Join us on April 22 - 24, 2010 for the FGCM Convention This year's FGCM Convention is hosted by Mid-Central District. Come and enjoy the convention and 'Swing into Spring'

Sprig and Twig Garden Club Feb meeting The meeting was called to order by President Linda Boelhauf at 7:15. There was a short business meeting, an auction of Twigs and then on to the program for the evening. Member and Secretary Melinda Schuster gave an enlightening talk on 'Starting Plants from Seeds'. The Meeting was adjourned at 8:45. Everyone gather for refreshments provided by Ruth Lacy and Nancy Center. The theme was St. Patrick's Day. Everyone enjoyed cake, cookies, M&M's, coffee and soda along with lots of good conversation

The design for this month was a Spatial Thrust. We were happy to have Ruth Lacy, Accredited Master Flower Show Judge to give us 'hands on' instruction.

At the Stepping Stones Garden Club Feb. 10, 2010 meeting, the members made baskets.

Be whisked away on a sophisticated French escape this winter with a visit to the 92nd annual Orchid Show at the Missouri Botanical Garden in St. Louis. Visitors will experience a butterfly’s view of paradise: a lush garden of curvilinear design, filled with hundreds of freshblooming orchids from the Garden’s historic collection. The 2010 Orchid Show debuts Saturday, Jan. 30 and is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily through Sunday, Mar. 28. Show admission is $5, in addition to regular Garden admission ($8 adults, $4 St. Louis City and County residents, free children ages 12 and under). Garden members are free. The Garden maintains one of the nation’s largest orchid collections, with over 8,100 individual orchid plants in hundreds of varieties. The Orchid Show is the only time of year when a sizeable selection of plants from the collection is brought out en masse for public view. Shades of warm yellows, energetic or

Fleur de Lis Garden Society has taken on a new project. They have adopted a one mile stretch of Kisker Road in St. Charles county for litter control.

The February meeting had Ron Koenig, owner/perator of Koenig Nursery as their guest speaker. He instructed the members on the proper planting of annual seeds as well as proper care and maintenance of container and garden plants.

Officers were installed at the Jan. 27, 2010 Stargazer Garden Club meeting. They are Susan Scarborough, 2010 President, Sandra Speer, VP, Sarah Rader, Secretary, Hannah Scarborough, Secretary Assistant and David Scarborough, Treasurer. Donatta Speer officiated the ceremony.

Sprig and Twig Garden Club held their regular meeting on Tues. Jan 26, 2010 After a short business meeting the club enjoyed a program by club member Debbie Mintert. She gave a presentation on "The Joys and Heart Breaks of Starting Your Own Bee Hives". Thank You Debbie. Debbie is a novice bee keeper, starting this project less than a year ago. Refreshments were enjoyed by all.

At the January 2010 meeting, the Sunset Garden Club began the project of making Blue Bird Houses for the walking trails within the residential areas of Raymore, MO. This is being done in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation Department of Raymore and a local boy scout earning his eagle. The bird houses were constructed by the club, the placement of the houses will be determined by the Parks and Recreation Department and the garden club and the boy scout will work with the installation of these 15 new houses along the trails. These are photos of the preparation of the houses and the finalization of the houses.

This year we have a new study at each meeting. A member demonstrates in full how to complete one of the floral designs from the Flower Show Manual. Our first one was how to do a Parallel Design, demonstrated by Dorothy Thompson. She also included reference books members can borrow to further their design instruction. At the same meeting, Debbie Nix, member and Central District Director, presented new plants for 2010 from many sources to entice all of us and get us into the Spring planting mood.

ACROSS THE GARDEN GATE by Carolyn Schroeder, Maryville Garden Club Vice-President As the members of the Maryville Garden Club look forward to the coming of spring it is with sadness that they realize that one of their active members will be missing. Genevieve Fulsom passed away on January 6, 2010 at the age of 92. She regularly attended meetings and took an active part in them. At the December 1, 2009 meeting Genevieve planned and presided over the installation of new officers. Her charge to each new officer detailing their responsibilities was inspiring and she presented each officer a tea cup to commemorate the occasion. She was happy and smiling as she shared fun and fellowship with her fellow garden club members that evening. She will be missed.

The Fleur de Lis Garden Society - MCD, is offering clubs a set of tabs (14) to use for their Garden Club Manuals. Sets are $ 3.00 each plus postage. Checks should be payable to Fleur de Lis Garden Society and sent to the club Treasurer, Jarrod Kincaid, 1116 N. 5th St., St. Charles, MO. 63301. 636-724-3141. Call us and we will let you know the postage.

Fleur de Lis member, Louise Chambers-Krueger, had a startling surprise at Walter Knoll Florist's in O'Fallon, Mo. on Dec. 23, where she is a store Manager. An SUV drove thru the front window, thru the empty store next door and into the Verizon store next to that. "It was a Christmas Miracle that nobody was hurt," Louise said.

Sunset Garden Club, WCD, chose to do something different than usual and it started last Christmas 2008. Rather than bring a $10 gift to be exchanged at a meeting, we will be donating $ 10 to a sum of monies decided on by the club to help out a community in Raymore that is low income. We were supported by local merchants, banks, grocery stores and the fire department with our gifts. Walnut Estate, a 34 unit couples residence, were very pleased with our donation of gifts last year. We are, once again, doing it for Christmas 2009! Merry Christmas!

Members, guests and judges had lunch at Elaine Fix's home on December 17, 2009 for Design Concept's Holiday Party. Seared sea scallop salad, marinated cauliflower salad, sparkling beverages, pumpkin bread, cookies and a great time was had by all. We exchanged wrapped presents that were decorated with either fresh or dried contrived flowers. Everyone left with Christmas Card houses as their gift.

Members of Sprig and Twig Garden Club enjoyed a Potluck Christmas Party Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at the Church of the Master in Florissant, MO. and exchanged garden related gifts. There was an installation of officers for 2009 - 2011.

December 14, 2009 18 members and 1 guest enjoyed the annual Christmas Luncheon and Party. The luncheon was prepared by a 5 member committee. Mary Frances George did all the beautiful decorating. After the luncheon, a short business meeting was conducted. Cards and gifts were exchanged during the party. Before leaving, a drawing was held to determine the winner of an original watercolor donated by the husband of a member to raise money for some of our projects, one of which will be Habitat for Humanity. Everyone left with a happy heart, ready for a well deserved break before starting back to our gardening projects in January.

The Boone Country Garden Club celebrated the holiday at Wine Country Gardens in Defiance, Mo. on Monday, December 7, 2009. Members attended in festive affair, brought gifts for a needy family, celebrated the new board appointments and enjoyed each others company. President Kathy Gross demonstrated the "simplicity" of Christmas by making beautiful glass ornaments for all members. The tables were adorned by centerpieces made by various members, again demostrating the talents within.

New officers were installed at the Dec. 1 meeting and holiday party. They are Nancy Fuller, 2010 President, Mary Thompson, VP, Toni Kayser, Treasurer and Colleen Pierce, Secretary. Carol Eilermann did the installation ceremony.