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Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc.
Plant America -
Grow, Share and
Connect to a Brighter Future!
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Lisa's Letter
It's bittersweet, to enjoy the magic of a Michigan Fall, we say goodbye to flip flops and the freedom of no-jacket weather. Sweaters, chili, pumpkins, apple cider and so much color!
Bring it on!
Once again, Michigan Garden Clubs have worked so hard this summer, in the garden and hosting Flower Shows, Garden Walks, Plant Sales and special anniversaries. Unfortunately, I spent most of the summer recovering from illness and missed the opportunity to visit and participate in many of these activities. President Elect, Ronnie Dush stood in for me on a few occasions. Thank you, Ronnie.
The 2026 Fall District Meetings in District 5 and District 2A have been so fun and well organized, with fabulous attendance. I look forward to the four Fall District Meetings yet to go. The host clubs in each district have done an outstanding job! Thank you for your support by participating in the Meetings in your District.
By the time you read this, Michigan Garden Clubs will have hosted the first ever Central Region Virtual Convention. Our committee worked very hard to produce this unique event, hoping to set a standard that other states will follow to help members avoid the high cost of Convention attendance while incorporating all of the necessary elements of our Regional Annual Meeting. I truly appreciate all of those who gave much of their time, skill and ideas to produce this event. Read More
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Every day is a great day to be a gardener in Michigan
and a member of Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc!
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The MGC, Inc. Mission
is to provide leadership, education, resources, and network opportunities for its members to promote the love of gardening, floral and landscape design, civic, and environmental responsibility.
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In This Issue:
Thru the Garden Gate
Lisa’s Letter
MGC Mission
Events Calendar
MGC District News
District Reports
D5 Fall Meeting Report
D2B Fall Meeting
MGC Club News
Brighton Mi Garden Club Award
100th Mason Country Garden Club
Caro Garden Club Plant Sale
MGC Profiles
Congratulations Trish Payne, 2nd VP!
MGC Projects and News
Loda Lake Update
Neighbors to Neighbors
1st VP Report
Member Meetings
Awards and Grants
MGC Wearables
NGC Schools hosted by MGC
Environmental School Nov 2-3
Central Region News
Plant America: Progress is Possible
National Garden Clubs News
2027 Annual Convention May14-16
Madison, Wisconsin
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GOT NEWS?
Newsletter Submission Deadlines
Winter-Dec 1- Jan 1 publish Jan. 10, '27
Submit here to Nola J. Hogge
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October
13 - District 6 Spring Leadership Meeting -
Gladwin
14 - District 2B Fall Meeting - Meridian
15 - District 1 Fall Meeting - Ferndale
21 - District 4 Fall Meeting - Lowell
26 - Finance Committee Zoom @ 1:00pm
28 - North Awards Judging Day - Otsego
County Library, Gaylord - 9:30am-3:00pm
November
2-3 - Environmental School, Course 4 -
Hickory Corners
10 - Awards Judging Day - Lansing -
9:30am-3:00pm
12 - MGC Board of Directors Meeting -
ZOOM @ 1:00
26- Happy Thanksgiving
December
Happy Holidays!
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Now that it’s time to turn on our furnaces again, I regret every bad thing I said about this summer’s excessive heat and my wishes for cooler days. What was I thinking? However, when I looked at my magnificent stand of New England asters today, I realized what all that heat was preparing for me. Six feet tall, leaves barely visible for the blue-purple daisy-like flowers covering it, and buzzing with pollinators. Nature’s gift, for sure.
District 1’s Fall Meeting is just around the corner (October 15th in Ferndale). This is a not-to-be-missed experience. Ferndale has pulled out all the stops to ensure a fabulous day. Highlights include three outstanding speakers (Dr. Charlie Brennan and Bridget O’Brien of The Flower Project speaking on Bold Designs for Survival and Joy and Michael Fraley speaking on Bold and Beautiful Gardens: Plants for a Garden of Interest); a floral design demonstration; continental breakfast and catered lunch; terrific door prizes; a food drive; and a tour of the Ferndale Community Garden after the event.
