We’ve only reached the midpoint of December, but there are so many events and pictures to share that I’ve decided to do two December Happenings, lest readers become exhausted by the fun photos of all of the holiday festivities of the month. It turns out that, although we’re all exceptional gardeners, we also specialize in enjoying each other’s company.
EAGC kicked off the month by serving as Grand Marshal of the famed Exeter Holiday Parade, held on December 3. Although the day was rainy and gloomy, Mother Nature smiled on us and the rain stopped just as we lined up for the parade. We donned our Dollar Store finery and led off a long parade to a surprisingly large crowd of very merry parade viewers. It turns out that un-Christmas-like weather doesn’t deter holiday fans.
All ready to travel in our little motorized train. Lee’s grandson joined us in the role of assistant porter.Our club received enthusiastic applause from the crowd.Members twinkled all the way.It was shirt-sleeve weather for some of the kids.The bandstand was spectacular.Our train “engineer” was very enthusiastic – and an excellent driver.The lighted poinsettia bouquets were a hit.We were followed by blocks of lighted floats & vehicles.At the end of the line – waiting for Santa’s arrival.In the end, isn’t the president always left holding the bag?
Betsy’s annual Holiday Swap Shop Party was memorable as always. In fact, attendees agreed that this year Betsy outdid herself with her finely curated selection of swap shop “gifts.” If this year’s party were to have had a theme, it may well have been toilet-related. (In fact, that seemed to be the theme of her 2021 party as well.) Enjoy the treasures:
No buts about it, Ann H. scored an unusual gnome.Ginny T. looking for the “on” switch.Judy soon relieved Ginny of her gift.Abby-Jane expresses shock & awe at this flashing beauty.How clever – Max got toilet-shaped shot glasses .More toilet accessories – TP and a hand-made holder for Susan.Betsy shouldn’t look so surprised – she chose these candlesticks at the swap shop.A genuine plastic handbag in the shape of a chicken. Lucky Lee.Jill C. got one of the “nice” gifts, but this reindeer was swapped a number of times.Kathryn is hoping there are no ashes in this pot.How fortunate for Mimi. Genuine Spode, just the right size for a Bloody Mary for one.A Chinese dragon head, exactly what LuAnn needed for the New Year’s Parade.Another triumph for Judy – fill the glasses & those guys on the front drop their drawers.Mimi can’t decide whether this birdhouse will attract birds or scare them off.We had an eye on Linda V. More shock & awe from Abby-Jane. How much can one woman stand?
In addition to supplying all these stunning gifts, Betsy also had a spectacular spread of goodies, including lots and lots of her meticulously decorated cookies. A fun morning for all who attended – much laughter and many calories!
There’s much more to come. Watch for December Happenings – Part Two, available in your inbox in early January.
Thank you to my inveterate photographers, Ann H. and Patti Smith!
The first few weeks of the new year offer a chance to reflect on the festivities of December and to look forward to what’s in store for the coming months. A highlight of December was Susan’s Promise Tree Luncheon — wonderful food and great company!
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Betsy V hosted her annual Swap Shop Yankee Swap party. Anyone who’s ever attended knows it’s an afternoon of belly laughs and, ahem, interesting gifts. (See below.)
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The Holiday Luncheon at the Wentworth Country Club, sponsored by the Herb Committee, was an especially festive event. Members enjoyed a delicious lunch followed by a gift exchange. This event is always a special way to wrap up another garden club year.
The gift exchange was a hit:
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The Environment & Conservation Committee is dedicating the entire year to an exploration of Pollinators and the plants they call home, to encourage members to plant with the native plants that will attract pollinators. Here is an overview, from Chair Linda V, of what we can expect from E&C’s research:
We hope that by May you will want to join our effort to register gardens as part of the Million Pollinator Garden Challenge sponsored by www.MillionPollinatorGardens.org. At our general meetings we will feature pollinators and the native plants that will encourage them. (Did you know that most pollinators pollinate specific plants?)
Each month we will have our usual posters, but we will also have handouts for you to take home. Be sure to look for them.
