Archives for "The Local Scoop"

Colchester Garden Club helps Colchester to become Connecticut’s 1st Community Wildlife Habitat through the National Wildlife Federation

In January 2010, Colchester became Connecticut’s first Community Wildlife HabitatTM through the National Wildlife Federation (NWF), and as a partner organization the Colchester Garden Club contributed significantly to this achievement. A Community Wildlife Habitat™ is a community that provides habitat for wildlife throughout the community—in individual backyards, on school grounds and in public areas such as parks, community gardens, places of worship and businesses. It is a place where residents make it a priority to provide habitat for wildlife by providing the four basic elements that all wildlife need — food, water, cover and places to raise young — and use sustainable gardening practices to create and maintain a healthy environment. Certification is earned through points from educational programs, projects, activities, and people certifying their properties as NWF Individual Wildlife Habitats within the town.

From the initiative’s beginning in August 2008, the Colchester Garden Club was involved. Two members became the initiative’s co chairs - Ellen Falbowski (CGC member) and Katherine Kosiba (CGC President) with four other members quickly joining the core team. The Colchester Garden Club sponsored 8 educational talks on local wildlife, gardening for birds and butterflies, composting, landscaping with native plants, organic gardening and more. Club members organized and delivered planting projects at the local library with native shrubs, and the senior center butterfly garden to better support the butterflies’ full life cycle. The club hosted an information/activity booth at several events over a two year period to promote the Community Wildlife Habitat initiative and educate townspeople on native plants, gardening for wildlife, and sustainable gardening practices as well as monthly garden maintenance at the library. Many club members certified their own properties as NWF Individual Wildlife Habitats and two opened their properties for a wildlife habitat tour. The Colchester Garden Club donated 10 Individual Wildlife Habitat signs to Colchester to identify town properties that became certified wildlife habitats - four schools, town hall, senior center, library and several parks, and the Community Wildlife Habitat sign to commemorate the town’s achievement of becoming a NWF Community Wildlife Habitat -36th in the U.S. and 1st in Connecticut. This project has inspired the Garden Club of Windham to register Willimantic to become a NWF Community Wildlife Habitat.

For more information about NWF Community Wildlife Habitats: http://www.nwf.org/Get-Outside/Outdoor-Activities/Garden-for-Wildlife/Community-Habitats.aspx

Above: Cragin Memorial Library staff Susan Rooney and Karen Guigno check the position of new NWF certified wildlife habitat sign donated by Colchester Garden Club with CGC Vice President, Cathy Pompei.

Below: Colchester certified as Connecticut’s 1st National Wildlife Federation - Community Wildlife Habitat at Colchester’s 57Fest (September 25, 2010) From left to right: Ellen Falbowski (CGC member and former CWHC Co Chair)), Master Wildlife Conservationist Al Petell, Cathy Pompei (CGC Vice President), Kathy Culhane (CGC Treasurer), Katherine Kosiba (CGC President and CWHC Co Chair), Library Director Kate Byroade and Avis Hull (CGC member) with certificates, First Selectman Gregg Schuster with NWF Community Wildlife Habitat sign donated by the Colchester Garden Club, Roxanne Paul of the National Wildlife Federation, and Selectman Stan Soby. The certificate framing was donated by Deb Toal of A Frame of Mind, and the banner was donated by Rich Dadona of VitalSigns LLC both Colchester businesses.

ALSO IN COLCHESTER:

Colchester Garden Club members participate in 5th annual Colchester Spring Clean up Volunteer Day

In April 2010, Colchester Garden Club members participated in the 5th annual Colchester Spring Clean up Volunteer Day in two locations — Cragin Memorial Library and Senior Center – Green Team vegetable garden. The event organized by Colchester’s Parks and Recreation Department creates a sense of mutual ownership and town pride that is generated by hundreds of Colchester residents coming together to beautify local parks, schools and grounds. Individuals and members of various groups, clubs, sporting teams of all ages come together getting people outside and interacting with nature and benefits the community.

At the Cragin Memorial Library, members Linda Grandy, Linda Hodge, Cathy Pompei, Linda Blakita tackle multiple gardens for weeding and mulching.

Above, top: At the Colchester Senior Center, Colchester Garden Club members, Scott Reil (far left) and Katherine Kosiba (kneeling) prepare to lead community volunteers in preparing the vegetable garden and plant early vegetables. (photo taken by club member Jean Stawicki). The Green Team is an inter-generational gardening program in its 11th year coordinated by the Colchester Senior Center and Colchester Youth Services from May through August. The Colchester Garden Club volunteered during Colchester Spring Cleanup Day to get the program off to an earlier start this year.

