Calendar
Does your WGCF club have an event planned that should be included on the calendar?
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2026 GARDEN & GREEN LIVING EXPO in Madison
February 13th - 15th
If you are in the Madison area or need a winter getaway consider a visit to the Garden & Green LIving Expo in Madison. Many displays, 150 educational presentations, vendors, good food and more! The Madison District Garden Clubs are very involved. If you are there on Saturday at 12:30, make sure to take in the Floral Designer's Challenge at Demo Stage A. This is always a popular and fun demonstration of WGCF's designers skills.
FLIGHTS OF FANCY STANDARD FLOWER SHOW
during the Garden & Green Living Expo
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The Madison District’s Garden Clubs present Flights of Fancy a Standard Flower Show celebrating birds held during the 2026 Garden & Green Living Expo. Join the fun and try out your design skills. You do not need to be a garden club member to enter the show.
FLIGHTS OF FANCY FLOWER SHOW SCHEDULE To sign up: Flights of Fancy: Flower Show Design Sign Up Flights of Fancy: Botanical Arts Classes |
Central Region Convention
WGCF hosted the 2025 Central Region Convention at Elkhart Lake in October. There were excellent speakers on a variety of topics, a CR photography contest, and hands on workshops. The windchime workshop was well-attended and everyone came away with a windchime that was similar, but unique.
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PREPARING FOR THE SEASON: Lake Shore Garden Club's Porch Pot Classes
Lake Shore Garden Club held it's annual wreathmaking and porch pot making classes November 21-22 at Maywood Environmental Park in Sheboygan. An additional class was added this year due to popular demand. Almost 75 community members took advantage of this opportunity and enjoyed the event. All registration proceeds were donated to Maywood. Thanks to WGCF for the grant that helped provide the additional fresh greenery needed to support this event.
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Looking for Input
The Futures Committee is seeking input from WGCF members and would appreciate your filling out a
SHORT QUICK SURVEY focused on you, our members.
For the paper send in version.
Interested in the Futures Committee and their activities, check out their page.
SHORT QUICK SURVEY focused on you, our members.
For the paper send in version.
Interested in the Futures Committee and their activities, check out their page.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCHOOL - A SUCCESS!
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Another successful Environmental School took place on September 26-27 at Maywood Environmental Park in Sheboygan. This was Course 3 in the 4 course series and the overall theme was air and related issues.
We learned about air and how air pollution forms and affects people and animals. We heard from an expert on rain forests who regularly takes his students to the remote rain forests of Belize. Another presenter covered endangered plants and animals and reasons why this is occurring. We got insight into environmental ethics and the different views people have on how the earth is to be used. These are just some of the topics covered.
For our field trip, we visited the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center where we got insight into farming and what farms are doing to prevent pollution of our air and waterways. We even saw a just born baby calf.
I hope that you will consider joining us for Course 4, coming in 2026. It will focus on water issues.
We learned about air and how air pollution forms and affects people and animals. We heard from an expert on rain forests who regularly takes his students to the remote rain forests of Belize. Another presenter covered endangered plants and animals and reasons why this is occurring. We got insight into environmental ethics and the different views people have on how the earth is to be used. These are just some of the topics covered.
For our field trip, we visited the Farm Wisconsin Discovery Center where we got insight into farming and what farms are doing to prevent pollution of our air and waterways. We even saw a just born baby calf.
I hope that you will consider joining us for Course 4, coming in 2026. It will focus on water issues.
Contributing to Boerner Botanical Gardens
Left to right: Judy Strampe, Mary Kozlowski, Joyce Grimmer, Judi Wisla, Laura Skoff.
Hawthorn Garden Club contributed a weeping redbud to Boerner Botanical Gardens and then toured the gardens. Boerner is preparing for their upcoming China Lights starting Sept. 12th.
Boerner Botanical Gardens are located in Hales Corner. The gardens are named for Alfred Boerner, who designed the original five formal gardens in the 1950s.
Boerner Botanical Gardens are located in Hales Corner. The gardens are named for Alfred Boerner, who designed the original five formal gardens in the 1950s.
Diggin' It at the 2025 Wisconsin State Fair Flower Show
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Floral Designers of Wisconsin Garden Club had everyone "Diggin' It" at the 2025 Wisconsin State Fair Flower Show. Designers from across the state participated in the Aug. 7 to 10 show in the Grand Champion Hall on the fair grounds in West Allis. Garden club members entered 117 horticultural items. This was a National Garden Club Standard Flower Show.
