A Fall Project of Garden Makers GC

Christmas Music on the Computer - FREE

Visit Classic Holiday Radio.com

Just click on the photo and you will be at the site to upload.

Enjoy

Town & Country's "Purple Tree"

Purple was the color-theme of Town and Country Garden Club's 2009 Tree Decorating entry at the Doris Duke Center.

The tree committee, headed by Anne R. and Carol S., are pictured around their finished tree on Wednesday morning, December 2. Committee members participating were Judy B., Ginny C., Martha C., Patsy W., and Barbara Y. To complete the festive scene, leaf-covered gift boxes were placed under the tree.

Thursday Herald Sun Newspaper article

Both Town and Country and Heritage decorated trees at the Doris Duke Center yesterday and the Herald Sun came and took photos.
Here is the front page of the Metro section.

Great job!!!

A BIG Thank You to everyone for the 148 Poinsettias for VA Hospital

These photos are not in order but show some of the work done today (Monday Nov 30) in decorating the VA Hospital in Durham with Poinsettias.



When we arrived at the VA Hospital the driver of the truck helped us get the poinsettias up to the 3rd floor chapel.



Along the side of the chapel are the windows complete with a prayer wall here. This is new this year to the VA Chapel.


At 8 this morning 6 members of Heritage went to the Poinsettia growers and picked out 183 plants of which 148 were for the VA Hospital in Durham. This is a pic of all the plants before loaded into the truck and delivered to the Hospital. A total of 11 members of Heritage Garden Club worked on this project today.

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There is not a single picture which will show all the poinsettias. This photo is of some near the alter.

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Project leaders: Dutton M - Project chairman, Marcia L - Heritage President, Jean G - Council President and Carol K - District 9 Director.


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Chaplain Oliver with Jean, Marcia and Carol.



Becky N putting saucers down as the plants find a home in the chapel.

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Arlene, Jean, Carol and Becky working on the tags preparing them to be attached to the plants.

The veterans at the VA Hospital will have a wonderful month with the chapel so festive.
As we don't have to pay for delivery all profits will go to Chaplain Oliver and his private flowers on the trays for Memorial Day fund.

THANK YOU ONE AND ALL
Members of Heritage Garden Club

T&C Auction Sets New Records

Town and Country Garden Club’s 2009 Benefit Auction produced proceeds surpassing last year’s record-setting total and also set a new record for attendance. Members and their guests enjoyed a luncheon on November 11 at Hope Valley Country Club, after which they bid furiously in both the “silent” and “live” auctions.

Member-donated items offered in the auction ranged from paintings to pearls to their own kitchens’ specialties – and everything in between. Auctioneer Barbara Collie presided over a lively “live” auction and cajoled the bidders, urging them on with great success. The event’s co-chair, Carol Garbutt, organized and oversaw committee members’ work on the extensive silent auction.

"The proceeds from our Annual Holiday Auction have financed many projects throughout our community, including the cistern at the Durham Farmer's Market and beautification projects in historic Hope Valley,” Town and Country President Katherine Kirschner said. “We look forward to continuing our tradition of strong community service in the coming year."

The Projects and Beautification Committee will propose projects for 2010, which will be researched and discussed, then voted upon at the club’s February meeting.

T&C thanks all Durham Council garden club members who supported the auction.

District 9 Meeting Sarah P Duke Gardens

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Friends of the Durham County Library

The Friends of the Durham County Library has a critical need of book donations for its spring and ongoing satellite book sales. The library accepts used books, CDs and DVDs. (No textbooks, encyclopedias, magazines or cassettes.) Donations can be taken to any branch of the Durham Library. The sales of used books by the Friends of the Durham Library earns approximately $100,000/year which finances many library programs including the summer reading program, college scholarships for library staff and Durham Reads. For more information, visit http://www.durhamcountylibrary.org/friends.php#donate. If you have a large donation (more than 4 boxes) contact Aviva Starr, avivas@exchangefamilycenter.org to arrange. Donations are tax-deductible.

