President: Dean Palm (440) 776-1711 dpalm@greencirclegrowers.com
Vice-President: Brian Sabo (440) 466-2395 sabown@ncweb.com
Secretary/Treasurer: Cathee Thomas (440) 466-9523 Catheethomas@rocketmail.com

JANUARY- FEBRUARY 2010

Happy New Year! I wish each and every one of you a prosperous New Year!

Dean Palm: GCFGA President

Thank you

Many thanks to Barco’s for hosting the Poinsettia Trials and the GCFGA meeting and program. We also thank Sheila Graham from Plant Products Co. Ltd. for her very popular talk on Biological insects.

MEMBERSHIP

Memberships run Jan – Dec. The 2010 Directory will be available at our annual dinner/meeting and mailed to those not attending. If you have not yet mailed your dues, please do so soon. Comments and program, and activity suggestions are always welcome.

In case you didn’t know, we have not raised dues in more than a decade. This makes your donation to the General Fund especially appreciated. Make sure you are included in the 2010 Directory. Printing deadline: Feb 28, 2010. If you mail late please call or email Cathee to make sure you are included.

Help wanted – Your help!

Nominations are open for the 2010-11 slate of officers and the Board of Directors. If you are willing and able to serve the organization please contact an officer listed above. Meetings are held quarterly or at the discretion of the president.

FACEBOOK

Be a fan of GCFGA on Facebook! Check it out – is your garden center or nursery part of the social network? Welcome to the 21st century – get onboard!

Information and updates are always posted on our website too: www.gcfga.org Need a form? Print one online. Dog eat your newsletter – read it online. Miss the August cruise? Check out the pics online! What a great way to thank your staff – as the crew at Barco's did!

Annual Dinner/Meeting

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Tours - Networking - Prizes

Tom’s Country Place
3442 Stoney Ridge Road, Avon

Registration flyer can be found here

Meet for a continental breakfast at Tom’s before embarking on a bus tour of 3 Maumee Valley Grower Garden Centers. Enjoy a box lunch along the way, networking with your peers and gathering fresh idea; then return to Tom’s for the social hour, dinner, meeting, election of officers and lots of PRIZES!

Our pre-dinner social/networking session will be sponsored by YOU?
Please consider it – or being a sponsor of the Bus Tour.

BUS TOUR: Includes breakfast & lunch
Members: $30/ Non-members: $35

DINNER: Social hour (beer & wine) Dinner
Members: $30/ Non-members: $35

DOUBLE DOWN:  Do both and double your door prize tickets

DOOR PRIZES NEEDED!

Please consider making a donation of items – this is an opportunity to acquaint GCFGA members with your business. Tables will be available to display/share your business cards, AV lists, special offers, catalogs, etc. Contact Cathee with your space needs. Self promotion people. . . who are you and what do you do? Show us.

Please contact one of the officers listed above to make donation arrangements. Checks payable to GCFGA may be used towards gift certificates or earmarked for our general fund – please "memo" your preference. This is a good time to contact your favorite suppliers for donations.