In April we will have a sign-up sheet for those who would like a booklet of the information presented during the year. You may use these booklets to educate your grandchildren about the importance of pollination and pollinators.
So – Bee sure to look for our table at each general meeting. We will be presenting the following: November: Bees and Wasps January: Butterflies and Moths February: Other Pollinators in Our Landscape April: Native Plants that Attract Pollinators May: Wrap-Up the Year June Luncheon: Raffle of pollinator items – so remember to bring your coffee cups to monthly meetings to be punched.
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Fresh off the Press — Horticulture Tips!
Be sure to click here to see the January Hort Tips, presented this month by Linda V. You won’t want to miss this timely information. The birds will thank you!
Is it Labor Day so soon?! Our fading plants are telling us that summer is waning and it’s time to start thinking about fall garden chores. But before we put summer behind us, here are some reminders of our summer fun.
An August highlight was E&C’s Promise Tree event, Applelicious Afternoon. The E&C committee, led by Linda V, hosted a summer soiree featuring all things apple. Thanks go to Ann H and Vicky for documenting the fun with pictures.
The weather was ideal …
And apple-themed hats were strongly recommended, of course.
There was even an Apple Hat straight from Dr. Seuss.
And a prize went to this apple pie hat, complete with real pie crust.
What’s an Apple Party without delicious apple refreshments, provided by E&C …
And lovely flower arrangements, created by Betsy V?
Ann H snapped this picture of an uninvited (but welcome) visitor, then solved a mystery by identifiying it as a Hummingbird Clearwing moth (Hemaris Thysbe).
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EAGC’s first general meeting of the season is Thursday, Sept. 21, at 9:30 at the Stratham Municipal Center. Don’t miss it – we’ll be discussing the upcoming year, will hear about our mini-grant recipients, and will break into committees. A light brunch will also be provided.
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Welcome to our most recent new members — Audrey of Rye and Mary Jo of Stratham have joined EAGC. Be sure to introduce yourself at the next meeting!
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Finally, a few pictures submitted by Carole C of her lovely summer gardens:
It’s hard to believe June is behind us. But we have so many fun pictures to share…
Of course the highlight of the month was our Annual Plant Auction and Luncheon, held on June 14 at the Portsmouth Country Club. (As you may be able to tell, garden hats were part of the theme.)
Tables overflowed with plants donated by members, including some beautiful house plants. Max did a stellar job of auctioning off everything by lunchtime.
Garden Hats were everywhere. Some made a fashion statement. Some made a different kind of statement (about the size of this year’s mosquitos, perhaps?)
How about these stylish gardeners?
We were even honored by the presence of two “Czarinas”.
More auction action…
These lovely table centerpieces were raffled off to some lucky members. They were created by Betsy A & Donna.
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On June 20th, some members enjoyed a Promise Tree tour of Max’s beautiful & very interesting gardens in Newburyport. Everyone found a least one plant that she wasn’t able to identify in Max’s mix of unusual and old-standby flowers.
As you can tell, it was a gorgeous day in a gorgeous garden.
To brighten our homes for the holiday, EAGC members gathered to make wreaths and create arrangements sharing a variety of evergreens, cones, and berries gathered from our yards. Tables were piled high with fresh boughs of pine, fir, holly, juniper, arborvitae, dried orange slices, and pine cones…and what a very good year this was for winterberry! Under the tutelage of Connie Gilmore and Ann Hohenberger, many beautiful showpieces were created:
Connie & Ann wish to thank to all who participated and contributed flora from their gardens.
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We gathered in December at the Wentworth Country Club in Newcastle, where we enjoyed a delicious luncheon of Maple Glazed Salmon or Beef Tenderloin. We heard our fearless leaders, Betsy & Jill, recite their version of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” which cleverly included all our members and depicted Santa Claus as a “Hunk”!
We always seem to have great fun when we gather and take a look at some of the wonderful gifts exchanged:
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Last, but never least, came Betsy’s Holiday Swap, and it did not disappoint-great food and drink, great friends and great gifts?!?! Here we go:
An M & M Machine, of course!
A noisy chair pad!
Jill needs an extra large beer stein to make it through our meetings!
