The Persimmon Lady Strikes Again!

by Farmers' Almanac Staff | Wednesday, September 21st, 2011 | From: Farmers' Almanac Blog

One of the most bits of weather lore our readers most frequently ask about is how to predict the severity of the coming winter using persimmon seeds. There’s a long-standing belief that if you cut open a seed and see see knife-shape, it means the coming winter will be cold and icy – so cold that it cuts like a knife – while a spoon-shape indicates you’ll be doing a lot of shoveling. A fork shape means winter will be mild.
For the last few years, Johnsonville, N.C., resident Melissa Bunker – affectionately known as the Persimmon Lady around here – has been reporting her persimmon seed findings. This year, Melissa cut open 10 persimmon seeds and found 10 spoons.
Do you believe that persimmon seeds can predict the weather? Is there some other indicator you use, such as acorns or woolly bear caterpillars? Or do you think the whole thing is a hogwash?

It’s Leaf Peeping Season!

by Peter Geiger | Tuesday, September 27th, 2011 | From: Farmers' Almanac Blog

The US is on the brink of breaking out into bold color. The fall foliage season is different all over the country. What it looks like depends on where you live, but there is nothing more splendid than driving around on a clear day in September and October (or even November, if you live in a late peak state) checking out the vibrant colors of autumn. There are a number of websites that give you a blow by blow description of where peak is but if you are thinking about where you might go and when, the Farmers’ Almanac has a good guide, too.
Here is a link to our projected peaks times for leap peeping by state.

Witherspoon's Autumn Fest and Sale

 

Autumn Fest!

This Saturday, October 1st from 9am to 4pm

Enjoy a beautiful day outside amongst the roses.
 Introducing... our new 2012 Rose Catalog.

All Potted Roses $10.00
All Potted Tree Roses $19.99

Absolutely Everything is on Sale!

"How to:  Enhance Your Patio with Container Roses"
Take part in our workshop from 10am to 12pm
$10 for supplies, supplies include soil and mulch
Limit 15, Sign up today at
Gardenshop@witherspoonrose.com or call 1-800-643-0315
 
3312 Watkins Rd, Durham
4401 Shopton Rd, Charlotte
1-800-643-0315

Hope to See You There...
  
Our Mission Statement
To enhance the lives of others through the outstanding care of one of
God's finest creations, the rose.

NEW website at State Garden Club

The Garden Clubs of NC has a total new site.  Most of what was in the Gardener is now online.
If you don't have your password, your president can get them at the District Meetings. You will need the password to get into the MEMBERS ONLY area where all the important information is located..

The link is over to the left  in "Links of Interest"  Give it a click and surf the site.

If you need the password before you get it from your president, you can contact me and I have
it for you.  Marcia L at Heritage GC is where you will find my phone or e-mail (in Council yearbook)

Look the site over, I think you will find it exciting and of great value to us all.  We will be able to
post our club events etc to the District 9 pages.  There are rules on doing this and it will be addressed at the District 9 meeting in Mebane  Oct 18.

Heritage will have a small standard flower show and if you are interested in participating contact
Ardith at Heritage GC or Marcia also at Heritage.  There are a few spots still open in the design
areas and we would love to have you show off your garden with some samples of your horticulture.
We can send you a schedule and answer any questions you might have.  Come and join us in
the fun.

Drying Osage Oranges

Instructions

1.   Whole

•   1

Cut the stem of the Osage orange to harvest it from the tree before it is fully ripe. Rip fruits often fall from the hedge and have bruised spots.

•   2

Wrap twine around the circumference of the hedge apple. Turn the fruit and wrap a second line of twine around a circumference perpendicular to the first. Tie a knot in the twine where the two circles of twine meet.

•   3

Hang the twine-wrapped orange from the rafters or ceiling of an attic or other warm room. In about 30 days, the Osage orange will dry completely while retaining its green color.

2.   Sliced

•   1

Cut the stem of the Osage orange to harvest it from the tree before it is fully ripe. Preheat the oven to 150 F.

