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March & April 2020 ” Volume 4 “
Every name is real. That’s the power of names.” Jerry Spinelli
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General Meetings Tea, Coffee, Treats 12:15 – 12:45 p.m.
Meeting 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 18, 2020
A return by well-known florist Mary Dann of Springhill Flowers will be the program focus for the March meeting. Mary, who has demonstrated for our club several times, is the daughter of the late Marjorie Gough-McKaig who had been a long-time member of the Garden Club and was herself the florist who founded the Springhill firm. Besides demonstrating her skill, Mary will talk about a new invention now on the market which she says will help those with arthritic hands.
Wednesday, April 15, 2020
The second program this year with a horticultural theme will have Don Cromarty and Mike Baker present an overview of Cromarty Gardens, near Dorchester. Both men have a farming background but the gardens are a project that Cromarty began following his retirement in 1995 from a long career in law. Baker is a professional landscape designer and has worked with a number of nurseries in the London area.
Convener Shirleyan English
Assistant Convener Sandy Wagner
President’s Message
I have been fortunate that people usually remember my name. Brenda is not a particularly common name. I suspect I was named after Brenda Lee, a singer popular at the time I was born. Or maybe my name comes from my English/Irish heritage, where my name means Sword. Whatever the reason, I have lived with this name for almost 68 years. It is a part of me, a part of who I am; it is my face to the world, my identity.
As our membership expands, we have new faces with new identities and new stories to tell. Each face we encounter in our Garden Club activities gives us an opportunity to learn about that person. A large part of the positive culture within our club comes from the friendly, welcoming personalities of our members. Many of us joined the Garden Club looking to meet people who have similar interests and to have an opportunity to give back to our community. The bonus from these interactions and opportunities is the connections and friendships we make with so many of the incredible women who we meet along the way.
So, as a wise woman said to me, “Introduce yourself,” get to know the women sitting at the table with you on Monday, or next to you at a meeting. Wear your nametag, and if you forget, one will be available. If we each make a point of chatting with just one new person at Studio or at one of our monthly meetings imagine how many new friends we will connect with by the end of the year. When you make an effort to introduce yourself to someone new to the club or to someone who you have not had the opportunity to speak with before, you are making them feel welcome, and you are also giving yourself an opportunity to make a new friend. Take a risk and make that first step to introduce yourself. I suspect you are going to meet some interesting people and hear some interesting stories!
On another note, 2020 is here and I would like to thank all those individuals who have taken the time to give me a positive comment or tell me the board is doing a good job, or that they like the bulletin boards. Your thoughtfulness is appreciated.
President Brenda Symns
Seedy Saturday
This will take place on March 7, 2020 this year and our club will be registered for this event. Middlesex Master Gardeners host this event. It is the 13th year for this event which offers seminars, a marketplace for local vendors and many community groups sharing information. Angela Decker convenes this event and will be asking for assistance in manning our booth as the event gets closer.
Convener Angie Decker
The next deadline is April 1st for May/June Volume 5
Please send reports to Jeanne Anne Goldrick at
jagold1@execulink.com by the deadline
if you want information included in the Crocus Newsletter
Horticulture Meetings Tea, Coffee, Treats 12:15 – 12:45 p.m.
Meeting 1:00 p.m.
Wednesday, March 25, 2020
How can we tackle the problem of plastic pollution?
Sara Belontz is a PhD student at Western University who is an enthusiastic environmental scientist and has degrees in the field of Environmental Studies. She has experience with aquatic research and planning and field-based data collection. One important element of her research concerns the distribution, accumulation, and degradation of plastic debris in lake, river and ocean sediments. Specifically, much of this research is focused on plastics in the sediments of Lake Huron and its tributaries. This information is used to inform communities about the extent of plastics and how we can tackle the problem of plastic pollution.