Don’t miss out. If you haven’t registered already, contact me for more information. Read More
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Thank you to Debra Emmons for serving as D2A Director.
Facebook Highlights
D2A Fall Meeting was held on September 25 at the Bedford Branch Library. It was hosted by the Bedford Flower and Garden Club. The morning speakers was Sara Guiher, an Extension Educator, who spoke about Rain Gardens. The afternoon speaker was Jean Aldrich Simmons, Certified Horticulturist talking about "Extending the Growing Season." The Theme was "Let's give them 'pumpkin' to talk about."
Hillsdale Garden Club will be selling beautiful garden wreaths and arrangements for Christmas. Buds and Buddies Garden Club visited Rakers Trial Gardens with rows of gorgeous plants and baskets. Morenci Garden Club did a craft of painting gourds for bird houses. Adrian Garden Club explored the Kiwanis Trail and a biology professor, Jane Salzwedel. Tecumseh Garden Club partnered with River Raisin Watershed Council to help make their community greener and healthier.
Thank you to all the clubs in District 2A! They indeed promote, create, and show interest in horticulture, gardening, and a great appreciation for the natural beauties of the state of Michigan.
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Autumn is here!
Recently Sharon (Pres of Williamston) talked about the reorganization of their club. The team reviewed information on all of the activities, support systems and projects. With that information they realigned the groups to provide greater support within each system. The thinking behind this process sounds promising. I look forward to hearing about how this impacts services, supports projects and creates a more workable flow from within.
In Mason Diann, reported that the youth group was extremely active this summer. Lots of produce, activities and community involvement. The activities and field trips involving the youth program continue to grow and prosper.
Our team at Meridian has spearheaded the Fall D2B mtg. Many creative and active members are bringing together a fabulous day. They are bringing back the roundtable Yearbook display.
Read More
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Facebook Highlights
from D3A
South Haven Garden Club posted about "Why to not Bag our Leaves". In those bags are Luna moth cocoons, swallowtail chrysalises', salamanders, overwintering ladybugs, bumblebees queens, firefly larvae and ground beetles. Rake them into beds or under trees. Mow or shred and add them to your compost.
The Meek Mill Garden Club had a wonderful time at the Constantine Harvest Festival. They hosted a Make it-Take it Free hand tied bouquet.
Portage Garden Club learned about Permaculture-a fancy name for sustainable gardening. The instructor was Jackie Smith, a certified permaculture gardener.
Kalamazoo Garden Club and Petal Pushers had a plant sale fundraiser as well as Portage Garden Club. These are wonderful projects to fill our gardens with perennials.
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District 3B is moving and shaking, planting gardens and donating food and recovering from a summer of festivals, garden walks, flower shows and schools!
Rivervalley Garden Club in Sawyer completed the fourth and final course of Gardening School. The fourth course had outstanding professors from Purdue University in Indiana, and Western Michigan College, you know, the school that can keep time (for those of you football fans, ha!) We also had experts in plant propagations and learned that Southwest Michigan has some of the best kept, pristine uncut forests in the state and so we’ve learned so much more. Well-done Rivervalley and team for completing this 4-part event! Very well done!
Four Flags Garden Club in Niles donated four trophies to Berrien
County Fair. Read More
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District 4 is looking forward to its Fall Leadership Meeting on October 21.
Our theme is “Growing Thriving Garden Clubs.” We have a dynamic speaker scheduled to kick off the morning. In the afternoon, attendees will share ideas on how to help our clubs flourish. The Lowell Showboat Garden Club and Belding Gardeneers have planned a wonderful day for us.
Special congratulations to two of our clubs celebrating milestones! The Big Rapids Garden Club marked their
80th anniversary with a special celebration, where members dressed
in attire representing various eras of
the club's history. On Saturday they
had a commemorative booth at the
Farmers Market.
