FROM THE DESK OF YOUR PRESIDENT

Greetings Everyone,
As a reminder, my President’s Theme is:

LEARN-something new
SHARE-your unique knowledge
GROW-as a person (and grow a new plant!)

Our members have been doing all of those things over the past several months. We have many new members, we’ve forged alliances with nurseries and affiliates, and many of us have planted new varieties of old favorites in our gardens.
As you may know, our members have also been raising money for my “President’s Project” (The Wheelchair Project) for over a year now. I was hoping to collect enough funds to be able to purchase one beach-accessible wheelchair that would be donated to the Seaside, Oregon community. GOOD NEWS!!
Our members have been so kind and so generous that it looks like we will have enough money to purchase TWO chairs. They will be presented at a ceremony during our 2025 Convention in Seaside. And, one of our members has agreed to donate the cost of the plaques that will go on the chairs letting people know they were donated by the members of the Oregon State Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. in June, 2025. I am so proud of all of you.
The 2025 OSFGC Convention will be held “in person!” The dates are June 10, 11, & 12. It will be held in the Seaside Civic & Convention Center which is located at 415 First Ave, Seaside, OR 97132. Watch upcoming issues of the Mahonia for more information as it becomes available. SPOILER ALERT: One of our COMFIRMED presenters is going to be Brian Bauman. I hope to see many of you in Seaside in June.

Happy Holidays from all of the Oregon Crew!
Carolyn Olley
President OSFGC
[email protected]
(winter 2024)

OREGON IS ON THE MOVE!

We are busy in Oregon this Summer, 2023! New leaders have been installed and are working to get their clubs and districts up and running for the next two years. The State Officers were installed in June by our NGC President Brenda Moore. She is a delight. By the way, her new children’s book, MY GREEN IS GONE, was a very popular purchase at our June Convention.

I’m calling our State, District, and Club leaders’ part of the OSFGC “CREW.” To me, “crew” says people working together to achieve a common goal. Everyone may have a different job, but each is equally important and valued. Our common goals are to encourage new people to become members, celebrate with new members and current members, and always to learn something new.
My President’s Project is being called “The Wheelchair Project.” There was an article in The Oregonian newspaper last year about special wheelchairs with oversized tires that could be used on our Oregon beaches. The special chairs will allow people with mobility issues to come on to the beach with their families and friends. Chairs come in different sizes so children and adults can take advantage of them. How do those chairs relate to Garden Club, you may ask. The thought is the more people become acquainted with our beaches, the more they’ll see how important they are to the environment, and how important it is to keep them clean and protected. We’re focusing on Environmental Awareness!

I hope to collect enough money to buy at least one chair by the end of my two-year term. There are twelve sites along the Oregon coast that offer free use of these chairs. I’m hoping to make at least one more chair available to a site that is near one of our coastal garden clubs.
And there’s more! Our Willamette District will be hosting our Fall State Board Meeting. We’ll be asking attendees to bring a donation of fresh veggies or fruit that will be donated to a food pantry where one of our members volunteers. The pantry will be open the same day we have our meeting, so people will be getting very fresh produce. What great timing…and we’ll be participating in NGC President Brenda’s PLANT AMERICA-Feed America Project.
Best wishes for a wonderful rest of your summer from all of the Oregon Crew!
Carolyn Olley
OSFGC President
[email protected]

“My Green Is Gone” – This year’s children’s book offer from NGC. Please ask Jane Sercombe to order you a copy! Order by Thursday, Dec. 2, 2021, for best opportunity to receive it by Christmas. To see other books from the National Garden Club, (Click Here) and find the Dec. 6, 2021 NGC blog posting by Brenda Moore.