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November/December 2015
Newsletter
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From Our President
'Tis the season to be....
Joyous, generous, jovial, elated, excited, amazed, social, sparkly, sentimental, busy, bushed, frazzled, frantic...and, oh yeah - don't forget jolly!
It is also a wonderful time of year to think about outreach and philanthropy and giving. I still remember so clearly the first year I was allowed to stay up late on Christmas Eve with my parents and wrap presents with my mom and help get everything ready for my younger sisters. The gradual turn of the heart from juvenile disappointment over no longer having the big "wow" moment on Christmas morning, seeing all of the things we were getting...to the more mature appreciation (and surprising excitement) of being a part of the giving. That's the big secret, isn't it? The giving becomes the gift.
I thank each and every one of you for the many gifts you have given KGC this year: your precious time, your ideas and opinions, your prolific talents, your monetary donations, your interest in learning and doing new things, your commitment to making KGC a fun and meaningful organization, and above all, your friendships.
Whatever this season means to you, wherever it takes you and with whomever you share it, I hope it exceeds your expectations and leaves you feeling content and peaceful and hopeful for the coming year.
Stephanie
________________________________________________________________________
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Monday, January 11th
10:45 a.m.
Kenilworth Union Church
Library
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You are cordially invited...
To join your KGC friends for
good fun & good cheer
at our annual
Kenilworth Garden Club Holiday Party
Sunday, December 6th
5:30 to 7:30 p.m.
Home of Wendy & Keith Yamada
1021 Pine, Winnetka
Spouses/significant others welcome
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November Meeting
Celebrating the Season with Holiday Designs from the Outdoors
On November 18th, an impressive turnout of KGC members was treated to an entertaining and informative presentation by professional floral designer Walter Fedyshyn (rhymes with 'illusion'). Walter has designed floral arrangements for five Academy Awards and two presidential inaugurations (Bush/Quayle and Bush/Cheney), to mention just a few of his many accomplishments. His interest in floral design surfaced at the tender age of nine, when he began helping out at a floral shop around the corner from his grandparents' house in Pittsburgh. The owner of the shop quickly took a liking to Walter and his insatiable willingness to learn. Over the years, she taught him every aspect of the business, a precious gift that he still deeply cherishes today.
For our November meeting, Walter shared some of his highly creative and inspirational ideas for holiday decorating and floral designs. Starting with a Thanksgiving tablescape, he grouped three small containers which he created from soup cans wrapped in silk leaves, bullion wire and beads. Then, he combined different groupings of fall-colored mums, rose hips, dried grasses and silk leaves to form hand-tied bouquets which he simply dropped into the containers. Very easy and very effective! (See below)
For his second trick, Walter skillfully embellished a store-bought willow wreath with fall materials, including catalpa seed pods, dried grasses, natural moss and an assortment of "permanent" foliage that he purchased at Michael's. (See photo at top)
Walter's rustic Christmas centerpiece was a variation on his Thanksgiving tablescape, this time featuring a collection of five small birch baskets arranged on a festive brocade runner. Each basket was garnished with a unique combination of orchids, succulents, air plants, yarrow, "permanent" (aka faux) chain of pearls, holly and winter greenery (below).
Walter's take on the "Holiday Tree" was anything but traditional, featuring ornately embellished, handmade ornaments dangling from bare winter branches.
The unexpected result was Christmas candy to the eyes (below).
And for Walter's final act, he created a stunning collection of winter arrangements featuring orchids, fresh pine, rosemary, juniper, boxwood and holiday trims in richly adorned glass
jars. He also shared a fabulous trick to make beautiful homemade candle coasters out of magnolia leaves and a simple disk of cardboard.
Walter's tips for extending the life of your holiday arrangements:
- Strip any leaves off of stems to prevent the water from "going sour";
- Use paper-coated wire for tying bouquets to avoid damaging stems;
- If using woody stems, give a clean cut and then scrape off some of the bark just above the cut to expose more of the stem to allow maximum absportion; and
- Change water on a daily basis to get the maximum life out of your flowers
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UPCOMING KGC DATES
Mark the following dates on your calendar for these exciting upcoming
Kenilworth Garden Club events and activities!!
KGC Annual Holiday Party!
