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Hi All –

Welcome November and a Happy Thanksgiving to all !

• The next FMLCGC General meeting will be held Friday, November 12, with hospitality from 9-9:30am.  Our program will be provided by Kathy Woodlock, Accredited Flower Show Judge – “A Williamsburg Christmas Decoration Demo”.  We are asking people to RSVP if they plan to attend; RSVP to slawson921@gmail.com or 941-979-0615.
• FMLCGC Yearbooks are available and can be picked up at the FMLCGC HQ building on Tuesdays from 10am-1pm.  
• Bonsai Society of SW FL Annual Show/Sale will be held Saturday, November 6, 9-5pm and Sunday, November 7, 9-3pm at FMLCGC Headquarters
• CELEBRATION OF LIFE-for Jean Shields will be held at Berne Davis Gardens Nov. 12th 2-4pm.
• Poinciana Garden Club Annual Plant and Yard Sale is Saturday Nov 13th 8a-5pm at FMLCGC.
• Edison Ford Estates is hosting “Build an Herb Mound” on Nov 13th, 10am.  Admission for the presentation is $15 for non-members, $10 for members.
• Alva Garden Club is hosting a presentation by John Cassani, Calusa Waterkeeper.org Nov 16th, 1pm at Alva United Methodist Church, 21440 Pearl St.
• FMLCGC Flower Show “The World is Yours to Explore” will be held on Friday, November 19, 1-4pm, and Saturday, November 20, 10-3pm at FMLCGC Headquarters.  We are still looking for members to enter the Botanical Arts section, and of course we’re hoping for many of our members to submit horticulture entries.
• The American Hibiscus Society Winter Hibiscus Sale will be held Saturday, November 20 and Sunday, November 21 at the Edison Ford Winter Estates Plant Sale
• Edison Ford Winter Estates Garden Festiva is Nov 20-21st 9am- 4pm.
• Cookie Social is Dec. 10th at 1pm at FMLCGC all are welcome!  RSVP by Dec 3rd to Slawson921@gmail.com if you’d like to join in the fun.
• PLEASE NOTE:  SWFL Orchid Society Annual Fundraiser will be held the 2nd Tuesday in February, not Nov 9th.

Please make sure to share this information with your club members.
As always, if you have questions, please feel free to contact me.  Hope to see you at one of our events.
Fondly,Susan Lawson,President, Fort Myers – Lee County Garden Council

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The Bonsai Society of Southwest Florida

Please see attached flyer for the Bonsai Society 40th Annual Show and Sale. 
Date:  Nov 6-7th, 2021

UF IFAS Collier Extension Yard and Garden Show

Please click here for the Naples Yard and Garden Show Flyer.  The event will take place Saturday, November 13th, and Sunday, November 14th.

Fort Myers – Lee County Garden Council hosts an NGC Flower Show, “The World is Yours to Explore,” a Standard Flower Show honoring Garden Council President Judy Francino.
November 19-20, 2021

Fort Myers – Lee County Garden Council Headquarters
2166 Virginia Avenue, Fort Myers, Florida 33901

Open to the Public – Free Admission and Parking
Friday, November 19 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm
Saturday, November 20 10:00 am – 3:00 pm

Click here for schedule.

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Meeting Photographs by Anina Bachrach click here

Meeting Minutes

Gulf Coast Garden Club 
November 8, 2021
General Meeting Agenda

9:00am – Hospitality: Sign in, 50/50 & Basket tickets, Coffee, Treats, Conversation

• Conserve by bringing your own cup!

9:30am – General Meeting   

• Opening Remarks:    President Pat Townsend
• Pledge of Allegiance
• Inspirational Message

9:45am – Program: 

‘EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW ABOUT Tropical Roses’.  Debbie Hughes, Horticulture Director, Edison and Ford Winter Estates.  Debbie will demonstrate her expertise in regards to the unique aspects of growing Topical roses in Florida.

10:30am – Break

11:00am – Business Meeting  

Old Business:

• Fill Club positions.  Need members to fill the following positions.  GCGC will announce candidates at the February 2022 meeting, voting will be in March 2022 and Installation is at the April 2022 meeting.               

*  Secretary      *  Blossoms Bulletin      * President

• Holiday/Christmas Luncheon –

• Flower/Horticulture Show  & Plant Sale
  Start growing your offerings for our February 2022 plant sale.  We also want YOU to step up for our Flower/Horticulture Show.  We need participants to work the event as well as floral designers and your horticulture offerings.  Let me, Pat Townsend, know how you would like to participate.

Be sure to bring your GCGC Yearbook to review activities.

• Future Activities:  See below for Bonsai Society 40th Annual Show and Sale, Collier County Extension Yard and Garden Show, and FMLCGC Flower Show coming up in November.

New Business:  Bring up any topics that we should discuss.

See you all Monday, 11/8/21.  Bring your smiles and enjoy!       
Best,
Pat Townsend, President

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The follow was sent to National Garden Club, Florida Federated Garden Clubs, Fort Myers News-Press, Naples Daily News, Florida Weekly and other smaller newspapers as a press release.