•   2

Slice the Osage orange into 1/4-inch thick slices. Arrange the slices in a single layer on a pizza screen or other perforated baking sheet. Slide the sheet onto the center rack of the preheated oven.

•   3

Turn on the convection fan if the oven has one. Crack the oven door slightly during the drying process to increase the ventilation, if the oven has no internal fan. Remove the slices to wire cooling racks when they are lightly browned and crisp.

You will find the knife to get very sticky.  It will stay FOREVER if you don't clean

often with rubbing alcohol. I use an electric knife but clean after each cut.

OCTOBER EVENTS AT JOHNSON CO. ARBORETUM

It's hard to believe that it's already fall and October is around the corner.  Here are the upcoming events.  Remember, reserations must be paid in advance and made ahead to insure your seat.  It's been a busy September with our lectures, tours and classes well attended!  Join us for more fun and learning!  Call Lin Frye (919) 209-2052 or Minda Daughtry (919) 209-2184 to reserve a space!

October 2011
10/4 - Propagation - Making More by Division with Minda Daughtry
Arboretum Mobile Unit/Greenhouse - 8:00-10:00 am - Free
to JCC Employees / Public $10.

This class will focus on
the propagation method of division and particularly daylily
plants. Participants will go home with propagated daylilies.


10/12 - Edible Landscaping
Arboretum Mobile Unit - 2:00-4:00 pm - $15.

As prices rise for fruits and vegetables, people are turning to more 'utilitarian' gardening. This
class will focus on creating 'edible' landscapes - those gardens that are
aesthetically pleasing - as well as edible. Don't want to give up your
flowers and shrubs? Learn how to combine edibles with your favorite
plants.

10/19 - The Bluffs: Hemlock & Swiftcreek Bluffs with Don Stephenson
Arboretum Mobile Unit - 8:30-5:30 pm - $15 - Lunch on Own. Enjoy
nature's palette of fall colors at two urban natural areas in Cary, NC.

Hemlock Bluffs is home to flora more typically found in the mountains,
including galax and Eastern hemlock trees. The Swift Creek natural
area is a Triangle Land Conservancy property that is a remarkable
remnant of the historical Piedmont forests that once dominated the
region. Visitors will enjoy the autumn colors and a leisurely stroll along
the trail through the bluffs.


10/26 - West Point on the Eno / Architectural Trees, Durham
Arboretum Mobile Unit - 8:00-5:00pm - $15 - Lunch on Own.

We'll begin our trip with a tour of this marvelous park (home of
the July 4 Eno River Festival) as we walk along some easy river
trails. We'll see West Point Mill (functional from 1778-1942), the
McCown, Mangum House, the Packhouse (once used for handling tobacco) and now
the Hugh Mangum Museum of Photography. These buildings are located under some
marvelous old walnut trees. Following our lunch, we'll
visit Architectural Trees, a specialty tree nursery with
some of the most unusual and highly ornamental cultivars
of trees. Wonderful specimens and great ideas for the
homeowner or horticulturalist!

Mexican Sage

Mexican Sage
by Traci Gilland - September 2011

Photo courtesy of Traci Gilland.

