Winter 2016

16 Pages·2016·2.5 MB·English

by  Bernadine Bennett

Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 1 December, January, February 2016-2017
Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. Thru the
Official publication
A 501(c)3 Organization
Garden Gate
Thru the Garden Gate
Bernadine Bennett,
Graphic Designer/Layout
Catherine Ware, Publisher/Editor/
Business Manager
[email protected]
Website
www.michigangardenclubs.org
Charley Bohland, Webmaster
[email protected]

Calendar Events
Use Submit Event button on website calendar

Marilyn McIntosh
Executive Board President
“Blooming in the Arts of Our
Mission and Membership”
231-546-3152
Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. mission is to provide
[email protected]
education, resources, and network opportunities for its
Carol Sue Brodbeck
members to promote the love of gardening, floral and
1st Vice President
landscape design, and environmental responsibility.
734-434-3795
[email protected]

Susan Kropschot, 2nd Vice President
Janet Hickman, 3rd Vice President

Karen Gentile, 4th Vice President

Peggy Hartman, Recording Secretary Table of Contents
Jenny Bond, Corresponding Secretary

Rosemary (Bunny) LaDuke, Treasurer
President’s Page 3

MGC Lifetime Awards 4
Deannie Picciotti World Gardening 4
Advisor/Nominating Scholarships 4
2017 MGC Convention Date 5
[email protected]
Youth Gardening 5

MAAJ News 5
Database Loda Lake 6
Karen Motawi, Database Manager Calendar of Events 6
Habitat and Environment 7
Mary Pulick, Processing
GTE Success in 2016 8
[email protected]
Legislation Update 9
Blue Star 10
Sandra H. Robinson District I News 10
District II and IIB News 11
President, NGC, Inc.
District III and IV News 12
“Leap Into Action” District V News 13
[email protected] Submission Dates for Garden Gate 13
Website info 13
Special Tax Rules for GTE Clubs 14
Judy Newman
Raffles-What is Legal, What is not 15
Central Region Director Civic Beautification 16
“Cultivating Connections”
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 2 December, January, February 2016-2017
The National Garden Clubs, Inc.
Board Meeting was held in Portland,
Maine September 20-24, 2016. I asked
Robin Pokorski, NGC Leadership Committee
Chair and Corresponding Secretary to share
her speech “Wildfires and Tape Measures”
with you. While she is addressing issues
facing NGC, the same issues face both
Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. and most local
garden clubs. Below are some excerpts from
her talk.
The National Park Service found that fuel In 1945

“While watching one of the was piling up and made for a much worse fire when the Marilyn McIntosh
when a careless match ignited. Do we let our Blue Star
educational videos on the
old “ways” pile up, making more clutter to Memorial
Yellowstone National Park
sort through by not dealing with change as it Marker program was proposed to NCSGC –
Service’s wildfire management
came to our organization? Have we become did we say, “well, that’s a new idea but it
practices, inspiration hit. The
so steeped and mired in tradition that we doesn’t have to do with horticulture,” or
Robin Park Service Director said, “We
can’t see the forest for the trees? . . . maybe “the brass markers are too expensive
had to change our methods if we
for clubs to afford”? What if we had let that
wanted to preserve our national forests.”
It seems that every organization I am aware opportunity pass us by? Think of the

of is undergoing significant, transformative publicity that has been generated with just
Couldn’t the same be said for garden club? If
change, including NGC. Change does not this one project? And we’ve got a bunch of
we look at our numbers, the measure by
come without effort and is inherently programs that are noteworthy – what if we
which we judge “how we’re doing” then
unsettling. But how do we adapt and go hadn’t seen our way clear to adopting any of
maybe we need to “change our methods,” in
forward while preserving what we are at the them? Let us fire up our passion for garden
order to preserve garden club. Maybe
core? It would be easy-peasy to continue to club.
plowing ahead holding steadfastly to the
do things the way we always have IF
“way we’ve always done it” isn’t working as
everything was the way it always has been. Oliver Wendell Holmes said, “Greatness is
it used to. Georg Lichtenberg said, “I cannot
But society itself is changing. Technology is not in where we stand, but in what direction
say whether things will get better IF we
changing faster than any sane person can we are moving. We must sail sometimes with
change; what I can say is they MUST change
keep up with. the wind and sometimes against it -- but sail
if they are to get better.” He died in 1799 –
we must and not drift, nor lie at anchor.”
change isn’t new.
The Park Service also found that a fire could NGC members have not been lying at anchor.

