“Nothing is as constant as change.” Now, isn’t that the truth? Each of National Garden Clubs, Inc. eight regions now have a new Director and each state a new President and we are all fortunate to have Shirley Nicolai of Ft. Washington, Maryland, as our 2011-2013 National Garden Clubs, Inc. President. Shirley is a smart, competent and delightful woman who I very much look forward to working with during our respective terms. I know her passion of the National Garden Club’s mission and purpose will lead us all in a wonderful direction over the next few years. The 82^nd Annual NGC Convention , “Our Capital Congress,” was held in Washington, DC at the end of May, concluding with the installation of President Nicolai and her Executive Committee. You can be assured you were well represented at the convention by your outgoing state presidents as they took the stage to accept awards on behalf of their respective states and by your newly elected state leaders who were acknowledged by President Nicolai for their new status. You should be very proud.

Approximately forty members of the 2011-2013 New England Region Board from all over the region made the pilgrimage to Bow, New Hampshire (my town) in July to “meet and greet” their fellow officers and committee chairmen and to learn more about the upcoming NGC President’s Projects set forth by President Nicolai for her term, the recent changes in submitting to NGC and NER in regard to awards, the Youth Essay Contest, upcoming Garden Study Schools, the NER Annual Meeting and Symposium being held in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, in October and several other topics of interest which were either on the meeting agenda or were brought up during the Question and Answer period that followed. The minutes of this NER Organizational Meeting are now on the NER Website, www.ngcner.org - click on “Meetings.” Also on the NER website for your convenience is a complete listing of NER Board of Directors and their responsibilities and contact information. This is a protected area due to the personal information listed and you will need to access the “Password Protected” area by logging on initially and then clicking on “Members.” The password protected area will appear on the left. Single click “Board Member Listing,” then on “Open” and, finally, enter the password hummingbird to open up the file.

Please utilize the NER Website as it is an excellent resource for many of the important things you need to know on a regular basis as well as things that just come up periodically. For instance, both the registration forms for the 77^th NER Annual Meeting and the 44^th New England Regional Symposium are on-line for your convenience. Click on “Meetings” and you’ll find the forms. And do become a “NER Buddy” and offer to print out or at least share your online newsletter or portions of it with someone in your club who does not have access to a computer and a printer.

In closing, let me note that I am sincerely proud and honored to now be your New England Region Director and I look forward to visiting your states over the next two years to attend your annual meetings and/or conferences and special meetings. Please extend an invitation to me with dates and places early on as my “dance card” will be filling up rather quickly over the next few months, I fear. I look forward to hearing from you in this regard and with any questions or issues you may have concerning the New England Region or National Garden Clubs, Inc. My job is to serve as your liaison between the region and the national organization and I am here for you. Here’s wishing you a wonderful Autumn in our New England.

The 77th New England Region Annual Meeting is being held on October 17 & 18 in Chelmsford, MA, immediately followed by the Symposium which will run through the 20th. Both events are being hosted by the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts and they promise to be both enjoyable and educational for all attendees! Registration and meeting details can be found later in this newsletter – see pages 13-17 for Symposium brochure and pages 17-19 for Annual Meeting brochure. This information can also be accessed on the NER Website, www.ngcner.org (look under "Meetings") or they can be sent to you via e-mail on request. Board Members are expected to attend the NER Board Meeting so please make a special effort to do so and also encourage members of your own garden clubs to attend as well. This is every NER member's meeting!

Address, tel., e-mail - 194 Chestnut Hill Road, Litchfield, CT 06759 860-567-8518 spots@snet.net

Educational background - A.A. degree from Endicott Junior College, Beverly, MA

Employment background – various internships while in college, Secretary to the Personnel Manager of Pan American Airways, Washington, D.C. 1964-65, Flight attendant for Pan Am from 1965-1967

Family background - Married to Hugh Schoelzel (retired TWA/AA pilot and VP) since 1967; two sons: Dylan, married to Emily, two children – Bronson, age 6 and Evelyn, age 2; Tyson, engaged to be married to Julie in October, 2011; raised, bred, and shown Dalmatians for 40 years. Current dog, Tango is 6 and is a Champion and titled in Rally and Agility competition.

