Congratulations, Ryn Clarke and Jennie Jones!

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A Zone X Awards Ceremony Watch Party ZOOM was held at 5:00 pm on Monday, September 13, 2021, at Chagrin Falls Township Hall in Chagrin Falls for the two SLGC-sponsored Zone awards given out this year. GCA had requested there be a small watch party for our two recipients.

So there were six of us at the Hall... and since both awards were given to photographers, most in attendance were Photography Judges plus a Hort. Judge and a FA Judge.

The recipients were Ryn Clarke, Zone Photography Award, and Jennie Jones, Zone Photography Commendation (this is a brand new award for a non-GCA member and Jennie was the first to receive it!).

From Ryn:

I consider myself fortunate and extend my heartfelt gratitude to the GCA and Shaker Lakes Garden Club for the Zone X Photography Award. I was truly astonished to be honored for my small contribution to the organization. I always feel that I have so much more to learn and so much more to teach others, so your recognition and support will definitely keep me inspired throughout my creative journey going forward. Please accept my deepest thanks.

From Jennie:

There is no adequate way to thank the members of the Shaker Lakes Garden Club, Zone X for nominating me for this very prestigious award, The Garden Club of America, Zone Photography Commendation. And what a joy to share this moment with Ryn Clarke!

Over the years, I have enjoyed my affiliation with all of you including the close friends I have made and the privilege of jurying your photographs. You all have the rare opportunity to be surrounded by “perfect blooms and plants.” To help you capture their beauty before they sadly fade and wilt has been a privilege.

At the age of eighty-nine it is truly an honor to receive national recognition. I started my career thirty-eight years ago and never dreamed of the success that I have had. You all have been a part of that journey. Thank you. I would like to specifically express my gratitude to Beth Boles, always and forever a dear friend and supporter. The Zoom meeting and reception was truly a pleasure! I would like to thank Leigh Fabens for the proposal; Lynn Shiverick for the second and Laurie Jacobs. Your support means more than you can know! I was particularly overwhelmed with the amount of work it must have taken to dig up all that information!

Thank you one and all!!!