Stratham’s Serene Veteran’s Memorial Garden

Sep15

If you haven’t had the opportunity this summer to stop by Stratham Hill Park to spend a few minutes at the Veterans’ Memorial Garden, try to do it soon. EAGC’s plantings are at peak fall beauty. The sedum is blooming a dusty rose, which is set off by profuse white petunias. The grasses give the garden height and interest, even from the road. Civic Beautification Chair Melanie, along with her team of member volunteers, have worked hard to provide Stratham with a lovely and peaceful place of remembrance.

A Beautiful Year for the Exeter Bandstand

Sep6

Nance J and her Civic Beautification committee have outdone themselves this year with the Bandstand plantings. The plant selection was perfect and the flower boxes have remained healthy and covered in blossoms, even into September. The eye-catching chartreuse coleus do a wonderful job of breaking up the greenery at the base of the Bandstand.

Thank you to Nance and her trusty assistants for choosing the flowers and planting them. And thank you to all the club members who volunteered for a week of maintenance. Your efforts make the Bandstand the most photogenic spot in Exeter!

As you can see, even creatures from outer space want to be photographed here!

August Happenings

Sep4

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).

* * * * *

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.

* * * * *

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!

* * * * *

Finally, a few pictures submitted by Carole C of her lovely summer gardens:

June Happenings

Jul1

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.

* * * *

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.

May Happenings

May31

Art Scarpa made a return visit to EAGC, this time to show members how to assemble a terrarium. With plants, containers & materials supplied by Art, members quickly transformed empty jars into beautiful mini-gardens. As always, Art was an excellent source of plant information and humor. (See copies of Art’s terrarium preparation and care instructions here.)

* * *

As always, refreshments were lovely to look at as well as delicious!

* * *

At the same meeting, Environment & Conservation provided a helpful display on controlling pests in the garden, without resorting to harmful chemicals.

E&C also announced plans for their annual summer party. This year’s theme: Appleicious Afternoon. Sign-up for the August 17 party has started. For party details, click on Appleicious Afternoon Information. A sign-up sheet will be available at the June 14 luncheon or contact Linda V or Edie to sign up.

* * *

On May 25, Nance J and her Beautification crew went to work cleaning up the bandstand area and installing the new plantings. Their hard work and the beautiful result are evident in these pictures. Judging by the big smiles, it appears that everyone enjoyed the morning.