Sages are always top performers and Mexican sage (Salvia leucantha) is no different. A fantastic bloomer, it adds spectacular deep purple color to the late-season garden, and is a prime food source for hummingbirds. Its native range is Mexico and southern Texas, but it is a fine contender in most Southern gardens.
Mexican sage is a large, spreading plant with upright stems of gray-green foliage. Leaves are fine textured and covered with a soft, dense pubescence that borders on being furry. It has a very open habit and can become leggy if not properly irrigated during the summer months. It bears dense spikes of white or purple flowers with showy purple calyxes starting in mid-September and continuing on until hard frost.
An underused plant, Mexican sage has several applications in the home landscape. It makes a fantastic specimen in the perennial garden either en masse or as a single plant. It also will bring in loads of hummingbirds and butterflies to feed on the trumpet-like flowers. The gray-green foliage makes a lovely contrast against concrete or wooden structures in a background border. It can also be used as a focal point in containers surrounded by complementary colors such as reds, oranges or yellows.
Container growing also allows plants to be moved indoors for overwintering in colder climates. Flower spikes add a distinct aroma and texture to floral displays, and the spikes will last for many days.
Mexican sage will tolerate some afternoon shade, especially in very hot, dry areas, but prefers full sun. Like many of its cousins, Mexican sage will grow in a wide variety of soil conditions, the only exception being wet or poorly drained soils. Fertility is rarely a concern unless the soil is unusually sandy.
Plants transplanted in spring will easily flower the same fall. During the driest months of summer, irrigation may be required to keep plants full and encourage new growth. Even with proper irrigation, a late summer pruning may be necessary to rejuvenate leggy plants. This will delay flowering by seven to 10 days, but will certainly improve the quality and quantity of flowers. If needed, prune plants to 10 inches in mid-August. Late summer pruning can also be used to extend the bloom period. Cut back select plants so they will be blooming just as its neighbors are finishing. The final pruning should be made after the first hard frost. Once top growth has been killed back, cut foliage to ground and remove. Mulch the root zone well for winter protection.
‘All Purple’ has both purple calyxes and purple flowers. It’s a wonderful variety, and you also see it in the trade as ‘Midnight’.
Mexican sage can be propagated by division, cuttings and seed. Cuttings can readily be taken in late summer, rooted and held over for transplant the following spring. Setting aside cuttings in the fall for planting in late spring is perhaps the best way to ensure this plant has a continued presence in the landscape in cooler climates.

from State by State Gardening
http://statebystategardening.com/state.php/newsletters/stories/mexican_sage/

Garden Open Day at Montrose

Garden Open Day at Montrose

Saturday October 1, 2011

10:00-2:00

We hope you and your friends will come to our open day this fall.  If we continue to get good rains, the garden should be close to its fall peak.  Our nursery will be open with plants from our garden for sale and we will offer some specially selected plants at reduced prices.  

For the comfort and safety of others, please leave your pets at home.

Please park next door at Cameron Park School.  

There is no charge and no reservation is required.

We hope to see you on Saturday, October 1

Garden Conservancy's Open Days Tour

Enjoy this weekend's cool weather touring the five private gardens featured in this year's Garden Conservancy's Open Days Tour.

A portion of the proceeds from the weekend garden tours will benefit the JC Raulston Arboretum, a nationally acclaimed, public, research, and teaching garden that is a part of NC State University.

Visitors may begin the tour on either day at any of the gardens.  Open Days are rain or shine garden tours and no reservations are required.  Printable map and driving directions are available at

http://www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum/calendar/2011/09-september/open_days/open_days_driving_directions.pdf

Or you may customize your own Google map at

http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msid=205592571685739579972.000494b77cf7c4251f141&msa=0&ll=35.864013,-78.697472&spn=0.227872,0.348473

If you have questions regarding the local garden tours, contact Anne Porter at the JC Raulston Arboretum at anne_porter@ncsu.edu or (919) 513-3826.

Cost: Admission to each garden is $5.00, and tickets are available at each garden during the scheduled Open Days. 
Registration: No reservations required.
Location: Five gardens in Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina.
Directions: Participants who'd like to customize their own map can use an interactive Google map. Please note Glenwood Avenue may not map correctly. Printable driving directions are also available.
Parking: Free parking is available at each of the gardens.
Questions: Call (888) 842-2442 or visit www.opendaysprogram.org for more information. For local ticket information, contact Anne Porter at anne_porter@ncsu.edu or (919) 513-3826.

Featured Gardens

(pictures from the gardens are available at

http://www.ncsu.edu/jcraulstonarboretum/calendar/2011/09-september/open_days/open_days.html)

English Garden—Woodland Paradise
C. J. Dykes
105 Oakmist Drive
Cary, NC 27513

The gardens were started in 1992 with a handful of perennials from C. J.'s former house. It is now a mixture of roses, perennials, palms, tropicals, and a woodland shade garden. The front gardens consist of a formal rose garden, a mixed shrub garden, and a formal French parterre. The back has a dense shade garden under the deck, a banana grove, three mixed English-style perennial gardens, and a lower semi-shaded woodland trail. There is probably more genera and species than most people would ever see except maybe in an arboretum or botanical garden. The gardens gained the honor of being named a Certified Wildlife Habitat™ by the National Wildlife Federation in 2010.