Wednesday, April 22, 2020
On-line visit: jaydancin.com
JAYDANCIN is a local store where all the products such as organic makeup, lotions, creams, soaps, etc. are created, formulated and packaged on site. Precise detail and care for every single ingredient goes into the products. No added fillers, synthetics or chemicals of any kind are allowed. All the products are made in the store location using only organic plants, herbs, botanicals, essential oils, butters and oils.
The owner Vickie Balazs lived off-the-grid for 10 years as owner and operator of a beautiful wilderness resort and during this time found an appreciation for nature and simple living. Ultimately Vickie’s organic garden, and the herbs she gathered to bake fresh bread, were the early stages of what would eventually become the development of her JAYDANCIN organic makeup and skin care line and a very successful retail store. She enjoys traveling across the country sharing her passion and commitment with people living simple, healthy, inspired lives and takes great pride in creating the best and purest organic beauty products.
We will be visiting her store where she will give us a presentation of the work she does and sample some teas and perhaps try a warm sample just coming out of the mixer or soap pot that day. We will plan to meet at JAYDANCIN, 1700 Hyde Park Road, London at 1:00 p.m. Car-pooling can be arranged. There will be sign-up sheets prior to this event.
New Members:
Each Horticulture meeting will count as 1 credit towards your
Horticulture Certificate.
Convener Marguerite Neimanis
Membership Report
You will find attached at the back of the Crocus the Membership Form for renewal of your dues for the period 2020-2021.
I will have a membership desk in the lobby at the General Meetings in February and April only, so you can see me at Studio on Mondays, courses or mail form to me along with your payment.
This year we will have payment by cheque, cash, e-transfer, debit and credit.
To find the form on our website – log in, go to Members Area – Club Notice Board – Membership Renewal (it is there for you to print).
Fill out the form:
- Name
- How you want to receive your Crocus
- I give/do not give permission for photos, facebook, etc. There are three areas to circle
- Signature/date
- Method of payment
Linda Hawker – Membership Convenor
Studio
We are beginning a new year with many projects in place to be completed and some new ideas for our participants.
After a meeting, with most of the table leaders, we decided to seek out members who will lead a table for a project that might take one Monday or two or three. The current table leaders would like the opportunity to try to join some of the other tables to expand their knowledge and experience. We will be approaching individuals to assist with this going forward.
We would like to make better use of the calendar, both on the website and the bulletin board, by scheduling some of the items to be made in advance, so that members who are interested in coming to make specific items will be able to plan their schedule. At the same meeting, we decided to offer some brief training sessions on a regular basis to any new member wanting to learn the techniques that are needed for effective work at Studio and a review for any member wanting a refresher. These will be scheduled once a month and will be ½ to 1 hour long. There will be an experienced member to give the training. Some of the following will be covered:
- Tips & techniques for the most effective use of floral tape.
- Tips & techniques for cleaning paint brushes and glue guns and their accessories
- Guidelines for drying and treating plant material for use at Studio
- Tips & techniques for the most effective use of glues – when and how to use them effectively, as well as what types are available for use
Iris folding cards are scheduled to start February 27th.
We have very little inventory left over from 2019. Some was reworked; some was torn apart and used for other projects; some was just stored for next year.
There may be future workshops on tomtes and reusable food-wraps.
Convener Jeanne Anne Goldrick
Table Captains Karin King-Carpenter, Lynda Rundle
Table Leaders Judy Ashton, Shirleyan English, Barbara Macaulay,
Joan McLean, Marg Noble, Cheryl Schram
Thinking of you:
CARDS SENT January 2020 on behalf of Garden Club Members
| Date Sent | Recipient | Reason | Contact |
| 2020/01/22 | Eleanor Huber, past member | Thank you – for donation of materials | Audrey van Holst |
| 2020/01/23 | Audrey van Holst | Thinking of you – for ongoing health issues | Brenda Symns |
| 2020/01/23 | Annette Spracklan | Thinking of you – for health issues over the holidays | Brenda Symns |
Let’s start the new year with added warmth:
Remember when you hear of a member who has issues -both favourable and challenging-to keep me informed so that I may send a card to show our caring support.
