SAIFD Chapter Updates
Forbes Chapter | Gateway Chapter | Prairie Chapter | Scott Chapter
FORBES CHAPTER - Kiswaukee College
The Forbes Chapter had a great opportunity in hosting our AIRS program. Howard Silver AIFD came out to Kishwaukee College on a COLD February morning. We were thrilled to warm up when Howard had the students make cacti out of several fruits and vegetables for our lunch table decorations. Howard showed the students some Alternative Techniques, which was the name of the program. We learned how to use fresh materials in different ways, for armatures, manipulating fresh materials in unusual ways, and using beads and wire in fresh pieces. The students were inundated with new ideas. Our Deans were equally impressed.
We have two students coming to compete in Kansas City so we will be utilizing the rest of the school year for more fundraising and practice. Our SAIFD club will make the centerpieces for the Faculty banquet, Donor appreciation and the Adjunct Faculty dinner.
Looking forward to seeing you all in KC!
Respectfully submitted,
Janet Gallagher, Advisor
GATEWAY CHAPTER - Gateway Technical College
The time has just blown by. It seems like we were just at symposium and now we have to make arrangements again. Our chapter has two students already coming and a few more in question. We will be looking forward to another great time.
As for now we are busy planning an AIR Program. Our program will take place on March 31 & April 1. No, it's not an April fools. Our designer is Alice Waterous from Michigan. It will be a two-day event. Alice will be instructing the chapter members in wedding bouquets to make for our wedding show. The next day we will have a fashion show and a body flower hands on workshop. Wow!!!! That's a lot. I WONDER IF Alice knows what she got herself into. I'm sure she does and we are so grateful for her coming.
We are also very fortunate to have received a donation of wedding dresses and bridesmaid dresses. What a blessing at this time.
We are also having fundraisers for the trip to symposium. We tried something new this year. We planted some grass and we are making bunny baskets with real grass or bulb plants. The bunnies are made out of flowers like the poodles of yesterday. They are back!!! We are believing to do really well with them to help pay for our program and the cost of symposium.
That's all that is happening for now. We'll send pictures after our show.
Respectfully submitted,
Jane Edwards AIFD, Advisor/Instructor
PRAIRIE CHAPTER - Joliet Junior College
The Prairie Chapter has had a wonderful start to the new year. We are looking forward to attending symposium. We have 13 members in our chapter with four competing a national symposium. We are looking forward to Kansas and attending the design shows. We are all eagerly anticipating the incredible Midwestern cuisine that Kansas has to offer! We love beef!
We have attended two wholesale shows this year as well as toured the displays at Navy Pier. My students love all of these experiences. It really helps beginners to see the creative ideas of so many talented designers. Our AIRS program will be in conjunction with our prom workshop. All members are excited to be learning about the newest trends in this area. Students will be creating items using both wiring and gluing methods.
Our prom workshop is scheduled for April 8. We have 65 area high school students signed up to learn about some of the latest trends in prom flowers. Chapter members will be assisting these young people while they create their own boutonnieres and creative wristlets. STudents are excited to purchase these trendy creations from their local florists. They love the new Fitz products! Stock up on wires and bling.
The scholarship committee will be reviewing applications this upcoming week. All applicants look great. It will be a hard decision for our group to select one winner for each scholarship or grant. Hopefully, we will have winners contacted before April 15th. Good luck to all who have submitted an application.
Respectfully submitted,
Donna Theimer AIFD, ICPF, Chapter Secretary
SCOTT CHAPTER - University of Illinois
The SAIFD Scott Chapter held a booth at the ExplorAces open house for the Agriculture Open House. The booth was Jeopardy themed and featured the categories of Careers, Design Styles, Containers and Types of Flowers.
The U of Illinois Chapter is preparing for a spring/Easter arrangement fundraiser and the University Mom's weekend, April 17-19. The Chapter will be hosting an open design competition on April 17th and will be selling posies and corsages on April 18th at the Horticulture Club flower show in the Stock Pavilion. Please check the Chapter's Web site for more information closer to the date.
http://sites.google.com/sites/floraldesignillinois/.
Respectfully submitted,
Trisha Locke, AIFD, ICPF, SAIFD Co-advisor