The Cedar Springs Garden Club is celebrating 25 years—they may be small, but they are mighty!
Read More
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Our Fall District Meeting was held on September 10 at the Great Lakes Center for the Arts in Petoskey. We had 185 registered club members. Present were 20 out of 22 clubs represented from our district. Also, present were 22 club presidents.
The venue was amazing and I heard one person say she felt like she was walking into a wedding it was that beautiful. The food was so fresh and tasty.
Boyne Valley Garden Club hosted the healthy tasty breakfast with the most unique utensils. Attendees were collecting the small pitch forks and shovels for their grandchildren.
Petoskey Garden Club was the host club for this event and pulled off a stellar fall meeting. Everything was top notch. The speakers were both great and kept the audience’s attention even after a full lunch.
Read More
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District 6 enjoyed a very busy and fun summer.
Congratulations to Gladwin County Master
Gardeners and Friends, Port Sanilac Garden Club, Open Gate Garden Club (Fenton), and Lily Budd Garden Club (Harrison) on their beautiful garden tours. These tours were so organized and the properties an inspiration! We celebrated some wonderful milestones in District 6 with the following anniversaries.
Gladwin County Master Gardeners & Friends – 25th Anniversary
Great Lakes Gardeners (Midland) – 20th Anniversary
Mt Pleasant Garden Club – 65th Anniversary
Touch the Earth Garden Club (Grand Blanc)- 35th Anniversary
Valley Garden Club of Bay City- 15th Anniversary
Congratulations on your continued success! We are so happy to have you in Michigan Garden Clubs. I enjoyed the opportunity to present two clubs with 1st place awards in District 6:
Read More
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District 5 Fall Meeting
Dorothy Sandoval Director
Petosky Area Garden Club presented:
"Celebrating the Gifts of the Garden"
| | District 5 Fall Meeting took place on Thursday, September 10, 2026 in Bay Harbor, Mi. The Speakers: Mae Wright (Tribal Historic Preservation Officer for the Little Traverse Bay Bands of Odawa Indians) and Brian Bates (from Bear Creek Organic Farm). The event hosted garden club members for ongoing education and networking, included a unique garden-tool cutlery continental breakfast, and collective attendees donated nearly 500 pounds of food to the local Manna Food Pantry. | |
District 2B Fall Meeting
"Made in Michigan" - by Sally Gray
Meridian Garden Club is honored to invite the
2B Garden Clubs to join us in East Lansing
October 14, 2026 Registration begins at 8:30 AM at the
MSUFCU Headquarters - 3899 Coolidge Road, East Lansing.
The theme for the upcoming meeting is
“Made in Mid-Michigan.”
The morning speaker will be Jarod Harmon, Executive Director of the Mid-Michigan Land Conservancy. Jared will speak to us about the importance of healthy forests to our drinking water. He will describe the new initiative of the conservancy, “Forest to MI Faucet.” This new program is designed to protect water quality by protecting forests and managing them better. Read More
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MNLA Plant Michigan Green Community Landscape Beautification Award "Brighton MI Garden Club"
by Hilary Sproule, President
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Brighton Mi Garden Club received an Award for their “Celebrating America’s Birthday” garden project. Congratulations to the Post Office Garden Team! Congratulations to Sue Rusnik, chair of the Post Office Garden, and her dedicated team.
Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association (MNLA) Executive Director Amy Upton presented Sue and her team with a plaque and decorative metal sign recognizing their award-winning garden at a presentation held at the Post Office. The award recognizes outstanding community landscaping and beautification projects throughout Michigan. Entries are evaluated by landscaping professionals on such criteria as overall appearance, plant selection and placement, design, craftsmanship, quality of materials, and how well the garden integrates with its surroundings.
