Programs & Projects

 

The Garden Club of Stuart, Inc. is actively involved in numerous charitable, scholastic and civic programs and projects through-out our community. New and existing members are encouraged to contact the designated member and become involved. This list corresponds with the Executive Board list (pages 6 & 7) for your convenience.

 

Annual Luncheon

 

Annually, an outstanding member of The Garden Club of Stuart is honored as the ―Member of the Year??, and a woman who has been actively involved in the community (but not necessarily a member of the Club) is eligible to receive the ―Community Service Award??. Written Nominations are due to the President by March 1st for ―Member of the Year?? and by the March 12 Meeting for the ―Community Service Award??. These awards are announced at the Annual Luncheon. This year’s Annual Luncheon will be at Mariner Sands on Monday, April 16 at 11:30 am. The cost of the Luncheon is $25. Patti DiEgidio is the Chair for the Annual Luncheon.

 

Awards - B.O.E.

 

In addition to awards of recognition for individuals (Hall of Fame & Pillar of Pride), our Club actively pursues various state awards for Club and Youth projects. B.O.E.’s (Books of Evidence) are prepared to apply for these awards. Jane Mills is our FFGC Awards Chairman.

 

Civic Improvement - Arbor Day

 

A special commemorative tree is plant-ed each year to celebrate Arbor Day. Additionally, Junior Gardeners are given Slash Pine Seedlings to plant. Please report all trees you plant, in public and private areas, to Chairman: Barbara Wade.

 

Civic Improvement - ARC Garden Therapy

 

Our Club supports garden therapy for mentally-challenged adults at ARC (Advocates for the Rights of the Challenged) in Stuart. Chairmen: Virginia Maloney, Ruth Van Harken.

 

Civic Improvement - Blue Star Memorial

 

The National Garden Clubs, Inc. adopted this nationwide living memorial project over half a century ago to honor service in the armed forces of the United States. Markers can be found across the coun-try on dedicated highways, at national cemeteries and veteran medical centers, or in parks. Our Club is participating with coordinating the placement of a Blue Star Marker in the downtown Memorial Park. Chairman: Joan Wilcox.

 

Civic Improvement - Conservation

 

Our Club Mission Statement calls for the education of members and the public in conservation of natural resources. Marty Neal and Joan Carman are the Chairmen of this important GCS Committee.

 

Civic Improvement - Habitat for Humanity

 

Across the state, as Habitat for Humanity works to build affordable housing, the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. works with the organization to assist with landscaping the individual homes. Chairmen: Marian Hansbrough, Cyndy Trossbach.

 

Civic Improvement - Possum Long House

 

The historic Possum Long house, formerly the home of Possum Long (teacher and naturalist), was restored by the Club in 1978. Funds received through a bequest (from our founder and first president Anne Bates Leach) were used in restoration and the project was dedicated to her memory. Through the combined efforts of the Audubon Society and the Garden Club, the house was later enlarged. In 1991, the house was completely refurbished and is frequently used for Circle and Committee meetings and small workshops. The gardens surrounding the house comprise Memory Lane - a living memorial honoring the memory of Garden Club of Stuart members. Names of deceased members are inscribed each year on a permanent plaque displayed here. Chairman: Ruth Anne Decker.

Inspirational thoughts are provided at each meeting by Bobbie Spilman or Rose Baldwin, as her assistant.

 

Design Study:

 

Instructor/Member Phyllis Gidley (assisted by Susan Slater) leads a series of five Novice Floral Design Classes each month (November through March) on the Friday before the regular monthly meetings at the Knights of Columbus Hall (7251 SW Gaines Ave, Stuart) from 9:30 am - noon. The cost is $65 and Registration/Payment is due by Nov 1. Space is limited and members and the public are welcome. Additionally, Master Flower Show Judge Phyllis Gidley will coordinate six Workshops for experienced designers from 9 am - 10 am monthly immediately preceding the regular monthly meet-ings (October through March) at the Knights of Columbus Hall. There is no fee or registra-tion/sign-up necessary. Bring your completed design to the workshop for discussion.

 

Education - Academic Scholarships

 

Each spring we award $1,000 scholarships to three high school seniors for further education in agriculture, landscape, architecture, environmental science or a related field. Chairman: Virginia Maloney.

