Green Your Routine with NBC

NBC and NBC Universal kicked off Green Week on Sunday, November 13th.  NBC’s goal throughout this week is to inspire everyone to do what they can to protect and support plant Earth. They are covering everything from green weddings to green shopping (go vintage!) and everything in between to show that even a small change can make a big difference on our planet. Visit these websites each day this week where NBC and NBC Universal are entertaining, educating, and inspiring us with ways to help save our planet.                                                                                                                                                      http://www.nbc.com/green/  and   http://www.greenisuniversal.com/     

shared by Arleen Ankeney

Arbor House Sale Coupon

To receive the sale discount, click on this coupon, print a copy and take the copy to Arbor House.

Happy 60th Birthday

What a fantastic day and what beautiful pictures Mary Cottrell is sharing with us all of  the NCAGC  (National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc.) 60th Birthday Celebration which was held on Tuesday, September 28, 2011 at Plymouth Haven Baptist Church in Alexandria, Virginia.  So many Past NCA Presidents (shown in two pictures below) were able to attend and shared a two-minute summary of their Presidency's.   Current NGC (National Garden Clubs, Inc.) President Shirley Nicolai (shown on right with Vickie Godwin) was a dual speaker as she was also President of NCA from 1997-1999!!!  A special honor was hearing Evaleen Barmby share from the time when she was District Director of Virginia, yes a time when their were only three Districts!

The current Director of the U.S. National Arboretum (USNA), Colien Hefferan (below on left), was present and shared some funny stories of the relationship between NCA and the Arboretum over the years.   Thank goodness the Arbor House gift shop is allowed to sell more than just film and slides now!  Check out all the great items the next time you visit the USNA!




David Healy (right), recently installed 1st Vice-President had a very clever presentation on getting out to publicize our clubs and welcoming new members!




As the Birthday Party was also our September meeting many items of business was conducted including announcing that Libby Coffy is the NCA Winner for the CAR (Central Atlantic Region) Perrenial Bloom Award.  The award was presented by Lin Stauffer, the District II Awards Chairperson.



A historical display for the last 10 years is in the process of being assembled!  Check out the NCA website for the presentation!  On the right is our earliest Past President represented (Helen Reed 1983-1985) with our current President Vickie Godwin!


Special thanks to District 1 for providing the coursages for the days events and District II for providing all the great food and hostessing the party!!!!

District 1 Club adds to History

On Saturday, September 18th, the Woodmoor Garden Club of Silver Spring spent a morning at the Decatur House on Lafayette Square.  Many of you may know the Decatur House as the home to the White House Historical Association or you may have attended an event held in the lovely courtyard.  Betsy Scroggs, the President of the Woodmoor Garden Club joined forces with Woodmoor neighbor Butch Winter (facilities manager of Decatur House) to redesign a very shady section of the courtyard.  Seven members of the club worked to remove old and worn vegetation and replant with a fall blooming Camellia, a Pieris japonica 'Variegata', 55 hostas, sensitive and christmas fern, a neat ground cover (Chrysogonium virginiamum) and 100 spring bulbs (scilla, hyacinth and crocus).    Yes, those are tent supports!   Believe it or not but this work was squeezed inbetween a rehersal dinner and a wedding!  The transformation was remarkable!

District IV Fall Meeting

On Friday, September 2nd, 2011, District IV met at Strathmore Hall for their fall meeting.  Director Bette Lewis welcomed club members back for another fabulous year.  She discussed her theme of "Community Stewardship".   Club members were treated to a fantastic design program of Sogetsu Ikebana by Diana Cull.

Water Boat ride in Jug Bay at Patuxet River Park

On June 15, 2011, members of District 1's Mount Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club took an ecological tour of Jug Bay at Patuxet River Park located in Upper Marlboro, Prince George County, MD.  More information of the event can be found on the District 1 Blog.  Here is a photo of the group aboard the boat taken by Bill Dean.

Blooming Lotus at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

July is a great month to view the blooming lotus at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens as District 1 Director David Healy and Bill Dean found out on July 2, 2011.  Also viewing the lotus that day were four members of District III's Ayr Hill Garden Club from Vienna, Virginia.  The photo taken by Bill Dean shows (from left) Anne Marie Mulvihill, Diana Killcullen, David Healy, Anne Stuntz and Nancy Moats.

