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Germinators Name Two For September Pride Award
The Germinators Garden Club received seven nominations for the September "Operation Pride" award. The top two awards were presented to Dave and Mary Vogel, 700 North 4th Street, Fulton IL, nominated by Marcia and Dean Brackemyer; and to Elaine and Gerard Morhardt, 13446A West Point Road, Mt. Carroll, IL, nominated by Cindy Sisler. The Vogels landscaping is a park-like retreat featuring a vast and unique variety of perennials, shrubs and trees right on the Mississippi River. The vignettes of ornaments mixed in with the plants and shrubs create many photo opportunities and have been the backdrop for many wedding pictures. Starting just beyond the parking area of the Heritage Canyon, the Vogels have had many Heritage Canyon visitors request to "come see" all of the many additions they have made over the years. Mary is a master gardener and Dave does most of the labor himself, pointing out the great quantity of mulch needed for all of the landscaping. The landscaping surrounds the home that the Vogels purchased and built on to. The far side showcases the stair-step landscaping and many more perennials, shrubs and trees before arriving to the front of the house again. The Morhardts country landscaping starts with a welcoming fence of perennials and decorations then continues down the lane with more perennials, grasses, old farm implements and many other "surprises" along the way. Elaine confessed that she first started putting a few things in the lane to see if her husband would "notice" as he was coming back and forth from his farming chores. Eventually Gerard decided he wanted to try his hand at this country landscaping, and added his own touch of old farm implements embellished with whimsical additions over the last two years.. Closer to the house is a gazebo and pond with a fountain and lots of frogs. The shade garden features a delightful winding path; several bridges and a large canopied bridge complete with a "garden tour" sign and can for "admissions". An old tree was topped off and a door cut to create a fun "tree house" in the front yard. The first-runner-up and Honorable Mention was awarded to Al and Tina Jackson, 1221 1st Avenue, Fulton, nominated by Marcia and Dean Brackemyer. The Trinity Reformed Church Memorial Garden cared for by Marlene Stone was also nominated by Marcia and Dean Brackemyer and received an Honorable Mention. The Victorian treasure of Gary and Dana Baglin, 1416 Lincoln Avenue, Savanna, IL was nominated by Melva Ellithorpe and was awarded an Honorable Mention The perennial garden of Neesa Bonnel, 802 North Washington Avenue, Mt. Carroll, IL was nominated by Marj Bruckwalter. Marj's nomination mentioned how much she enjoyed Neesa's flowers and thinks others should as well. An Honorable Mention was awarded. Marion Keller nominated Eunice Bowers home, 1104 North Main Street, Savanna, IL. The home received an honorable mention for the July awards. The Vogels and Morhardts each received the Germinators Garden Club "Operation Pride" award-of-the-month sign to display in their yards as well as a 1-year Family Membership to the garden club. The "Operation Pride" committee members judging the August entries were Judy Redding, and Kathryn Redding, both of Mt. Carroll, and Linda Frerichs of Savanna. The Germinators Garden Club "Operation Pride" award is available for "outstanding and beautiful gardens and landscaping" in the Savanna, Mt. Carroll, Thomson, Fulton, and Clinton communities. The remaining awards will be given in October of this year. Here's how to nominate a garden or landscape: · Submit a letter with the property owner's name, location/address, and property owner's phone number · The reason for the nomination · Name of person submitting the nomination and contact phone number · To: The Germinators Garden Club c/o Linda Frerichs, 2006 Portland Avenue, Savanna, IL 61074-2654 Submissions must be postmarked by the 15th of September to be considered for the October award. The next Germinators Garden Club meeting will be Thursday, September 17th, 7pm at the home of Carole Manning. Guests are welcome to attend. The Germinators Garden Club will host a Garden Club "Open House" Saturday, September 19th, 9:00am 2:00pm at the home of Carole Manning, 10768 Serenity Lane, Savanna, IL featuring several speakers, bake sale and yard sale. There is no charge to attend. Signs will be posted on Route 84/Viaduct Road at Wacker directing guests to the Open House. For additional information contact Linda Frerichs, (815) 273-2567.
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