Creativity in the Garden

Speaker: Carol Chichorski

Does creativity elude you in the garden and elsewhere? Is creativity an art or a science? Carol’s presentation focuses on the unexpected, taking risks and the creative process. Let this presentation be your inspiration and road map to expressing individuality in your garden.

Dietary Strategies to Optimize Cognitive Health

Speaker: Veronica Porter

“Ask Aunt V”

"My passion is to create community in all I do, from growing a garden, to preparing a meal, to educating, gathering, and enjoying life's harvest."

The brain requires certain nutrients to stay healthy. The foods we eat can have a big impact on the structure and health of our brains. Eating a brain-boosting diet may support both short-term and long-term brain function. The microbiome of your soil matters to your Microbiome.

Veronica Porter was born and raised in Naperville when it was still considered a small farm town. It was a time that you learned from your elders, explored with your friends, and followed in the footsteps of time worn traditions.

Veronica brings these values to modern times and shares her experiences by educating and strategizing for healthy, organic, heirloom gardening, farm to table food integrity, cooking, preservation and living a life in a responsible, sustainable manner. She is a third generation organic farmer, chef, culinary instructor, and food educator for home and garden. Veronica is a Licensed Chef and holds a Master’s degree in Organic Urban Farming and Gardening.

Animal Resistant Gardening

Speaker: Mel Zaloudek

Rabbits, deer and squirrels enjoy our gardens more than we do, it seems, and constantly adapt to our defensive strategies. Minimize your costly landscape losses through a combination of tactical plant selection, physical barriers and effective repellents. The most successful strategies of our local landscape profession will answer many of your questions, so bring more!

Reclaim your time, your expense and your peace of mind.

Holiday Party Potluck

Tuesday, December 10, 2024

Shepherd of the Lakes Church

285 E Washington St., Grayslake

Doors open at 6:30 Dinner at 7:00

Guests Welcome!

Members and Guests with last names starting:

M-P: Appetizers

F-L: Sides (hot/ cold, salads, fruit, cheese,

potatoes, bread, muffins, etc.)

R-Z: Entrées (to serve 6-8)

A-E: Desserts

Bunco & Food Drive (Appetizers & Deserts)

Please bring non- perishable items such as canned goods, pasta, rice, beans, paper products such as toilet paper, paper towels, diapers, hygiene products such as toothbrushes, paste, soap, and household goods such as sponges, cleaners to be donated to Avon Township food pantry. There will be volunteers in the parking lot who will load their cars with the items between 6:30 and 7:00 pm.

Bunco at 7:10 Join us for a fun filled evening. It’s easy to play...

Appetizers & Desserts will be provided by volunteers.

Photo by Alfonso Alberto Ramirez Alvarez

Growing Your First Orchid Successfully

Speaker: Don White from Anything Orchids

The intent of the program is to help people be successful orchid growers. Lighting conditions, watering and repotting are stressed. Don will also try to correct orchid growing fallacies.

Don has been growing orchids for around 40 years and still has his first plant. He owns and operates Anything Orchids, an orchid greenhouse business, selling orchid plants and supplies as well as boarding orchids for growers who do not have time or space in their homes. The business has been in operation for over 30 years. Don is a member of both the Batavia Orchid Society and the Illinois Orchid Society. His plants have won numerous awards at orchid shows. Don was a teacher in Orland Park for 35 years.

Speaker: Sandy Washburn, is a Master Gardener and President of Wild Ones, Lake to Prairie Chapter.

Traditional turf grass and its maintenance can be expensive. The costs of water, time, fertilizer, chemicals, loss of birds and insects can take a toll on your budget and the health of your soil. Cutting back or even replacing turf grass with native plants, mini-clover and/or walkable ground covers is a real possibility and can be done a little at a time.

Bring a dish to pass or pay $10.00 towards the meat. Wear your Hawaiian attire. Bring a chair or sit at the picnic tables. Recommended car pooling because parking is limited.

Willow Point Park, N. Cove Rd., Gages Lake, IL

Homegrown perennials, annuals, vegetables and tropical plants from our members gardens and

gently used garden items.

Cash or checks only

General Meeting

April 22, 2024

Announcements:

Program: “Tropicals”

Speaker: Kim Hartmann

Time: 6:30 doors open 7:00 meeting

Place: Shepherd of the Lakes Lutheran Church

285 E Washington Grayslake Illinois

Give your garden that tropical look and feel. Tropical plants with their bold colors and unique forms create impact, add style and brighten the mood of any garden.

• Community plantings sign ups

• Election and installation of officers

• Garden Walk/Social plans

• Finalize Plant Sale details

• National Garden Week plans for June 2-8

• Scholarship winner announcement (if applicable)

• Horticulture tip