Directions: Take I-40 to Harrison Avenue. Go to Cary Parkway and turn right. Go to Thorpe Drive and turn left. Take second left onto Rushingwater Drive. Turn right onto Oakmist Drive and go to third house on left. Please park on street.

Red Door Farm
Bob and Linda Hatcher
4114 Carpenter Pond Road
Durham, NC 27703

This six-acre garden was started in 2003 from an open field and pine woods. It has multiple garden rooms, a small scuppernong vineyard, a garden pavilion, two ponds, and a two-acre pasture with belted Galloway cattle. A wide range of plantings are here, including annuals and perennials as well as a large cross-section of ornamental grasses. Almost eighty roses are also planted—Knock Out™ roses, R. rugosa, and David Austin English roses. A few chickens and runner ducks complete the ferme ornée picture.

Directions: Take Highway 70 West to Briarcreek Parkway. Turn right, then right onto ACC Boulevard. Turn left onto Mount Herman Road and then left onto Carpenter Pond Road 0.4 miles on right.

The Chalmers Cottage Garden
Alta Chalmers
103 Pasquotank Drive
Raleigh, NC 27609

This is a small English-style garden, surrounding a cottage-style house. There are brick driveways and walkways framed by English boxwoods and dry stone “dykes” encircling all of the planting areas in the front and back yards. There are topiary and sculptured shrubs with a background of a variety of trees with intersecting foliage and flowering plants. There is a rose garden with David Austin English roses. Wooden fences enclose the gardens. There are benches and jasmine and rose-covered trellises. The gardens include hydrangeas, peonies, ferns, magnolias, azaleas, Japanese maples, hardy orange, geraniums, petunias, camellias, and a scattering of whimsical ornaments. In the back is a koi pond with water lilies and a waterfall. There is an herb garden, as well as space for vegetables. Perennial and annual flowers bloom underneath bird feeders. There is a small greenhouse, a garden house, and composting area. Other plantings include stephanotis vine, crape myrtles, hellebores, mandevilla, holly trees (and shrubs), Japanese quince, phlox, hibiscus, begonias, wandering Jew, calla lilies, blackberry lilies, sedum, shasta daisies, Jerusalem sage, feverfew, Chinese star jasmine, impatiens, ageratum, arborvitae, cedars, beautyberry, dogwood, cypress, gardenia, mahonia, cherries, and fig.

Directions: From Glenwood Avenue turn onto Pasquotank Drive. Garden is at second house on left.

City Courtyard Garden
Barbara and Loren Kennedy
1108 Harp Street
Raleigh, NC 27604

This garden demonstrates that one can do a lot with a small space. A paved patio with a screened in porch is the framework for a large variety of small trees, shrubs, perennials, and containers that make the garden feel lush and secluded. The garden faces south which allows flowers to bloom but a challenge during the summer heat. Since the house is close to the sidewalk, the front garden is only about four feet wide but has a variety of small evergreens and shrubs that give the feel of a dense garden. Potted plants line the steps and small front entry. The north side has a narrow strip where hostas, ferns, and other shade plants like to cool off.

Directions: From I-40 East, take Exit 289/Wade Avenue. Go 6 miles to Glenwood Avenue exit on right. At light, turn right onto Glenwood Avenue. Go 0.5 mile to Peace Street. Turn left and go 0.5 mile to Halifax Avenue. Turn left and go 0.5 mile to Cedar Street. Turn right and go two blocks to Harp Street. Number 1108 is first on left.