Town and Country "Mulch Party"

Members of Town and Country Garden Club took advantage of the beautiful weather on November 5 to spread mulch at the Windsor Way median plantings, installed by the club earlier this year. The plantings project was the 2009 community beautification project funded by the club with part of the proceeds from last year’s Benefit Auction. This year’s auction, noted in an earlier post to this blog, takes place Wednesday, November 11.

Members pictured here are Jackie E, Chasie H, Carol G, and Millie G.

Garden Study School III - Wilmington

This is a letter about the Garden Study School III in Wilmington.
I will attach the class schedule and if you want a registration form
go to this site and download.
http://www.4shared.com/file/147058227/20f100f7/Registration.html



Gardening Study School Students and Consultants

I invite you to attend the NC Gardening Study School Series 2, Course III that will
be held at the New Hanover Arboretum in Wilmington, NC on Nov 20, 21 and 22
(test day). This is a wonderful opportunity for Garden Club members, interested
friends and neighbors to learn from expert instructors. The courses are fun and
interesting. The instructors are top notch. The list of courses and instructors are
in the 2nd attachment. The registration form is the 1st attachment.

As you already know we need a minimum number of students to cover the
expenses. We really didn't have enough for Course II last year and I already
know of two students who will be unable to attend this Nov. Adding the current
financial climate, I'm very concerned for Course III. So, I have a few
suggestions. One: if you know of anyone who would be interested, bring them
with you or encourage them to attend. One does not have to be a Garden Club
member to attend (only to become an Accredited Gardening Consultant). Who
knows we might even gain several new Garden Club Members. Two: ask your
garden club if they would sponsor a student ($120.00, $100.00 or $65.00). The
student might return the favor by giving a program on one of the subjects taught.
Actually any donation amount would be helpful so our students won't have to go
out of state to finish the last two courses for accreditation.

Gardening Consultants; You may attend the school and use it as a refresher if
you haven't done so already this year. You need to refresh 4 times to become a
Master Gardening Consultant and may only refresh 1 time per year.

Checks should be made out to Polly Kopka/GSS. Registration forms should be
filled out and mailed to Polly Kopka, 158 Leslie Drive, Hubert. NC 28539 by Nov
12th.

Past students and Gardening Consultants; if you cannot attend would you please
email mail me and let me know poilv(a)ciibralter.net or call and leave a message
910-326-6830 (Best time is before 10:00 AM.)

If you have questions and need to speak with me, call me on my cell phone -
910-340-1024.

Hope to see you all soon,

Polly Kopka
North Carolina Gardening School Chairman

What a woman needs

What a woman needs in gardening is a cast-iron back, with a hinge in it.
- Charles Dudley Warner, 1829-1900
My Summer in the Garden, 1891

Helen D of Homestead Heights GC won many ribbons at State Fair

Helen D of Homestead Heights GC won 9 ribbons at the State Fair (3 Blue, 1 Red, and 5 White) in design and horticulture categories. She won a blue ribbon for this entry in the Petit Award Flower and Garden Show.

Town & Country Annual Auction NOVEMBER 11

Town and Country Garden Club will hold its Annual Benefit Auction Luncheon on Wednesday, November 11th at Hope Valley Country Club. Featuring both a “live” and a “silent” auction, the bidding will begin at 1 pm. Town and Country invites the members of other Durham garden clubs and welcomes any inquiries about attending at 919-489-4691.
Auction proceeds are used to finance Town and Country’s community and educational projects. Town and Country’s first project gave Durham the familiar “Welcome to Durham” sign on I-85, near the Hillandale Golf Course. During recent years the club has funded scholarships and internships for horticulture students at NC State University, the cistern at the Durham Farmer’s Market, and several beautification projects throughout the Durham community

The birdie is reporting another find at the State Fair

The birdie was at the fair grounds today to collect some arrangements and spotted
a BLUE RIBBON for Ann Stickels. Congratsulations!!!
Are there some other ribbons out there?

