FALL 2021 VOLUME XI, ISSUE III

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FALL 2021 VOLUME XI, ISSUE III

The MGC, Inc. Mission is to

provide education, resources, and

network opportunities for its

members to promote the love of

gardening, floral and

landscape design, and

environmental responsibility.

In this issue…

MGC President 1

Contacts 2

Val Dinvald Memorial 2

Morning Member Meetings 2

New Board/Exec. Comm. 3

District Meeting Dates 9

NGC Gardening School 10

NGC Reforestation Project 10

Consultant’s Council 11

Habitat for Humanity 12

2021 HS Essay Winner 13

Environmental Tips 14

Awards; Saving Monarchs 15

Scholarships; Horticulture 16

Life Membership 17

Calendar 18

Official Publication of Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. a 501 © 3 non-profit organization and member of the

National Garden Clubs, Inc. and the Central Region National Garden Clubs, Inc. familyvacationcritic.com

From the 2021-2023 President…

Think about the mission of Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc.

“to provide leadership in education, resources and

network opportunities for its members to promote love

of gardening, floral design, landscape design, civic and

environmental responsibility.”

At our June State Virtual Conference, we had the pleasure to hear Doug

Tallamy share his views on establishing an innovative approach to

conservation that starts in our own backyard. This is our opportunity to be

part of the largest, most inclusive, cooperative, and voluntary conservation

project ever attempted. This is our grassroots call-to-action to regenerate

the biodiversity that creates our life support systems.

It is a time to activate our mission of civic and environmental

responsibility. I hope that you have been able to do something this summer

to contribute to the Homegrown National Park Initiative, to create new

habitats which will also create a collaborative relationship with nature.

Gardening with Nature is our project for the next two years.

Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc., has become a partner in the Homegrown

National Park and is encouraging every Michigan gardener to register their

garden (free) and Get on the MAP. Get started with planting native plantings

that support life around us and remove invasive plants that do not. When

you register your garden be sure to note that you were “lit” by Michigan.

Get on the Map: www.homegrownnationalpark.com

Monica Taylor

mailto:www.homegrownnationalpark.org

http://www.homegrownnationalpark.com

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CONTACTS

MGC, Inc. President Monica Taylor

[email protected]

MGC, Inc. 1st Vice-President

Nancy J Ryan [email protected]

NGC, Inc. President Mary Warshauer

[email protected]

NGC Central Region Director Carol Yee

[email protected]

Newsletter Editor Carol Lauffer

[email protected]

Morning Member Meetings

1st and 3rd Fridays, 10 –11 AM

There were many interesting and informative

topics covered in Morning Member Meetings

during 2020 and 2021. Download videos and

handouts from the Member Area of the MGC

Website.

Find the next topics at www.migardenclubs.org

located on the Member side.

Continued from page 1

Michigan Data April 6, 2021 Aug 12, 2021

Active Counties 39 48

Active Zip Codes 94 142

User Count 124 199

Plantings Count 167 289

Planted Acres 373.42 458.156

With your participation and support we can do this – one person at a time!

Until next time,

Monica Taylor

Data source: Homegrown National Park

« Memorial Note »

It is with sadness that we announce the passing of Val Dinvald, the

husband of our MGC Past President, Lynn Dinvald. Val had been under

Hospice care after being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

Memorial services were held in Kalamazoo on August 13th. Certainly Lynn

will miss her husband of 60 + years. MGC will donate to the Scholarship

Fund in Val’s memory.

Cards and notes may be sent to Lynn at: 6802 Springbrook Ln, Kalamazoo,

MI 49004-9665.

http://www.migardenclubs.org

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Judy Lindemulder, Second Vice President

Tri-Cities Garden Club (Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg)

Served as President, 1st VP, 2nd VP, Historian and Newsletter Editor.

MGC Blue Star Chairman for 4 years prior to this position

Advanced Master Gardener.

Downsized from 3 acre lot to condo and challenged to not buy a tree, shrub or

plant that says, “you really want me,” when visiting garden nurseries

Looking forward to working with Executive Board and Committee members

during my 2021-2023 term


Introducing Your New Board and Executive Committee

Monica Taylor, President

Tri-Cities Garden Club (Grand Haven, Spring Lake, Ferrysburg)

West Michigan Flower Arrangers Guild

Flower Show Judge; Gardening Consultant; Environmental Consultant

Looking forward to working with Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc., to

Grow, Share and Connect

Promoting an initiative to Garden with Nature

Nancy J. Ryan, First Vice President, District Affairs, and Membership Chair

Kent Garden Club (Grand Rapids)

Former President of Indian Hills Garden Club ( St. Joseph, Benton Harbor,

Stevensville)

Former consultant in management, organizational change, and performance

improvement

MGC Strategic Planning Committee 2016

MGC Finance Chair 2017-2019

Looking forward to working with President Monica Taylor & District Directors

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Anne Todd, Recording Secretary


