Meetings and Conventions
Wisconsin Garden Club Federation's Annual Convention
May 19–21, 2024 – Serendipity
Milwaukee Marriott West, Waukesha, WI 53186
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
The Milwaukee District Garden Clubs is hosting the WGCF's 96th Annual Convention next May in Waukesha. State convention co-chairs, Kitty Larkin and Judy Newman have been busy making arrangements, securing speakers and setting up fun workshops. Now they need our help!
"We need garden club members to volunteer to help fill goodie bags, serve as pages, help with registration, take meal tickets and more to make our state convention a success," Kitty says. She and Judy have compiled a sign-up list of volunteer jobs. Download the list HERE. Call or email Kitty at 262-295-2922 or kittysltr@wi.rr.com and Judy at 414-861-7134 or newman9641@aol.com and let them know how you can help.
May 19–21, 2024 – Serendipity
Milwaukee Marriott West, Waukesha, WI 53186
CALL FOR VOLUNTEERS
The Milwaukee District Garden Clubs is hosting the WGCF's 96th Annual Convention next May in Waukesha. State convention co-chairs, Kitty Larkin and Judy Newman have been busy making arrangements, securing speakers and setting up fun workshops. Now they need our help!
"We need garden club members to volunteer to help fill goodie bags, serve as pages, help with registration, take meal tickets and more to make our state convention a success," Kitty says. She and Judy have compiled a sign-up list of volunteer jobs. Download the list HERE. Call or email Kitty at 262-295-2922 or kittysltr@wi.rr.com and Judy at 414-861-7134 or newman9641@aol.com and let them know how you can help.
Chiwaukee Prairie Presentation, VIP Awards Highlight MDGC's Fall Meeting
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Learning about the Chiwaukee Prairie and honoring VIP members were the highlights of the Milwaukee District's annual fall meeting Oct. 24 in Kenosha.
Pam Holy, President of the Chiwaukee Prairie Foundation, discussed the history of the Chiwaukee Prairie. Pam acknowledged the Wisconsin Garden Club Federation's support in 1981 – $1,152.50 that was used for prairie acquisition – and thanked the Four Seasons Garden Club for its many volunteers and annual grants. Four garden clubs recognized members for their devoted service. Receiving VIP awards this year are Carol Jackson of Milwaukee Ikebana, Chapter #22, Ann Luba of Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee, Terry Modory of Four Seasons Garden Club and Cheryl Booth of FoxPoint Garden Club. |
Karen Taskonis, President of the Four Seasons Garden Club, presented Pam Holy, President of the Chiwaukee Prairie Foundation, with a check for $1,500 from the club at the MDGC fall meeting.
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Judy Newman, chair of the Milwaukee District's Habitat for Humanity Committee, reported on the success of the June 3 plant share with about 150 families participating. She said the plant share is a success because of all the plants MDGC garden club members and nurseries donate. She also gave a big shout out to the many club members who volunteered at the 2023 event.
Workshops
Kaye created eight floral arrangements during her presentation. Afterwards, participants photographed their favorites.
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Kaye Vosburgh Presentation Attracts Statewide Garden Club Members
Garden club members from across the state (and from Illinois) attended the Kaye Vosburgh presentation Nov, 7. Held by the Milwaukee Ikebana Chapter #22 at the Havenwoods Nature Center, the presentation highlighted Eastern and Western style floral arrangements. Kaye, who is a member of the Boston and New York Ikebana Chapters and holds the highest rank Riji in Sogetsu School, Ikebana, made eight arrangements and shared tips and more. She is also a member of Creative Floral Arrangers of the Americas and an Accredited Master Judge and Flower Show School Design and Procedures Instructor for Judges in National Garden Clubs. Her book Creations from the Garden: Growing Plants for the Art of Flower Arranging was available, too. |
Even Kaye photographed her creations. As she worked on each, she asked for comments from the audience, pointing out that there is no right or wrong.
