Harlin Turner Award

The NCA has created a new award to honor the memory of Harlin Turner, a much loved member of the NCA.  The Harlin G. Turner for the most innovative design is a rosette of fuchsia ribbon. The intent is to recognize a design that incorporates its’ imaginative manipulation of components. It may be offered to the most innovative exhibit scoring 85 points or above in the Design Division provided all the other general design award requirements are met. An exhibit may have been awarded another topic exhibitor award and is still eligible for this award. Exhibits in both Standard and Small Standard Flower Shows in both creative and traditional styles are eligible. Only one award may be offered per show.

photo taken by Vickie Godwin iphone

NCAGC Awards Meeting

On Thursday, March 29th, the National Capital Area met at the City of Fairfax Regional Library for the annual Awards Meeting.  Vickie Godwin, President and Jo Sellers, 2nd Vice-President (Awards Chairperson) ran a fabulously attended meeting.    Arlene Stewart (DII - Centennial) was the NCA Award of Honor recipient.  Congratulations to Arlene!  The NCA and DII is grateful for all your work and dedication!

District I Awardees

District II Awardees

District IV Awardees

District III Awardees

Jo Sellers presented clubs individually with awards while Vickie Godwin congratulated.   How nice to see that many clubs in the four districts were honored!  The annual Awards meeting is a great time to catch up on all the great works that the different clubs are participating in throughout Washington, DC, Northern Virginia and Montgomery and Prince Georges Counties in Maryland.

Photos by Marge Stembel

District II Goes to Philadelphia Flower Show

Aloha!  What a great time the members of District II had at the Philadelphia Flower Show!  How nice to sit back and enjoy the ride on the District II bus trip on March 6th, 2012.   The ladies from Dominion Valley Garden Club shine beautifully next to one of the many fabulous displays!

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