Carol Catlin, the show's co-chairman, thanks everyone for participating. "We had some great designs and educational exhibits. The horticultural entires were amazing." She pointed out that this was a great opportunity to show case garden clubs and what we do with more than 1 million people attending the fair. |
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TRI-COUNCIL TOUR: West of the Lake Gardens and More
On Friday, July 25th Tri-Council members and others had the pleasure of visiting the Manitowoc/Two Rivers area. The Tri-Council organized a wonderful tour of West of the Lake Gardens. West of the Lake Gardens was designed, planted and maintained by Ruth West. She was active in local garden clubs, the district and served as WGCF's president. The current gardens follow her design and gardening philosophy. The guide was very interesting and knowledgeable. A visit to the Mariners Trail was next where the group learned about the gardens along the trail and the volulnteers that maintain it. Lunch followed and then on to Woodland Dunes Nature Center which preserves unique wetland habitat and provides educational experiences. Many thanks to the Tri-Council and the efforts of Karen Merlau for organizing this tour.
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HILARY GRACE HEALING GARDEN FOLLOW UP
On June 27, 2025 Southern Wisconsin Judges Council met for a meeting and a tour of the Hilary Grace Healing Garden located at the UW Health East Madison Hospital. This rooftop garden was the state project of the former WGCF President, Gerianne Holtzman. Our group enjoyed seeing how this area is used by the staff and patients. It was nice to see the results of a previous state project; and how Madison club(s) continue to support it. It is a beautiful, relaxing area and spending time there was a joy. If you are ever at the hospital, please visit the garden. You will be glad you did.
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Hawthorn Garden Club Celebrates 100 Years!
As part of Hawthorn Garden Club's 100 year celebration, the club served as Grand Marshalls for Hales Corners parade yesterday! It was fun ride in a trolley. We all made hats and their theme was “Red, white & Bloom." Hawthorn also added a tree to the village hall's grounds to commemorate the occasion. Congratulation on 100 years!
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Garden Clubs Making a Difference
Sixteen members of the Lake Wissota Garden Club recently met at Irvine Park in Chippewa Falls to add to the Wildflower Sanctuary they have established there. This year they spent 3 hours planting 350 additional native sedges, grasses and flowering plants. The Chippewa Falls Parks, Recreation and Forestry Department recognized their contribution to the city on their Facebook page.
Please share what your WGCF club is doing so your contributions can be acknowledged.
Please share what your WGCF club is doing so your contributions can be acknowledged.
Honoring Veterans and Those Who Gave Their Lives
Blue Star Marker Memorial installed in Windmill Park by the Botany Belles & Beaus Garden Club in cooperation with American Legion & Auxiliary Post 240 was dedicated on May 15th with Chuck and Linda McCafferty in attendance.
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Lake Wissota Garden Club added a Gold Star Marker to the Lafayette Veterans Memorial at Ray's Beach Park. It was dedicated on May 15th and Chuck and Linda McCafferty, Wisconsin's Blue Star Chairs were in attendance. The Gold Star marker recognizes the ultimate sacrifice that a service member has made and the family.
Lake Wissota also added a Blue Star Marker at the Lafayette Town Hall. |
The Milwaukee District installed a Blue Star By Way Marker on the Hank Aaron Trail west of the State Fairgrounds in West Allis. In attendance were: Mayor Dan Devine (West Allis), Diane Olsen (MDGC District Director) Nancy Gregory
(MDGC Blue Star Chair) and Roberto Ayala (DNR) |
WGCF AWARDS ANNOUNCED
Each year WGCF affiliated clubs apply for a variety of awards. Some of these are monetary or certificates or trophies. Awards are announced at the annual convention and are organized by Doris Weber, Awards Chair. Congratulations to these clubs and individuals.
Clubs are encouraged to look over the awards criteria and apply for ones applicable to your activities. Applications are due by December 1, 2025.
Clubs are encouraged to look over the awards criteria and apply for ones applicable to your activities. Applications are due by December 1, 2025.
