It is hard to believe that fall is upon us and we are getting ready to close our gardens for another long winter’s nap. We too, as garden clubs, are finishing our projects and getting ready for the holiday event season; so hard to believe. But we know as Gardeners, those seed and plant catalogues will be here soon!!!!!!

The two Vice Presidents and I did our Annual September trek, the Fall District Tour. As always, it is so amazing and makes me so very proud of what all our clubs accomplish. We heard of all the Civic Development and beautification, Community involvement, youth projects, Community gardens, Horticulture therapy, Habitat for Humanity, flower shows, scholarships given and club programs to educate our members. Garden Club is alive and well in PA.

I also have been to many other events. I attended the NGC Board meeting in St. Louis in September and joined the other State Presidents in many activities. There was a PA Flower Show Symposium in July, Flower Show School and the CAR Conference in Towson, Maryland, in October. Please don’t forget to plan on attending the GCFP Convention in Philadelphia this coming spring. You will learn so much and share many garden club memories. Don’t be left out. Make your plans as soon as the Convention Call arrives this winter.

One of the most moving events I attended here in Pennsylvania was the Dedication of the Blue Star Memorial at the Flight 93 Memorial Chapel - Children’s Peace Garden on September 11th. To hear all the names read and see the faces of those affected by this event will always be remembered. Then what a memory, I took photos of three retired Marines standing in front of the newly placed Marker; those smiles, what a gift. It really shows how important the Blue Star Markers are to our servicemen. So keep planning to place more Markers at other locations across this State.

Keep up the good works and continue to work and keep the GCFP strong and viable for the future generations. Bring in new members and retain them with all your wonderful programs and events. Enjoy Garden club and learn to market our organization to others within our community. Tell others and be proud of what we do. It’s not a secret. Garden Club is a good thing. Tell someone. Let’s make the number one national pastime of gardening also include being a member of a Garden Club. We are good at what we do, so let’s bring others into this great organization.

Let’s continue to work together and grow stronger through the SEEDS OF SERVICE sown for all to see. Now go out, enjoy the beautiful fall leaves and the Holiday season and spread the “JOY” we know as “Garden Club”. See you all in April at the GCFP Convention in Philadelphia.

Fondly,

Gail