Letter from the National President, Mrs. Joseph W. Tiberio

History doesn’t pass the dishes again.

Do you realize that we the members of the Woman’s Farm and Garden Association are an historically important group? That by belonging, that by being members we have inherited a unique and special identification with equal privileges and responsibilities. Both of these are historically significant and continuing.

Here is my latest report to you.

You would be pleased with the progress of our “home base” (so to speak) and that the home base is the original head house of the Ambler greenhouse. How very sophisticated our 1914 green push seems now, with its fairly rustic beginnings.

Other organizations have grand buildings proclaiming many fine gifts and service to our country and community. But ours, in this day of increasing environmental awareness and agricultural crisis continues to stand for all to see simple and fundamental.

We ARE the folks who began greenness on this same campus during another time of need and crisis.

What is left of the historic greenhouse comes the challenge of restoration and use of the head house for our home base… a headquarters. Hazel Herring with the support of all, will make sure that we are claiming a place at last to put down real visible roots.

During my visit there two weeks ago, I inspected the freshly painted head house and enjoyed a huge social event, connected with our own Jenny Rose Carey’s Arboretum. Susan Yeager and Diane Berman and Kathy Beveridge of Keystone Branch joined Linda Lowe along with a host of others to honor Dean James Hilty and his pretty wife, Kathy. Woman’s Farm and Garden was prominently promoted by all of them in this first time-ever use of the space around the head house.

On the subject of bees, The Massachusetts Department of Agriculture has issued a warning to all beekeepers to move hives away from Maple trees which have been infected with imidaclorprid to eradicate the Asian long-horned beetle. Presumably beekeepers in other states are aware of this.

Please keep sending in clippings, notes, newsletters. I do hope you are working toward the prizes being offered and helping the bees and beekeepers in your communities. Kay Engelhart sent in a story from Saginaw News about Haagen-Dazs’s Honey Bee event for children. Samples of vanilla honey–bee ice cream and packets of bee friendly flower seeds were given out. Jean De Decker sent a long article from the Detroit News stating that 2.4 million colonies have been lost in the last two years. All of this will raise food prices, and if not stopped, who dares to think of the future?

None of us are wealthy until we realize that we have something money can’t buy. That goes for our history … past, present and future.

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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

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Dear Members,

You are to be congratulated, and many, many bows to our beloved Hazel Herring. A telephone call from Ambler has confirmed that they have received from Margaret Latham, the payment due on the Ambler Greenhouse Project for this year.

From Linda Lowe and Dean James Hilty, calls and letters thanking us for updating us on the progress on the project. It has just been given repaired sidewalks, a new electrical system and other necessary repairs. As Dean Hilty said in his letter. “Things are moving ahead”. That is a little pun on the “Head-House”, I suspect.

In the meantime, thank you for your many enthusiastic and helpful letters. I love hearing from you and of course, your ideas are being sought. The New York Farm and Garden newsletter, with articles by

Betty Monahan and Audrey Ehrler and information about our projects are grand. Davene Brown, the editor, does a wonderful, exciting job and an article about the history of aprons will bring back so many lovely memories to those of us in my age bracket. If making a new aprons, maybe “bee pockets”?

Pennsylvania Division’s newsletter was equally important and charming, with a delightful poem by Gertrude Heath about “The Bee” accompanied by a black and white bee and blossom drawing. Of note, the Fall General Meeting in October will have Kevin Parsons, on “Bees”.

Other bee news. The Whitney Laboratory in Marineland, Florida, is conducting extensive research on the bee situation: more and more crops have failed because of bee disasters. The University of Florida will be taking part.

I will be attending the Ambler Board this coming week and will check our project first hand; I have just returned from Savannah, Georgia where alarm over the bee situation is widespread. An article in the Detroit News, just sent to me by Jean De Decker, specifically mentions the Best Honey Farm, Lansing, which trucks bees to South Georgia and other states, helping to pollinate our food supply.

Jean Getty reports that one beekeeper in her area simply lost bees to a bear. She also sent an article by Bob Henke in The Post Star, about Propolis. Propolis is made by honeybees from tree sap, and is used to seal up holes in the hive’s living quarter. The article ends with the statement that some people will pay more for “bee glue” than for honey. Violin makers use this honey-glue and it seems to treat Herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 and some parasitic infections; it’s no wonder that we need honeybees.

Again my thanks to all of you and to Kay Engelhart for printing our News from National.