Started in garden club when? how? - Invited to join The Litchfield G.C. in 1984, president 1997-99; State Horticulture Chairman FGCCT 2002-2007; Second VP 2007-2009; First VP 2009-2011; President FGCCT 2011-2013.

Favorite area of garden club - Too many to list! Outdoors: perennials, annual containers, vegetable garden, trough gardens, adding native plantings to property. Indoors: grow orchids, begonias, cacti and succulents, ferns.

Current favorite plant (tree, shrub, etc.) Why? - I fall in and out of love with various plants: currently, many species of grasses; hosta; dahlias; mountain laurel (Kalmia latifolia); winterberry (Ilex verticillata) as well as unusual conifers.

Favorite gardening book – The Well-Tended Perennial Garden by Tracy DiSabato-Aust AND Dirr’s Guide to Hardy Trees and Shrubs by Michael A. Dirr AND Bringing Nature Home by Douglas W. Tallamy. I refer to the first three books regularly.

Your gardening hero? - Tovah Martin and Tracy DiSabato-Aust (although I have never heard her speak).

Address, telephone, e-mail - 33 Oak Hill Rd., Trevett, Me 04571, (207) 633-7439, kjmarty1@roadrunner.com

Educational and work background - In college I thought I would become a physical education teacher. Well, that didn’t work out. My employment background has been in sales and marketing. I spent 15 years in the banking business (in Ohio). While working for two national banks I was responsible for selling Visa credit cards to the retail businesses, selling bank corporate services to commercial bank customers, and finally the Sales and Training Officer responsible for a staff that trained all the state-wide bank employees on “how to sell” bank services to the banking customers. Training bankers to be “sales people” was at times a challenge. My career has also included a couple years selling real estate in Ohio and while living in Virginia I had my own business as a Training and Sales Consultant and also as an Executive Director for Professional Associations.

Family - My husband Keith and I have had many dogs and cats (at present 2 calicos that are sisters called Zoe and Cleo) but never had children. If asked “do you have children”? We would smile and say “No, we had pets rather than children.”

Joined a G.C. - I joined The Boothbay Region Garden Club in the spring of 2005. When we moved to the Boothbay area I noticed the Garden club and all what the members were doing and I thought it would be a great club to join. Have always loved gardening but while working never was able to join an actual club. Thank goodness for retirement and time to pursue gardening.

To Promote Garden Club Membership, visibility of garden clubs, greener gardening, and community gardens

Favorite area of gc - I would have to say all of them. Serving as President (of Boothbay Region GC) allowed me to be involved in all areas of the club and see what the club has to offer. I found it to be extremely rewarding to work with the projects and activities that give back to the community. The Garden Club can enrich so many people’s lives even if they are not members of the local club.

Current favorite plant - That is a tough question. I don’t seem to have just ONE. I seem to like things according to the season; Spring: the grape hyacinths and iris; Summer: peonies and roses; Fall: sedum and mums; Winter: I leave as many of the spent flowers for the birds that can use them and to enjoy the beauty of how the snow looks on the garden as a whole. I love all trees and shrubs with the exception of having to rake up the leaves in the fall. Sorry I don’t have a short answer to this question. Currently I’m really getting into Hydrangeas and Hollyhocks.

Favorite Gardening book - Two books I really enjoy: Continuous Bloom by Pam Duthie and The Complete Book of Gardening (A comprehensive Guide to Planting, Growing, and Maintaining Your Garden, Klaas Noordhuis.

Gardening hero? - It was my Grandmother who gave me a “green thumb.” As a kid you don’t appreciate what you have in front of you. By giving me the ability to grow things she enabled me to really enjoy the beauty of flowers, trees, shrubs, birds and all that nature gives us.

