Hello Garden Club Presidents and Club Members,

The theme for National and Texas Garden Clubs for 2017-2019 is “PLANT AMERICA”. To continue

this theme, I have chosen HARVEST SEEDS FOR FUTURE PLANTING as my District II theme.

The satisfaction of planting a seed and seeing it grow is a pleasure to both children and adults. The

five essentials of gardening, “Vision, Tools, Space, Plants or Seeds, and Patience” are limited only by our

imagination. Your garden can be a place of beauty, an educational opportunity or a food source for your

family.

In line with these themes, I am encouraging Clubs to get involved with the schools in your communities.

Children are our future and it is up to us to educate them on the importance of planting seeds.

I am promoting gardening and outdoor activities for youth, families, or group. I am encouraging school

garden projects and education for our youth. I hope this interest will continue into adulthood for our youth.

District II is offering the opportunity for one Club to win a $100 cash prize for their school garden. The

application for this monetary award is available on the District website http://www.tgcdistrict2.com/

Another part of gardening is learning how and when to harvest seeds from your special flowers and

vegetables to use next season and to share with family and friends. This can be a family or school project

that can be fun, interesting, and rewarding. I hope Clubs will give programs on this subject. In addition, do

not forget, October 10 is the next District II convention. We will be voting on a Bylaw change and there will

be a variety of things to do during the convention plus a catered lunch. See you soon.

Barbara Bateman,

Director District II

DUES REMINDER!

District dues are $10/Club and $5/Affiliate, are delinquent after October 1, 2017. Send payments to Melva Bowles, District 2 Treasurer, 2809 Oak Hill Drive, Alvarado, 76009

District Clubs, whose dues are not paid by November 1, will not be eligible for Awards. Garden Club Council of Fort Worth dues are $15/Club and delinquent the 3rd Wednesday in July.

Send payments to Karen Rice, 3333 Wilshire Ave., Grapevine 76051 Council Clubs whose dues are not paid by August 30 will not be included in the Council yearbook.

IRS 990-N REMINDER!

It is time for Clubs to file their 990-N e-postcards with the IRS. As members of Texas Garden Clubs, each Club is required to file in order to remain in good standing with TGC. If you have questions or need online help, please call Pam Braak, District 990-N Coordinator. Phone 817-488-5665 or email p.braak@verizon.net

District II Fall 2017 Bulletin

Harvest Seeds for Future Planting

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DISTRICT SCHOLARSHIP WINNERS

I am very proud to announce the District II Scholarship Committee voted to award a $1,000 scholarship to each of the following District II applicants. Each girl is well qualified and meets all criteria to be a District scholarship winner. Congratulations to each! During the District Fall Convention, be sure to read the thank you notes received from our winners. Beverly Nabors, Scholarship Chairman

Amy Lambert is the daughter of Henry and Rachel Lambert from

Colleyville. She attends Louisiana State University double majoring in Wetlands Science and French.

She has a passion for preserving the wetlands of Louisiana possibly by the use of native vegetation.

Amy was involved with the Baptist Collegiate Ministries cleaning up flooded homes in Baton Rouge in

2016.

Joanna Lambert is the daughter of Henry and Rachel Lambert of Colleyville. (and Amy’s sister) She

attends Louisiana State University majoring in Plant and Soil Systems: Horticulture Science. She has

had a lifetime fascination with plants and founder of the Grapevine High School Garden Club. At

Louisiana State University, she has a campus job, which includes researching vegetable crops and

helping out with the Children’s Garden.

Ashton Bisballe is the daughter of Jeff and Jennifer Bisballe of Grapevine. She attends Tarleton State University and her major is Agriculture Education with a minor in Animal Science. She plans to become an Agriculture teacher and FFA adviser and inspire students the way her FFA teacher inspired her. After she earns her Bachelor’s degree, she will be able to teach high school courses such as floriculture, animal science, and general agriculture classes

REMEMBER........ A contribution to the District II Scholarship fund can earn an Award for your Club and supports students like Amy, Joanna and Aston.

Proposed Bylaws Changes to be voted at Fall District II Convention It has been proposed by the Board of Directors to increase the annual dues for District II from $10 to $15 for Member Garden Clubs and from $5 to $10 for Affiliates and Councils. The Bylaws would then read:

SECTION C ANNUAL DUES

1) The annual dues of each member club shall be: Member Garden Club $10.00 $15.00 Affiliates/Council $ 5.00 $10.00 Ecotots/Junior Gardeners, Intermediate Gardeners Club 50 cents High School Clubs $1.00 (no change)

A vote by the general membership will be held during the District II Fall Convention on October 10. If approved, dues will increase in 2018.