Past President of Kent Garden Club


Doris Campbell, Third Vice President

Milan Garden Club

Served as Landscape Design School Chair 2019-2021

Hobbies include flower gardening; feeding/watching backyard birds especially

Goldfinches

Enjoys reading and loves a good mystery

Nancy Smith, Fourth Vice President

Taylor Garden Club

President of Taylor Garden Club for many years

Honored to serve as Fourth Vice President with MGC

Current garden interest is native plants

Hoping to reduce maintenance time in my yard and garden with natives


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Barbara Lobdell, Treasurer

Tri-Cities Garden Club in Grand Haven, Spring Lake and Ferrysburg

A transplant to Michigan from Alaska

Treasurer of the Tri-Cities Garden Club

Utilizes raised bed gardens; practices season extending and organic gardening

Grows mostly vegetables, and my idea of garden success is picking lettuce, chard,

onions and herbs in my garden in January


Kathy Wolverton, Corresponding Secretary


California resident for 34 years

Held multiple Club Board positions and committee chairmanships

Kent Garden Club President 2019-2021

Chair of club’s Veteran’s Home Memorial Garden project which will be the

home of Kent Garden Club’s Blue Star and Gold Star plaques

Gardening Interest: Anything with color!


Rose Houk, Parliamentarian

Dewitt Millennium Garden Club

Chair of MGC Group Tax Exempt Program (GTEP) Committee

Lansing-area attorney for 50+ years

Michigan Assistant Attorney General for 30 of those years

Performing pro bono work with charitable organizations since 2009 helping with

incorporation and achievement of official tax-exempt status through the IRS

Author of the Handbook used by MGC, Inc for clubs that wish to join the

MGC, Inc GTEP and has been the Chair of the GTEP since its inception

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Janet Hickman, Registrar

The Friendly Garden Club (Traverse City)

Former MGC President

Former member of Great Lakes’ Gardeners (Midland)

Retired in 2005 from Dow Chemical Company after 31 years in

Research and Marketing

Current FGC co-chair of Children’s Sensory Garden Project in partnership

with the Botanic Gardens at Historic Barns Park

Loves spending time with husband, Andy, 2 daughters and their spouses, two granddaughters and one

grandson


Gail Taggart, Finance Chair and Share Grants Administrator

Muskegon County Garden Club

Working to turn a lakeside lot on a hill from grass to glam; aiming at 70% natives

but will be thrilled to achieve 50%

Anne Ryan, District 1 Director

Junior League of Detroit Gardeners; President for 3 years

Experience in banking and finance

Retired from Raymond James

Detroit Institute of Arts and Friends of the Arts volunteer

Fifty year interest in floral design and gardening initially nurtured by her

Mother’s gardening expertise

I am here to help you. I hope you use the many program ideas and resources

that MGC provides for its members


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Carol Grainger, District 2B Director

Williamston Red Cedar Garden Club

Current Past President and 2nd Vice President of Williamston

Red Cedar Garden Club

Owner and operator of Creatives Learning Links, LLC

Serves on the Board of Directors of Sowing Growth, Inc. in

Ingham County

She and her husband, David, operate a mini-farm

Has a passion for gardening and “farm to table” programs


Mary Moore, District 2A Director

Over fifty years ago my husband and I moved to Reading, MI to his

Grandmother's house

I have held several positions in the Hillsdale Garden Club including

President

Presently learning the District IIA Directors position

It's a pleasure getting acquainted with club members in the District and

State

Michele Armstrong, District 3 Director

Indian Hills Garden Club (St. Joseph, Benton Harbor, Stevensville)

Became interested in gardening and plants growing up in upstate New York

and began landscaping my home after moving to the Midwest

Love sharing my gardening experiences at my club, district meetings and

Annual State Conference

Gardening has led to lasting friendships with other gardeners

Learned plenty at NGC Landscape School; attending NGC Gardening School

Looking forward to serving my District 3 clubs and promoting benefits of

MGC


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Dorothy Sandoval, District 5 Director

Charlevoix Garden Club

Grew up in Gaylord, Michigan

Traveled around the country in a career as a Chaplain/Director of Pastoral services

Avid vegetable gardener since childhood.

