Special to IFN
The Statesville Woman’s Club welcomes club member Janine Burchette as the speaker at its April meeting. She discussed her love of African violets.
Burchette admitted that she was not a professional but rather a hobbyist. She is very passionate about plants, having been raised in a family of gardeners. Her brother is an accomplished horticulturist and her daughter owns Russell Flower Farms in Elkin, where Janine helps manage the farm. The love of African violets began in her youth and has since blossomed into a thriving business. Recently, she earned second place for one of her African violets at the Carolina Classic Fair.
Burchette displayed a poster highlighting “The Violet Vibe,” which included photos of her setup showing the parent plants, adolescents, propagation and the numerous colors that African violets come in.
She shared how much oxygen and overall wellness an African violet can bring into a home. Some essential care tips she provided included caution of placing them in direct sunlight; no fluctuation of temperatures as they prefer 68 to 78 degrees and humidity; use of a two-pot system works best; and always water from the bottom. Also, while some plants don’t like round roots, African violets do. They should only be replanted every few years. As part of the program, each lady present received a baby African violet to grow. Janine kept it a mystery as to what colors were planted.
A Violet and Garden Basket raffle was held at the meeting that benefited the Club’s Kindness Rock Garden project. The basket, valued at over $300, contained one of Janine Burchette’s lovely violets, clippers, two pairs of gloves, an African violet book, fertilizer and two private tour tickets to Russell Flower Farm in Elkin, which included two bouquets. The raffle raised $196. The winner was Shelley Arthur.
Annual Geranium Sale
The Statesville Woman’s Club is taking orders until Saturday, April 19, for the Annual Geranium Sale, which will be held on Saturday, April 26, from 8 a.m. to 12 noon.
These North Carolina geraniums will be available in Pink Parfait, Red, Salmon, Violet and White for $6 per plant or $38 for a flat (8 plants per flat and mixed colors qualify). There will also be Hanging Baskets (Pink Parfait or Red) for $25 each. Some Geraniums may not be available the day of the sale. Early ordering is encouraged in order to get color preferences.
Ordering is available online or by contacting Geranium Sale Chairman, Janine. Call or text 336-523-7466 or email at janinedlewis13@gmail.com for more information.
Upcoming Meetings
♦ Thursday, May 1, at 5:30 p.m. with a time of Social Fellowship and Meeting at 6 p.m. The Arts and Culture Community Service Team will lead the meeting with guest speaker Isabella DiFiore of Bella’s Backpacks. The night’s project will be preparing backpacks to help support children at the Dove House and in the Iredell community. Items needed for the backpacks include small stuffed animals, small blankets, journals, coloring books, colored pencils, individual tissue packets and hair brushes.
♦ Sunday, May 4, at 3 p.m.: “College Shower” for the Club’s Sallie Southall Cotten Scholarship winner, North Iredell Senior Christopher J. Corona-Plancarte.
All members, guests and interested women are invited to attend these meetings.
LEARN MORE
For information about renting the GFWC of NC Statesville Woman’s Club’s Clubhouse for your meeting or event, email the Club at Statesvillewomansclub@gmail.com or call 704-761-8208. The Club website is www.statesvillewomansclub.org. For details on joining the Statesville Woman’s Club, contact Membership Team member Joanna Gaither at 704-873-2684.