Sunday, December 6th; 5:30-7:30 pm -- Home of Wendy & Keith Yamada,
1021 Pine St., Winnetka
Kenilworth Council of Garden Clubs Joint Meeting -- Hosted by KGC
Monday, January 25; 12:30 pm -- Kenilworth Union Church, Culbertson Room
The Horticulture of the Vine: Part Deux --
Hosted by KGC Hort Commitee
Thursday, January 28; 7:00 pm -- (seeking a host home)
KGC February Meeting -- James Rowan, Photographer & Naturalist
February 17; 9:30 am --
Home of Tina Rice, 2408 Elmwood Rd., Wilmette
HOLD THE DATE -- KGC Spring Benefit 2016
Thursday, April 21st
(Please be respectful and RSVP for all KGC meetings and events. Thank you!)
 (COPY & PRINT THIS PAGE, SO YOU DON'T MISS A THING!)
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GOT AN IDEA FOR A WORTHY PHILANTHROPIC PARTNER?
Written proposals for this year's charitable donations are due to our Philanthropy Chair, Ann Jones, by Jan. 15th. Contact Ann Jones at rannjones@me.com for an application and to start the process. After research of all proposals and a review of the budget, the Philanthropy Committee will share the recommendations with the Board for approval and then with the membership for final approval.
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KGC OUTREACH REACHES OUT
TO MISERICORDIA RESIDENTS
"Show of Winter" -- On a blustery, cold November day, KGC volunteers brought a little bit of holiday cheer and magic to the very deserving residents of Misericordia. Like Santa's little elves, they deftly strung twinkle lights on the trees and decorated McAuley Hall courtyard. "All of the Misericordia classrooms, as well as the sensory garden classroom, have windows on the ground floor that open to the McAuley Hall courtyard," explains Barb McDonough. "The rotunda and balcony on the second floor also have beautiful views of the courtyard. It's the ideal location for residents with limited vision and very limited opportunity to be outside to enjoy Christmas lights. And, yes, my Patrick enjoyed the courtyard both outside and inside McAuley."
After the decorations were complete, the crew warmed themselves with lunch in the Greenhouse Cafe, followed by Christmas shopping in their beautiful Heartstrings Gift Shop. If you are interested in volunteering for future outings to beautify Misericordia, contact Joan Dodson at
joandodson@gmail.com.
--- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- --- ---
Midwest Palliative & Hospice CareCenter is Now JourneyCare
KGC donated funds for the wonderful Flower Re-purposing Room, and volunteering our time as well would be instrumental in keeping us involved. If you are interested, contact Joan Dodson at
joandodson@gmail.com
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FLORAL DESIGN WORKSHOP "LEAVES" IT ALL ON THE TABLE
OMG, She's SOOO Manipulative!
Yes, that's what we were saying about our floral design rock star, Shelley Galloway, during our Leaf Manipulation Workshop on the evening of Tuesday, October 13th. A very enthusiastic group of KGC members gathered at Terri Lorenz's house for some valuable words of wisdom (and a little bit of wine) regarding the use of leaves to add interest to your arrangements - or even skipping the flowers altogether and just using leaves. Shelley brought a BOUNTY of sample leaves with which to play. We crimped, pleated and bent them. We stuck them together with glue dots, wires and elaborate origami folds. Needless to say, we will never look at an aspidistra leaf the same again. My houseplants are afraid that I might stylize them for Christmas!
-- Terri Lorenz, Floral Design Co-Chair
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2015-16 KGC FLORAL DESIGN WORKSHOPS
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Joan Senko and Terri Lorenz design the centerpiece for the November meeting.
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BASIC FLOWER ARRANGING - OUTREACH PROJECT
DECEMBER 9 @ 9:30 AM
JourneyCare (formerly Midwest CareCenter)
IKEBANA DEMONSTRATION -- FEBRUARY
AC Nielsen, 530 Hibbard Road, Winnetka
SOS TUNE-UP LEAD BY GINNY NOYES -- MARCH
IN-HOUSE FLOWER SHOW -- MAY
For questions or to sign up for any floral workshop, contact Shelley at:
flowergenius@gmail.com
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Give the Gift of Newport
Looking for the perfect gift idea??
We have two remaining signed copies of Bettie Pardee's beautiful coffee table book, "Living Newport." If interested, contact Stephanie Keehn at stephanie.keehn@gmail.com. Books are $70 each (payable to KGC), and 15% goes back to KGC.
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In an article from Debra Shore, Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District, we were reminded about the lack of toilets in the world. More people have cell phone than toilets.
Startling Stats:
2.3 billion people do not have access to clean water.