clear out the understory to allow for light and They have been sailing full on and our sails
For years, the Park Service had, at any cost,
air to penetrate. Do we need to clear out are trimmed to sail even farther and faster
extinguished all fires as soon as possible. Is
some of our old understory, thereby allowing and to more wonderful ports than we have
that us, dousing all new ideas as soon as
novel ideas and innovative methods to take seen to date.
possible? Do we encourage people to bring
root? Dealing with change isn’t new,
new ideas and then work like the devil to
Napoleon said that you had to change tactics We do have challenges ahead but we are well
make them a success? Or do we hear
every ten years in order to maintain -armed to meet those challenges with new
ourselves saying, “but we’ve always done it
superiority. In today’s society, the pace of instruments. Now we need to summon our
this way.” Douglas Adams said, “Anything
change is immensely faster, and it will only courage and our support and take on the
that is in the world when you’re born is
continue to accelerate. . . . . changes that will come our way. Maybe one
normal and ordinary and a natural part of the
person can’t make a huge difference, but
way the world works. Anything that is
When NGC was organized in 1929, it was more than 150,000 garden clubbers – each
invented between when you’re 15 and 35 is
cutting-edge – imagine, a national group making some difference – can make a lot of
new and exciting and you can probably get a
organized to direct, support and encourage difference. That’s what we’re a part of – an
career in it. Anything invented after you’re
member states and clubs. But are we incredible force for good.
35 is against the natural order of things.” So
operating from the same perspective? That
it’s an uphill battle for most of us.
was nearly 100 years ago. The world is We must ignite our enthusiasm for what our

changing, faster and faster - that’s something organization is and does and can do in our
I think of garden club like a train. We all
we can’t change. We need to make decisions communities, in our states, in our country, in
have a goal: to move this train down the
for the best possible path to the future so that our lives. One careless match can start a
tracks. Are we moving the train down the
NGC is strong, dynamic, vibrant and once forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a
tracks? Or are we stuck on a spur? Going
again cutting-edge at its centennial in 2029 campfire. Rekindle your commitment to
nowhere? We can climb aboard at stops
and beyond. NGC. Fire up your interest in garden club.
along the way – we don’t all get on board at
Spark your zeal.
the depot.
Think of the mighty oak and the winsome

willow trees, as strong as oaks are, they don’t So I was hoping and praying for inspiration,
I know it’s hard. I’ve been in garden club
have the flexibility to survive like the willow but then I thought of you and I realized YOU
going on thirty years, I find myself saying,
when a storm sweeps through. We must be inspire ME. I could not be prouder to be a
“Wait, what’s wrong with the way we’ve
flexible to weather the storms that will surely part of the most magnificent group of people
been doing it?” I know if ain’t broke, don’t
come our way. Kristina Saffran said, I have ever had the pleasure to know.
fix it, but, sometimes there are better ways,
“Sometimes knowing when something is
newer techniques, faster means we could
NOT working and pivoting to something new Together we are poised to make NGC (and
embrace and benefit from. Remember the
leads to our greatest opportunities and MGC and every local garden club) blaze its
corporate tenet of change: hear out the idea
successes.” . . . . path to a strong, secure and successful
and then ask, what’s the worst that could
future!”
happen? What’s the best that could happen?

Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 3 December, January, February 2016-2017
MGC Life Membership Virginia Froehlich,
I don’t know where this year has gone, but I do
know it’s not too early to plan for 2017. I Please join me in congratulating these new Life Members:
have a wonderful idea for clubs or
individuals! Why not present someone with a Chris Britt Farmington Garden Club
Michigan Garden Clubs’ Life Membership Carole Culver Chula Vista Garden Club
and support MGC’s scholarship initiatives at the same time? Barb Dermody Farmington Garden Club
Eleanor Guirlinger Hill and Dale Garden Club
It’s easy to purchase a Life Membership. Simply go to Mary Lynn Heid Charlevoix Area Garden Club
michigangardenclubs.org, click on “Join” and “Life Grace Jacobs Chula Vista Garden Club
Membership.” If you need assistance, please contact me at Alice Jenicke Mount Pleasant Garden Club
[email protected] or call me at 734-675-2944 and I will Ellen Kendall Charlevoix Area Garden Club
be happy to provide you with the form. Be advised it may not Kris Knox Tri-Cities Garden Club
download easily on some cell phones. Julie Partee Across the Fence Post Garden Club
Steve Rhodes Marshall Area Garden Club
Please use the CURRENT form available on the website. The Ken Tarrant Owosso Garden Club
questions on the form help to ensure your recipient is Marcella Tarrant Owosso Garden Club
recognized for a variety of contributions and accomplishments. Susan Wilson Charlevoix Area Garden Club
It is important to allow 4-6 weeks for processing to ensure you Joan Zieler Meek’s Mill Garden Club
receive the certificate in time for your presentation.
MGC Scholarships Sue Wittick Chair
I’m pleased to report that donations received between June 1, Muskegon County Garden Club(two
2016 and October 31, 2016 total $7,971.98. A BIG THANK donations in memory of Jean Orshal
YOU to these contributors : and Thara Johnson)
The Friendly Garden Club of Traverse City
District I (honoring Carol Brodbeck) (in memory of Arlene Weitz)
District I
Blue Water Garden Club (2 donations, one in memory of Jane District V
Covington) Juniper Garden Club
Dearborn Heights Garden Club (in memory of Delores Perelli) Petoskey Area Garden Club
Livonia Garden Club (honoring flower show judges) Sweetwater Evening Garden Club
Pleasant Ridge Garden Club
District VI
District IIA Caro Garden Club
Eden’s Garden Club Chemical City Garden Club
Saline Stone & Thistle Garden Club Mt. Pleasant Federated Garden Club
Rainbow Lakes Garden Club
District IIB (2 donations, one funding a scholarship to
Michigan State University) Individuals
District IIB Lucy Arai Abramson (two donations, one honoring Suzanne
DeWitt Millennium Garden Club (honoring Jan Hartlieb) Van Ranst, one in memory of Masuko Robinson)
Howell Garden Club Carol Beckius (in memory of Judith Schroeder)
Ruth Ann Habalewsky (in memory of Jane Covington)
District III Karen Hayes (in memory of Jane Covington)
Chula Vista Garden Club (honoring Caroline Gray) Diane Hines (in memory of Jane Covington)
Grow & Show Garden Club Mary Pulick (in memory of Rose Adams
Indian Hills Garden Club Fran Thomas (in memory of Jane Covington)
Kalamazoo Garden Council (funding the Hazel Wirick Purchasers of Convention Gift Baskets: (listed in Fall 2016
Scholarship at WMU) Thru the Garden Gate)
Michigana Landscape Study Club Michigan Garden Clubs (two donations, one from MGC
Portage Garden Club convention and one in memory of Judith Schroeder)
Sturgis Garden Club Charles Stewart Mott Foundation (matching the donation from
Pamela Larkin and the Sweetwater Evening Garden Club)
District IV (honoring flower show judges)
District IV Please contact me with your questions or suggestions. Donation
Garden Club of Pentwater forms are available on the MGC website.
Holland Garden Club(honoring flower show judges) Sue Wittick, [email protected], 517-242-8259
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 4 December, January, February 2016-2017
STATE CONVENTION SCHEDULED FOR JUNE 7-8
Submitted by Carolyn Gardetto and Ruth Moline, Convention Chairs
Michigan Garden Clubs 86th Annual State Convention will be held June 7-8,
2017 at the Holiday Inn, 3600 Plymouth Road in Ann Arbor. The fifty clubs in
District I and District IIA are partnering to put on an educational, enjoyable, and
memorable convention with the theme “GROW and SHARE”.

Marilyn McIntosh, MGC State President; Ruth Moline, District I Director and
Carolyn Gardetto, District IIA Director are pleased that all major tasks associated
with the convention have been assigned and the clubs are making great progress and
showing lots of enthusiasm. The convention leaders are finalizing details on a wide
variety of programs, speakers, hands on activities, and local tours.

One of the highlights of the convention will be the Installation Banquet for
incoming MGC President, Carol Brodbeck, on the evening of Thursday, June 8,
2017.

For those wishing to spend the night at the Holiday Inn, a special rate of $99 plus
tax per night has been arranged for MGC members. More information regarding
hotel rates and how to book rooms will be shared in the spring MGC newsletter,
Thru the Garden Gate.

Kindly note the new board members will convene on June 9, 2017.

