2011 Pottstown Area Garden Club Flower Show

The Pottstown Area Garden Club 2011 Flower Show was a huge success. In spite of all the rain that continually cascaded over the plants all week, members of the club and residents of Frederick Mennonite Community still were able to harvest some beautiful blooms from their gardens.


The Pottstown Area Garden Club is celebrating its 75th year as a federated garden club. It is a member of District II/III of the Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania and the Central Atlantic Region of National Garden Clubs, Inc.

Frederick Mennonite Community welcomed the club to hold their flower show at their beautiful facility. Many of the residents participated and had the joy of viewing the exhibits for two days. There were 6 design classes, 31 horticulture classes, 3 educational exhibits, 3 artistic craft classes, 2 commercial exhibits, 3 classes for the residents, and 9 youth classes.

Judges from other clubs in the federation came to the flower show to judge all the entries and make the awards. 1st, 2nd, 3rd and honorable mention designations were placed in each class. Some of the other awards and ribbons given were Arboreal Award, Collector’s Showcase Award, Award of Horticultural Excellence, Designer’s Choice Award, Tri-Color Award and Artistic Craft Award.

Club members did a tremendous job and I am so proud of them all. As I walked around taking pictures of the various displays I overheard so many positive comments by the residents. Their hearts were blessed by the efforts of the club to sponsor such a beautiful work of art and labor of love for them to enjoy; and for the public to have this learning experience of art and the garden.

My design in the Underwater category took 3rd place. I talked my grandson into participating in the youth artistic craft category and was so excited to find out he received 1st place in his age group. He loves doing crafts with his Mom Mom (me) but was very hesitant to try his hand at this craft.

I tried to get some fantastic photos but in the middle of taking pics my digital slr had major problems.  It needs to go in for repair work.  But I did manage to get a few...

My Grandson's decorated flower pot won 1st place in his age bracket.

This beautiful orchid, belonging to JoAann Waddell,  won a special award.

Gorgeous artistic craft in the class "Stepping Out"

Laura Huffman was awarded 1st place for her creative craft "Stepping Out".

Cheryl Avery had a lovely display in the "collections" category.

Chris Leskosky place 1st for her table design in the class "Golden Anniverary", functional table. I took lots more pictures but the camera wouldn't focus and the color wasn't way off.  What a dissapointment!  But I am happy to say to all who participated....Great job friends!

Upcoming Flower Show

     It is 6:45 am and it has been raining cats & dogs for at least the last hour.  I lay in bed listening to the rain and wondering how this will affect the upcoming flower show scheduled for today and tomorrow.  The Pottstown Area Garden Club is hosting a Standard Flower Show at the Frederick Mennonite Community this weekend.  There is no cost to come and enjoy the displays.  It is free and open to the public.  The hours are today, Fri, May 20 from 3:30 to 6pm and tomorrow, Sat, May 21 from 9am to 2pm.      When I submit horticulture in a flower show I usually harvest the blooms or cuttings the very day of the show.  That way the submission will be at its peak for the competition.  However, it has been raining all week and especially very heavy this morning.  I can't help but wonder if the rain has knocked all the blooms from the flowers and trees.  Is everything so water logged that it will be difficult to find anything for display?  Maybe some of our members went out and took their cutting late yesterday while there was a brief reprieve from the storms.
     I am axious to see what everyone comes up with.  We have to be there early to place our submissions and set up our designs.  I'll let you know what happens and hope to have some photos after the show has commenced.  Stay tuned for ..... the rest of the story.
     Some blooms in my yard yesterday...

                                                                         Clematis

                                                                         Comfrey

                                                               Giant Allium

Spring is Here!

Spring is Here!


It’s been a tough winter. Lots of snow storms. And then rain that seemed to come daily. I haven’t been under the weather, just busy with work and family. Some of my family members had health issues and so I got bogged down with life and writing came last. So I have some blogging to catch up on!

Last week I had the pleasure of speaking at a meeting of the Huntingdon Valley Garden Club. It was great to be with you ladies. We talked about Biblical Gardens and we visited Trudy’s neighbor’s garden and his artist’s workshop. He does beautiful sculptures out of trees and the most unusual renderings using corks from wine bottles.

Afterwards, one of your kind ladies took me to visit the gardens at Bryn Athyn Cathedral. This was a new spot for me. I had never heard of it before. It just so happens that this Cathedral is a National Historic Landmark with the most beautiful Biblical Gardens enveloping it like a designer’s ball gown. Each section of the garden corresponds to a spiritual doctrine taught in their church.

What a delightful day we had. The sun was shining with no clouds in sight. The dogwoods were blooming and I knew without a doubt that Spring was finally here!

The Garden Wayfarer: Boyertown Holiday House Tour - Community Connection - Berks-Mont News

I enjoy going on various house tours in the area and then writing about them for all to get a glimpse of the beauty found on each tour. A few weeks ago I went on the Boyertown Holiday House Tour with some family members and we had so much fun! Since Boyertown Area Senior High School is where I graduated from, I always run into someone I know and haven't seen for ages. This was a great tour and you should consider going on it next year. I hope you enjoy this article. Merry Christmas!
(Click on the title above to read the article.)

The Garden Wayfarer: Boyertown Holiday House Tour - Community Connection - Berks-Mont News

Local author fulfills search for identity - Community Connection - Berksmont News

Suzanne Geiss has a beautiful garden. I love all of the Impatiens she has growing all around her home. She tells me most of them grew where they are, on their own from last year. She truly has a green thumb. But that's not all she is good at....she is a product designer, a children's book author, a speaker, and an encourager. To read more about her click on the article title below.

Local author fulfills search for identity - Community Connection - Berksmont News

Fall Recipe

     At a garden club luncheon last week one of the dishes served was this delicious salad with apples.  I asked my friend Doreen Duncan if I could share her wonderful recipe on my blog and she agreed.  As I ate this salad it made me think of my friend Toni Myers and her wonderful apple orchard.  She has all kinds of apple varieties available for purchase and her store supports missionaries around the world.  The name of her orchard is Faith Orchard. Friends are a blessing from God.  :)
     Thanks for sharing this recipe with us Doreen!
APPLE SPINACH SALAD

1 bunch Romaine lettuce
1 lb fresh spinach
1/2 C cashews
1/2 - 3/4 C dried cranberries (Pat, this is my addition)
2 tart Granny Smith apples - diced and unskinned

Dressing:
1/3 C granulated sugar
1/3 C vinegar - balsamic or red wine vinegar
1 C salad oil
1 t salt
1 t garlic salt

1 t celery salt
1 T poppy seeds
Toss together the Romaine lettuce, spinach, cashews. Mix well the dressing ingredients and add only enough to coat lightly. Add apples and serve immediately as once dressing is applied, leaves begin to get soggy.

The Dogwood

     Outside my window is a divine dogwood tree. It is already starting to turn its leaves into some wonderful warm red tones. The tree is filled with tiny red berries. I’ve always heard that birds love the red berries and use them as food. But I had never actually seen any birds feeding from my tree.

     Today changed all that. I don’t have a photograph, as it all happened too fast, and I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. But there are many, many birds feeding from my dogwood tree this morning! I was very surprised and happy to sit here and enjoy the view. It makes me think about God and how He feeds us. He enjoys the view, too. He relishes giving us good things and then watching us enjoy them. He especially enjoys seeing us use all that He gives us for His own honor and glory. Thank you, God, for my food and for the beautiful birds you are feeding in my garden.