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Pacific Region letterhead

To download the Pacific Region letterhead (logo and name)  in MSWord format,
CLICK HERE .

2009-2011 Pacific Region Director

Sandra Ford

Director's Message

“Birds, Bees & Butterflies - Protect, Feed & Enjoy”

Starting with April 8 to June 16, there have been nine conventions which this director has attended including 2400 miles of driving. The Pacific Region convention in April was the perfect setting along the Spokane River to be near nature. Sherry Cossey, our Bird Chairman and I had the pleasure of holding an owl while our speaker talked about the raptors of our region. Other educational programs were on honeybees, plants and gardens in the Northwest and an Ikebana program.

The National Convention in Atlanta was an opportunity to hear about all the great activities from across the United States. Congratulations to our seven state presidents and one president-elect for their excellent reports. It was appreciated receiving a pat on the back from our National President and President-Elect for our team work. We also came home with six national scholarships and two regional scholarships.

From Phoenix, Arizona to Ketchikan, Alaska, it was a thrill to see so many beautiful home gardens, every one of them with bird feeders of all types in their yards. Visiting with old friends, meeting new ones, being royally treated, even crowned, wined and dined at the last four conventions in eight days, all eight states have now been visited at least once by this director. It was a challenge, but well worth it. It was an honor to present many regional awards and scholarships at the conventions especially the Award of Honor to Peggy Olin from Fairview, Oregon.

Community gardens are springing up everywhere especially refugee gardens. Whole families are working together enjoying what they used to do in their homeland gardens. Many churches have changed their lawns into vegetable gardens.

Washington has applied for its 501(c)3 status and Idaho received its this year except Idaho Garden Clubs, Inc. had to dissolve. The new organization is called the Garden Clubs of Idaho, Inc. President Robyn McCarthy’s new email address is robyngcii@q.com . The newsletter is Gem State Gardeners.

Plans are being made for a tour to Boston for the World Flower Show on June 15-18, 2011 so mark your calendars now before scheduling your next convention.

Spring sprang too fast and went right into summer. Now we have to think about ordering our daffodil bulbs for planting this fall. While reading many Books of Evidence on display at the regional conventions, our region planted a lot more daffodils that were never reported to their state president or our national projects chairman. Don’t forget to take pictures of before, during and after of planting your bulbs again this year.

Sandy