone photo of your happy summer arrangement or cuttings to Chris Wiedrich and we'll post them in our next newsletter!
 
We also enjoyed a wonderful tour of Skokie Country Club's organic gardens, beehives and chicken coop. The chickens even laid a few eggs for us! SCC's Don Cross and KGC's Heather Blackwell are passionate advocates and their enthusiasm was definitely contagious. It was a terrific program. Thank you, Don and Heather!
 
Speaking of happy flowers, the KGC Board voted to send a letter to our elected federal officials and the board of the Smithsonian Institution objecting to changes to the Enid A. Haupt Memorial Garden on The Mall. This lovely Victorian garden provides a much needed respite from the concrete and steel surrounding it. As you are dazzled by the 4 th of July fireworks, please pause a moment to consider all that you, KGC and GCA do to make this nation a great one, including spreading joy through flora; educating your community and yourself about horticulture, floral design, conservation, and photography; and so much more!
 
Program Chair Elizabeth Dugin has been hard at work planning this year's programming. Kelly Chestnut, Assistant Program Chair, has been Robin to her Batman, creating splendid synergies for the Club! Our next program will be at the Lincoln Park Zoo on July 20.  We are grateful to KGC Past President and LPZ Board Member Judy Keller for arranging what will be a "DON'T MISS" outing. We will tour the Nature Boardwalk and learn the interesting history of its construction and design.  We will also learn about the dredging of the lagoon and the important plant choices made.  Hopefully we'll also spot an endangered night heron, which is now flourishing at LPZ due to the garden design and horticulture choices made by the Zoo.
 
Speaking of happy things, please be sure to post your visits to our National Parks, Monuments, Forests, etc., on the GCA website. Please let our Ann Jones know about your visit, too. She'll be posting them on our KGC website's Members' Page.
 
Wishing you a very happy summer filled with happy things!

Always,
   
________________________________________________________________________
KGC CLUB NEWS
Dates &
Deadlines
Please note the following dates on your calendar:

Monday, July 18 -- Board Meeting
Cancelled
 
Wednesday, July 20 KGC July Meeting 
Field Trip to the Lincoln Park Zoo
Monday, Sept. 19 -- Board Meeting
10 a.m.
Church of the Holy Comforter
222 Kenilworth Ave.,
Kenilworth
 

Please be respectful and RSVP for all KGC meetings and events.  Thank you!
Yearbook Submissions 
are due!

Leslie North is hard at work on Yearbook edits and updates. Please remember that the deadline for edits and submissions, etc. was
July 1.  If you need more time, please contact Leslie so she knows to hold space for you:

Leslie.a.north@gmail.com
Thank you!
July Meeting
Wednesday, July 20, 10  a.m.,
Lincoln Park Zoo

Tour & Lunch at Cafe Brauer

It's summer and we're celebrating by going to the zoo!  Join us for a special tour of Lincoln Park Zoo's Nature Boardwalk.  We'll learn about the history, design and construction process as well as how the plant choices were made and the wildlife that it attracts.  Then at noon, we'll head to Cafe Brauer for lunch overlooking the lagoon.
 
Please be at Plaza del Lago by 10 a.m. sharp.  We'll carpool down.  It's important the you RSVP to your invitation as soon as possible to ensure that we have enough drivers.  
 
To Do's


Don't forget to pay your dues! Need another notice?  Contact Diane Phillips -- diane.c.phillips@icloud.com


It's not too late to sign up for a committee. There are openings on Floral Design, Horticulture, Conservation, Photography, Outreach, Garden History & Design, Benefit, Awards, Website, Ware Garden, and Magnolia Garden. Join as many as you'd like!


Have you read any good books lately?
Your fellow KGC members are interested in new Floral Design, Horticulture, Gardening, Historic Gardens and Photography books that you might know about. Please let Chris Wiedrich know and
we'll share them with everyone in a future newsletter.
 