A special thank-you goes to Sue Rusnik, whose leadership, determination, and enthusiasm helped make this recognition possible. Her leadership reflects the dedication that makes our community gardens successful.. Read More
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Mason County Garden Club, Ludington, MI
100th Anniversary
- by Dawn Rollenhagen
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It was a Grand Celebration with dignitaries presenting proclamations, many garden club members, their guests, as well as other State Garden Club officials in attendance. Past Presidents attending were Anne Kivela, Gig Rose, Gwen Jackson, Jackie Christensen, Sharon Morman, Mary Ann Ferguson, Dawn Rollenhagen, and Sue Ann Hansen. Those presenting proclamations were Curt Vander Wall, State Representative from 102 District, Janet Andersen, Chair of Mason County Board of Commissioners, Mark Barnett, Ludington
Mayor, and Lisa Robinson, Michigan State Garden Club President. Gail Burkhart, club President received the Proclamations from the dignitaries.
The Special 100 Year Celebration Committee that planned the event were Dawn Rollenhagen, Chair; Sue Hanson, Sue Joslin, Julie Tews, Marilyn Austin, Gail Burkhart, Jackie Christensen, Carole Christofferson, Diane Davis, Sandi Luxford, Dianne Miller, Judy Olson, Dianne Portwine, Mary Margaret Scanlon, and Gig Rose.
In addition to the banquet, the Committee plus membership were responsible for the prize winning float in the 4th of July Parade. We also had a Garden Walk featuring all our Gardens tenderly cared for in our community: Leveaux Park, Blue Star Memorial, War Memorial at Stearns Park, the Veterans Memorial Mall, and Legacy Plaza as well as three special private
gardens. Read More
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Caro Garden Club
by Joyce Muz
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CGC hosted their third annual native plant sale on September 5th , partnering once again with East Michigan Native Plants and Five Hearts Earthworm Farm at our local farmer’s market.
Owner of EMNP and horticulturist Angela Nelson, answered questions about the benefits of native plants and found plants suitable for specific environments. Plants were labeled for sun requirements, drainage, plant characteristics and benefits so you could select from a wide range of plants, shrubs and trees. “Right plant, right place!”
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Right next to East Michigan Native Plants was Five
Hearts Earthworm Farm, where you could learn how to improve your soil using earthworm castings from the amazing Sarah Archer. It’s amazing stuff, good for any type of soil. Many of our members use the stuff and swear by it! Our club had a booth as well with info about club membership and the local gardens we tend.
In July the Caro Garden Club had a “progressive meeting”. We started with lunch and garden tour at Kathy Sauber’s home, a meeting under the trees at and Myra
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Putnam’s (where the chickens did not hesitate to add their two cents’ worth) garden tour, and we ended with dessert at Ashley Clement’s home with a garden tour. Each of the gardens reflected their respective gardeners. Kathy has tricky light situations to work with, some beds having full sun at the front and part to full shade as they back up to the woods.
The repetition of several plants - perennials and annuals - create a visual rhythm that leads you from one area to the next. Her perennial garden has a lovely variety of specimens and an overall feeling of peace.
Read More
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Trish Payne, - 2nd MGC Vice President
She sits on both the Executive Committee and the Board of Directors. As Chair of Civic Affairs, she oversees Legislation and Blue & Gold Star Memorials and collaborates with the 4th Vice President to review charitable donation requests and develop funding recommendations.
Previously, Trish served as MGC's Blue & Gold Star Memorial Chair, leading several significant initiatives. She conducted MGC's first statewide audit of memorials, standardized memorial information for publication on the MGC website, and provided recommendations that contributed to the development of the organization's Blue & Gold Star Memorial Policy and Procedures. Drawing on her Bachelor of Science in Computer Science, she also streamlined the maintenance of the state's memorial records.
