WNFGA News

NEWS FROM NATIONAL!
News, thoughts, comments and reminders from WNF&GA

It was “over the river and thru the woods” of Pennsylvania to “grandmother’s house” – our special WNF&G home in Ambler. And once there, where we all began, what a fine time. Philip Albright, Chairman of Visitors, put out the red carpet for us, along with Dean Jim Hilty, for a warm reception at Bright Hall on the Ambler campus. A tour and pre-dedication followed at our very own “greenhouse”.

The greenhouse is really the “headhouse” of the former ancient greenhouse which had become an unsafe hazard; luckily, the headhouse is the original, historic space which is both roomy, sound and safe and will serve our purpose well, where we can have our WNF&G history, books and treasurers displayed in a useful Visitor’s Center.

 Hazel Herring and her committee have worked like honeybees – buzzing here and there to accomplish comb-solid funds for our first payment on our pledge. Many great new ideas were put forth to raise funds for our final 2009 payment. We are so grateful to Hazel, “our Queen Bee” on this project as well as all of you worker-bees.

We are grateful too, to the Keystone Branch – those good looking, flower and herb loving young women who did so many things for us. Think of making all those welcome baskets, table arrangements, tour and speakers. It’s a shame that all of you reading this couldn’t have been there to experience the pure joy, excitement and exhilaration, which filled the air everywhere.

Then there was the one and only Jenny Rose Carey, whose tours, arboretum (at Ambler), home at Northfields dinner and garden constituted an evening straight from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.

Longwood and Morris Arboretum left us all entranced, as did Michael Tooley. He charmed us with his very personal account of Gertrude Jekyll and our own Mrs. E. Francis King. Tumultuous applause rang thru our meeting hall and members hope to have a return visit from him.

Our business meeting included good reports from officers, Division Presidents and chairmen, all carefully timed at two minutes by a vigilant Aileen LaBret. We did, importantly, vote to make our website up to the minute with Susan Hunt’s supervision and we voted a $2 dues increase, the first in a long time. Our bills were exceeding our income.

No report could be complete without praising those involved with the ‘almost magic’ bus transportation. It meant so much to the meeting’s success and we understand that Sue Vette kept everyone content with fun games. Her hard work is appreciated by all of us. We were sorry to hear of Julie Siefker’s tornado devastation, which prevented her from being with us.

Mary Bertolini performed magic too – those hard work miracles saved the day several times and are ongoing. Her patient husband provided smiling, good-hearted support. You are all aware of the brilliance and beauty of our magazine as Kathy Beveridge continues to improve content and presentation. Kathy has infused the magazine with her quiet skill and intent. We must help her in every way we can and carry on the good work of our Founders in 1914.

We finished the business of the Ambler meeting with a fine address by our out-going President, Marla Diamond. She has done so much for this beloved organization of ours, with little fan-fare and big success.

After Marla’s remarks, Barbara Hochstettler installed the new officers by cleverly pairing each office with an herb. The audience smiled at seeing Margaret Latham as E&C Treasurer, receiving a potted “mint”.

Faith Tiberio spoke of her ‘faith’ in WNF&G, and her ‘hopes’ of our ‘charity’ to the project of our Ambler home base “greenhouse”, i.e. “Headhouse”.

Plans are underway for the 2009 meeting in New England, and all those needing to communicate by e-mail, can reach me at our office under the number of my nephew, Ed Huppi at e.huppi@century-tywood.com or my new secretary, Andrea Crossman at FKTO@century-tywood.com
Yours In WNF&G -
Faith
June 2008

Note: If you are in need of the current listing of National Officers, Coordinators and Chairmen for your directory please contact Kay at kengelhart@hotmail.com – reference WNFGA Directory in the subject line please.

