TOUCH THE EARTH LIGHTLY

Touch the earth lightly,
Use the earth gently,
Nourish the life
Of the world in our care:
Gift of great wonder,
Ours to surrender,
Trust for the children
Tomorrow will bear.

We who endanger,
Who create hunger,
Agents of death
For all creatures that live,
We who would foster
Clouds of disaster---
God of our planet,
Forestall and forgive!

Let there be greening,
Birth from the burning,
Water that blesses,
And air that is sweet,
Health in God's garden,
Hope in God's children,
Regeneration
That peace will complete.

God all living,
God of all loving,
God of the seedling,
The snow, and the sun,
Teach us, deflect us,
Using us gently,
And making us one.

by S. Murray and C. Gibson
Copywrited 1992 Hope Publishing Co.

President’s Message

"Changes in the Landscape"
 

In all honesty, I must borrow the well used adage "Time Flies When You Are Having Fun." This past year generated an exciting and eventful year filled with projects and programs targeting our theme "Greening the Landscape." I reveled at the Club's meeting endeavors to improve the local environment and support our community's expanding needs. In addition as a supportive team, we aligned ourselves to reinforce the local, district, state and national objectives. Job well done!

As  we begin a new year, our attention turns toward "changes in the landscape." Normally, Mother Nature's rhythmic cycles of balancing our region's need for rainfall, moderate temperature and dependable seasons restore our faith in selecting varieties of plants that are environmentally responsible for an adequate growth cycle in this hardiness zone. Unfortunately, when the temperature is above normal, and precipitation is below normal, we experience many "changes in the landscape" and low maintenance plus drought resistant plants may be the best alternative.

Also with each season, new challenges become apparent in the landscape. There is no better way to seek out notable cultivars, species and varieties in this area than to visit local nurseries and municipal gardens as well as friends, neighbors and family members' Jardin des Plantes. Each botanical display will exhibit a magnificent tapestry of color, texture, size, and form. Just stroll through each respective garden observing the borders, beds and containers to select appropriate plants for the desired effect in your little area of paradise.

Remember, gardens are not made by sitting on the sidelines, but by being in the garden and adapting to the many whims of 'Mother Nature.'

Ellen