President’s Message

Here we are, looking for more spring flowers after that memorable arctic blast froze the ground as 2022 ended! May these spring flowers bring hope. It seems like we have had a rough fall and winter with Covid still around, the new strain of flu, and RSV. Too many of our members have been ill and too many are no longer with us. Haven’t we been fortunate to have known these generous, energetic, and like-minded members? ‘Gone but not forgotten’ is so true of these ladies who have left us with their special brand of leadership and volunteerism.

For me, in-person meetings are my preference, hands down. Because of the possibility of inclement weather, sickness, time, and cost, we decided to zoom our January GCKY Executive Committee Meeting. We had a few issues that were to be expected, but this allowed some to attend who otherwise could not. Several items were on the agenda for discussion, but reports were given first. It is inspirational to hear the district directors’ reports of all the good things done by their clubs!

Abby Laub, who took pictures of headquarters for WeddingWire, the All American Tea Party, and a family gathering, has asked for gardening tips and photos to share on our Instagram page. I have sent her some and given credit to Pat Neasbitt, a master gardener who writes blog entries for NGC. I would hope that some of our members would be willing to share some tips and photos. If you have some, please send to me and I will share with Abby.

Her photos and others will be used to promote our headquarters for event rentals. The house and garden tour of Botherum, June 17-18, will be promoted through our GCKY website and social media. This event will be used as a fundraiser for The Garden Club of Kentucky, helping with special projects and sustainability of our headquarters. Abby will design a flyer that will be used to promote this tour on Father’s Day weekend and will design a brochure to be given out at the entrance, allowing for a self-guided tour of the beautiful buildings and gardens. Invite your nonmember friends to this event!

Several other clubs and councils are making preparations for tours and flower shows. Much planning and hard work go into these events. Your presence and support would be very much appreciated. And don’t forget that others are preparing to host Environmental Schools. Our series of Gardening Schools has had to be put on hold for now. Information will be available on our website. The remaining Flower Show Schools will be held again at headquarters in March and July. We are very excited about all these schools! I encourage you to register for any or all. Competent teachers, active learning, and great comaraderie is what you will experience!

The South Atlantic Region Convention and our state convention will be in March, followed by the national convention in May. These are exciting times and, especially, since we will welcome our new incoming region, state, and national officers. And I have been so honored to serve as your GCKY President! I urge members to attend the entire conventions or even a day. You will be welcomed with gracious hospitality and will enjoy the fellowship with other garden club members…great people!

Please remember to continue to donate to our GCKY Natural Disaster Re-Leaf Fund. Soon there will be needs for trees, plants, and seeds. And don’t forget to save large containers for planting tree seedlings and native plants to share. A special committee has been working to help develop grant application guidelines and an application form. We will hear their recommendation at convention.

Let’s keep growing by never forgetting to invite, invite, invite! And don’t forget to plant seeds for new clubs, remembering it takes time for seeds to grow, so don’t give up! Let’s Grow!

Carcille