The 41st president of NGC, is Renee Blaschke. In her acceptance speech, Blaschke announced the theme of her two-year term is “The World around Us – Love It – Beautify It – Protect It.” Two national projects were introduced to the membership “Golden Days” and “Beautify Blight.” President encourages each of the 6,200-plus garden clubs to initiate projects in their communities that proactively respond to one or both of the initiatives.

"Golden Days"

The President’s Project, “Golden Days” will promote and encourage the plantings of daffodils, with an emphasis on remembering senior members who are in retirement centers, nursing facilities, downsized living facilities and those who no longer can actively participate but have maintained membership or have long served their communities through their garden clubs (potted daffodils acceptable). Additionally, clubs will be encouraged to develop mass plantings of daffodils at the above mentioned facilities, public buildings, Blue Star Memorial sites, etc.

Two outstanding daffodil collections, Master Daffodil Blend, with at least 50 tall and mid-sized varieties, and Golden Harvest, an incredible bulb that is vigorous and long lasting, are offered through Colorblends. When these bulbs are purchased through Colorblends, 40% of the purchase price will serve as a fundraiser for NGC. The NGC President will award Clubs, Districts, and Regions with a Certificate of Appreciation and Participation.

In areas where a Daffodil will not grow, yellow Marigolds and yellow Daylilies have been approved. Potted daffodils are encouraged.

Sponsoring groups may be allowed, if desired, to have fund raisers or seek underwriting – actual or in kind, within their communities to support the project.

Award Categories – Certificates Awarded

A. Senior Plantings-Retirement, Nursing, downsized living, Senior Centers

B. Youth Plantings – working with Youth to honor Senior Member

C. Mass Plantings

D. Potted Plants

Participants will be asked to submit a one-page summary to this Chairman, with no more than three pictures of their projects.

Award Applications sent to Lila Petersen, Chairman, should arrive no later than January 15, 2010:

Lila Petersen, Golden Days Chair

860 Hunting Hills

Boone, NC 28607

"Beautify Blight"

Love is . . . Cultivating a Community Garden

 "Beautify Blight" is an endeavor to create teams within a town, city, or region to develop a vegetable garden on a formerly unsightly piece of property chosen by the group.  As National Garden Club members let's show our communities that we care.

Our objective for this project is to involve all garden clubs, no matter their size, to be involved in their individual communities.  The project calls for garden clubs to find a community group interested in promoting the same concerns, such as Rotary, Chambers of Commerce, Lions' Clubs, churches, or a government agency in the finding of an unsightly piece of property that can be used by the group to develop and cultivate a community vegetable garden.

Once a site has been found and plans are being developed to continue the project, a local youth group should be asked to participate as a partner in the group so that the whole community is involved.  The purpose is to make garden clubs a viable part in uniting all the participants in the need for community involvement in each others lives.  The resulting service to those less fortunate by sharing the produce grown by this group effort is the ultimate goal of this project.

National Garden Clubs play a vital role in our communities and it is important for us to grow through our dedicated service and visual commitment to our towns, cities, states and regions as a national organization.

The final stage will be the sharing of the produce with a local soup kitchen, homeless agency, or church meal programs for those less fortunate.

Sponsoring groups may be allowed, if desired, to have fundraisers or seek underwriting, actual or in-kind, within their communities to support the project.

Participants will be asked to submit a 1 or 2 page summary of project, with before and after pictures.  Depending on the scope of the project, and if stated in summary, the project may be a one or two year program.

For additional information, contact Jeanne Nelson, Beautify Blight Chairman.

"Plant It Pink"

for Susan G. Komen for the Cure®

National Garden Clubs Inc. and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the largest breast cancer organization, announce Plant It Pink, a multi-faceted initiative designed to support Susan G. Komen for the Cure’s mission to save lives and end breast cancer forever.

Every donor to Plant It Pink receives a complimentary packet of pink dianthus seeds donated by W. Atlee Burpee & Co. Each seed packet features a $5 coupon toward any $30 Internet purchase. The seed packet is mailed in a unique Plant It Pink card specially designed and donated by St. Louis artist Linda Solovic.

One-hundred percent of all monies received will be forwarded to Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Plant It Pink Donation Form

ABOUT SUSAN G. KOMEN FOR THE CURE®

Nancy G. Brinker promised her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, she would do everything in her power to end breast cancer forever. In 1982, that promise became Susan G. Komen for the Cure, which is now the world’s largest breast cancer organization and the largest source of nonprofit funds dedicated to the fight against breast cancer with more than $1.3 billion invested to date. For more information about Susan G. Komen for the Cure, breast health or breast cancer, visit www.komen.org or call 1-877 GO KOMEN.

PLANT IT PINK BIRDHOUSE

The Plant It Pink birdhouse is available for purchase at Louisville Stoneware or Jon Carloftis.   For every birdhouse sold, Louisville Stoneware Co. will donate 10 percent of the selling price to Susan G. Komen for the Cure and 5 percent to NGC garden therapy programs that introduce horticultural therapy into various health care settings.