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.

 Mayflower Farm and Garden wrote:
 Good afternoon,

 I am enjoying a quiet Sunday afternoon after spending three busy days
 at the WNFG Annual Meeting. Everyone had a great weekend from the
 moment they were greeted by buzzing bees at the registration table,
 thanks to a few of our brave MFG members. Our gifts bags were a real
 HIT! On Wednesday night, Susan served a delicious fried chicken
 dinner accompanied by a variety of delicious vegetables. The dinner
 ended with a dessert of frozen honey and lavender custard, circled with
 fresh strawberries laced with rose water, and little bees topped the
 custard. Bright and early Thursday morning, we met at the Natick
 Crown Plaza and made our way into Boston for the famous Duck Tour and
 lunch at the Harvard Faculty Club with a speaker who educated us about
 the very talented gardener, Norah Lindsay. The heavens were with us,
 we managed to get through the day without a drop of rain despite the
 forecast.

 Friday, we got down to business, heard reports from other divisions
 and branches, brainstormed ideas on increasing membership, and
 marveled at the wonderful branch projects. The rich history of WNFG is
 one to be admired along with the dedication of its members. We hope
 to be able to share this with the women of Mayflower FG. We were

 very fortunate to sell some of our bags as well as raffle tickets to a
 two night stay at Hotel Sofitel of Philadelphia. As the day went on
 the rain to came and went. We hoped for another blessing from the
 heavens, which was answered, the sun shined and the temperatures
 warmed as the large bus, which brought the majority of members to the
 annual meeting, once again carried them down the windy, back streets
 of Sherborn to Faith’s home for a traditional New England clambake.
 We strolled the magnificent gardens listening to a jazzy, blues
 singer, sipped white wine and shared conversation with our new friends.
 It was truly an unforgettable evening.

 Bright and early on Saturday, we continued our business meeting with
 our WNFG President, Faith Tiberio presiding. After lunch we headed
 over to the amazing Garden in the Woods. Our member, Sylvia Anderson,
 aided the guides with her great breadth of knowledge on native plants.
 It was wonderful to walk among the natural beauty of nature. What we
 assumed was native to New England, we soon learned that our friends
 from Ohio and Michigan had similar plants as well. It was fun to
 share our gardening stories with each other.

 Saturday evening the ladies dressed in their finest and we shared in
 the frenzy of a silent auction, a presentation of awards and the
 drawing of the raffle. Barbara Hochstettler was delighted to have
 her name picked. Hugs all around, we said our good byes and promises
 to meet next year in Buffalo.

 We hope many more of you can join us next year.
 
 Keep a lookout for more news this summer.

 Fondly,
The Lisas