Art in the Garden and Christmas in Hastings

Our November GardenFest was not only an opportunity to mix and mingle with other District IV clubs, but a celebration of Art Burdett's life.  I think we all did him proud that day.  Our club had two tables full of plants and lovely collectibles.  Everyone shopped 'til they dropped and sunny smiles inside the Duval County UF Extension Center held back the rain all afternoon.

We're not sure what Mickey was telling Carolyn here; maybe Carolyn just didn't believe the number of plants our club sold!  We also had two "works of art" for door prizes:  a hypertufa pot with interchangeable decorations, and a hand-painted hypertufa leaf.

Our speakers from the University of Florida told us about color in the garden, permeable pavers, and explained the concept of Florida-Friendly gardening.  And "Glue-Gun" Jan Sillik gave us a lesson in artful flower arrangements while entertaining us with her humorous anecdotes.  Mickey won one of her arrangements!  Way to go.


  Yes, at GardenFest it seems that NOBODY DOESN'T LIKE GREEN!

Christmas in Hastings

The Holly Jolly Hasting Christmas Party sponsored by Pie-in-the-Sky was indeed very jolly and this author got her exercise organizing all the donations with Malea's grandchildren.  Fruit Cove Baptist Church supplied the dinners. 
  

A "gravy incident" enroute delayed their arrival, but not the dinner bell.  Malea and the volunteer servers were a whirl!  Plates were a little short on the sauce, but there was plenty of fried chicken and smiles to make up for the deficit.

Oh the Fun We Had! by Carolyn Mullinax, Treasurer

It was a beautiful day for The Old Settlers' Reunion on Saturday, October 25th!  Alpine Groves County Park is the perfect place for this annual event.  The blue skies and the swaying Spanish Moss under the huge old live oaks put everyone in a festive mood.  The event had the largest turnout that I know of in all my years of attending.

Shorty Watkins opened the day with the history of the Park.  Thanks to Claire and her volunteers, our butterfly garden was looking sharp and sporting new timbers to keep the brick walkway clean.  There were musicians, raffles and vendors of every kind.   Many of the Ladies were dressed in period dress costumes they'd sewn themselves, so fun!

We appreciate the Friends of Alpine Groves for letting us participate in their raffle fundraiser!  The Garden Club of Switzerland's own Dianne Battle (sporting a homemade straw bonnet circa the Civil War) made and donated a beautiful green large hypertufa leaf for our raffle (read about her hypertufa classes at her Master Gardener website).

The Friends also were kind enough to allow us a table to promote the Garden Club of Switzerland (GCOS). Mickey, Sarah, Dianne, and I represented the club and passed out information on Amendment One: The Water and Land Legacy amendment to protect funds in our state budget for conservation.  Many people were unaware of this proposal even though it was on the current ballot.  When they understood what it was about, they were very enthusiastic and said that they would indeed vote for it. It felt great to play a part in Amendment One's passage!  Yay!

We also told people about our Club and handed out our cards and brochures. As a result of this we added a new club member.  Welcome to the club, Laura!  What a great day!

Old Settler's Reunion October 25

Join the Friends of Alpine Park, the Garden Club of Switzerland (us!), The Bartram Scenic and Historic Highway Group, the county Master Naturalist, and a cast of thousands (well, if you include the birds, bees, butterflies, squirrels, and other wildlife at Alpine Groves Park).  Yes, we'll have some not-so-old "Old Settlers" too. See the front page of The Creekline for a taste of reunions past, and see the Friends Facebook page for a peek at what will be happening Saturday from 10AM-4PM.

District IV Meeting 10/10

Garden club members in District IV, are invited to come to the Garden Club of Jacksonville, on 10/10 for a district meeting.  See the registration form for details. Registration deadline is 10/5.

Never too Late to Acknowledge a Friend

I saw a post at the Bartram Trail Newcomer's Club Facebook site.   It's worth sharing!

Since 1935 the first Sunday in August is recognized as National Friendship Day.   more...

Even though today is the second Sunday in August, it's really only "National Friendship Day +6". And a great time to thank a friend for being one. Read the "Newcomers" POST and see if you don't agree.

Thanks to the BTNC for the post (and the photo of the flower).  In the language of flowers, a yellow rose symbolizes friendship and new beginnings!

District IV Course Planning Meeting #2

The second District IV planning meeting to develop a National Garden Club Environmental Studies School  Course I –“The Living Earth" is scheduled.  Planners are scheduled attend on Wednesday August 20, 2014 at the Garden Club of Jacksonville. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 AM and run for approximately 2 hours.  Planners should have received the minutes from the last meeting. 

RSVP to Jackie Host so that she will know how many attendees we will have at the meeting. The address of the Garden Club of Jacksonville is 1005 Riverside Avenue.  The committee currently has a full complement of personnel, but if you are interested in joining the group if we get some drop outs, please say so.

District IV Course Planning Meeting

District IV planning meeting to develop a National Garden Club Environmental Studies School  Course I –“The Living Earth".  We ask that District IV Garden Club Members attend an introductory planning meeting on Friday, July 11, 2014 at the Garden Club of Jacksonville. The meeting is scheduled to begin at 10 AM and run for approximately 2 hours.

Please RSVP to Jackie Host so that she will know how many attendees we will have at the meeting. The address of the Garden Club of Jacksonville is 1005 Riverside Avenue.

Saturday 4/12 and 4/19

Back-to-back weekends our garden club will be out to greet the public and encourage a celebration of spring.

Saturday, April 12, from 10AM-4PM.  Look up our booth at the Fruit Cove Baptist Church Car Show.  Yes, the car show.  It's a free family event with something for everyone.  We'll be right next to the Bartram Scenic Highway table.

Saturday, April 19, from 10AM-3PM.  Celebrate Earth Day at wonderful Alpine Groves County Park.  There will be free activities like nature walks, kayaking, history re-enactments, music and snacks.  A great afternoon for no cost!