Became a Master Gardener while living in the state of Arkansas

Hope my power of observation and keen listening skills can help move Garden Clubs

into the future with less labor and more satisfaction



Carol McGregor, District 4 Director

Lowell Showboat Garden Club (Lowell) since 2004

Moved to USA from Canada in 1983, then to Michigan in 1998 from Florida

Formerly served as Lowell Showboat GC Secretary, Treasurer and

President

Previously served MGC as the Historian and Recording Secretary

First time Director in 2019 and disappointed in how COVID curtailed my MGC

activities

Hope to be able to visit all 12 clubs in District this time around

Looking forward to meeting new friends, connecting with current friends and

seeing all the beautiful gardens and projects during the next two years

Kathy Sauber, District 6 Director

Caro Garden Club (in Michigan’s “Thumb”) for 41 years

Held many club positions including twice as President

Advanced Master Gardener for 27 years

MGC Youth Contests Co-chair for 3 years

Retired after 30 years as a Dental Hygienist

6 children and 11 grandchildren shared with husband

Excited to serve as a District Director and look forward to meeting the

great gardening folks in my district

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Grow, Share, Connect and Bring A Guest!!!!!!!

Aren’t you ready to gather with fellow gardeners again??? I know the District Directors and the Host

Clubs are very excited to be planning in person 2021 Fall District Meetings that bring us all back

together!

And the District Directors are inviting us to bring a guest or two – gardeners who enjoy gathering

with others to learn and discuss our favorite gardening topics while making new friends!

It will also be a great opportunity to spread the word about MGC’s Homegrown National Parks

initiative!

District Meeting Dates

District 1 Anne Ryan October 21, 2021

District 2A Mary Moore October 22, 2021 Hillsdale

District 2B Carol Grainger September 30, 2021 Marshall

District 3 Michele Armstrong October 6, 2021 Plainwell

District 4 Carol McGregor October 5, 2021

District 5 Dorothy Sandoval October 7, 2021 Traverse City

District 6 Kathy Sauber October 2, 2021 Midland

Mark the date on your calendar now! President Monica Taylor and I look forward to seeing you soon!

Nancy Ryan, MGC First Vice President

Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association Announces the 2021

Plant Michigan Green Community Landscape Beautification Award Winners The Michigan Nursery and Landscape Association’s (MNLA) Community Landscape Beautification Award

Program recognizes communities for their excellence in improving the physical and aesthetic environment

of their neighborhoods and in raising the awareness of the positive economic growth and environmental

impacts that quality landscaping brings to Michigan’s communities. These projects are designed to

enhance the visual image of the neighborhoods, improve livability, build civic pride and promote

community spirit.

Congratulations to the following 2021 Community Landscape Beautification Award Winners:

Kent Garden Club Project: “Grand Rapids Home for Veterans Memorial Garden” [Details on page 19.]

Meridian Garden Club Project: “Okemos Post Office Garden”

Garden Club of Greater Lansing Project: “Scott Sunken Garden”

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SPRING 2021 VOLUME X, ISSUE VIII SPRING 2021 VOLUME XI, ISSUE I FALL 2021 VOLUME XI, ISSUE III

Gardening School

National Garden Club’s educational program,

Gardening School, is being presented in its entirety

over Zoom in 2021 by Michigan Garden Clubs and

Kalamazoo Garden Council, the local sponsor.

Course 1 and 2 were presented in March and April.

Course 3 and 4 are scheduled for September 15 and

16 and November 10 and 11 respectively.

Registration information is available on the home

page at https://migardenclubs.org . Registration for

Course 3 closes September 1. Registration for

Course 4 will begin on September 10. and will close

October 27. Attendance is limited to 50 attendees.

For more information about the course content go

to the NGC website, Gardening School | National

Garden Clubs, Inc. Course 3 includes the following

topics: Factors that Influence Plant Growth, New

Plant Development and Evaluation, Container Gar-

dening – Outdoor, Houseplant Basics, Native Trees

and Shrubs, and a Teaching Tour.

Course 4 includes the following topics: Plant

Classification and Nomenclature, Outdoor

Identification of Plants, Specialized Garden Styles,

Techniques of Growing Woody Ornamentals, and

Pruning Techniques.

The committee has been using all sorts of creative

ways to accomplish the educational goals of this

program. Current attendees have been complimen-

tary of the presentations. Presenting over Zoom

allows for speakers and attendees from across the

country.

For questions: Denise Clegg, Local Chair, at

[email protected]

NGC, Inc. Reforestation Project

Fires in the forest

can be a good thing

as the heat causes

pinecones to open

and release seeds,

but fire suppression

strategies over the

years have created a new dilemma for our vast pine

forests.

The buildup of brush and dead debris fuels massive

fires throughout our forests that decimate the

forests and combined with our warming climate is

hostile to the growth of new seedlings.

National Garden Club, Inc. has a perfect project to

help contribute to the growth of new forest land on

the burnt off and damaged acres: Penny Pines.

This partnership between NGC and the USDA

Forest Service allows clubs and members to

contribute to the reforestation of indigenous trees

in areas destroyed by fire or natural catastrophe.

A donation of $68 to the NGC Penny Pines Project

will help to support this reforestation project.

There are ways that each club and their members

can remember to collect funds for this project at

the club meetings:

1. Place a Penny Pines collection container on the

refreshment table at your meeting so members

can donate spare change or spare cash to the

project.

