Article written by Donna Ditges; Photos by Donna Ditges
The January General Meeting held at Windermere Town Hall was well attended. We had a full agenda with a wonderful presentation by Merle DeLand, Vice President of Tampa Bay Begonia Society and a visit from the UCF students who received WGC’s horticultural scholarship.
Presentation: Begonias
If you missed this meeting, you missed some great information on Begonias. Merle DeLand told us everything we need to know about begonias and sold several different varieties for $5 each. Some valuable tips I learned is that they thrive in humidity, cooler temperatures and they must not have wet feet. They don’t like our hot summers, but they will do well outside if placed next to a pond waterfall or fountain and in shade, of course.
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Merle DeLand sold us these begonias
Begonias – $5
Flower on left is male; on right is female
Various begonias on display
Various begonias on display
Various begonias on display
Various begonias on display
Various begonias on display
Various begonias on display
Merle DeLand, VP Tampa Bay Begonia Society
Hostesses:
After the presentation, members enjoyed a short break with refreshments provided by members Denise Harbin, Carol Wolfe & Carolyn Gross.
Bonus Presentation:
Next, the recipients of the Windermere Garden Club Horticultural Scholarship, Sheila Scolano and Jules NeSmith, told us about their studies and projects. They were accompanied by their advisor, Amy Alexander. After the meeting, members of WGC took the students out to lunch at Westerly’s Restaurant in Metro West.
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Students, Sheila Scolano and Jules NeSmith and Advisor, Amy Alexander
WGC member, Jocelyn Deprez with students, Sheila Scolano and Jules NeSmith and Advisor, Amy Alexander
Our first meeting of the 2013-2014 year kicked off with our usual first speaker, Tom MacCubbin, Florida Gardening Expert and host of many Central Florida shows and articles. See links to Tom’s websites at the end of this post as well as photos provided by Club Photographer, Donna Ditges.
Hostesses Cannon Stoffel, Bonnie Baum and Peggy Collins provided wonderful snacks of deviled eggs, sandwiches, orange cake, fruit and coffee, juice and tea. Thank you, Ladies. It was delicious and above-and-beyond.
PROGRAM: Tom’s topic today was ”Eco-Friendly Treatment of Garden Pests and Diseases,” accompanied by a very informative handout “September in the Garden 2013” (click here to download as a pdf). He also added a trivia contest and gave several door prizes for correct answers. The winners of the door prizes were Angela Withers (gardening book), Carol Wolfe (garden hat), Joan Prasky (flower pot of goodies) and Anne Theiss (garden theme notecards).
50/50 DRAWING: This month we had a plant from the hostess table entered into the drawing. An arrangement for give away is not a requirement of hostessing; this was an unexpected addition.
Tanya Chesire won the 50/50 drawing and
Joan Prasky won the beautiful bromeliad hostess centerpiece.
SMART PHONE APP FOR THE GARDEN TIP: Vice President, Jill Thompson, had a very interesting tip for us. There is an app for smartphones that will help you with your gardening. It is called “Beesmart”. Just search on your smartphone for the app. It will help you decide on plants for your garden, i.e., search your zip code, then amount of light, then amount of water, then shrub, tree or plant; then flowering, etc. You get the idea. GREAT TIP JILL!
NEW GARDEN CLUB DEVELOPMENTS:
Joan Prasky and Maureen Tuber will be hosting a one day flower arranging class. Details have not been decided yet. Check the website often for the latest developments.
Beginning October 2013, everyone is encouraged to bring their plant cuttings or new plants they have started to the monthly meetings. These plants will be left at the front door for anyone to take. We suggest leaving a $1 donation that will go to the Garden Club. There is no requirement to bring a plant to exchange … there are plenty of members who have more than enough they would rather give away than throw away. You know how we gardeners are.
Request that you bring any plastic nursery pots to the meetings. Many members need them to start new plants.
Better Lawns & Gardens streaming radio show Tom MacCubbin has hosted the “Better Lawns & Gardens” radio program for more than 15 years and is heard every Saturday morning on more than 20 radio stations throughout Florida.
The Windermere Garden Club meeting today was mostly discussing our annual Crazy Card Party (“CCP”) planning. The CCP is be held on March 14, 2013 at 10:00 AM at the Windermere Town Hall.
Officers were elected for the 2013-2014 season. The officers are as follows:
President – Peggy Collins
1st Vice President – Jill Thompson
2nd Vice President – Maureen Tuber
Treasurer – Maryann “Dale” Boardman
Recording Secretary – Clare Durante
Corresponding Secretary – Jackie Rapport
Windermere Garden Club met at Windermere Town Hall on January 10, 2013 at 10:00 am. Our program opened with speeches from the UF Environmental Horticulture students WGC sponsors every year and their advisor, Amy Alexander. This year we are sponsoring two new students, as our previous students, Cody Monroe and Gina DeFalco, have graduated. Amy updated us on what Cody and Gina have been doing. Amy then introduced our two new students, Sheila Scalaro and Jules NeSmith, who told us about their horticultural studies, dreams and goals. After the meeting, a few WGC members took the girls out to lunch.
Horticulture Students, Sheila Scalaro & Jules NeSmith with Advisor, Amy Alexander
Previous President, Peggy Collins, introduced her great-granddaughter, Cameron Gellhouse, who has attended Camp Wekiva several times. WGC sponsors a few students to attend Camp Wekiva every summer and Cameron has been one of the recipients. She spoke about her experiences with Camp Wekiva and told some entertaining stories about primitive camping and the critters they “ran” into.
Peggy Collins and her great granddaughter, Cameron, Camp Wekiva attendee
Planning for the Crazy Card Party in March has already begun. WGC reminds members to save their small tissue boxes to donate for table decorations and start thinking about items you can contribute to raffle baskets, door prizes and the silent auction.
Photos courtesy of Webmaster and Club Photographer, Donna Ditges.
Member, Barbara B., as Mrs. Claus at Nehrling Gardens event
The Windermere Garden Club December General Meeting was informal and held at Westerly Restaurant at Metro West Golf Club. The food was delicious and lots of comraderie with friends was enjoyed by all. Enjoy the photos courtesy of Club Photographer, Donna Ditges. Click on photo to enlarge.
Windermere Garden Club 