Tag Archive | fund raiser

October Happenings

Nov10

As we busily gear up for our debut appearance at the Yuletide Fair on November 19, let’s take a look at what’s been going on for the past month. The Awards Committee, under Mary Jo C.’s expert leadership, provided an impressive program for the October general meeting. We were fortunate that a number of award recipients were present to accept their awards and discuss their gardens.

The award for Outstanding Civic Garden was presented to Eric Chinburg, President and CEO of Chinburg Properties, Chestnut Street Apartments in Exeter (Accepting the award on his behalf was Lexi Jackson, property manager of Chestnut St. Apts.) Also receiving the award were Barbara H. Beardsley, designer and lead gardener of the sustainable meadow at the Chestnut St. Apts. and Ann Smith, the assistant gardener. The Outstanding Residential Garden Award was presented jointly to Sherri and Kim Brown, 12 Brown Rd. in Hampton Falls.

Ann Smith (L) and Lexi Jackson (R) with Awards Committee members Lynda B & Jann B
Sherri & Kim Brown, Ann Smith & Lexi Jackson
Back: Committe members Lynda B., Patti S., Dianna T., Mary Jo C., Anne C., Jann B. Front: Sherri & Kim Brown, Ann Smith, Lexi Jackson

Photos of the Brown’s lovely gardens:

The “Meadow of Hope” at the Chestnut St. Apartments:

The Hort Table at the October meeting held a surprisingly colorful selection of garden cuttings for this time of year. Committee chair, Ann H. would like to thank the members who shared horticulture from their gardens at the meeting. With variable weather becoming our new normal, it was good to see what fall plants were flourishing in spite of the dry conditions in our New Hampshire Seacoast.

Paige C.’s Monkshood didn’t make it to the Hort table

Other highlights from the October meeting:

EAGC’s newest member?
Promise Tree offerings

Our November General Meeting, on Nov. 17th, will feature speakers whose previous presentation was cancelled due to Covid precautions. Jana Milbocker & Joan Butler from Enchanted Gardens in Massachusetts will speak on “Artists’ Gardens in New England.” Some of our most beloved painters, sculptors and authors were inspired by the gardens they created. Visit the private havens of Edith Wharton, Julian Alden Weir, Childe Hassam, Daniel Chester French, Emily Dickinson, Augustus Saint-Gaudens, Celia Thaxter and others. Learn about the gardens’ histories, design and horticultural highlights in this richly illustrated presentation.

Making for a busy week, our general meeting will be followed the very next day by our Yuletide Fair workshop, at the Stratham Municipal Center, from 1 to 5 PM. Expect amazing creativity to happen as we assemble floral arrangements for the fair. This will be a fun and productive event. If you haven’t signed up yet, check with Ann H. or Lee C. to get the details. And then bright and early the following day, Nov. 19, members will be transporting our creations to the Cooperative Middle School in Stratham for the fair, which starts at 9 AM. Volunteers have been recruited for our sales table, set-up, and clean-up. A large crowd typically shops at this fair, so we’re anticipating a successful (and probably exhausting) day.

September Happenings

Oct11

There’s been a lot of crafty activity happening among EAGC members this past month. Preparations are well underway for our big debut at the Yuletide Fair being held on Saturday, November 19. Several workshops have been held and more are planned for members to create sales items for our table at the fair. In the process, we’ve had a fun time getting together for conversation, laughter, and maybe learning a new craft.

Work started early for Abbie-Jane and her crew as they worked on shell paintings last July:

Patti E. hosted a group of members who assembled cork ornaments on September 30th. Her team was very productive even though it proved difficult to find acorn caps large enough to fit the corks, after this dry season of small acorns.

On Oct. 10, members met at Pat N.’s home to assemble pinecone wreaths. Pat provided the group with a headstart, by finishing the base layer of pinecones for each wreath and providing approximately a half million assorted cones she had collected from her yard.

But wait! There’s more!

On November 7th, Betsy V. will be assembling bulbs in containers at her home at 10 a.m. She’s purchased paperwhite and amarylis bulbs and accumulated an assortment of containers to hold them. If you like to help with this project, contact Betsy.

And on the day before the fair, November 18th, Lee C. has arranged for a dried flower arrangement workshop at the Stratham Municipal Center from 1-4 p.m. Members will also be working with Dianna T. on her gourd arrangements at the same time.

If you’ve signed up for either of these workshops, you’ll be contacted with more details. And if you’d like to help with this fundraising effort, contact Johann S.

Our September general meeting, the traditional kick-off for our garden club year, was busy, fun, and informative, as well as being very well attended. New president, Pat N. welcomed everyone back from summer break, and committee chairs provided brief descriptions of their committee functions. This was followed by a break-down into smaller committee groups who discussed plans for the year. All of this was accompanied by a table of scrumptious refreshments, of course.

New Prez Pat N.
EAGC gardeners always outdo themselves for refreshments!

