District 1, National Capital Area Garden Clubs

Aloha Philadelphia

2012-01-16T09:14:00.001-05:00

Our Olde Dominion Holiday

2011-12-23T08:43:00.017-05:00

December 3, 2011: Forty-five District I members and guests took a holiday tour of Virginia. We started with a buffet dinner at historic Hanover Tavern with extra time to enjoy their holiday festival. We then had a magical early bird tour of the GardenFest of Lights at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens in Richmond followed by a "tacky lights" tour of Richmond residences decorated for the holiday.

Most of us boarded the bus in Cheverly:

After we settled in, Santa Claus sent us on our way:

HANOVER TAVERN

Across the road was Hanover County Courthouse, the oldest courthouse still in use in the United States. It was the site where Patrick Henry argued against The Parson's Cause.
LEWIS GINTER BOTANICAL GARDEN

TACKY LIGHTS TOUR

Ankeney Feted at Franklin's Fundraiser

2011-11-09T13:40:00.002-05:00

Hyattsville, MD, November 8, 2011: District I members participated in the annual eat, drink and shop fundraiser at Franklin's Restaurant, Brewery & General Store. District I board members held a meeting before lunch, The board accepted the resignation of David Healy as Director and the appointment of Danielle Brabazon as Director and David Healy as Treasurer.

On behalf of the Prince George's County Beautification Committee, Charmane Truesdell (r below) presented this year's Golden Trowel Award to Ted and Arleen Ankeney.

Arbor House Sale Coupon

2011-11-09T11:44:00.003-05:00

For sale discount, click on coupon, print a copy and take the copy to Arbor House.

NCA GARDEN CLUBS CELEBRATES 60th BIRTHDAY

2011-10-03T17:45:00.003-04:00

Alexandria VA, September 27, 2011: District I presented corsages to the past presidents and elected officers of National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc., at the organization's 60th birthday party. Thank you to members of Cheverly Garden Club who fashioned the corsages.

Among the past presidents were (from left): Libbey Coffey 1995-97, Anne Bucher 1991-93, Marion Caldwell 1989-91 and Helen Reed 1983-85:
--photos by Mary Cottrell.

Moss for Beginner at Woodward Garden Club

2011-09-26T16:11:00.000-04:00

September 21, 2011: Linda Davis presented a program on Moss for Beginners to the Woodmoor Garden Club. Davis and her husband Charlies have inventoried mosses and liverworts for the National Park Service at Great Falls Park in Virginia and at Piscataway and Fort Washington Parks in Maryland. Her presentation involved a demonstration on reproduction of mosses, a microscope viewing to observe moss uptake of water and valuable information about this great groundcover.

For more information on moss check out the Natural History Society of Maryland.

Woodmoor Garden Club Plants at Decatur House

2011-09-26T16:10:00.001-04:00

September 18, 2011: Seven members of the Woodmoor Garden Club redesigned a flower bed at Decatur House on Lafayette Square in downtown Washington, DC. Woodmoor President Betsy Scroggs arranged this project with Butch Winters, a Woodmoor neighbor and Facilities Manager for Decatur House. Two focal bushes, a fall-blooming Camelia and a Pieris japonica 'Variegata', were planted along with 55 hostas of different varieties, sensitive fern and Christmas fern, Chrysogonum virginianum, and spring-flowering bulbs (scilla, hyacinth and crocus).

--Danielle Brabazon

Rain Gardens and Conservation Garden at Fall Meeting

2011-09-26T15:39:00.002-04:00

September 13, 2011: Kit Gage of National Capital Region Watershed Stewards Academy gave an excellent presentation on the use of rain gardens and conservation gardening as a solution to stormwater runoff at District I's annual fall meeting.

Then Scott Aker from the National Arboretum gave an overview of the five rain gardens that the arboretum will install to handle stormwater runoff from the parking lot at its headquarters. Each rain garden will have its own kind of plants and signage to educate the public about rain gardens and the variety of plants for sun or shade or other situations.

These rain gardens are the president's project by current National Capital Area Garden Clubs president Vickie Godwin.