Please continue to watch for convention details and registration forms in the spring
Thru the Garden Gate and on the MGC website beginning January 1, 2017.
MICHIGAN ASSOCIATION OF ACCREDITED JUDGES
by Lynn Dinvald, Flower Show Judges Credentials Chairman
The Michigan Association Caroline Gray is also a former MGC State President (1977-1979)
of Accredited Judges and a Central Region Director (1985-1987).
(MAAJ) of National
Garden Clubs, Inc Michigan Association of Accredited Judges thanks each of them for
was formed in 1952 within their many hours of study and hard work and dedication. Please
the framework of Michigan continue to seek these Judges as consultants for your flower show
Garden Clubs, Inc and is committees. Their experience, contributions, and hours of devotion
subsidiary to that body. are priceless!
MAAJ’s objective is to

promote advanced study in
Earning their Accredited-Life Judge Status are Patricia Bazany,
horticulture, flower
Carol Sue Brodbeck, and Nancy Harriman. Receiving their
arrangement, and flower
Accredited-Master Judge Status are Arlene Kuizema, Ruth Moline,
show procedure. We
and Phyllis Straw. We’re proud of you all!
support the Flower Show

Symposiums which provide
Congratulations to Sherry Sanelli, Ruth Moline, and Dell Haydon
advanced education as
for their floral designs being featured in the NGC 2017 Vision of
required by National
Beauty Calendar. This calendar celebrates the floral and
Garden Clubs, Inc.
horticultural artistry of NGC, Inc.

MAAJ recognizes the many
When your garden club is in need of Judges for your next flower
talents and contributions of
show, contact Lynn Dinvald, [email protected] (269-343-
the following flower show
3827) for a list of “Who Needs Judging." This list contains the
judges who have requested
names of those accredited judges and student judges who need to
Master Judge Emeritus status from National Garden Clubs:
judge a flower show to receive credit to update their official MGC/
Caroline Gray, Lakeshore Flower Arrangers Guild, Master
NGC records.
Judge 1977

Betty King, Creative Flower Arrangers Guild, Master Judge
Finally, Flower Show School will offer Course IV, May 9-11, 2017
2013
in Midland under the direction of Kathryn Clary, Flower Show
Jerre Beattie Ihrcke, former member of Lakeshore Flower
School Chairman. Check the MGC calendar page for the 2017
Arrangers Guild, Master Judge 2004
Flower Show Symposium.
Gretchen Pugsley, Hill & Dale Garden Club, Master Judge 2002
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 5 December, January, February 2016-2017
Loda Lake News Karen Motawi, Chair
Cold weather is upon us. Farmington Garden Club, Lakeshore Garden
While you were out Club of Lexington, Petoskey Area Garden Club,
enjoying the beautiful fall Pleasant Ridge Garden Club, and Pam Larkin of
colors of Michigan’s the Sweetwater Garden Club. The Charles
trees, I hope you were Stewart Mott Foundation has generously
noticing the lovely New England asters along the matched Pam’s donation.
roadsides! The sanctuary’s prairie has several

varieties of asters. It has also been a good year to The following individuals have made memorial
observe interesting mushrooms. contributions that will be forwarded for matching
to the Loda Lake Endowment Fund: Gil and
Thanks to all who helped with our fall planting Betty Eagle of the Howell Garden Club in
day. The Forest Service provided several flats of memory of James Bussard.
wildflowers that we added to the rain gardens Aster sericeus-Silky Aster
after doing quite a bit of weeding. They will be Remember: Docent led hikes are available for
lovely next spring and summer. groups of 6 or more. If you are interested in
scheduling a tour or would like a club program
Our favorite Forest Service engineer is now on Loda, contact me at
working on drawings for the handicap-accessible [email protected].
trail from the parking lot to the boardwalk. We
will be exploring funding options this winter. Your continuing donations will help to improve
the educational value of the sanctuary--forms are
The following clubs have donated to the MGC available for download on the MGC website,
Loda Lake Fund since my last report: Caro www.michigangardenclubs.org.
Garden Club, DeWitt Millennium Garden Club,
Bracket fungus
To post events directly on the calendar, visit the MGC website at michigangardenclubs.org. Click on Cal-
endar at the top of the page and click on Submit Event. *Events marked with an * have more details on
the website calendar at www.michigangardenclubs.org
Calendar of Events
December Through February