Wanted:  Hostesses for next year!
By now you should have received the SIgn-Up Genius email regarding Hostess needs for next year. 
If you have not done so already, please take a moment now to access the sign-up sheet and choose 
a date to serve as a Lead Hostess, responsible for coordinating the group, or Hostess. There are many opportunities left.  If you can't find the email invitation to register, contact Kelly Chestnut by phone -- 
847/256-7543 or  email -- kchestnut03@comcast.net.  Thank  you!

Special KGC Thanks

A big thank you to Jackson Dugan for scanning our archive materials. Jackson has been hard at work categorizing and scanning historical materials as we digitize portions of our files. Cissy Crawford has been working with him. She is also working on our archives with the Kenilworth Historical Society. Interested in taking a journey into KGC's past? Stay tuned for information about our Archiving Parties.

In-House Flower Show

Kitty Kirby's 8-year-old orchid wowed the judges and was awarded the
Terry Butler Horticulture Award at the June 15 show.
 
The Glenview Club's Paddle Tennis House was buzzing with activity on June 15 as members arrived with their flowers, arrangements and photos for the In-House show.  Beautiful and creative entries were on display for all to enjoy. 
Horticulture
Class One - Flower Power
  • Chris Wiedrich
  • Nancy Kurz
  • Terri Lorenz

Class Two - Forever Blooming
  • Joan Dodson
  • Cheryl Anderson
  • Cheryl Anderson
  • Chris Wiedrich
  • Terri Lorenz
  • Nancy Kurz
  • Lenore Macdonald - Blue
  • Stacey DeLuca - Blue
  • Carole Read, Blue, Red, Red, Red


Class Three - Above and Beyond
  • Joan Dodson
  • Chris Wiedrich - Blue
  • Kitty Kirby - Blue, Barbara McDonough Horticulture award
  • Shelley Galloway - Red



Floral:
Class 1 - Yin and Yang:
  • Carole Read - Red
  • Stacey/Kendra - Blue 
  • Tina Rice - Yellow







Class 2 - Kitchen Witchery
  • Stacey Deluca and Kendra - HM
  • Carole Read
  • Mary Glerum
  • Lenore Macdonald - HM
  • Joan Dodson
  • Shelley Galloway - Blue
  • Stephanie Keehn - Red
  • Joan Senko - Yellow




Class 3 - Gift from Nature's Bounty
  • Stacey and Kendra - DQ
  • Carole Read
  • Lenore Macdonald
  • Joan Dodson
  • Chris Wiedrich
  • Nancy Kurz x 2



Class 4 - Hot White Lights
  • Terri Lorenz - Blue
  • Shelley Galloway - Red
  • Chris Wiedrich - Yellow



Photography
Class One - Reflecting Back
  • 1st place- Shelley Galloway
  • 2nd place - Stacey De Luca
  • 3rd place - Cristy Laier
  • HMs - Shelley, Stacey, Cristy, Chris Wiedrich, and Sara Morgan

Class two - The Green Dream:
  • 1st place - Chris Wiedrich
  • 2nd place -
  • 3rd place - Stacey De Luca


Class three - White Gloves and Wheelbarrows:
  • 1st place - Lenore Macdonald
  • 2nd place - Stacey De Luca
  • No third place awarded

Class four - Imagine That:
  • 1st place -- Stacey De Luca
  • 2nd place -- Lenore Macdonald
  • 3rd place -- Mary Glerum
  • HM -- Sara Morgan
KGC member Mary Glerum in front of the Skokie Country Club's organic garden.
June Meeting Recap

Skokie Country Club's superintendent Donald Cross shows off eggs, laid by the club's chickens, which come in a beautiful variety of colors. Like the eggs, the chickens also have widely varying colors of feathers  
The chickens wait to greet our members, who got an up close look at the club's brood.  They arrived in April 2015 as chicks and today number 26.  Keeping chickens was not allowed in Glencoe, but after a resident complained, the village board met to discuss the issue and declared that any plot over 10 acres could keep them.  

Vegetables from the club's gardens are incorporated into the dining room menu by the chef. 
   
