Copy
View this email in your browser to ensure all content is shown.

 If you click the line above:  View this email in your browser,
none of the content will be cut as it may be in an email
 

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2022 NEWSLETTER
Back to Basics!


THE SEASON OF TRANSITION

     This issue of the GCFM newsletter puts us in the gateway of the holiday season: Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, New Year’s and others. For me, the door closes this month on the outdoor gardening season. I’ll assess my successes and failures to set the stage for a winter of garden dreaming (along with winter sports!). I’ll participate in a little indoor gardening by forcing bulbs, growing windowsill salad sprouts, and paying more attention to houseplants than I do in the summer.
     I am very pleased that we are finally turning the corner of the membership drop that has plagued us for decades. We had lost a number of members. These very modest gains last year and this year are a tribute to all we are doing, with a little help from new gardeners who became interested during the pandemic. To keep new members, and attract more, we need to be friendly and welcoming (we all know that!) but we also must keep our focus. People join us because of a love of gardening. We want men and woman to be members. Activities that are better suited to a general women’s club should stay in a general women’s club. Let’s not disappoint those seeking us for gardening programs, networking with gardeners, visiting gardens together, planting gardens and containers in community spaces, and similar garden club activities.
     Looking back, Maine was represented at the New England Garden Club Annual Meeting in Nashua, N.H., Penobscot District held a meeting with a forestry theme, First Vice President Ann Vanosdol was remembered at a gathering of friends and family, I was able to visit two clubs in the Piscataqua District, and we had our second Zoom Fall Conference. I get inspired by other gardeners and I expect you do, too.
     Looking ahead, I am pleased that Kennebec Valley Garden Club will be decorating the Blaine House, our Maine governor’s mansion, and inviting all of us to a holiday social. My own club will be making many wreaths to sell at the McLaughlin Garden in South Paris for their benefit. I expect your clubs also have holiday themed programs planned.
     Enjoy this transition, heralded by the falling foliage. Soon we will welcome winter by a carpet of white snow. Curl up by the fire with a good gardening book or magazine and you will be all set!
     Harriet
 Check out our new website at:  www.mainegardenclubs.org 
 
The website will be public no later than the end of the day on Friday, November 4.
At press time, Links is going through a lengthy checking process to test the site. 
Thank you to Veazie Garden Club President and Owner/President
of bbd marketing llc Barb Dalton as well as Links WebDesigns.
 
NOVEMBER AND DECEMBER AROUND MAINE

LONGFELLOW GC MEMBERS INVITE YOU TO A HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE

   Longfellow Garden Club members Carmen and Karen have been painting with the fun, fanciful, philanthropic nonprofit group, Painting for a Purpose, and invite you to their Holiday Open House on Saturday, November 19, from 3 - 6 pm, 5 Harris Drive, Falmouth.  Painted garden decor, whimsical to elegant, is what first attracted these gardeners -- now painters!  The group was recently recognized as WMTW, Channel 8’s CommUNITY Champion.

     Painting For A Purpose is using the power of art to empower students in the Portland school district to make a difference in their community. Through the grants it gives — it’s working!  1st Vice President Karen Rea and Newsletter Editor Carmen Weatherbie joined this fun painting group about 4 years ago. The group welcomes new members if you'd like to paint or have an interest in learning how. Carmen was inspired to design “Backyard Chickens” with inspiration from the group.  
     Garden Posts, Plant Pots, Christmas Decorations, Ornaments and painted gifts such Lobsters, Fish, and Birds are available online or at the Painting For A Purpose Holiday Open House.  You are invited to enjoy light hors d’oeuvres and wine as you browse our original, hand-painted artwork.  Proceeds all support our efforts at Painting for a Purpose; we have provided over $44K in grant funding for a range of youth-led service learning projects for Portland Public School students. 
Submitted by Carmen Weatherbie, Longfellow Garden Club

GCFM NEWS AND INFORMATION
In Memoriam

Claire Hunt will long be remembered as a founder of the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens (CMBG), exhibiting the optimism and vision that propelled her forward as the gardens went from idea to reality. Joined by six community minded folks, she took a great financial risk as well in believing that coastal Maine could support such a venture. Not even Claire could have imagined the enormous success the gardens would become.