*Saturday - December 3 – Cadillac – members will be available to demonstrate and *Wednesday, February 8 – Big Rapids –
Cadillac Garden Club Holiday Home assist community members. Reservations nice Fine Pruning the Landscape. Hosted by
Tour. Hosted by Cadillac Garden Club. to [email protected] but not Big Rapids Garden Club. Time: 1 - 3 pm.
Time: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. Location: Simon necessary. Location: Mecosta Osceola Career Center,
Residence, 4907 E. 46 Road, Cadillac. Miller Wing, 15830 190th Avenue, Big
Tickets go on sale November 1st and there Wednesday, January 11 – Big Rapids – Rapids. As part of the Festival of the Arts
are discounts for early buyers. Ward on Vegetables renowned garden designer and author Janet
Hosted by Big Rapids Garden Club. Time: Macunovich will give a hands on
Monday, December 5 – Big Rapids - 1 - 2 pm. Location: Big Rapids Public demonstration as well as a Power Point
Community Greens Workshop - Hosted by Library, Community Room, 426 S. Michigan presentation on pruning. If you have ever
Big Rapids Garden Club. Time: 6 - 9 pm. Avenue, Big Rapids. John Ward of Ward wondered how and when to prune your trees
Location: First United Methodist Church, 304 Vegetables will give a power point and shrubs to ensure beautiful bloom, good
Elm St., Big Rapids. Participants will be presentation regarding locally grown produce shape, manageable size, and healthy plants,
provided with fresh cut greens to use with a and the differences in growing practices as then this is the program for you.
purchased kit that contains foundations and well as the benefits of organically produced
decorations to create greens. Garden club food.
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 6 December, January, February 2016-2017
When we think storm and surface waters and in the process and stabilize shorelines. These same buffers
about the functions that plants perform, we filter it of various chemicals and pollutants. also benefit wildlife by providing food and
know about their producing oxygen, The plants themselves will take up and utilize cover and serving as an important travel
providing food, shelter, materials, and water. I read where a cottonwood tree can corridor for many types of wildlife. They
stabilizing the soil. As homeowners, we like absorb up to 350 gallons of groundwater per benefit game species, but also migratory
plants that multi-task. We think of shape and day. What they don’t actually use songbirds. Lastly, full grown shade trees in
size and color. Does it flower? Bear fruit? themselves, they get rid of into the this buffer strip help to keep the water cool.
How about fall foliage? Or winter interest? atmosphere via transpiration and evaporation. This greatly increases the types and varieties
Sounds like a lot of things plants can do but In addition, their roots allow surface waters to of aquatic life the lake or river is able to
we’d be selling them short since plants can do infiltrate to the groundwater. This is another support. The DNR has a Natural Rivers
a lot more for us, if we use them correctly. reason to utilize mostly native plants in program that utilizes riparian buffering.
vegetative buffering as they have extremely http://www.michigan.gov/dnr/0,1607,7-153-
We’re all familiar deep root systems. Many prairie grasses and 30301_31431_31442---,00.html
with rain gardens, flowers have roots up to 10 feet deep. For
but how about
Native plants are cheap labor. Once
riparian buffer
they’re established, you don’t even
strips? Or
have to feed or water them.
agricultural buffer
strips? Or phyto- this same reason, for vegetative buffering you
remediation? More should utilize trees with tap roots such as the
and more plants are hickories, walnuts and white oaks. The most
being used to help common form of bio-retention is a rain
Sunflower manage storm garden. This is an area that is a sunken
water, protect lakes depression where you direct all the water
and streams, and help farmers better manage from your downspouts (roofs) or other hard
their farms. They are also being used surfaces like streets and driveways. This
extensively to help clean up some depression is filled with native plants which Native tree
environmental ‘hot spots’. Some of the terms absorb it, permitting it to be either evaporated
being used to describe these functions are or transpired into the air or slowly filtered In agriculture, they use buffer strips to
phyto-engineering or phyto-technology. This through the soil into the ground water. In this manage storm water and minimize erosion,
is where plants are used to solve various way, it prevents it from running off of your filter fertilizers and pollutants, and address
scientific and engineering problems. property into a drainage ditch and other environmental concerns. Types include
subsequently into the river or lake. http:// filter strips, windbreaks, living snow fences,
The most common form of this today is with rain-gardens.org/ riparian buffers and even field border strips.
phyto-remediation or the use of plants to Indeed, the USDA considers this type of
concentrate, remove, and/or degrade various Riparian buffer strips line bodies or water conservation buffering so important, for
contaminants in the soil and water. Certain such as lakes, streams and even county decades they have had the Conservation
plants have the ability to target and remove drains. They are the single most effective Reserve Program where they pay farmers to
specific toxic substances from the soil or means of protecting our water resources. install conservation buffers. http://
water. For example, Sunflowers (Helianthus These vegetative buffer strips help catch and www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/detail/
annuus) are used to remove arsenic and filter sediment from the surface water runoff. national/home/?cid=nrcs143_023568
Ragweed (Ambrosia artemisiifolia) is used to They also serve to filter and transform
remove lead. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ pollution as it passes through their root What all of these functions have in common
Phytoremediation. In addition to helping to systems. These native plants absorb and is the use of plants – predominately native
clean up pollution, plants are being used more convert many of these chemicals such as plants – to perform various types of work. As
and more often to help manage and control nitrogen and phosphorous that would gardeners we need to consider the various
both surface and storm waters through otherwise pollute the water. Riparian buffers functions they can perform for us to make our
various types of bio-retention. slow the spring flood waters and permit this lives better. They’re cheap labor. Once
First of all, think about what plants do with excess water to soak in and recharge the they’re established, you don’t even have to
water. A vegetative buffer strip will slow ground water. Their roots help reduce erosion feed or water them.
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 7 December, January, February 2016-2017
Rose Houk, GTE Program Chair
As of October 1, 18 clubs completed bylaws and updated mission
the Group Tax Exemption Program statements that more accurately
and will soon have a charitable reflect the civic and charitable
organization designation – a 501(c)(3) benefits that each club gives to the
tax deductible, tax exempt community. Secondly, it means that
designation. The list of clubs will be all the clubs who joined now have an an application to join the GTE
officially presented to the Board of active and up to date EIN with IRS. Program in 2017, but not until after
Directors at the November meeting Finally, it means that they must, like June 1st. Another seminar about the
and the roll call of clubs who joined an individual person, file an income how and why to join the GTE
this first year will be forever be in the tax return each year to maintain the Program will be on the agenda for the
history of Michigan Garden Clubs, tax exempt status. This is not a State Convention in June of 2017.
Inc. The names of 2016 GTE cumbersome task as most will file
The GTE Program membership is
Program applicants is found at the online and answer a simple question:
strictly voluntary for all clubs who are
end of this article. was your revenue under $50,000.00?
members of MGC, there is no
That’s all there is – if, as a 501(c)(3)
I would be remiss if I did not give a mandate to join the program. I will be
organization, the club has under
huge thank you to Marilyn McIntosh, at Convention to provide reasons why
$50,000.00 a year in revenue.
President of MGC who had the vision a club should join and hopefully
to provide this special membership And now we wait for the answer any questions from those who
benefit to MGC clubs. Likewise thank determination letter from IRS that have already joined this year.
you to Pat Rintamaki, Finance Chair, officially designates the clubs as tax
Hope to see you at Convention.
MGC, for her fortitude while reading exempt, tax deductible charitable
all the materials I sent to her. organizations. Hopefully by the time
Certainly, I also give a big thank you you are reading this newsletter, the

