President’s Message Nov-Dec 2023

Happy Holidays and Seasons’ Greetings

Although very busy and somewhat stressful, this is my favorite
time of the year. Forget about shopping, decorating, wrapping,
partying, sending cards, baking, and all the other required or
associated “__ing’s.” This, to me, is a period to be immersed in the
spirit of kindness, peace, human connections, magic, charity, warmth,
and blessings. I love evenings with hot cocoa, a cozy fire, a soft fleece
blanket, my dog by me, the tree glowing, and watching a schmaltzy
Hallmark movie. Even with all the holiday hubbub, it seems like a
time to slow down spiritually and appreciate the simpler things in life.
On Christmas Eve, my church holds a candlelight service which really
brings these emotions to full fruition.
Let us be mindful of others throughout the world and pray that
they may be free of worry or want. No matter what your holiday
traditions are, no matter what your religion is, no matter how you
feel about the holidays – – I wish you a cheerful season filled with
your favorite things and surrounded by loving friends and family.

Patty Burnside, WNF&GA President, 2022-2024

President’s Message May-June 2023

“We might think we are nurturing our garden, but of course, it’s our garden that is really nurturing us.” Jenny Uglow

Gardening truly does nurture our souls from the first green peeping through the snow to the last flower wilting from frost.  As the Beatles sang “It’s a magical mystery tour.”  Of course, we all know the science and botany behind gardening, but the flora that Mother Nature produces is magical.  Overnight, spectacular flowers appear on stems that were bare the day before.  And, lucky us, we get to “tour” through all the beautiful trees, shrubs, plants, and flowers everywhere we travel during summer.

Not only do we enjoy the fruits of our labor in our own yards and gardens, but we can also delight in all the public gardens thanks to gardeners like members of WNF&GA and other gardening groups.  Gardens bring such joy and elevate everyone’s spirit all year long – – but especially during summer.

Thank you, fellow gardeners, for planning and maintaining all the gardens throughout our communities.  Your efforts affect and influence more people than you probably imagine.  So, keep on promoting beautification, conservation, and education in your hometowns while admiring the works that Mother Nature provides to us that require no work on our part.  They just magically appear year after year.

Patty Burnside
WNF&GA National President, 2022-2024
The full May – June newsletter may be accessed in the MEMBERS section.

President’s Message Mar-Apr 2023

President Patty Burnside’s Message

March – April 2023

Greetings Gardeners and Garden Lovers.  Spring is fully upon us with trees, shrubs, and bushes budding and with flowers (and weeds) popping up everywhere, neighbors have begun their spring yard cleanups, blowers and mowers can be heard through our open windows and screen doors.  It is time to put out lawn furniture and ornaments, check that propane tanks on grills are filled, reattach our hoses, check which plants may not have survived the winter and rejoice for the ones that are appearing, spread grub control, turn over mulch, and on and on.  And don’t we all love visiting our local nurseries?  Such colors and smells!!  What an exciting and highly anticipated season!  I hope you are enjoying nature’s annual rebirth.

Please go to the Mar-Apr WNF&GA Newsletter on the wnfga.org website to read the full Newsletter.  The password to open the Protected: Members Only section is the one which Michigan uses for member-only content, or is  available in the Fall Magazine. Ask your president if you do not remember it.