Call: 519-641-8111 or email: judy@wmbgroup.com .
Thank you to those who assisted me this month with this endeavour.
Corresponding Secretary Judy Ashton
Archives
In 1984-85 the Garden Clubs of Ontario held their 1st Flower Show in the RBG in Burlington, May 1984. The aims of the Garden Clubs of Ontario are to STIMULATE a knowledge and love of gardening amongst amateurs; to AID in the protection of native plants, trees, birds and soil; to ENCOURAGE civic planning; to ENCOURAGE other corporations to carry out similar objectives; such as conservation of wild-flowers, bird sanctuaries, development of botanical gardens, heritage gardens, promotion of flower shows and beautification of the countryside. Along with this it is noted that Parks Canada is celebrating its Centennial. Canada’s first National Park was established in Banff, Alberta in 1885. In 1984, there were 70 National Parks. Currently there are only 42 National Parks. There are over 1,000 Provincial and Territorial Parks.
Archivist Fay Kydd
Christmas Workshop
A full registration for 64 participants resulted in an attendance of 54 participants due to stormy weather. The registration fee remained at $10.00 as per previous annual Christmas Workshops. Three dishes with oasis were sold at $5.00 each. Expenses were high due to a few unforeseen circumstances that were not anticipated by the in-coming convenor of this event who extends her regrets and gives assurances of improved results for the upcoming 2020 event.
Total receipts submitted were $555.00
Total expenses incurred were $497.63
Balance remaining. $ 58.37
The Garden Club of London presented a cheque in the amount of $100.00 to “The Friends”; an organization of volunteers who work in the greenhouses run by The City of London. The volunteers participated in preparations of fresh greens and supervision (within the greenhouse) of participants on the day of the event.
A personal thank you to all those members who helped with preparations and the presentation of the 2019 Christmas Workshop.
Convener Annette Spracklan
Assistant Convener Shelley Steel
The next deadline is April 1st for May/June Volume 5
Please send reports to Jeanne Anne Goldrick at
jagold1@execulink.com by the deadline
if you want information included in the Crocus Newsletter
Mini Flower Show-The Joy of Spring – A Mini Flower Show
The schedule for our Mini Flower Show – The Joy of Spring on Wednesday May 20, 2020 is on our web site under the Members Area => Club News>Upcoming Flower Shows web page. Double clicking on each page will allow you to print out a copy of the schedule. Change your printer to print in landscape.
There are 6 classes in the Design section which includes one for Novices (those who have had not had a red ribbon at one of our flower shows).
There are 7 classes in Horticulture and 3 classes in Special exhibits which include a new craft class called “Botanical Beauty” pressed plant material on a card. The general rules give the details for the show. If you have any questions, please contact the class convenors or Audrey and Lorraine. If you do not have a printer or a computer and would like a copy, please contact us. This is our in house show, no public, and is a great time to enter.
Challenge your creative side and enter!
Show Conveners
Audrey van Holst & Lorraine Peters
Web Site Report
By the time you read this (if all goes well) our web site should have a fresh new updated look. Our vision is to have a rotating banner on the Home Page that showcases some of the areas in the Garden Club(i.e. the first 4 pictures below) Pictures menu would replace our current menus and link to the web pages when clicked on(i.e. the last six pictures)
Your web team is looking forward to showcasing your website when completed.
Lynne Schmidt, Jeanne Anne Goldrick, Maria Murillo-Furlonger, Brenda Symns, Annette Spracklan, Laurie Greenhough, Pam Sabourin, Lorraine Peters
Parkwood Floral Therapy Program
Unfortunately, there was a flu outbreak at Parkwood in January and the Floral Therapy program was cancelled.
The Garden Club Floral Therapy team brought Valentine’s Day to Parkwood in February. “It’s amazing how beautiful all the arrangements turn out.” “It’s so nice of the Garden Club to provide all the flowers for us.”