Mary Ann Nicholson, District Parliamentarian

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DISTRICT II FALL CONVENTION 2017 OCTOBER 10

TEXAS GARDEN CLUB HEADQUARTERS 3111 OLD GARDEN ROAD, Fort Worth, TEXAS 76107

CHANGES IN THE WILDSCAPE, FLOWER SHOW,

MONARCH TAGGING AND RELEASE Oh my! So much to see and do at the District Convention. Bring your work gloves and hoe if your club has a pocket garden or just take a tour of the Wildscape and be surprised at all the positive changes. The Avant Gardeners have again prepared a beautiful Small Standard Flower Show featuring some designs from the New Flower Show Manual. You can also go to the Monarch Butterfly Tagging and Release in the Botanic Garden Center. Last, but certainly not least, a catered lunch for you.

AGENDA

9:00 AM Registration opens 9:30 AM Business Meeting 10:00-12:00PM Monarch Tagging and Release or View Flower Show or Work in Your Club Pocket Garden 12:30 PM Catered Lunch, Raffle drawings and door prizes 1:30 PM Adjourn

PLEASE MAIL REGISTRATION FORM AND CHECK FOR $20.00 PAYABLE TO DISTRICT II BY OCTOBER 1

To MELVA BOWLES, 2809 OAK HILL DR., ALVARADO, TEXAS 76009

Name: ___________________________________________________Garden Club: _____________________________________________________ Address: _______________________________________________________City, Zip Code: ___________________________________________________________ Phone: _________________________________________________________Email:_____________________________________________________________________ PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY GARDEN CLUB: PRESIDENT__________ MEMBER------------- AFFILIATE-------------------- COUNCIL: PRESIDENT___________ MEMBER_______ AFFILIATE___________ DISTRICT: DIRECTOR____________ OFFICER________ TRUSTEE______ FORMER DISTR DIRECTOR____ STATE: OFFICER_____________ CHAIRMAN______ TRUSTEE_________ SCR REGION DIRECTOR____________ OFFICER________ FORMER DIRECTOR________ NATIONAL OFFICER____________ CHAIRMAN_______ FORMER PRESIDENT_________ LIFE MEMBER DISTRICT____________ STATE_______ REGION______ STATE________ NGC FLOWER SHOW JUDGE: MASTER ___ LIFE____ACCREDITED_____ STUDENT____EMERITUS______ NGC LANDSCAPE DESIGN CONSULTANT___NGC GARDEN STUDY CONSULTANT_______ NGC ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANT___TGC DESIGN CONSULTANT_____ TEXAS MASTER GARDENER_____

FIRST TIME District II Convention ATTENDEE____________ GUEST_______

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NGC, TGC AWARDS – RECOGNIZE YOUR CLUBS’ ACCOMPLISHMENTS!

It is that time of year to apply for awards to recognize your clubs’ 2017 calendar year achievements. The

information listed below is to assist you in your award application process. NGC and TGC awards applications

are limited to three pages so please consider applying for several! The District II award submittal process is

detailed below.

DIST II AWARDS CHAIRMAN Karen Rice (Grapevine GC) 3333 Wilshire Ave. Grapevine TX, 76051 Phone:

(817) 416-1739 email: kl.rice@verizon.net

All NGC and TGC award applications are due Nov 1, 2017 and should be mailed to Karen Rice (see above address). Please include contact information for person mailing the awards (name, phone number, email address, club name). You may also hand deliver applications to Karen at the fall Dist. II convention, or at the Oct. Ft. Worth Garden Club Council Meeting.

Club Rating Reports are due Nov 1, 2017 and are sent directly to the TGC club rating chair. Carol Moore 1305 E Neches St., Palestine, TX 75801-4643

President’s Reports are due Feb 1, 2018 and are sent directly to the Dist II Director Barbara Bateman 317 Harvey Trail, Azle TX 76020

SCR award applications are due Feb 1, 2018 and are mailed directly to SCR. Bobbie Verser 705 Stagecoach Village Circle, Little Rock AR 72210

Awards will be processed and judged through the various organizations and results will be announced at the District II 2018 Spring Convention.