 

Education - Environmental Studies

 

The National Garden Clubs, Inc. approves the curriculum of an Environmental Studies School that is offered in four parts (two days each). Successful completion of the School earns NGC members the Environ-mental Consultant designation. Course Four - Water will be offered in Stuart on Nov 29 & 30. Chairman: Li Roberts.

 

Education - S.E.E.K.

 

High school students are selected and awarded scholarships for this annual four-day seminar (Saving the Earth’s Environment through Knowledge) held in northwest Florida each summer. Chairman: Karen Miller. <

 

Education - Wekiva Youth Camp

 

The Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. is the only state garden club that sponsors an environmental, sleep-over camp for children. Each summer 500+ campers from the 3rd to 8th grade attend this ACA accredited camp in Apopka to learn about conservation and environmental protection. Over two dozen school children from our area were awarded scholarships to attend camp in 2011. Additionally, our Club has been responsible for sending much needed volunteers to coordinate the programs. Chairman: Li Roberts.

 

Gardens - Butterfly Sanctuary & Certification

 

Club members, community organizations and residents are assisted in selecting larval and nectar plant-ings that qualify for butterfly sanctuary certification. Chairman: Jean Foley.

 

Gardens - Community Gardens

 

Establishment of local community gardens where individuals are provided space in a group garden is a priority. We offer consulting services to groups and individuals for making these gardens a reality. Chairman: Jerry Falk.

 

Gardens - Treasure Coast Hospice

 

The butterfly and rose gardens at the Treasure Coast Hospice earned recognition in 2008 with the FFGC Community Service Project Award. On-going maintenance of these gardens is an opportunity for members to be involved. Jean Foley is the Chairman.

 

Gardens - Possum Long

 

Since 1964, our Club has sponsored an on-going project honoring the memory of its members by planting living memorials in the form of trees, shrubs, and various specimens of plant life. This beautiful Arboretum and Butter-fly Sanctuary is located on the grounds of Possum Long on Hibiscus Street in downtown Stuart. Through a mutual agreement with the Audubon Society and The Garden Club of Stuart, this is the permanent location of Memory Lane. The paths lead through flowering trees, shrubs and ferns, with a special emphasis on native plants. This project was recognized by FFGC in 2010 with the Paths of Sunshine Award. Volunteers gather to maintain the gardens on the 1st and 3rd Thursday morning of each month from 8:30 am - 10:30 am under the direction of Chairman Louise White.

 

Historian

 

A permanent record of our Club’s activities and accomplishments are collected by Chairman Lee Zaleiko for posterity.

 

Horticulture

 

Member/Horticulturist Terri Pinder will provide Timely Tips for your Home and Garden at the regular monthly meetings during the months of January, Febru-ary and March.

 

Librarian

 

Funds are allocated yearly to provide gardening and environmental books to the public libraries for readers’ enjoyment. Jan Stoorza is the Chairman of this committee.

 

Life Memberships

 

On-going support is provided with the purchase of Life Membership in NGC, FFGC, or Deep South Region. Memberships are suitable for gifts, recognition, or self-purchase. Chairman: Anita Teague.

 

Members at Large

 

Approximately 25% of our Club members are not affiliated with a Circle and are Members at Large. Chairmen Donna Wigdahl and Tony McIlvaine are responsible for coordinating and encouraging the participation of these Members at Large in the activities of our Club.

 

National Garden Week

 

June 3 - 9, 2012. Proclamations of National Garden Week are received from City and County government and floral designs are placed in public locations to draw public attention to the week. Chairman: Barbara Kaufmann.

 

Newsletter

 

A newsletter is distributed via email to Club members providing valu-able information regarding past achievements and upcoming opportunities. Editor Louise Andrews is assisted by Cyndy Trossbach.

 

Publicity

 

Advertisement and notice of upcoming events and reporting on accom-plishments of our Club and its members is handled by this Committee. Terry Clevenger is the Coordinator for pictures and Donna Swift deals with the media.

 

Refreshments

 

From October through March at the regular monthly meetings at the Knights of Columbus Hall, refreshments are provided by members on a rotating basis. Chairman Birgitte Carlsson coordinates the assignments and presentation of the Refreshments. It is each member’s responsibility to find a substitute AND contact the Chairman if unable to meet your obligation.

