march newsletter

Good Morning ! 

I hope all of you and your families are doing well.  If any of you are still looking for your first appointment for a COVID Vaccine log on to Walgreens at 6AM  ( better yet 5:50 and keep refreshing the screen ). They open a new batch of appointments every morning.

2021  Happy 90th Anniversary  Des Plaines Garden Club.

Although Covid has changed some of our plans, we are still ready to celebrate our 90th Anniversary.  Watch our newsletter, website (  desplainesilgardenclub.com )  , facebook page  Des Plaines Garden Club,  and special emails for further details.  Be ready to celebrate 😊

If you have not taken the time to go to our new website  desplainesilgardenclub.com please log on today.  Harold Effinger has put in an unmeasurable amount of time setting it up from scratch.  It looks great and functions perfectly. Are you looking for the details about on of our recent horticulture talks ?  They are all there.   It is also showing people browsing why they should consider becoming a member.  Please join me in welcoming two new members to our club since last month.   Remember to add their information to your yearbook.

Sharon Malen

Susan Linton

Trudy Hanzel

Welcome Ladies,  I hope we have the opportunity to meet in person very soon.

Our speaker will be Heather Prince who will present a program titled “ By the light of the moon”   What plants bloom in the late afternoon and add color and fragrance to your yard at sunset and into the night.  

 Our horticulture chairman, Karen Pacey will give a brief talk on Clematis.  How to care for , determine which group to plant in our area, etc.   

We will also elect the following officers to a two year term.  2021-2023.

1st. Vice President

Recording Secretary

Treasurer

Illinois Orchid Society      March 7th    1-5 PM

Last week I sent all of you an email regarding a FREE zoom presentation on Orchids around the world and at home.   

You can log on and off for each part of the program that might interest you.

1PM – 2PM Andrean Orchids. Ecuadorian Native species are threatened.  Researcher Lou Jost offers a look to coexist.

2PM-3PM  Orchid Fix Nursery  From Hawaii’s Big Island, Jurahame Leyva cultivates their unique collection, and guides first time growers

3:30-4 :00 The Smithsonian Collection  Gabriel Johnson walks amongst 145 million research specimens.  Let this researcher open the door for you.

4:00 – 5:00  Orchids of New Guinea  Wolfgang Bandish recounts expeditions in the jungle of New Guinea.

Again this is a FREE EVENT.  If you are interested sign up today.

District IX    Annual Meeting   Tuesday   March 9th   10- noon

Another great FREE opportunity for our members.  If you are new to our garden club  the structure is Gardens Clubs of Illinois

  Under GCI  We fall into District IX

  Under District IX we are one of the larger clubs in our district.

The Annual meeting is being help virtually via zoom this year.  The business meeting will be first with election of district officers, presentation of Club Awards, and general business of the District.  The business meeting will be followed with a presentation by

Jennifer Hunt of JR Designs in McHenry.  Her presentation is titled “ Brightening Up Our Homes”. 

Several of us have already registered, but it is not too late.  Please log on and register today.  This is a great opportunity to attend a district meeting for FREE.

GCI   Garden Clubs of Illinois   Annual Convention   Sunday  April 18th

This event will also be a virtual zoom event this year.  Details will follow shortly.

Annual Plant Sale   Saturday  May 15th

Our annual plant sale will look a little different this year.  We will not be having a bake sale because of COVID-19.  We are going to set the plant sale up like a farmers market.  You can bring your plants and a small folding table to set up behind your car.  We will have a pay station set up  at the end of the row.  If you only have a few plants feel free to bring them along.  I’m sure someone will have a spot on their table to share the space.  Is this different than in years past.  Of course, but we can make this work.  Start thinking about what has been hiding under the snow that you want to separate and share.  We will keep social distancing a priority.  Even if you don’t have plants to share, we will need helpers the day of the sale.  SAVE THE DATE   SATURDAY  MAY 15TH  8-NOON

MILK JUG PLANTERS

Please share your stories of starting your milk jug planters.  We certainly had enough snow to place the planter in for vitamin D from the sun. 

SELF HELP PANTRY

The Des Plaines Food Pantry is still accepting donations through their drop off program.  Every Other Monday at the First Congregational Church   766 Graceland Avenue   10-11 AM.  Just use the back driveway and pull up to the back door.  You don’t even need to get out of your car.  Someone will be there to accept your donations.  A list of most needed items is in your yearbook on page 33. The Next Drop off is Monday March 15th.  Please mark your calendars. 

Stay well !  See you Soon !

Mary Peglow

President – Des Plaines Garden Club