Please note if you submit for a TGC November/December Award submit it directly to the TGC November/December Chairman by January 15, 2018. TGC Nov/Dec Chairman is Idalia Aguilar 3071 Thurman Rd, Bryan, TX 77808

AWARD INFORMATION

The TGC website http://texasgardenclubs.org/forms/ contains downloadable award applications and instructions.

The NGC site has a fillable application and a sample application http://www.gardenclub.org/awards/awards-applications.aspx

National Youth contest information can be found at http://www.gardenclub.org/youth/youth-contests.aspx

NOTES ON THE 2016 AWARD APPLICATION PROCESS

25 clubs participated in the award application process or gave a donation which received a certificate

7 clubs applied for Gold or Silver Ratings

12 clubs applied for 73 Dist II judged awards

19 clubs submitted Presidents Reports

87 Dist II certificates for awards were issued

AWARD APPLICATION JUDGING

Nov 8th (Wed) – TGC Headquarters 9AM – noon

Nov 10th (Fri) – Grapevine Botanical Gardens 9AM – noon If you would like to join one of the judging teams please contact Karen Rice. It is a great way to gain insight

into the award application process and get to know some of your fellow District II members.

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District II Director Special Project In line with our 2017-2019 themes, I am encouraging Clubs to get involved with schools in our District. Children are our future and it is up to us to educate them on the importance of planting seeds for food as well as to beautify our environment.

District II is happy to offer an opportunity to our District Garden Clubs to win an award of $100 cash! All

your Club members need to do is provide an educational opportunity for the youth in our communities.

Help plant an existing garden or start a new one, then complete the application and submit it to Barbara

Bateman by March 1. Your entry will be judged against the other Clubs in District II. The monetary award

will be presented at the District Spring 2018 Convention. The application for the District Director Special

Project award is available on the District website http://www.tgcdistrict2.com/

DATES TO REMEMBER

2017

September 12 Public Tour of Japanese Garden 10am-11am No reservations. Learn about the aesthetic and design of Japanese Gardens.

September 24 Iris& Daylily Sale, FW Botanic Garden

September 20 Garden Club Council, FW Botanic Garden

September 26-27 Landscape Design School (III) George Bush Library, College Station

September 26-28 Flower Show (IV) Houston

October 6-7 Fort Worth Botanical Society Perennial Plant Sale, FW Botanic Garden

October 10 District 2 Fall Convention, TGC Headquarters, Fort Worth

October 10–14 Flower Show (IV), Meadow Conference Center, Dallas

October 17–19 Texas Garden Club Fall Convention, Killeen

October 18 Garden Club Council & District II Arbor Day honoring Van Cox, FW Botanic Garden

October 28-29 Japanese Garden Fall Festival, FW Botanic Garden

November 1 District II Awards due to Awards Chair, Karen Rice

November 1 NGC Plant America Community Project Grant application due

December 2 Birds Christmas Tree, FW Botanic Garden

December 1-3 Environment School (1), Old Fort Parker

2018

January 17 Garden Club Council, FW Botanic Garden

February 1 President Reports due to District II Director, Barbara Bateman

February 1 South Central Region Awards due

February 21 Garden Club Council, FW Botanic Garden

March 1 District II Director School Garden Project application due

March 21 Garden Club Council, FW Botanic Garden

March 28 District Spring Convention & Awards Presentation, hosted by Garden Culture, Denton

April 6-8 Flowercade “Circus Fun Fair”

April 9-12 Texas Garden Clubs State Convention, Fort Worth, hosted by Waverly Park

April 15-18 Japanese Garden Spring Festival, FW Botanic Garden

April 18 Garden Club Council, FW Botanic Garden

April 23-24 Fort Worth Botanic Garden Plant Sale

April 28-29 South Central Region Spring Convention, Albuquerque

May 16 Garden Club Council, FW Botanic Garden

May 21-24 National Garden Club Annual Convention, Philadelphia, PA

June 3-9 National Garden Club Week

Fall, 2018 District 2 Fall Convention, hosted by Bridgeport Garden Club

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NGC President: Nancy Hargrove inbleum@me.com Theme: Plant America Website: www.gardenclub.org

