SCHOLARSHIP DEADLINE
EXTENDED TO APRIL 1, 2012

GCFM was instrumental in getting the first Bottle Bill passed and supports this update to the bill.  Members of GCFM were in attendance at the July 20th hearing.  Below is information from the League of Woman Voters "Action Alert" on the bill.

 Updated Bottle Bill Campaign Achieves Majority in Legislature, Cancels Ballot Initiative

The Campaign for an Updated Bottle Bill (which includes ELM) announced yesterday that it has now reached a majority of state legislators in support of an updated bottle bill. As a result, the coalition will press ahead with the pending legislative bill and forego the initiative petition process. 

"Since filing the initiative petition with the Attorney General, more legislators have joined our effort providing a legislative majority. With a majority of legislators, and with respect for an open and democratic process ahead, we look forward to a vote on an overwhelmingly popular and critical issue soon," commented Janet Domenitz, spokesperson for the campaign and Executive Director of MASSPIRG.

"We are grateful for the overwhelming support of the public - a recent MassINC Polling Group showed 77% of the public in favor of the  bill - as well as the support of municipal leaders from 200 cities and towns across the Commonwealth, including Boston's Mayor Menino. On July 20, over 300 people trekked to a public hearing to support the bill in the State House. Given this mandate both inside and outside the State House, we now believe the best strategy to update the most successful recycling program in the state is in the legislature,"  said James McCaffrey, Director of Sierra Club of Massachusetts. 

On August 3, supporters of the Updated Bottle Bill, H1650/S1480, a bill which would add water, juice, and similar containers to the existing container deposit law, filed an initiative petition with the Attorney General's office to preserve the option of putting the proposed law to the voters in November 2012. That petition was certified by the Attorney General earlier this month and provided the additional momentum inside the legislature. 

"This is a win, win, win proposal," commented Rep. Alice Wolf, chief House sponsor of the bill. "This bill will reduce litter, increase recycling, and save cities and towns money in disposal and litter pick-up. I know many members of the House and Senate want these wins, and I know Governor Patrick wants to see this bill on his desk as soon as possible." 

The updating of the bottle bill has the strong support of the Patrick administration. Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Ken Kimmell added, "Every year across Massachusetts, more than 30,000 tons of noncarbonated beverage bottles are buried in landfills, burned in waste-to-energy plants, or tossed onto our streets, parks and beaches. That's enough plastic bottles to fill Fenway Park ... five times. " 

The legislative committee charged with considering the bill, co-chaired by Rep. John Keenan of Salem and Sen. Ben Downing of Pittsfield, held a hearing on July 20. The bill is awaiting action from their Committee

2004 New England Spring Flower Show Design Division Competition Top Awards The Diane Bullock Award Given, if merited, in the GCFMA Design Division for the entry that is the most original interpretation of the class theme and uses an adventurous combination of plant material and components. Blue ribbon winners not eligible. Given only once during the show.

Entry Day March 16, 2004 Georgia McHugh

New Meadows Garden Club of Topsfield Class 103

Judges' Comments: "Daring Combination of Hyacinths, Palms and Bromeliads contribute to dynamic interpretation of class."

The Barbara D. May Award of Design Excellence Given once during the Show, if merited, to a blue ribbon winner in the GCFMA Design Division, scoring the highest number of points in a Designer's Choice class.

Entry Day March 16, 2004 Gloria Freitas Easton Garden Club Class 103

Judges' Comments: "Nature's gifts masterfully handled!!!"

The Clare Richards Award May be given, if merited, in the GCFMA Design Division for the entry in a Tricolor class that best exemplifies the sensitive use of color. This award will be given once during the Show and the recipient need not be a blue ribbon winner.

Entry Day March 16, 2004 Seta Lapore Belmont Garden Club Class 105

Judges' Comments: "Distinctive color selection of plant material and components creates a subtle understated elegance."

The Jeanne-Marie Parkes Creativity Award Given, if merited, to the design judged by the Evaluation Panel to be the most creative interpretation of the class. All competitive entries in the GCFMA Design Division are eligible. The recipient need not be a blue ribbon winner. Given once during the Show.

Entry Day March 19, 2004 Shirley Minott Walnut Hill Garden Club of Hanover Class 107

Judges' Comments: "Spirit of the quilt distinctively captured by artistic handling of color gradation and choice components!!"

2004 New England Spring Flower Show Design Division Competition Top Awards The Marie Hancock Cook Certificate of Merit for Achievement in Traditional Flower Arrangement Given by the GCFMA to the blue ribbon entry, if merited, receiving the highest number of points in a traditional class. The period chosen must be stated in the schedule. Given once for the entire Show. The Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts' classes only.