Lynne Ehnert -
Lydia Shafer Award
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Douglas Owens-Pike -
Bronze Award
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Barb Barrickman -
Creative Horticulture Award
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Lake Shore Garden Club -
Garden Club of the Year
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Ruth West Horticulture - Lake Shore Garden Club
Conservation Award - Hawthorn Garden Club Certificate of Merit - Westside Garden Club (Karen Demets) Garden Club of Greater Milwaukee (Ann Luba) Kuether District Membership - Sheboygan District Yearbooks
Wisconsin Judges Council Education Award
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Flower Show Schedule - "Imagine" by Madison District
Ruth Smith Evaluation - Dawn Mozgawa Floral Design Program - Hawthorn Garden Club (Honorable Mention) "And Then Some Award" -
WGCF Longevity - Congratulations
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2025-2027 Officers Installed
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The lady with the fascinator (President Linda McCafferty) has transferred her duties to Joe Powelka. Joe was installed as president by Gerianne Holzman, NGC 2nd VP. Installation of WGCF's 2025-2027 officers took place during WGCF's 97th annual convention "Conversations on the Chippewa" in Eau Claire, WI.
The officers are: Diane Peterson, Membership Secretary.- Karen Merlau, 2nd VP.- Nancy Gregory, 1st VP.- Joe Powelka, President.- Linda McCafferty, Treasurer.- Lynne Ehnert, Parliamentariain.- Gerianne Holzman, NGC. Thank you, Linda, for your service and looking forward to the guidance Joe will bring to the organization. |
Space, the New Frontier – a Standard Flower Show
PBS Garden and Green Living Expo February 7-9, 2025
Madison District transported attendees at the PBS Garden and Green Living Expo beyond earth with a standard flower show Space: The New Frontier. Designers from Wisconsin, Illinois and Minnesota participated in the event. Themes were space inspired for designs, petites, botanical arts, education exhibits and horticulture.
The PBS Expo is in its 32nd year with almost 13,000 attendees this year. Many attendees stopped to discuss the designs, education displays and horticulture. The flower show gave the district an opportunity to educated the public on floral design and garden clubs. Attendees also had an opportunity to vote for their favorite design for the Viewer's Choice Award each day. The Designer's Challenge demonstration on Saturday included two Flower Show Judges, a non judge designer and our WGCF President-Elect Joe Powelka. The designs were outstanding , the audience voted the winner of the Golden Pruner Award and this went to Joe. |
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Member Resources from NGC
The National Garden Club provides many resources for affiliated clubs. Membership Mondays occur the first Monday of each month at 1:00 EST. These are virtual events that can be attended live or recorded sessions on found on the NGC site. NGC also a variety of webinars on various gardening topics; to receive notices of upcoming ones, sign up for the National Gardener. Take advantage of your membership's benefits.
Moving into the Future!
WGCF's Strategic Planning Committee is always looking to the future, but it now has a subcommittee: The Futures Committee. This subcommittee is actively exploring how WGCF can implement NGC's goals
of RECRUITING, RETAINING and REVITALIZING its membership and is more than willing to share their
findings with WGCF's clubs. In fact they made a visit at to the Milwaukee District to share their findings.
The committee has a list of RESOURCES to help clubs accomplish this. Check it out!
of RECRUITING, RETAINING and REVITALIZING its membership and is more than willing to share their
findings with WGCF's clubs. In fact they made a visit at to the Milwaukee District to share their findings.
The committee has a list of RESOURCES to help clubs accomplish this. Check it out!
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Path of Success:
Wisconsin is helping it grow! Roughly 1/4 mile long, the Path of Success will be a walking path located on the grounds of NGC's headquarters in St. Louis, Missouri and will link to the Missouri Botanical Gardens, spreading more awareness of NGC than ever before. This project will also serve as an educational platform, showing the rich history and mission of NGC. To find out how your club or district can contribute to the Path of Success. |
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NGC's AWARD OF EXCELLENCE
Ginger Wieman, Debby Walters, Susan Wallace receive NGC's Award of Excellence from WGCF's President, Linda McCafferty.
Wisconsin Garden Club Federation was presented with National Garden Clubs, Inc. Award of Excellence Award at the recent NGC Convention held in Denver.
"Your Garden - A Bird's Paradise" a daylong workshop which earned the award was held in Menomonie, WI last year was coordinated by the St. Croix District clubs. The workshop was designed to meet the needs of people who don't have the time or resources to attend an NGC school. It was attended by 106 people from across the state: WGCF members, Tri-Council members, and people from outside of the WGCF organization. It featured 4 speakers, tours of three gardens featuring native plants, educational displays, and four free native plants for each attendee. 94% of the participants gave the workshop top ratings.