Freeman/Byrd Garden
Wayne Freeman and Cronin Byrd
300 Ramblewood Drive
Raleigh, NC 27609

Reminiscent of an old English garden, the Freeman/Byrd garden is a hidden paradise within the Beltline of Raleigh. Heirloom plantings, procured from generations of older gardeners dominate the beds. Although less than ten years in the making, this garden seems to have grown from antiquity. Winding paths lead you to four fish ponds, a garden house, a greenhouse, several secluded decks, and a chicken house of unexpected elegance housing heirloom breeds. The garden is dotted with English boxwoods and looming pines that hover like stately sentinels. Visitors are greeted by a lovely shade garden that leads you to dripping fountains and the sounds of flowing waters. This garden provides a quite solace for friends and visitors all throughout the year.

Directions: From the Beltline, take I-440 to Exit 8B/Six Forks Road North. Turn left onto Lassiter Mill Road at North Hills. Cross the Beltline and take the second left onto Ramblewood Drive. 

From downtown, take Glenwood Avenue north. Veer right onto St. Mary's Street North. St. Mary's changes to Lassiter Mill Road at White Oak Road/Scotland Street. Turn right onto Ramblewood Drive before crossing over I-440 at North Hills.

Open Days Directory

The Raleigh Open Days gardens are featured in the 2011 Open Days Directory, which includes detailed driving directions and vivid descriptions written by garden owners. The directory contains a full listing of all 2011 Open Days private gardens throughout the U.S., plus one free admission ticket redeemable at any private garden during an Open Day. Call the Garden Conservancy toll-free at (888) 842-2442 to order with a Visa or MasterCard, or send a check or money order to: the Garden Conservancy, P.O. Box 219, Cold Spring, NY, 10516. The cost is $21.95 which includes shipping. (Directories are not sold at the JC Raulston Arboretum.)

How Are Future Gardens Selected?

Gardens must be at least two years old, exhibit a reasonable standard of maintenance, and possess one or more of the following characteristics:

•   Unity and harmony in the design

•   Strong and distinctive elements within the design

•   Appropriateness of the design in relation to the setting and surrounding landscape

•   Particularly effective or innovative use of the site or plantings

•   Interesting and/or unusual collection of plants

•   Aesthetic groupings of plants

•   Unique intermingling of plants and/or colors, textures, etc.

•   Aspects that educate, enlighten, and inspire the visitor

•   Ecologically sound design and maintenance techniques

In order to continue the program we need your help. If you would like to nominate your garden or a friend’s garden for a future Garden Conservancy's Open Days, please contact Anne Porter at (919) 513-3826 or anne_porter@ncsu.edu.

Cost: Admission to each garden is $5.00, and tickets are available at each garden during the scheduled Open Days. 
Registration: No reservations required.
Location: Five gardens in Raleigh and Durham, North Carolina.
Directions: Participants who'd like to customize their own map can use an interactive Google map. Please note Glenwood Avenue may not map correctly. Printable driving directions are also available.
Parking: Free parking is available at each of the gardens.
Questions: Call (888) 842-2442 or visit www.opendaysprogram.org for more information. For local ticket information, contact Anne Porter at anne_porter@ncsu.edu or (919) 513-3826.

Al Cooke
Extension Agent, Horticulture
Chatham County Center, N.C. Cooperative Extension

PO Box 279, Pittsboro, NC  27312
919.542-8202; Fax 919.542.8246

al_cooke@ncsu.edu  

http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/chatham/staff/acooke/home.html

Waterwise Plants for Sustainable Gardens: 200 Drought-Tolerant Choices for All Climates

If you're one of those lucky gardeners who has had enough rain this summer, don't gloat — chances are that, sooner or later, you're going to have to deal with a scarcity of water. It might be a dry spell that lasts just a few weeks or it might be a major drought that goes on for months. Whatever the scenario, it doesn't make sense to fill your garden with plants that need constant, copious irrigation. Not only will you be running up heart-stopping water bills, you'll be contributing — needlessly — to the diminishment of a precious, limited resource.

