Presidents Message
JANUARY 2023
“Let’s watch the old year die with a fond goodbye.” – Bing Crosby
As 2023 draws to a close, let’s look back at the year of Naples Islands Garden Club. We’ve enjoyed lovely luncheons, delicious dine-outs and spectacular guest speakers. Our Beautification committees have planted, pruned, weeded, and left our islands even more beautiful. We have honored our veterans on Veterans Day, and remembered our recently passed loved ones on Arbor Day. We’ve donated toys, gift cards and cash to the Spark of Love Toy Drive and participated in other community events.
2023 marked an important milestone for NIGC. We celebrated our 50th anniversary, honoring those who came before us, who we are today, and our bright future ahead! The most recent event to observe this very special anniversary was to build and enter a float in the Naples Island Boat Parade; a big, beautiful float that lit up the canal and won First Prize for Creativity! A huge thank-you to the many members, spouses and friends who worked countless hours on design, construction, nautical needs, and clean-up for this enormous undertaking. What a fine way to celebrate the holidays AND 50 years of Naples Islands Garden Club! Also, it was the perfect opportunity to let our community know who we are and all the good work we do -- 50 years of beautifying Naples Islands.
What a glorious anniversary year it has been, and as we step into 2024? Well…
“The best is yet to come.” – Frank Sinatra
May you and your loved ones have a happy, healthy, hopeful new year.
Warmest wishes,
Deborah
NIGC History
The fertile soil and gentle climate of the South were perhaps the reason the first garden club in America was founded there. The Ladies Garden Club of America was formed in 1891 in Athens, GA. Garden clubs quickly expanded throughout the South and then across our nation. The National Garden Club, of which we are members, was established in 1929. These clubs were not just concerned with teas and genteel Flower Shows or improvement of members’ private gardens. Many clubs were the earliest advocates of civic beautification, planting of street trees, maintenance of parks, and campaigns against blight especially billboards. Restoration and maintenance of nearby historic gardens was also a priority of many clubs.
14 Years as a "Blue Ribbon" Club
One that participates in and fulfills the objectives of the CIGCI and National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC), and demonstrates a well rounded program with many diverse activities and projects - all for the good of the community.
NIGC Membership
128 Members
Meetings 2nd Monday of the Month
12:30 p.m. - 1:00 p.m. - Social
1:00 p.m. - 2:00 p.m. - Program
2:00 p.m. - 3:00 pm. - Business Meeting
NIGC P.O. Box 14688 Long Beach, CA 90803-4688
For membership information email info@naplesislandsgardenclub.com
Meetings are limited to members and their invited guests
Officers 2022-2023
President -Deborah Smith
1st Vice President - Linda Frame
2nd Vice-President - Maureen Schultz
Treasurer - Beverly Butters Lane
Corresponding Secretary - Lynne Clarke
Recording Secretary - Lynn Danielson
Past President - Pam McCredie