2. Designate a $68 contribution from the club

treasury once or twice a year depending on the

dynamics of your fund raising.

3. Ask for donations at your next fund raising

event.

See Penny Pines

Pixabay

Bing

https://migardenclubs.org/

https://gardenclub.org/gardening-school

https://gardenclub.org/gardening-school

mailto:[email protected]

https://gardenclub.org/penny-pines

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SPRING 2021 VOLUME X, ISSUE VIII

M i c h i g a n C o n s u l t a n t s C o u n c i l


SOMETHINGS COMING… It Will Be Good!!!!

Did you know that when you successfully complete all four courses and exams of one of the Schools

—Environmental, Gardening or Landscape— you become a Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. Consultant?

Did you know that there are currently over 400 Consultants in our state?

So, it is time to re-group and revitalize this potential group of ADVOCATES for our environment, our

gardens and our landscape!

The first step was to change the structure of MCC from a board with separate bylaws to a committee

operating under the MGC bylaws and policies.

Second the decision was made to eliminate the bi-annual dues.

Third an MCC Planning Committee was formed with representatives from each district.

The Committee includes:

Ruth Moline District 1

Carol Brodbeck District 2A

Deb Plichta District 2B

Lynn Dinvald District 3

Nancy Ryan District 4

Kathy Johnson District 5

Nancy Stark District 6

At our first Zoom meeting we generated a long list of ideas and now will work on putting together with our

recommendations for the September Board of Directors Meeting.

Somethings Coming………. IT WILL BE GOOD!!!!!!

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Helping Your local Habitat for Humanity Most every house Habitat builds with the help of volunteers has a yard. That’s where your club can share their knowledge, gifts of time, tools, plants and house warming gifts to the first time home owners.

There are Habitat Affiliates and ReStores all around our state. Some build a dozen houses a year and some struggle to build only one. When you think about remodeling, remember the ReStore. They resell windows, doors, woodwork, appliances and hardware. Your donations help finance new homes. Donate and shop there when you can.

Find out how your club can help by calling the HFH local office and asking. That doesn’t mean using a power tool but may mean volunteering to landscape once the house is completed. It may mean the mentoring a new home owner in the care of the new plantings for the first two years. There is so much to learn about caring for a yard.

I have volunteered with Habitat of Kent County for 25 years and served on the board of Roscommon County Habitat. When Habitat first started, I lived in New Jersey and helped build a house in Trenton. I have had the joy of giving a hand up not a hand out to many first time home owners.

That is why I am glad to serve on our MGC State Board. I will continue to remind clubs to reach out and help their local Habitat for Humanity Affiliate this year. Please let us know how your club has or will reach out to your local Habitat for Humanity Affiliate. Babs Sharp, Kent Garden Club member MGC Habitat for Humanity Landscaping Advisor

Youth Contests

Youth Sculpture Contest and High School Essay

Contest:

Kathy Sauber Youth Contests co-chair manages the

High School Essay Contest and the Youth Sculpture

Contest. She writes, “It has been great fun working

with the clubs and youth! I hope many clubs across

the state will sponsor a Youth Contest. It really is

extraordinarily little work considering the rewards

of working with and educating our youngsters

about the environment!”

Contact Kathy for clarification on the High School

Essay Contest (Grades 9-12) and the

Youth Sculpture Contest (Grades 4-8) guidelines.

Reach her at [email protected]

Phone (h) 989-673-7691.; (c) 989-325-0034.

Woodsy Owl, Smokey Bear and Poetry Contests:

Martha Rohr Co-Chairs Youth Contests as well and

manages the dynamics of the Woodsy Owl/Smokey

Bear Poster Contest ( Grades 1-5) and the Poetry

Contest (Grades K-9). Contact Martha about guide-

lines for either contest at [email protected]

Phone: (h) 231-536-7172; (c) 317-442-5297.

USFS/DOA USFS/DOA

Free Image HFH

Cooper Wasik



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2021 MGC Essay Contest Winner

Ninth Grade Hannah Wasik Caro Garden Club

Theme: Adapting our Actions to Protect Natural Habitats

SPRING 2021 VOLUME X, ISSUE VIII SUMMER 2021 VOLUME XI, ISSUE I FALL 2021 VOLUME XI, ISSUE III

There are several simple ways that we can adapt our

actions to protect our natural habitats. Although we may

not realize it, there are many things we do daily that

destroy or harm habitats. A few ways to preserve our

natural environment is to promote wildlife habitat, use

eco-friendly products, naturally generated energy, and

grow your own garden. People should take into

consideration that every effort put forth will contribute

to keeping our habitats growing strong for many years to

come.

The first action to take in preserving our

Natural environment is protecting and

promoting wildlife habitats. Rivers, forests, fields, and

oceans are very important

resources to all living things. Without, it would be diffi-

cult for animals to survive. That is why it’s so important

to protect natural habitats as much as possible. Just like

humans, animals need food and some sort of shelter.

