Hampton Roads Garden Club

Membership Meeting, October 4, 2022

Hidenwood Presbyterian Church

Minutes

Welcome/Call to Order:

President Mary Johnson called the meeting to order and thanked everyone for coming on such a dreary day.  New members were introduced by their sponsors to the membership and presented their yearbooks.  Mary welcomed Bobbie Cooke, Mary Diggs and Sherry Maynard and expressed how excited the club was to have them join us as new members. 

Recording Secretary:

Roll Call/Minutes:

Sue Morgan called the roll and had the membership approve both the May and September minutes.  There were 44 members present and 5 excused absences.

Program:  Vice President Ann Fisher introduced our speaker Amand Mines, who is a Master Gardener and a Sculptor.  His home and garden are scheduled to be open for Historic Garden Week in April 2023.  He spoke to us about ‘Sculpture in Connection with the Garden”.  He wanted to motivate us to determine the best place to plant and to maximize the impact of sculptures in our gardens.  He suggested that we could find inspiration by viewing examples of sculptures in other gardens.  He suggested that we consider; What is a sculpture?  Perhaps a tree or plant?  Right sculpture, Right place!  Planters can be sculptural and what you put in them can also be sculptural.  Several Planters arranged together in unique shapes and forms can also be sculptural.  Amand is also an advocate for ‘native plants’ especially for the fall.  They propagate more easily and provide help to pollinators.

Officers’ Reports

President:  

Mary was not able to attend the GCV Symposium because she got a sinus infection. She hated to miss but Sidney Jordan, Allison Hund, and Allison Clock attended.  Mary announced that she will be heading to the Board of Governor’s meeting later in the month, “A Star Filled October”, at the Hotel Roanoke in Roanoke with the other 48 Presidents across the state.  She will be taking a horticulture exhibit produced by our Horticulture Committee that will encompass the theme, A Star in your Garden. 

Mary reminded those who were not at the meeting last month, that we are going back to the old way of doing nametags.  Amanda Graham is going to be the keeper of the nametags so please give your name tag to Amanda when you leave each meeting.  She will bring all nametags to each meeting.  If you cannot find your nametag, need a new one or want a different name on it, please let Amanda know and she will get you a new one.

Mary stated that there are several corrections to the yearbook that she will be sending out this week.  This will include all of the contact information for our new members.  Maureen has added their info to the blog and to the GCV website, so you can also look them up at those resources.  There have also been some changes to the HGW roster.  She will include those too but is also going to attach a HGW roster that includes email addresses so you can print that for your reference since the roster in the book does not include email addresses.  Mary encouraged each member to carefully look at your personal information in the yearbook and make sure it is correct.  If not please let Courtnay Gilmore or Mary know of any changes that you may need them to make.  

Also, Mary asked that each member please send a headshot of yourself to Maureen. She will be putting these on our club’s blog as well as on the GCV website.  If you do not have a headshot or don’t like the one you have and want a new one, Allison Clock our Club Photographer will be glad to take pictures of members today after the meeting. 

Mary stated that she hoped everyone received the new monthly newsletter, The Ivy Anchor, that was sent out last week.  If for some reason you did not get it, please let Mary know so she can double check the mailing list.  She really appreciated all of your feedback and messages she received about the newsletter form the members.  She encouraged members to please send her suggestions for articles or information that you might want to include in future newsletters.  

Included in the newsletter was an invitation from the Williamsburg Garden Club to attend a presentation by Laura Dowling on November 15th.  Laura is the Former Chief Floral Designer at the White House and Mary reminded members that several of them had heard her talk in DC on one of the club bus trips several years ago. This event is free and will be held at the Williamsburg Library. Mary is planning on going so if members are interested, please let Mary know and she might be able to organize a group lunch somewhere in Williamsburg afterwards.  

Mary pointed out that in GCV President Debbie Lewis’ monthly newsletter there was a flyer for an event hosted by the Nansemond River Garden Club with Danielle Rollins.  Danielle is a lifestyle expert and an interior decorator and has a new book coming out called “A Home for All Seasons”.  They are having a luncheon floral demonstration by Danielle on Tuesday October 25th.  There is also vendor shopping at this event.  Tickets are $60 and if you are thinking of going let Mary know.  If there are 8 ladies who want to go, once the tickets are bought, she can reserve a table for 8 at the luncheon.  Mary reminded members that some of them heard Danielle speak several years ago when the Norfolk Garden Club hosted Danielle at the Norfolk Yacht Club.  

Mary gave a shout out to our October birthday ladies, Catherine Kelley, Julie LoCicero, Sue Morgan, Mary Diggs and Linda Smith.  Just a fun note, Sue Morgan and Mary Diggs share the same birthday! Happy Birthday Ladies! 

Mary ended her remarks on a personal note telling the members that she is going to be a grandmother.  Her daughter Katie is due with her first grandchild on March 4, 2023! 