Donald Cross donned his beekeeping gear and gave members a look at one of the bee colonies and the honeycomb they have created.  The bees use the honeycomb as food during the winter.  He also identified the hive's Queen.  The bees reside next to the garden bed and ensure a good crop by pollinating the plants.
June KGC Board Meeting Highlights
 
The KGC Old/New Board Meeting, a longstanding tradition, was on Monday, June 13 th. It is pretty safe to say that we surprised ourselves, covering much ground in about an hour and a half. Here are the highlights.
 
Desperately Seeking Storage Not to be confused with the movie of a similar name, KGC is "Desperately Seeking Storage". The Keehn family has been extremely generous in donating space to KGC. However, they are vacating that space, and we must move, too. Do you have some dry, secure extra attic or garage space that you let KGC use? Would you like to help us survey the storage locker market this summer? If so, please let Cissy Crawford, Mary Lois Hakewill or Lenore Macdonald know.
 
Wither GCI? The most newsworthy item is that the Board (by a unanimous vote) to instruct the Executive Committee to study whether KGC should withdraw from the Garden Club of Illinois. KGC is a longstanding member of GCI, albeit not a founding member. Exec will study the benefits and burdens and make a recommendation to the Board and Membership. Please make yourself heard! Please read the article elsewhere in this Newsletter. Please let Lenore know how you feel about this important issue by July 15 th.
 
Say It With Flowers At the recommendation of the Finance Committee, KGC reviewed its longstanding tradition of flower deliveries. The Board voted to deliver flowers to members in case of the death of a member, her spouse or her child. KGC will also deliver flowers to members who themselves are or whose spouse is suffering from a serious illness, surgery or accident. Please let Lenore know if you hear any news about our members and their families.
 
Benefit The Board voted to hold the 2017 KGC Benefit on Thursday, April 27 due to the Easter Holiday the week before, and the Show of Summer meeting two weeks prior.
 
Paving Paradise? The Board voted unanimously to have Lenore write a letter to our federal officials expressing our opposition to the demolition of the Enid A. Haupt Garden at the Smithsonian Institution. GCA's Garden History and Design, Horticulture and NAL committees have taken a stand against demolition. Lenore sent emails, as is the suggested protocol, on June 19, 2016.
 
2016-17 Program Meeting  Schedule

2016:
Wednesday, September 21, 9:30 a.m.
Wednesday, October 19, 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, November 16, 9:30 a.m.
Sunday, December 4, 5:30 p.m. 

2017:
Monday, January 30
Wednesday, February 15, 7:00 p.m. 
Wednesday, March 15, 9:30 a.m.
Thursday, April 27 -- Benefit
Wednesday, May 17 -- Annual Meeting, 9:30 a.m.

If you have not signed up to be a hostess, please call Kelly Chestnut at 847.924.2036 or email her at kchestnut03@comcast.net

2016-17 Board Meeting Schedule 
Church of the Holy Comforter 
222 Kenilworth Avenue 
10:00 a.m.

2016: 
Monday, September 19
Monday, October 17 
Monday, November 14 
No December Meeting

2017: 
Monday, January 23
Monday, February 13 
Monday, March 13 
Monday, April 10 
Monday, May 15 
Monday, June 19
 
Ware Garden Update
The makeover is complete!  The Ware Garden's fountain has a new bluestone surround that emphasizes the beauty of the perennial garden beds surrounding it.

Since the last newsletter we have been continuing our weeding at Ware Garden in preparation for more natives to be planted by Nature's Perspective.  In the process, we have discovered another VERY invasive plant of which we want you all to be aware.   Here is a picture:
 
 
 
It's called "Fig Buttercup" (Ficaria verna).   You can read all about it at the website, http://www.nps.gov/plants/alien/fact/rafi1.htm .   This perennial completes its life cycle during the winter and spring, then disappears from sight.   But beneath the ground the tiny bulblets remain and will sprout in the spring.   There are many fingerlike tubers produced by the roots.   Last year we had a few and removed them by hand; we had the area tilled and more soil added in preparation to plant this spring.   We were amazed at how the fig buttercup had overtaken the area.   We have learned that we cannot plant in the area because we will have to use another method to eradicate the fig buttercup before we plant.   This plant is so invasive that it should not be placed in yard waste for composting; it should be placed in a plastic bag and put in the garbage.   We will be covering the area with fabric and putting mulch on top as we did for the goutweed.  
 