THE GARDEN POST Fall 2011

2011-09-14T13:45:00.002-04:00

Garden Post Fall 2011

The Cheverly Garden Club Bench

2011-08-23T10:46:00.007-04:00

August 18, 2011: The Cheverly Garden Club bench has arrived. The town will place the bench near the town Christmas tree, which is between the town hall and the public work department. A dedication ceremony is being planned.

UPDATE August 23, 2011: The bench has been placed:

Container Gardening Trend

2011-07-27T07:52:00.009-04:00

California, July 2011: For container gardening it's back to the farm or ranch supply store for galvanized stock tanks to be used in even the toniest neighborhoods.

Lotus Bloom at Kenilworth

2011-07-03T08:35:00.006-04:00

July 2, 2011: We dropped by to see whether the lotus were in bloom and they were.

We bumped into a group from Ayr Hills Garden Club in Vienna, VA. From left, Anne Marie Mulvihill, Diana Killcullen, District I Director David Healy, Anne Stuntz and Nancy Moats.

--Photos by Bill Dean

Mount Airy Clay Breakers Tour Jug Bay

2011-06-17T16:16:00.025-04:00

Jug Bay, Upper Marlboro, MD, June 15, 2011: Mount Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club and guests took an ecological tour of Jug Bay at Patuxent River Park. The group observed the effects of global warming, the efforts at restoring the marsh and river banks, and wildlife along the river banks and also learned of the history of human habitation along the river.

Osprey now thrive along the Patuxent. This nest is observed around the clock by a solar powered camera:

The park maintains a webcam of another osprey nest:

Video streaming by UstreamIf you click on this photo to enlarge it, you can see that the osprey is carrying a freshly caught fish:

Looking north toward Mount Calvert (c. 1780):

By killing off thousands of resident Canada geese and fencing the others away from the shore line, Patuxent River Park has been able to re-establish wild along the river banks. Here a team of three young women head out to fence a section of shoreline:

Red-winged Blackbirds are frequent in the marsh:

Here a Marsh Wren emerges from his nest built on a cattail:
The circle in the middle of the river was where the Chesapeake Beach Railway bridge turned to permit river traffic; from 1900 to 1935 this railway took Washingtonians to and from the Chesapeake Beach resorts.

This Great Blue Heron was more interested in fishing than worried about a boatload of eco-tourists:

A beaver used this duck blind as the local of his lodge:
Disembarking; our photographer was the last one aboard:

Bee balm:

and thread leaved tickseed:

Butterflies on milkweed and on swamp milkweed:

After the boat trip, some of us enjoyed a guided tour of the Patuxent Rural Life Museums. Our first stop was Duckett Cabin (c. 1880), which is a one room tenant farmer's cabin with a loft.

We all went inside the cabin and left by the back door:

The loft was one room up a steep stairs; left is lit by the camera; right is the floorboards without extra light:

This Sears, Roebuck and Company 1923 Simplex Section House was originally purchased for $443 and had three rooms with no plumbing and no electricity.

A bedroom and a kitchen are side by side behind the front parlor:

There was also a blacksmith's shop, a farrier and tack shop, a general museum with various 19th century items and a tobacco farming museum. In the 18th and 19th century, tobacco was packed in hogshead barrel for shipment overseas. Below left is a tobacco press (c. 1900). The barrels were rolled down rolling roads to the river landings where they were loaded aboard ships. Later, tobacco was piled atop a basket and held together with a second basket on top (right):

On our way out, we took a side trip to Mount Calvert, where the plantation house is being stabilized and there are ongoing archeological digs. Inside is a very good museum on the history of the site.

There have been over 6,000 years of human habitation at this site. The area was first deeded to Phillip Calvert, the 5th Proprietary Governor of Maryland. The colonial government established a town here in the late 17th century. The town was renamed Charles Town when it became county seat of the newly formed Prince George's County. When the county seat was moved upriver to Upper Marlboro, the town declined and eventually became a tobacco plantation.