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!

It's the Great Pumpkin....

Alice and Duane Luster, members of Country Gardeners of Glastonbury Garden Club, and Master Gardeners with UConn Cooperative Extension, have been watching a pumpkin vine overtake their driveway and nearby trees. They believe it is a Cinderella pumpkin, so named for the distinctive ‘coach’ shape. It emerged from their compost pile, and has grown steadily all season. They certainly have green thumbs!

At right, Alice and Duane amid the growing vine Below, left: The pumpkin vine has grown down 90 feet of driveway, blocking the garage door. Bottom, right: Cinderella pumpkin keeps on growing, as this photo shows.

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

Orchard Valley Garden Club Teaches YMCA Youths About Native Plants, Shrubs, and Wildflowers

On July 9th, 2009, members of the Orchard Valley Garden Club of Southington helped the Earth Day YMCA Camp Sloper students learn about native plants, shrubs, and wildflowers. The event was coordinated by club member and youth project coordinator Carol Dragon. Students made flower bombs, which consisted of soil and seeds wrapped up in a coffee filter, then soaked in water. The students tossed them over to a waste piece of land at a large flower target. The bombs burst on impact spreading out the seeds.

"Be Green with Milford Garden Club"

The Milford Garden Club participated in a “Greening of the Green“ at the Meet the Artists and Artisans Fair on the Milford Green in May. Thousands of people were there at the festival , and many people dropped by our booth, which adjoined the master Gardeners, Milford Trees, and the Milford Environmental Coalition.

Marilyn Wardell, former President of the MGC (who also created the fabulous banner behind the trio), Bunny Elmore, incoming President for the MGC
And Barbara O’Connor, outgoing President for the MGC.

Connie Wood, Marianna Greenlee, and Kathrine Neville ( Horticulture Chair) at the Annuals Table.

Our canopy with all the trimmings. The husbands of two members created the tuteurs for a raffle , which was a big hit at the May Market the next weekend. We had brochures at the booth about invasives, pest alerts, and a brochure explaining what the Milford Garden Club is all about. We had a great response from the public.

Mayor Jim Richitelli is presented with a proclamation declaring him the Greenest Mayor in Connecticut. Left to right: Donna Cotter, Bunny Elmore, Barbara O’Connor (front) , Letty Malone, Mayor Jim Richetelli, Terry Pitt, Marilyn Wardell, and Gayanne Bristol.

Orchard Valley Garden Club Goes Green!

Members of The Orchard Valley Garden Club of Southington, wearing their "GO GREEN" Tees, celebrated Earth Day 2009 by planting at the Calendar House Senior Center.

Colchester Garden Club Members Place at Flower Show

“Roadside Dining - It’s for the Birds” award-winning craft mailbox by Katherine Kosiba, Colchester Garden Club president. (Photo: Marie Kuchy)

Several members of the Colchester Garden Club were first time entrants into the Connecticut Flower Show, an Advanced Standard Flower Show sponsored by the state organization, the Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut.  Each member’s entry received an award in their chosen division-class.

Horticulture Division – Section H Branches of Trees and Shrubs

Class 38 Needled Evergreens

• Picea pungens “Fat Albert” Blue Spruce, Fran Brouillet, 3rd Place
• Chamaecyparis pisifera filifera “Aurea” Gold Threadleaf Cypress, Katherine Kosiba, 2nd Place

Class 39 - Broadleaf Evergreens

• Pieris japonica “Dorothy Wycoff” Andromeda, Linda Blakita, Honorable Mention
• Ilex x meservea “Blue Princess” Holly, Katherine Kosiba, 3rd Place
• Leucothoe fontanesiana,“Coastal Leocothoe”, Katherine Kosiba, 2nd Place
  

Design Division – Section F

Class 18 “A Garden All in Bloom, “Functional semi-formal table setting for 6 with floral centerpiece,  Katherine Kosiba, 3rd Place

Special Exhibits Division – Section D Artistic Crafts  “Home Sweet Home”

Class 11 Rural Free Delivery – Standard mailbox decorated in live or dried plant material, Katherine Kosiba, 1st place.  This craft, a mailbox, depicting a garden made entirely of various types of bird seed, also won the show’s Artistic Craft Award, a Rosette of Navy Ribbons with Gold Lettering as the highest scoring craft in the entire Artistic Crafts section.