To many in the GCFM, Claire is remembered as a great organizer, past President, mentor, and avid supporter of garden clubs throughout our state.

Pat Murray recalls many fun times with Claire, one in particular brings a smile. Claire was presiding at a garden club meeting dressed meticulously in a lovely outfit and beautiful high heels. As she talked about garden club matters she quickly took off her shoes while addressing the group, saying she couldn’t stand them another minute! Many in the audience had the same feeling about their shoes, but would never have had the courage to remove them with such aplomb and humor. That was Claire! She tirelessly supported garden club endeavors and those who volunteered to organize them. One year she made a beautiful Christmas tree skirt for the Boothbay Region Garden Club’s Festival of Trees that was auctioned with bidders competing for the beautiful piece. Up and up went the price, and the skirt was finally won by Irene Gerny.

Claire served many roles in the GCFM, including as its president, and in her own garden club, the Boothbay Region Garden Club (BRGC), as president as well. Claire was brilliant, a true leader who never sought attention for herself, but instead supported, mentored, and encouraged others. She will be remembered by all who knew her not only for her many accomplishments, but most especially for her many kindnesses. Claire will be greatly missed.

Submitted by Irene Gerny and Sandra Leonard
Boothbay Region Garden Club

HORTICULTURE -- THIS IS FUN!  

     As we each strive to be better stewards of our land, we continually learn more about the individual biomes we garden in. And although we all are guided by the same list of invasive species here throughout Maine, there are significant differences in what we can grow around the state. Of course we know that Harriet on her western Maine hilltop and Jan McIntyre in Bar Harbor by the sea don’t have the same plants in their gardens. Maine has many zones, if you haven’t yet check your garden location here, https://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov
     But did you know we all have another helpful tool available to us on line, through The National Wildlife Federation? Their protection of native wildlife begins with our pollinators, as it should, and they now have a Native Plant Finder on line so that we can all support the circle of life, as it were, beginning with the right plant for the right place. 
     All any gardener has to do is enter their zip code, and the site provides a list of species very specifically native to your location. Easy-peasy and so helpful! 
Here is the link, https://www.nwf.org/NativePlantFinder/Plants/Flowers-and-Grasses
     You may order plants directly through the site, or if you prefer just scope out ideas. You may find you want to use the tool as a way to choose which plants to sell at your club’s next sale, who knows? For instance I have just decided I need more penstemon! They give me choices, Native species in your area:
  • foxglove beardtongue (Penstemon digitalis)
  • longsepal beardtongue (Penstemon calycosus)
  • pale beardtongue (Penstemon pallidus)
     As I said, easy-peasy! So as we settle into armchairs by the fire this fall and winter, take a look and get some ideas! You will be glad you did… and so will your pollinators!  Submitted by Kathryn Gannon-Janelle, Horticulture Chair

PENOBSCOT DISTRICT FALL MEETING

     With the ongoing COVID issues, the Penobscot District Clubs were reluctant to host the Spring District Meetings, so our last two were rescheduled for October. It was Milo’s turn this year and on October 6, 2022, they did not disappoint! Forty-one members from the six clubs got together for a wonderful, fun and informative Harriet and host club Milo's President, Victoria Eastmanmeeting. Our special guest was GCFM President, Harriet Robinson,(pictured with Milo's President, Victoria Eastman)  who spoke very positively on how clubs can continue functioning by thinking outside the box and do what is best for their members. She discussed how popular Open Garden Days were and congratulated our District for hosting July’s garden in Pittsfield. She encouraged us to plan whatever type of convention we wish when our turn comes in 2024. We appreciate her support very much.
     Susan Xirinachs presented a lovely Memorial Service for members our clubs lost this past year. 
     The program was quite unique with Molly London, a Maine Forrester (left photo). She was entertaining and it was interesting hearing her journey from college, working for a logger in the Maine woods, to where she is now, working in the family business and raising her kids to love the outdoors as much as she and her husband do. 
     Afterwards, we all enjoyed a delicious lunch of a variety of soups, pulled pork sandwiches, and various desserts prepared by the Sebec Reading Room Women. 
     The clubs are asked to highlight an activity, sort of a catch up with each other since we are so wide spread. Every club is active in their community, we all have plant sales, but it’s nice to hear of the other activities we have implemented in our particular clubs. 

