The Arkansas Gardener

Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs , Inc .

Find it fast... AFGC website:

arkansasfgc.net

SCR website:

scrgardenclubs.org

(password) GROW!

NGC website:

gardenclub.org

User name, member

Password, conserve

NGC Member Services

1-800-550-6007

UA’s Extension Office

www.uaex.edu

Gardener’s Supply Co.

www. gardeners.com

AFGC Office 705 Stagecoach Vlg. Cir.

Little Rock, AR, 72210

501-455-2488

or 870-931-8455 cell/text

bobbieverser@att.net

Club Presidents: Please

ask any member not re-

ceiving The Arkansas Gar-

dener to copy the full ad-

dress printed on a piece of

advertising and e-mail that

exact address to our

AFGC Office.

All members: Begin the

new year by checking out

the NGC website. Login as

a member and find Jan./Feb.

2020 issue of “Keeping in

Touch”. Find the 90th

Birthday of Rogers Garden

Club. Way to go, Ronna!

GREETINGS from Nancy Rana

AFGC President ~ 2019-2021 “DIG, PLANT, GROW”

February 1, 2020

Greetings to all!

Oliver Wendell Holmes stated, “Many ideas grow bet-

ter when transplanted into another mind than the one

where they sprang up.” We are so blessed to have

wonderful members who are willing to share ideas and

work together to promote our incredible organization!

This energetic collaboration has led us successfully

into the new year. The State Flower Show is sched-

uled for the end of this month with judging on the 27th.

Please consider entering your plants in the Horticulture

Division. The show, “A Garden Odyssey,” can be

viewed by the public from February 28th - March 1st. Phyllis Byrum is in need

of hostesses so contact her at this corrected e-mail address to volunteer.

phyllis.byrum@gmail.com

The Flower Show School is scheduled for March 24-26, at Hillcrest Hall on

Kavanaugh Blvd. The instructors are fabulous, and it is a wonderful learning

opportunity. The school is offered at no cost if you are taking it for credit.

We are planning awesome state and region conventions hosted by the

Northeast District. We will have wonderful speakers, hands on activities, and a

tour of Chris Olsen’s Edgemont House. These conventions will be held at the

Crowne Plaza Hotel in Little Rock. Our AFGC convention begins April 20th.

We need your help and support. Please make plans to attend the SCR meet-

ing as we host our NGC President, Gay Austin, SCR Region Director, Linda

Lawson, and garden club members from Texas, Oklahoma, and New Mexico.

I promise you will enjoy a variety of activities, and you will not be disappointed!

Registration forms for both meetings may be found in this publication as well

as information regarding speakers, workshops, and activities.

To entertain our members and friends on Tuesday, Apr. 21, at 7:00pm, join us

for “Southern Style Clothing” by Accessory Gallery. This style show plus re-

freshments is $15 at the door. Come and relax with us during this time of fel-

lowship.

“Coming together is a beginning…Keeping together is progress…Working to-

gether is success.” —Henry Ford . See you soon. Nancy Rana

PAGE 2

Celebrating 70 Years Hughes Town & Country Garden Club

The Hughes Town and Country Garden Club celebrated

70 years of gardening. They celebrated with a Tea at the

Hughes United Methodist Church fellowship hall, Decem-

ber 15th. Members, siblings of charter members, and ar-

ea friends of the Garden Club attended. Several display

tables held old scrapbooks and photos from the past

years. It was the first garden club in Hughes with two

others to follow. It is now the only one in the Hughes ar-

ea.

This garden club started in April of 1949, with 23 charter

members. It was federated by the National Garden

Clubs, Inc. in May of 1949. It is a member of Arkansas

Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc., South Central Region

and National Garden Clubs.

What’s a Kokedama Ball?

You may have noticed on the AFGC Convention Registration Form that we will have an oppor-tunity to participate in a workshop—the making of a Kokedama ball. Now what on earth would that be?

Kokedama is a style of Japanese bonsai, where a plant’s root system is wrapped in a soil mix-ture and live moss and then bound with twine. You can transform the plant into a sculptural hanging plant form for your plant’s enjoyment. The plants we will have for you to work with at the convention love the moist environment that the moss provides.