Faith Tiberio

September 2008

Other News ~ The Website, www.wnfga.org is nearing completion of the updates approved by members in January and June of this year. This is a great way to share WNF&GA with all you know – send them to the Website for history, education and scholarship, current happenings, awards, recognition, membership and be sure to click on the blog for the latest information from the President and watch there also for updates on the coming annual meeting.

Also on the website you’ll find information, and registration forms for the two Grants awarded by WNF&GA: The Hazel Herring Civic Improvement Grant and the Marla Diamond Master Gardener Grant. These are valuable grants to apply for – share the information with your branch.

Reminder also that you can contact the Divine Chocolate company for fundraising packets – this company supports Fair Trade Companies in Ghana. As members of the international community, we also share this dedication – fair trade. Contact phone: 202-332-8913 or info@divinechocolateusa.com

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NEWS FROM NATIONAL!
News, thoughts, comments and reminders from WNF&GA
First and foremost, we must keep the historic greenhouse site at Ambler in mind and heart. Hazel Herring has been struggling mightily to keep us on schedule.

Then we come to our “Bee Project”. Everyone now is aware of the danger of losing the bees, and the bee’s important contribution which it can make to our country and to our food supply.

As I mentioned in Kay Engelhart’s valuable “News to the National” this President will personally give prizes in the following categories:

1. The branch that had done the most to publicize (and most newspapers are eager for bee stories) and promote help for the bees locally. This can be programs, working with the local bee-keepers, working with 4H clubs or other farm groups, and with schools. The prize is $500.00.

2. There is a second place prize of $300.00

3. There is a third place prize of $100.00

4. Two $50.00 prizes for the member who contributes the best recipe using honey and another for best flower arrangement (photos to be submitted) using flowers that bees visit.

5. For every member keeping bees, there will be a pin.

We should mention a few of the recent articles on bees and honey. Martha Stewart’s, Living Magazine with articles about bee’s skeps for garden, china of “whimsy and elegance”, honey cakes, flower vases and more.

Food and Wine magazine, featuring Honey-tomato bruschetta, and more; the Wall Street Journal dated July 11, 2008 with a cautionary article. Almost every day, you will find somewhere, information on our bees, and I was so pleased to receive your many letters supporting this project.

At our June meeting, the prizes will be awarded and submissions should be made by April 15, 2009, to me. They will be forwarded to a committee of three, headed by Dr. John Peterson, of Cal-Poly.

On other matters, Sylvia Anderson is preparing her Participation in Country Women of the World, representing us very ably.

Also, I do want to mention how practical and enjoyable it is to use the canvas shopping bags made by one of the branches and are available at Ambler. And of course it’s good for the environment.
Notice from the Editor and Coordinator of Promotion and Growth, Kathy Beveridge:

The magazine could use additional branch and division news, especially activity related to bees and vegetable gardening or local food production. Please send text and any images you’d like to share electronically (images in jpeg format, 300 dpi) via e-mail to Kathy Beveridge at kathleen.beveridge@comcast.net by August 27th.

Branch and division presidents, please recommend a local liaison for our national promotion and growth efforts. This will be a time limited involvement requiring only minimal time. Please send names and contact information by September 30 to kathleen.beveridge@comcast.net.

August 2008

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NEWS FROM NATIONAL!
News, thoughts, comments and reminders from WNF&GA

Not the famous “Flight of the Bumble-Bee” but our now infamous ”Plight of the Bumble-Bee,” which threatens us all beyond our worst nightmare…imagine a world without fruit…a world without vegetables… a world without flowers.

Several branches have already taken note of this and have incorporated lectures and information on the bees in their programs. The importance of bees to us cannot be stressed too much and desire to keep bees should be encouraged if it is practical. Of course, there are rules about keeping bees in some communities and these should be checked, as well as being aware that some people are highly allergic to bee stings. But these caveats attended to. It would seem that NWF&G should have bee-awareness as their active, collective goal for this current year regarding agriculture and of the Ambler Greenhouse project our fundamental organizational goal.

More information and sources on bees will be forthcoming; our bees cannot hang by their wing tips this summer. They cannot wait for our next voting assembly so your President proposes a bee pin for every member who has a hive on her property… in her backyard if it is feasible or on her farm or wherever a hive is possible. This pin will be a personal gift of the President as well as a prize of $250.00 to the branch reporting the most work on behalf of the bees; $150.00 for second place and $100.00 for third place.