 

Registration

 

At each regular monthly meeting, members and guests register their attendance upon arrival. Chairman Sally Crabtree coordinates this activity.

 

Secret Gardens Tour

 

Every two years our Club hosts this Secret Gardens Tour which serves as our major fundraiser to fund charitable, civic projects. The impact of the tour is evident as experts are on hand to answer gardening questions and tour partici-pants take their newly acquired knowledge and apply it in their home gardens. The dates of this event are March 24 & 25, 2012. The co-chairmen for this major event are Fran Bondy and Erna Friedel.

 

Trips

 

Each year several trips are offered to Club members to visit gardens or locations of interest around the state. Susan Powell is responsible for these fabulous trips.

 

Ways & Means

 

An area of salable garden items is available at the monthly meetings. In addition, there are monthly Opportunity Drawings. Circles and designated Members at Large are responsible for providing the items for the Opportunity Drawings. The funds from these efforts are used to supplement our general operating budget. Chairman: Joanne Gamba.

 

Webmaster

 

Our Club internet site is www.gardenclubofstuart.org and members and the public can learn more about us and our activities. To access the password protected area the User Name is stuart and the Password is dirtgardeners. Lauren Palermo is our Webmaster.

 

Yearbook

 

Each year our Club produces and distributes a Yearbook that provides information about events (meetings, workshops, classes and trips), ongoing or special activities, financial information, District, State and National contacts, assignments (for Refreshments or Ways & Means), Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws and Standing Rules, as well as a Membership Directory and Circle Rosters. Members are requested to provide changes, corrections and updated information to the Chairman Li Roberts.

 

Youth Gardening

 

Junior Gardener Programs are registered with FFGC each year for children’s programs. The Chairmen for the schools where we participate are: Joan Graff, Bessey Creek Elementary; Cyndy Trossbach, Citrus Grove Elementary; Li Roberts (and Susan Jones), Felix Williams Elementary; and Jane Mills, Jensen Beach Elementary. Other programs for children are coordinated by Lauren Palmero, Boys & Girls Club of Palm City; and Rose Baldwin, Samaritan School for Boys. Two schools have designated gardens planted and main-tained by students with guidance from Lee Zaleiko at Bessey Creek Elementary and Jane Mills at Jensen Beach Elementary. Members with interest in assisting with these programs are encouraged to contact the designated member.

 

Additional organizations that our Club has designated Representatives or Liaisons with include

 

Audubon Society

 

A financial contribution is made each year in support of their mission. The historic Possum Long house (that we use for meetings and storage) and the Memory Lane gardens are located on the Audubon Society property. Our Liaison with this group is Louise White.

 

District X

 

The Florida Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. is divided geographically into twelve districts. We are in District X. Fall and Spring meetings are open to all mem-bers. Joan Graff is our Representative for District X.

 

Environmental Studies Center

 

This environmental education facility that we support financially is operated by the MC School District. Our Liaison is Li Roberts.

 

FFGC/Wekiva Youth Camp

 

FFGC is the state organization headquartered in Winter Park. Board Meetings are held three times a year to keep individual clubs in touch with what is happening around the state. Wekiva Youth Camp is the environmental summer camp sponsored by FFGC. Li Roberts is the Representative for our Club.

 

Heathcote Botanical

 

These gardens located on Savannah Road in Fort Pierce are open Tuesday through Sunday. Louise Andrews is our Liaison.

 

House of Refuge

 

Located on MacArthur Boulevard, this historic register proper-ty has a recently certified Butterfly Sanctuary. Our Liaison is Ann McCormick.

 

Keep Martin Beautiful

 

This local affiliate of Keep America Beautiful works to reduce waste, clean up and beautify our community. Our Representative is Lauren Palmero.

 

Master Gardeners

 

The UF/IFAS program certifies individuals who have completed the 60-hour formal training program. Over two dozen of our Club members are Master Gardeners. Melinda Twichell is our Liaison with this organization.

 

Native Plant Society

 

The purpose of this organization is to promote the preservation, conservation, and restoration of native plants and their communities. Darla Carter and DeDee Ratiner are our Liaisons with this group.

 

Port Saint Lucie Botanical Gardens

 

These gardens have been opened just over one year and are located on Westmoreland Boulevard.The gardens are open Wednesday through Sunday. Our Liaison is Bea Cooper.