There's only one sensible way to address this situation, and that's to start using more plants that can get by on less water. Some people worry that their gardens will suffer as a result. But less water doesn't have to mean less beauty and less interest. You can see the truth of this statement on every page of Lauren Springer Ogden and Scott Ogden's new book, Waterwise Plants for Sustainable Gardens: 200 Drought-Tolerant Choices for All Climates.

The Ogdens' choices are arranged by plant type. In the section on trees, for example, you'll find dazzling, little-known plants like bigtooth maple (one of the only drought-tolerant members of the genus) and New Mexican olive, which turns a brilliant gold in fall and is hardy to Zone 4. Among the perennials are the aptly named 'Shimmer' evening primrose and long-blooming purple mountain savory. In other words, these aren't the tired, scruffy-looking plants you might have associated with the phrase "drought-tolerant" — they're tough, top-performing, beautiful plants worthy of the most conspicuous place in your garden.

Really, it's a simple choice. Let the tap run or let the Ogdens guide you to a gorgeous, exuberant, water-efficient garden.

Letter from Judy Barnes, President of GCNC

“Make a Difference”

Gardeners

                        I woke up this morning to weather that was actually cool feeling!  What a joy.  Maybe I will actually feel like getting out in the yard-------then again maybe not!  The Garden Club year is up and running and I am already playing catch up.  My own club meets tomorrow and it is a covered dish and I have no idea what I am going to take.  This is when the deli at the grocery is wonderful.  Busy September has already started and an October filled with travel is on the horizon.  One of my joys is visiting all the districts and reconnecting with all my garden friends across North Carolina.  I look forward to seeing you all at the Fall Board and in your Districts.

                        Judy Barnes   

GCNC Website

            The site is looking good!  Lynne Mabry is doing a wonderful job working with our web designer and I am anxiously awaiting it going live before the Fall Board Meeting. 

            Thank you Lynne Mabry for all the hard work and time you have put into this project.

NC Gardener

            Those of you who receive the Gardener should have them in hand by now.  There will be extras for sale at the Fall Board Meeting.

            Thank you Gail Hill for a great Gardener.

ERRORS—No matter how hard one tries,  typos happen, addresses change (especially email) and something is left out.  Please contact me so that I can include corrections in the next newsletter, which I will do in November.  And I will send out a corrections email blast in October.

Corrections— So far!

Page 5, Sarah Johns, Elizabethan Gardens, email should be johnsobx@centurylink.net.  The u was left out of century.

Page 6, Ann Payne, Engagement Calendars, email should be annpayne2@windstream.net.  The 2 was left out.

Page 10, District 1 Director email is fractal42@aol.com.  L left out.

Fall Board Meeting, September 18-19 in Wilmington

            Registrations are in for the Fall Board meeting and we expect a very good attendance.  If you did not get yours in please contact Jenene Smith (910-799-0839) for information. 

Check out the Workshops that are being held:  Youth Awards, Senior Awards, and Non-Profit Status. And don’t forget the ever popular President’s Social by the pool at 5:15.

                       

Flower Show Schools Symposium

            The 45^th North Carolina Flower Show Symposium will be held October 23-25 at the North Raleigh Hilton.  Full course cost is $150.00 (includes Sunday dinner).  Monday only (Horticulture) is $70.00.  Tuesday only (design) is $80.00.  Monday and Tuesday include lunch.   The symposium is open to all not just flower show judges.  It is a wonderful opportunity to learn about horticulture and/or design from National Garden Club Instructors.  Contact Jinny Marino for information and/or a registration form. 919-969-0022.

Engagement Calendars

            Send your order to Ann Payne, 156 Southwood Park Rd., Mooresville, NC 28117.  The calendars are $8.00 each and the profit goes to GCNC’s scholarship fund.  This is the only money making project that goes to Scholarship.  You can pick up the calendars at the Fall Board Meeting or they will be brought to the District Meeting.

“Hours not Minutes”

            I attended a Parliamentary Procedure workshop at the National Meeting in D.C. in May.  It was titled “Hours not Minutes” and covered everything that should, and should not, be included in your minutes.  There were some surprises there for me!

