| Chuckanut District | |||||||||||||||||
| CHUCKANUT DISTRICT HISTORY (Revised November, 2007) In September 1936, the Washington State was divided into ten districts with a State Vice-President of the Federation serving as a Director over each. Mrs. C. A. Craft of Everett was appointed for Chuckanut District but soon moved to Alaska. Mrs. Bruce Nelson of Mount Vernon was appointed in January, 1937, and elected in September, 1937. The original six clubs were in Whatcom, Skagit and Snohomish Counties: Birchwood Garden Club of Bellingham, Skagit Garden Club of Mount Vernon, Snohomish Garden Club, Pinehurst Garden Club, Darlington Garden Club of Everett, and Warm Beach Garden Club. Chuckanut District met three times a year, with clubs taking turns providing the meeting place and programs. District dues were five cents a year per member beginning in October, 1942. By 1946, the District had 30 clubs. By June 1951, the District had 59 clubs and 1,920 members. By June 1953, it grew to 68 clubs with 38 clubs located in Snohomish County. In May, 1955, by a vote at District meeting and effective September, 1955, Chuckanut District was revised on an east-west line, keeping Whatcom and Skagit Counties, adding San Juan County and north Island County. Snohomish County became a new District, later named Evergreen District. Chuckanut District now had 30 clubs. Registration was fifty cents in 1968. The official newsletter, Chuckanut Chatter, started in 1957 and was sent only to District Board members. In 1975, it was sent to every member of the District. Chuckanut District held “Maytime Festivities,” a Placement Show and Home and Garden Tour, on May 2, 1968 in five homes. Themes were “Wedding Reception,” “Congratulations, Graduate,” “Bridal Showers,” “Happy May Day!” and “Maytime Tea.” The last home included the horticulture exhibits. In 1976, a District Flower Show was held in the LaConner Civic Garden Club building. The first District Scholarship to Huxley College at WWU in Bellingham was established in 1969. It is called the Mary Ruggles Scholarship because she was instrumental in it’s' establishment. It is awarded every year to a student specializing in Horticulture or Environmental studies. Since 1967 members of Chuckanut District worked on a vision: the Fragrance Garden for the Blind. On Sept. 27, 1973, the Garden was dedicated at Edgewater Park in Mount Vernon. Its care was later abandoned by the Mount Vernon Parks Department. Chuckanut District members have provided $1,000.00 or more in annual support for the Fragrance Garden since it’s' inception. The District rose over $25,000.00 to establish the Fragrance Garden Endowment Fund managed by the Whatcom Community Foundation. In 1980-1981, registration at meetings was increased to $1.00. More than 50 years later, the District meetings are still held three times a year in October, February, and May. Through the years we have met at the Burlington Community Center and at various fraternal organizations' facilities. Our Board meetings are held in September, January, and April at locations specified by the District Director. In 2003, we voted to assess every club member $5.00 District dues to share in fundraising. We still charge only $1 admission fee to District meetings. In September 2007, the District is making changes for the 21st Century. The meetings are still held three times a year. The October meeting is at the Burlington Community Center, the February meeting at the United First Methodist Church in Oak Harbor and the May meeting is to be held in the Rome Grange, Bellingham. Lunches are provided by clubs at the Bellingham and Oak Harbor locations and by the Center in Burlington. Board meetings are still held in September, January and April at a location in Mount Vernon, since it is central. An August Potluck Picnic is a social event for Board Members to meet and begin to forge friendships and working relationships. The District created a new website for better communication between members and the public. The Chuckanut Chatter now appears on the website and is only printed for members who have no email address. The District events include 3 all-day workshops open to the public (a fundraiser); mini-workshops for members; monthly carpool fieldtrips; a Spring Soir'ee for members to celebrate and recognize clubs and members for their contributions; and special events and fieldtrips as planned. The District envisions a future Hillcrest Memorial Garden: a native plant garden with memorial sculptures, to be located in the Mount Vernon Hillcrest Park. The planning and creation will be coordinated by the District but will involve many interested civic groups and organizations. PAST DIRECTORS ( * deceased)
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