to Ed Castellani who was there to application letter will have been
help as we progressed when I hit a delivered to IRS. 2016 Inaugural Clubs of
particularly difficult issue.
What is next for the clubs that joined? the GTE Program
And I want to give praise to all of the There are other things that need to be
clubs that have participated. I know it done when the determination letter Big Rapids Garden Club
appeared daunting at times, but they from IRS is received. The clubs have Boyne Valley Garden Club, Inc.
Caro Garden Club, Inc.
all persevered. To each of the to file for a sales tax license. They
Colon Garden Club, Inc.
contacts for each of these clubs, I must file for a License to Solicit with Eden’s Garden Club, Inc.
appreciate all that you accomplished the Attorney General as a charitable Ferndale Garden Club
over the last few months. And I give a organization. If they do that, they are Fremont Garden Club, Inc.
Green Thumb Garden Club
special shout out to the Colon Garden automatically registered as a
Looking Glass Garden Club, Inc.
Club, Inc. which was the first club to charitable trust. And yes, they do
Meeks Mill Garden Club, Inc.
file an Application for the GTE have to renew each year, before the Mount Pleasant Garden Club, Inc.
Program; the application had no end of the year usually, it is simple to Pleasant Ridge Garden Club, Inc.
errors, and was submitted as do. But please note, the Attorney Portage Lake Garden Club, Inc.
Port Sanilac Garden Club, Inc.
instructed in the Handbook. General wants to see that letter of
South Haven Garden Club
determination with the application, so
What does it mean for the clubs that Sweetwater Garden Club, Inc.
please, be patient and do not apply for Wayne Garden Club
joined? First, all have incorporated as
that License to Solicit until the Williamston Red Cedar Garden Club, Inc.
nonprofit corporations, all have

determination letter is in the club’s
become a legal entity with its own
files. For those clubs that opted to
identity. All these clubs have updated
wait until next year; yes, you can file
governance documents, updated
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 8 December, January, February 2016-2017
LEGISLATION UPDATE SUSAN LEAHY, LEGISLATIVE CHAIR