Vice President: 

Ann Fisher thanked Kristin Barnes and Karan Mulkey for hosting our meeting today.  Ann also gave a quick plug for our January meeting…our program is entitled “Fun with Horticulture” and we will be having a “garden exchange”.  Each of us is to bring anything garden related to exchange for another member’s garden item.  This can be a plant, seeds you have successfully used, seeds from your own garden, a garden themed container, etc.  

Our next meeting is Tuesday, November 1st at First Presbyterian Church Hampton.  Our speaker is Dr. Shawn T. Dash, an Assoc. Professor in Biological Sciences at Hampton University who will speak about bugs in the garden…The Good, the Bad and The Bugly.  

Ann also thanked the membership for remembering to bring your nametags!

Treasurer:

Jennifer Dick reported that the balance in our account is $28,061.18.  Jennifer is getting ready to submit our tax information to our accountant for our tax return. 

Old Business   

Bee City Update:  

Dale Banning announced to the membership that The City of Newport News is officially a Bee City Affiliate as of September 1, 2022.  We join the ranks of 166 Bee cities in 45 states and we are the 9th certified Bee City in Virginia.  Other Virginia Bee Cities include:  Hampton, Lynchburg, Manassas, Martinsville, Scottsville, Vienna, Virginia Beach.  There will be an “Unveiling & Dedication” event of the official Bee City Signage by the Mayor of NN on Tuesday, October 18 at 11am at Chatham Trail, near Bland Blvd.  All who are interested are encouraged to attend!  This is the culmination of 18 months of planning and work.  The HGC & HRGC are on this committee in an advisory capacity.  The committee will probably meet a couple of times a year and submit a yearly report to the Xerces Society outlining our efforts to maintain our Bee City status.

New Business

Committee Reports

Poinsettia Sale:  

Jane Quinn reminded the membership to get our orders in asap.  The pick-up date for the general membership is November 29th from 9:30-11:30 am at Andersons.  Additional pick-up and delivery dates for churches are on Dec. 2nd, 9th and 16th, time to be determined.  Six to eight volunteers are needed on pick-up day.  Reminder:  our club will receive an extra 15% on November 29th (delivery p/u day) on any purchases our members make in the store, including dining in the restaurant.  We made over $400 last year on these extra sales made by our club.

Club Event: 

Becky Tench asked for a show of hands as to whether any of our membership would be interested in making another bus trip to Charleston at the end of March.  Becky will be looking into a date for next spring and will report back to the club.

Lily Collection:  

Amine Morgan shared with the club that the Lily Collection this year consists of 6 bulbs and the price is $33.00 for each collection.  She will be sending one order and a single check to GCV Lily Chairman on the 15th of October.  If anyone is interested in a collection, please call Amine or email your order and send your check made out to her (mailing address:  14 Gary Road, NN 23601).  She can also accept Venmo.  If anyone has questions, feel free to call her.  Amine will deliver the collections at the first meeting after receiving order.

Daffodil Collection: 

Sarah Huddleston announced that there were a limited number of Daffodil Collection bulbs and they have all been accounted for by members.  She said she will let those that are purchasing know the final cost as she is picking them up to save on shipping.  Those who have ordered can pay Sarah at the November meeting. 

Community Projects: 

Birgit Kingsbury reported that Mary spoke with the Huntington Garden Club, and they agreed to join in to do two projects at the Harbor Park Apartments with some of the adult residents.  The projects are wreath making in December and flower arranging in March.  Birgit recommended a $250 budget amount from each club should be plenty to cover both projects.  As the time gets nearer, a few volunteers from our club will be needed to help in completing the projects.  Birgit moved that the club approve $250 for the Harbor Park projects, and the project and budget amount was approved by our membership.

Conservation & Beautification:  

Julie LoCicero reported that the 64th Annual Conservation Forum is scheduled November 3rd from 9am till noon.  This year’s forum will be hosted as a Zoom Webinar open to the public and free of charge.  The topic is Poly-Fluro-Alkyl Substances (PFAS) also known as “Forever Chemicals” that do not break down over time and are detrimental to our health and the environment.  PFAS are manufactured chemicals found in cookware, cosmetics, food wrappers, and water-repellent fabrics.  PFAS are so prevalent and persistent in our environment that scientists estimate they are in the bloodstreams of 98% of Americans. An expert panel will discuss the need to reduce and eventually eliminate these “forever chemicals” that permeate our land, water and air; so as to lessen the environmental dangers they pose to all living things.

Opening remarks will be given by GCV’s President, Debbie Lewis and Dr. Sarah Hellewell, M.D., Chairman of the Virginia Conservation and Beautification Committee.  This will be followed by the 2022 Conservation Awards Presentations; and keynote speakers.  Registration is open now at:http://events.r20.constantcontact.com/register/event?oeidk=a07ejdfw9jr5c5b4fce&llr=g4quzjcab

Fundraising Committee: 

Joanna Bigley announced two events this fall for fundraising.  Their goal is to have fun, raise funds, and offer opportunities for folks inside and outside of our club to support HRGC.  

