The 87th Annual convention for The Ohio Association of Garden Clubs, Inc. was held at the Columbus Marriott Northwest, Dublin, Ohio with club members from Ohio gathering.
The theme was “Keep America Beautiful..Start with your Home”. The event showcased an artistic flower show as well as a horticulture show. The artistic classes were theme’s from “American the Beautiful” such as from Sea to Shining Sea – a design showing water. “For Purple Mountain Majesty” a creative vertical design. In the junior artistic designs, the classes were “Confirm Thy Soul in Self-Control” – a design featuring one bloom, “May God Thy Gold Refine – a design featuring the color of yellow and “America” a design featuring colors of red, white, and blue.
In the horticulture area, classes of perennials grown at this time of year, such as Roses, Hemerocallis, hosta, Caladium, coneflower, daisies, Echinacea, Gaillardia and more. Annuals such as coleus, glads, and sunflowers. Special classes were Fairy Gardens, Succulents, Sedums and Cactus.
Programs for the conventions were ‘Nature did it first’ by Tom Shisler from Wahkeena Nature Preserve near Lancaster. Artistic Designs from ladies of the Bowling Green area. Pam Bennett, State Master Gardeners and Volunteer Coordinator for the OSU Extension Office on “The Value of Plants”. “Birds of Prey” presented by Manon Van Schoyck and “Do you know your Wild Legacy – Our Relationship with Native Wildflowers” by Jim Osborn.
Three Darke County members were honored by the state organization. Barbara Skinner of Ladybug Garden Club was selected as Region 3 (Darke, Preble and Montgomery Counties) Outstanding Garden Club member of the Year. This award recognizes a particular member’s accomplishments and contributions over a five year period. This person must have been an officer in their club, have their own garden, provided programs, helped with youth, attended meetings in the region, county fair, and participated in flower shows. It is a requirement to give back to their community by planting and maintaining in the way of community beautification.
Ladybug Garden Club member Irma Heiser, was installed as Regional Director for Region 3. Regional Directors are a vital link as members on the board of The Ohio Association of Garden Clubs. Regional Directors and their regional board work to promote the activities and goals of The Association in the regions.
Audrey Allread, Butterflies Junior Garden Club was honored for having won the Best of Show in junior artistic for her “America,” red, white, and blue synergistic design, and for growing a ‘Love’ variety of Hydrangea. Audrey exhibited numerous entries and won the Junior Sweepstakes Award for having the most entries in junior horticulture.
Darke County gardeners attending along with Barbara, Irma, and Audrey were Cathy Detrick, Becky Collins, Donn and Charlene Thornhill.