The Colchester Garden Club appreciates the contribution made by members who participated and volunteered at the flower show this year: Linda Blakita, Fran Brouillet, Maria Gaal, Joyce Geiger, Linda Grandy, Katherine Kosiba, Sharon Rusbarsky, Arleen Smith, and Bonnie Trecarten.  The Colchester Garden Club meets at 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of each month at the Cragin Memorial Library.  People interested in learning more about the club or becoming members may contact Cathy at 267-8705.

Garden Therapy Projects Done With the Help of the Club

(from the October 22, 2008 FGCCT Awards Luncheon)

"Bloomers," a photography show by members of The Orchard Valley Garden Club of Southington was on display during October in the gallery of The Southington Public Library. Judy Speckmann received "Above All Whimiscal" award for her entry titled "Driftwood Fish."

Marjorie Fuhrman, member of The Orchard Valley Garden Club of Southington, received a Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Lifetime Membership Award, and was pinned by past recipient Rose Marie Coscia at the club's meeting in October. Marjorie has participated in numerous club projects, chaired many committees, and served as vice president and president. She joined the club approximately eleven years ago when she retired from her job as a registered nurse. Marjorie commented that, "I am proud to receive the award. I enjoy the club and feel that garden club people are just wonderful to be around." Her input on club events and policies will forever be appreciated.

Celebrating Arbor Day each Spring has become a regular event for the Orchard Valley Garden Club of Southington. Club member and certified master gardener, Uta Zickfeld, chaired this years project for replacing trees removed during parking lot construction at the Calendar House in Southington in April. Four trees were donated by the garden club.

Below, the Southington YMCA Earth Campers were treated to a presentation on “The Benefits of Composting” by Orchard Valley Garden Club member Carol Dragon, assisted by club members Yvonne Burgar and Irene Langlais on July 8th. The demonstration included preparing a compost pile using kitchen scraps and green and brown plant materials. The campers collected twigs, leaves and fresh grass clippings, then learned how to layer the materials in a compost bin. Each attendee received a guide book and flowers in cow pots to take home.

The Colchester Garden Club hosted a Floral Design workshop as an introduction to flower show competition. The speaker, Alice Luster, is a Flower Show Judge and member of the Country Gardeners of Glastonbury that recently celebrated their club's 50th anniversary. Alice explained the principles and elements of floral design, demonstrated a line design and a line-mass design before the club members proceeded to make their own designs with autumn flowers and materials. This presentation may spark the creative interest of CGC members to enter the 2009 Connecticut Flower Show!

New Officers and Committee Chairs of the Enfield Garden Club pose for their official picture, below, before digging into some homemade sundaes at their spring installation and social.

The club has been busy this summer working on Phase I of their multi-year project to restore the Barnes Boat Launch on the Connecticut River. Below, members April Sinnock, Linda Connolly, Nancy Wyzga and Team Leader Joanne Kneiss plant one of the four parking islands as part of the project.

Robin DuBois was awarded the Catherine B Pitney Award in Horticulture by the Garden Club of New Haven for maintaining a very special Maidenhair fern for forty years!

The Colchester Garden Club butterfly garden at Harrington Court, which was part of the Garden Therapy along with garden activities/crafts with residents.
We did monthly maintenance at the courtyard today, so the garden looks that much better.

The Essex Garden Club Receives Award for Community Service

The Essex Garden Club has received the Selected Organization Award from the Connecticut Recreation and Parks Association for many past and present accomplishments including being both the original and continuing caretakers of Main Street Park - beautifying the grounds with added plantings, installing picnic tables and benches and cleaning up the debris and trash. They have raised monies and continue to supervise other community groups in their efforts to maintain the park. The club has adopted other parks in Essex as well and use their skills to maintain flower boxes in the center and promote festive doorways during the holidays. Presently they are working with Essex Park and Recreation to involve children in projects such as a garden of native plants and possible a bird feeder and education study project.

From left to right: Judy Winkler, Nancy Hudson, club president Debra Barnes (holding award), Maria Warnagris, George Ann Bardenheier, Renate Houchin

The Arbor Garden Club of Clinton's Heirloom Vegetable "Victory Garden" at the historic Adam Stanton House.

The Arbor Garden Club of Clinton proudly displays this sign at their gardens behind the historic Adam Stanton House. These have been funded in part by grants from National Garden Clubs, Inc., and The Principal Financial Group.