The Garden Clubs of Illinois Celebrates Its 90th Convention in March

On Sunday, March 19 and Monday, March 20, The Garden Clubs of Illinois will hold its 90th annual convention at the Chicago Marriott in Naperville. The theme is "Go Native" focusing on incorporating native plants into your gardens. This event is open to the public.

On Sunday at 2 p.m. there will be a hands-on floral arranging class given by Walter Fedyshyn (AIFD, CFD, PFCI).  Fedyshyn has designed flowers for Presidential Inaugurations and was inducted into the American Institute of Floral Designers in 1988, where he served as national president. That evening at 6:30 p.m. there will be a dinner in honor of National Garden Club President Sandy Robinson. Robinson’s theme, "Leap into Action" along with her many projects, focuses on preserving our pollinators such as "BeeGAP" program focusing on the Mason Bee demise and their preservation. The Bach Bells of Naperville, a Handbell Choir will entertain guests with their three-octave handbells accompanied by a keyboard.

On Monday, registration opens at 8 a.m. There will be Educational Exhibits—including Barrington’s Citizen for Conservation—shopping vendors, raffle baskets, and silent auction until 12:30 p.m. 

From 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., a business meeting will take place where various awards will be given out to garden clubs throughout the State. At 10:30 a.m., Scott Stewart, executive director of the Millennium Park Foundation and Lurie Gardens Foundation will give a power-point presentation you will not want to miss!