The next adaptation would be using eco-friendly

products that are beneficial to wildlife and the

environment. Take the extra time to research

ingredients in products, such as; fertilizers, pesticides,

and household cleaners. Several of the main

ingredients are harmful chemicals which could be killing

animals and are toxic to humans. There are many

eco-friendly products available for use instead of

harmful chemicals. Littering is also dangerous for

animals and pollutes the environment. You may not

think that throwing your plastic water bottle in the ditch

will hurt anything but, you’re not the only one that does

this kind of behavior. It is estimated that over 300,000

tons of plastic is littered evert year. Much of that goes in

the oceans, which harms fish and sea creatures.

Another way to protect the environment is using

naturally generated energy. Wind turbines and solar

energy are becoming more and more popular in our

modern society. Wind and solar energy are both clean

fuel sources, cost effective, environmentally safe and

have several other benefits. The best places to

construct wind turbines are in coastal areas, on top of

hills, open plains, or any place the wind is reliable. If

Using solar power, installing the solar panels correctly

is necessary. To become most efficient, panels will face

different directions depending on where sunlight hits

most directly. Solar and wind power are both very

efficient and a clean power source which helps protect

the environment.

The final way is by growing and harvesting your own

garden. It is easy and supplies food for you and your

family. You can properly dispose of table scraps by

composting most anything except fish and meat scraps.

Once this breaks down it becomes a very nutrient rich

soil. You can then use it in your garden and your plants

will be thriving. Billions of trees are cut down each year

and are a highly valued material so they need to be

replenished. Trees are a necessary resource for

building, furniture, paper, tools, weapons and much

more.

There are many ways that we can contribute to

protecting our natural environment. Protecting and

promoting wildlife habitats, using eco-friendly

products, naturally generated energy, and growing your

own garden are just a few. We want to protect our

natural habitats as much as possible. They are very

important to all living things and are not going to care

for themselves. If we don’t adapt our actions and try

our best to protect our natural habitats, everything will

die out over time. That is why it is our job to take

responsibility in caring for the land God gave us,

showing good stewardship.

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Regarding the subject of trees, I have the following

information for your interest and support.

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources

(DNR) responsibly manages 3.9 million acres of

state forest land using such techniques as timber

harvests, planting and prescribed burns to keep

forests thriving and healthy. To make the work

more efficient and easier to oversee, the DNR

divides those millions of acres into 15 forest

management units, which are further divided into

compartments.

Management activity in each forest management

unit is finalized two years in advance, and each

compartment is formally reviewed once every 10

years. This fall, recommendations for 2023 are

being presented. Open houses are being held

virtually, with input invited by email, phone or mail.

This gives you, the concerned public, the

opportunity to offer feedback to foresters, wildlife

biologists and other DNR professionals regarding

forest plans. The DNR reviews 10% of the state

forest annually. For more information, including a

link to the interactive forest map showing details of

all forest management activities, visit Michigan.gov/

Forest Input.

The DNR is raising funds to purchase 16 new track

chairs to expand access to state parks, trails and

water for everyone. These off-road, electronic

chairs can easily handle trails, snow, sand and even

up to 8 inches of water, allowing users to explore

areas of the parks where traditional wheelchairs

might not. Chairs are available at no cost through

advance reservations or on a first-come, first-served

basis.

E n v i r o n m e n t a l T i p s

This is an opportunity for your garden club or you to

make a donation for the challenged individual to get

out and enjoy the natural environment. For more

information go to michigan.gov/DNR Accessibility or

call 1-800-439-1420.

Regarding Native Plants, I recommend adding a

Cup Plant to your native garden. The Cup Plant is a

tall flower that is beneficial to insects and many oth-

er animals. The Cup Plant can stand up to 6 feet tall.

The yellow flowers attract butterflies and the seeds

of the plant are a food source for birds. The leaves

clasp the stem and form a sort of cup. These cups

collect rain water. Insects and other small animals

looking for a drink will visit these small pools of wa-

ter. Think about adding a Cup plant to your garden

this coming Spring.

For Youth, I recommend helping them build their

own insect hotel using a recycled container or box.

Fill the container with Insect friendly nesting

materials such as pine cones, sticks, leaves, and

rocks and place one at ground level and one higher

up in a tree branch, etc. Observe your hotel to see

who visits.

If you want to learn more about your environment,

I recommend attending the NGC Environmental

School. For more information on subjects related to

the environment watch for my postings on our MGC

Facebook page.

Respectfully submitted by

Rita Crawley

Environmental Chair, 4 Star


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SPRING 2021 VOLUME X, ISSUE VIII SPRING 2021 VOLUME XI, ISSUE I FALL 2021 VOLUME XI, ISSUE III

As Clubs have begun meeting in person, planning

and holding events, community education and

beautification projects, I expect to see an increase

in the number of award submissions this year.

