It’s that time of year. EAGC members are coming together for a purpose: preparing for the 26th annual Yuletide Fair on November 22nd! Whatever your talents and abilities, everyone can do something to help this fundraising effort and that’s the beauty of it. Foraging for greens, arranging all manner of plant life, packing finished creations, transporting our cache of creations, doing a coffee run or supplying snacks….
It is now confirmed that the club may use the Sewall Room at the Stratham Municipal Building on Friday, November 21, from 1 to 7 pm to do arrangments and finalize preparations for the fair. This is where the magic happens. See you there.
The Design and Horticulture committees need fresh greens, with an emphasis on FRESH. Hold off on harvesting greens until the week of the fair and be sure to keep in a bucket of water. Take your greens to the Nov. 21 workshop at the Stratham Municipal Center. If you have greens on your property that we can cut, please contact Linda S by email. If you have small ornaments to decorate the boxwood trees and kissing balls, please bring them to the Connections Corner at the November meeting.
Our October meeting had a two-part program. First up was Linda V who announced the winners of our mini-grants and gave a detailed presentation on the establishment and growth pattern of pollinator gardens by the award recipients.
Next we turned to the activities of our twelve committees. A representative from each described the work and mission of the committee. As a reminder, there’s more information about each committee in the Members portion of our website.
Then Deb O, member of Env and Cons, talked to us about Joe Pye Weed. What is not to like about Joe? Its nectar is loved by bees and butterflies, it’s a native, it has a big range: zones 3 to 9, and due to its height, it’s perfect for the back of a garden bed and is rabbit and deer-resistant.
Finally, Horticulture’s Carol C gave us the facts on common purslane. As gardeners, we may think of this only as a weed. In fact, it grows all over the world and in some places is harvested as a vegetable.
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We have a change in our November meeting program. Patti E will present “The Art of Dried Botanicals.” Learn how useful and versatile dried flowers, leaves, seedpods, and grasses can be in floral arrangements and crafts of all kinds. We’ll discuss how to grow the best flowers for drying, and methods of preservation that will help botanicals last for years.
Reminders About the November 20th Meeting:
Last chance to get a ticket for the December 4th Holiday Luncheon at Wentworth by the Sea Country Club. Bring your check for $42, with choice of entree noted, to Paige C to sign up.
Heads up! There will be some finished Yuletide Fair items and arrangements for sale at Connections Corner.
Horticulture would like you to bring in an interesting plant bit from your fall garden.
Finally, have you “Liked” our Facebook page? Patti E does an outstanding job managing our page and posting all kinds of interesting facts and events related to gardening. Take a look here. “Like” us!
Upcoming Connections Corner Event!
Betsy V will host a Fabulous Swap Shop Christmas Party on December 16th from 10am to 12. Here’s her invitation:
“For those who have never been, it’s a fun party like no other. I provide brunch and we have a Yankee Swap but I provide all the “gifts” which come from the Candia Recycling Center’s swap shop. I have chosen some of the more unusual for the party. Everyone gets one and yes, you’ll probably want to trade it.
It is always silly with lots of laughing. Some of the past gifts have included a naked lady pen knife set, a small Christmas tree with poop ornaments, and a chicken purse. Sometimes there are actually nice things such as silver candlesticks, a pretty tea pot, and outdoor planter. You just never know what I will find. You bring nothing but your sense of humor!”
You can sign up at the November meeting or email Betsy to sign up. The cost is a $10 donation to Club Connections. Checks can be made out to EAGC. You don’t want to miss it!
Area Events
November 18, 10 am. Rye Driftwood Garden Club presents “Edible Wild Mushrooms.” Rye Congregational Church, 580 Washington Rd., Rye. ryenhgardenclub.org.
Exeter Historical Society Open House December 2, 6:30-8:00 pm. 47 Front Street, Exeter. Visit the Christmas room and selections from the Window to the Past exhibit. Enjoy “tasty treats and good cheer while shopping our selection of historical gifts.” Open to the public. $5 suggested donation.
Churchill’s Garden Center. Winter Container Workshop. December 6, 11:00 am or 2 pm. Register at churchillsgardens.com. $55
Edited by Connie A and LuAnn F
Photos by Lee C and LuAnn F
