Boston Flora

Tag: Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts

  • Tuesday, April 26 through Thursday, April 28 – Flower Show School Course II

    Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts Flower Show School Course II will be held Tuesday, April 26 through Thursday, April 28 at the Holiday Inn in Taunton, Massachusetts. Instructors include Mary Huntoon (Design), Dottie Howatt (Horticulture, Daffodils and Broadleaf Evergreens), and Sandi Joyce (Procedure). It is not necessary to have taken Course I, but all members interested in being a Flower Show Judge must eventually take all four courses and get passing grades on all exams on Flower Show Procedure, Horticulture, and Design. Contact local Flower School Show Chairman Hila Lyman for a brochure and more information at 508-548-0841, or email her at hilajeanne@comcast.net.  This class is open to members of any Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts member who has a current subscription to the National Gardener magazine.  Please contact Lillian Cohen for information or applications at 781-721-2888, or email lilandbud@verizon.net.

  • Thursday and Friday, April 7 & 8, 8:30 am – 3:30 pm, and Saturday, April 9, 8:45 am – 12:00 noon – Gardening Study School

    The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts will hold its Gardening Study School, Course II, Series 9, on Thursday and Friday, April 7 and 8, from 8:30 am to 3:30 pm at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston, Massachusetts. The exam will be given Saturday, April 9, from 8:45 am – 12 noon. Subjects covered will include Container Gardening, Growing Vegetables, Understanding Plant Diseases and Garden Pests, Tough Plants for Tough Places, How New Plants are Developed and Evaluated, and Techniques for Growing Lawns and/or Lawn Alternatives. Required text is Living with Plants by Donna Schumann, 2nd edition. You must have a subscription to the National Gardener to register. Contact Lillian Cohen at 781-721-2888, or email her at lilandbud@verizon.net, if you need to subscribe – the subscription cost is only $18 for 3 years. For further information about the course, contact Caroline Nijenberg at 781-862-4465 or email carolinen@rcn.com. Course fees are $110 for Federated Garden Club members, $100 for refresher course, and $140 for non-member of Federated Garden Club. Deadline for registration is March 31.

  • Friday, March 4 – Sunday, March 6 – Needham’s Art in Bloom 2011

    Beth Shalom Garden Club and the Needham High School Fine Arts Department proudly announce Needham’s Art in Bloom 2011, which will be held during the weekend of March 4 – 6 at multiple locations in Needham, Massachusetts. Beth Shalom Garden Club co-chair Sue Kaplan said “It really appeals to everyone – art lovers, flower lovers, seniors, students, couples, families with young children…everyone!” This free, multi-generational exhibit will feature mixed media student artwork accompanied by floral interpretations designed by members of the Beth Shalom Garden Club. This year’s event has been generously sponsored by Roche Bros.

    Needham’s Art in Bloom was modeled after the annual springtime exhibit Art in Bloom presented by the Museum of Fine Arts, in Boston. Beth Shalom Garden Club’s goal was to organize a community event that would engage people of all ages, interests, and life experiences. In June 2010, the Garden Club Federation of MA, Inc. awarded the state’s SPECIAL ACHIEVEMENT AWARD to Beth Shalom Garden Club for it’s successful creation and execution of Needham’s Art in Bloom. The exhibit, now in it’s third year has become a well-received annual event. Last year, over a thousand people filled the Needham Public Library during the weekend long exhibit.

    This year there will be special Tercentennial component of Needham’s Art in Bloom in celebration of town’s 300th birthday. Floral interpretations of notable Needham artists W.C. Wyeth and Giovanni Costano as well as notable Needham authors will be on display in the Bosworth and Wyeth rooms at the library. The Needham Exchange Club and Parametric Technology Corporation (PTC) have generously funded this special exhibit.

    The weekend’s schedule is as follows: On Friday, March 4th from 12-4, a few pieces of the exhibit will be on display in the Needham High School lobby and also at the Needham Senior Center providing a taste of what’s to come. On Saturday, March 5th from 9:00am to 5:00pm and on Sunday, March 6th from 1:00pm to 4:00pm the complete exhibit will be on display throughout the Needham Public Library.

    If further information is needed  please contact either co-chair:

    Sue Kaplan, Beth Shalom Co-Chair      Allison Shapiro, Beth Shalom Co-Chair
    SueKflowers@yahoo.com LATDShapiro@rcn.com
    Phone: 781-444-6085                               Phone: 781-453-9880

  • Thursday, November 18, 10:30 am – Edith Wharton: A Genius for Gardens

    The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts’ Landscape Design Council will sponsor a free lecture and slide program entitled Edith Wharton: A Genius for Gardens,  on Thursday, November 18, beginning at 10:30 am at the Wellesley Free Library, 308 Weston Road, Wellesley.  For more information, log on to www.gcfm.org.