Award applications were down for 2020 as

expected but at the same time we had an increase

in applications for photography, websites,

Facebook, and newsletters.

National Garden Club has made some changes to

their Award categories for 2021. All Clubs should

take a closer look at these before they decide what

awards to apply for this year. MGC has not changed

Award categories for 2021.

All general MGC and NGC awards will have to be

sent electronically again this year. The exception for

this is publications such as brochures, manuals,

handbooks, etc. Please be sure that you use the

new Award Application Forms. You will receive

instructions as to how your award applications

should be named and formatted and how pictures

should be attached before you send them on to me.

The Awards Committee is anxiously awaiting your

Award Applications for 2021.

Awards

SAVING MICHIGAN MONARCHS?

State Representatives Padma Kuppa (D-Troy) and

Samantha Steckloff (D-Farmington Hills) have

introduced Bills 4895 and 4896 to support the

wellbeing of Michigan’s essential pollinating insects.

HB 4895 would prohibit the use of neonicotinoid

pesticides on public land and require the Michigan

Dept of Agriculture and Rural Development to

produce a report on the costs and benefits of the use

of neonicotinoid pesticides.

They are a new class of insecticides related to

nicotine and are toxic and often fatal to bees,

monarch butterflies, and other beneficial insects and

pollinators. The EU has banned three main

neonicotinoids for all outdoor use. The United States

currently does not have such restrictions.

HB 4896 would exempt milkweed from the definition

of noxious plants for the purpose of controlling and

eradicating those weeds.

Milkweed as we know is a key food source for bees

and the only food source for monarch caterpillars.

Doug Tallamy states in Nature’s Best Hope that mon-

arch populations have declined by more than 96 per-

cent in ten short years because of the loss of milk-

weeds and forage plants in both agricultural and

residential landscapes.

The bills have been referred to the House

Committee on Agriculture. The committee has yet to

consider them.

www.nps.gov

Free Clipart

with Sue Soderberg,

MGC Awards Chair

https://migardenclubs.org/awards/forms/

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MGC Scholarship Corner

with Karin Maupin Flaticon.com

Horticulture with Pam Cater

The Mighty Oak

I have been thinking about the importance of oak trees in

our forests and landscapes after hearing Doug Tallamy’s

presentation about Homegrown National Parks and

Reading his book The Nature of Oaks. Doug states that

oak trees host and provide food for more species of

insects than any other tree in North America. Michigan

oak species are:

· Pin Oak (Quercus palustris) is most used in urban areas

and landscapes. It has a pyramidal habit, grows 40-60 feet

tall and has sharply lobed leaves. Pin Oaks require acid

soil and can be chlorotic in heavy, basic soils.

· Northern Red Oak (Quercus rubra) is very long lived

and can grow 90 feet tall. It has lobed leaves, and is

widely grown in Michigan and is used as a landscape or

shade tree. It is also called the Champion Oak.

· Swamp White Oak (Quercus bicolor) is found growing

along stream beds, swamps and bottomlands. Swamp

White Oak can grow 50-80 feet tall.

· White Oak (Quercus alba) grows in well drained soil to

50-80 feet tall. The leaves are oblong and wider near the

ends.

· Bur Oak (Quercus macrocarpa), a slow growing species,

can be up to 100 feet tall. Bur Oaks have large acorns and

are favored by black bears. Bur Oaks grow in poorly

drained soils.

The mighty oak is an important forest and landscape tree

in Michigan. In recent years concerns about the health of

our oak trees has emerged. Most notably, this summer

gypsy moth populations exploded. Other than the larval

nuisance and defoliated trees, most healthy trees

recover and re-leaf with no treatment necessary.

Oak Wilt, a fungal disease, spread by sap beetles and

through root grafts of trees growing in close proximity is

of more concern. The sudden wilting and defoliation of

trees in June indicates Oak Wilt. Not pruning oaks from

April 1st until November can prevent it. If you suspect

Oak Wilt, consult MSU Cooperative Extension Service or a

certified arborist for treatment options.

As the 2021-2022 Michigan Garden Clubs (MGC)/

National Garden Club (NGC) Scholarship Program began

in September, scholarship enthusiasm was high.

Relationships between established agents and university

staff are strong. Last season in the midst of the Covid-19

outbreak, sixteen students received MGC scholarships of

$1,000-$2,000, a total of $18,000. We hope to do even

better during the 2021-2022 season.

Last year for the first time the MGC and the MGC/NGC

scholarship programs were combined. An excellent

candidate, Martha Rocker, a junior at Northern

Michigan University and an Environmental and

Sustainability Major, represented MGC and won the

$4,000 NGC award. Congratulations to a very remarkable

student!