315,000 children under age 5 die annually of diarrhea caused by dirty water.
Every $1 spent on water & sanitation generates $4.30 in return
due to reduced healthcare costs.
80% of wastewater is discharged into rivers and seas without any pollution removed.
Maybe this is an area for our garden club to direct its efforts in the name of "Conservation".
-- Conservation Chair, Karin Balsbaugh
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KENILWORTH COMBINED COUNCIL
The November 2, 2015 Beautification meeting was spent assembling the mailers for their biennial fundraiser (see below). As we all sat and worked, I had the opportunity to find out a few "good news" activities going on in our village.
Valerie Foradas shared with us that Andy Schoof, a resident landscaper and steward of Ivy Court, planted 300 shell pink 'Chestnut Flower' hyacinths from the Chicago Botanic Garden Bulb Sale at the west entry to Joseph Sears School. Watch for this colorful sign that spring has arrived!
"To heighten the spring show of color at Mahoney Park, the Park District and the "Weekly Weeders" added several hundred narcissus and native spring plants at the gateway entrances to Mahoney Park," added Valerie. Can't wait for that burst of color in the spring!
On the west side of Mahoney, Nick Patera, our consulting landscape architect, "enhanced the entry into the bird pond by recommending seven large stones now laid in a triangular arrow-shaped pattern that lead visitors into the pond area."
These efforts, large and small, by individuals, the village and tireless volunteers together add to the aesthetics of the Village of Kenilworth.
PS - Who provides all of the Christmas wreaths that beautify Kenilworth Avenue every Christmas? That's right...Kenilworth Beautification, assisted by funds from private residents like you!
We thank you! -- Cheryl Anderson, Kenilworth Civic Co-Chair
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The Beautification biennial fundraising drive
is currently underway
Please consider donating to help fund our many village beautification projects, including the upcoming redesign of Maggi Park, located on the SW corner of Green Bay Road and Kenilworth Avenue (near Homer's). For more about the many important efforts of our local Beautification committee, please read the letter below:
Send your donations (payable to Kenilworth Beautification) to:
Rosemary Isono
615 Earlston Road
Kenilworth, IL 60043
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What's What at Ware?
We've been blessed with a beautiful, long autumn providing us plenty of time to complete the extensive seasonal clean-up. Ware Garden has been "put to bed" and prepared for the long Chicago winter months ahead. Thank you to everyone who helped with the preparations.
If you were not able to work at Ware Garden this past summer,
p
lease send a check for $50 by December 15th to Treasurer Kathy Elmer,
44 Warrington Drive, Lake Bluff, IL 60044.
Thank you!
-- Ware Chairs -- Sara Morgan, Elizabeth Dugan, Wendy Yamada & Barbi Paine
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RECIPE OF THE MONTH
Mary Lois' Cheese Straws
Mary Lois made these delicious cheese straws for the October meeting, and there were so may requests for the recipe that we decided to share it with all our members. They make the perfect, easy-to-prepare, festive appetizer for your holiday entertaining. "The recipe comes from an old cookbook from the Junior League of Baton Rouge, called "River Road Recipes" (copyright 1959)," shared Mary Lois. Just shows that some of the oldest recipes are simply the best. (Hopefully, she will bring them to our holiday party on December 6th!)
1/2 cup butter
2 cups grated sharp cheddar cheese
2 2/3 cups sifted flour
Red pepper to taste
1/4 tsp salt
Mix ingredients together well. Roll thin & cut in narrow strips. Bake in slow oven, 275 degrees, until light brown. Makes about 4 dozen.
"The recipe does not say this, but I brush them with a little egg white and sprinkle a few poppy seeds over them before baking. -- Mary Lois
Holiday twist: bend the top over to create a candy cane shape...
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FOCUS ON PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography Opportunities Abound Within GCA!!
With GCA's expanding commitment to nurturing and promoting an interest in photography, there are currently countless opportunities to expand and share your own photography portfolio.
1) GCA is looking for some outstanding images to grace the cover of The Bulletin. The photos should be in vertical orientation with space for the title to run across the top of the image and on the side for text. If you have any strong images that fit these categories, please email them to sdeluca13@yahoo.com, and I will pass them on for consideration. It would be an honor to have your image on the cover of a magazine that goes out to the 18,000 members of the GCA.