This is the view of Jug Bay looking south from Mount Calvert:

Along Mount Calvert Road, there were alpaca farms:

--Photos by Bill Dean

THE GARDEN POST Summer 2011

2011-06-14T15:28:00.002-04:00

Garden Post Summer 2011

Annual Presidents' Meeting at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens

2011-06-06T16:13:00.033-04:00

June 11, 2011: The annual Presidents' Meeting was held at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens, a national park devoted to water lilies and lotus and containing the last remaining tidal marsh in the District of Columbia. The meeting was held in the classroom at the visitors' center. After a brief meeting most of the participants took a tour of the park guided by Park Ranger Kathleen Bucco. [Click on photos for larger views.]

Eastland Gardens Flower Club provided this bouquet for the continental breakfast buffet:

District I Director David Healy presided:

Julie Harrison, president of Mount Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club, gave the nomination committee report; this hydrangea arrangement was provided by Christine Hambach:

NCAGC President Vickie Godwin announced her President's Project--five new rain gardens at the U.S. National Arboretum, and promoted her 2012 fundraising trip to France; NCAGC 2d Vice President Evalee Ciuca reported on her plans as NCAGC Awards Chairman:

In one of her last acts as NCAGC awards chairman, NCAGC 1st Vice President Babs McClendon (left) presented three National Garden Club awards to Betsy Reid, president of Fergie's Gardeners:
National awards were also received by New Carrollton Garden Club and Woodmoor Garden Club. Babs also discussed her new efforts as the NCAGC membership chairman.

Lorraine Leonard discussed volunteer opportunities at Arbor House Gift Shop at the U.S. National Arboretum (left) and Mary Beth Cecil discussed Arbor House trunk shows at garden club meetings:

Each club president reported on the community project(s) of his/her club. From left: Sherrell Goggin, Burtonsville Garden Club; Michael Giese, Cheverly Garden Club; Vira Sisolak, Capitol Hill Garden Club:

Elise Gillette, vice president of The Gardeners of the Junior League of Washington, D.C.; Christine Hambach, Goddard Garden Club; Charmane Truesdell, Montpelier Garden Club:

Mary Bartman, New Carrollton Garden Club; Lydia Barbour, Tanta-Cove Garden Club; and Connie Dalpra, Woodbury Garden Club:

Turtles eat water lily roots except for the native white water lilies; and lotus overwhelm their water lily cousins:
The native hardy white lily and the Helen Fowler pink lily developed by the founder, Walter B. Shaw:

The lotus will be in full bloom come July:

Dragonflies:

Bee on pickerel weed (left); beetles on the native Rosa carolina:

Moth (left); frog on lily pad:

Purple loosestrife:
A buttonbush:

The Kenilworth Marsh contains potential foodstuffs for a global warmed world:
Bucco relates the tale of the lodge (right) of the lazy beaver:

--photos by Bill Dean

Membership Drive at Behnke's Garden Day

2011-06-06T14:54:00.009-04:00

Beltsville, MD, June 4, 2011: Goddard Garden Club hosted the District I table to promote membership in NCAGC clubs at the first annual Behnke's Garden Day at Behnke's Garden Center. Arleen Ankeney chaired this colorful event, assisted by Goddard members Christine Hambach, Joan Borchers and Charmane Truesdell. District I's hot pink and lime green theme was taken from NCAGC's "Save the Azalea" tote bags, which District I distributed for donations of $5 or more. They were joined by District IV Director Bette Lewis, who answered questions about District IV clubs.

From left: Charmane Truesdell, Arleen Ankeney, District I Director David Healy, District IV Director Bette Lewis and Christine Hambach:

Dancing in the Street at Shirley Nicolai Installation

2011-06-01T10:25:00.019-04:00

May 29, 2011: District I's Shirley Nicolai was installed as president of National Garden Clubs, Inc. at a glittering gala banquet in the ballroom of the J.W. Marriott Hotel. Shirley is a member of both Tanta-Cove Garden Club and Fergie's Gardeners.

Inside the ballroom:
Outgoing NCAGC President Mary Ellen Alden (left); Incoming NCAGC President Vickie Godwin:

There were a lot of Tanta-Cove Garden Club members in attendance.