Pam Ellis, AFGC 2nd Vice President, will pre-sent this workshop. All supplies will be provided, as well as plants. You will have a great time “playing in the dirt”, and creating this unique container. The cost to participate is $5.00. These are fun to do and make wonderful gifts, also.

Plan to join us Tues., Apr. 21st and enjoy this activity. You will leave the meeting with some-thing you will want to share with your club mem-bers. Better yet, invite some of your members to be with us during this annual meeting. Several events, programs, and workshops will be availa-ble for you to enjoy. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn something new and experience suc-cess.

ARKANSAS FLOWER & GARDEN SHOW

Feb. 28-Mar. 1, 2020 State Fairgrounds in Little Rock

Plan to enter your outstanding horticulture in our state

flower show, “Garden Odyssey”. This is our opportunity to

show others the wonderful beauty of plants and the joy

they give us. From the smallest violet to the towering mag-

nolia our plants give us joy. When we bring our treasures

to the flower show, we are sharing joy with others. We are

also showing folks what grows in Arkansas. We make our

little part of the world a better place. I encourage you to

bring one thing, or thirty entries, to share. It’s easy to pre-

register. Just send me an e-mail and I’ll see you and your

beauties at the flower show. Judging is Feb. 27th.

Jean Moser, AFGC Horticulture Chairman olyardner@aol.com

“SOIL” - Successful Opportunities Include Learning - Meet the Experts!

PAGE 3

Landscape designer, Chris H. Olsen, at-tended Oxford University in England, studying landscape architecture, princi-ples, and philosophy. He graduated from the University of San Diego with a degree in Business. He is a nationally known home and garden guru, lifestyle expert, designer, author, TV personality, and pub-lic speaker. This owner of Botanica Gar-dens and Plantopia Home & Garden Cen-ter has taken The Edgemont House from “Drab to Fab”! Enjoy the tour and lunch.

Chris Norwood is a floral design genius, serving as Vice President of Tipton & Hurst. He has served as the National President of the Ameri-can Institute of Floral Designers and as past CEO and Chairman of the AIFD Foundation. A frequent sup-porter of the Little Rock community, Chris has worked with the Arkansas Cancer Research Foundation, the American Heart Association, Alzhei-mer’s Arkansas, and the Arkansas Symphony Orchestra.

Dustin Lane is an Arkansas born and raised Bonsai artist. He has been practicing and teaching the living art of Bonsai for the past 11 years. He found-ed the Central Arkansas Bonsai Society, won multiple awards, and has given seminars and classes on this beautiful art form. “Anyone willing to learn has the potential to be a great Bonsai artist.” Find the balance between nature and humanity.

Dr. Larry Jernigan was a chiro-practor in Pine Bluff for 20 years and owned a photography stu-dio for 10 years. He now lives in Heber Springs and loves stand-ing on his patio to take pictures of wildlife.

He recently retired from the Cleburne County Extension Service where he coordinated 4-H Club activities. His goal has been to pass along two things: knowledge and practical experi-ence. “Today’s youth do not understand the environment. My goal has been to teach about wildlife so students un-derstand what needs to be pre-served,” said Dr. Jernigan.

Ronnie Palmer, owner of Azalea Hill Gardens and Nursery near Pine Bluff has been in business since 1972. He grows azaleas that cannot be found in the big box stores.

The gardens are an arboretum for azal-eas and rhododendrons. There are at least 1000 varieties on display, both ev-ergreen and deciduous. Bloom time is from late March through early June.

Ronnie currently serves as President of the Arkansas Azalea Society.

Find more about this nursery see http://azaleahillgardens-arkansas.com/1936.html

Julie Wilson, an Ichiyo Ikebana School Instructor, is an NGC Mas-ter Flower Show Judge, and a Master Gardener. She loves de-signing, art, gardening, reading, hiking, birding, traveling, cooking, swimming, and painting.

Julie has worked as a nurse’s aide, school teacher, librarian, and in the Fed Ex Communication’s Depart-ment.

Attend the Judges Council Dinner, April 20, at 7pm, and enjoy Julie’s presentation, “Innovative Creativi-ty”. All are invited.

AFGC 89th Annual Convention Registration Form ~ April 20 & 21, 2020

“SOIL” - The Connector of Life Hosted by Northeast District ~ Crowne Plaza

201 S. Shackleford Road, Little Rock, AR 72211

855-590-9987 or 501-223-3000. Mention AFGC for special room rates

Room Rates: King: double or single occupancy $96 + tax. Traditional: 2 double $96 + tax.

