October Happenings
O Autumn, Autumn! O pensive light
and wistful sound!
Gold-haunted sky, green-haunted ground autumn.
– E.F. Newsome
We’ve hardly begun to feel your coolness but can see and feel signs: squirrels and others are in overtime collecting winter food, leaves are flying, some are musing about the holidays ahead… Meanwhile, we’ve had our first meeting and met the winners of our annual Outstanding Gardens awards. Awards Committee chair Ginelle H created a beautiful photographic show of the winning gardens, which can be found here on the website. Compliments to both the residential and commercial winners. Nomination forms for next year are already available!
New EAGC yearbooks were distributed at the September meeting. Thank you, Pat N for wrangling all that data: program calendar, member directory, committee assignments, officers and more! These will be well used. Didn’t get yours yet? Pick it up at the October 16 meeting at the Membership table.
Next up at the October meeting (10/16), we’ll have a presentation of the Environment and Conservation committee’s 2025 mini-grant recipients, along with a rotating slideshow of photos from other committee activities. Please be sure to visit the Ways and Means table for treasures and to sign up for Yuletide Fair workshops and to help at the fair itself. All hands on deck for this event. After slides, we will break into committees for discussions. We’re all reserved for the holiday luncheon on December 4th at Wentworth by the Sea Country Club. Bring a check and sign up! And let’s not forget the thrill of Hospitality’s spread. Let’s see. It’s October…what can you envision?
Wreath making workshops have been ongoing, giving members the opportunity for lively conversation over piles of pine cones. Linda S, who is chairing Ways & Means, thanks Pat N for hosting and all the talented designers who made these beautiful wreaths.
Participants of our “Spray Party” were grateful for a bright, sunny, and relatively windless day as we spray painted plant blooms and seed heads for future Yuletide Fair arrangements. And in case you were wondering, no one reported getting a buzz from the aerosol paint fumes.
Special note from Vicki B, our president:
We need volunteers for the Nominating Committee. This committee is tasked with presenting a slate of officers for the 2026-2028 years. Please think about helping us find our next leadership team. A sign-up sheet will be passed around at the meeting or contact Vicki Burns to sign up.
Other Events and Activities
October 20, 2025 – March 22, 2026 Maine Gardener Series. This fully remote course is offered by the University of Maine Cooperative Extension and is similar to the UNH master gardener program but without the volunteer requirement. With “engaging videos, readings, interactive activities and thought-provoking reflection questions” participants go through the course at their own pace. Open to out-of-staters. More info here.
October 21, 2025 9:30 coffee, 10:30 program. Rye Driftwood Garden Club, Rye Congregational, 580 Washington Road, Rye. “Senses of Place: Winter Life on a Small Island.” Alex de Steiguer has been winter caretaker on the Isles of Shoals for almost three decades. In this multimedia presentation, Alex reflects how using perceptive abilities – beyond the five physical senses that we all share-can help us better “place ourselves within the picture” of our own lives.
Editors: Connie A and LuAnn F
Thanks to photographers: Linda S, Ann H, Patti E.,and Vicki B.