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Check here for the latest information from NGC, Central Region and GCI.
Scholarship
Committee
Many inquiries have come in regarding the pocket calendars the scholarship has sold in the past. Due to the Covid 19 pandemic, the committee has not been able raise funds or produce a calendar for 2021. Please consider donating to the scholarship committee. We hope things will get back to normal soon. Due to the lack of fundraising availability, GCI awarded one $4500 scholarship in 2021.
Blue Star Memorial
Markers
Blue Star Chairman - Kathy Rewerts
The Blue Star Memorial national project continues to be one of the most popular and appreciated projects of garden clubs throughout our nation. Members enthusiastically support it as a way to honor our service men and women, throughout our history, who have sacrificed so much to preserve our freedoms. To learn more, click on the boxes below.
Check out our Blue Star Memorial Facebook page - Blue Star over Illinois!
Gold Star Memorial Markers are available as a large Memorial Marker or By-Way Marker. Gold Star Markers are placed as a tribute to the Gold Star Families whose loved one paid the ultimate price defending the United States of America.
Cancelled
The Long Grove- Kildeer Garden Club dedicated its new Blue Star Memorial Marker on May 28 in Buffalo Creek Park in Long-Grove. The marker is beautifully landscaped, and is the 150th Blue Star Memorial Marker to be placed in Illinois. Pictured below left to right: Paula VanSingal, president of Long Grove-Kildeer Garden Club; GCI President Marilyn Kreuger, and District IX Director Barbara Gilblair.
A marker located in a picnic area on the banks of the Rock River along Route 2 south of Rockford was rededicated on June 14th, Flag Day. The marker was placed in November 1970 during the Vietnam War and was sponsored by the GCI Blue Star Fund. Funds from the Blue Star Fund were used to repaint the marker and purchase a new post. GCI worked with IDOT District 2, Dixon on the project. IDOT planted perennials around the marker and the Rockford Rockford Garden Club members will help maintain them. Pictured below from left: Marilyn Kreuger presents the marker to IDOT Roadside Maintenance Manager Stephanie Dobbs.
BLUE STARS OVER ILLINOIS
The Garden Clubs of Illinois, Inc. and its member clubs have placed 150 markers since the first two markers were placed along U.S. Route 40 in April 1948. Most recently District IX placed a marker at the Mount Prospect traing station on May 19, 2019. The Downers Grove Garden Club placed a marker in November of 2018 and GCI placed a Bicentennial Blue Star Marker dedicated Sept 7, 2018 at the southbound I-57 Illini Prairie Rest Area; and the new Decatur VA Clinic Marker dedicated on June 14, 2018 by the Garden Club of Decatur?
Sewah Studios has increased the price of markers; large Highway and Memorial Markers are now $1830 and the By-Way Markers have increased to $610. Refurbishing a marker is now $900 and includes round-trip freight shipping. Prices are good through May 1, 2023.
Kathy Rewerts serves as Blue Star Memorial chairman for the Garden Clubs of Illinois. She can be reached for further information at rewerts@frontier.com or at her mailing address 841 CR700 E. Sullivan, IL 61951-6354.
Check out our Blue Star Facebook page - Blue Stars over Illinois
Awards
Rules and Guidelines concerning NGC Awards may be found on the NGC website. The GCI Awards Book has been updated to reflect new awards. Please read the directions carefully and supply required information where indicated. You may download a copy of the current GCI Awards Guide from the Awards page of this site.
IMPORTANT - Award applications should be submitted with the current year's cover sheet and follow the format indicated on the Awards page of this website. Most awards: These three page applications are printed on front of pages only (as are GCI Award applications) and will not be returned, so make a copy for your records. MANY MAY BE SENT DIGITALLY! No plastic or binder report covers allowed. Photos should be included (digital photocopies permitted) State awards are due on the same dates as shown in the current Awards Guide. Please only send Books of Evidence in for the Flower Show Awards or when specifically requested in the Awards Book for GCI.
We Continue To Be "GREEN"
Long before environmentalism became a household word, garden clubs throughout the nation have been practicing it since National Garden Clubs founding in 1929. Members have been in the forefront of the "Green Movement" by introducing recycling, organic gardening, wildflower gardens, elimination of invasive species, and many other ways to protect the environment in their home gardens and their many civic projects. They continue to do so.
In 1986 the first Environmental Studies School was introduced during the National Presidency of Illinoisan Violet Dawson. Since that time the Schools have been held across the United States under sponsorship of State garden club federations. Here in Illinois a new Series will begin. Prospective students may begin the Series at any time during the four course series.
The "Living Earth" Environmental Studies School is composed of a minimum of forty-four hours of study of specific units divided into four courses of eleven hours each. Every course contains nine (9) hours of specified units of study and a two (2) hour tour. At the conclusion of each course a written "Open Book" examination is given. After successful completion of all four courses the student will have earned the designation of Nationally Accredited Environmental Consultant. Students also may join the Environmental Consultants Council that meets on a regular basis for special field trips, speakers and the-like.
For further information on this School go to the Schools page of this site or telephone GCI Headquarters at 630-617-9269 Monday, Wednesday, Friday 10 AM to 3 PM.