Exeter Area Garden Club members welcomed fall at an October Design Workshop where they were challenged with the task of creating an arrangement in an unusual container. Members supplied a variety of containers that had interesting stories behind them. We had a luminary fish, an antique metal teapot dug from a backyard, a bathroom plunger topiary, a box turtle shell, an antique leather lace up shoe, teapots, pitchers and more, all requiring a variety of arranging styles.

Ann and Connie thank all who attended and created fabulous floral arrangements, some of which are pictured below.

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Our General Meeting for October was a feast for garden lovers, starting with our annual Commercial and Residential Award recipients presented by Anne Campbell and Sue Bowman.

We were fortunate enough to have two residential winners, Judy & David Walter of Stratham and Carol & Jack Fermery of Hampton Falls:

 For full description and pictures of gardens, click here

Judy & David Walter

Carol & Jack Fermery

Our Commercial Award went to the Provident Bank, 95 Portsmouth Ave., Exeter, NH for it’s beautifully landscaped parking area,  perimeter and window boxes.

 For full description and pictures of gardens, click here

Josephine Yeo, Assistant VP, Business Development Officer and Will Waltrip,  Senior Relationship Manager

Barbara Dupre and Chad Pimentel of GreensKeepers received certificate for accentuating the bank with glorious window boxes and containers

Joe Brunet, owner of WJ Brunet Landscaping accepted his certificate for transforming the bank’s parking lot

All Winners accepting their Awards

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Next on our meeting agenda was Terri Donsker with a”Hort Moment”.

Terri’s topic was Callicarpa Dichotoma, Purple Beautyberry  Shrub.  She passed around a branch from her garden, loaded with purple berry clusters.  This deciduous shrub attracts bees, birds and butterflies and grows 3 to 4 feet in Zones 5a to 8b.  It grows in full sun to partial shade.

The speaker for our October meeting was Shirley Wigglesworth whose topic was “All About Bulbs”.  At the end of her presentation, Shirley gave out bags of bulbs.

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The last event for October was a fun-filled promise tree Trick or Treat party held at Max’s in Newburyport on October 27th:

Who are these people?

 It was a busy month!

Although we don’t have formal meetings during July and August, we still manage to get together and have some fun.    While we talk about our gardens  and share ideas for the upcoming season, we manage to make a few decisions, as well.

In July we had one of those gatherings at Susan Canada’s house with our new Co-Presidents, Betsy and Jill, supplying the hot dogs and other members bringing the rest.  A plus for this day was to see Susan’s lovely gardens, a real treat.

 Here are some pictures from that day:

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On Wednesday, August 3, The  Environment & Conservation Committee sponsored the “Lemon Lollapalooza” at Paula Francese’s home in Exeter.   Lemon games were played, lemon costumes worn and lemon food was consumed.  Prizes were given for winners of the lemon toss and lemon quiz  and the for tangiest, zestiest and yellowest attire.  Make sure to look at all pictures to get to the winners!

Setting up

Lemony Ladies Galore:

Lovely Lemon Ladies

Lemon Ladies Here

Lemon Ladies  Lemon Ladies Everywhere

Lemon Ladies in the Shade

….More Lovely Lemon Ladies

Lemon Lady Sue

Lemon Ladyfingers Paula

Lemon Lady Ann and Other Members

 Lemon Ladies describe their outfits:

Linda, “I didn’t have lemons so I used limes!”

                                                         Connie wanted everyone to eat her necklace of lemons!

Ann C.-“This is my Yellow Hat”

The day would not have been complete without Lemon Games:

A little leg injury doesn’t stop Ann S. from tossing lemons

Max tries her hand at the lemon toss.

                                                             Linda Juggles Lemons!

A Luscious Lemony Luncheon was Served:

What’s a Lemon Party without Lemon Sorbet?

…..And the winners are:

Mas Forward and Donna Wilson Tied Winners in Lemon Quiz and Max Forward Winner in Lemon Toss

  Carol Chanasyk- Zestiest Winner                           

   Connie Gilmore-Yellowest Winner

                                                                                     Linda Broadbent-Tartiest Winner
                                         

Actually, everyone who attended was a winner and collectively thank the Environment and Conservation Committee for Sponsoring this Party.  It was the Lemoniest!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!