From the EAGC Horticulture Committee:

This summer’s Severe Drought wrecked havoc in my garden. I don’t know about surrounding communities, but the town of Exeter where I live enforced a NO WATERING ban. It was survive or die for my plants. What little water we used came from the dehumidifier, gray water, and water that ran cold before hot water reached the faucet each morning. We did have some plants that persevered in the heat and drought. I hope you have survivors, too.

At the October meeting, it would be interesting to know what did well in your gardens. Check your gardens for specimens that toughed it out this summer and bring in a specimen or two in a container. With droughts and warming climate becoming more commonplace, this will be a way for members to learn more about drought/heat tolerant plants. Look for blooms, berries, vegetables and/or greenery and take a cutting for a sharing display at the meeting. You can see below what a grand display we had at the October 2019 meeting.

If you can identify your plant on a slip of paper, that would be helpful. I will have pen and paper at the meeting. 
Ann H., Hort Chair

A Procedural Change:
After discussion at the October Board meeting, it was decided that the Hospitality set-up group for general meetings doesn’t need to be at the library at 8:45, since social time doesn’t begin until 9:30. The club initially got into this early start routine in the old venue because it took FOREVER for the percolator to get the coffee ready to serve. Since the FD water is truly unpalatable – we got rid of the ancient coffee pot and to be more environmentally aware – we now bring our own beverages (hopefully in a reusable cup). There is no change from the yearbook schedule. The only change is when the doors are unlocked – set-up is still from 9 – 9:30.

The adjusted timeline is:
9:00 Doors are unlocked by President or her rep
9:00 – 9:30 Set-up
9:30 – 10:00 Social time
10:00 – Business Meeting followed by Program. (On occasion, due to speaker schedule – program may go first.)

A Yearbook Addition:
Please add Jennifer Howard’s info to your Yearbooks.
Jennifer Howard
50 Bunker Hill Rd.
Stratham, NH 03885
603-380-4177
[email protected]

EAGC’s Fall Beautification of Stratham Town Offices

Lynda B. took a tour of Prescott Park and a cruise to Star Island last month. She’s shared her wonderful photography with us.

Last but not least, our Awards Committee will be presenting their awards for Outstanding Residential and Commercial Gardens at the next meeting, on October 20. Don’t miss it!

June Happenings

Jul12

An informal Summer Meeting had been scheduled for next Thursday, July 19. Unfortunately, this meeting had to be cancelled, but Susan C. will be hosting a lunch/barbecue meeting at her home on Thursday, August 16. Watch your email for further details!

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The June Board Meeting includes both the current Board and the new, incoming members of next year’s Board. This is the meeting where next year’s plans are discussed and new Board members are familiarized with their upcoming jobs. Of course none of this happens without good food, so the new Board members were treated to a potluck brunch. Here are a few shots of the action. (Sorry, no food photos!)

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The big news for June was our festive June Luncheon and Plant Auction, held at the Portsmouth Country Club, with 44 attending.  As always, members and guests were able to bid on lots of happy, healthy plants which had been nurtured and donated by fellow members. Max performed admirably as auctioneer again this year – whipping through dozens of plants with efficiency and a hefty dollop of humor. We added $849 to our treasury thanks to the plant sales.

Plants (and Auctioneer Max) arriving for the auction. 

Betsy A. and her Hospitality Committee arranged for a delicious buffet luncheon and lovely table settings, including handmade centerpieces which were raffled off to some happy winners. The Environment & Conservation Committee provided two spectacular baskets packed full of gardening items, one of which was awarded to the member who brought her own coffee cup to the meetings most regularly – a great way to emphasize the “conservation” part of this committee’s goal.  In total, the various raffles brought in almost $125 for our club.

E&C’s Raffle Baskets:

    

Table centerpieces

The luncheon culminated with the installation of  our club’s new Executive Board and the grateful acknowledgement of  outgoing Presidents, Jill and Betsy and Vice-President Mel, for jobs very well done.  Anne C. performed the installation of new officers, presenting each of the five board members with a plant to symbolize their individual responsibility to the club.

Anne C. installing officers

A list of  the full Board, including Committee Chairs, can be found on the website under “Members Only“. (While you’re there, check out some of the other interesting members only info available to you.)

Our new Executive Board: Susan, president; Linda S, vice-president; Vicki, recording secretary; Florence, returning as corresponding secretary; and Jill, treasurer. (All the distractions of this fun event made a better picture impossible!)

More Luncheon Photos (thanks to Nance J.):

 

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Gardening Event

Members of our club have been invited to this interesting and timely presentation:

Please join the Piscataqua Garden Club on Thursday, July 19, 2018 at 10:30 am at The Reading Room, 491 York Street, York Harbor, Maine, for a presentation on the impacts of climate change, “Preparing for Sea Level Rise” , by Gayle Bowness, Science Education Program Manager, Gulf of Maine Research Institute.