  • Friday, October 22 – Sunday, October 24, 10:00 am – 5:00 pm – A New England Journey: A Standard Flower Show

    Through the art of floral design, Garden Club Federation members of Central North and Central South Districts will trace New England’s literary and cultural traditions in a standard flower show at Tower Hill Botanic Garden, 11 French Drive, Boylston, beginning Friday, October 22 through Sunday, October 24, from 10 – 5.  The horticulture division will highlight the best plant specimens from our New England landscape.  For more information, log on to www.towerhillbg.org.

  • Tuesday, October 12, 1:00 – 6:15 pm, and Wednesday, October 13, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm – Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts Tri-Refresher

    Come to Ashfield, Massachusetts Tuesday, October 12 and Wednesday, October 13 for a two day intensive course in the foothills of the Berkshires.  This course of study will explore Beaver Lodge, a residence designed by Marie Stella, who spoke to The Garden Club of the Back Bay in March, 2010.  This handsome laboratory setting will offer information on the promotion of sustainability, innovative use of native plant materials, construction of rain gardens, green roofs, and vegetated walls.  Rainwater harvesting and organic vegetable gardening will also be featured.  A “petting zoo” of green materials will help familiarize you with the latest products available.  Enjoy locavore gourmet meals and learn about Slow Food.  Beaver Lodge is Platinum LEED certified, the highest level of achievement designated by the US Green Building Council in Washington, DC, and the only such home in western Massachusetts.  Cost per person for the two day Tri-Refresher Workshop (Landscape Design, Gardening Studies School, and Environmental Studies) is $200 for eight hours of instruction.  Room and Board: Per night including breakfast (12 persons can be accommodated dormitory style at Beaver Lodge), $75.  Tuesday dinner and Wednesday lunch – organic local produce and products: $75.  Note: One group can stay overnight Tuesday and the other on Wednesday.  Total immersion is an integral part of the Beaver Lodge experience.  A list of items to bring will be mailed to participants, as well as directions.  To register, or for a copy of the complete schedule, contact Marie Stella, 719 Barnes Road, Shelburne Falls, MA by emailing marie@mariestellabeaverlodge.com.  You may also check her website at www.mariestellabeaverlodge.com.

  • Chase Community Giving – The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts

    Chase Community Giving is giving away $5 million, and you can help decide which 200 local charities receive donations.  The winning charity will receive $250,000, four runners-up receive $100,000 each, and 195 others will receive $20,000.  One of the not for profit organizations in contention is the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc. Voting ends July 12, and winners will be announced July 13.    Access voting on Facebook at http://apps.facebook.com/chasecommunitygiving/

    The first Chase Community Giving program, held earlier this year, was the most popular corporate philanthropy “crowdsourcing ” campaign of its type. More than 2 million users on the Facebook platform became fans of the program and helped decide which of more than 500,000 charities should receive a share of $5 million. More than 100 winners from 31 states were selected. Chase Community Giving is back again – and improved. The number of charities eligible to receive awards has doubled and several new tools have been introduced.

    Once on the Chase Community Giving Page, search “Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts” and five organizations will come up, with addresses in Sudbury, West Roxbury, Taunton, and Ipswich, as well as the main umbrella organization located in Wellesley Hills.   There is no cost involved in voting, and as a member of The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, the Garden Club of the Back Bay hopes to do its part and spread the word.  Unfortunately, the Federation’s own web site has no information on the contest, but you heard it here first!

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  • Tuesday, May 25, 10:30 am – 1:30 pm – Metro East & Metro West District Annual Meeting

    The Garden Club of the Back Bay, Inc. is a member of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Metro East District.  The Annual Meeting of Metro East and Metro West District Clubs will be held Tuesday, May 25, from 10:30 am – 1:30 pm at Elm Bank in Wellesley.  The meeting will feature a floral demonstration by a designer from Winston Flowers, along with a boutique, lunch and raffle.  The price for members of Metro East and Metro West clubs is $35 per person, and guests may attend for $40 per person.  To register, send a check payable to GCFMA Inc to Alisa Billings, 12 Woodridge Road, Dover, MA 02030, and please note your garden club affiliation, if any, on your check.  Garden Club of the Back Bay members will receive a notice, with car pooling information, in the mail soon.  Photo below by Karen Harvey Cox.