In the meantime, we are hard at work preparing the New England meeting. Mary Bertolini is finalizing the hotel accommodations and Susan Hunt is working on the “events”. And all of us are exchanging ideas about top-notch speakers. That includes all of you. Send in your thoughts to us, for we want you to have a good time, make friends and see New England in the early summer and go home with new ideas and knowledge which will enrich your lives.

Enriching lives, that was the vision of our Founders, as is ours.
Now that is the real buzz.

Yours In WNF&G -
Faith
July 2008

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NEWS FROM NATIONAL!
News, thoughts, comments and reminders from WNF&GA

It was “over the river and thru the woods” of Pennsylvania to “grandmother’s house” – our special WNF&G home in Ambler. And once there, where we all began, what a fine time. Philip Albright, Chairman of Visitors, put out the red carpet for us, along with Dean Jim Hilty, for a warm reception at Bright Hall on the Ambler campus. A tour and pre-dedication followed at our very own “greenhouse”.

The greenhouse is really the “headhouse” of the former ancient greenhouse which had become an unsafe hazard; luckily, the headhouse is the original, historic space which is both roomy, sound and safe and will serve our purpose well, where we can have our WNF&G history, books and treasurers displayed in a useful Visitor’s Center.

 Hazel Herring and her committee have worked like honeybees – buzzing here and there to accomplish comb-solid funds for our first payment on our pledge. Many great new ideas were put forth to raise funds for our final 2009 payment. We are so grateful to Hazel, “our Queen Bee” on this project as well as all of you worker-bees.

We are grateful too, to the Keystone Branch – those good looking, flower and herb loving young women who did so many things for us. Think of making all those welcome baskets, table arrangements, tour and speakers. It’s a shame that all of you reading this couldn’t have been there to experience the pure joy, excitement and exhilaration, which filled the air everywhere.

Then there was the one and only Jenny Rose Carey, whose tours, arboretum (at Ambler), home at Northfields dinner and garden constituted an evening straight from “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”.

Longwood and Morris Arboretum left us all entranced, as did Michael Tooley. He charmed us with his very personal account of Gertrude Jekyll and our own Mrs. E. Francis King. Tumultuous applause rang thru our meeting hall and members hope to have a return visit from him.

Our business meeting included good reports from officers, Division Presidents and chairmen, all carefully timed at two minutes by a vigilant Aileen LaBret. We did, importantly, vote to make our website up to the minute with Susan Hunt’s supervision and we voted a $2 dues increase, the first in a long time. Our bills were exceeding our income.

No report could be complete without praising those involved with the ‘almost magic’ bus transportation. It meant so much to the meeting’s success and we understand that Sue Vette kept everyone content with fun games. Her hard work is appreciated by all of us. We were sorry to hear of Julie Siefker’s tornado devastation, which prevented her from being with us.

Mary Bertolini performed magic too – those hard work miracles saved the day several times and are ongoing. Her patient husband provided smiling, good-hearted support. You are all aware of the brilliance and beauty of our magazine as Kathy Beveridge continues to improve content and presentation. Kathy has infused the magazine with her quiet skill and intent. We must help her in every way we can and carry on the good work of our Founders in 1914.

We finished the business of the Ambler meeting with a fine address by our out-going President, Marla Diamond. She has done so much for this beloved organization of ours, with little fan-fare and big success.

After Marla’s remarks, Barbara Hochstettler installed the new officers by cleverly pairing each office with an herb. The audience smiled at seeing Margaret Latham as E&C Treasurer, receiving a potted “mint”.

Faith Tiberio spoke of her ‘faith’ in WNF&G, and her ‘hopes’ of our ‘charity’ to the project of our Ambler home base “greenhouse”, i.e. “Headhouse”.

Plans are underway for the 2009 meeting in New England, and all those needing to communicate by e-mail, can reach me at our office under the number of my nephew, Ed Huppi at e.huppi@century-tywood.com or my new secretary, Andrea Crossman at FKTO@century-tywood.com
Yours In WNF&G -
Faith
June 2008

Note: If you are in need of the current listing of National Officers, Coordinators and Chairmen for your directory please contact Kay at kengelhart@hotmail.com - reference WNFGA Directory in the subject line please.

