WNFGA News

“AN INSIDE LOOK AT WNF&GA:  IT’S HISTORY AND LEGACY”
 
Founder’s Day was celebrated by neighboring branches Juliet, Troy and Warren having combined their meetings to share in the significance of the day.
 
Opening remarks to the 76 in attendance were made by Michigan Division President, Carroll Thomson and a defining letter was sent by National President, Faith Tiberio:
 
“Our founders certainly knew the importance of a system of independent Branches which are connected with each other and become one under a unifying umbrella known to us as “National.”
 
“National” provides legal protection, guidance and goals. Branches by themselves do wonderful, important work within a limited circumference of service.  Together, the Branches multiply and extend service and influence.
 
Consider National’s “Bee Project”.  Each Branch succeeded in doing what it could to ease this terrible nation-wide agricultural crisis; together all the Branches, all the members communicating, exchanging ideas and plans of action under the leadership of National truly made a difference.
 
I congratulate you.  I thank you and cheer you on.  Your founders knew that your combined Branches truly made a “Tree of Life.”

   Celebrating In Style!

Foreground L-R: Bamberlee Barnes, MaryJo McInerney, Kim Vance, Elly Wilson Background L-R: Mary Hemmer, Marilyn Karpicke, RaeAnn Krauss

  The Saginaw Branch of the WNF&GA had a tea on the 31st of August this year celebrating the 80th Anniversary of this Branch! The tea was held at the historical Castle Museum here in Saginaw. The Castle Museum was at one time Saginaw’s stately post office in downtown Saginaw. It is a beautiful building with its majestic turrets and marbled halls designed after a French Chateau. The castle was completed in 1898 and was saved twice through the years from demolition. Just visiting the castle is a pleasure in itself. Walking through the castle is so much of Saginaw’s past. You can almost imagine yourself standing there in the past at those places all but forgotten by the people of the here and now. It was such a fitting place to hold our anniversary tea.

     We were pleased to have two guests from outside our branch attend our tea, Carroll Thomson (the Michigan Division WNF&GA president) and Claudia Scioly, who gave us a very remarkable and interesting recount of her Frysinger Exchange to Iceland at a lunch we held last year. It was so nice to have guests from the Division!! I think the tea topped everyone’s expectations of an old-fashioned tea. Each table was decorated by a different member of our Branch. Some were very fancy while others reflected a simpler tea you might have at home with your best friend. Each table had its own individual centerpieces, table settings, and teapots, provided by the table hostess. Finger foods were provided by members and their own recipes for the most part. They were amazingly good! Everyone had their best dresses on, some of us with hats and gloves. What a site to see! I think the ladies who founded our Branch would have been so proud of us! 

Bee-cause we want to share some information that was provided at our April meeting about wild bees, we have put the outline of the program on our website. It is titled “Wild Bee Pollination” and was given by Julianna Tuell, PhD., Research Associate, Pollination Ecology, Michigan State University.

You can access it at the WNF&GA site, Michigan Division, Troy Garden Club Branch and selecting the Wild Bee Program page. OR you can simply click this link: Wild Bee Program for the pictures and this one: Wild Bee Program Presentation for the presentation in PDF format.

The 55th Annual International Tea – A Fund Raiser in support of the Michigan 4-H IFYE Program Michigan Division of Woman’s National Farm & Garden Association held the 55th annual International Tea on September 17, 2008.  The Tea was hosted by the Flint Branch and held at the Flint Institute of Music.

One hundred and forty two members and guests attended.  The purpose of the tea was to raise money for the 4-H International Youth Exchange Program.  Michigan Division has been a long term supporter of the Michigan 4-H Foundation and 4-H activities in the state of Michigan.

The Flint Institute of Music proved to be the perfect setting for the Tea. The tables were set in the atrium of the building, with views of interior gardens.  Food was provided by the members of the Flint Branch and the Michigan Division Board members.  There was a wonderful selection of sweets and savories.  Each table was set with lovely matching china.  Members of the Flint Branch served tea to each table as well as keeping cookie and sandwich trays filled.  There was an abundance of food, all beautifully served.

Division President, Louise Shoksnyder, greeted those in attendance and introduced the guests and
acknowledged those who were responsible for the day.  Cheryl Howell, Executive Director of the 4-H Foundation of Michigan was present and well as Renee Applegate, 4-H Youth Educator and State 4-H International Exchange Coordinator.  Renee spoke of the current students abroad.  Louise introduced Janice Pike, Flint Branch President, and thanked the Branch for their efforts.  She also acknowledged Kay Engelhart, International Concerns and International Tea Chairman for Michigan Division.  Kay worked with the Flint Branch to pull the Tea together.

Claudia Scioly, Michigan 4-H Foundation Board of Trustee, was also introduced.  Claudia is also the Rural/Urban Chairman for the Michigan Division Board.  Mr. Paul Torre, President of the Flint Institute of Michigan, greeted us and told us a bit about the Institute.

After the Tea was through, we walked a short distance to the Apple Wood Estate, home of the Mott family of Flint.  The house is surrounded by outstanding gardens, and even in early fall, they were beautiful.  September 17 proved to be a glorious fall day and members were glad to stroll through the gardens.  We were provided with very knowledgeable guides, who took groups through the gardens and provided information about the various areas of the estate grounds.  From a rose garden to an apple orchard, the Estate had beautifully manicured beds and specimen trees that make it truly a memorable garden.  Large golf type carts were provided for those who were unable to walk the distance around the estate.  It was a wonderful tour.

The main reason for this affair was to provide funds for the IFYE Program.  We feel the 55th International Tea was very successful and that a healthy check will be provided to the 4-H Foundation.

Louise Mattick Shoksnyder