Address, tel., e-mail - 92 Royalston Rd., Wellesley, MA 02481, 781-237-2618, heidikost@verizon.net

Educational background - Graduate Certificate in Landscape Design, Radcliffe College/Harvard University; Graduate Certificate in Landscape History, Radcliffe College/Harvard University; Board-certified Facilitator for Non-Profit organizations, Simmons College, Boston, MA; Studies in American History and Culture, Colombia University, New York City, NY; BS Agricultural Science, focus viticulture and land management, University of Zweibruecken, Germany

Employment background - Landscape Designer & Landscape Development/Management Consultant; Opera Company of Boston, Vice President, Development; CFS Food Editors and Consultants, Vice President, New York City; Associate Food Editor, Conde Nast Publications - Glamour Magazine, New York City;

Family background (husband, children, dogs, etc.) - Born and raised on a winery in the Palatinate, the largest wine-growing region in Europe, located north of the Alsace and left of the Rhine bordering France. Came to Columbia University - NYC - as a student in American Studies, for one year. Never returned to Germany permanently. Instead I married Herbert H. Gross, now retired. A former stock broker, who was born in Boston and raised in Wellesley. We met in NYC. Two Daughters - Christina and Alexandra, both married, two grandchildren, ELiza (13) and Nicholas (9), both belong to Christina and husband Christopher.

Was raised with four younger brothers and a stable of dogs - Dachshunds and German shepherds, cats of every kind, horses of the working variety for the vineyards. Still enjoy dogs, mostly Dachsies, as well as any other visiting critters of family and friends.

Started in gc when? How? - #1 - Wellesley Garden Club, 1972. Invitation from my neighbor. I specialized in designing and building gardens for the Mass. Horticultural Society's annual New England Spring Flower Show showcasing the club's design skills and horticultural knowledge. President - 1987-89.

#2- Lexington Field and Garden Club, 2001. Invitation from their President. This is the largest garden club in Massachusetts with 380+ members, all engaged in every facet of gardening and stewardship in the Town of Lexington, MA.
Theme - “It’s not easy being green” (Kermit) …but let’s try anyway.

Favorite area of gc - Promoting my garden clubs' community outreach efforts; supporting conservation and sustainability issues.

Current favorite plant (tree, shrub, etc.) Why? - As statutory Tree Warden for the Town of Wellesley, I love all trees, sometimes even the notorious Norway Maple. Shrubs: All that have interesting color, texture, endurance. Perennials: only those that behave well. Annuals: for color and filling containers.

Favorite gardening book - Never met a gardening or landscape design book I didn't like.

Your gardening hero? - Thalassa Crusoe, the Julia Child of Horticulture, WGBH Host of "Making Things Grow" throughout the 1970s - 80s, elegant, acerbic, erudite with perfect English diction.

Address - 51 Putney Road, Bow, NH 03304
Background - President, Bow Garden Club 2007 – 2010, NHFGC District II Director 2006 – 2009. Joined Bow Garden Club in 2002, because Joyce Kimball made me! She said it would be fun and I guess she was right.
My Theme - for 2011 - 2013 is “Every Day is Earth Day” Let’s live it and teach it to our children and our neighbors!
Current Favorite Plant - My tomatoes, because I have so many and they are all doing well and producing lots of fruit. They will feed us for the rest of the summer and again in the winter as we will make lots of sauce!
My favorite gardening book - is The New York Times – 1000 Gardening Questions and Answers. I consult it almost daily.
My gardening hero - would have to be my late father-in-law, the man could make anything grow.

Address, tel., e-mail - 42 Kensington Road, Cranston RI 02905, 401-954-3374, jhager@cox.net

Employment background – 23 years as a nurse and then administrator in Women and Children’s Services in hospitals in California, Florida, Alaska, Kansas, Missouri and Virginia; last 16 years as principal in a consulting firm that works with hospitals and health systems around the world, www.smith-hager-bajo.com. We specialize in strategic planning, marketing, facility planning and operational improvement exclusively in Women & Children’s Services. Currently working fulltime in that role.

Family background (husband, children, dogs, etc.) – Husband, Robert, is in administrative support department for Lifespan, largest healthcare network in RI. Two sons, both married, live in St. Louis. Two grandsons (age 4 and 1), also live in St. Louis. No pets, but a wonderful cruising catamaran.

Favorite area of gc – Landscaping and horticulture – specifically, hydroponic gardening, living art walls and vertical gardening

Current favorite plant (tree, shrub, etc.) Why? - Hydrangea – beautiful flowers, wonderful varieties

Address, tel., e-mail - 650 Sarum Hill Lane, Randolph, VT 05060-9261, 802-728-5690 (h), 802-272-6766 (c), ggaston1@myfairpoint.net

Educational background - Saint Mary’s College, Raleigh, NC, and New York School of Interior Design

Employment background - Development officer at independent schools and colleges since 1980. Just retired from Vermont Technical College in June 2011.

