Official Call Letter of
THE GARDEN CLUB OF INDIANA, INC.
To Our 81st Convention
“GARDENS….. LIVING QUILTS”
April 23-24, 2012
The Garden Club of Indiana, Inc. is celebrating its 81st Anniversary, so we are excited to invite and encourage every member to attend this celebration and enjoy the North Central District and the special fellowship that we all call “Garden Club”.
Arrive at Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury, Indiana, the day before the convention begins (Sunday, April 21), and relax or enjoy the special events that are planned for you. There will be a side trip to Bristol where shop will be opening especially for you – “The Emporium”, “The Lavender Patch”, Camille’s and the “Rush Memorial Museum” – all places that remind you of old times, quilts and quaint friendships. On our way back, we will stop at the famous Krider Gardens located in Middlebury, weather permitting. These gardens were part of the 1933 World’s Fair held in Chicago. There will be box lunches with chicken or beef sandwiches available at the Essenhaus, if you like.
You will be back in time to dine at local eateries or enjoy box lunches at the convention site and get ready for “Chocolate Fantastic” presented by Kevin of the Essenhaus staff. Chocolate is for the senses – sight, touch, sound, scent and taste! Learn the art of tasting chocolate and share this ultimate pleasure with your garden club friends!
Prior to the official opening of the 81st annual convention, there will be two workshops offered at 9:00 AM: A Make-It, Take-It Pressed Flower Cards and How to Create a Fairy Garden by Judy Marquart and Esther Benedict, respectively. At 10 AM there are two more workshops: The Art of Peony Cultivation by Stephanie Cultivation and Amish Gardening: A Way of Life by Mary Miller. All of our workshops have a limit on their class size, but there is no limit on their uniqueness. Be sure to select your favorites so that there will be a space for you!
There also will be plenty of time to stroll through Ways and Means. All participants will be on their own for lunch prior to the opening of the general session at 12:15 PM. There are lunches available to you on the Essenhaus grounds as well as nearby eateries.
Following the meeting, we are offering two additional workshops at 3 PM: Ikebana: Unique Japanese Flower Arranging by Emma Wynn and Make Quilting Fun: Quilts Are Special by the girls at the Essenhaus Quilt Shop. At 4 PM there will be another workshop: Planting in a Cold Frame with Chris Franey. During this time you are welcome to visit Ways and Means or shop the Essenhaus businesses.
The President’s Banquet is an evening full of delightful surprises and awards. Tasty food will be served in the family tradition where the gratuity has already been included in the cost. Wonderful homemade pie will be served to complete the meal. You are encouraged to wear clothing with flowers for this event. You may add a hat and gloves, if you like! After enjoying a wonderful Essenhaus dinner and a short awards presentation, we have a very special treat for you. We are going to have a “Bed Turning by Irene Bornman”, a local quilter, who will share the quilts which she made and quilted in Senegal for her grandchildren. The stories are special and heart-felt, and the quilts are like nothing you have ever seen. Each of you will be in awe!
Tuesday morning at 9 AM you may listen to John and Jeanie Bloom who will speak on Hostas: Their Beauty and Diversity. At 10 AM you will hear a presentation on the Quilt Gardens of Elkhart County 2012 by Sonya Miller of Country Comfort Greenhouses in Middlebury. Then, of course, we will enjoy our Scholarship Luncheon at 12:15 PM, where scholarship winners from Ball State and Purdue Universities will share with us their enthusiasm for gardening and their future. This is always a highlight of the convention.
North Central District is anticipating your attendance at the 81st Annual Convention with eagerness and a well-planned schedule of programs designed to appeal to all members. This convention promises to be educational and fun.
Everyone should make this your kick-off to spring – Come celebrate with us!
TGCI President, Rosemarie Springer
Convention Chairman and North Central Director, Joan Stone
Convention Co-Chairmen: Judy Markham and Judy Cook