National Garden Club President Theme and Projects The theme for President Nancy Hargrove’s administration is Plant America, a singularly focused initiative on gardens and gardening. Both a call to service and a description of what NGC clubs do, Plant America supports the main reason that people say they join a garden club - to learn about gardening! Covering any and every aspect of gardening, horticulture, garden design, and community service, it applies to every kind of garden: Blue Star plantings, vegetable gardens, community gardens, container gardening, neighborhood plantings, urban farms, low-water xeriscape gardens, etc. Projects in local communities are what distinguish us from the work of other gardening organizations. Towns, cities, neighborhoods, and roadsides across the United States are all beneficiaries of National Garden Clubs projects. In order to provide a vehicle to financially support the activities of our member clubs, a new grant program entitled "Plant America Community Project Grants" is being established to provide funding for new or existing projects of NGC member clubs in their respective communities across the United States. This will be a permanent fund with grants being awarded during each two-year administration. The goal for the fund is to become a self-sustaining endowment fund like the NGC Scholarship fund providing funding levels that make a significant impact in large projects. Grant applications are due November 1, 2017.

In keeping with the Plant America theme a new Youth book, "The Saved Seed" has been written to support Garden Clubs teaching young children about the life cycle of seed plants. The book uses colorfully illustrated pages and a lyrical story format to teach young children that seeds originally come from nature. The story follows a seed saved from carving a pumpkin on Halloween through the seasons and gardening steps that transform it into a vine with pumpkins for the next Halloween. For more information about children’s seed activities and how to purchase the book http://www.gardenclub.org/projects/the-saved-seed.aspx

A copy of the book will be available in the raffle at the October 10 District II convention.

SCR Director: Isabel Olsen website: www.ngcscr.com Theme: Beautifying Our Communities Our four state regions includes: Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas

SCR Director’s Project - 2017-2019 “Beautifying Our Communities” Isabel Olsen has selected a project, which emphasizes the regions theme of “Plant America.” For many years, our local garden clubs have shown a presence in their community by sharing the joy of gardening when they plant, and maintain gardens in various public locations, one of the most rewarding aspects of being a garden club member. For the two-year term, NGC will have a Plant America Grant Program for Community Projects. This will provide financial support to the participating clubs to offset the cost of the plants and materials of their project. Now is the time for your club members to decide the kind of project they would like to participate.

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Plant a tree, edible garden or container garden at schools or public locations, churches, cemeteries, hospitals, libraries, parks, adult centers, assisted living or retirement homes, downtown or at an art museum. Along with applying for a grant from NGC, you can submit an application (in the second year of the SCR administration) for the Regional Director’s Project Award and receive from Isabel a high quality marker with your garden club name proudly posted where your project is located. In addition, four $100 awards will be given (one for each state) TEXAS GARDEN CLUB, INC. Betty Edwards, President 743 N Cedar Kermit, TX 79745 432-586-5286 432-208-0983 Website: www.texasgardenclubs.org Theme: Plant America, Sowing Seeds the Texas Way” This year’s National theme is Plant America, so to coordinate I chose, Plant America, “Sowing Seeds the Texas Way” In Texas, we not only sow seeds and plant, we teach members of our clubs, and help our communities by planting in public places, city gardens, nursing homes, and hospitals. Another way we sow our seeds is by teaching the youth gardening skills and provide a foundation for them to learn how to care for our earth. They truly are our future, and we can make a difference by leading them in the right direction. We have to open new avenues within the public forum, bringing discussions to the forefront that keep our earth growing, provide clean air and healthy food, and ensure the upkeep of our world. As youth is one of our primary focuses, my special State Award for Youth will be the Eagle. Have you ever thought about the Eagle? He soars around the earth, keeping watch over us. He is vigilant, constant, and a true beauty of nature. No matter how far he goes he always returns to his nest. I feel the eagle is symbolic of our true purpose. We teach children in order for them to learn the value of the soil and the life that planting creates, and we hope they will carry these lessons with them always. With these goals in mind, Linda Jean Brown is working on a program-coloring contest using the Eagle to draw and color for grade school children. There will be prizes for the winners. I will be sponsoring this activity. Please think about your elementary schools and help us promote this program to the youth. Seeds for Life is a TGC program that provides vegetable or fruit seeds to families around the world for their gardens. You may contribute to this World Gardening program by sending a check payable to TGC Headquarters. Mark Seeds for Life in the memo. More information is available on the TGC website. If you are interested, TGC is selling aprons, embroidered by President Betty Edwards. Each apron sells for $20 with all proceeds going to Texas Garden Clubs. Contact Betty to order: 743 N Cedar, Kermit, TX 79745, (432)586-5286 or (432)208-0983, bedwards@classicnet.net Texas Garden Clubs, Inc. Headquarters 3111 Old Garden Rd Fort Worth, TX 76107-3498 817-332-6602 website: texasgardenclubs.org Bert Pool, office manager tgcoffice@aol.com

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FYI.........Gail Manning, Education Team Leader, Fort Worth Botanic Garden Many changes are underway at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. Effective August 14, 2017 the south entrance to the Gardens will be closed Monday through Friday to increase visitor security, and to encourage proper use of the Garden and improve traffic safety. Garden visitors may use the main entrance (by the floral clock) to enter.