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  • Saturday, July 17 – Saturday, July 24 – A Garden Tour

    The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc. and the Southeastern District presents “A Garden Tour”, a standard flower show at the Barnstable County Fair,  Fair hours: 12:00 pm – 10:00 pm every day.  Entries are open to all members of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, Inc. and any members of National Garden Clubs, Inc.  New entry days are Saturday, July 17 and Wednesday, July 21.  An exhibitors’ meeting will take place Friday, June 11, at 9:30 am.  For more information on entering, contact Flower Show Chairman Robin Murphy at 508-295-9076, or email heroncreekdesign@msn.com.  For a complete schedule or entry information contact Hila Lyman, Design Division Entries Chairman, at 508-548-0841, or email her at hilajeanne@comcast.net.

    The Barnstable County Fair has been an annual summer tradition on Cape Cod for 164 years. The Fair is a place where families can spend the day together and share experiences they can only experience at the Barnstable County Fair.

    There are animal shows, 4-H demonstrations, petting zoos, horticulture displays, rides, games, live music, arts & crafts, food and commercial vendors with various arts and crafts for sale.

    For more information on the fair, log on to www.barnstablecountyfair.org.

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  • Month of May (and into June) Plant Sales

    A number of local Garden Clubs will hold plant sales in early May, to benefit their community projects.  We encourage you to attend and spend, since neighborhood beautification benefits everyone.  For complete, up to date listings, log on to www.gcfm.org and check the Calendar page.  Here are some highlights:

    May 7, 9:00 – 2:00 – Open Gate GC of Chelmsford Plant Sale at the Unitarian-Universalist Church, Chelmsford Center.  Contact sharon8@rubinfamily.com.

    May 8, 9:00 – 1:00 – Bridgewater Garden Club Spring Plant Sale at the Cole Yeaton Senior Center, Bridgewater.

    May 8, 9:00 – 12:00 – Hanson Garden Club Plant Sale at Thomas Mill, Route 58, Hanson.  Contact gparros@comcast.net.

    May 8, 8:30 – 12:00 – Groton Garden Club Plant Sale at Groton Town Hall. Contact Kimniles@hotmail.com.

    May 8, 9:00 – 1:00 – Country Gardeners of Georgetown Plant Sale at the corner of Park and East Main Streets, Georgetown. Contact amlacey@verizon.net.

    May 8, 8:00 – 12:00 – Greenleaf Garden Club of Milford Plant Sale, at Louisa Lake, Milford. Contact tblackbetty1@comcast.net.

    May 8, 9:00 – 12:00 – Arlington Garden Club Spring Plant Sale, on the lawns of the Jason Russell House, corner of Mass. Ave. and Jason Street. Contact Kathy Leva at 781-646-6814.

    May 8, 8:00 – 12:00 – Southborough Gardeners Plant Sale, at Community House, Southborough.

    May 8, 9:00 – 12:00 – Ashland Garden Club Plant Sale, at Montenegro Square in Ashland Center. Contact Diane Roberts at 508-881-8165.

    May 15, 9:00 – 1:00 – Reading Garden Club Geraniums and More Plant and Bake Sale, at the Reading Public Library. Contact Diane Chapin at 781-944-8152.

    May 15, 9:00 – 1:00 – Acton Garden Club Plant Sale at the Acton Center Common. Contact Gail Davidson at 508-993-8701, or email gd1@comcast.net

    May 15, 9:00 – 11L00 – Mansfield Garden Club Gardening on the Green Sale, at Town Hall, Mansfield.

    May 15, 9:00 – 12:00 – Garden Club of Buzzard’s Bay Plant Sale at St. Mary’s Church Parish Center, South Dartmouth.

    May 15, 9:00 – 1:00 – Framingham Garden Club Plant Sale at Cushing Maintenance Building near Keefe Tech School in Framingham. Contact Chris McGuire at 505-405-1113.

    May 16, 10:00 – 2:00 – North Andover Garden Club Plant Sale at Stevens Memorial Library.  For more information, log on to www.northandovergardenclub.com

    May 19, 10:00 – 4:00 – Lexington Field & Garden Club Plant Sale at the National Heritage Museum.

    June 5, 9:00 – 1:00 – Rockport Garden Club Plant and Garden Shed Sale at Spiran Lodge, 19 Broadway, Rockport. For more information, log on to www.rockportgardenclub.org.

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