Optional: Breakfast info—Upon check-in at hotel registration desk you may purchase breakfast

coupons for needed days. Breakfast is $6 per day for hotel over night guests.

Registration info: Make checks to NE District and mail with completed form to Pam Ellis, 271 Lakewood Dr., Horseshoe Lake, AR 72348. Cell # is 901-849-6405, Pamella271@gmail.com No refunds after April 15.

Name: ______________________________________ E-mail: ______________________________________________

Address:_____________________________________ Garden Club:_________________________________________

City/State/Zip:___________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone: (Home)_______________________________________________ Food Allergies: _____________________________

(Cell) ________________________________________________

CIRCLE CLASSIFICATIONS: Local Club: (President) (Member) (First timer) (Guest) Council: (President)

State: (Pres.) (Officer) (Chairman) (District Director) (Former State Pres.) (Flower Show Judge) (Circle of Roses) (Life Member)

South Central Region: (Director) (Officer) (Chairman) National Garden Clubs, Inc: (President) (Committee Chairman)

PAGE 4

Registration fee: (Postmarked by 4/6, attending AFGC only) $35.00 $_____________

(Postmarked after 4/6). attending AFGC only) $45.00 $_____________

(If you are attending both conventions, registration fee for each is ... $25.00 $_____________

(Spouses and guests of members may participate in meals without registration fee. Indicate “guest” on registration fee line).

Mon., 4/20, 11am-5pm, Registration

1-2pm, Finance Committee Meeting

1-5pm, Way & Means

2-4pm, Executive Committee Meeting

4pm, District Directors Meeting

5:30-6:30pm, Champagne Reception honoring AFGC President, NGC President,

& SCR Director, $ 5.00 $_____________

7pm, Judges Council Dinner & Program (ALL INVITED) $35.00 $_____________

Speaker: Julie Wilson, Tennessee Accredited Master Judge, “Innovative Creativity”

Tues., 4/21, 8am-9am, Registration

8am-3pm, Ways & Means

9am, Business Meeting

12-1:45pm, Lunch and program, Speaker, Dr. Larry Jernigan,

Published Photographer, “ Natural Awareness“ $30.00 $_____________

2pm, Make and Take Workshop, “Kokedama Balls” by Pam Ellis, AFGC 2nd V-P, $5.00 $_____________

7pm, Style Show: “Southern Style Clothing”, by Accessory Gallery of Hot Springs,

Enjoy refreshments. Pay at the door Tues. evening, $15.00 (Registration fee not required)

Wed., 4/22, 10:30am, Meet in lobby for transportation to “The Edgemont House”, home of Chris Olsen;

tour, lunch, and book signing. (Tour will end at approx. 1:30pm.) $55.00 $_____________

TOTAL $_____________

PAGE 5

DIRECTIONS: The Crown Plaza Little Rock is located near Markham and Shackleford Streets. If you are traveling on I-430 or I-630, take the Shackleford exit.

…………... …………… …………… ……………

SOUTH CENTRAL REGION 91st ANNUAL CONVENTION REGISTRATION INFORMATION “Harmony in Nature”

April 22-23, 2020, Hosted by AFGC Northeast District

Crowne Plaza, 201 S. Shackleford Road, Little Rock, AR 72211 855-590-9987 or 501-223-3000

(Mention AFGC for convention rate). King: double or single occupancy $96 + tax. Traditional: 2 double beds $96 + tax. Airport shuttle service is available.

Optional: Breakfast info—Upon check-in at hotel registration desk you may purchase breakfast coupons for needed days. Breakfast is $6 per day for hotel over night guests.

Make checks payable to NE District and mail with completed registration form to Pam Ellis, 271 Lakewood Dr., Horseshoe Lake, AR 72348. Cell # is 901-849-6405, Pamella271@gmail.com

No refunds after April 15.

Registration fee: (postmarked by 4/6) $35.00 (postmarked after 4/6) $45.00 $_____________

(If you are attending both conventions, registration fee for each is … $25.00 $_____________

(Spouses and guests of members may participate in meals without registration fee. Indicate “guest” on registration fee line).