Family background (husband, children, dogs, etc.) - I grew up in North Carolina, lived in NYC for five years and then settled in Connecticut where we reared our children. We moved to Vermont full time in 1997. Gardening in Zone 4 was an interesting challenge. My husband and I have two children, five grandchildren, a Standard Poodle and a Siamese cat.

Started in gc when? How? - As a Master Gardener, I joined the Randolph Garden Club in 2002 after being introduced by a wonderful older friend.

Favorite area of gc - Gathering new information and learning different techniques to keep gardening fresh and exciting

Current favorite plant (tree, shrub, etc.) Why? - My low-bush blueberries require so little time and effort and just keep producing wonderful fruit year after year.

************************************************************************************

My Director’s Project is basically a public awareness campaign designed to emphasize the importance of choosing the right tree for the right space, taking into consideration the type, size and placement of trees prior to planting. Correctly placed trees can provide you with energy conservation, improved air quality and food and shelter for local wildlife. It can also prevent costly tree trimming and damage to your home in the future, circumventing interference with electric utility lines which can jeopardize public safety and/or cause power interruptions for you and your neighbors.

Energy conservation . Proper placement of trees can reduce home heating and cooling costs by up to 20%. Planting tall deciduous trees to the east or west of a house provides cooling shade in the summer but allows warming sunlight in the winter when they drop their leaves. Planting evergreen trees to the north and west or windward side of your home can help block cold winds and reduce winter heating requirements and costs. Use small trees, shrubs and vines to provide shade for walls and windows if there is not enough space for a large tree.

Air Quality. Trees release oxygen into the air while absorbing carbon dioxide.

Wildlife. A variety of trees and landscape plantings can benefit wildlife by providing food and shelter.

Property Value. Attractive landscaping can add as much as 15% to the value of your property.

Before you buy a tree, consider: The tree’s mature height, mature canopy size (length of branches) and life-span. (For example, silver maples often live less than 80 years while an oak might live 300 years or more.) Plant only small trees, not to exceed 20 feet in height at maturity near electric utility lines.

Choose your tree wisely: Consider the planting area’s soil and drainage characteristics and the tree’s sunlight requirement. Buy healthy trees from a reputable nursery. A “cheap” sapling from a discount retailer may end up costing much more because it may not be healthy and could be short-lived.

Plant correctly: Plant at the right depth and create a dam approximately 3 feet in diameter around the newly planted tree to retain water. Add 1 or 2 inches of mulch to the loosened soil outside the dam area. Make sure that the tree gets at least 1 inch of water a week, particularly in the first few months.

And don’t forget to contact DIG SAFE (1-888-344-7233)* before you even put a shovel in the ground if you have underground electric lines or gas lines on your property to prevent a possible catastrophe! This is a free service.

The Information contained in the above article was taken from publications provided by the USDA, the National Arbor Day Foundation, Tree Line USA and the Northeast Utilities System.

You will soon be receiving an e-mail from me in regard to A Fund Raiser for the New England Region with a “Contract for Sponsorship Publication” attached. Please take the time to review this material.

Following a discussion at the July 14^th NER Organizational Meeting, it was decided to create a venue for Sponsorship/Advertising on the front page of our website where we will list the websites of any garden-related vendor as a sponsor for a fee. We will list a subscribing vendor for one year for $50 or $75 for two years. We ask that each state do what they can to sign on at least 4 vendors per year; this list will be updated regularly as new vendors sign on. If we receive enough participation from all our states we will no longer need to hold NER fund raisers. The only exception would be if we take on a special project that would need funding, however this is not imminent.

State Presidents, please forward the e-mail (or devise your own) with the attachment to your Club Presidents and ask for their assistance in signing up their favorite nurseries, garden centers or any garden-related business as a “NER Sponsor.” The cost is minimal for the amount of potential exposure these businesses will have by being listed on the front page of the NER Website. Our site is routinely accessed by garden club members from all over New England and other parts of the country and is totally accessible to the general public as well. One “click” and the viewer will be sent directly to the sponsor’s website.