Did you know that 47 of the 50 states have an official state butterfly, senators,
state insect, or both? Michigan does not. Michigan Garden Clubs please write
believes that Michigan should join those states that celebrate the to your
presence and value of butterflies. The Winter 2015-16 issue of Thru senator and
the Garden Gate reported that the Birds, Bees, and Butterflies ask him to
Committee completed extensive research on Michigan butterflies support SB
before recommending the Black Swallowtail (Papilio Polyxenes) as 850 by
the official Michigan Garden Club butterfly. referring
this bill to
MGC seeks to promote Michigan as the 48th state to celebrate the the full
presence and value of butterflies by supporting Senate Bill 850 senate for a vote!
sponsored by:
Curtis Hertel Jr. (primary) 23rd District (Lansing), Coleman The Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. website includes additional
Young II: 1st District (Detroit) Steven M. Bieda: 9th District information, as well as a form letter clubs and members may use to
(Warren), Rebekah Warren: 18th District (Ann Arbor), Wayne write to their senators. Look for Black Swallowtail under the
Schmidt: 37th District (Traverse City) and Bert Johnson: 2nd “Projects” tab. If you would like Michigan to join the 47 states that
District (Highland Park) have an official state butterfly, please ask your senator to support SB
850.
Currently, SB 850 has been assigned to the Government Operations
Committee. The members of this Committee are: Some members have asked about SB 816 which proposes the
Arlan Meekhof: Committee Chair, 30th District (Grand Haven) monarch as the official State of Michigan Insect. This bill is a
Geoff Hansen: Vice Chair, 34th District (Hart) reincarnation of a previous bill that died in Committee due to lack of
Mike Kowall: 15th District (White Lake) interest. Please don’t let that happen to our bill, SB 850. We think
Jim Ananich: Minority Vice Chair, 27th District (Flint) Michigan could benefit from both an official State Butterfly and an
Morris W. Hood III 3rd District (Detroit) official State Insect. National Garden Clubs, Inc. is pursuing federal
legislation recognizing the monarch. We certainly support monarchs
Although the bill was introduced on March 8, 2016, the Committee but we endorse the Black Swallowtail (SB 850) as Michigan’s
has failed to give it consideration. As of this writing it has not been official State Butterfly.
taken up by the Committee. If you are represented by one of these
WORLD GARDENING KIT GUNN, CHAIR
YOUTH GARDENING
One of the greatest problems in developing countries
ANN CAMPBELL, CHAIR today is the lack of education. Education is essential to
improving health, higher wages, and economic growth.
Since 1984 MGC has been working with the National
Youth 4-H Development Center in Belmopan, Belize in
Central America to provide scholarships for high
school along with scholarships for the Center’s ten month high school
prep program for low income, at risk students who have dropped out of
Congratulations
school. This summer we sent $3310 for scholarships. These young people
to the following
are very grateful for the life changing opportunity our donations provide.
garden clubs for

their work with
Thank you to the following clubs and individuals that have
youth in their contributed to World Gardening between July 10 and October 10.
communities:
Caro Garden Club
2016 Youth Chemical City Garden Club
Garden Club Farmington Garden Club
Membership Joan Nelson
Michiana Landscape Study Club
Cleveland Super Bees (Bluewater GC) 40 members
Petoskey Garden Club
Hillsdale Junior Garden Club 25 members
Pleasant Ridge Garden Club
Morenci Junior Garden Club 12 members
Sweetwater Evening Garden Club
P.L.A.N.T (Howell Garden Club) 33 members MGC honorarium to Petoskey Garden Club
Webberville Junior Garden Club 42 members
If you would like to know more about starting a youth garden Please mail your donation checks made out to Michigan Garden Clubs,
club in your area, please contact Ann Campbell, Youth Inc. to Kit Gunn, 4584 Boxwood Court, Ann Arbor, MI 48108.
Gardening Chair, [email protected], 517-242-2829, for
more information. If you are interested in a presentation for your club about our World
Gardening Project in Belize, please contact Kit at [phone] or