1.  Charcuterie Board Class:  Scheduled for Sunday, Nov. 20th at 2pm at Creekside Market in Hayes, VA. Cost will be $55.00. This includes a make and take Charcuterie Board.  Join us for an afternoon of fun and learn how to create a beautiful and delicious board.  Class is limited to 45 participants.  We will open up to members first then to friends, family, etc.  Please contact Joanna at joanna@bigleyinc.com to book your place.  It’ll be a fun afternoon.  Payment due at the November 1st membership meeting.  Cash/Check/Venmo to @Hampton-Garden

Membership RSVP deadline:  Wednesday, October 19th

Open spots will open up following that date.

Location:   Creekside Market 6824 Colemans Crossing Avenue Hayes, VA 23072

2.  Christmas Market:  Saturday, Dec. 3rd 1-8 pm at City Center in Newport News. HRGC Fundraising Committee will host a booth in the German Christmas Market.  We will sell potted amaryllis.  Price hasn’t been set, however, it will be in the $25 range.  The bulbs are a true red with each stalk typically 5 blooms and blooms within 5 weeks.  We plan to plant in pots so that they will be blooming at Christmas time.  The German Christmas market is sponsored by Sister Cities of Newport News and will be held on the day of the Annual Tree Lighting at City Center.  We are seeking volunteers for this event.  We will host a potting day before Thanksgiving date TBD.  Look for an email.  We will also need a few volunteers to work the booth on Saturday, December 3rd.  Shifts when volunteers are needed:  Saturday, Dec. 3rd 12pm –4:30pm and 4:30pm-9pm

Note:  We are hoping to sell all at the market, however, if we have any leftover, we will bring to the Holiday Luncheon to purchase.

HRGC Aprons and Tervis Wine Tumblers:  A limited supply of HRGC merchandise is still available for sale.  Embroidered Aprons and Tervis Wine Tumblers are available until we run out.  Aprons are 25.00 each and Tumbler are $24.00. Remaining stock will be available during our membership meetings.

Historian:  

Susan Armfield shared with the club that after looking through one of the old scrapbooks, it contained HRGC happenings from 1947-1952, most of which were reported in the Daily Press. It included the newly elected HRGC President and her committee members, meeting notices with home addresses of hostesses included, along with general civic activities where we participated.  Then there were the in-club activities, Handbooks, Rose Show schedule, etc.  

As she looked closer, she realized that the name of one of those Presidents during this time, who was prominently and numerously mentioned in the Daily Press, was not the same as the name listed in our current Handbook.  If we were going to have a new President’s married name listed, we needed to find out her first name, which she had done with Mrs. Parry W. Lewis.  She found out where her husband worked, that she had been ill, her daughter’s name and that she and her husband had built their home, but no first name.  She recognized the address as one of her friend’s childhood addresses and called to see if she had any recollection of the previous owner’s name.  She knew the last name only and that her parents had purchased the home in 1950.  So, 1950 just became the point of reference for change.  She looked up the Handbooks from 1947-1952 and discovered that our mystery President, Mrs. Rover V. Terry, was listed as President from 1946-1948 and remained listed as such until 1956 when she disappeared from the roll.  What had happened?  Had she died?  No, she remarried and preferred to have her new married name listed as her President’s name:  Mrs. N. Stanley Watkins, Audrey. Another mystery solved, BUT there is a problem.  As a Historian researching our club, there are no references to Mrs. N. Stanley Watkins as President in any of the articles or printed materials.  So, to solve this dilemma, in our next Handbook, in the 1946-1948 slot, Mrs. N. Stanley Watkins, Audrey, will remain, but beneath that will be in parenthesis aka, Mrs. Roger V. Terry.  And oh, by the way, her husband passed away in January of 1948 while she was still President.

Historic Garden Week:  

Samantha Bishop reminded everyone that HGW is a week earlier this year, April 15th-22nd.  Sam announced that the Poster Flower for HGW 2022 will be the Foxglove!  She also passed along an arranging guide from GCV and reminded everyone to think about plantings for spring to put in their arrangements.

Photographer:

Allison Clock, GCV Horticulture Chair, gave a brief overview of the GCV Symposium.  She announced that it was a great success and the Horticulture Show was well attended and she was very pleased with the number of entries that were received.  She encouraged our club members to consider entering in future shows.

As HRGC Photographer, Allison told members that she was available to take their headshots for them after the meeting.  These pictures will be put on our HRGC blog as well as on the GCV member directory. 

With there being no further business, Mary adjourned the meeting at 12:30 pm. 

Respectfully submitted,

Sue Morgan, Recording Secretary