At the local level, Trish is a member of Touch the Earth Garden Club of Grand Blanc, where she has served as Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer and currently serves as Garden Chair for the club's Gold Star By-Way Memorial at Rust Park. A passionate gardener and advocate for community beautification, she has dedicated the past 12 years to restoring and maintaining 10 individual gardens, eight raised beds, and 10 community beds along a Rust Park walking path. Trish is also a member of the city's Parks & Recreation Committee, where she shares her gardening expertise to enhance public spaces and support meaningful civic projects.
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Loda Lake Update Submitted By: Nancy Ryan
On Wednesday July 28, 2026 MGC in partnership with the United States Forest Service (USFS) held another very long and productive work day at Loda Lake! Heather Palmer, Nancy Ryan and Carolyn Henne (USFS Biologist) were joined again this year by the USFS intern group, the SEEDS summer youth group and a crew from the Baldwin-White Cloud Ranger station. Together the two new beds from 2025 were weeded, replanted and then 10 yards of mulch spread. The new plants were watered in very well and a schedule set up to use Liquid Fence through the rest of the growing season to protect them from hungry critters!
MGC provided lunch for the group while Carolyn Henne demonstrated the proper
planting techniques before the group tackled adding 250 plants to the new beds.
Some signs were placed as a trial in 2025 and are still there so more have been
ordered and placed so eventually each group of plants will be identified.
We will be installing new benches this fall so the entrance beds can be enjoyed as
well as adding more to the existing trails. “Exclosures” along the trails are being
added and planted with natives to enhance the existing natives. A couple of additional “exclosures” are planned for 2027. Read More
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Gardening with Purpose
Neighbors Helping Neighbors!
How Gardeners Can Help!
By Tina Sarantos, MGC District 3B Treasurer
Michigan Garden Clubs initiative, Gardening with Purpose combines “the joy of growing with the simple act of giving - helping provide fresh, healthy food to neighbors in need”.
Recently I spoke to Barb Smith, the Director of FISH of Grand Blanc, a food pantry with a mission that aligns with the MGC Gardening with Purpose Initiative. Barb is a veteran of the Navy who leads the team of volunteers at FISH. The mission of FISH is “Neighbor Feeding Neighbor”, serving people experiencing food insecurities living in the Grand Blanc School District. The school district has 8,000+ children. The children in need face a wide range of circumstances, from those who are members of large families struggling to obtain enough food to individual children living with a single parent who is out of work. Without judgement FISH feeds their neighbors in need. The work at FISH is necessary and gardeners can help with their mission by dropping off canned goods as well as fresh fruits and vegetables. The easiest fruit and vegetables to distribute include cucumbers, celery, peaches and apples. Below is what I learned from my conversation with Barb.
Q: “Who qualifies to receive food at your facility”?
We don’t turn anyone away. We do not ask for a proof of income or financial review. If they come, we will feed them - it’s free will. We feed whole families as well as seniors and singles. If someone comes to us who doesn’t live in the district, we will give them what we call a “grace” package with food and information about how to find food where they live. Unfortunately, many smaller pantries in the surrounding area are closing.
About ⅓ of the student population in Grand Blanc benefit from receiving food from the pantry, and the volume is expected to grow closer to 50%. Some children are living in very difficult situations, sleeping on floors. There are seniors living in buildings that are crumbling. FISH is where the greatest in need can come and get food. Many of the people served live less than a mile away.
We reach out to veteran organizations as well, engaging with local veteran’s resources and providing seasonal gift packages to veterans. Read More
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Ronnie Dush - MGC First Vice President
First, I want to thank everyone who voted me in as MGC’s President Elect 2027-2029 at our MGC 2026 Conference. I hope I can live up to your expectations and lead MGC activities when I’m installed next year. I’m looking forward to seeing you June 6th,7th,8th 2027 in Lansing at the Double Tree Hotels for MGC’s 96th State Conference.
