April Garden Club Program

The program for the March 2022 was All About the Seeds, organized and presented by our program committee members Marianne P. and Jane B. A nice display of seed-starting materials, tools, and DIY information were presented, along with many flower and vegetable seeds for exchanging.  Most of the seeds were brought in by members from their own gardens, also some from supporting vendors. Everyone attending the meeting was happy to bring a collection of seeds home. Seeds exchanges can really promote biodiversity in our gardens and offer an opportunity to try something new! Spring is in the air. Let's get ready to have our seeds started!

The program for this December was All About the Holiday Plants, presented by florist Lori Dupont from Floral Acres in Antioch. She talked about the most popular holiday plants: poinsettias and holiday cactus, from the history of the plants to varieties and caring tips for them. Members learned a lot about these beautiful holiday plants. 

Tis the holiday season, our meeting room was filled with holiday vibes. There were colorful raffle prices and delicious food to share after the program. We also played a gardening quiz between members and celebrated with Holly Markwart Swehla for her achievement of receiving a master gardener certificate. This would be the last in person meeting of this year for our club. We wish all our members and their families a very happy and healthy holiday season! 

The program for the November was Incredible Bats. It was presented by Sharon Peterson, an elementary school teacher/librarian and has been trained by Bat Conservation International in the conservation of bats. Since 1996, Sharon and her husband Daniel have traveled to 10 states across the Midwest and Canada with their program. They have been promoting bat education through these presentations. Sharon and her assistant Kim White shared their experiences, taught us about the many benefits of this misunderstood and feared creature. It was very educational. All the people attended the program enjoyed learning and interreacting with this amazing animal and some other companion animals. 

At the end of the meeting, the club membership chair Jackie H. conducted a ceremony, inducting two new members: Donna R. and Laura V. to join the club. Welcome our new members!

What a nice sunny autumn day.  We had 14 existing members, 2 new members (who were willing to join the club and were inducted into the club right away on the site) and 1 guest attended the program.  In addition, we welcomed GCI District IX director Barbara Gilblair and 1st vice director Carol Ohrn for visiting us and joining our meeting.  We gathered together at the Osmond Park, a 78-acre park in Antioch which is being renovated by the Antioch township. There are several local organizations involved as well. Our club ​has been assisting in the areas of adding native trees​ in the wooded area and​ native flowers around the disc golf greens,  plus an expended butterfly waystation in the park. After the business meeting, members and guests toured some areas of the park. It was great to have our meeting at an outdoor setting during the pandemic. Everyone who attended this program enjoyed camaraderie​ and site scene.​ 

We had the first of the club's 2021-2022 year all-member meeting this afternoon at the Williams Park Pavilion. The weather was warm and breezy. We went through a lot of agendas. We discussed club business; inducted new members; watched the release of two monarch butterflies and presented a lifetime membership certificate to Barb Gollwitzer, our former 2-term president, to honor her for the job well done. Also everyone received a new yearbook. Members who attended the meeting were happy to see each other. Hope to see more of you in October where we will have our all member's meeting at the Tim Osmond Park, a 78-acre park in Antioch. 

We had a very successful day on this August plant sale event at the Tractor Supply Store parking lot. More than a dozen of members participated, either by donating plants or items for sale and/or helped at the sale booth. A lot of plants that were dug out from members' gardens were satisfying many local customers. The manually raised monarch butterfly chrysalides brought in a lot of interest as well. Our members were having a good time mingling with each other, especially getting acquainted with many new members. Kudos to Cindy C. and Barb G. our Ways and Means co chairs for well organizing this event. We are looking forward to the next fundraiser in September.