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Our meeting in Pennsylvania was a huge success! Everyone enjoyed the 3 days of touring, meeting and networking. After a few glitches were fixed, our time in Plymouth Meeting was perfect. The Keystone Branch, hostesses for this event, treated all attendees to a lovely basket of treats chosen specifically for this event. It included such items as a plant “Monkey”, antique handkerchief, Tasty Cakes, seeds and an aloe plant. Each basket was unique, making choices hard on the recipients. Lucky for us, Jorie Nailor, President of Keystone, was there to help guide us. Rebecca Bakker and Elaine arranged the baskets for us. What perfection! Thursday found us touring Ambler College to visit the Head House and gardens. We saw firsthand the possibilities for our new WNF&GA Exhibition Center. We will still call our project the Ambler Greenhouse, and fundraising suggestions were rampant at a brainstorming meeting that evening. As Hazel Herring said so succinctly: We WILL raise the money. Let’s get busy, as we have only 11 more months to raise this year’s goal of $49,000.00. Following the visit to Ambler, we moved on to the Highlands. After a very satisfying lunch, everyone marveled at the historic home and beautiful gardens. A peek at the Pink Room was on every one’s list of things to do outside. It was warm in the sun, so we gathered back into the bus or vehicles and were off to Wyk. This historic home, just inside the Philly limits, is an oasis of green. The home is filled with lovely furniture, decorative accents and boasts a beautiful rose garden. The heady perfume of antique roses greeted everyone as they stepped into the warm summer air. A special spiced tea and scrumptious cookies refreshed our souls and spirits. It was time to return to the hotel for a quick swim, nap or relaxation before our floral seminar.

The participants selected one of three container styles filled with pre-soaked oasis. The Keystone Branch provided flower stems and greenery which were arranged by members under the guidance of our Floral Designers Branch. The masterpieces were grouped together at tables as centerpieces that evening at dinner. Later, the arrangements were taken to Northview to accent the nooks and crannies of the garden on Friday evening. Our guest speaker, Michael Tooley, gave us an unusual look at the life of Gertrude Jekyll. His slides and wit were informative and entertaining.

Friday morning saw an early start to our National Meeting. Much business was covered by the Council, Officers’ reports, Chairman’s reports and new business. Later that day our hostess, Jenny Rose Carey, welcomed everyone to a perfect evening at her home, Northview. The dinner prepared and served by members of the Keystone Branch was a gourmet delight. Our attendees owe a huge thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this dinner a memorable event. As the evening grew long, those who wished to participate in the Challenge Class for arrangers migrated to the Carriage House. An array of flowers, greenery and fruits and vegetables were available to make an arrangers choice of design. The empty baskets placed on tables were ready for use as containers. Six arrangements were completed, all beautiful and unique. These were transported to the hotel to be used as centerpieces for our gala installation dinner on Saturday. Members returned to the DoubleTree hotel fully sated and ready for rest.

Saturday morning found us under a heat advisory with temps expected to be in the dangerous range for heat index that afternoon. Everyone left for their choice of Longwood Gardens or Morris Arboretum armed with plenty of advice to keep cool, drink water and watch over each other. The heat didn’t dampen any one’s spirits and enhanced the gardens. Lunch was included for all, as was a stop in the gift shop. The buses returned to the hotel by 2:00 PM, giving all time to rest, nap, swim, shop at Plymouth Meeting Mall, or relax and visit in the lobby. A farewell reception for outgoing National President, Marla Diamond was held in the hospitality room. This was followed by our usual silent auction and cocktail reception. Members enjoyed fast and furious bidding wars on a few items. As dinner progressed, so did the bidding. Just prior to dessert, the auction was closed and high bidders were proclaimed aa victors on their purchase. Recognition awards by Past President Hazel Herring were followed by Marla Diamond’s Farewell address. The installation ceremony conducted by Past President Barbara Hochstettler was quite moving. Our new National President, Faith Tiberio, gave a resounding address that charged everyone to reach new goals and heights. A congratulatory reception for our new President marked the end of a wonderful three day event.

Early Sunday morning, members from Michigan and Ohio boarded the bus to return home. Other members from the New England area, New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Texas said their farewells until next year.

Plan on joining us for a wonderful event next June. Watch this website, or the National Magazine for details.

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The national meeting is so close! We are planning a wonderful 3 days of information, networking, touring, and sharing.

Those new to the national meetings will find many exciting events along with an astounding array of ideas. Long time members have much to share in both history and traditions. Members who have attended a few meetings in the past will find friends to greet them and will want to catch up with personal details of family and Branch progress. Everyone brings new ideas, a new way of looking at Farm & Garden.