 I have brought back the handout and have run off copies to hand out in Wilmington.  It will help you to streamline the minutes for your club so that you are not spending time that should be devoted to programs and learning on hearing who wore what and what was served.  I have sat through the reading of pages of minutes that took waaaay too much time away from what I was there for.  However, some clubs like to have a diary of what happened and that is ok too.  Whatever fits your club’s style.

Elizabethan Gardens

            Our thoughts were with the Gardens during the recent hurricane.  I am pleased to report that there was no major damage to the property.  But lots of clean up by staff and volunteers was needed.  Unfortunately revenue was lost due to the Gardens being closed during a very busy time of year.  As with the Daniel Boone Gardens and the Martha Franck Fragrance Garden money is always an issue.  Please remember our Gardens when your club is deciding where to send donations.  All donations to these gardens should go through the office in Raleigh so that your club will get credit for their generosity.

Memorials—If a member of your garden club dies during the year please remember to notify our Memorials/Chaplain, Faye Canupp, so they can be remembered at our Annual Meeting in April.  Do not assume someone else will let GCNC know.  Someone asked me why I did not let the membership know that Past GCNC President, Elaine Swaim had died.  That is because I did not know she had died.  No one called or emailed to let Faye or me know this had happened.

A Reminder

Schedule for the District Meetings 2011

October 4     Dist. 10         Raleigh                     October 12   Dist. 1                    Highlands

October 5     Dist. 12         Rocky Mount                       October 13   Dist. 3                    Statesville

October 6     Dist. 8                        Dunn                         October 18   Dist. 9                    Mebane

October 7     Dist. 11                      Emerald Isle                        October 19   Dist. 5                    Julian

October 11   Dist. 1                        Highlands                October 20   Dist. 4                    Winston-Salem          

           

Theme of National Garden Clubs President, Shirley Nicolai for 2011-2013 is “NGC: Proudly Serving our Members and Communities”.      

Theme of SAR Director Mary Dixon for 2011-2013 is “Members are the Link to the Future”.

Grand (Re)Opening Weekend September 10-11

Greetings from all of us here at The Scrap Exchange!

Dear Friends,
We are so excited to extend an invitation to you to join us this weekend, September 10 and 11,  to celebrate the official Grand (Re)Opening of our new and permanent home in the Cordoba Center for the Arts at 923 Franklin Street in Durham.   We can't wait to show you all the recent changes we have been making here in the store, as well as introduce a vision for the future.  Plans for the weekend include live music, free art making, sales specials, artist demos, a Swap-O-Rama Rama community clothing swap and more!

* * *REMINDER * * *

The first Council meeting will be at 10:00 at Hill House.

The yearbooks will be passed out.  Come early and have a cup of coffee or tea and chat about your summer with an old friend.

See you there!!!!!

“Arranging Roses is Fun!”

 Saturday, September 17th from 10am to 12pm

“Arranging Roses is Fun!”

Join Witherspoon for a Saturday workshop and enjoy a hands-on experience.  Take home you very own floral creation.  $10 for class supplies.  Limit 15 people.  Call and sign up now!  All Floralife 15% off day of workshop only.  1-800-643-0315

OPERATION COLD FRONT

The Durham VA Hospital is collecting winter clothing for our homeless and less fortunate veterans THEY WILL BE ACCEPTING "NEW"   ITEMS STARTING MID OCTOBER THRU DECEMBER. Last year they collected over 600 coats and it was their first year.  Lets see what we can do to help them.


Marcia from Heritage can take the items to the Hospital.  Call her when you have them ready or work within your clubs and develop your own projects.  Marcia has the contacts if needed.

NORTH CAROLINA ENGAGEMENT CALENDARS for 2012

The calendars are for sale again and they support the scholarship fund for the Garden Clubs of NC.

The cost is $8.00 per calendar.  If you want one let the people going to the state meeting know and give them your money and they can purchase.  Otherwise order from your club at the Sept meeting so they will be delivered at the District 9 meeting in Mebane.

REMEMBER ALL PROCEEDS GO TO THE SCHOLARSHIP FUND