May Happenings
Membership Dues: Let’s Bloom on Time!
A big thank you to the 26 members who’ve already paid next year’s dues at the April meeting and by mail. You’re our early bloomers! 🌷
For the rest of our members, Connie and I will be happily collecting $25 at this month’s meeting. Come and see us at the Membership table! Pay at the May meeting and you’ll be entered into a drawing for 1st, 2nd, or 3rd garden related prizes! 🌷
Dues can also be paid at the June luncheon (no raffle!) or by mail. But don’t wait too long—the final deadline is July 1 to have your info and photo included in the 2026–2027 club yearbook. Wait too long and you might get ‘pruned’ from the pages! ✂️
– Ann H
Thank you to LuAnn F for hosting the Coffee and Connections for new members! Wonderful food prepared by Ann H and others graced the table and was appreciated by all. New members were welcomed by not so new members and had an opportunity to get to know one another. A welcoming and very friendly atmosphere. This is a talented and energetic group of women.
Vicki B named the committees and members of those committees gave some background about the workings of each. So be looking forward to engage new committee members as they reach out to you to learn more and begin to participate. New EAGC members who attended, clockwise from top left: Deb Hurley, Maureen Petersen, Pam Hicks, Gloria Story, and Paulette Paquin.
Report and Photos by Susan P.
More photos of the fun New Member Coffee:
Members attending the April general meeting learned so many valuable tips about “Staying Strong, Safe and Active in the Garden – at any age”, presented by Kristy Kafko, Occupational Therapist and owner of Aging with Ability, whose purpose is to help people age in their own homes. Not only did she demonstrate the best moves for bending, pulling, hoisting, and other garden chores, Kristy also shared some clever garden tools to make garden jobs less taxing.
Queen Anne’s Lace was the subject of Environment & Conservation’s “Kill It or Keep It” series for April. The verdict: if you can keep it under control it can be a nice addition to a pollinator garden. Just don’t eat the root! As usual, there were valuable finds on the Club Connections table and several sign-up sheets for our upcoming events.
Several members brought spring samples from their gardens for the Hort Table. Let’s fill the Hort Table at the May meeting – bring a stem of your prized bloom for the whole club to enjoy!
On April 30, a dozen members and one guest escaped the rain to enjoy learning about ikebana arranging from Martha H, a licensed instructor. Martha demonstrated different dried material we could produce ourselves and how they might be arranged for different seasons. She produced a vertical cylindrical arrangement using mainly spring flowers and leaves with fascinating pussy willow accents. Ten club members were given similar prepared materials and we were able to photograph a few to share here.
Reported by Lee C, photos by Lee and Ann H.
Our members really got to stretch their design muscles this month. In addition the the ikebana workshop, designers assembled fresh arrangements for our May 9th Yard, Plant & Bake Sale. Over 20 beautiful spring arrangements were produced, a perfect Mother’s Day gift compliments of EAGC!
Other Garden-Related Events
Bedrock Garden’s 2026 season opens Tuesday, May 12 for members. Members can bring a friend for free, take a garden tour (10:15), or a special walking tour with John Forti (1:00). Plants, honey tasting, seeds, art show all available on members opening day. Opening day for the public, Wednesday, May 13th. Take a garden tour (10:15), and plants, honey tasting, seeds, art show are available for a fun opening day! 19 High Rd, Lee, NH.
The Hampton Garden Club is holding a Plant and Bake Sale on Saturday, May 16th. Great prices on plants, baked goods plus a silent auction and shed sale. Hampton Centre School, 53 Winnacunnet Road, Hampton, NH – 9AM – NOON
The Portsmouth Garden Club will be holding their Annual Literature in Bloom Program at Portsmouth Public Library from 1:00pm on May 20 to 5:00 pm on May 22. Please visit during regular library hours to see some creative floral interpretations of library books.
UNH Extension Workshops – May 21, 5:30-6:30: Herb Gardening. June 4, 5:30-7: Pollinator Gardens. At NH Audubon’s Massabesic Center, 26 Audubon Way, Auburn, NH. https://extension.unh.edu/all-events-list
The Newfields Garden Club Plant Sale is on Saturday, May 23rd, 8am-noon, at the Newfields Town Hall, 65 Main St. Newfields NH.
The Great Island Garden Club invites club members to their annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 30, 2026 from 10 am to 2 pm, at the New Castle Recreation Center, 301 Wentworth Rd, New Castle, NH.
The Massabesic Center in Auburn hosts intimate guided tours of the gardens. Experts will lead you on a ramble of the grounds, and dig into the history, upkeep, and future of each of our unique garden spaces. • June 2, 5:30-7pm
• July date pending, visit our Events Calendar for up to date information
• August 6, 5:30-7pm • September 8, 5:30-7pm. https://nhaudubon.org/events/
Edited by LuAnn F.
Thanks to photographers Ann H, Vicki B, Pat N., Lee C