The Manteca Garden Club would like to invite you to join us in accomplishing our goals and sharing our enthusiasm for gardening.
Our club, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1953, is a Blue-Ribbon Certified member of the Pacific Region of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., and the Valley Lode District of California Garden Clubs, Inc. We also support our community through our membership in the Mayor’s Committee on the Arts, coordination with the City of Manteca in donating various planting projects in public places and the planting and maintenance of the Senior Center Rose Garden.
Our mission is to further the education of its members and the public in the areas of gardening, horticulture, botany, landscape design, conservation of natural resources, civic beautification, garden therapy and nature environmental studies.
President’s Message
Happy May Day!
It has been a very busy spring thus far. In April, our Scholarship committee, led by Kathy L. and Angie S. met and reviewed all the submitted applicants and chose some very worthy college bound students. More on that after our May meeting.
I attended the Manteca City Council meeting, along with representatives from the city parks department to accept a proclamation for Arbor Day and a big thank you to our club for donating 16 trees to be planted at Yosemite Park for Arbor Day.
On April 25th, members met at the park and assisted the parks employees in planting the trees. We had a small Arbor Day ceremony and the Manteca Bulletin did a very nice article the next day on the front page with pictures. Thank you to Tom P. for coordinating this wonderful day!
Tom is also working closely with our grammar school gardens and Lincoln Elementary is enjoying the fruits of their labor by bringing home cilantro to their family from their school garden!
The Garden Club participated in the Mayor’s Committee Yard Sale on April 27th and sold donated items. It was very successful, raising $1150.00
We took a field trip to Stockton’s Habitat Garden on April 28th and Stockton Garden Club President, Laura, toured us through the garden and her yard as well. Very fun day!
At the April meeting, our membership moved and approved the next 1 acre of tree seedlings (Penny Pines) to the manager of Chez Shari, John Guinta. He permits our club to meet there at no charge and works with us for special events. Thanks, John, for all you do!!
We are gearing up for our big annual fundraiser, the Garden Tour! It is May 11th from 10 am-2 pm. Tickets are just $25, and raffle tickets will be available as well. Tell your friends and family! We have 6 homes this year! Our docents working the tour can come to the Pre-Tour on May 9th at 10 am.
On May 4th, please come by the Art in the Park event at 1001 W. Center. MGC will have an activity table along with other organizations and the Manteca Police are holding a bicycle rodeo. Time is 10-1.
The club’s next field trip is to Heritage Oak Winery on May 16th at 10 am for a hummingbird walk and workshop, organized by VP, Chris S. Please bring a picnic lunch to enjoy on the grounds after. Hope to see you at our next meeting on May 20th at 1 p.m. at Chez Shari.
Appreciatively,
Michele Newman
MGC President
Click here for this month’s President’s Letter
FLOWER OF THE MONTH
May – Lily of the Valley
According to legend, lily of the valley flowers sprouted up from Eve’s tears after she was kicked out of the Garden of Eden. Similarly, Christian legend tells of Mary’s tears turning to lily of the valley when she cried at the cross. Because of this reference, the flowers were known as Mary’s tears.
With a fresh, green scent that practically embodies the arrival of spring and stems lined with small, delicate bell-shaped flowers practically made for small bouquets and nosegays, lily of the valley flowers have long been associated with royalty and are used as symbols of love, motherhood, and purity.
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