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Pacific Region letterhead

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Pacific Region Scholarship

To download the Pacific Region scholarship form  in MSWord format,
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2007-2009 Pacific Region Director

Jeanette Pruin

“Preserve Our Gardening Heritage” is the theme for the Pacific Region this term. “Cultivate Heirloom Seeds” is the Unified Project. Heirlooms have fascinating histories. They are a connection to the past but the only way to preserve these living artifacts is to grow them. Even with your state’s very diverse climates, there should be an heirloom plant suitable for every garden. It is my hope that all garden clubs will incorporate this project into their year’s program.

It was great to have representation from all 8 states for the Regional luncheon at the NGC convention in Memphis. Those of you who did not come to Memphis missed a great convention held at The Peabody, one of the South’s charming old hotels. The hotel is steeped in tradition including the “Peabody Ducks” that march each day at 11 A.M. and 5 P.M. “Elvis” even made an appearance one evening.

Since Memphis, your director has visited Nevada and Oregon with Alaska to follow in July. In Las Vegas it was a pleasure to take part in the dedication of a NGC/Principal Financial Grant native plant garden at the Nevada Garden Club headquarters. In Wilsonville I was able to congratulate the Oregon Federation on 125 new members this year. In Alaska I am looking forward to the giant vegetables of Palmer and the midnight sun. (Robin, I might even see a moose.)

Congratulations to the Washington Federation on their 75 th anniversary. They held a glittering flower show “Diamonds and Glitz” in conjunction with their Spokane convention.

The Unified Project “Cultivate Heirloom Seeds” (and plants) will come to a close in October. I truly hope many of you have given one or more of these plants a try in your garden and will report the results to your state chairman. I got a little carried away and have 9 different heirloom tomatoes in my garden. Now all I need is some sunshine.

I have spent the last few days doing “real” gardening; pruning, weeding and planting – the dirty fingernail gardening that is truly satisfying and stress reducing. It’s no wonder gardening is America’s number one hobby. Now we need to try and make garden “clubbing” number one. Membership is a region-wide problem. We need to focus on gaining and KEEPING members. Be proud of your garden club and its projects. Invite your friends and neighbors to join you. Be aware that these new members will bring new ideas, be open and accepting. We don’t have to do it “the way we’ve always done it.”

I am confident that one of the Pacific Region states can win the NGC Membership contest and have the new canna cultivar named by their state. The contest began on June 1 so let’s get out there and give many new members the “Gift of Gardening.”

Jeanette