On a brighter note, some of the new plants we will be putting in are:   Blue-stemmed goldenrod, Calico aster, Woodland phlox, Swamp roses and Butterfly weed.   We will gradually be taking down the fences around the plants which were put in last summer.
 
Please volunteer using SignUp Genius for at least 2 hours during the summer!   There is always plenty to do and the time goes quickly while we work and catch up with fellow members.  
 
                                             --Sara Morgan, Barbi Paine, Elizabeth Dugan and Wendy Yamada
 

Conservation





The GCA is encouraging its members to visit our National Park System - take a selfie at the park.  
So far, 659 members have registered their visits!

Register your visit at https://www.gcamerica.org/index.cfm/members:showcases/list?category=park
 
There are hundreds of places other than national parks that fall under National Park Service.
Here are some good links:
https://www.nps.gov/nr/

Preservation Agencies within the National Park Service
https://www.nps.gov/nr/preservation_links.htm
 
National Historic Landmarks:
https://www.nps.gov/nhl/

by state:
https://www.nps.gov/nhl/find/statelists.htm

I've decided to visit Acadia National Park in August - first time in Maine - should be fun.  Did you see the great article in the Wall Street Journal about Yellowstone?

Have a PARK IT Summer!                                                                                                    -- Ann Jones 
 
FOR OUR MEMBERS 
Member Spotlight
Each month, we feature a different KGC member. This month, the spotlight is on new member

Kelly Chestnut



Why did you join KGC?
I joined KGC as we have two children heading off to college in the fall, leaving one child at home, and was looking for a new area to channel my energy.  I am drawn to any and all flowers, so KGC seemed the perfect match!

What is your KGC area of interest?   
At this point, I'm interested in all areas of the KGC as the information/education that comes from each area is so fascinating.
 
Who is your mentor, inside or outside of KGC? 
I don't know that I have a mentor per say, as I am so inspired by so many different people's knowledge from conservation work to floral design to garden history.

What are your interests outside of KGC? 
Outside the KGC, I am involved in Sears' Booster Club, our three sons' activities, tennis and any great book that comes my way.
 
Tell us something we may not know about you. 
What people may not know about me is that Chicago is now the longest place I have ever lived since moving here after college.  Growing up, I was born in CA and have lived in NJ, NY, KY, MN, MA and now visit my parents regularly in their home in VA.

What is your favorite season? 
My favorite season is summer.  Sunshine, warm temperatures, flowers in full bloom in every color shape and size, lush green grass, the lake/beach, an occasional storm are a few of the things I love about summer.

What is your favorite flower? 
My favorite flower is typically any type of orchid, but I especially love the smell of the oncidium orchid. 
 
 

Shelley Wins in Newport
Shelley Galloway has always encourages us to enter shows and enter often.
Shelley hit a real home run at the Newport Flower Show, receiving a Special Award
and First Place for one entry, and a Third Place for her second entry.
 Another extraordinary show for Shelley!! Congratulations!
Here are her entries. Enjoy!
Shelley won First Place, as well as a Special Award, for this intriguing image
of the side of a barn.  


Shelley received Third Place for this photo from the Chicago Botanic Garden. 
 
Yearbook Updates

Since the Yearbook won't be out until our September Meeting, here is the contact information for our new members.
Please welcome them to KGC when you see them!

