WNFGA News

            Be sure to add to the message on your website, that not only did the Troy Branch in Michigan win a $500 cash prize for the “Plight of the Bee” program to help bees, but so too, did the Pennsylvania Keystone Ambler Branch. The judges were so impressed by the two top entries that a second award of $500 was made. How wonderful that there was a tie. An award also went to Audrey Ehrler’s New York Division.

                Many awards went into our history. Jean DeDecker and Marla Diamond honored members throughout our meeting.

                Barbara Hochstettler’s great knowledge of our organization kept our deliberations moving forward, her gracious tact and clear explanations always on point. Betty Monahan of course, kept us on the straight and narrow and offered many good ideas when not acting as Parliamentarian.

                The entire meeting went smoothly under the watchful eye of Mary Bertolini who managed to be everywhere at once, even greeting members as they went to the registration desk, manned by Aileen LaBret with her skilful performance of duty and with the aid of the host Mayflower Branch. The members greeted everyone in black and yellow bee costumes, and with useful bags that could be used as at home tote bags with tasteful green decorations. These were filled with “Welcome to the Meeting” gifts.

            Congratulations to Carol Leonard and Mary Merten on the “Silent Auction” … great success!!

                Susan Hunt got all of us on historical [and sometimes hysterically funny] “Duck” tours of Boston and then to the Harvard Club in the midst of the Harvard University campus. There, after a splendid luncheon, we heard Allyson Hayward present excerpts from her book on landscapes designer Norah Lindsay.

            At night, a nice tented clambake, garden tour and music at the home of Faith and Joseph Tiberio. Next! Our meeting will be at Niagara Falls.

WNF&GA president Faith Tiberio recognizes the “Plight of the Bumblebee” which threatens our fruit and vegetable crops.  With this in mind, she sponsored a contest in the fall, 2008 issue of Farm & Garden magazine in which a $500.00 prize would be given to the branch who has done the most to publicize and promote help for the bees locally.
 
The Troy Garden Club in Michigan is proud to be the winner of this award.

The picture shows some members gratefully toasting President Faith with a glass of Mead (honey) wine upon learning of this award.  You can check the Troy, Mi website Wild Bee Program page to learn more about the efforts to promote bee education.

The prize money will be used to purchase items for the Troy Outdoor Education Center where instructional beehives have already been set up and will further promote this cause.

In addition, two of our members, Susan Vette and Mary Hrynik won $50.00 prizes for their recipes using honey.