Midwest “Can Do” Ability

GC April 2015_0025 “”

The promise of spring was in the air as the Garden Club of Oak Park and River Forest convened for their annual April business meeting on April 1, 2015 at Cheney Mansion. Elected to the Board of Directors for a two year period were:

1st Vice President (Ways and Means) co –chairs Mary Ellen Warner and Linda Zwierz

4th Vice President (Publicity) Elaine Allen

Treasurer:  Carol Gallagher

Secretary:  Joan Meister

President Barbara Graham made a few announcements concerning upcoming events:

Wednesday, April 15 at 12:30 p.m. print making workshop at Expression Graphis on Harrison. Cost $15, wear old clothes.  Attendees are encouraged to all meet at 11:30 a.m. for lunch at the nearby East Gate Café.  Read more about it at our web site:  https://gcoprf.org/?p=7146    Contact studygroup@gcoprf.org for further information or to register for the class.

The GCOPRF/FOPCON Garden Walk will be held Sunday, June 28, 2015.  A sign-up sheet was passed around for volunteers to work at the event.  Proceeds from this event will go towards scholarships for local students.  Tickets will be on sale at the May Luncheon and thereafter on the web site.  Watch the web site in late April for further details regarding the Garden Walk..

Bobbi Raymond invited everyone to see an exhibition of the original drawings used for her latest children’s book:  Three Sea Tales to be held from 5 p.m. – 7 p.m. at Frame Warehouse, 346 Harrison St., Oak Park.  Light refreshments will be served.

Ted Nyquist
Ted Nyquist

Ted Nyquist of the Midwest Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society encouraged our group to include Rhodo’s and Azaleas in our landscapes.   (Note:  All Azaleas are Rhododendrons.)   Proper ground preparation, filtered sunlight and plant selections hardy to -25 are keys to successful Rhododendron plantings in the upper Midwest.  Ted showed us lovely photos from gardens in the eight states that compose the Midwest Chapter to encourage and convince us that it is possible to grow “those” plants here in zone 5.

Mr. Nyquist has recorded several videos that recap his lecture.  Go to the web site:  http://www.midwestars.org/howTo.php to learn his “secrets.”  If you have further questions, he would be happy to discuss your concerns.  His number is: 630-215-5022