Donations were down last year. MGC Scholarship lost

two large individual gifts as well as some club monies.

This decrease was probably Covid-19 related; clubs were

not meeting regularly. Disbanding Hill and Dale Garden

Club and one of their generous members donated

$1,000 for a one time named scholarship. Kent Garden

Club has decided to begin a scholarship of their own at

Grand Valley State University and our MGC Committee

will manage it for them. This is a wonderful way for a

club to increase its presence in the community, as well

as helping to ensure and support the future of

horticulture and related topics.

To continue to grow this wonderful program, two co-

chairs have been added. Suzanne Budrow has taken over

Donations and Laura Foess-Wood will be helping with

the MGC Scholarship Program. Bunny LaDuke will

continue as Financial Adviser.

A tremendous thank you goes out to our wonderful

contact committee. Their work with the universities and

students is an important reason why this program has

been so successful and has grown throughout the years.

Thank you to everyone for supporting this important

program!

17


Life Membership with Virginia Froehlich, Chair


As we begin to move toward in-person meetings

and gatherings, interest in Life Member

Achievement Awards (LMAAs) has increased.

LMAAs are presented by clubs to honor members

for outstanding service to their club, district or

state organization. They may also be purchased

by individual club members for themselves or by

friends and family for a club member.

The LMAA program provides a wonderful

opportunity to support projects important to

MGC’s mission. To streamline the accounting

process, the cost of a LMAA is now $105, which

includes a pin. The money is used as needed to

supplement the Scholarships investment fund.

MGC currently budgets annually to offer

scholarships to all 15 public universities for

studies in gardening, horticulture, landscaping

and environment-related fields.

To purchase a LMAA, go to migardenclubs.org/

awards/life-member-achievement-award/ and

download the request form. Please use the

CURRENT form available, as the questions are

designed to ensure your recipient is recognized

for a variety of contributions and

accomplishments. And please allow 4-6 weeks

for processing . . . not because I write slowly, but

in case I’m on vacation!

Please join me in congratulating these most

recent LMAA recipients:

• Judy Atkinson, Caro Garden Club

• Marge Clarke, Garden Club of Greater Lansing

• Denise Clegg, Western Hills Garden Club

• Betty Fast, Hillsdale Garden Club

• Joyce Gelaude, Big Rapids Garden Club

• Carol Lynn Grainger, Williamston Red Cedar GC

• Joanne Hawkins, Charlevoix Area Garden Club

• Marykay Hes, Saline Stone and Thistle Garden Club

• Barbara Hoogeboom, Kent Garden Club

• Sue Kesti, The Garden Club of Greater Lansing

• Eva Mae Lake, Belding Gardeneers

• Judy Lindemulder, Tri-Cities Garden Club

• Elaine McIntyre, Brighton Garden Club

• Wendy Montague, Big Rapids Garden Club

• Patti Oakland, Grow and Show Garden Club

• Arlene Rebeschini, Grosse Ile Garden Club

• Dorothy Sandoval, Charlevoix Area Garden Club

• Joan Serr, Holland Garden Club

• Margaret Stephenson, Williamston Red Cedar GC

• Catherine Ware, Williamston Red Cedar GC

• Delores Wentzel, Western Hills Garden Club

• Becky Yaple, Kalamazoo Garden Club

• Cheryl Yelen, Brighton Garden Club

Congratulations also to recent National Life

Membership recipients Liz Troman, Chula Vista

Garden Club (given by Pauline Northrop and Ron

Beattie), and Kathy Kienle and Phyllis Straw,

Kalamazoo Garden Council.

Virginia Froehlich can be reached by email at

[email protected] or by phone at

734-675-2944 for further information regarding this

award.

The Application form can be found at

https://migardenclubs.org/awards/life-member-

achievement-award/

https://migardenclubs.org/awards/lifememberachievements-award

https://migardenclubs.org/awards/lifememberachievements-award

18


Upcoming Events Calendar

September 2021

4 Charlevoix Evening GC Plant Sale 9 AM—12 PM Charlevoix

8-9 Environmental School, Course 3 8:30 AM—4 PM Midland

11-12 District IV Flower Show Frederick Meijer Gardens

15-16 Gardening School, Course 3 8 AM—5 PM Zoom

18 Gold Star Dedication 10—12 PM Saline

28-29 Flower Show School, Course 1* 8 AM—5 PM Petoskey

30 District 2B Fall Meeting 8 AM—5 PM Marshall

October 2021

2 District 6 Fall Meeting 9 AM—3PM Midland

5 District 4 Fall Meeting 8 AM—5 PM

6 District 3 Fall Meeting 8:30 AM—3:30 PM Plainwell

7 District 5 Fall Meeting 8 AM—5 PM Traverse City

13-14 Environmental School, Course 4 8:30 AM—4 PM Midland

18-19 Landscape Design School, Course 3 8:30 AM—3:30 PM Grand Haven

21 District I Fall Meeting 8 AM—5 PM Detroit

22 District 2A Fall Meeting 8 AM—5 PM Hillsdale

November 2021

10-11 Gardening School, Course 4 8 AM—5 PM Zoom


* Flower Show School, Petoskey

Don't miss course 1 of 4 of Flower Show School in Petoskey, Michigan, September 28 and 29,