Behnkes Garden Social

On Saturday, June 4, 2011 the NCAGC Garden Clubs as well as District 1's Beltsville Garden Club participated in the Behnkes Garden Social held at the Beltsville location.  Check out the Behnkes Nursery Garden Blog to recapture the day.

District III Presidents Coffee

On Friday,  June 17th, 200, District III held is's annual Presidents Coffee at Meadowlark Botanical Gardens in Vienna, Virginia.  Dedication of a Native Plant Sun Garden took place.

District 1 Presidents Coffee

On Saturday, June 11, 2011 District 1 held it's annual Presidents Coffee at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens.  The day was perfect for a meeting where different club Presidents shared how their clubs interacted with their communities.  Here is a photo taken by Bill Dean and more photos can be seen on the District 1 blogspot.   NCAGC President Vicki Godwin is shown third from left and District 1 Director David Healy is the first on on the right.

Landscape Design Council - The Creative Garden

For all those of us looking for a way to stage our yards, take a look at Landscape Design Councils pulbication, The Creative Garden.  A recent review by Kathy Jentz in the Spring 2011 edition of  Washington Gardener on page 13.  The book can be purchased for $10 + $2.50 s/h (for 1 copy or $4.95 for 2 - 5 copies).   Please make checks payable to Landscape Design Council and mail to The Creative Garden, 3702 Bethwood Court, Upper Marlboro, MD 20772-7787.  Any questions, please contact n.burns@cox.net

NGC Convention Blue Star Memorial Dedication

What a fabulous day!  On Sunday, May 29th, 2011, National Garden Clubs  (NGC) unvieled the first Blue Star Memorial marker in the District of Columbia.  The marker is located on the corner of 17th and Potomac Avenue at Congressional Cemetary.  The dedication of a Blue Star Memorial takes place in conjuction with the National Garden Clubs convention which was held at the JW Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C.

Outgoing NGC president Renee Blaschke gave a wonderful speech emphasizing the importance of our military when presenting the marker and incoming president Shirley Nicolai, a member of two District 1 garden clubs, Tanta Cove and Fergies Gardeners, helped unveil.

Taps was played to end the ceremony.

For more details of the event check out the District 1 blogspot!!!!

Ayr Hill Garden Club Installation of Officers

On May 23rd, 2011 the Ayr Hill Garden Club (a member of District III of the NCA) held an installation luncheon at the Amphora Restaurant in Vienna, Virginia.  Leigh Kitcher, Ayr Hill's President from 2008-2010 was the MC to introduce the officers for the next year.  Nancy Moats will finish her second and final year as President. As is the tradition to gift officers, Leigh created beautiful photographic notecards of special gardens and, plants found in their civic gardens. The club was honored to have NCAGC President Vickie Godwin present.

Capitol Hill Garden Club's Magical May Walk

The Capitol Hill Garden Club (a NCA District I club) held it's Magical May Walk on May 10th, 2011 at Harbour Square.  Check out the Capitol Hill Garden Club blog for some fantastic photographs of this garden tour that included rooftops!
capitolhillgardenclub.blogspot.com

Montclair Blue Star Memorial Dedication

On May 21st, 2011, the Garden Club of Montclair (a NCA District II garden club) along with the Montclair Property Owners Association dedicated a Blue Star Memorial at 3561 Waterway Drive, Montclair, Virginia.  
For more information about the event please check out the following link:
web.me.com/billriski/Montclair_Blue_Star/Welcome.html

NCA President Vicki Godwin (second from left) was in attendance for the wonderful event.

Ken Schwartz Sculpture

This 37" tall Ken Schwartz Sculpture will be available for you to take home at the conclusion of the NCG Convention on Sunday, May 29.  The sculptures are being pre-sold for $35 each.  If you are interested in purchasing one, please contact Arlene Stewart to reserve yours. (Amstewart4@aol.com or 703-791-4356)  $35 checks should be made payable to NGC Convention and mailed to Arlene Stewart 12200 Ashley Ct.  Manassas, VA  20112.  Remember the sculptures must be picked up on May 29 at the JW Marriott Hotel, Washington, DC.