  • Brewer Garden & Bird Club members again donated money to purchase backpacks filled with school supplies for Brewer Middle School as well as supplies for the teachers. They also raised $1590 to purchase a new Blue Star Memorial Marker and had a well-attended rededication ceremony and reception at the end of August. 
  • Hampden Garden Club had a membership drive and keep in touch with their members twice a year with a mailed Newsletter. Not everyone has email. 
  • Milo Garden Club had a successful Summer Fair in August. They learned about recycling and had a successful plant swap. They were also quite busy planning this meeting! 
  • Orrington Garden Club has published 5 booklets on gardening that they sell for $5 each. Every summer, they participate in their town’s Olde Home Week where they have club membership forms at the ready. They have had much better communication with their members by utilizing their telephone committee more. 
  • Sebasticook Garden Club was very busy organizing the Penobscot District’s Open Garden in July held in Pittsfield, ME. In August they planted with kids that are home schooled. 
  • Veazie Garden Club held their traditional summer potlucks in members gardens, shared their left over plant sale plants with a very appreciative Brewer Garden Club and toured Roger Clapp Greenhouse.     
     Several years ago, immediate Past Director, Pam Newcomb, changed the white elephant sales table to a raffle that each club donates a $25 item to. This has proved to be more lucrative for the District. She also started the tradition of a group photo at the end of the meeting. 

     Next May we will go back to Spring District Meetings with Orrington Garden Club Hosting. I can’t wait to see what awaits us at that meeting!                                     Submitted by Carol J. Smith, Penobscot District Director

ACTIONS BY THE BOARD, OCTOBER 2022
  • Voted to donate two Penny Pines* plantations in memory of former president Claire Hunt and First Vice President Ann Vanosdol.
  • Heard reports on the website and by the nominating committee.
  • The treasurer’s report showed that we are in a sound fiscal position.

* “Penny Pines” is a partnership between National Garden Clubs (and other organizations and individuals) and the USDA Forest Service. Outside groups provide the funding and the Forest Service provides and plants the trees. Plantations of indigenous trees in an area that needs reforestation cost $68 each; that’s the cost for about an acre’s worth of trees.  We are blessed in Maine as the most heavily forested state in the US. Other states, especially out west where there have been wildfires, are especially in need of reforestation. This is one way we can help. To learn more about the program, look here: https://gardenclub.org/penny-pines
 

ACTIONS DURING THE GCFM FALL CONFERENCE BUSINESS MEETING
  • At the fall conference business meeting the nominating committee presented the following slate for 2023 - 2025:
     President: Karen Rea
     1st Vice President: Becky Gallery
     2nd Vice president:  *
     Recording Secretary: Sue Luce
     Treasurer:  *
     Assistant Treasurer: Cindi Kimball 

* The Nominating Committee has had difficulty finding a treasurer and a 2nd vice president.
Karen Rea urged members to think about becoming one of these offices. 

Submitted by President Harriet Robinson

OPPORTUNITIES AWAIT YOU

     GCFM needs your assistance in filling two positions for the 2023-2025 GCFM Administration; therefore you have a choice of two opportunities to complete our slate for the GCFM Board:   

    -  2nd Vice President and

    -  Treasurer 

     The 2nd VP focuses on scholarship and membership duties. Becky Gallery is currently learning about this position and I am sure she would help the next 2nd VP learn the tasks. You would be supported as you learn.
     As Treasurer you keep track of finances and investments but also have support from past treasurers to learn the what and when tasks are done. Fran Girard, Finance Committee and former Treasurer, has a month-by-month list of tasks she created to assist her tenure. Did I mention support?
     I will forward to interested members the job description for either office upon request or consult the GCFM manual.
     These positions need to be filled immediately but duties start after June 13, 2023. Don’t be timid if you have an interest in either of these positions. Apply today and help us continue the legacy of GCFM.    
Submitted by Deb Burnham, Chair of Nominating Committee

