DIRECTOR'S MESSAGE
Central Region Director
Rene Lynch
2025-2027
Theme: PLANT AMERICA: Progress is Possible
I hope this message finds you sharing in the beauty of your blooming gardens and the serenity that nature offers. It is with genuine enthusiasm that I take on the responsibilities of NGC Central Region Director. I’d like to introduce myself and express my admiration for the Central Region Garden Clubs, and their gardeners who are serving our communities throughout the Central Region. It is truly incredible what you have accomplished.
Gardening has always been more than a hobby to me. It is a passion, a form of selfexpression, and a way to connect with the world. (It helps to keep me sane too.) From the anticipation of planting seeds to the quiet satisfaction of nurturing life, the garden is both a sanctuary and a source of endless inspiration. It provides a canvas where creativity, patience, and resilience intertwine, and I am eager to contribute to Central Region.
Allow me to share a glimpse into my gardening journey, which has grown as steadily as the oak tree in my backyard. I began like many of us, introduced by a family member, in my case, my grandmother placed me on a blanket near her flower beds as she would plant and weed. She would turn to me and say – “now that sound you hear is the Cardinal, or this flower is a Larkspur” or we would make clover necklaces or crowns for our hair. She taught me the art of observation—and the joy of nature’s rewards.
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My family, my grandparents and my great grandparents each had homes close together on the edge of town which would now be called an acreage. We had large vegetable gardens, fruit trees, raspberry & strawberry beds, grapes and a very large asparagus bed. We canned and raised most of our produce. Keeping potatoes, winter squash and carrots in an underground cellar. There was also a creek that flowed through the acreage, I would capture crawdads, frogs, sometimes salamanders and a snake or two. One day when I was probably four years old, I found a large snapping turtle which I showed my dad with great pride. He went white and nearly fainted…no more turtles their dangerous. The creek provided a wonderful waterway for conducting neighborhood zucchini boat races.
I hope to share my love of the natural world with garden club members and to learn from the wealth of knowledge throughout this community. I admire Central Regions Garden Clubs and our clubs’ dedication to fostering environmental awareness, promoting sustainable gardening practices, celebrating the artistry of landscapes and learning floral design. The events, workshops, and projects organized by our garden clubs reflect my own values and aspirations.
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Each season brings its share of challenges and triumphs, from the thrill of a successful spring planting to the bittersweet moments of autumn cleanup. Yet, every moment in the garden is a lesson, a treasure, and an opportunity to grow not only plants but also patience, perseverance, and pride.
Moreover, the camaraderie of fellow gardeners is something I cherish. Gardening may often appear solitary, but it is, in fact, a communal act—each plant bears the traces of knowledge passed down from those who came before.
My theme “PLANT AMERICA: Progress is Possible” is a broad approach to all we do. I view each club as having its own personality and goals. I support all the efforts that garden clubs do Including sustaining membership. In other words, continue to learn new things, take on new projects, and appreciate our members in the process. My Central Region Project is to Show Me Your Progress! Whatever that may be. Send articles to our newsletter about your progress, and to our Facebook page and Website too. Hint: I will take notice.
As Director, I bring my commitment to cultivating beauty and biodiversity. I am particularly passionate about pollinator-friendly gardens and native plant landscaping, as I believe these are essential for preserving our natural ecosystems.
As stewards of the earth, gardeners hold a special responsibility to nurture not only the soil but also the spirit of those around us. Together, I believe we can sow seeds of inspiration, cultivate a deeper connection with nature, and reap a harvest of shared joy. I believe it should be a collective experience. You could share your collective experience at our annual convention at Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin, October 28-30. Make new friends, they will be lasting.
May our gardens flourish, may our connections grow strong, and may our shared passion continue to inspire everyone who crosses our paths.
Rene’ Lynch
NGC Central Region Director 2025-2027
reneclynch@aol.com (Don’t leave out the c in the middle)
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