Elk Rapids Garden Club

News 2010
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River Street Entrance, Jan Shurte, Crew Leader
elkrapids/RiverStreetsmall.jpg

The Elk Rapids Garden Club News

Upcoming Events

 
Dear Ladies,

Jan Zander has found another exciting field trip for us!  This is a home and garden walk in Onekama planned for July 22.  Contact her immediately for sign-up.

Don't forget about our annual bake sale at the gazebo in town on August 6th 2010.  Contact Ann Craig for further details.  All desserts and baked goods are welcome. Try to be there with your baked goods by 8:00 am..

On May 14-15 the Rotary Club of Elk Rapids produced a wonderful Variety Show.  It was very entertaining and it's unbelievable how much talent there is in our little "neck of the woods"!
This Variety Show was dedicated to the Elk Rapids Garden Club.  On behalf of the Garden Club and all of the members, I'd like to thank the Rotary for the great honor in the dedication of their Variety Show to us.  We, also, are very appreciative of the generous monetary award given to the ERGC, and look forward to using it to continue our work in helping Elk Rapids to be a beautiful place in which to live.  Like the Rotary and other charitable organizations, our members willingly give their time, so it was very special to be recognized for this. 

Thank you, Sue Finlayson, President Elk Rapids Garden Club

The June Award's Luncheon. 

On June 29th we had a lovely informal flower show and luncheon.  This year's theme was Michigan Festivals.
It was an elegant affair and the Flower Show was fantastic.

*Our gardening hints book will be for sale at the May meeting and it looks fantastic!  Cost is $18 for GC members.

*There are sign ups for other events needing workers too ~ Garden Walk on July 13 and the Plant Exchange on June 5.  Our volunteers are very much appreciated and I'm always impressed by how readily we get volunteers.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

* In regards to our Garden Walk, at the December 2009 meeting, it was asked that all club members buy/sell at least 2 tickets to help support the GW.  By a show of hands, there was unanimous support of this commitment. 

Patron's Path The new orders will be placed in the Spring. This is a momentous new project.  It serves as both a wonderful club fundraiser, as well as,  a meaningful addition to the the walkway approaching pedestrian bridge on River St.  Wouldn't be great to think that you were among the many that have bought a brick for the 1st year!  Brochures are available at the Chamber if you or your friends need one.  Spread the word

* The 
Garden Walk will be held on July 13, 2010.  We need each and everyone to participate with this ever popular event.  It is the main fundraiser for our club.  Please sign up to contribute your talents!  Let's make this the best Garden Walk ever!  See the new Garden Walk web page.

Dear Members,

The State Newsletter is now available on line from our web site www.michigangardenclubs.org

I am requesting that you go to the site and either print it off or

read it online.

The cost of printing and mailing has sky rocked so I am confident

you will be able to receive the newsletter by this method.

Those without a computer, please let me know as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Dolores J. Stouwie, MGC President 2007-2009

News from Dolores Hibbard , Environmental Chairperson:


According to The National Gardener Winter 2009, in an article concerning
the future of gardening, we face a natural water shortage.  Thirty six states
project water shortages by 2013. Some suggestions the article had for
gardeners include the following.  Gardeners can help by being conscious
of wasting water.  Landscapers can replace lawns with hardscape to permit
water to drain. Careful gardeners can use "grey water" from household
water for container gardening. Every little bit helps.  

Remember when using fertilizers and pesticides you want use the correct amounts and to control run off, to protect the water table and our lakes and streams.  

Water is essential to the health and well being of you and your family.
What do you really know about water; the source, the purity, how it affects you, simple things you can do to maintain purity, and how you can conserve it?  


We live in the Chain of Lakes Watershed. Water moves down as rain,
across our land, under our ground, and through the streams and lakes. 
It is all connected, and then it comes out of your tap.   When it comes to water, we have special responsibilities to keep the water clean and safe.


If you are  on a well, you share that aquifer with the other well owners.
Septic systems remove bacteria, but do not remove phosphorus, nitrogen, medicines, or toxic substances.  These flow through the sand and into the ground water.  Cities and Villages with treated water systems can remove most of these things, but at a cost to the public. 


    LESSON:  Be careful what you pour down the drain!

In our effort to protect our valuable water source, here are some
suggestions for conservation and reduction of water use.


    1. If everyone took a one minute shorter shower, 4 trillion gallons of 
    water would be saved.
    2. Flushing the toilet with the dual flush system found in newer houses
    since 2008, would save 1.65 billions of gallons of water in one year.
    3. If every American would collect one gallon of water while waiting for
    the water to get hot and use it to water house plants, 15.8 billion gallons
    of water would be saved.
    4. Not only would we be saving water, but home owners would save money. 

Each of us can make a difference.

News

If you have news that should be shared with fellow Garden Club Members, please e-mail the Web Master, Ellen Frohriep.   We need you to keep the web site up to date.

Note: ERGC reserves the right to edit or select print suitability for the web site.

P.O. Box 534 Elk Rapids, Michigan 49629
Ellen Frohriep, DPT Webmaster