Our meeting in Pennsylvania was a huge success! Everyone enjoyed the 3 days of touring, meeting and networking. After a few glitches were fixed, our time in Plymouth Meeting was perfect. The Keystone Branch, hostesses for this event, treated all attendees to a lovely basket of treats chosen specifically for this event. It included such items as a plant “Monkey”, antique handkerchief, Tasty Cakes, seeds and an aloe plant. Each basket was unique, making choices hard on the recipients. Lucky for us, Jorie Nailor, President of Keystone, was there to help guide us. Rebecca Bakker and Elaine arranged the baskets for us. What perfection! Thursday found us touring Ambler College to visit the Head House and gardens. We saw firsthand the possibilities for our new WNF&GA Exhibition Center. We will still call our project the Ambler Greenhouse, and fundraising suggestions were rampant at a brainstorming meeting that evening. As Hazel Herring said so succinctly: We WILL raise the money. Let’s get busy, as we have only 11 more months to raise this year’s goal of $49,000.00. Following the visit to Ambler, we moved on to the Highlands. After a very satisfying lunch, everyone marveled at the historic home and beautiful gardens. A peek at the Pink Room was on every one’s list of things to do outside. It was warm in the sun, so we gathered back into the bus or vehicles and were off to Wyk. This historic home, just inside the Philly limits, is an oasis of green. The home is filled with lovely furniture, decorative accents and boasts a beautiful rose garden. The heady perfume of antique roses greeted everyone as they stepped into the warm summer air. A special spiced tea and scrumptious cookies refreshed our souls and spirits. It was time to return to the hotel for a quick swim, nap or relaxation before our floral seminar.

The participants selected one of three container styles filled with pre-soaked oasis. The Keystone Branch provided flower stems and greenery which were arranged by members under the guidance of our Floral Designers Branch. The masterpieces were grouped together at tables as centerpieces that evening at dinner. Later, the arrangements were taken to Northview to accent the nooks and crannies of the garden on Friday evening. Our guest speaker, Michael Tooley, gave us an unusual look at the life of Gertrude Jekyll. His slides and wit were informative and entertaining.

Friday morning saw an early start to our National Meeting. Much business was covered by the Council, Officers’ reports, Chairman’s reports and new business. Later that day our hostess, Jenny Rose Carey, welcomed everyone to a perfect evening at her home, Northview. The dinner prepared and served by members of the Keystone Branch was a gourmet delight. Our attendees owe a huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this dinner a memorable event. As the evening grew long, those who wished to participate in the Challenge Class for arrangers migrated to the Carriage House. An array of flowers, greenery and fruits and vegetables were available to make an arrangers choice of design. The empty baskets placed on tables were ready for use as containers. Six arrangements were completed, all beautiful and unique. These were transported to the hotel to be used as centerpieces for our gala installation dinner on Saturday. Members returned to the DoubleTree hotel fully sated and ready for rest.

Saturday morning found us under a heat advisory with temps expected to be in the dangerous range for heat index that afternoon. Everyone left for their choice of Longwood Gardens or Morris Arboretum armed with plenty of advice to keep cool, drink water and watch over each other. The heat didn’t dampen any one’s spirits and enhanced the gardens. Lunch was included for all, as was a stop in the gift shop. The buses returned to the hotel by 2:00 PM, giving all time to rest, nap, swim, shop at Plymouth Meeting Mall, or relax and visit in the lobby. A farewell reception for outgoing National President, Marla Diamond was held in the hospitality room. This was followed by our usual silent auction and cocktail reception. Members enjoyed fast and furious bidding wars on a few items. As dinner progressed, so did the bidding. Just prior to dessert, the auction was closed and high bidders were proclaimed aa victors on their purchase. Recognition awards by Past President Hazel Herring were followed by Marla Diamond’s Farewell address. The installation ceremony conducted by Past President Barbara Hochstettler was quite moving. Our new National President, Faith Tiberio, gave a resounding address that charged everyone to reach new goals and heights. A congratulatory reception for our new President marked the end of a wonderful three day event.

Early Sunday morning, members from Michigan and Ohio boarded the bus to return home. Other members from the New England area, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas said their farewells until next year.

Plan on joining us for a wonderful event next June. Watch this website, or the National Magazine for details.