New Honorary Members and were Cory Forrester Jeff King welcomed at the September 9th general meeting and presented with well-deserved awards from our Club. Both men provided enthusiasm and the highest level of cooperation, not only on the intricate La Bella Fontana Restoration Project, but also on our other beautification projects. Cory told members, "PRM {Parks, Recreation & Marine} has groups who come to us with good ideas and projects and after a while they fade away. The Garden Club {NIGC} stays involved year after year".
Beautification Chairs received bouquets and thanks for their year round leadership especially during the challenging summer months. As members work in their red aprons throughout Naples they demonstrate the dedication of our Cub to Island public landscapes. The leadership of the project chairs is what keeps the projects going. THANK YOU!
Our speaker, President and Head of Conservation Mary Parsell with the El Dorado Audubon Society, spoke on "Birds in the Garden". Mary informed us that the Nature Center and the El Dorado Audubon Society were started in the same year, 1969. The symbol of the Audubon Society is the Egret. Mary talked about Herons in our area. She informed us that Herons like to eat gophers as well as fish. Mary identified other birds in our area including finches, doves, blackbirds along with yellow headed blackbirds, geese, ducks, sparrows, parrots, hummingbirds, orioles, kingfishers as well as mockingbirds. "Never Stop Listening to the Sounds of the Birds." We are lucky to still have our wetlands, Mary said
Trish Schooley, NIGC Publications Chair {center} was congratulated by Sandy Davidson and Marianne Huntley for her award-winning 2018-2019 NIGC Roster. Trish has a long string of California Garden Clubs, Inc. ribbons for her rosters which are full of lovely photos and calendars, bylaws, etc. It is the "Bible" of the club. We regret any omissions or incorrect information in this year's edition. Please note corrections when they appear in the monthly Island Poppy .
The shade of the pine tree that Laurie Scanlin planted 40 years ago provided the perfect venue for our New Member Orientation. We came together to welcome our newest members and to clarify the workings of our Club. Each Board member and committee chair had the opportunity to introduce herself and to explain her NIGC position. New members were encouraged to join a committee which is the perfect way to make new friends and to get involved.
Much praise is given to the restoration of this mid-century building! Landscape designer, Karen Holt, explained the theme as a paradise of coral reef by day and night. The colors and shapes were planned to reflect the nearby sea. Jacaranda trees, Sea Statice, Tuscan Blue Rosemary and blue pots are a stunning contrast to multiple green shades of succulents, Snow Bushes, Red Riding Hood Tea plants, Photinia Marble Queen and burgundy Festival Grass. Several types of camellias including Japonica and Bella Rosa will blossom for more color. In front, square stepping stones in different sizes, interspersed with textured turf, add sidewalk appeal and a practical walkway from the street. Dymondia s
