Safety Harbor Garden Club

Friday, July 30, 2021

Hi, everyone.

We hope this message finds you happy and gardening!

It’s July and it’s hot!

There was not an in-person meeting this month. Think of it as our summer break😊.

Here is your update on July Club news….

But first, some Malachite butterfly moments!

The SHGC butterfly house at Folly Farm Nature Preserve has been hosting 8 Malachite butterflies! Unfortunately, they are near the end of their stay. They only live between 1-2 weeks. The butterfly house was provisioned with nectar plants and fruit for our fluttering guests. And host plants!

The Malachite’s host plant is the green shrimp. We made sure to have many on hand. There was a lot of social activity between our “chites”, and we are now anxiously awaiting the arrival of the next generation. Keep your fingers crossed!

July marks the last month of our plantings related to the Florida Wildflower Foundation VIVA grant. Over the past year we have really made an impact on Folly:

The Wind Garden

The Meadow Garden

Rain Garden

The Butterfly Labyrinth Garden enhancements

George’s Garden

Gardening through the pandemic!

Our Folly Farmers have really done a spectacular job!

Some played a small part, and many have put in dozens of hours of volunteering. Together we are creating a magical place!

In the news…

This month we were featured in an article published in the on-line magazine hosted by Creative Pinellas. It was written by local writer Laura Kepner, and it give us a close look at our “Wind Phone” project. Check it out!

Link to Wind Phone article

ABC channel 28 traffic anchor Sarah Phinney host a walking club feature where she visits area trails and towns.

She came out to Folly to check out the magic happening here!

The show will air soon, and we will post a link as soon as we know when!

Educating our children…

Our very own SHGC Master Gardener Carol Zieres has stepped up and created a garden education summer camp class at Folly!

“The kids planted flower seeds in a pot of soil to take home and watch the seeds germinate. They conducted an experiment using cut flowers, water and food coloring to learn about plant uptake of nutrients and water. It takes a few hours for the white roses and carnation to absorb the green/blue food coloring which causes the pedals to turn color,” explained Carol.

In this photo she is leading the class on a tour of the butterfly gardens
as a friendly garden gnome looks on.

It was quite a site to see her walking in the Labyrinth, playing her flute, followed by a line of children!

Planting a turtle shaped garden
in the playground

Watch your email for upcoming events at Folly!

Don't forget to visit our Safety Harbor Garden Club Facebook Page

SHGC Facebook Page

Come out and visit when you can!

That's all for now.

Happy Gardening,

"We dig Folly Farm"

Wednesday, June 30, 2021

June Newsletter

Hi, everyone.

Thank you for all of your strong support this month!
We accomplished a lot; including two new native gardens at Folly. .

Here is your June update on Club news….

Our June Membership meeting was held at the Folly Farm Preserve Gazebo on Wednesday, June 23.

The meeting was a little bit business, a lot of planting in the new Meadow Garden and finished with ice cream and cupcakes as we sang happy birthday to our native plant garden (The Wind Garden is now 1 year old)!

Here are a few photos of the day…(and some prep shots)

Our new "Rain Garden" got planted the very next Monday!

The Rain Garden is located across the trail from the new Meadow

Garden and directly behind the Gazebo.

More news:

The Butterfly House has been erected near our existing green house and it was agreed that any money left over from the $500 budgeted be kept in an account for accessories for the House such as tables, irrigation and shelves.

Safety Harbor Garden Club donates $2,000

The Folly Farm summer camp scholarship fund just got a big boost from the Garden Club. One thousand dollars ($1000) was gifted to the program by the SHGC.

Ten Children will be selected by the city recreation department to attend summer camps offered at Folly Farm.

The Safety Harbor Garden Club “Folly Farmer” contingent looks on as VP Leslie Zambito presents a $1,000 check to Kelliann Gerlach, Community Center Facility Manager.

Additional gifts to the community include:

$500 to Mattie Williams Neighborhood Center.

Barbara Nelson presents a $500 check to Mattie Williams

executive director Janet Hooper along with VP Leslie Zambito,

Teresa Cline and Becky DeCroteau.

The Mattie Williams Neighborhood Family Center has been helping families since 1994.

"Our mission is to nurture and strengthen children, youth, adults, families and communities through education, support services and collaborative partnerships to help people improve their lives and achieve self-sufficiency."

The Center is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors. It has a small staff headed by an Executive Director. The Center provides programs and services for families in need of temporary support in these areas: Critical Basic Needs, Family Support Services; Youth Programs and Services; Career Development.

$500 to The Harbor Dish,

The Harbor Dish Mission:

Reduce food insecurity in the community by providing healthy meals and educational experiences in a dignified environment, regardless of an individual’s ability to pay.

In 2020, the Dish prepared and delivered nearly 33,819 meals while providing friendly support to many people suffering from debilitating health conditions, including elderly citizens, cancer patients and disabled veterans who otherwise would have gone hungry.