 

BREWER GARDEN & BIRD CLUB'S BLUE STAR MEMORIAL MARKER REDEDICATION

     Brewer Garden & Bird Club’s Blue Star Memorial Marker was damaged and looking older than its 70 years. It was very difficult to read. The club decided it was time for a new one and with the help of a local veteran, raised the $1590 to purchase a new one. The old marker was removed and the new one installed this past August by the City of Brewer Rec. Department. The Club donated the old marker to the Brewer Historical Society and it will be on display in a meeting room with Brewer memorabilia at the Brewer Rec. Auditorium.
     The club held a re-dedication ceremony on August 30, 2022. Brewer City Officials, veterans, local community businesses and friends attended. First Vice President, Karen Rae represented the GCFM in President Harriet Robinson’s absence and Linda Redman, GCFM Blue Star Chairman conducted the re-dedication ceremony on the lawn beside the marker on Route 1-A in Brewer. Our Brewer City Mayor, Michelle Daniels, also spoke at this celebration. The event was covered by a local TV station. After the event, everyone was invited to conversation and refreshments in the Brewer Auditorium meeting room. Brewer Garden Club members had made a wonderful array of sandwiches and sweets. We were pleased to see so many people in attendance!

     The club is very proud of our accomplishment and are happy to know this marker will stand proud at least another 70 years in this location.   Submitted by Carol J. Smith, Brewer Garden & Bird Club Event Organizer 

MAINE HOMES PROFILES GCFM MEMBERS' GARDENS

     Recent issues of Downeast’s Maine Homes have profiled more gardens owned by GCFM members.  The latest includes Deb Schmidt. Her garden was featured on a garden tour hosted by the Penobscot District several years ago. You may remember the shady landscape with a sea of hosta and the innovative deer fence that appears as a group of buildings on one side. Here’s the link to see the article:

     https://mainehomes.com/hordes-of-hostas-call-this-holden-place-home/.  Deb is in Brewer Garden and Bird Club.  This article was written by garden writer Aurelia Scott, a member of St Mary’s Garden Club. 

     Lisa Colburn’s Orono home was on that same GCFM convention garden tour several years ago. Lisa, a member of Veazie Garden Club, has filled the lot with everything from tropical plants to vegetables to interesting trees, shrubs and perennials. She writes about her garden in Maine Grows, our emailed free horticultural newsletter written by and for Maine garden club members (ask your president if you haven’t seen it so you can subscribe). The link to Lisa’s article is here:     https://mainehomes.com/in-an-orono-yard-one-plant-led-to-another/

     Well done, ladies! Let’s keep making GCFM an organization with talented gardeners who are willing to share with others.
Submitted by President Harriet Robinson

BUCKSPORT GARDEN CLUB'S 2022 "MYSTERY TOUR"

     It all started with the Conservation Pledge and the desire of a few garden club members to see and enjoy some of the out of town “air, water, forests, land and wildlife” we’d pledged to protect and conserve. We started with day trips to nearby gardens, nurseries, parks, historical sites, and garden tours sponsored by other clubs within an hour or two drive of our homes. Initially we’d learn about our destination and days activity when we showed up in the morning. While the surprise was normally rewarding, planning for more than a few people can be a challenge and the “Mystery” switched from the destination to an estimate of how much knowledge, and hopefully joy, we shared at the end of the day.  Sometimes our quest for knowledge led us to take trips requiring an overnight stay. 
     Last year our trip took us to the Harrigan Learning Center and Museum in Milo, (a geological and anthropological treat); the nearby Bissell Brothers Brewery (to appreciate Maine grown grains), Katahdin Iron Works State Park (industry, rail, and extractive resources), and lodging at the New England Outdoor Center. Followed the next day by a visit to the Patten Lumberman’s Museum and Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument. In September this year we visited Rangely with a two-night stay at Bald Mountain Camps and an enroute stop at the Stanley Museum in Kingfield. In Rangely, visits to several shops and restaurants, a foursome played Golf at Mingo Spring Golf Course, a threesome took an aerial tour with Acadian Seaplanes, and some folks visited the Wilhelm Reich Museum and learned about Orgonon.  We all visited Sunrise View Farm where we were greeted by Priscilla and Brian St Louis with personal warmth, hot cider, and blueberry cake in addition to plants, flowers, a tidy gift shop and great views looking East across Rangely toward Sugarloaf. Priscilla later commented that it was the first time in 32 years that she knew they were visited by a garden club. While not exactly a flash mob, it’s something we can do better. Check them out at sunriseviewfarm.net. 
     We’ve found that promoting education about the natural resources of the planet earth can be enhanced by enjoying the fruits of farm and field while enroute, at our destination, and returning. Did I mention that we enjoy promoting animal husbandry by visiting ice cream shops and occasionally promoting horticulture with tours of vineyards and wineries? Looking to the tree and the flower for the beauty and serenity of orderly living with a group of like-minded people can be downright fun. Enjoy all your garden club activities.  Submitted by Alvion Kimball, an enthusiastic bicyclist best at pedaling downhill; a member of the St Croix District, GCFM; a resident of Orland Maine next to the Narramissic River; and a (way) past (former) president of the Bucksport Garden Club. 

