Awards Meeting
97th Annual Awards Meeting and Luncheon
October 21, 2026 - Aqua Turf Club -
97th Annual Awards Meeting and Luncheon
October 21, 2026
Aqua Turf Club – 556 Mulberry St. Plantsville, CT 06479
Celebrate the end of another wonderful gardening season with friends from across the state! The FGCCT Awards Luncheon is the perfect opportunity to connect and be inspired by outstanding club and individual accomplishments.
Schedule:
- 9:00 a.m. – Doors open for coffee, early holiday shopping with vendors, and get your tickets to enter our popular raffle
- 10:00 a.m. – Program begins
This year’s luncheon will feature a delicious seasonal three-course meal including Butternut Squash Bisque, your choice of entrée and Cookie/Brownie selection:
Entree Choices:
Autumn Chicken – Chicken breast lightly breaded and topped with a combination of roasted butternut squash and dried cranberries. Served with cranberry molasses demi-glacé.
New York Strip Sirloin – (Gluten-Free)
Pan-Seared Salmon –A fillet seared with a Dijon Maple glaze. (Gluten-Free)
Vegetarian Lasagna — Thinly sliced eggplant batter dipped and layered with a zesty marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese.
Cost: $49 per person (subsidized by FGCCT)
Returning this year….. Pumpkins on Parade ! Make and donate a pumpkin floral design to adorn the tables at the luncheon. All designs will be auctioned off with proceeds going to FGCCT Scholarships. Check the box off during your registration process & information will be emailed to you about creating your design.
Mark your calendars for a day of celebration, shopping, inspiration, and fun ! The fall luncheon typically sells out—please reserve early!
Click to register here
Archive of 2025 Award Winners
THE BRONZE MEDAL
Established in 1935, this award is the highest award given by The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut to an individual, couple, group or club for outstanding accomplishments in upholding the aims and purposes of The Federation.
Neil Duncan, VP Avalonia Land Conservancy. Winner of Bronze Medal, alongside (l) Karin Psykaty and (r) FGCCT President Nan Merolla
Avalonia Land Conservancy, recipient of the 2025 Bronze Medal, is a nonprofit regional land trust dedicated to conserving natural habitats in southeastern CT. Established in 1968 as the Mashantucket Land Trust and renamed in 1995, Avalonia is one of 29 accredited land trusts in the state and the only regional trust in New London County. It protects nearly 5,000 acres across 22 towns, including vital coastal and inland habitats.
Its work emphasizes land stewardship, habitat restoration, and community engagement. Key initiatives include restoring Atlantic white cedar swamps, bolstering oak populations threatened by climate change and pests, and combating invasive species through volunteer-driven efforts such as selective removal and native replanting. Avalonia partners with academic institutions and indigenous communities to enhance conservation practices and resource sharing.