There will be a volunteer meeting on Monday, August 14 in the Lecture Hall at the Garden Center. It is offered twice, at 3pm and 6pm. Bob Byers, Ed Schneider (BRIT) and Pat Harrison (BRIT) will be talking about the merger of the two volunteer programs. There will be a question-and-answer period. Plan to attend and invite others who might be interested in volunteering at the Gardens.

Questions, please contact Gail at gail.manning@fortworthtexas.gov

2017-2019 District II Executive Board

Website: www.tgcdistrict2.com Director Theme: Harvest Seeds for Future Planting

District II Director Barbara Bateman

Bateman4242@yahoo.com 317 Harvey Tr. Azle 76020 817-919- 2900

Asst. Director , Membership Pam Braak the.braaks@verizon.net 520 Briarcroft, Grapevine 76051 817- 488-5665

Asst. Director , Scholarship Beverly Nabors

banjnabors@sbcglobal.net 11101 Smallwood Dr.,Burleson 76028 817-293- 8149

Asst. Director, Bulletin Linda Krimm Lkrimm01@gmail.com 6949 Hidden Valley Road, Flower Mound, TX 75022 817-430-4286

Asst. Director, Awards Karen Rice kl.rice@verizon.net 3333 Wilshire Ave. Grapevine 76051 817-416- 1739

Asst. Director, Youth Rachel Emond

premond@charter.net 4521 Idledell Dr. Fort Worth 76116 817-244- 6631

Recording Secretary Faye Youngblood kim_msu@yahoo.com 4368 Rota Circle, Fort Worth 76133 817-3460054

Treasurer Melva Bowles momincleburne@yahoo.com 2809 Oak Hill Dr. Alvarado 76009 817-790- 8779

Parliamentarian Mary Ann Nicholson maryann.nicholson@verizon.net 2101 High Gate Dr. Colleyville 76034 817-291- 4369

If you want a child’s mind to grow, you must first plant a seed.

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APPLICATION FOR MONETARY AWARD FROM DISTRICT II

FOR YOUR CLUB’S SCHOOL GARDEN PROJECT

In line with our 2017-2019 NGC themes, Clubs are encouraged to get involved with our District schools. Children are our future and it is up to us to educate them on the importance of planting seeds for food as well as to beautify our environment. District II is happy to offer this opportunity to our District Garden Clubs. This is a chance to win an award of $100.00 for your Club and provide an educational opportunity for youth in your community. Your entry will be judged against other Clubs in District II and is due March 1, 2018. The Award will be presented at the 2018 District Spring Convention. NAME OF YOUR GARDEN CLUB? _____________________________________________________________________ CONTACT PERSON AND PHONE NUMBER______________________________________________________________ LOCATION OF SCHOOL GARDEN______________________________________________________________________ WHEN WAS IT STARTED? ___________________________________________________________________________ SPONSORS? _____________________________________________________________________________________ SIZE OF GARDEN? _________________________________________________________________________________ WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR WORKING THE GARDEN (GRADE LEVELS)? ______________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ DO YOU DO ANY EDUCATION ON HARVESTING SEEDS FOR FUTURE PLANTING? ______________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ WHAT TYPE OF PLANTS ARE IN THE GARDEN (FLOWERS, VEGETABLES)? ____________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________ IF VEGETABLES ARE PLANTED, WHAT DO YOU PLAN TO DO WITH THE PRODUCE? ____________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________________________

DEADLINE FOR APPLICATIONS March 1, 2018

PLEASE SEND THIS COMPLETED APPLICATION TO BARBARA BATEMAN, DISTRICT II DIRECTOR, 317 HARVEY TR. AZLE, TEXAS 76020

Questions? Contact Barbara bateman4242@yahoo.com or 817-919-2900