About FGC

FEDERATED GARDEN CLUBS OF YUMA

Organized 1949

COORDINATOR Willene Calvert

Federated Council projects include:

Conduct gardening seminars, educational exhibits, and a plant sale at the annual Yuma Home & Garden Show.
Sponsor the Horticulture and Floral Design Divisions at the annual Yuma County Fair each April
Conduct the Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl Poster Contest for grades K-5
Write a weekly “Desert Gardener” column for the Yuma Sun, our daily newspaper
Over-seeing and helping to maintain the Historical Gardens at the Sanguinetti House Museum, 240 Madison Avenue, Yuma

Front entrance to Sanguinetti House Museum and Gardens
240 Madison Avenue
The Sanguinetti House Museum and Garden is a traditional example of what early Yuman’s held dear for “quality of life” in this desert community.
The original portion of the home was built about 1871, and purchased in 1891 by Yuma merchant and entrepreneur E.F. Sanguinetti. Mr. Sanguinetti’s Italian heritage came to the fore with his garden. The Museum, Garden and aviary were established as a museum in 1963 by the Yuma County Historical Society, then donated to the Arizona Historical Society in 1972.
During 2004 and 2005 the Federated Garden Clubs of Yuma, partnering with the Arizona Historical Society, restored the gardens to the early 1900's era. The Federated Garden Club restoration project was made possible as a result of funding from grants, the generosity of local merchants, work by garden club members and a boy scout troop, and donations from nonprofit organizations.

To assist with continued maintenance of the garden, Historical Society and Federated Garden Club members conducted a very successful fund raising event titled "A Party for the Garden" on March 8, 2009. This fun event featured special food and drink booths, old fashioned cake walks, a plant sale, silent auction of collectable items, and strolling musicians.

The Federated Garden Clubs of Yuma placed a Blue Star By-Way Marker in Yuma Armed Forces Park and conducted a public dedication ceremony on Sunday, April 26 at 2 PM. The Blue Star Memorial honors all service men and women who are serving, have served or will serve in the armed services of the United States.

The dedication, with 85 in attendance, was a successful event. Participation and attendance by Marine Corps Air Station added patriotism and dignity to the ceremony. Colonel Mark Werth, Commanding Officer, Yuma Marine Corps Air Station spoke. The Marines also presented a Color Guard. The Pledge of Allegiance ceremony, presented by the 4-H Ambassadors, was an important part of the program.

Sharron Luoma, AFGC State President spoke. She and husband Fred, traveled to Yuma for the dedication. Their time and support was appreciated. Ellen Gardner, MGM Garden Club, greeted Sharon and introduced her to Yuma members. Cal Kelley, Western District Director, presented the Blue Star Marker to the City of Yuma. Mayor Larry Nelson accepted the marker and spoke about his memories of World War II.

Marilyn Thornbury, Yuma Garden Club, gave a beautiful and appropriate invocation, Sharon Jessup, Pecan Grove Garden Club, presented the history of the Blue Star Memorial, and Judy Vine, Yuma Orchid Society, concluded the program by reading the poem "Take a Moment to Thank a Veteran" authored by Joanna Fuchs.

Members were surprised to see a colored photo on the front page of The Sun on Monday morning April 27. The news story was titled "A Blue Star to Remember." The Sun had promoted the event by providing information in the "What's Going On" section of the paper and a story in the Saturday, April 25, 2009 edition. Both of Yuma's local TV stations covered the dedication on Sunday's 10 PM news programs.

Dignitaries present, who were not on the agenda, included: AZ State Legislator, Russ Jones; Yuma County Board of Supervisors Chairman, Greg Ferguson and Councilwoman, Lenore Stuart; City Council members Emma Lea Shoop and Paul Johnson; a member of the Daughters of American Revolution; and Art Nottingham, Veterans Assistance Counselor.

The Blue Star Memorial dedicated on April 26, was a By-Way marker sized to be suitable for placement in gardens, veteran's facilities or our Armed Forces Park. It is smaller than the markers placed throughout the United States as part of the Blue Star Highway System.

Blue stars were a well-known symbol during World War II. At that time, the windows of American homes that had a loved one serving in uniform were adorned with an armed-service banner. This banner contained a blue star on a white background that was framed in red. It was instant recognition of a family's sacrifice for the war effort. If the star was changed from blue to gold, it meant the soldier had been killed in action. The Blue Star Memorial Highways take their name from the blue star in the service flag.

In 1945, the National Council of State Garden Clubs adopted the Blue Star Memorial Program and began a Blue Star Highway system, which covers thousands of miles across the Continental United States, Alaska and Hawaii. The program has been active through the years to the present. Many members are proud that our National organization had the vision to embrace such a meaningful project.

In the early 1960's, Yuma clubs placed a large highway marker at the north end of Fourth Avenue. This was then the main highway going into California. After the freeway was built, it cut off the marker from being on a Blue Star Memorial Highway. In May 1992, the marker was moved to the north side of the Mohawk Rest Area on Highway 1-8.

Catch the Reading Bug!

"Catch the Reading Bug!” was the title of our public library’s summer program. This was the first year that Federated Garden Club members participated. Several members went to the library with plants grown by members, soil, gravel, pots, water containers and various tools on July 9, 2008 to teach children how to plant.

Each child was given a bright orange apron provided by Home Depot with "Federated Garden Clubs of Yuma" printed near the top. Children were instructed and assisted in preparing a pot with gravel and soil. They then selected a plant they liked and planted it with assistance from members. The event began at 10:30 and by 11:30 AM forty-four (44) children had a container plant ready to take home. Care instruction slips that included the name of the child's plant were provided.

Members who worked with children were: Willene Calvert, Judy Miller, Dorothy Weidner, Judy Vine and Val Colvin. They brought supplies and plants. In addition, Marianne Newton provided plants and Angela Adams provided soil. Library staff, garden club members, children and parents considered the project a success.

July 17 from 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM was the Grand Finale of the Catch the Reading Bug summer program. Micheal Rosner and Angela Adams were part of that event displaying and explaining Micheal's Worm Farm.