Everyone is excited as Garden Club member Becky DeCroteau

presents fellow member and Harbor Dish representative

Michele Abruzzi with a check for $500.

Malachite Butterfly sighting at Folly!

Leslie Zambito shrieked with delight when she spotted the Malachite butterfly amongst the wild coffee plants near the greenhouse!

It was determined there may have been at least two Malachite's at Folly. Several knowledgeable butterfly experts descended on Folly in hopes of getting a glimpse.

The sightings went on for a couple of days but no reports lately.

Wanting more Malachite's, The club ordered twenty malachite eggs which arrived mid-June and quickly became caterpillars! The caterpillars can be seen at Folly on Monday and Tuesday mornings (in their net house). We hope to have a Malachite butterfly release party in the near future - stand by!

Malachite photos from Folly!

Plant Sales: The Club’s two largest plant sale events are the

Annual  Plant Sale on Main Street in December (Kiwanis) and

the Enchanted Garden Fest at Folly around April. These

events bring in $2,500-$3,000 in plant sales. There was

discussion regarding a proposed monthly plant sale and it was

generally agreed to limit plant sales to three a year: the

Enchanted Garden Fest in April, a plant sale in September

and the Kiwanis event in December.

Education:  Coming this fall - there are three classes scheduled

through the City to be led by our master gardeners and Folly

volunteers.
The Club currently has a table at the Explore Discover Grow events

at Folly the 2^nd Saturday of each month.  We conduct butterfly

safaris and butterfly education at these events.
Folly: Volunteer Day at Folly (and sometimes Mullet Creek Park)

will now be on Monday and Tuesday due to increase in number of

volunteers attending. There is a possibility that Wednesday will also

become a volunteer day depending on the number of volunteers.
We start at 8:00 am.

Membership: There are now approximately 63 total members.

New SHGC Contact Information

We have a new official mailing address!

Safety Harbor Garden Club

690 Main Street #209

Safety Harbor FL 34695

We have a new official phone number!

727-281-6856

This number is for our new smartphone.

It is complete with an attachment to accept credit card payments!

Especially nice for our plant sale activities!

Our Email address is: SafetyHarborGardenClub@gmail.com

Our Website is: SafetyHarborGardenClub.weebly.com

That's all for this month!

Phew!!

We have a board meeting next week to finalize plans for our July Membership Meeting. Stand by!

We dig Folly Farm!

Hope to see you soon

Gary

Leslie

Friday, May 14, 2021

Hi, everyone.

I hope this message finds you happy and gardening!

It is intended to bring you up-to-date with our club activities and preview what is planned for the summer months. As always, check out our Facebook Page for more photos and details on all our activities...

We recently conducted some fun (and profitable) meetings and activities. I’ll post some photos and accounts below.

But first, Club business…

Financial: Anne reported the current balance is $6,564.07. The April plant sale garnered approximately $2,500, less expenses.

Leslie made a motion, Sharen seconded, and it was unanimously agreed that a portion of the plant sale proceeds will be distributed as follows:

$500 to Mattie Williams Neighborhood Center,

$500 to The Safety Harbor Dish,

$500 to Folly Farm Nature Preserve Summer Camp scholarships to be distributed at $100 each.

$500 for expenses related to the construction of the Wind Phone.

A motion was made, Barbara and Anne seconded, and it was unanimously agreed for permission for Leslie to spend up to $500 for a temporary screen room structure to house butterfly plants.

Plant Sales: The Club will be having plant sales the 2^nd Saturday of every month. The City of Safety Harbor will advertise the sales.

Membership: 30 years and still growing is more than a slogan! We have added several new members in the last month or so!

Leah Metz, a good friend and longtime member of the Safety Harbor Garden Club passed away on May 8th of a heart attack. There will be a service for family members only. Leah leaves her husband Bob; and for those who wish to express your condolences the address is as follows:

Mr. Robert Metz
2806 Countryside Blvd. #516
Clearwater, Fl. 33761

Summer General Membership Meetings:

Our usual meeting space, Moccasin Lake Nature Park, is currently limiting interior meeting capacity to 20 individuals so we are looking at some alternatives.

Several ideas for summer meetings were discussed, including road trips, and garden tours such as Selby Gardens, Boyd Hill, Brooker Wildflower Walk (James Stevenson), Sustainable Gardens near St. Pete Pier, and many more.

So far this is what is planned:

May Meeting: No physical meeting is planned for May.
Gary will send detailed Club activity info to all members, in “blog” form, in place of the May meeting. You are always invited to our Garden Club site at Folly Farm on Monday mornings. There is always learning going! Starting @ 8:00am.

June Meeting: The June meeting will be a “Birthday Party” at Folly Farm to celebrate the one-year anniversary of the native wildflower garden. It will also be a planting party. Gary stated he will possibly set up sprinklers ( for cooling off!). This meeting will be held Wednesday, June 23^rd.