YOUTH PROGRAMS PROVIDE OPPORTUNITIES AND SCHOLARSHIPS

     As GCFM Youth Chair I would like to encourage you all to take advantage of GCFM and NGC resources and programs for our future gardeners. Many of our clubs have youth gardens, but fail to utilize these opportunities.  For example the GCFM $25 Thompson Lyford Award for youth gardening publicity for many years has gone unused.
     The National Garden Clubs website has programs and materials to engage children and teens.The Ames Tool Grant, Youth Pollinators Grant, Youth Clubs and the Ecology Warrior's Workbook are just a few in NGC's outreach. There are 10 NGC Awards including the High School Distinguished Service Project, that focus on youth and recognizing clubs that instill our youth with the wonder of growing things, ecology, conservation and getting out of doors.  Pictured is one of the 2021 Youth Recycled Sculpture entries.
     I encourage clubs to take the opportunity and work with the Maine School Gardening Network. Visit their website and get on their mailing list.
     Contests provide education through competition from the preschool to the high school level. Step by step instructions for Youth Award Contests on the NGC website may be printed out for the Poetry Contest 2023 themed "Seeds, Trees and Bees...oh my- Celebrating the Diversity of Nature" as well as the Sculpture Contest promoting "Keeping our Planet Green.” Deadlines for submission to GCFM are January 13, 2023. Smokey Bear or Woodsy Owl Posters are due to GCFM by January 20,2023.
     Please do not hesitate to email or call me with any questions or if I can help in any way. Let's grow Maine Gardeners!  Submitted by Dianne McMullan, GCFM Youth Chair.

HARPSWELL WRAPPING UP THEIR FALL PROGRAMS

     The Harpswell Garden Club has two more programs lined up before heading into the winter months.  On November 17 the Club will host Cathy Rees, author of the book Winterland.  Cathy is a landscape designer and the co-founder of the Native Gardens of Blue Hill.  She’ll talk about how to create “rich and compelling” gardens for every season, with a special emphasis on creating winter interest.  This program will be presented as a Zoom talk and will start at 1:00 p.m.  Then on December 9, members will assemble at the Elijah Kellogg Church in Harpswell to put together holiday mugs filled with fresh greens and Christmas decorations that will be delivered to those residents who need some Christmas cheer.  This has turned into an annual affair that members really enjoy!

     The Club just hosted one of its more interesting and well-attended programs on October 20.  Amanda Affleck, a textile artist from Sommerville, Maine, talked to members about the plants she grows to create natural dyes that she uses in her textile business.  It was a fascinating talk which also featured many of her textile creations.  In the photo, Amanda wears a jacket that she dyed from the Japanese indigo plant (one of her favorite plants to work with).  The silk scarf she wore was also dyed using flowers she grows on her farm.  Amanda teaches classes in the summer on using dyes, especially to young children to get them more interested in nature.  
Submitted by Suzanne Bushnell, Harpswell Garden Club.