We have all noticed the increasing news coverage of intense storms, unusual temperatures, ocean warming and coastal flooding. As these issues become more prevalent in our daily lives, it is becoming more important to understand the impacts of these events – today and in the future. Ensuring the region’s resiliency to climate impacts, such as sea level rise, requires a scientifically informed and engaged public.

Join us for an interactive presentation to explore the data behind sea level rise. Together, we’ll review models projecting impacts in your community and case studies of resiliency from across the globe.

Gayle Bowness, a Nova Scotia native, with a B.S. in Marine Biology from Dalhousie University and a M.S. from Lesley University in Ecological Teaching and Learning will lead us in this experience. Gayle and her family have lived in Cape Elizabeth, Maine for 14 years where they enjoy exploring the state’s coastline. She has been working at Gulf of Maine Research Institute since 2005. As a pioneer in collaborative solutions to global ocean challenges, Gulf of Maine Research Institute, located in Portland, is dedicated to the resilience of the Gulf of Maine ecosystem and the communities that depend on it. Gayle has designed and delivered a variety of education programs, from watersheds to electrical efficiency and is now focused on sea level as the impacts of climate change become increasingly visible.

Understanding more about this timely topic seems to have become a priority of younger generations which we hope captures their and all interested guests’ attention to participate and engage in this event.

Open to the public. Suggested donation $5 at the door.

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 Lee C. has added a Leaf to our Promise Tree:

⇒ Iris — Baby blue to white, sometimes fall-blooming. They grow to 2 1/2 to 3 feet tall. Three dollars a pot while they last. Email Lee to arrange pickup.

Are you new to the club or need a refresher on how our Promise Tree program works? Click here for details!

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October Happenings

Nov1

What could go better with leftover Halloween candy than an entertaining look back at October’s garden club fun?  Unwrap a couple of those mini candy bars and enjoy the pictures!

A hard-working team of volunteers cleaned up the plantings at the bandstand for the winter. Chair Nance J promised a sunny day for the job – and Mother Nature followed through.

 

                             

 

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Liz Barbour impressed attendees with her “Edible Landscaping” presentation at the October General Meeting. Not only did she explain her recipes, but she also demonstrated them for an attentive audience, which included members of the Rye Driftwood Garden Club.

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

           

                

 

 

      

 

         

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“Halloween Howl”
A Promise Tree Event 

A spooktacular time was had by eleven members of EAGC at a Halloween Promise Tree bash at Max’s home in Newburyport. Our hosts, Max and Betsy V., greeted guests, all of whom were decked out in Halloween colors… and/or costumes. Spooky tablescapes and ghoulish decor met guests at the door, with numerous zombies, black cats, crows, and witches greeting everyone throughout the rooms.

After libation, nibbles, chitchat, and a stroll through the garden, our party-givers presented guests with a smorgasbord of ghostly delights for lunch and dessert. Quizes and prizes and much laughter filled the afternoon. Everyone had a hauntingly good time and much appreciation goes to Max and Betsy for planning the event. 

Friends:

                   

 

     

Food:


  

 

Fright:

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Congrats!:

Nancy B was the pleased winner of a surprise drawing at the September General Meeting. She went home with this very pretty sedum, after her name was drawn from the meeting attendees. The board will be holding other drawings at General Meetings  — be sure to look for them at the Membership table.

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Mini-Grant Followup:

EAGC received the following thank you email and photo from  one of the volunteer gardeners who tends to the beds in Swasey Parkway. She and her fellow volunteers were awarded one of our Beautification Mini Grants this past spring.

Bjarni Brown wrote:
Hello,
I just wanted to update the EAGC about our use of the 2017 mini-grant we were awarded.

4 Swasey Parkway volunteers met this morning (Oct. 29) to plant $200 worth of bulbs at 3 different locations on Swasey Parkway in Exeter. We planted various tulips, daffodils, hyacinth, scilla and crocus at the Entrance Garden, pavilion and “the rock.” I have attached a picture of Lilly Moran, of Exeter, who helped out. She was working to fulfill her Community Service hours through her 6th grade at CMS. Also in the picture are Susan Moran (volunteer) and Mark Damsell, Swasey Parkway Trustee.

Once again, thank you very much for awarding us this grant. Swasey Parkway will have beautiful spring bulbs for all to enjoy this coming spring!
Best,
Bjarni Brown                                           

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New to The Website:

The minutes of EAGC’s Board and General Meetings will be posted each month on a new website page titled “Meeting Minutes”. This page can be found under “Members Only” on the site. To see the minutes from the most recent meetings, click here.

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A Reminder:

If you know of a member who would enjoy receiving a card from our club — get-well, sympathy, encouragement — please contact Florence W, our Corresponding Secretary, and Florence will send the appropriate card. You can find her contact info on the website under “Members Only” or in your Yearbook.

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If you’re having any problems with the links on this post, or have any other website-related questions or issues, don’t hesitate to contact me. That’s why I’m here!

LuAnn

 

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.

 

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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.