Upcoming themes:
Winter 2015 - Earth
Spring 2016 - Fire
Summer 2016 - Summer
2) Additionally, there is a request for seasonal photos for the GCA website banner. Please forward to Stacey De Luca your outstanding, colorful photos that could be cropped to a panoramic format. The images would be used to add color and interest to various pages on the website.
3)
The new Fall issue of Focus (see below) includes a fascinating article explaining how to use your home scanner to take incredibly beautiful images of plant material. Don't miss this article - the images are magnificent and should provide some great inspiration!
4)
Finally, this is the time when all the spring and summer flower show schedules are being posted on the GCA website. I hope you'll think about entering the photography division of any of the dozens of shows listed. To take a look, log into the Members section of the GCA website, go to the Photography Committee landing page, look under the far right column for Photography Committee Resources, click on 'Entering Flower Shows', then click on 'Upcoming Flower Shows with Photography Classes'.
And, if nothing else this fall and winter, just keep shooting!!
-- Stacey De Luca, Photography Chair
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Looking for a Great Gift Idea?
"Heirloom Harvest: Modern Daguerreotypes of
Historic Garden Treasures"
by Amy Goldman
On two hundred acres in the Hudson Valley, Amy Goldman grows heirloom fruits and vegetables -- an orchard full of apples, pears, and peaches; plots of squash, melons, cabbages, peppers, tomatoes, eggplants, and beets. The president of the New York Botanical Garden has called her "perhaps the world's premier vegetable gardener." It's her life's work, and she's not only focused on the pleasures of cultivating the land and feeding her family, she's also interested in preserving our agricultural heritage, beautiful and unique heirlooms that truly are organic treasures.
Over fifteen years, the acclaimed photographer Jerry Spagnoli has visited Amy's gardens to preserve these cherished varieties in another way -- with the historical daguerreotype process, producing ethereal images with a silvery, luminous depth and a timeless beauty, underscoring the historical continuity and value of knobby gourds, carrots pulled from the soil, and fruit picked fresh from the tree.
In Heirloom Harvest, Amy's essay, "Fruits of the Earth," describes her twenty-five year collaboration with the land. The text along with Jerry Spagnoli's photographs and an afterword by M Mark add up to an exquisite package, an artist's herbarium worthy of becoming an heirloom itself.
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In this column, we will share pertinent information about the Village of Kenilworth for residents who may have missed it or for non-residents who may just be interested.
Holiday Light Recycling
The Village will be offering holiday light recycling at the Public Works garage located at 347 Ivy Court. There is a drop box located at the Public Works yard entrance.
Parking Restriction Reminder
With the snow season upon us, the Village would like to remind residents and commuters of the overnight, village-wide parking restriction. Vehicles are not permitted to remain on Village streets between the hours of 2:00 A.M. to 6:00 A.M. Please help us ensure that roads remain clear for snow plows and emergency vehicles.
Yard Waste Pick-Up
Collection of yard waste has culminated for the season. Do not place yard waste in the parkway for pick up.
Exception: Christmas trees and wreaths will be collected from the village parkways after the holidays.
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Happenings Around Town
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Through December 20th
Every year, Santa's reindeer pay a visit to Chalet and stay for a while getting some much needed rest before their big ride of the year.
Fee: Free
Chalet Garden Center, Education Center, 3132 Lake Ave., Wilmette
Through January 3rd, 10:00 am-5:00 pm
Wonderland Express
Wonderland Express is one of the Chicago area's top holiday "must-sees" and a family-friendly, made-for-memories experience. Special events at the Wonderland Express include:
Landmark Lecture (Dec. 5 & 15) - Join host Bonnie McDonald for a historical tour of the Wonderland Express landmarks.
Seasonal Tasting (Dec. 9) - Get into the holiday spirit with tastings of spirits, wines, and winter brews.
Christmas Concert (Dec. 12) - Christmas Brass Concert
Members' Night (Dec. 15) - Exclusive members-only visit to Wonderland Express with cookies, hot chocolate, and carolers!
Breakfast with Santa (Dec. 19 & 20) - Visit with Santa and see Wonderland Express!
Hot Chocolate with Mrs. Claus (Dec. 21) - Kids love visiting with Mrs. Claus - not to mention the hot chocolate and cookies!
