April 17, 2007

To: Annamary Miester President Louisiana Garden Club Federation, Inc.

From:   Jo Ann Ryan
Blue Star Memorial Chairman

Subject: Report for LGCF Convention April 17, 2007

Louisiana has 49 Highway Markers, 15 By -Way Markers and 1 Memorial Marker, giving us a total of 65 Markers. (These totals do not include 7 markers that are missing.)

The following is a breakdown of markers by districts:

Since my last report of April 19, 2006, the following orders have been made.

Covington Garden Club, Covington, La. (Dist VI) has placed an order for a Highway Marker (July, 2006)

Ferriday Garden Club, Ferriday, La. (Dist V) has placed an order for a Highway Marker (Sept, 2006)

Plaquemine Garden Club, Plaquemine, La. (Dist VI) has placed an order for a Memorial Marker (Dec., 2006)

Jonesboro-Hodge Garden Club, Jonesboro, La. (Dist V) has placed an order for a Highway Marker (Dec. 2006)

Ponchatoula Gardenettes Garden Club and Ponchatoula Community Garden Club, Ponchatoula, La. (Dist VI) have placed an order for a By-Way Marker. (Dec., 2006)

This makes a total of 7 markers ordered during the presidential term of Annamary Miester.

This chairman has attended two dedication ceremonies:

July 1, 2006, Baton Rouge Garden Club, (Dist VI), dedicated a By-Way Marker located in Independence Park, near the intersections of Lobdell Ave. and Independence Blvd. (Marker was purchased in 2001.)

November, 2006, Magnolia Garden Club of Ville Platte, La., (Dist VII), dedicated a Highway Marker located on 126 E Main St., Ville Platte, La. at City Hall. (Marker was purchased March 2006.)

Crowley Garden Club will be dedicating their Highway Marker on May 26, 2007.

There has been an important change in the Standing Rules for the Blue Star Memorial Marker. It is as follows:

Blue Star Memorial Markers are permitted on the grounds of National Cemeteries, Veterans Administration Medical Centers and OTHER APPROPRIATE CIVIC LOCATIONS. (The civic location to be previewed and approved by the NGC, Inc. Blue Star Memorial Chairman.)

I am happy to report that the highway marker located at the Southwest La. Convention and Visitors Bureau in Lake Charles, La. damaged during Hurricane Rita has been repaired and is once again standing.

Winnie Galarza of the Pontchartrain Garden Club of New Orleans, La., (no longer a member of the NGC, Inc.), reported that the marker on Gentilly Blvd. in the median of Gentilly Woods Shopping Center was laid over during Hurricane Katrina and they are in the process of having it put back up.

It is this chairman's goal to make a scrapbook of the markers in our state by districts. For the past two years, with the help of the District Directors, I have been collecting pictures of Blue Star Markers across the state to begin this project.    I have received many pictures but am still in need of some. . Please contact either me or your incoming district director for this information.   The work on this book will begin following this convention.   So get those pictures in.

This Chairman has enjoyed and appreciated the opportunity to serve the LGCF, Inc. as the Blue Star Memorial Chairman for the past two years and I'm looking forward to the next two years. It is very rewarding to be a part in the outstanding NGC's program, honoring men and women who have served, are serving, or will serve in our Nation's Armed Forces.   If your club is interested in purchasing a marker, please do not hesitate to contact me. I also have Blue Star Memorial Highway Program brochures from NGC Members Services available for your information.

Thanks to all who have supported and will support the NGC's Blue Star Memorial Marker project.

Jo Ann Ryan
Blue Star Memorial Chairman