Mrs. Michael Balch (Helen)                                                               
20 Canterbury Court
Wilmette, IL 60091
Home: 847-256-8532
Mobile: 847-209-3822
Work: 312-696-2127
Fax: 312-212-8426
 
Mrs. Ed Chestnut (Kelly)                                                                                         
133 Kenilworth Avenue
Kenilworth, IL 60043
Home: 847.256-7543
Mobile: 847.924.2036
 
Ms. Kendra Cunnigham- Kasper (Rich)                                       
724 Cummings Avenue
Kenilworth, IL 60043
Home: 847-920-9270
Mobile: 773.919.1454
 
Mrs. Bob Stephens (Carla)                                                                  
687 Cherry Street
Winnetka, IL 60093
Home: 847 441-2121
Mobile: 847 877-7129
 
Mrs. Dan Walsh (Charlotte)                                                               
899 Forest Glen East
Winnetka, IL 60093
Mobile: 847.612.2069
Work: 312.898.1588
 
Mrs. Tom Wiedrich (Christine "Chris")                                                         
2215 Thornwood Avenue
Wilmette, IL 60091
Home: 847/853-8309
Mobile: 847/502-4412
Fax: 847/853-1531


Please share your resources

Have you read any good books lately?
Your fellow KGC members are interested in new Floral Design, Horticulture, Gardening, Historic Gardens and Photography books that you might know about. Please let Chris Wiedrich know and we'll share them with everyone in an upcoming newsletter.  This is Chris' suggestion of a great book for learning about plant combinations, design, microclimates and much more.
 
 
Have a fave flower blogger?
Where do you go for on-line inspiration?   Share your finds with the club.  Just let Chris Wiedrich at clwiedrich@aol.com and she'll share it the newsletter. Several of us love the Floret Flowers blog. Check it out a t   http://www.floretflowers.com/blog/

A Summertime Brainteaser!
Courtesy of The Daily Mail

Flower School

Looking for inspiration for your next flower arrangement?  You might try choosing a piece of art in your home and creating a floral design that captures its look and feel.  The Wall Street Journal often has suggestions in its Saturday Off Duty section. We thought that you would enjoy this one.
From the Wall Street Journal, "A Flower Arrangement Inspired by Arshile Gorky,"  June 24, 2016
July's Musical Selection



 
This month's musical selection goes out to our members from the Bluebonnet State! (You know who you are!!)
 
Click here to listen. http://www.kenilworthgardenclub.org/about/
 
 NATIONAL & ZONE NEWS

Member Opportunities  
  
Save the Dates:

It's not too early to mark your calendar!
2017 SHIRLEY MENEICE HORTICULTURE CONFERENCE
Lauritzen Gardens, Omaha, Nebraska
September 25-27, 2017 (One-plus year from now)

2017 NATIONAL AFFAIRS AND LEGISLATION CONFERENCE
Washington, DC
February 27-March 2, 2017
 
Interested in representing KGC? Please contact Lenore ASAP!
 
 
 
  Looking for Some Fall Fun 
in the Big Easy?

How about the 2016 FASG Fall Workshop!

 
First, you must be a member of the GCA Flower Arranging Study Group. That's easy! Just subscribe to By Design magazine and you are automatically a member. Then, register following the instructions on the email link that you will receive as a FASG member. That email will appear in FASG members' inboxes at 1 pm on July 20th. Don't delay. Take advantage of this great opportunity. To subscribe, click here. You might also want to contact Debbie Stockstill (318)348-2540,  dstocks239@aol.com and Sandra Patterson (650) 851-8811, sjpatt@comcast.net to let them know that your check is in the mail and that you'd like to be included in the registration email blast.
 
Have you read The Real Dirt?
 
The GCA Horticulutre Committee just published its most recent edition of The Real Dirt.
You can regularly access it via the GCA's eNews email. Here's a link to the Spring 2016 issue: https://www.gcamerica.org/_uploads/filemanager/publicationsresource/TRD%2039.pub.pdf

Forgot your gcamerica.org password? Email Leslie North at leslie.a.north@gmail.com and she'll send it to you.


Garden Visits for Travelers


So you are going to Houston?  You want to see something different?  

Why not try visiting a garden in that city.  Not a public garden, but a private garden.

I can help.
 
Visiting Gardens is a committee of GCA that enables members to visit the gardens of other GCA members.