To purchase tickets, go to: http://www.chicagobotanic.org/wonderland
Chicago Botanic Garden, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe
Red's Garden Center Christmas Events
Live Nativity Scene - Saturday, December 5, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Live Reindeer - Saturday, December 12, 11:00 am - 5:00 pm
Fee: Free
Red's Garden Center, 3460 Dundee Road, Northbrook
Sunday, December 6, 10:00 am-4:00 pm
CBG Holiday Market
Do you need some last-minute holiday gifts? Visit the Holiday Market where vendors will offer products such as locally made jams, soaps, honey, and more.
Fee: Free*
Chicago Botanic Garden, Burnstein Hall, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., Glencoe
Sunday, December 6, 1:00-4:00 pm
Mosaic Christmas Tree Workshop
Channel your artistic and creative side in this very unique workshop. Red's instructor is a mosaic artist who really enjoys teaching this class.
Fee: $50 payable in advance (includes all supplies needed).
Pre-registration required. Please call ahead (847-272-1209) to reserve a seat.
Red's Garden Center, 3460 Dundee Road, Northbrook
Kenilworth Union Church Christmas Events
Lessons & Carols - December 13th, 9:00 and 10:30 am
Family Nativity - December 24th, 11:00 am
Traditional Candlelight Service - December 24th, 3:00, 6:00, 9:00 and 11:00 pm
Blessing of the Animals - December 27th, 10:30 am
Holy Comfortor Christmas Events
Lessons & Carols - December 6th, 5:00 pm
Cocoa & Carols - December 20th, 10:00 am
Christmas Eve Liturgy - December 24th, 8:00 and 10:00 pm
Christmas Day Liturgy - December 25th, 10:00 am
* Chicago Botanic Garden charges a $20 parking fee for non-members
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Beyond The Garden Gate
It's Not Too Late to Plant Milkweed Seeds!!
According to Kay MacNeil, GCI's "Milkweed for Monarchs" chairman, it's still possible to plant milkweed seeds in the fall and get great results. Just follow these step-by-step instructions...
1. Put your seeds into a small bowl and bring out to planting area.
2. Clear away any mulch or rocks from the area that could potentially block the growth of a small seedling.
3. Water the area thoroughly and let it saturate the soil.
4. Put on garden gloves and stick your index finger in the dirt up to
your first knuckle.
Repeat this process for each seed you are planting.
5. Measuring between holes:
Make the letter
L
with your thumb and forefinger. Use the distance between the tips of those fingers for approximate spacing. Seeds can move over winter and some won't germinate so exact spacing now is a waste of time.
6. Place one seed in each hole.
7. Cover the seeds with the already-moist soil. You can place a few
inches of straw or leaf mulch over the area to keep the soil from drying out.
8. Mark your seeds with sturdy plant labels.
9. Squirrels?
Consider putting down chicken wire to deter squirrels or other pesky critters from digging up your new milkweed patch. You could also put off planting until just before the ground freezes or before your first major snowstorm.
10. Relax for the winter, knowing you've done a wonderful thing!
11. 1-2 months after your seedlings have sprouted next spring, pinch
off extra plants
(or consider transplanting) to achieve ideal spacing for your specific milkweed variety.
Karin Balsbaugh still has seeds, if you're interested. And Kay MacNeil has kindly offered to field any questions, so feel free to contact her directly at
kaymac60423@yahoo.com.
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GCA 2016 Annual Meeting - Minneapolis, MN
Flower Show Schedule
The 2016 Annual Meeting, to be held in Minneapolis, MN, will feature a full Flower Show entitled
"Postcards from the Journey -- Sky Blue Waters - Amber Waves - Green Forests". Since the meeting will be held in a Zone XI locale, they have created three classes exclusively for members of Zone XI clubs to showcase their talents in Floral Design, Horticulture and Photography. While the schedule is still being finalized, you can get a sneak peak by clicking on the link below.
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AND SPECIAL THANKS TO...
Marty Peterson for hosting the November meeting at her beautiful home;
Karen Miller, Pam McClamroch, Lenore Macdonald, Cristy Laier, Jackie Bossu and Kirsten Rider for providing the delicious refreshments for the November meeting;
Terri Lorenz and Joan Senko for the amazing centerpiece at the November meeting;
Terri Lorenz, Diane Phillips, Cissy Crawford and Kirsten Rider for delivering the 2015-16 KGC directories;
Joan Dodson for reviving KGC's Outreach program; and
Katherine Buehler for shepherding the nominating process.
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To submit material for inclusion in the Kenilworth Garden Club newsletter, please contact:
sdeluca13@yahoo.com
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