McHenry Garden Club 2009 Programs       January 15th – Notecard Flower Art with Leslie Kowitz.  Leslie is a Master Gardener and an Artist.  She will be demonstrating and teaching us how to paint our own notecards with watercolors. Coordinator: Milena Buck Hostess: Milena Buck and Mary Napolitano February 19th – Mary Kozub, Outreach Education Program Coordinator, from the McHenry County Conservation District will be talking about Invasive Species.  Where they came from, how to identify them and how to get rid of or control them will be some issues discussed. Coordinator:  Milena Buck Hostess: Chris Metz and Pat Schafer          February – Natural Landscaping Seminar at McHenry County College March 19th – Composting with a University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener.  Start with composting basics, what is composting, how to make a compost bin, what items to add, benefits to your garden and soil and how to take care of a compost bin will be discussed.   If you already compost, topics for you will also be covered. Coordinator: Milena Buck Hostess: Maureen Norton and Michelle Nowland          March 7-15 – Chicagoland Flower & Garden Show, Navy Pier, Chicago. April 16th – New Cultivars program with Shelley at Whispering Hills Nursery, Rt 31, Cary.  6-8pm.   Shelley will talk about and give us an overview of new plants as well as plant advice.  There will be time for shopping. Coordinator:  Milena Buck Hostess: Carolynn Gunder and Judy Water          April 4th – Gardenfest at McHenry County College May 21st – Gwen from The Gardens in Woodstock will be talking about dwarf conifers and they fit into your own garden.  6:30pm.  Come and stroll through this wonderful garden  with separate garden rooms and water features.  Coordinator: Mary Napolitano Hostess: Jane Thomas and Barb Patterson          June 5th at 5pm-8pm, June 6-7th at 9am-4pm – Klehm Arboretum in Rockford (815-965-8146). $6 entry fee.  Garden Fair Extravaganza-gardening and outdoor living marketplace.  Over 100 vendors plus food. June 18th – Tour of WMLand Corp Production facilities with David Woodruff at 6:45pm.  This is a certified organic nursery growing fine organic plants and produce in 4 greenhouses on a small farm in Woodstock.  David uses only natural organic products, no synthetic chemicals of any kind, unusual methods such as bug patrolling chickens and guard tortoises in the starting greenhouses.  See his website for more information: http://www.wmlandcorp.com/. Coordinator: Mary Napolitano Hostess: Janet Adams and Sue Bourassa July 16th – Member ONLY Picnic at Jean Schiller’s house with member garden walk. Coordinator: Milena Buck          July 11th – McHenry County Master Gardener Garden Walk in Woodstock  Aug 20th - Louis and Babette of  Rowe Honey Farms will be speaking on bees, the social structure, different jobs the bees have, how they collect pollen and turn it into honey and how the Rowe’s make products for our use.  They will sell honey and body care products that they make. Coordinator: Mary Napolitano Hostess: Dorothy Kowalcyzk and Carol Riha  Sept 17th - Marleana Cross will be speaking about tea and the many different forms available, brewing times and the history of tea.  We will sample a few teas and have tea sandwiches.  Bring a tea cup for a tea cup exchange.  Coordinator: Mary Napolitano Hostess: Jane Pomije and Nancy Mamerow Oct 15th - Don White, Anything Orchids Inc (www.anythingorchids.com) from Frankfurt is a Member of the Batavia Orchid Society.  He will be bringing a variety of orchid plants, from inexpensive to expensive and will be discussing the history, culture and more on orchids.  Plants will be for sale. Coordinator: Mary Napolitano Hostess: Marita Sension and Linnea Thennes       Oct - Home for the Holidays Flower Show at McHenry County College.  7-9pm.   Nov 19th - Board elections. Hostess: Ellen Saunders and Joyce Matuszewich  Dec 10th - Member ONLY Christmas Party.