A birdie told me .........

At the NC State Fair this week Margaret McC of Heritage GC won best in show for her miniature flower arrangement. Has anyone else won? Got Pictures?

State Fall Board Meeting

I counted 7 from Council at the State Fall Board Meeting in Clemmons, NC Sept 20-21
This is a mini slide show of what I saw.
Enjoy

Keep America Beautiful

This is from Jane Barbot about the State law on Plastic Bottles

I just wanted to update you on some more information about the new law that goes into effect on Oct 1st.  I was at the Keep America Beautiful meeting Wednesday (today) in High Point and asked the man from Department of Natural Resources (DENR) about some of the questions you asked me Monday at the GCNC, Inc. Fall Board Meeting.  There is also a front page article in the N&O today quoting him also about this new law. I have listed the address to open and read this.
 
The whole plastic drink bottle can be recycled with the top left on.  A good way to get more bottles in your recycling container is crush and put top back on bottle so it will not regain its original shape.  (They will undo themselves from crushing if you don’t put the cap back on them.  They have “memory”.  The caps are removed in the recycling process.  The wrappings around the bottles also come off in this process.
 
Bottles that are recyclable are the ones that have the small neck.  Square juice bottles are not recyclable.
 
Also, oil filters are named in the same law along with wooden pallets.  But I’m not sure any of us have those items around the house.
 
So far there are not in place any fines for finding these plastic bottles in your personal trash.  They are depending on the “good will” of the people to recycle these items.  If necessary, the law does say it is against the law and fines can be put into place.  It is most important to keep these items out of the land fields.
 
A new plant is being built in Fayetteville, NC that will take these recycled bottles and turn them too useful materials.  These bottles are a resource for lots of things.
 
Please share this with your club presidents and also you can help if people bring this up at your district meetings.
 
Open the news link below and read this article.  Just copy and paste in your internet search file.
 
http://www.newsobserver.com/news/local_state/story/113648.html
 

Clubs with things to sell

Croasdaile Garden Club is having a Pansy Sale.  The deadline is Friday, Sept. 18, The contact person is Suzanne F (look in Council Yearbook) The flats are $12 each and will be delivered to Croasdaile for individual pick-up during the first week of October. Thanks. Anita Holton

Heritage Garden Club is having a raffle on a seed packet quilt. The drawing will be at the District 9 meeting Oct 7th at Duke Gardens. You can buy you chance there or from any Heritage member (See Council Yearbook) $2 each or 3 for $5.

Registration for District 9 meeting

If you go to 4shared the link below you can download the District 9 meeting registration.
http://www.4shared.com/file/128082783/7cb2b334/Registration_Annual_District9Meeting.html
I don't have a way to attach the form directly here. This is not a true website with all the capabilities of a website.

Meeting Sept 1st at Hill House

All clubs were represented at an exciting meeting chaired by Jean. There was coffee and donut holes for added flair.
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS:
The Landscape design course needs more people to sign up....PLEASE come even if you don't want to take the class for credit. Oct 1-3.. Duke Gardens... call Alice at Duke ASAP.
Marty needs helpers or pages for the District 9 meeting Oct 7. Call her and offer to help.
STATE FAIR is Oct 15-24. Participate and do an arrangement. http://www.ncstatefair.org/2009/ and let the blog know you have entered so we can go photograph it.

FYI INFORMATION ON THE COUNCIL

Fall Board Meeting information GCNC

The Fall Board Meeting of The Garden Club of North Carolina, Inc. will be held September 20-21, 2009 at The Village Inn Conference Center in Clemmons, NC.
Registration Form is on the website - http://www.gardenclubofnc.org/FORMS.html.