CAMDEN GARDEN CLUB WELCOMES NEW MEMBERS

     14 new members joined the Club in 2022, bringing the total membership to 88. New members include Jeanine Carlson, Ali Dailey, Georgiana Darie, Erin Galloway, Sharon Hilton, Larry Lentz, Nancy Lloyd, Diana Logan, Allison Matlack, Barb Ohland, Robert Reynolds, Erika Rubel, Amber Ward, and Grace Wright.
      The Club celebrated the new additions during the traditional New Members Coffee which took place October 14 at the home of Membership Chair Karen Cease. Those in attendance were warmly welcomed and treated with delicious refreshments and coffee provided by the Camden Garden Club hostess and Board members. After an enjoyable morning socializing, each new member received specially selected bulbs for fall planting as a welcome gift.  Submitted by Cayla Mäki-Pittman, Chair, Communication & Publicity Committee, Camden Garden Club

     Photo: New members at the Camden Garden Club's New Members Coffee. Pictured left to right, new members Allison Matlack, Sharon Hilton, Georgiana Darie, Ali Dailey and Jeanine Carlson.

 

NEW ENGLAND GARDEN CLUBS - NEGC

MAINE MEMBERS ATTEND NEGC ANNUAL MEETING IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

     Six members from Maine traveled to Nashua, New Hampshire to attend the New England Garden Clubs (NEGC) Annual Meeting on October 18-19.   The New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs hosted sixty members and guests from across New England.  The two-day meeting featured two programs – one a fashion show with members acting as several of the models, the other a presentation by a representative from Pleasant View Gardens, one of the founders of the Proven Winners line of plants.
     The fashion show followed a reception honoring NEGC Region Director Suzanne McCance the first night of the meeting.  The following day members heard reports from all six state presidents on the highlights of what was happening with each federation.  After the business meeting, Amy Cardello, Retail Account Representative for Pleasant View Gardens of Loudon, NH, gave a wonderful presentation about the history of the Proven Winners plant line and showed the crowd some of the new line of plants to be introduced for the 2023 growing year.  In fact, she brought many potted plant samples of the new line which were then raffled off to attendees!  (See photo of Amy and her plants.)  She also mentioned that Proven Winners has developed a compostable plant pot which they plan to start using with their popular 4 ½ inch potted plants.
     To help their federation cover the costs of the meeting, the New Hampshire members had a silent auction with 26 wreaths going home with attendees.  The other highlight was the exhibition of the first-ever NEGC Photography Show entitled “Gather in the Garden”.  (A related article about the photography show is also included in this newsletter.)

     Attending from Maine, left to right in photo, were:  Suzanne Bushnell (immediate past NEGC Region Director and a member of the Harpswell Garden Club),  Karen Rea (GCFM 1st VP and a member of the Longfellow Garden Club), Fran Moore (former GCFM Website Committee Chairman and former GCFM Corresponding Secretary and a member of the Camden Garden Club), Tuckie Westfall (President of the Harpswell Garden Club), Becky Gallery (GCFM 2nd VP and a member of the Harpswell Garden Club), and Harriet Robinson (GCFM President, and member of Foothills Garden Club).  
Submitted by Suzanne Bushnell, former NEGC Region Director.