July Meeting: Considerations for the July meeting are a trip to Selby Gardens or possibly Brooker Creek(James Stevenson). Costs for Selby Garden entrance will be researched. Brooker Creek would be free and has indoor and outdoor meeting space. Gary will work on getting a bus and Gary/Leslie will get with Sherry.

Wind Phone & Memorial:

Here is a message regarding our newest construction project at Folly Farm- The Wind Phone. Sent from City of Safety Harbor social media, it was also shared to our Facebook page:

“A very special shout out to the Safety Harbor Garden Club and Parks staff – THANK YOU!!! The SH Garden Club has made another amazing donation to Folly Farm. Garden members Chris Dotson & Gary Sawtelle designed a wind phone after conversations with regular park user, Laura Grimme McCullough, who brought the idea forward. After receiving approval, Chris Dotson went to work building the wind phone from scrap wood pieces at Building Maintenance, and the club funded the remaining materials needed. Parks staff assisted the club with moving & final placement of the booth within a cleared, leveled area of the park.

What is a wind phone, you ask?

A wind phone is a telephone booth visitors can hold one-way conversations with deceased loved ones. Initially created by garden designer Itaru Sasaki in 2010 to help him cope with his cousin's death, it was opened to the public in the following year after the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami killed over 15,000 people in the Tōhoku region.

The wind phone has since received over 30,000 visitors. A number of replicas have been constructed around the world, and it has served as the inspiration for several novels and films. The original wind phone is a white, glass-paned telephone booth containing a black, disconnected rotary dial telephone on a metal shelf. A notebook is placed next to the telephone for messages of remembrance.

Known replicas within the United States:

Oakland, California – Feb 2017 to commemorate the 36 people who perished in the Ghost Ship warehouse fire.

Provincetown, Massachusetts – Jan 2020 as a temporary wind phone by a collaboration of ten local artists.

Marshall, North Carolina – October 2020 by a local resident in collaboration with a sculptor after learning of the Otsuchi phone in Japan after her mother’s death.

Aspen Mountain, Colorado – March 2021 was constructed anonymously as an outlet for people mourning deaths caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

-AND NOW-

Safety Harbor, Florida – April 2021 was constructed by the SH Garden Club as an outlet for those who have messages they wish to share with their lost friends and family. Know that your words will be taken by the wind to exactly where they need to go. Continue your conversations…pick up the phone.

Safety Harbor Garden Club Picnic

More than 40 members and guests attended the annual picnic at Safety Harbor City Park from 11:00-2:00 on April 21, 2021. The picnic celebrated the 30^th anniversary of the Club. Masks and social distancing were required.

Andrea Norwood, Director of Safety Harbor Leisure Services and Parks spoke about the partnership between the City of Safety Harbor and the Safety Harbor Garden Club. She mentioned that the Club will be getting a shed and greenhouse to be supplied by the City. Andrea introduced Robert Moser, City of Safety Harbor Parks Operations Manager. She also thanked the Club for all that we do.

Joe Ayoub, Mayor Safety Harbor, expressed thanks for all the Club’s work. He recently toured Mullet Creek Park and Folly Farm and commented on the amazing work and value the Club brings to this community. He encouraged the Club to keep up the good work.

Gary brought Barbara Nelson up to the speaker’s table. Barbara was the first president of Safety Harbor Garden Club in 1991. Barbara stated that the garden club has been her “heart” since 1991. The Club started at the Safety Harbor Museum and Barbara stated the theme for the first year was “Living Color” and she read a letter she wrote in 1991. The words were as relevant today as they were then.

The President’s pins, which are lapel pins with the new garden club logo, were presented to the Board members and dignitaries in attendance. President’s pins were awarded to Michelle, our first volunteer at Folly Farm, and to Chris Dotson for all his extensive work for the Club. President’s pins were also presented to past presidents and Board members.

As far as Club news, Gary stated that a “pocket” butterfly garden has been established at the Library, along the art walk area.

Sandy Huff spoke of Violet, who started the Club. She also encouraged members to serve on the Board. Gary stated that Sandy has always graciously given us space on her farm to store and process our plants, for thirty years.

Leslie was awarded the “Fabulous Folly Farmers” pitchfork trophy as Volunteer of the Year.

Leslie dramatically revealed and modeled the new T-Shirt. The T-Shirts are violet in color to honor our Club founder, and include the new logo honoring the 30-year anniversary. T-Shirts were distributed to members in good standing. To be considered a member in good standing, a member must pay dues and have worked on a project.

There was a nice variety of food and desserts, which were served “cafeteria style” by the Board members and others. Special thanks to Kay for planning the food, Jennifer for the drinks, and Gary’s daughter for making the cupcakes.

A wide variety of garden-themed items were offered for silent auction.

Safety Harbor Garden Club Spring Picnic at “The Pavilion at City Park”.