Author: Paula Hyatt

From Paula Hyatt, GCKY President

Since my last visit with you, I have toured the state for our District Meetings. Each district was very special. No district had the same program or the same meal. It was great to see previous friends and make new friends. I want to issue a special thank-you to my fellow officers. Your 1st and 2nd Vice-Presidents and our Directors’ Advisor also attended all five district meetings.

Most of the districts have begun their “Bluegrass Project” and don’t forget there is a special award for this President’s Bluegrass Project. None of the districts were 100% in club representation BUT each district was able to fill their nomination committees and Wallis House Representatives.

As we put our plants to bed for the winter, let us use items from our own yard. Cover your bulbs with fallen leaves. Nutrients return to your soil as the leaves rot AND it does not cost an extra penny. When spring arrives, rake the leaves into garbage bags and dispose of. To hold the leaves in place during the windy weather, it is easy to toss on several broomsticks. Years ago, we used tobacco stalks and again fed the soil with the stalks rotted

It seems as though gourds are plentiful this fall. They are wonderful for decorations for the Thanksgiving table. It seems as though the Christmas Season comes faster each year. Our 6 grandkids are already working on their tree while I am trying to decide on the Thanksgiving menu.  I am too old-fashioned to put our tree up before Thanksgiving, so we will start decorating on the day after.

Be sure to check the December Bulletin for the “Greenery Gallery” Sale on Friday, December 1st, beginning at 3 pm and Saturday, December 2nd, 10 AM to 3 PM at our Wallis House back porch. Maybe a special neighbor or a shut-in friend might appreciate a fresh green arrangement or wreath or would enjoy a trip to Paris (KY) with you.

There are several special dates in the December Bulletin. Please check carefully and mark your calendar. Of special importance is the SAR Annual Convention on March 18 and 19, immediately followed by our GCKY Annual Convention (both held at the Embassy Suites in Covington KY). PLEASE try to attend both functions. What better way to chase away the “winter blues”, get out of the house, and make new friends. Reservation info is in the December bulletin and on the website.

A special thank-you to Ann Fiel for agreeing to chair the SAR event and to Connie Crain, Limestone District Director, who is the chair for the GCKY Convention with the Limestone District being your hosts. Be sure to gather your unwanted jewelry for the convention fundraiser!

Invite a friend or neighbor to attend your next garden club meeting. Share your garden club experiences, spread your knowledge and love of gardening with those around you and help GCKY grow.

My wish for each of you is to have a happy Thanksgiving and a blessed merry Christmas. Remember those who need special care and assistance. A kind word or deed is always remembered and appreciated.

Please remember the “Reason for the Season”!

Holiday blessings to all.

Paula

History of the Garden Club of Kentucky, Inc.

2015-2017

Edith Nelson, President

 As my term is nearly finished, I think back two years ago when I selected my theme Paving The Pathway To The Future with emphasis on Youth Gardening and Native Pollinator Conservation.

Awareness is increasing across the Commonwealth of Kentucky of the importance of involving youth in gardening projects. The purpose of youth gardening programs is to develop a love and appreciation of nature. Our youth is our future gardeners and I especially want the pathway to lead to the encouragement of youth involvement. To assure success, I appointed a State Youth Advisor Chairman and asked each of the five District Directors to select a youth representative from their district to serve on the youth committee. This committee compiled a quarterly report keeping me informed on youth activities across our state. The State Chairman of Native Pollinator Conservation and the Monarch Butterfly Waystations, continues to offer presentations in our state as well as sharing Pollination for Kids PowerPoint to be used for primary grade children and other materials with our clubs. We are supporting South Atlantic Region Director, Sarah Ann Parler’s theme Inspire Conservation through Education.

Kentucky has 4 new Youth Clubs this term bringing our total to 6 active Youth Clubs. They are sponsored by local garden clubs and partnering with local extension offices and libraries. Members are busy presenting workshops with Church Kids Club, working with 4-H directors who provide after School Youth and Junior Gardening Projects and working with a Girl Scout Troop to earn the Native Plant Patch.   With our help, children will grow up knowing the wonders of nature and how to protect and care for the environment.  Each of the six clubs was presented with an Appreciation of Youth Club Sponsorship Certificate and a copy of the recently released book Wildlife in Your Garden edited by Karen Lanier.

 We are supporting National President Sandy Robinson’s special project Service in Action Protecting the Monarch Butterfly by planting and maintaining Monarch Waystations. We are partnering with the Kentucky Governor’s office and the Kentucky Department of State Parks to encourage conservation of one of our most important resources, our pollinators.  Governor Steve Beshear has designated September as Monarch Awareness Month.  Our first Butterfly and Native Plant Week-end was held at Jenny Wiley State Park in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. In 2017 plans are made for 2 more Friends of Pollinators Weekend to be held at State Headquarters Wallis Arboretum in Paris, KY and Kentucky Dam Village. As we build on the accomplishments of the previous administration, Kentucky now has over 400 waystations including 15 in state parks and more are being planned for this spring.  Distribution of the Frightened Frog book has been donated by members and placed in several schools and libraries across our state.

 Gardening for Pollinators was the theme for our 2016 and 2017 Photo contest. The three categories were: Pollinator Gardens for all Seasons, Bees, Birds and Butterflies and Gardening with the Youth. This contest proved to be very successful and enjoyable with digital photos accepted in 2017 and shown during our State annual meeting.

 The Garden Club of Kentucky and Middlesboro Garden club has presented all four Flower Show Courses with success in obtaining 4 new student judges. The Symposium sponsored by Kentucky Council of Nationally Accredited Flower Show Judges will be held June 14-15, 2017 at Carter Caves State Park in Olive Hill, Kentucky.

 In Mountain Laurel District, two Blue Star Memorial Markers were installed and dedicated for Veterans Day. A wonderful way to honor our servicemen and women.

 Thanks to our Garden Club of Kentucky Website Committee, a link has been added to our website to accommodate Online Registration for our Annual Conventions. Another member was added to this efficient committee to handle this extra responsibility. Betty Conner is Web team coordinator and has 4 volunteer committee members. They are continually moving forward with technology to keep our members informed.

We continue to support education through our State Scholarship Program. In 2016 Kentucky presented 6 scholarships in the amount of $10,000.  This year scholarship recipients will be awarded a total of $12,250 to use in the pursuit of higher education.  These students are studying in areas that will help our environment.

Edith Nelson

President Garden Club of Kentucky, Inc.