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Participants have fun creating at MDGC's Living Art Frame Workshop
Milwaukee District Garden Clubs Living Art Frame Workshop was a success! The MDGC fundraiser was coordinated by our 2nd Vice Director Nicolas Lemus. It was held Sept. 21 at Boerner Botanical Gardens.
The participants worked with the talented Nancy Cody and her assistants to create a unique succulent art frame that they took home. Nancy is a certified floral designer, the owner of Rose and Twig Floral Design and President of the Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee. They also made a bonus mini-pumpkin decoration!
One happy participant said, "We learned a lot about succulents and how easy they are to grow and maintain. The venue could not have been better. I’m hooked on succulents. I am very impressed with the quality of this workshop. Kudos to Nicholas and Nancy."
Milwaukee District Garden Clubs Living Art Frame Workshop was a success! The MDGC fundraiser was coordinated by our 2nd Vice Director Nicolas Lemus. It was held Sept. 21 at Boerner Botanical Gardens.
The participants worked with the talented Nancy Cody and her assistants to create a unique succulent art frame that they took home. Nancy is a certified floral designer, the owner of Rose and Twig Floral Design and President of the Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee. They also made a bonus mini-pumpkin decoration!
One happy participant said, "We learned a lot about succulents and how easy they are to grow and maintain. The venue could not have been better. I’m hooked on succulents. I am very impressed with the quality of this workshop. Kudos to Nicholas and Nancy."
Fund Raisers
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Wisconsin Garden Club Federation
Pollinator Garden Signs Promote your pollinator garden(s) with an attractive sign! You don't have to be a garden club member to buy a sign. Also, garden clubs may combine their orders and submit them to make distribution easier. Cost per sign is $18 or 2 for $35. Signs are 10″ x 15″ and are made out of coated aluminum composite with an average lifespan of 3 to 5 years. Suitable three foot metal posts are available from Menard’s, Home Depot or Fleet Farm. Contact: Nancy Gregory at enjaygee@yahoo.com |
Western Acres members promoting membership and offering pollinator signs at Brookfield's Farmers Market.
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Flower Shows
Seasons of Life Flower Show at Wisconsin State Fair
The Floral Designers of Wisconsin Garden Club held another successful flower show at the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee. Garden club members from throughout the MDGC and the state brought color and a creative touch to the Grand Champion Hall for four days – Aug. 10 to 13. State fair goers enjoyed floral designs based on the "Seasons of Life" including exhibition and functional tables and advanced design styles. In addition, there were 113 horticulture exhibits. Rounding out the show were educational exhibits explaining how to turn plant waste into compost and peat moss alternatives.
The Floral Designers of Wisconsin Garden Club held another successful flower show at the Wisconsin State Fair in Milwaukee. Garden club members from throughout the MDGC and the state brought color and a creative touch to the Grand Champion Hall for four days – Aug. 10 to 13. State fair goers enjoyed floral designs based on the "Seasons of Life" including exhibition and functional tables and advanced design styles. In addition, there were 113 horticulture exhibits. Rounding out the show were educational exhibits explaining how to turn plant waste into compost and peat moss alternatives.
Gerianne Holzman's School Days Exhibition Table received the Table Artistry Award and Award of Design Excellence.
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Wendy Kramer's Working Together design received an Award of Design Excellence.
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Garden club members entered about 150 of their prize flowers and plants in the Horticulture Division. The division's top award went to Judy Newman.
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The staff voted Norma McReynolds' sunflower as their favorite in the Horticulture Division.
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Turning Garbage into Gold by Nancy Gregory won top honors in the Educational Division.
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Milwaukee District Garden Clubs (MDGC) was founded in 1932 as a part of the Wisconsin Garden Federation which is a member of the National Garden Club and its Central Region. A not-for-profit educational organization, we serve gardeners in Dodge, Jefferson, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Ozaukee, Racine, Walworth, Washington and Waukesha counties who are gardening for good in our communities.
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