Overheard at the Garden Gate Summer 2017
SLGC
Thank You, Margaret!
A huge thank you to Margaret Ransohoff (and Mother Nature) for providing a perfect setting for the Annual Meeting of the SLGC. Click here for photos of the event.
from Leslie:The Cause and Treatment of Alzheimer’s?
The keynote speaker at the GCA Annual Meeting in Baltimore was Dr. Paul Cox, an ethnobotanist. Dr. Cox has been researching the tangled neuron diseases ALS, Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s, and believes that they are triggered by exposure to cyanobacteria, or BMAA. His studies have suggested that an amino acid, L-Serine, may prevent the neurons from tangling. “Toxic Puzzle,” a movie about his work, narrated by Harrison Ford, is available on amazon.com or Itunes. Since cyanobacteria is found in the toxic algae blooms that have appeared on Lake Erie in recent years, the movie is especially pertinent!
Solar Eclipse Coming Soon
Don't forget the full Solar Eclipse passing over the United States on August 21, 2017. Some of the cities that will be able to view it are: Salem, Oregon - Idaho Falls, Idaho - Casper, Wyoming - Jefferson City, Missouri - Carbondale, Illinois - Paducah, Kentucky - Hopkinsville, Kentucky; Greenville, South Carolina; Columbia, South Carolina.
Here is something from the Farmer's Almanac:
These common plants are poisonous to cats:
- COMMON or CHERRY LAUREL (Prunus laurocerasus)
- DUMB CANE (Dieffenbachia)
- ELEPHANT'S EARS (Caladium)
- MISTLETOE (Ficus deltiodea)
- OLEANDER (Nerium oleander)
- PHILODENDRON (Philodendron)
- IVY (Hedera)
from Martha: I TRIED THE ECOLOGICALLY FRIENDLY WEED KILLER!
Dozie said the effectiveness of the mix was anecdotal, so I tried it. It works! But you will probably have to use two applications, perhaps three on really tough weeds. I'm hooked.
1 gallon white vinegar
2 C epsom salts
1/4 C Dawn detergent
"Show of Summer" in Chicago
Shaker Lakes Garden Club was well represented at the Major GCA Flower Show, "Show of Summer," hosted by the 6 GCA Chicago-area Garden Clubs on June 23, 2017. This Show is put on once every three years and the venue is always the Chicago Botanic Garden. The theme of this year's show was "Children at Play". Judges are always invited to judge. This year, five SLGC judges were there: Cathy Miller, judging Botanical Arts; Beth Boles and Martha Marsh, judging Floral Design, Suzy Hartford, judging Horticulture, and Laurie Jacobs, judging Photography.
Martha and Cathy were invited to enter the Class "Heads or Tails", a Judges Invitational Class. They came in Third. Congratulations! (read Martha's account of the near disaster.)
from Martha - St. John's Church Helpers
My sincere thanks to Linda and Elliot Paine for perennials from their garden, and to Cathy & Dick Miller and Rick Marsh for helping to install the plants in the Garden at St. John's Church. This garden, which was supported by a Charitable Projects grant in 2015, receives periodic attention and sprucing up by SLGC members.
Another SLGC Member Winning Entry
Leslie Marting entered this beautiful needlepoint design in the Houston major GCA show and came in 3rd place. Congratulations, Leslie!
Amy Miller Featured in Smith College Alumnae Magazine
Smith College's summer 2017 alumnae magazine featured SLGC Provisional Member Amy Miller for giving up a legal practice in New York City to enter the world of flowers and create her floral design business. The Shaker Lakes Garden Club is glad she did!