Olde Dominion Holiday Bus Trip

On Saturday, December 3rd, 2011, NCA President Vickie Godwin joined the District 1 sponsored Olde Dominion Holiday bus trip which took members from Cheverly, Maryland to Richmond, Virginia!  Santa was there to send us on our way!  The trip included a stop at the historic Hanover Tavern outside Richmond made famous by Patrick Henry!  Here attendees were served a fabulous buffet lunch and enjoyed a holiday string concert performed by some of Richmond's youth!  Next the bus took us to the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens where we had

 a special Early Bird Tours of the GardenFest of Lights display.   For the final event of the night we welcomed Emily King to our bus.  She guided our driver around Richmond so we could enjoy the Tacky Lights!  Click here to see the CBS feature of the Richmond Tacky Lights! Oh how fun it was to spot some of these overly decorated houses!  What a great trip that was enjoyed by children as well as adults!  What a gorgous tree in the Conservancy enjoyed by one tour group that included NCA President Vickie Godwin (green coat) and NCA 1st Vice President David Healy (3rd from right in back row).

Photos shared from D1blog

Environmental Studies School

Course 1, series VI of Environmental Studies School was held on November 9th and 10th at the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood, Maryland.  Environmental Studies School is the newest school associated with the NCA.  The objective of ESS is to give students and understanding of the science behind environmental issues which are senstive and very timely.  In addition ESS students should gain the tools necessary to help educate others.

Photo, students at ESS, shared by Vickie Godwin

Exploring rain water handling with Gardening Consultants Council

On October 26, 2011 members of the Gardening Consultants Council of the NCA (see photo at right) held a meeting at the Fairlington Community Center in Arlington, Virginia.  Learning about rain gardens and other "green" storm water drainage solutions is key to best assist NCA President Vickie Godwin's project for 5 rain gardens at the US National Arboretum.    Speaker Christin Jolicoeur of the Arlington County Department of Environmental Services gave a very enlightening talk.  Members were able to enjoy a rain garden at the community center.
For more information about rain gardens check out the Arlington County Rain Garden webpage that shares some really useful information as well as includes the Montgomery County Rainscapes information.

Photo share by Vickie Godwin iphone 

Landscape Design School

From October 31st - November 2nd, 2011, the NCAGC in cooperation with the Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland, Inc. hosted National Garden Clubs,  Inc Landscape Design School, Course II, Series XIII at the Agricultural History
Farm Park in Derwood, Maryland.  Co-chairs Dianne Gregg and Paula Knepper
organized a fantastic meeting attended by many.  Co-chair Dianne Gregg makes
announcment as students look on.

Photos shared by Vickie Godwin iphone

CAR Convention

What a great time everyone had at the 2011 Central Atlantic Region

Convention in Baltimore, Maryland October 21-23.  Many members of

the National Capital Area were in attendance.   

The NCA Environmental School had an exhibit designed by chairperson Susan Stillman.  NCA President Vickie Godwin is shown next to the exhibit.

What a fabulous Presidents Flower Design done by NCA Judges Council

Chair Muriel Turner for Vickie Godwin!   Our condolences to Mrs. Turner

on the loss of her husband, Harlin Turner in December.  The NCA has lost

such an accomplished floral designer.

photos shared by Vickie Godwin iphone