Valparaiso Garden Club
On September 10, 2008, Valparaiso Garden Club will be cranking up for a brand new year. The club meets each month (September through May) at the Mitchell Building in Valparaiso (next door to the Valparaiso Community Library) at 9:00 a.m.
An exciting year has been planned for club members. Kay Parsons, our president, has chosen "Focus on Conservation" as her theme. Programs have been geared around her theme, so members will learn many ways that they can help to protect our environment. Below is a list of this year's programs and a list of the club's projects for the coming year.
Anyone interested in learning about gardening, caring for our environment, and floral design is invited to join. E-mail marieharrison@valp.net for more information.
Programs for the Year
September 10
““Rain Barrels and Their Use in the Landscape”
Sheila Dunning, Okaloosa County Extension Agent, will tell how to make rain barrels and explain their care and use in a water-conserving landscape.
October 15
“Yes, We Can Grow Vegetables in Winter”
Dennis Gilson, avid gardener and owner of Gilson Publishing Company which publishes The Advertiser, will show members some easy ways to grow vegetables and fruits for harvesting this fall, winter, and spring.
November 12
“Audubon—Our Partners in Conservation”
Gary Parsons, Conservation Chairman of the Choctawhatchee Audubon Society, will discuss Audubon Society activities that help to conserve our environment.
December 10
Christmas Luncheon – Covered dish at our regular meeting place at 11:30.
Bring your donation of a nonperishable item for Sharing and Caring.
Bring items for Silent Auction. Proceeds to benefit our scholarship fund.
January 14, 2009
“How Trees Benefit Our World”
Maria Wilson, Okaloosa County Forester, will discuss the benefits of trees to the world in which we live and will teach us how to plant, care for, and conserve them for future generations.
February 11
“Benefit Auction”
Members bring
a plant to be auctioned. Proceeds are donated to a charity of the members’
choice.
March 11
“A Florida Friendly Approach to Maintaining Your Landscape”
Larry Williams, Okaloosa Horticulture Extension Agent, will discuss environmentally friendly ways to maintain your landscape.
April 8
“Grow Some Worms, Feed Your Garden”
John Gonzales has learned the secrets of vermicomposting and will share them with garden club members. Members will learn how to start their own vermicompost.
May 13
Luncheon and Installation – 11:30
Chaired by the losing team of the Green and White Contest
NEW PROJECTS FOR 2008-2009
1. Make rain barrels, decorate, and distribute them to members and to the public to reinforce our commitment to water conservation.
2. Observe National Garden Week through a variety of activities.
3. Plan and organize field trips to enhance members’ knowledge and enjoyment of gardening.
4. Plan and offer a series of Floral Design Workshops for members.
5. Offer a Floral Design Studies Unit to club members and to the public.
6. Send three members to Flower Show School; mentor and encourage them to complete the course.
7. Investigate the feasibility of continuing the Norma Eastman Butterfly Garden at the Valparaiso Community Library.
8. Observe Florida Arbor Day by planting a tree in Valparaiso or Niceville.
9. Instigate new ways to raise money to support club projects; i.e. gift basket raffles, silent auctions, and other creative fund-raising projects.
CONTINUING PROJECTS
1. Emphasize native plants throughout the year. Master Gardeners will write an article in each issue of the newsletter featuring a native plant and will discuss it and show samples at each club meeting.
2. Encourage civic pride by continuing our "Yard of the Month" program in Valparaiso and Niceville in recognition of excellence in landscape design. Signs will be displayed in deserving landscapes, pictures will be placed in the newspaper, and pictures and announcements will be sent to our local television station.
3. Continue to introduce and review a gardening book from the club’s collection and to publish the review in the club’s newsletter.
4. Continue to maintain container gardens at the Heritage Museum.
5. Encourage and support the formation of new garden clubs in and around our area.
6. Work to increase knowledge of floral design and gardening techniques by offering or supporting special clinics and seminars throughout the year.
7. Increase membership by offering high quality educational programs and opportunities for worthwhile community service related to gardening.
8. Learn about horticulture and floral design by continuing our "Green and White" contest.
9. Donate a scholarship of $125 to Wekiva Youth Camp in memory of Dr. Fanny-Fern Davis (or send a camper to Wekiva).
10. Contribute to World Gardening (E.C.H.O.) ($25), Nature Conservancy ($25), District I Fund ($1.00 per member), National Arbor Day Society ($25), Habitat for Humanity (A Donation from our Plant Auction), Sharing and Caring (Collection at Christmas Luncheon), Friends of the Milton Gardens ($50), and other charities and causes that share garden club goals and purposes.
11. Participate in civic activities and programs as opportunities arise.
12. Continue to monitor trees planted by the club in Florida Park and ensure their welfare by seeing that their cultural needs are met.
13. Hold a Standard Flower Show in conjunction with Saturday in the Park in April 2009.
14. Continue to plant trees, shrubs, and flowers in Valparaiso and Niceville.
15. Continue to provide horticultural education for local residents through lectures, newspaper and magazine articles, programs, and/or garden tours.
16. Continue to award a scholarship to a deserving high school or college student enrolled in a field of study related to the goals of NGC.