You might want to consider preparing a handout for members to leave with potential sponsors that explains the relationship between their garden club/state organization and the New England Region for clarity. And perhaps you could offer everyone that sells a sponsorship some sort of reward or special acknowledgement to encourage them to get out there and “sell sponsorships” for the benefit of the New England Region.

Good luck and I look forward to seeing a stream of NER Sponsors on the front page of the New England Region Website, www.ngcner.org real soon!

They want to congratulate the New England Region for a job well done! It has been a very successful and enjoyable year. Further, I would like to thank the state chairs:

for their participation and in encouraging their clubs to promote this worthy and educational contest.

All state chairs adhered the guidelines and submitted the entries in a timely manner with everything you all do, was sincerely appreciated.

The Regional Chair Reports: 5 of the 6 states participated. With a total of 1,045 posters!

1^st Gr: Sophia Smith (Smokey Poster) Mullein Hill Christina Academy - Lakeville Garden Club,

2^nd Grade: Shannon Derby (Woodsy Poster), Josiah Bartlett Elem. School – Mountain

3^rd Grade: Gillian Carroll(Smokey Poster), Pemetic Elem. School - Bar Harbor Garden Club,

4^th Grade: Liliana Jessico(Woodsy Poster), Campbell Elm. School - Curbs & Cobblestones

5^th Grade: Sara Stillings (Smokey Poster), school not listed; - Old Homestead Garden Club,

All though it was clearly stated on the entry rules that posters would not be returned, I was able to return all posters to the state chairs with tokens of appreciation, such as pencils & sharpeners, rulers, erasers, activity & coloring books, shoe laces, stickers, and DVDs from Smokey and Woodsy for each entry.

Would you like to see a High School Student win $1,000.00? Check out the National Garden Club's web site (www.gardenclub.org – under Youth) and read all about this year's essay contest, "The Benefits of Community Gardens" in 600-700 words. Each State Youth Chairman will send its best essay to the NER Youth Chair, Elaine Dates, by January 1, 2012.

Please note: A question came up about sponsoring a grandchild. As long as the child is sponsored by a garden club, district, group of clubs, etc., and if the grandparent's garden club agrees, the club may sponsor the grandchild. The credit would go to the grandparent's garden club and state and not the state where the grandchild lives.

We are nameless and will award $50 to the garden club of the member making the winning entry. The winner receives bragging rights. Deadline is December 1, 2011 and the winning name for our newsletter will be announced at the NGC meeting in Buffalo in May, 2012.

Please submit names for consideration to NER Webmaster and Immediate Past-Director Kathy Thomas, 7 Norfolk Lane, Holliston, Ma 01746 or Kathymthomas@aol.com .

Remember the Deadline is December 1, 2011. Contest will be judged by the 2009-11 Director and state presidents.

************************************************************************************

NGC President Shirley Nicolai has designated three very worthwhile and creative projects for her 2011-2013 term of office. Several of these projects we may have already implemented in our states and on the local garden club level but she is asking for a renewed emphasis.

Protecting Aquatic Ecosystems This project recognizes the importance and urgency of identifying and addressing, on our local and state level, critical water issues. In 2008 NGC adopted a Water Conservation Platform for this very purpose. Garden clubs, districts, states and regions are encouraged to partner with other organizations, such as the Clean Water Network, as aquatic ecosystems advocates, in order to have a more effective voice in government. You are encouraged to promote educational programs for youth and sponsor seminars and workshops to foster awareness. Questions should be sent to Mary Sue Colvin at jhcolvin2@bellsouth.net .

Planting for Public and Special Places This project incorporates three areas of interest: edible gardens, container gardens, and trees and shrubs. Most garden clubs do civic beautification projects in their communities that encompass these activities. These projects also lend themselves to Blue Star Memorial Markers, Habitat for Humanity gardens, Arbor Day ceremonies, etc.

Garden clubs may submit on-line forms for any and all of the three projects. Certificates of appreciation and Participation will be awarded. Participants are asked to submit an on-line form, available on the NGC Website, www.gardenclub.org , along with a before and after digital photo. Deadlines are April 1, 2001 and April 1, 2013.

