Guest Blog by BGC Prez Nancy Del Presto

Important Upcoming Events...
...as well as 3 new members:  Carol, Diana and Wanda, who are most welcome,

Well, March will be a busy month for us.  1st  We have a meeting on March 6th at the BCA at 11:30am (see below).  We have invited the Pittsburgh Botanic Garden to come speak to us about their past, current and future work in creating Pittsburgh first outdoor public garden.  This group has worked tirelessly to build a Botanic Garden in Pittsburgh and have raised the funds through multiple avenues including membership opportunities, and particularly for us, a garden club group membership.  Group membership can be attained if 10 people join at $25 (single or individual membership is $35).  I believe it to be appropriate for the BGC to support these Gardens, as part of our mission is to educate and promote education in gardening.  So I am asking for you to consider joining by bringing $25 to the meeting where I will have some membership forms available.  If you cannot come, I can still sign you up so please call me at 412-247-4129.  We have to have 10 people to get the discounted rate.  Additionally in the fund raising department, the PBG has an annual plant sale that I have found to be superior.  They sell native perennials, shrubs, small trees and garden-related equipment/paraphernalia and our speaker, Kitty Vagley, will bring some Plant Sale brochures for us, if they are ready.  This is another way to support Pittsburgh's "living museum". 2nd  Adrienne is in charge of the Basket of Cheer again, and asks that you please bring a donation for the basket of cheer, which is one of our major raffle prizes.  (It would be best if you made a monetary donation so she can vary the kinds and amounts of alcohol we put in the basket.  A monetary donation just give us more flexibility, however if you have a fine bottle of something that is just sitting on your shelf then please feel free to donate that.) And, if anyone won't be at the meeting but is willing to make a donation they can bring it to Adrienne's house or call her and she will pick it up, 412-244-1864. 
3rd We have our Bloomin' Corners Benefit.  I hope everyone is coming and has sent in their reservation and raffle tickets to support our corner maintenance and renovations.  Deadline for reservations is March 9th with the House Party starting at 7pm on  Friday March 16th.  If you cannot come for some reason, please support us with a donation, but I would much rather have you come and socialize with Blackridge friends and neighbors, enjoy a birdhouse contest, some jazz piano and the usual fabulous food at Longue Vue Club. So please, invite a friend, your spouse, your partner, and join us for good company and a good cause.
Phew....hope you read all this,Nancy