If you have an interest, please contact me and I will try and facilitate a garden tour for you. You will need several weeks lead time so that the visiting garden chair in whatever city you visit has time to arrange with her members.

GCA also plans and leads one or two fabulous trips to visit outstanding garden around the world.  This year they are going to Portland, OR, the rose city.  Details are outlined in the GCA Bulletin.

This is one of the many benefits of GCA membership. Let me know where your domestic travels take you and I'll find you some gardens to visit.

                                                                                                 -- Karin Balsbaugh 
AROUND TOWN
KGC supported the Friends of Kenilworth Club

Bulls fans and supporters of the Kenilworth Assembly Hall, a/k/a The Kenilworth Club, gathered on June 18, 2016, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Bulls Basketball Team founding.  KGC supported the community-wide benefit with an in-kind donation auction, the showpiece flower arrangement.  Stacey DeLuca created this stunner that raised $75 towards the Kenilworth Assembly Hall. Thank you, Stacey.

Upcoming Events

Friday, July 29, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. 
Bites, Blooms & Bordeaux 
Get ready to sip, stroll and savor tastes and floral fragrances at Bites, Blooms & Bordeaux (formerly titled Wine & Wildflowers Garden Party), a summer evening of wine, music and gourmet bites set amid the zoo's lush gardens. This after-horus garden party, hosted by Emily & John Alexander, features varietals and blends from leading winemaking regions paired with gourmet cuisine, conversation with Lincoln Park Zoo's Horticultural experts and live music.
Fee: $79 ($69 for members); VIP package $110 (zoo discount does not apply
Lincoln Park Zoo, 2001 N. Clark St., Chicago

Now - October 30, 10:00 am-5:00 pm daily
Model Railway Garden - Landmarks of America 
The 7,500-square-foot Model Railroad Garden features trains running on 1,600 feet of track. The garden-scale trains are 1/29th the size of life-size trains, traversing high and low through tunnels, across bridges, and around buildings. All are intricately handcrafted with natural materials, including twigs, bark, leaves, acorns, and pebbles. More than 5,000 tiny trees, shrubs, groundcovers, and flowering plants of close to 300 varieties re-create the topographical landscape of America.

Tickets are required and can be purchased at the Railway Garden gate.
Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe
* NOTE:  Chicago Botanic Garden charges a $20 parking fee for non-members  

A very warm KGC thank you to:

All of our Flower Show entrants;
Our terrific Flower Show judges--Sue Cozzens, Shelley Galloway, Nancy Kurz, Cristy Laier,
Lyn Little and Carole Read;
Stephanie Keehn for organizing and inspiring the Flower Show:
Shelley Galloway, Stacey DeLuca, Terri Lorenz and Heather Blackwell for all of their hard work in planning the Flower Show;
Shelley Galloway and Stacey DeLuca for physically arranging the Flower Show space -- thank you for doing the truly "heavy lifting";
Heather Blackwell for planning a fabulous tour of the Skokie Country Club's organic gardens, bee hives and chicken coop;
Skokie Country Club's Don Cross for the tour and for inspiring us;
Wendy Yamada for the gorgeous Ware Garden planters (don't miss them when you visit the garden or go to church!);
Elizabeth Dugin, Sara Morgan, Barbi Paine and Wendy Yamada for the Ware Garden Fountain Project;
Jackson Dugin and Cissy Crawford for the archive "heavy lifting" (literally and figuratively);
The KGC Board of Directors for an excellent and productive June Board Meeting;
Stacey DeLuca for creating the Kenilworth Assembly Hall benefit arrangment/silent auction item;
Elizabeth Dugin and Kelly Chestnut for their hard work securing the programs and the hostesses;
Chris Wiedrich on a terrific June newsletter -- the kudos are pouring in;
Kathy Elmer for three years as Treasurer and her commitment to the Club;
Ann Jones for her advice and assistance with the Enid A. Haupt letter;
All members who have timely paid their dues; and,
Everyone who has signed up to Hostess at a meeting.
To submit material for inclusion in the Kenilworth Garden Club newsletter, please contact:
Clwiedrich@aol.com