Entry Day March 12, 2004 Emma Houseman Open Gate Garden Club of Chelmsford Class 105

Judges' Comments: "Great variety of plant material appropriate for the period! Accessories subtle and well placed!"

The John Taylor Arms Awarded to the blue ribbon entry receiving the highest number of points. All first prize entries are point scored. Given only once during the Show.

Entry Day March 16, 2004 Gloria Freitas Easton Garden Club Class 103

Judges' Comments: "Pastel Perfect! A sculptor's vision flawlessly expressed."

The Ruth A. Wallack Design Award Recognizes a design of outstanding beauty and creativity in the expression of one designer's imagination. Open to all competitive entries in the Design Division of the New England Spring Flower Show. This award may be given only once during the Show and the recipient need not be a blue ribbon winner.

Entry Day March 16, 2004 Robin Murphy Wareham Garden Club Class 204

Judges' Comments: "Imaginative expression! Objects creatively woven into a design of beauty."

The Susan Scheel Thomas Novice Award Awarded to the most distinctive design by a novice in any design class of the New England Spring Flower Show. This award may be given only once during the Show and the recipient need not be a blue ribbon winner.

Entry Day March 19, 2004 Sarah Kathryn Anderson Charlestown, MA Class 204

Judges' Comments: "Skillful interpretation! All components extremely well integrated."

A medal depicting the NGC seal to be given, if merited, to the exhibit in the Artistic Division judged by a NGC panel to be the finest, scoring 95 points or more. Given only once during the Show.

Entry Day March 16, 2004 Sarah Boynton Hingham Garden Club Class 207

Judges' Comments: "Wonderfully whimsical! Creatively crafted with great attention to detail."

The Garden Club of America Zone I Bowl Presented by the member clubs in Northern New England, is awarded if merited, only once during the entire show for distinction in the aesthetic arrangement of plant material. The exhibit shall be judged with no reference to a point scale or any previous award.

Entry Day March 19, 2004 Linda Ladd Belmont Garden Club Class 108

Judges' Comments: "Impeccably designed and executed."

The Margaret Clover Symonds Metal This metal may be awarded to members of Garden Club of America clubs only in a competitive flower arrangement class at a Major Flower Show. The arrangement must be completed at the show and either individual or joint entries are eligible. The arrangement must be an innovative modern design, creatively combining man-made material(s) with fresh and/or dried plant material (as the schedule permits). Given only once during the show if there is an exhibit worthy of this honor. There must be at least 36 GCA flower arrangement entries in the show.

Entry Day March 16, 2004 Betsy Madsen Back Bay Garden Club Class 204

Judges' Comments: "A difficult challenge handled with innovation and distinction."

The Fenwick Metal This medal is awarded to members of Garden Club of America clubs only in competitive flower arrangement classes at a Major Flower Show. It is offered in recognition of creative work of outstanding beauty using predominately fresh plant material, fruits or vegetables. The arrangement must be made at the show and must be the work of only the person(s) under whose name(s) it is exhibited. The awarding of the Fenwick Metal lies in the clear interpretation by the judges of the intent of the medal. A standard of creativity and quality in a highly competitive show rather than Best in Show is required. The arrangement must have placed first, second, or third. Given only once during the show if there is an exhibit worthy of this honor. There must be at least 36 GCA flower arrangement entries in the show.

Entry Day March 19, 2004 Ruth Crocker North Shore Garden Club Class 206

Judges' Comments: "Ephemeral Beauty."

The Certificate of Excellence in Flower Arranging (formerly listed as The Carol Coffey Swift Medal for Excellence in Flower Arranging) It is offered in recognition of an arrangement of great distinction in a competitive class at a Major Flower Show. The arrangement must be created at the show. Either an individual or joint entry is eligible. The arrangement must have placed first, second or third. Given only once during the show if there is an exhibit worthy of this honor.

Entry Day March 16, 2004 Robin Murphy Wareham Garden Club Class 204

Judges' Comments: "Pristine perfection."

The Artisan Award Given in recognition of a design executed entirely of dried material in the New England Spring Flower Show. The design must conform to the schedule requirements and be of exceptional quality in the area of craftsmanship, with skillful and unique manipulation of the materials. Awarded on the first entry day. Only blue ribbon winners in Class 201 are eligible.

Entry Day March 12, 2004 Robyn Spagnolo Newport Garden Club Class 201

Judges Comments: "Impeccable workmanship."