From the President

• President's Theme: Preserve Connecticut’s
  Horticultural Treasures: Historic Landscapes
  
  
• 2010-2011 Annual Report

(*Annual Reports from previous years are archived here.)

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President's Message (from the NEWS)

With the Winter Solstice, the shortest day of the year, and the holidays behind us, daylight is lengthening, gardening catalogs beckon, and spirits lift toward the promise of spring.

February marks two occasions: the 31st Annual State Flower Show, “The Fabulous Fifties” (part of the CT Flower and Garden Show) and the first time in the history of The Federation that no print version of the Connecticut Federation NEWS will arrive in your mailbox. It is not too late to sign up for the e-version; just click on the Club Login at The Federation homepage (www.ctgardenclubs.org) and follow the instructions.

“The Fabulous Fifties” is a flower show written, staged, orchestrated, entered, and dismantled by garden club volunteers. Please do your part by hostessing, clerking, entering a design or horticulture specimen, helping paint properties, or just attending as a visitor. It is never too late to call the appropriate chairman, or better yet call or email Becky Paul, chairman. One club has hired a bus to bring 55 people to the CT Convention Center, and by purchasing discounted tickets ahead of time through the Office Secretary and bringing their own box lunches, it is costing only $35/person. What a deal!

Congratulations to garden clubs and individuals who received Awards at the Awards Meeting held on December 8 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville. I was extremely impressed with the wonderful projects and volunteer efforts our 138 CT clubs accomplished this past year. We are making a difference in our communities, whether we educate the public through our flower shows, offer our gardening and landscape services, or bring awareness about environmental and conservation issues. Special kudos go to our own Helen Pritchard who received the Bronze Medal, the highest award given by The Federated Garden Clubs of CT, Inc. to an individual, couple, group, or club for outstanding accomplishments in upholding the purposes of The Federation.

Spring events to look forward to are:

• March 27, 28, 30 –Landscape Design Study School– Course II, CAES
• April 3-5 –Environmental Studies School– Course I, CAES
• April 18 – Annual FGCCT Meeting at the Aqua Turf Club
• May 16-19 – NGC Convention at the Adam’s Mark, Buffalo, NY (ADAM’S MARK – BUFFALO/NIAGARA 120 CHURCH STREET, BUFFALO, NY 14202 * TEL. 716-845-5100 * FAX 716-856-5538)

The NGC Annual Convention is open to ANY garden club member. This may be a great opportunity for club members to experience a national convention, and this year the hosting New York Federation will offer a Tri-Refresher, a Standard Flower Show with 58 horticulture classes and 29 Design classes, and wonderful area tours, including Niagara Falls State Park. Connecticut will be represented by two artistic designers in the flower show, “Empire of Wonders”: Maria Nahom and Barbara Bruce. I hope to take and enter lots of horticulture from state garden clubs! Of course, you can access the NGC website at www.gardenclub.org for more information.

Last October I received the unexpected news that The Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station, where The Federation has held Board meetings, NGC schools, Judges Council, and other state events for many years, will be closed to organizations for two years beginning October, 2012 due to demolition and new construction of one of their buildings. I have appointed a special committee to research new venues for our various meetings, so please stay tuned for word of a new site or sites for the next two years.

As your clubs embark on a new year, please remember the State Theme: Preserve Connecticut’s Horticultural Treasures and the State Project: Historic Landscapes. If you need assistance with your projects, please contact Regina Neal, State Projects Chairman, by email or call 860-233-7200.

Happy garden dreams!

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So many clubs have been supportive of our Science Center Children’s Garden by sending in donations. We welcome other clubs to join in. This endeavor will be so rewarding to families visiting the center. For a complete list of clubs that have donated check our website www.ctgardenclubs.org/sciencecenter.html. A special thank you goes to Chair Dee Mozzocchi, and to Kathrine Neville and her committee for working on the exciting garden plans.