This is a new exciting and creative way for garden clubs to archive their activities and achievements. See what other garden clubs are doing around the country as well as our International Affiliates. You do not need to be a Flickr® member to view this link. View the Blue Star Marker dedication in Riverton, Wyoming; floral design in Palm Desert, California; daffodils in Arizona; reforestation of a stream bed in Pennsylvania; edible gardens in Moriches, NY; a flower show in Springfield, Georgia. Visit Mexico and Peru as well as conventions, NGC projects and Woodsy Owl and Smokey Bear submissions. See our own New England states submissions sent in by Maine, Rhode Island and Massachusetts.

I encourage all of the New England states to get on board with this project. Have your garden clubs submit their digital photos and let’s show the rest of the country what fabulous things we in New England are doing in our garden clubs. Go to the NGC website and click on Archived Accomplishments just above the picture of the tulips to see the photos that have been submitted. Any questions should be sent to Robin Pokorski at robinp@juno.com . The Flickr® site is: www.flickr.com/nationalgardenclubs . Watch for more information in the National Gardener and KIT

De Feldman-NER President’s Projects Chairman, 6 Seal Island, Bristol, RI 02809, defeldman6@gmail.com, 401-253-3236

*************************************************************************************************

The 2011 gardening season has been a banner season for chipmunks and other critters that like to eat the plants in our gardens. This year, in particular, I have had a chipmunk trod across my shoes as I sat eating my lunch on my patio. Obviously I was in his/her way! In August I heard tales of woe in the media about the increase in chipmunks in our landscapes. One woman had a chipmunk living in her car engine, others have had their vegetable gardens decimated by these little rodents. It is both unpleasant and expensive to see your garden destroyed by hungry animals.

What can you do? There is very little that you can do this summer. The increase in the population of many animals goes right back to the plants that they eat. Last year’s acorn crop was heavy. Chipmunks filled their dens with a very comfortable supply of food. When spring arrived the chipmunks were healthy and ready to start their new families and the population explosion began. In my yard, rabbits decimated my campanulas, asters and many other favorite plants. The groundhogs finished up most of the phlox and tried to eliminate my echinacea. But it was the chipmunks that astounded me. Not only are they “selfish” eaters (they take bites out of plants ) but they had some interesting gymnastic feats in my yard. Each year my columbines (pinks, whites, dark reds, doubles etc.) set seed all over my property. I am guaranteed to have new columbines the following year. As I watched from inside the house I could see the sturdy stem of a columbine waving back and forth on a non-windy day. A chipmunk was hanging on and consuming all the seed pods on the plant. Barely one columbine was left to drop seeds naturally in my yard! What can be done? Nothing now, but there is hope for 2012. The oak trees will not have such a large acorn crop this year. Chipmunks and other animal populations should revert (I hope) to a more manageable size next year. I can only hope that all of the seeds that those pesky chipmunks consumed will have been left in their droppings in other places in my gardens!

This book, I think, is an appropriate choice for members of the New England Region. The author, from upstate New York, consults and writes (Garden Gate/Fine Gardening/Outdoor Living/

Better Homes and Gardens) and appears on HGTV speaking primarily of zones 3-4-5.

Saying “lists” sounds boring, but the reading you’ll find, as you peruse these chapters, is a “curl up and enjoy” type! Open to any page and learn, as I have, about what to avoid, as well as what to nurture.

The major “lists” include Garden Design and Care, Pest Control, and Foliage Plants, with the main “thrust” on suggested Perennials, Shrubs, Bulbs etc.

Within each chapter, one finds minor lists. For example: Chapter 2 is “Perennials.” Under that category (to name a few of the 21 lists!), you’ll find Unusual/Fragrant/Reseeders/Short-lived etc.

There are tips on buying plants, pruning, fertilizing, dividing, preparing beds, choosing tools, and avoiding mistakes!

This 248 page treasure comes in paperback, and I know you’ll find its content satisfying and

*************************************************************************************************

All reservations are to be made directly with: Radisson Hotel and Suites Chelmsford,

Make checks payable to: NER Symposium 2011 and mail to: Maureen Christmas, 190 Pope Road, Acton, MA 01720.

DEADLINE: September 27, 2011 is the final deadline for Symposium registration. No refunds will be made after that date. Good standing must be on the registration.

( ) $155.00 - Full course with Exam (includes Allied Topics, Design, Hort, 1 dinner, 2 lunches)
( ) $155.00 - Full course Audit (includes above but no exams)

Any food allergies must be submitted to the committee at the time of registration in order that we may fulfill your needs.