Directions to the Village Inn Golf and Conference Center: Clemmons, NC.
From Greensboro on I-40, take Exit 184. Turn left at light, cross the bridge, through the traffic signal and take an immediate left between Exxon Station and Waffle House or go to next traffic signal, turn left into Meadowbrook Mall; go to front of BigKMart and turn left. Go straight and carefully cross drive into the Village Inn parking lot.
From Charlotte on I-40, take Exit 184. Turn right at traffic signal and take immediate left between Exxon station ans Waffle House or turn right and go to next traffic signal and turn left into Meadowbrook Mall. Go to front of BigKMart and turn left. Go straight and carefully cross drive into Village Inn.

DCGC Newspaper clippings from 1980-1981

Town and Country Cistern Project

We provided the actual Cistern while donations for a friend who was killed in auto accident provided the 'hook-up'

The Cistern

Watering the "edible' garden from the Cistern

Chasie turns the water on!

It's Memorial weekend.our national day of remembrance for all fallen soldiers from every battle ever fought by the US and her allies.   This is a very reverent day for so many American citizens. Honor your family heros and remind the children of the wonderful country where we live and the scarifies the military have given for us.

While you garden, BBQ or camp spend a moment in prayer for our country and its heros. The district garden clubs decorate the chapel at the VA hospital all year so don't forget our military there.

I am proud to be an American and hope you are too.

1985 NC Gardener with Ruth Y as President

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Installation of officers at May DCGC meeting

PIctures from the North Carolina Garden Club Convention in Hickory April 19-21

Most of these photos are of the designs at the flower show and the ones Tony Todesco did at the banquet. His talk was "What's New in Design"

They decided that the Council did not qualify for the scrapbook section but next year will try to have a section. Heritage Garden Club applied for 4 books of evidence and won a blue ribbon for all 4 plus a blue at SAR for a program we did on seed balls.

The scanning of the old scrapbooks will continue this week with more history done by the meeting in May.

Enjoy the slideshow on the convention.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Hope Valley was busy and giving in March

On Tuesday, March 24, 2009, members of Hope Valley Garden Club volunteered at the Durham Rescue Mission to help ready the gardens for the Mission's annual Easter Celebration. We donated and planted marigolds, petunias, asylum and other flowers in raised beds and planters. Coincidentally several Duke School students were also volunteering that day, so we found some extra shovels and they joined in the fun. We had a great time helping out and the rain that followed on Wednesday was well-timed!

Karen

P.S. Click on photos to enlarge for better viewing

1947 DCGC FIRST Flower Show

ANOTHER SLICE OF HISTORY FROM THE OLD SCRAPBOOKS
This Scrapbook was for the First ever Flower Show
put on by the DCGC in fall of 1947

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I don't have all the newspaper clippings but most of them.
Enjoy

April 14th and 15th Durham CGC Hosts the State

This April 14th and 15th were in 1949, just 60 years ago this coming month.
I thought I could take some photos from the old musty scrapbooks we have and share some each month. Please let me know your thoughts on this.
Marcia

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Heritage hosted a Valentines Tea at Spring Arbor
for the residents. Herbal tea, and sandwiches were
provided as well as "Heritage" hats from the
closets of our mothers. The group sang some
great spiritual songs as well as many from the
swing era and fun was had by all including
the staff.

Welcome to the Durham Council of Garden Clubs

It is March and spring will come some day but with the snow now is the time for the blog to begin.
This will be the place where the dates of interest and activities will be posted and we hope you will share the photos of your activities for the rest of the 13 clubs. This is where you can acknowledge a member who has given, share your fun, ask questions about what is going on and invite others of the Council to your meetings and events. You just e-mail Marcia at jloudonatncdotrrdotcom. As this blog is open to the world I will not print any last names or e-mails but refer you to the council yearbook for the details. I will refer to someone as EX: Marcia-Heritage or Janet-Crosadaile.
When new information is posted to the blog the presidents of each club will be e-mailed. Please tell your membership about the blog. There will be a place to comment on each post.