GCFM 92nd Annual Convention
June 20, 2024 - June 21, 2024
“Gardening for Tomorrow”
University of Maine
Buchanan Alumni House
160 College Avenue, Orono
June 20-21, 2024
The Garden Clubs of the Penobscot District are excited to welcome you to Orono for the 92nd GCFM Convention, Gardening for Tomorrow!
We have reserved the first floor of the Buchanan Alumni House on the University of Maine campus for registration, raffle/silent auction, and many interesting GCFM displays. Weather permitting, an outdoor reception will be hosted Thursday, June 20th, from 5:30 to 6:15 pm, with complimentary hors d’oeuvres, and a cash bar. A delicious dinner will be served at 6:30 pm. To top off the evening, Ivonne Vazquez, our Keynote Speaker, will talk about “Enhancing our Gardening Perspective”.
Where: University of Maine, Buchanan Alumni House, 160 College Avenue, Orono, Maine
When: June 20-21, 2024
Accommodations: Hotel Ursa, a new boutique hotel on the UMaine campus in Orono!
(If calling, mention the GCFM for the group rate.)
Garden Tour: June 20th – Included with your registration!
A garden tour, complete with vendors, will highlight the day on Thursday!
More information and photos will be in the April 2024 issue of Thyme to Garden!
Food and beverages: Provided by UMaine Catering
Please select your lunch and/or dinner meals from the Registration Form*
*Kindly note: No outside food or beverages may be brought into the venue.
Registration: $35 for GCFM members; $40 for non-GCFM members
NOTE: June 6th is the deadline for registration.
IF YOU PREFER TO PAY BY CHECK, PLEASE FILL OUT THE REGISTRATION FORM (CLICK BELOW), PRINT,
AND MAIL TO: ANN HARDWICK, CONVENTION REGISTRAR, 14 HIGH ST., APT. C, NEWPORT, ME 04953
If you have any questions feel free to contact Carol J. Smith, Convention Chair at (207) 745-2493 or by email at [email protected].
Meet Our Convention Speakers!
Thursday, June 20, 2024 – “Enhancing Our Gardening Perspective”
Ivonne Vazquez is passionate about native plants, herbs, pollinators, DIY, sustainability, the environment, and sharing gardening knowledge. She’s most often found outdoors using her skills as a former Master Gardener Volunteer and Licensed Registered Maine Guide/Recreation. Ivonne is a Basic Gardening Instructor at Bangor Adult Community Education and is on the Board of Directors for MOFGA. She’s a small acreage diversified farmer and native plant nursery owner at Bas Rouge Farm & Forge, Orono, Maine.
Friday, June 21, 2024 – Ikebana Ichiyo demonstration
Sandy Leonard, a Maine native, began Ikebana studies while living in Tokyo, Japan. “Just when I thought my in-class design was perfect, our instructor would stop by and remove about half of the plant material!” Sandy is an NGC Accredited Master Flower Show Judge and holds a Level One certificate from the Ichiyo School. She is a member of Boothbay Region Garden Club and gives programs throughout Maine.
