Archives

November Happenings

Dec9

November was the month for EAGC to acknowledge the gardening successes of the past summer and to begin preparations for the upcoming Holidays. Here are some highlights of the November General meeting….

 

Anne C, Sue B, and Mary Jo presented our annual Beautification Awards:

Winners of the Residential Award — Sherm and Cathy Pridham of 23 High St., Stratham

 

Representatives from St. Vincent de Paul, 53 Lincoln St., Exeter, who received the

Commercial Award

 

David Donsker accepted an Honorary Award on behalf of his wife, Terri, for the outstanding garden she loved to share with her fellow club members.

 

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The Design Committee arranged a showing of  the beautiful Holiday centerpieces made by members at their November design class. It’s evident that we have some talented floral arrangements amongst us:

 

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The Beautification Committee met late in the month to decorate the Exeter Historical Society for the Holidays. As always, the results are colorful and festive:

 

Lynda models the Folsom Tavern door wreath…

 

Lots of volunteers make for quick work….

    

 

  

 

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Are you wondering what to buy your gardening friends for the Holidays?  Just in time for last minute shopping, E&C Chair Linda has put together a list of Pollinator-oriented books for gifting….

Books to Put on Your Christmas List

Attracting Native Pollinators – The Xerces Society    An informative and easily read book about pollinators, pollination, and how to incorporate them into your landscape…no matter what size.

Bringing Nature Home – Douglas W. Tallamy    Wonderful discussion of native plants and how to plant so you encourage the pollinators you want. Not all pollinators pollinate everything.

The Wildlife-Friendly Vegetable Gardener – Tammi Hartung    How to attract and encourage pollinators and other insects that are beneficial to your vegetables.

A Book of Bees – Sue Hubbell     All you want to know about bees and their lives.

 

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If you missed the November General Meeting, see what you missed in the Minutes, which can be found on the Website, under “Members Only.”

 

 

 

 

 

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).

 

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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:

July Happenings

Aug5

Our July 20th meeting at Lee’s home was well attended and everyone had a chance to admire Lee’s beautiful home and gardens. The gathering was also an opportunity to exchange gardening experiences and, of course, share good food with friends.

 

Discussions ensued:

 

 

Food was enjoyed:

 

 

And photo opportunities were smiled for:

 

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Last spring the Environment & Conservation Committee awarded a $200 mini-grant to the Kingston Conservation Commision to help them with establishing a pollinator garden. This summer the Commission sent Chair Linda V pictures of the beautiful garden they created with the help of our mini-grant. Here’s their letter:

 

Good morning,
You gave us a mini grant last year for a pollinator garden. I just wanted to show you that the garden is flourishing and acting its part very well. The large patch of milkweed, which was the inspiration for the garden to begin with, is doing exceptionally well. The kids have started a composting program as well.
Thank you again for providing the “seed money” for this project.
Best,

Evelyn Nathan, Chair
Kingston Conservation Commission
ESRLAC
Coverts cooperator
Plant ConservationVolunteer, NEWFS

 

And here are some pictures of the results:

 

The pollinators are obviously enjoying this lush garden!

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It’s difficult to believe, but fall will soon be upon us.  Our last summer celebration, sponsored by Environment & Conservation, An Appleiciuous Afternoon, will take place on August 17.

EAGC’s first General Meeting of the season will be Thursday, September 21, where our 2017 Mini-Grant winners will be announced.

 

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If  you have a gardening success that you’re especially proud of, share it with other members! Email me a picture and I’ll make it available on the website. Send it to Webmaster at eagcnh@gmail.com.