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Here's news from National Garden Clubs that is of high interest for all local clubs!

National Garden Clubs ‘Plant It Pink’ In Support
Of Breast Cancer Awareness, Research

NGC Launches Nationwide Fundraising and Educational Partnership
With Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

If a stroll around your neighborhood this spring and summer includes gardens with a pinker-than-usual palette--and maybe even a proudly pink birdhouse--don’t be too surprised. There’s a good chance that you’re simply witnessing the most visible aspect of the new Plant It Pink project developed by the 200,000-member-strong National Garden Clubs Inc. in partnership with Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, the world’s largest breast cancer organization...

Click here to learn more about this special program!

Manchester Garden Club Member Receives National Recognition from Vietnam Veterans of America

Photo courtesy of Dena Matthews

Manchester Garden Club member Dena Matthews took the picture above, of the Manchester, CT, Vietnam Memorial Park gardens (reflected in the memorial monument) in 2008. Recently, the photo, which was posted on the club's website, was chosen by the Vietnam Veterans of America for use in their 2010 calendar commemorating Vietnam Veterans monuments across America.

The photo of the black granite memorial reflects not only the flowers but also Town Hall, Center Congregational Church, and the downtown flagpoles. Engraved in the memorial are the names of the local men who died in the Vietnam War, and the words "We were young. We have died. Remember us." from the poem "The Young Dead Soldiers" by Archibald MacLeish.

An "active and hardworking membr of the Manchester Garden Club" according to club historian Joan Kelsey, Dena chaired the club's 2008 calendar (where the photo first appeared), which was recognized by the Federated Garden Clubs of CT. The calendar also received a National Award from National Garden Clubs, Inc. Congratulations to Dena and the entire Manchester Garden Club for this honor!

Garden Clubs Help Decorate the Osborne Homestead for the Holidays

Each year, a group of local garden clubs help beautifully decorate the Osborne Homestead Museum in Derby for the holidays. This year, the theme is "The Wonders of Nature." Participating clubs include the Derby Garden Society, the Olde Ripton Garden Club of Shelton, the Ansonia Garden Club, the Naugatuck Garden Club, the Oxford Garden Club, the Roxbury/Bridgewater Garden Club, the Pomperaug Valley Garden Club of Woodbury, and the Friends of Osborne and the Kellogg Volunteers. Since the garden clubs decorate different rooms each year, the decorations are always new and creative.

Enjoy the sights and sounds of a traditional holiday celebration during a special guided tour. "The Wonders of Nature" is open from November 27 - December 20. For information, call Osborndale State Park (555 Roosevelt Drive, Derby, Connecticut) at
203-735-4311 or toll Free at 866-287-2757.

The Osborne Homestead Museum is part of the wonderful Connecticut Historic Gardens Trail. Also, the Osborne Homestead Museum joined the prestigious Connecticut Women's Heritage Trail, a collection of museums and institutions that highlight the role of women in the state's history. For more information, click here.

Branford Garden Club — 450 Daffodils in 2 hours!

The Branford Garden Club has been planing daffodils all over Branford for over 10 years. Front (center, kneeling) is chair Ann Hacker and a few of our members at the latest planting in the fall of 2009.

We planted 450 Daffodils in 2 hours. We saved 50 bulbs and planted them around the Welcome to Branford sign across the street. They will be spectacular in the spring!!

Simsbury Garden Club Celebrates 75 Years!

On June 22, 2009, “Flora”, a bronze rod sculpture created by Connecticut artist Doug Muller, of Windsor Locks, was unveiled in the Circle Garden. Those in attendance praised the elegance, simplicity and symbolism of the commissioned sculpture as well as the sculpture’s appropriateness in the garden setting.  ‘Flora’, the Roman goddess of Horticulture sits on a massive natural brownstone base while holding a globe of the world in her right hand.  Flora's left hand, resting on her thigh, points to onlookers as if to remind the viewers of their environmental responsibility.
 
President Susan Duncan noted that the Club’s fundraising efforts over a 5 year period totaled $42,600 which funded both the Circle Garden and the Flora sculpture.  Measuring 60 feet in diameter, the garden is surrounded by 6 park benches, 6 river birch trees, shrubs, many perennial plants and spring flowering bulbs.  Duncan announced that the Flora sculpture completes the final stage of the gift, dedicated to the Town of Simsbury to commemorate The Simsbury Garden Club’s 75th anniversary. 

Lina Wagner, Past President, Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut (1977-79)	Ann Marroni with one of the 75 roses presented to each garden club member.
Circle Garden and Sculpture "Flora" are gifts to Town of Simsbury from Simsbury Garden Club in celebration of the Club's 75th Anniversary	SGC members with bagpiper march through Simsbury
All photos courtesy of Susan Prentice, Graphic Design, Photography & Fine Art http://www.susanprentice.com