“GATHER IN THE GARDEN” PHOTO COMPETITION HAS THREE FINALISTS FROM MAINE

     One of the features of the New England Garden Clubs (NEGC) Annual Meeting in Nashua, NH, October 18-19, was a display of all the finalists in the Region-wide photo competition.  “Gather in the Garden” was the official name of the contest and photographers, who were garden club members from all six New England states, were eligible to enter two photos in any of the four different classes.  There were over 100 entries that were professionally evaluated by photography judges from across New England.  We are thrilled to announce that three members of the Garden Club Federation of Maine were included in a group of 27 finalists across the four classes.  
     In Class 2 – Garden Views, Nancy Hastings, a Member-at-Large, representing our Federation was a finalist for her photo she titled “Magic Carpet Ride.”  Nancy lives in Cutler, Maine. She took the photo from a vantage point in her back yard where the farm equipment, a tedder, has been sitting in their field amongst the spring bluets for more than 40 years. This year the flowers were particularly prolific!
     In Class 4 – Garden’s Bounty, we had two finalists.  Judy Stallworth, a member of both the Bath Garden Club and the Harpswell Garden Club, was a finalist with her close-up of one of her pink dahlias.  Judy is a dahlia enthusiast with more than 100 dahlias growing in her yard.  She titled her photo “Dahlia”.  Suzanne Bushnell, a member of the Harpswell Garden Club, was a finalist with her photo entitled “Pink Peony”.   Suzanne took this photo while attending a photography field trip with her club to Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens.  (All three photos are featured in this article.)
     Arabella Dane, a well-known photography guru from the New Hampshire Federation, coordinated this first-of-its-kind competition for New England Garden Clubs.  At the Annual Meeting in New Hampshire, she announced that she’ll be coordinating a virtual photography competition sometime this spring for the NEGC and hopes to line up another speaker this winter to do a webinar on photographing outdoors in the winter.  For the “Gather in the Garden” show, she decided not to award prizes in each of the classes this time in order to encourage more budding photographers in our garden clubs to participate in the group. 
     The New England Garden Club Photography Group's most recent newsletter includes a link to a video of the photos that were on display at the New England Garden Club Annual Meeting.  This newsletter is free to any garden club member who is interested. The link to sign up is at the end of their newsletter. The photography group has offered several zoom sessions with professional instructors. If you are interested in photography and have not yet joined the group, this is something that you might want to add as part of your garden club membership. If you’d like to learn more about photography, contact Arabella at arabellasd@aol.com.  
Submitted by Suzanne Bushnell, former New England Garden Clubs Region Director.

NATIONAL GARDEN CLUBS - NGC

GRANTS

     If your club is interested in applying for funding to help with gardening projects, don’t forget that National Garden Clubs has a range of grants.  A series of webinars called “Membership Mondays” (archived on the NGC website: https://gardenclub.org/member-resources) will not only inspire you with ideas from what other clubs have done but also tell you how to apply.

     We have had Maine winners for several different grants including Plant America and the Ames tool grant.  Coming right up is a session with information on monetary grants.  (See screen shot photo.)  
Submitted by President Harriet Robinson.


GARDENING SCHOOL

     For those of you wanting to learn more about gardening, Gardening School is for you!  President Harriet recently finished the four courses in Massachusetts (the last 2 were on Zoom). The Massachusetts course will be back to course 1 on Zoom, April 7-9 (https://www.gcfm.org/gardening-study-school) , but if you’d like to get started sooner, NGC is sponsoring course 3 November 15-16. The courses do not have to be taken in order. 
     Most people know about the Cooperative Extension Service’s Master Gardener program.  Did you know that its curriculum was originally based on National Garden Club’s Garden School?  We offer it, with a focus on ornamentals and edibles, without any volunteer requirement (see screen shot photo).
    More information is available here:  https://www.gcfm.org/gardening-study-school 
Submitted by President Harriet Robinson.

EDITOR'S NOTE:  If you have news to share about your club for our newsletter, contact Carmen Weatherbie by clicking this link Our next issue is January 2023, and the deadline to get your information to our Newsletter Editor is December 20.  If you have photos to share for the GCFM Facebook page, send them to Kathleen Marty by clicking this link and attaching your photos.  Please identify your event with any photos sent.  
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER
Nov 7 -- Membership Monday
Nov 15 - 16 -- Gardening School #3 on    Zoom
Nov19 -- Painting for a Purpose Open     House
Dec 2 & 3 -- BRGC Holiday Festival 9 - 5
Dec 7 -- Blaine House Holiday Social
Jan 13 -- Youth Sculpture due GCFM
Jan 20 -- Youth Posters due GCFM
Jan 24 -- GCFM Leadership Panel        Discussion on Zoom, 3 p.m.
Apr 7 - 9 -- Gardening School #1 in MA
Jun 13 -- GCFM one-day Convention
Cordially,

Harriet Robinson
President
president@mainegardenclubs.org
Twitter
Facebook
Website
Copyright © 2022 Garden Club Federation of Maine, All rights reserved.


Want to change how you receive these emails?
You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.

Email Marketing Powered by Mailchimp