As we are leaving our summer gardening experiences and getting started with the FALL season I have enjoyed many of the MGC clubs’ activities. This includes the many garden walks I was able to attend. Our members have shown their love of gardening and experiences learned. I continue to be amazed by what these members have put together and then shared with other MGC members and their communities. The Fall District meetings have provided many different speakers with differing subjects. It’s truly amazing that our members can find and bring these talents to everyone to hear and learn about our great planet.
Remember Our theme: “Plant America – Grow, Share and Connect to a Brighter Future” MGC, Inc. is a 501-C3 volunteer organization of gardeners covering 8 districts, with 132 clubs with approximately 4854 members. MGC offers many opportunities to its members; Schools, Projects, Scholarships, Awards, Youth Activities, Speakers, Related Organizations, and Grants, to name a few. Read More
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MGC Awards Chair
- Kathy Wolverton
Awards are a very special for Michigan Garden Clubs. The program is the manner in which we celebrate excellence in club projects, publications, gardening practices, and community engagement. Awards are offered at the State level but also at Central Region and National levels giving clubs opportunities to gain broader recognition beyond Michigan.
MGC’s awards are designed to be inclusive and rewarding for all clubs. This year we have added six (6) new awards, our total now being twenty-one (21). There are 36 National Garden Club Awards offered. MGC awards 1st place ($50) and 2nd place ($25) to clubs for both Michigan and National awards. Once judged at the Michigan level, qualifying National applications are sent on for National judging. Learn more
“ EVERY AWARD IS A CHAPTER IN YOUR CLUB’S SUCCESS STORY”
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MGC Grow and Share
Small Grant Program
Pat Kelly, Grants Administrator
Recent MGC Grow and Share grant applications were received from the Holland Garden Club – District 4 and the Ferndale Garden Club – District 1. Both garden clubs received $200 to do renovations to existing gardens to purchase educational permanent plant label identification materials. Ferndale will include QR codes that are linked to authenticated plant database websites.
Please consider applying for a grant application for your club projects. You can request $200.00 for your garden projects and renovations, and up to $600 for Blue Star and
Gold Star projects.
For more information on how to apply, please visit the MGC Grow and Share Grant Program under Member Resources. If you have any questions, feel free to email Pat Kelly, the MGC Grow and Share Grants Administrator. pkelly@migardenclubs.org
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MGC Wearables
Available on Michigan Garden Clubs online Marketplace
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MGC "wearables" are an excellent way to identify club members at activities and events with matching shirts, aprons, bags or hats! Visit "Shop" on the MGC website!
Send pictures of your club models and watch for them to get some attention on social media or our newsletter!
| | NGC SCHOOLS hosted by MGC | | |
Environmental School Course 4 Series #9
The Living Earth Water and Related Issues
November 2-3, 2026
In-person
Monday 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
Learn more
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Michigan State University
W.K. Kellogg Biological Station Conference Center
and Bird Sanctuary
3700 E Gull Lake Drive
Hickory Corners, Michigan
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"Plant America-Progress is Possible"
by Rene Lynch Central Region Director
My theme is “PLANT AMERICA: Progress is Possible” is a broad approach to all we do. I view each club as having its own personality and goals. I support all the efforts that garden clubs do Including sustaining membership. In other words, continue to learn new things, take on new projects, and appreciate our members in the process. My Central Region Project is to Show Me Your Progress! Whatever that may be. Send articles to our newsletter about your progress, and to our Facebook page and Website too. Hint: I will take notice.
The Central Region is one of 8 regions of National Garden Club. It is comprised of the following states: Illinois, Indianan, Iowa, Michigan Minnesota. Missouri and Wisconsin.
ngccentralregion.com/ Central Region Facebook
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The 2027 National Garden Clubs Annual Convention will be held May 13–17, 2027, at the Monona Terrace Community and Convention Center in Madison, Wisconsin.
Clink link to Subscribe and Browse the
The National Gardener Magazine
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Thank you! Newsletter Editorial Team - Nola Hogge, Terry Such, and Lisa Robinson
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