Gina V. Jogan Gina is a resident of Molino, Forida, and is a NGC Accredited Master FS Judge, FS School and Symposium instructor. Among her many impressive credentials are:Instructor in Floral Design Study Schools (a Bob Thomas creation), FFGC Chairman of the “Fun with Flowers program,” NGC Gardening Consultant and Landscape Critic, and graduate of FL State University in Elementary Ed and Mathematics. She writes “I am having fun doing what I love to do!” Her mother was a NGC instructor in Horticulture for 25 years and her sister is presently a Horticulture instructor - that’s three Master judges/instructors in one family!

Sandra M. Joyce hails from Hudson, Massachusetts, and is a NGC Master Judge and Accredited Flower Show Procedure, Horticulture and Symposia Instructor. A former GCFMa State President (1999 – 2001), she currently serves on the NGC FSS Committee as Horticulture and FS Procedure Instructor’s Chairman and on the Prospective Instructors Committee. Sandi is currently the Chairman of the new Horticulture book being produced by NGC. She has chaired numerous flower shows, including the GCFMa section at the New England Spring FS and Holiday Shows at Tower Hill Botanic Gardens. She is a Landscape Design Master Consultant and Gardening Study Consultant and for over thirty-five years, Sandi has owned and operated a floral business and has lectured many groups on design and horticulture.

C. Anthony Todesco Tony is from Stow, Massachusetts, and is a NGC Master Judge. He was FSS New Design Development Chairman from 2001 – 2009 and a major contributor and Coordinator of Contributing Designers of the NGC publication, Designing by Types. He travels nationally and internationally presenting innovative floral design lectures.

Chairman Thelma Shoneman, tel. 978-263-9466, e-mail tshoneman@verizon.net, 21 Freedom Farme

Registrar/Treasurer Maureen Christmas, tel. 978-263-0009, e-mail mchristmas@comcast.net, 190

Lectures are open to all garden club members and the public upon payment of fees.

All judges taking the NER Symposium for credit or audit must check with their State Flower Show

Schools Chairman (or Credentials Chairman) to verify eligibility. Each State Chairman shall

Judges must have with them their own copy of The Handbook for Flower Shows - 2007 Edition with

corrections to obtain credit. If taking the exam, you must supply your own clipboard. Al

Handbook for Flower Shows – 2007 edition, Sections on Design, specifically pp. 197-199, and Horticulture.

*************************************************************************************************

Presenter: Priscilla Styer, Floral Designer, Haverhill, MA . “The power of music combined with the drama of floral design.” Priscilla will create beautiful floral designs for us accompanied by music from The Phantom of the Opera. Pianist - Linda Paulet.

Program: “6 Ways to Observe, Conserve and Preserve the Beauty All Around You…”

Informative mini-Educational Programs provided by our sister states of CT, MA, ME, NH, RI & VT.

Chat with your fellow garden club members, visit our vendors and don’t forget to buy your raffle tickets!

NOTE: The 2011 NER Symposium will immediately follow with registration from 2 – 4 PM in the Hotel Lobby. Contact NER Symposium Chairman Thelma Shoneman at (978) 263-9466 or tshoneman@verizon.net for more for information.

Please visit all the vendors and be sure to purchase some special items for gift giving during the

Please return this form, completed and accompanied by your check made payable to: NER

*************************************************************************************************

The four-course series is accredited by National Garden Clubs, Inc. and is sponsored by the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. The program provides continuing education in landscape design, the courses and examinations are open to all. The written examinations are based on both the required reading and the lecturers’ presentations. A course is offered in Massachusetts annually. After successfully completing two courses, a student is eligible for Provisional Consultant status and may join a Landscape Design Council.