Tues., 4/21, 7pm, Style Show: “Southern Style Clothing”, by Accessory Gallery of Hot Springs Enjoy refreshments. Pay at the door Tues. evening, $15.00

Wed., 4/22, 10:30am, Meet in lobby for transportation to “The Edgemont House”, home of Chris Olsen;

tour, lunch, and book signing. (Tour will end at approx. 1:30pm.) $55.00 $_____________

11am-5pm., Registration

2-6pm, Ways and Means

3pm, Executive Board Meeting

7pm, Dinner and Program, Speaker: Ronnie Palmer

“Azaleas: Powerful Color for All Seasons” $40.00 $____________

Thur., 4/23, 8am-9am, Registration

8am-3pm. Ways & Means

9am, Business Meeting

12-2pm, Luncheon & Program, Speaker: Dusty Lane, Bonsai Society $40.00 $____________

2:15pm, Bonsai Workshop (Bring your clippers, trim and take home a bonsai

for additional fee of $10.00) $10.00 $ ____________

7pm, Dinner and Program, Speaker: Chris Norwood, Tipton & Hurst

designer and industry leader $45.00 $____________

TOTAL $____________

Name:_____________________________________________ E-mail:______________________________________

Address:__________________________________________ Garden Club:___________________________________

City/State/Zip:_________________________________________________________________________________________

Phone:_______________________________________ Allergies: _____________________________________

CIRCLE CLASSIFICATIONS: Local Club: (President) (Member) (1st Timer) (Guest) Council: (President)

State: (Pres.) (Officer) (Chairman) (District Director) (Flower Show Judge)

South Central Region: (Director) (Officer) (Chairman) (Life Member)

National Garden Clubs, Inc: (President) (Board Member)

Book of Remembrance (Memorials are placed in AFGC Scholarship Fund)

Ann C. Clowers by Business Women’s G.C.

Beth Gaeden by Joanne Pegler

Kay Kostelecky by Joanne Pegler

Pansy Morrow by Greenkeepers

Juanita Powell by Bald Knob Garden Club

Bob Schappeck by Joanne Pegler

Juddie Wachtel by Joanne Pegler

Let us remember always those who have had great influence on our lives.

(Please send information regarding family contact so that they may be notified of your thoughtful gift).

club year. Below, please find some in-

formation that you may need to help

with organizing and planning for your

club.

PAGE 6

Donations AFGC Life Memberships were presented to:

Scarlett Basore by Bentonville G.C.

Jeretta Hardwick by Bentonville G.C.

Linda Haycook by GLRCGC

Alice Jensen by Jacksonville G.C.

Linda Shay by Village Pines G.C.

Teresa Thomas by Southwest District

Sharon Welborn by Southwest District

Leah Whitehead by Bentonville G.C.

NGC Life Membership was presented to: Jeannie Smith by Bobbie Verser

Gifts to the Scholarship Fund given in honor of: Holly Bacon by The Horticulture G.C.

Nancy Rana by Northeast District

Terri Waterman by Village Pines G.C.

(Donations may be made by clubs or individuals at any time. Please include family contact information for memo-rials).

MEET OUR DISTRICT DIRECTORS

1. Holly Bacon, Northeast District

2. Ann York Northwest District

3. Keith Jones Pulaski District

4. Glenda Tolson Southeast District

5. Sharon Welborn Southwest District

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, ROGERS GARDEN CLUB!

1 2

3 4

5

Happy 90th Birthday to Rogers Garden Club—submitted by Ronna Precure

The Garden Club of Rogers celebrated its 90th birthday at its November meeting with many guests, a program with PowerPoint on its history, table arrangements and member’s clothing depicting different decades in its history and of course cake!

Miss Vera Key, born 1893, and a mover and shaker in Rogers, formed the Garden Club of Rogers on November 4, 1929, with 10 charter members. These 10 ladies would share a love of gardening and a common goal: To make Rog-ers the most beautiful city in Arkansas. It is an aim that we as a club still strive for today. The club was involved in the founding of the Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs, and became federated itself in 1931. It is the second oldest federated club in Arkansas.

