July Happenings
Happy Summer! It’s roughly the midpoint of the season now. Some of us may be savoring the cooler weather ahead, others might be loving the long days and warm temps. Whatever camp you fall in, here’s what’s doing in our club.
Members celebrated the beginning of summer at a Deck Party at Jane J’s beautiful home in June. Although the weather threatened rain showers, we were able to enjoy Jane’s deck and lovely back yard before the raindrops fell. A huge selection of food and liquid refreshments, along with bartender Rick, contributed to a very enjoyable time.
Carol Chambers welcomed seven club members into her beautiful home – tucked inside the historic Exeter Mill – for a lovely Promise Tree event. Her cozy space, with its charming décor, original wood floors and wood ceilings with massive exposed beams, was perfect for an afternoon of conversation and camaraderie. Carol treated us to an array of homemade appetizers, complemented by wines and other refreshing beverages. Thank you, Carol, for a delightful midsummer gathering!
Committee News
Linda S reports that Civic Beautification members have done a fine job with the foundation gardens at Exeter’s American Independence Museum. They looked great for the 35th American Independence Festival in Exeter on July 12th! A festive July 4th decoration greets visitors to the Stratham Town Hall. The creation was designed and put together by Lee C and Ellen J.
The flag pole garden at the Stratham FD needs some attention. Please email Linda S to volunteer some time to tend this spot.
It’s not too early to think about the Yuletide Fair in November. This is a major fundraiser for the club. The Ways and Means Committee asks that members come up with some craft ideas. Linda S, the new Ways and Means chair, suggests checking Pinterest and other craft websites for project ideas using pinecones, corks, milk weed pods, dried fruit slices and other natural material.
Please contact Linda S if you are interested in offering a workshop, participating in a workshop, and/or donating any of the items listed below.
For the craft workshops:
beads, small decorative stones, flower frogs, unusual containers, amaryllis bulbs, decorative holiday items, ribbons, baskets, cinnamon sticks, etc.
For the greens workshop:
gourds, boxwood, laurel, winterberry and holly, etc.
The Hort and Design Committees will be collaborating on forthcoming workshops to create items for the Yuletide Fair. Kathryn J and Lee C ask you to peruse your gardens and, as they start to decline, cut the stems that dry well which include: Alliums, astilbe, Baptisia pods, Penstemon, peony pods, Siberian iris stalks, Sedums, hydrangea, etc. And don’t forget sticks – Harry Lauder sticks, red or yellow twig Dogwood bushes, white birch stems, etc.
Of course, there are more – check your beds for anything useful, we’ll edit and create fabulous arrangements for the upcoming fair. And join us at the Spray Party!! Using silver and gold spray paint, dried flowers and other plant material will be transformed.
Examples of dried plants from Kathryn J.
To preserve flowers for future projects, there are several methods that can be used. First, it’s best to pick flowers for drying in the morning.
Methods for drying flowers are:
- drying between book pages
- air drying hung upside down
- air drying in a vase
- drying with silica gel
- oven drying
To read more, this information bulletin from the Cornell Cooperative Extension is helpful: “Homegrown Facts: Drying Flowers”
Other Events of Interest
August 14, 2025 | 6:00 – 7:30pm Hot Topics in the Garden: UNH Extension Yard and Garden Infoline Live!
Mixed Online/In-Person. Infoline Live event where the participants take the floor to ask a panel of UNH Extension Home Horticulture staff and Master Gardener volunteers their pressing yard and garden questions as well as to hear more about this year’s hot topics. To register, go here.
Happenings Editors: Connie A. and LuAnn F.
Photographers: Ann H., Linda S., Nickky J.