The following topics are covered in Course II. Indicated in parentheses are the corresponding chapters in Stewards of the Land: A Survey of Landscape Architecture and Design in America, the course textbook: The Landscape Design Process (3)

Other reading assignments are taken from The National Gardener, the official publication of National Garden Clubs, Inc. For a subscription, please contact Lillian N. Cohen (781) 721-2888; email lilandbud@verizon.net For more information, please contact Jane E. O’Sullivan, 84 Old Meeting House Lane, Norwell, MA 02061-1436. Telephone: (781) 659-4423; email: jeosullivan@comcast.net

Name_____________________________________________________________________________ Telephone_________________________________

Address__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________Zip Code (9 digit)____________

Garden Club________________________________________Non-member_____Refresher________

Email____________________________________________________________NGC Life #________

Please make your check payable to The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc. and send it with this form AND a current address label from The National Gardener (or your NGC, Inc. Life Number) by Oct. 19, 2011 to: Mary B. Nokes, 35 Woodpark Circle, Lexington, MA 02421-7207; Tel.: (781) 863-1203; Email: sekon_mary@yahoo.com

N.B. Attendance at all lectures is required to take the exam or to receive refresher credit.

Course II, Series 14 of the Landscape Design Study Program will be held at Regis College in Weston, MA on October 27, 28, and 29, 2011. The courses are open to all and may be taken in any order. A subscription to The National Gardener is required. Please contact Lillian N. Cohen lilandbud@verizon.net (781) 721-2888 The textbook may be purchased from National Garden Clubs, Inc. or from Terese D'Urso.

For more information, please contact the course chairman Jane E. O'Sullivan jeosullivan@comcast.net 84 Old Meeting House Lane, Norwell, MA 02061-1436 (781) 659-4423; email: jeosullivan@comcast.net

*************************************************************************************************

State Presidents please send the name, address, email and telephone number of your

National and Regional Events

September 21-24 – National Board Meeting, St. Louis, MO (NGC Headquarters).

October 17-18 - 77^th Annual NER Meeting, The Radisson Hotel & Suites, 10 Independence Dr., Chelmsford, MA 01824. Nancy Donaldson, Meeting Chairman (978) 922-4189 mandnd@comcast.net

October 18-20 – 44^th Annual NER Symposium – Immediately following the NER Meeting. Thelma Shoneman, Symposium Chairman 978-263-9466 tshoneman@verizon.net

Conventions, State Meetings

September 28 – NHFGC Fall Conference, Urban Forestry Center, Portsmouth, NH. Virginia Urdi, President. 603-774-4476 vurdi76@comcast.net

October 26 - 80^th Fall Conference of the Garden Club Federation of Maine, Ramada Conference Center, 490 Pleasant St., Lewiston, Maine (exit 80 off the Maine Turnpike), theme: “Gardening With a Purpose,” Kathleen Marty, President, 207-633-7349 kjmarty1@roadrunner.com

September 8 – NH Judges’ Council Petite Standard Flower Show 1-4 PM, White Rock Senior Living Community, 6 Bow Center Road, Bow, NH Mary Ellen Sienkiewicz, 603-399-4453 meedsienkiewicz@netzero.net

November 1-3 – Environmental Studies School, Course I at Connecticut Agricultural

Experiment Station in New Haven, CT. For additional information and registration forms: www.ctgardenclubs.org/education

October 12-14 – Flower Show School Course II at the Connecticut Agricultural

September 20-22 – Gardening Study School, Course II at the Connecticut Agricultural

Experiment Station in New Haven, CT. For additional information and registration

October 27, 28 and 29 – Landscape Design Study Program, Course II (MA), Series

October 31 – Awards Meeting and Judges Council Flower Show, “Autumn Mosaic” at

November 16 – “Flowers Are Fun and Rules Are Made to be Broken” creative floral

Maine at 1 p.m. at the South Portland Recreation Center, 21 Nelson Rd., South Portland,

Maine. Non-member admission $5. For additional information e-mail JC Chairman Molly

National and Regional Events

January 20-21 – National Board Meeting, Albuquerque, NM

May 16-19 – National Garden Clubs, Inc. Annual Convention, Buffalo, NY

Conventions, State Meetings

June 19-21 – GCFM Annual Convention Hilton Garden Inn, Freeport, ME Kathleen Marty, President 207-633-7349 kjmarty1@roadrunner.com

Flower Shows, Fairs, and Garden Tours

February 23-26, 2012 – State Flower Show, “The Fabulous Fifties,” Connecticut

Convention Center, Hartford, CT (part of The Connecticut Flower and Garden

Show)

Landscape Design School

March 27, 28, 30, 2012 – Landscape Design School, Course II at Connecticut