Yacht Haven Garden Club Installation

On May 5th, 2011,  Yacht Haven Garden Club, a District II member of the NCA, held it's installation  of new officers.  Ebba Jo Spettel, YHGC 1st VP, presented a plaque to Babs McClendon, YHGC President, honoring her leadership as President of Yacht Haven GC for the last 2 years. NCA President Vicki Godwin was on hand to install the new officers.

Marianne Raub of Helen Olivia Flowers, gave a floral demonstration at the installation.

  

Ayr Hill Garden Club Civic Leadership

On May 14th, 2011, Ayr Hill Garden Club, a NCA District III Club, was recognized by Vienna, Virginia, for dedicating 30 years to gardening a public space.  The W & OD Railroad Regional Park

was the site of the event. Elected officials and civic leaders including Ms. Vickie Godwin, President of the NGC is shown above planting a native shrub in the presence of (from left to right) Karl Mohle, Manager for W&OD Railroad Regional Park, Jane Seeman, Mayor, Town of Vienna, Ayr Hill GardenClub current President Nancy Moats and past President Daphne Sloan.

MD House and Garden Pilgrimage

On May 22nd, 2011 the Alice Ferguson Foundation and Prince George's Historical Society opened Hard Bargain Farm and the Ferguson farmhouse for tours. The proceeds of the events benefitted the Prince George's County Historical Society. Fergie's Gardeners, a NGC District I club, is committeed to the Ferguson Foundation. Check out the following websites for more information:
www.fergusonfoundation.org
http://www.fergusonfoundation.org/gardenclub/index.shtml

Save the Azalea's Fundraiser

"Save the Azalea" tote bags are available for purchase!  The bags can be obtained through Arbor House gift shop located at the US National Arboretum.  A $5 donation per bag is requested but please feel generous as the money goes to the US National Arboretum trust fund, organized and administered by Friends of the National Arboretum (FONA).  The trust is to provide an endowment for mantaining the USNA plant collections--azaleas, boxwood, narcissus, etc.  Community support for the azalea collection among others at the Arboretum is tremendous.  FONA is trying to raise $1M to match the very generous anonymous donation of $1M made in February to the Arboretum.  http://www.culturaltourismdc.org/news-room/news/generous-gift-national-arboretum-saves-azaleas 

To obtain bags contact Mary Beth Cecil paid4bymyson@aol.com or 301-868-2224 or Casey Kneipp  kcandave@verizon.net 301-772-3946

Common Good Farm

On Tuesday, May 3rd, Prince Charles of Wales visited Common Good City Farm!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/politics/prince-charles-visits-dc-urban-farm/2011/05/03/AF7L6ogF_story.html  The NCA has supported Common Good City Farm from 2007 when it was located in the Shaw neighborhood of DC and continues now that the farm is located in the LeDroit Park neighborhood.  How wonderful for the gardening community that Prince Charles highlighted an organization which is sharing valuable resources on sustainable gardening, vegetable production and healthy eating habits!

Installation of Officers

 

     What a great day! On Tuesday, April 27th, 2011, Vickie Godwin took over the reins of the National Capital Area (NCA) from Mary Ellen Alden!!!!  The smiles on their faces reflect the energy and excitement in the room.  How lucky the NCA was to have the Central Atlantic Region (CAR) Director, Carmen Devito attend.  Her presence was greatly
appreciated and very warmly welcomed by all in attendance.     So many club members, from all four districts were in attendance to welcome the new President, her board and the new district directors.
NCA has such a variety of garden clubs mixed throughout the four districts which encompass Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C..  Some of us prefer to get our hands dirty in the ground, some prefer to use containers and some just enjoy floral arrangements.  It is always a relaxed and fun atmosphere when the four disticts join together to share our special views on gardening.  I always enjoy talking to members from other clubs and districts.   I have been inspired to try new things after hearing about their garden or the children's garden their club designed and maintains!

       The installation luncheon was held at Normandie Farms Restaurant in Potomac, Maryland.  The day was gorgeous, the company fantastic, especially the presence of the 9 past Presidents of the NCA who sat at a table of honor.
The food ws really spectacular, especially the house special popovers!  After dessert, everyone enjoyed watching floral designer  Tracy Bollinger work her magic.  Her are just a few of her fabulous designs of the day!

Welcome to the National Capital Area Garden Clubs blog! Look for all the exciting events that are going on in the four Districts of the National Capital Area!