Thank you to our Garden Club members who have volunteered their time to make the residents’ time at Parkwood a little brighter. If you are interested in volunteering, we have a few openings in April, May or June. Please contact Sherry Shadlock or Debbie Sackville if you are able to volunteer.
“If you could see the miracle of a single flower clearly our whole life would change.” Buddha
Convener Sherry Shadlock
Assistant Convener Deb Sackville
Ronald McDonald House and Anova Community Projects
The Ronald McDonald Team
Lynne Schmidt, Angelique Ellerton, Roseanne Baird, Bev Morrow, Beth Sarazin, Cheryl Schram, Linda Cottell, Sharon Bannerman, Sherry Shadlock, Laurie Greenhough, Ellita Fox, Christine Roy, Carmen Marti, Paulette Bromilow, and Christine Patterson
Courses
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March 17, 2020 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Cost: $25.00
Mechanics and techniques in contemporary designs. Exploring the possibilities beyond Oasis.
This is a full day workshop with Irina Code and Lynne Schmidt.
You will learn specific mechanics and techniques which can be used to make contemporary designs.
In the morning you will make a framework and/or a structural component – two basic parts of the designs with structures relying on containers.
In the afternoon we will address the delights and challenges of working with glass containers.
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March 25, 2020 Parallel Design Time: 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Cost: $15.00
This is a ½ day workshop with Sandy Wilson. There is a parallel design on the schedule for the May mini-flower show ‘The Joy of Spring’ titled “Moving Forward”. You will learn how to do a parallel design so that you will feel comfortable entering this class.
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Design Course II April 7, 14 and 21, 2020 Time: 9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Cost: $60.00
Instructors: Irina Code and Jeanne Anne Goldrick
Design Course II is open to all our members who have completed Design Course I. For new members, it is a chance to have more knowledge and experience in understanding and making arrangements. The certificate from this course gives the right to participate in advanced workshops for which Design Course II is a requirement.
Those members who have graduated from Design Course II and have the certificate, do not need to write the test again. Just join the course, enjoy your time, refresh your knowledge and skills, and get more confidence for successful participation in any Flower show.
Several important topics will be covered in Design Course II:
- Creative/Modern design – its main characteristics and specific features of elements and principles. The special emphasis will be on dynamic balance and how to achieve it.
- Containers and mechanics which can be used in Creative design.
- Comparison of two categories of designs – Traditional and Creative/Modern.
- Interpretation of the show class title and how to use elements and principles of design (line, color, and rhythm) to create appropriate images or mood.
- Designs with “Decorative Wood”.
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April 22, 2020. How to enter a flower show in Design & Horticulture. Cost: $15.00
Time: 9:30 – 11:30 a.m.
Instructors: Eva Norman-Vestergaard & Sandy Wilson
Sandy will show you how to read a schedule and help you decide which class you would like to enter in the May mini-flower show “The Joy of Spring” if you have not already made a decision. Eva will help you with specimens in the classes in the Horticulture Section – how to choose them from your garden; how to show them; what is meant by ‘any other cultivar’, etc. You will also be given some tips for Special Exhibits. Please bring the show schedule with you and be prepared to take notes. We will also answer any questions you might have.
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April 27, 2020. Lunch and Learn 12:30 – 1:30 in the Studio Room
This is the only lunch and learn for this year and we are having one in order to demonstrate a ‘functional table’ which is also in the May mini-flower show titled ‘Patio Pleasure’. Please bring your lunch and let Brenda Symns and Linda Hawker show you what a ‘functional table’ is for a design class. No registration coupon is required for this activity.
All registration coupons for the 4 courses and workshops are at the back of this Crocus. Please use a separate cheque for each course and cheques are payable to The Garden Club of London. You may also give Paulette cash or you can use the Apple square for credit or debit. See Frances Ellison for this.
Co-conveners: Sandy Wilson and Val Smith
Membership
The new membership form is on the last page of this Crocus Newsletter.
Convener Linda Hawker
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Registration Coupon Mechanics and Techniques in Contemporary designs. Exploring the possibilities beyond oasis.