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Indiana gardeners are BACK—back to having club meetings in person; back to traveling to each other’s gardens; and back to feeling that things just might return to normal.  There for a while we were secretly obsessing on exactly what the phrase “new” normal meant.

 

During the lock down, Indiana garden clubs managed to come up with creative ways to hold their plant sales, plant their town parks, and hold virtual meetings. Indiana had to cancel the 2020 state convention, but managed to have a productive 2021 state convention via Zoom.  Missing was the usual chance to renew friendships and catch up, but the business of the organization was taken care of and we were able to enjoy a very informative speaker.  The Garden Club of Indiana, Inc. celebrated its 90th anniversary in the lost year of 2020, but a committee had already formed before the pandemic. It was a bit late, but they provided a jaw dropping presentation on our 90-year history at the 2021convention.  Take a look.  It’s on our (NEW) website under “About Us” and from there “History.”   www.gardenclubofindiana.org

 

My incoming State President’s Project for the next 2 years is to be an expansion of the Plant It Pink program.  Instead of highlighting the fight against breast cancer alone, my theme: Plant America in Colors of Hope for Cancer Awareness encompasses the many other forms of this frightening disease.  I asked clubs to take a look at the many ribbon colors associated with the various types of cancer and plant their parks, civic spaces and homes in memory of the victims of one or several of these types of cancer.  Colors chosen can be in honor of a family member, club member or friend.  Without question, cancer has touched all of us in one way or another.

 

We held our first in person Board of Directors’ meeting in June and have plans for our bi-annual Wildflower Workshop in September - in person.  Indiana will also host the Central Region convention at Essenhaus Conference Center in Middlebury, Indiana, on November 1-2.  I live twenty minutes from Essenhaus and can assure you that the fried chicken, noodles, mashed potatoes and pie are as good as they were 7 years ago.  The shops are still there too - as well as the bakery.  “Expect the Unexpected” when you attend and enjoy renewing friendships, creating new ones, and learning something along the way.

 

Indiana gardeners are BACK!  I invite you to come BACK and visit us in November.

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Linda Harkleroad

Indiana State President

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