The depression economy of the 30’s made the club’s mission, civic beautification, difficult but with determination and resourcefulness they persevered. 1930 and 31, were very busy years for this fledgling club; they held their first flower show, established their first yard contest with 19 entries, designated the Petunia as the city flower, raised funds for the planting and upkeep for Campus Park, established a Christmas Tour of Homes that would last for many years and established a one mile walking trail. They identified and tagged the most interesting plants along this trail with com-mon and botanical names, which had 300 visitors the first year.

This busy civic schedule set the standard and planted the seeds for our work through the years. Hold on to your hat for a very abbreviated list of our community involvement:

• Teaching artistic design and holding flower shows intermittently

• Sharing the love of nature and gardening with residents at nursing homes, at-risk children and handicapped chil-dren

• Teaching about, recognizing and encouraging home gardens with contests

• Sent seeds, fertilizer and garden tools to Europe after WWII to help with their rebuilding efforts

• Planted a forest of trees at city parks and cemeteries and led city-wide tree planting campaigns

• Educated children and the general public on litter and recycling with many programs and leading by example

• Planted and maintained many civic gardens through the years; along the highways, town entries, libraries, schools and parks

• Introducing conservation curriculum to the Rogers schools, supported by the donation of 110 environmental guide books in the 70’s

• Club and public environmental and conservation education through programs and workshops

• Working toward legislative action for the environment by protesting the damming of the Buffalo River and helping to educate the community about the preservation efforts which ultimately led to its becoming the first National Scenic River in America in the 60’s

• Educating our youth through Arbor Day tree plantings, state flower show participation making wreaths and collag-es, 9-month gardening education series and bird identification among many more efforts

• Our members tour many different types of gardens each and every year, learning from their designers and care-takers

• Recently started offering a Horticulture Scholarship to college students

A long-time member notes a few things that have clearly marked the passing of time during her membership years. “I remember wearing a dress, nylons and low heels to plant trees at the park”. As recently as the 1970’s the meetings began with members standing and reciting a Club Collect. In 1995, there was still a member who wouldn’t think of at-tending the meeting without her hat, matching gloves and purse. Around 2000, it was decided to eliminate a full silver service with linen cloths on all the tables for functions and special events. In 2009, we enrolled our first male member. We’ve come a long way, baby!

We are proud of our many community accomplishments through our 90 years, we have made a difference! And to think that we have, all these years, belonged to a larger group, Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs and National Garden Clubs, of like-minded individuals, with as many as 650,000 members, striving for the same things; natural beauty, civic beauty and environmental education…well, we really have made a difference!

PAGE 7

Nonprofit

US Postage Paid

Permit #2704

Little Rock, AR

Arkansas Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc.

705 Stagecoach Village Circle

Little Rock, AR 72210

The Arkansas Gardener February 1, 2020

~ SAVE THE DATE ~

2020

Feb. 28-Mar. 1, Arkansas Flower and Garden Show, State Fairgrounds Apr. 1, Club President’s name and contact info due at AFGC Office Apr. 1, Dues for members, $6 per member, due at AFGC Office. Apr. 1, Notify Norma Haralson of your collection of pop tabs Apr. 20-21, AFGC Convention, Crowne Plaza, Little Rock Apr. 22-23, SCR Convention, Crowne Plaza, Little Rock May 11-14, NGC Convention, Milwaukee, WI June 7-13, National Garden Week Sept. 24-26, NGC Fall Board Meeting, Fargo, ND

Enjoy meeting and visiting with NGC President, Gay Austin, and our SCR Director, Linda Lawson, while attending our conventions.

PAGE 8

REMINDERS: • Address corrections for The Arkansas Garden-

er should be sent to AFGC Office.

• Send dues to AFGC Office by April 1, delinquent July 1.

1. Mail checks to AFGC Office 705 Stagecoach Village Circle Little Rock, AR 72210

2. Dues are $6.00 per member for 2020-21.

3. Indicate NEW members.

4. Indicate names of members to be deleted. Note change of addresses.

5. 9 digit zip code needed for each member. This is necessary for our bulk mailing.

• Information concerning the AFGC and SCR Conventions are in this publication, as well as the Registration Forms.

• Club Presidents, please forward the newslet-ters, AFGC Avenues and Adventures, each month to your members.

AFGC NOTE CARDS

10 cards/envelopes

$8

Blank inside

Available at state and

district meetings

Variety of designs