BLUE STAR MARKER DEDICATEDON OLD 41 IN BONITA SPRINGS 
(photos by Anina Bach)

The Gulf Coast Garden Club (GCGC) dedicated the first Blue Star Marker on Old US 41 and Reynolds in Bonita Springs recently. The GCGC adopted the Blue Star Marker Program and for four years raised funds for the marker through plant sales, raffles, and support from sponsors—Pelican Landing Dental and Driftwood Gardens Center—in order to purchase the marker.  The City of Bonita Springs donated the ground and placement of the marker.            

The Blue Star Memorial Program honors service men and women.                

The Blue Star Marker Program has been expanded to include all men and women who served, were serving, or would serve in the armed services of the United States. The Blue Star became an icon in World War II.            

The purpose of the Blue Star Memorial Highway program is to erect highway markers at roadside rest stops, vista points historical sites, and other appropriate areas to pay tribute to all who have served, those who are presently serving, and those who will serve in the nation’s armed forces.

Gulf Coast Garden Club members and guests with the newly dedicated Blue Star Marker on Old 41 in Bonita Springs.              

For more information about GCGC go to the website gulfcoastgardenclub.org 
or email  gulfcoastgardenclub@gmail.com.

Additional Information sent for media release follows

The First Blue Star Marker in Bonita Springs was dedicated March 29th, 2021.  The Gulf Coast Garden Club had been working very hard with the city and raising the money for the sign dedicated to our Armed Forces. In 1945, the National Council of State Garden Clubs. Inc. approved the Blue Star Memorial Highway Marker program. Rt. 41 is a Blue Star Memorial Highway. The purpose of the Blue Star Memorial Highway project is to erect highway markers at roadside rest stops, vista points, historical sites. and other appropriate areas to pay tribute to all who have served, those who are presently serving, and those who will serve in the nation’s armed forces.

photo #1  The Blue Star Mothers-Barbara Salkow and Gold Star wife and GCGC member Karen Faye standing together by the Blue Star marker before the unfailing.

photo #2   The American Legion Post 90  presenting the colors at the beginning of the Ceremony.

Photo#3  Patricia Townsend, President of the Gulf Gulf Garden Club and  Marge Hendon, FFGC President accept and start the dedication of the Marker.

Photo #4  The Mayor, Rick Steinmeyer, accepts the National Garden Clubs, INC. Certificate of the Blue Star Marker from Marge Hendon, FFGC President.

Photo #5 Tony Principato, Bugler BSA Troop 109. Bonita Springs blew Taps

Photo #6  Group photo of GCGC members and guests by newly dedicated Blue Star Marker on Old 41 in Bonita Springs

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Here is a quick view of Kathleen’s Lanai. See the rest of her garden with us on October 14.

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Agenda

9:30 HOSPITALITY…Conversation

Conserve by bringing your own Cup
Buy Fundraising Tickets

9:45 GENERAL MEETING

Pledge of Allegiance – Inspirational Message

Club Business & announcements

PROGRAM – ” Introduction to Russian Boxes “

Pres, Pat Townsend will present the story behind the making of
Russian Boxes by the many little villages in Russia.

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Guest Speaker Paula Novander – meeting photos

GCGC MEETING      Minutes                                                                                                         May 10, 2021

Zoom Meeting:  May King, Moderator

Good wishes and prayers to Patty Townsend, President, undergoing surgery today

PROGRAM:  Paula Novander presented slide show on Color in the Florida Garden

• Share your plants with other garden members
• Riverland, Driftwood recommended Garden Centers for native plants and advice on choices for your needs
• Photos of today’s program on our Website
• February 14, 2022 Program by Paula Novander – Fun With Flowers

BOARD MEMBERS:

• New Treasurer:  Sharon Kennedy
• New Membership:  Nancy McPherson
• Recording Secretary:  Need replacement
• Blossoms Bulletin:  Need replacement

BLUE STAR DEDICATION CEREMONY:  Thank you to all members, volunteers and those attending

FLOWER SHOW:  March, 2022 – More Info to follow

TRERASURER’S REPORT:  Diane Schmidt

• Deposited the Driftwood ad donation and Membership renewals
• Open items:  District dues
• Blue Star Dedication on budget – thank you Suzy Valentine for coordinating plantings, and Ceremony
• Last meeting this season – hope to see all in person in the Fall

WEB SITE:  Ben Bachrach

• Advise any changes to your listing
• Send photos of your garden for posting

Meeting Adjourned 10:30

Submitted by Anne Duffy, Recording Secretary – 5/27-A

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taken 5/15/2021

“Creating inside the Bento Box” by Margy Metzler.

Kado Sensho Ikenobo Sensei Margy Metzler received her training from Master Sensei and Japanese National living Treasure Keiko Robbins while living in Okinawa, Japan. 

Margy studied for many years to receive her Sensei certificates.  She is a step below Master Sensei. 

Margy brings an art and design background to her Ikebana.  Margy offers group and individual lesson ( in person and via zoom), workshops and demonstrations.  Margy also preforms the Japanese Tea Ceremony in the Urasenke Chado tradition. 

You can contact Margy at keirandesigns@fastmail.fm or call 239-470-4079  You can go to keirandesigns.com to find out more about the Sensho Ikenobo school.

Bento boxes are Japanese food boxes.  The ones Margy uses are the more elaborate lacquer ones used for celebrations. 

Photos from Margy Metzler