"Your Garden - A Bird's Paradise" a daylong workshop which earned the award was held in Menomonie, WI last year was coordinated by the St. Croix District clubs. The workshop was designed to meet the needs of people who don't have the time or resources to attend an NGC school. It was attended by 106 people from across the state: WGCF members, Tri-Council members, and people from outside of the WGCF organization. It featured 4 speakers, tours of three gardens featuring native plants, educational displays, and four free native plants for each attendee. 94% of the participants gave the workshop top ratings.
IRVINE PARK FERNERY - CHIPPEWA FALLS
The Irvine Park Native Wildflower Sanctuary is a 1/2 acre native plant sanctuary established in 2010 by Lake Wissota Garden Club. It features over 225 species of Wisconsin native flowers, ferns, sedges, grass and shrubs. The 2024 project is a 1250 square foot fernery which will feature swaths of 12 plus native fern species and over 40 species of flowering plants. The funding for this project comes from a Community Foundation of Chippewa County grant.
If you are in the area, free tours are held the 2nd Saturday May through September. Single sheets of "What's Blooming" are always available in the Sanctuary to help you locate what Wisconsin native species are currently in bloom. The address of the sanctuary is Irvine Park, 125 Bridgewater Ave., Chippewa Falls, WI.
If you are in the area, free tours are held the 2nd Saturday May through September. Single sheets of "What's Blooming" are always available in the Sanctuary to help you locate what Wisconsin native species are currently in bloom. The address of the sanctuary is Irvine Park, 125 Bridgewater Ave., Chippewa Falls, WI.
Spring Seed Sharing - Waushara Gardeners
A team effort is needed to prepare packets of seeds for distribution through seed sharing events. An enthusiastic crowd had their pick of 76 different varieties of seeds including flowers, herbs, grasses, and vegetables. Seeds were donated by various garden companies, and af-
ter individual seed envelopes were packed, there were over 1300 seed packets to share with other gardeners. The extra seed packets are available available at the Leon-Saxeville Library in Pine River and at the Wautoma Library. What a wonderful outreach to the gardening community.
ter individual seed envelopes were packed, there were over 1300 seed packets to share with other gardeners. The extra seed packets are available available at the Leon-Saxeville Library in Pine River and at the Wautoma Library. What a wonderful outreach to the gardening community.
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Your Garden - A Bird's Paradise
On July 21st, 106 people participated in a workshop designed to help them create habitat for our feathered friends in their home landscape. Four speakers addressed the issue. Attendees were encouraged to include native plants, plant in layers (trees, shrubs, and lower vegetation), and garden a bit messy. Registration included free plants from Dragonfly Nursery and tours of three gardens featuring native plants.
The event was hosted by the St. Croix District and also supported financially by a WGCF grant and others. Thank you.
The event was hosted by the St. Croix District and also supported financially by a WGCF grant and others. Thank you.
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Federation Field Dedicated!
On July 14th, Federation Field was dedicated at the International Crane Foundation near Baraboo. The restoration of Federation Field was WGCF's 2021-2023 President's Project initiated by Laura Skoff. The restoration/growth of this field connects the original 1980 planting to the new exhibit area with a corridor of native grasses and flowers.
THANK-YOU to all the members, clubs and districts that donated to the project!
THANK-YOU to all the members, clubs and districts that donated to the project!
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Cups of Cheer
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Garden clubs exist to learn and serve together plus have fun while doing so. Recently Western Acres Garden Cub (of the Milwaukee District) put together "Cups of Cheer" to donate to a Brookfield nursing home. They used cups from Goodwill and fresh flowers to create some Easter floral arrangements. The residents of the nursing home were so appreciative of our efforts.
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WGCF POLLINATOR GARDEN SIGNS
 Western Acres members promoting membership and offering pollinator signs at Brookfield's Farmers Market.
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Promote your pollinator garden(s) with an attractive sign! Orders may be placed online and will be delivered through WGCF’s District Directors. Orders are considered placed when payment is received. Clubs may combine their orders and submit them to make distribution easier. Cost per sign is $18.00 or 2 for $35.00. Suitable three foot metal posts are available from Menard’s, Home Depot or Fleet Farm.
Signs are 10″ x 15″ and are made out of coated aluminum composite with an average lifespan of 3 – 5 years. |
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If you need some to sell at events, contact your district director.
Order Form
Order Form
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The Wisconsin Garden Club Federation founded in 1928 is a charter member of the National Garden Club organization. As an organization, we are proud of our heritage of developing relationships with fellow gardeners, learning, and gardening for good in our communities.
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