2021. Looking forward to horticulturist Judy Newman working with Forever Conifers and

Merry Marigolds and designer Claudia Chopp teaching us some traditional floral designs. We

will supply breakfast and lunch both days. Come visit us in Petoskey and have a great time

learning about Flower Shows. We would like to see at least two members from each district at Flower Show

School.

19

Evening Bloomers Garden Club in Mount Pleasant,

seventeen members strong, celebrated their 30

year anniversary on April 1, 2021.

Members stayed active and eager participating in

projects including working bi-monthly in their 25

year old Welcome Patch garden at the US127 exit

and Pickard Street, attending regular meetings at

the Patch, a local park, or the MP County Club and

hosting their Annual Garden Walk this year. After

receiving a grant from members were able to

finish their Blue Star Memorial in Shepherd.

East Jordan Garden Club, District 5, celebrated

their 60th year as a club with a celebration on July

24, 2021 that included an informal flower show as

a backdrop.


Grand Rapids Home for Veterans Memorial Garden

When news of a new Grand Rapids Home for

Veterans was proposed, I contacted the home’s

Administrator to discuss the possibility of a garden

space on the property of the new home that could be

reserved for planting by Kent Garden Club (KGC) with a

focus of placing Blue Star/Gold Star memorial markers

within the garden.

A small committee of KGC ladies met with

representatives from the Veteran’s Home, the

construction company, the landscape design company,

along with several officials from the VA administration

to discuss KGC’s intent and purpose for the garden

along with placement options. It was then decided

that a space adjacent the new chapel would be

appropriate.

Eighteen months later, construction of the home was

underway. The KGC committee of four met with the

landscape nursery that was contracted to do all the work

on the grounds of the new home. We presented our very

simple but affordable garden sketch with planting on both

sides of a mulch path and two stones to mount the

markers. The beautiful new plan agreed upon between

the landscaper and KGC was “over budget” by far. It was

obvious that we needed to raise funds so we decided to

sell walkway pavers in memory of or in honor of a veteran.

We also received two small grants toward the project.

In late April it was discovered that we had sold more

pavers than we had room for. Rather than disappoint the

donors we decided to enlarge the walkway doubling the

width. At this point the cost exceeded those pavers sold so

we made the announcement we were again selling pavers.

This solicitation was limited to 40 American Legion and 15

VFW posts, the Veteran’s home, and our club members.

The project was completed with plantings by June 15th.

All costs were covered as was the cost of the two

memorial markers. Two benches are yet to be installed

and are paid for by donations to the home. There was a

dedication ceremony on August 18, 2021. KGC will tend

the garden, change out the plantings as seasons dictate,

plant bulbs and perennials, and lay a living wreath on

Veteran’s Day. Of planting concern was the addition of

trees for future shade to the benches.

A native Sugar Maple was planted. Drought resistant

grasses (Autumn Moor) were planted, one existing tree

was relocated, and in the center of the flower garden is a

prunus “accolade” cherry tree. KGC has planted 50

Kwanzan cherry trees, both at the Grand Rapids Public

Museum and along the east bank parks area of the

downtown Grand River. Thus, a cherry tree was our choice

here.

This project has been an inspiration to all who have

contributed, to those who have and will visit the

garden, and to the residents and staff at the home. It is a

place to reflect, find peace, and gather after chapel to

honor and remember those who served our country.

Kathy Wolverton, Project Chair

20

THRU THE GARDEN GATE MICHIGAN GARDEN CLUBS, INC.

7888 E BROOMFIELD RD

MOUNT PLEASANT MI 48858-9152

Newsletter Submission Requirements

1. Size 12 Calibri font; 1.19 line spacing

2. Submit in MS Word; NO PDFs

3. Seasonal themes:

• Spring — Horticulture/Landscaping

• Summer — Wildlife/Pollinators

• Fall — Trees/Shrubs/Youth Activities

• Winter — Spring Gardening/Seeds

4. Submission deadlines:

• Spring issue — January 10

• Summer issue — April 10

• Fall issue — July 10

• Winter — October 10

5. Send to: [email protected]

Note to Contributors: The editor retains the

right to edit articles due to space constraints.

Please feel free to send timely information

for each issue focusing on seasonal theme and

local district news.

Regular MGC columnists should continue to

send articles honoring the current deadlines.

Contact [email protected] with

questions. Thank you!



Documents

FALL 2021 VOLUME XI, ISSUE III