[email protected].
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 9 December, January, February 2016-2017
Four new Blue Star dedications completed 2016 Consider a rededication ceremony at your memorial.
and brought our state Blue Star total to ninety. Two clubs recently held rededication ceremonies. One was on the
Congratulations to our clubs for their continued occasion of moving a memorial, the other to honor our veterans and
dedication and appreciation of our veterans. educate new members about the purpose of the Blue Star project.
Rededication ceremonies usually include the Pledge of Allegiance, a
July 31, 2016 The brief history of Blue Star, reciting the
Friendly Garden Club of Traverse beautiful words of dedication, and
City (D-V) concluding with a song, God Bless
A new memorial was dedicated in the America.
Botanic Gardens at Historic Barns Park.
The site overlooks a unique sunken October 10, 2016 Grosse Ile Garden
garden developed and maintained by the Club (D-I) moved their memorial
Marilyn McIntosh club on W 11th Street off S. Division (Rte from its VFW location to the Free
31). Bridge Garden near the south entrance
to the island. This is an old and
August 31, 2016 Big Rapids Garden Club (D-IV) venerable memorial originally
In an area visible to passing motorists, a Blue Star Memorial was dedicated in 1950 when Michigan first
Gross Ile Memorial
dedicated at the Veterans and Hometown Heroes Memorial in began participating with NGC's Blue
Holland Park at 325 N State Street. The site includes an American Star project.
flag surrounded by the flags of each military branch. Phase two
landscaping work continues. October 12, 2016 Meridian Garden Club (D-IIB) held a
rededication ceremony following the club's business meeting. They
September 10, 2016 Caro Garden Club (D-VI) dedicated a have many new members since the dedication in 2008, and wanted
memorial in the Botanic Garden on N Hooper. It was a community everyone to know the significance of the memorial they pass to
effort supported by local donors and attend their monthly club meetings in the Meridian Township
sponsors. The base of the memorial Municipal Building. A unique feature of this rededication was
is surrounded by memorial bricks remembering a club member who died (Major Sharon Hudson) and
celebrating the service of local a township employee (Captain Paul Cassidy) who was killed in Iraq
veterans. Most served in the 20th in 2003.
century, however, two fought in the
Civil War and one in the War of Don't Forget . . .
1812. Andrea Little, National Blue Plan a future rededication ceremony at your memorial.
Star chair, added to the celebration Post your club's dedication photos on the MGC website. Nineteen
by attending and speaking. Caro Garden Club clubs are there currently.
Michigan Blue Star pins are available to promote our project.
October 22, 2016 Sweetwater Evening Garden Club (D-V) Six clubs have expressed interest in a future dedication!
dedicated a memorial at Bayside Park in Acme, located just south of Phone or e-mail anytime to chat! 517-349-4791;
the US31/M72 intersection. It was a beautiful day highlighted by fall [email protected]
color.
DISTRICT I NEWS RUTH MOLINE, DIRECTOR
The Southfield Parks and Garden Club is celebrating its Volunteers may
10th anniversary. They joined Michigan Garden Clubs, Inc. this year. be Oakland
Founded in 2005 by Jon Adams and 4 other community members this County Master
small club is making a difference. Gardeners,
community
Because members were interested in helping elderly, disabled and
residents or from
low income residents maintain their yards, the club worked with the
the United Way
Southfield Chore Program, a community Block Grants program, and
Volunteer Match.
trimmed bushes, planted annuals and/or perennials, and added mulch
Over 760
on a house by house basis. They have planted trees with Boy Scouts
volunteer hours
and cleaned up in front of schools.
have been logged
The club has planned and hosted garden walks and co-sponsored this summer.
Southfield Community Pride Awards. At this time the club is
All produce is donated to Forgotten Harvest.
planning an informal reception for award winners and nominees of
the last three years. Southfield Parks and Garden Club looked to MGC for networking
possibilities. Members wanted to know what other gardeners do so
One of the projects the club is most proud of is their eight year old
they could improve what they were doing. Gardeners need other
Community Garden. Land is leased from a local church and the club
gardeners to talk to. We welcome this new club to District I, MGC,
is responsible for planting the crops, promoting the best gardening
and NGC.
practices, and supervising volunteers who care for the garden.
Michigan Garden Clubs Inc. 10 December, January, February 2016-2017