Our Hostess Branch, Keystone, has worked to bring this year’s event to the next level in technology and touring. With only one day of meetings, we have a whole year’s work to review. There is planning for our future, not only next year, but 10, 20, even 30 years from now. We must remember our past to chart our course for the years ahead. Everyone who attends a National meeting makes a difference in their local Branch.

I can hardly wait to meet this year’s ambassadors of National Information. You are the most important link between National and local. Pack your bags, members, we have lots of work ahead!

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NEWS FROM NATIONAL!
News, thoughts, comments and reminders from WNF&GA

As I think of the past two years serving as your National President, my thanks go to all who have had a part in helping Farm & Garden grow. Ideas and suggestions have been bought forth and it’s been an exciting time developing many of them into working programs, such as:

· Originating the “News From National” – electronic monthly news that keeps members updated and informed of the important issues of WNF&GA.
· Implementation of Branch Education by National Board Members – programs highlighting how Branches and National work together.
· Expanding the Hazel Herring Committee - to include one representative from each Division.
· Updates of the WNF&GA website – a work in progress, and looking great!
· Highlighting our International, Promotion and Growth and Gardening Focuses at the national meetings - International guests and speakers in Toledo, Promotion and Horticulture speakers in Akron and Gardens galore in Ambler.
· Successfully maintaining the National roster - to eliminate excess costs.

As in the past, we are always open for your thoughts, suggestions and ideas to further our aims and purposes, which promote our focuses. Since the elimination of the Fall Council meeting, by vote of the membership in 2006, I wonder how you feel not having the educational workshops and seminars that were the focus of fall meetings. Personally, I feel the need to reconsider the importance of these working meetings in order to educate our leaders and members and further our growth. I’d like to hear your thoughts on this.

We’ve welcomed many new Branch Members and Members At large this year and look forward to presenting a new Branch Charter at this annual meeting. I encourage you to continue to share and grow.

I was happy to be part of this inspiring work and look for great things in the future of WNF&GA. See you at Ambler soon!

Happy Gardening, Marla
May 2008
INTERNATIONAL: RESOLUTION IMPLEMENTATION-
I am looking for responses from branches and divisions about activities that have been done to implement the Environmental Resolution that was sponsored by WNF&GA and passed at the ACWW Triennial Conference in Finland last June. The text of the resolution is on page 18 of the Fall 2007 magazine. May I challenge you to read the Resolution and then let me know what you have done that would address one of the concerns. Have you had a speaker on solar energy, recycling, cleaning products in your home? Have you sponsored an educational project in the community? Please e-mail me your stories so I may incorporate them into a presentation I will be giving at the CWC (Country Women’s Council) meeting this September. Thank you for your help. Sylvia Anderson (Sylvia1@gsinet.net)

WHERE DO OUR PENNIES GO?
This question regularly arises when we “pass the hat” for Pennies For Friendship. The latest issue of The Countrywomen (from ACWW) shows many of the ways our generosity, coupled with that of many other societies worldwide does make a difference. Just a few examples are:

Pakistan: Embroidery workers are benefiting from a micro credit scheme being run by the Public Welfare Foundation • Lesotho, South Africa: Aids prevention and motherhood workshops and is proud to have trained 500 women and men in leadership and communication skills • Cameroon: Thirty women received training in a combined pig and poultry farming project providing income to allow them to send their children to school • India: Arsenic free water source for 30,000 plus villagers are being taught hygiene and the value of a pure water supply • Guyana: selling crafts and produce they grew in order to give themselves new learning skills to help fund the computer and literacy training project • Romania: Sewing projects and scholarships for rural women aimed at teaching new skills which will allow women to better support their children and Ukraine: helping girls living in institutions to successfully find a place in the outside world.
WEBSITE ALERT! Presently under reconstruction, you may find the WNFGA website down from time to time. Please bear with us. It will be completed soon.

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As you can see, things are changing at the WNF&GA web site. We trust you’ll like what you see and that you’ll find the changes helpful.

Our main goal is to make the information you need more accessible to you and to provide you with opportunities to participate with your fellow association members.

If you find things that aren’t working, please be patient. The site is under construction and will be changing (possibly from minute to minute). But it’s all for the better.

Thanks for your patience while we make your association web site a more fun and useful place to be.

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