Julie Harrison, president of Mount Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club (left, with David), was a table host; Jo Sellers was in charge of esprit de corps:

Past District I Director Ann Gardenhour of Cheverly Garden Club (center right) also was a table host:
At Table 27, we were flanked by Wyoming (right) and Delaware:

Past NGC President Barbara May installed the new officers:
Incoming president Shirley Nicolai with outgoing president Renee Blaschke:

The regional directors were installed:
Joyce Meyer of Mount Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club congratulates Shirley; District I Director David Healy congratulates Poss (Hallie Beth) Tarpley of Tanta-Cove Garden Club who was installed as NGC corresponding secretary.

And, we weren't kidding about dancing in the street!
--photos by Bill Dean

Blue Star Memorial Dedication at Congressional Cemetery

2011-05-31T12:43:00.027-04:00

May 29, 2011: On the occasion of their 82d annual convention, which for the first time was held in the District of Columbia, National Garden Clubs, Inc., dedicated a Blue Star Memorial at historic Congressional Cemetery.

From left: Past NGC Blue Star Chairman Maria Nahom, NCAGC Blue Star Chairman Marion Caldwell, NGC Blue Star Chairman Jimmie Meinhardt, NGC President Renee Blaschke, NCAGC District I Director David Healy and NGC President-Elect Shirley Nicolai:
NGC President Renee Blaschke presented the memorial to Cindy Hays, Executive Director of Congressional Cemetery:
The United States Armed Forces were represented by Col. Monica Midgette of the United States Air Force (center left); The Honor Guard represented the District of Columbia National Guard:

Members of the NGC board (starting third from left): Barbara May, Sandra Robinson, Deen Day Sanders, Linda Nelson, Renee Blaschke, Shirley Nicolai, Barbara Mikkelson, and Robin Pokorski.
NCAGC members with NGC President Renee Blaschke. From left: NCAGC President Vickie Godwin, Danielle Brabazon, Charmane Truesdell, David Healy, Shirley Nicolai, Blaschke, Ann Gardenhour, Marion Caldwell, Libby Coffee, Babs McClendon, Estelle Woodcock and Julie Harrison.
District I board members with NCAGC President Vickie Godwin and NGA President-Elect Shirley Nicolai who is a District I member. From left: Godwin, Charmane Truesdell, David Healy, Nicolai, Ann Gardenhour and Danielle Brabizon.

--photos by Bill Dean

82d Annual National Garden Club Convention

2011-05-31T11:25:00.011-04:00

May 28, 2011: National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc. hosted the 82d annual convention of National Garden Clubs, Inc. at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in downtown Washington.

This design by Rilla Crane honored outgoing NGC president Renee Blaschke:

This design by Harlin Turner honor incoming NGC president Shirley Nicolai:

This design by Joyce Overholtzer honored outgoing NCAGC president Mary Ellen Alden:

The hotel florist also went all out for the NGC convention:

These sunflower arrangements were from the opening luncheon:

--photos by Bill Dean.

District I Flower Show Receives State Awards

2011-03-30T13:05:00.005-04:00

March 22, 2011: At the annual awards meeting of National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc., District I received a small standard flower show citation, and the small standard flower show schedule citation, for "Memories of a Lady's Manor."

Congratulations to the many District I clubs which also received state awards. From left, Poss Tarpley of Tanta Cove Garden Club, NCA President Mary Ellen Alden, Shirley Nicolai of Fergie's Gardeners, District I Director David Healy from Capitol Hill Garden Club, Ann Gardenhour from Cheverly Garden Club, District I Awards Chairman Danielle Brabazon from Woodmoor Garden Club, Ellen Spencer from Gardeners of the Junior League of Washington, D.C., Julie Harrison from Mount Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club, Margaret McKnew from New Carrollton Garden Club and NCA Awards Chairman Babs McClendon. NCAGC Awards 2010-2011
District III led the Districts in numbers of awards. From left, District I Director David Healy, District II Director Joan Boudreau, District III Director Ida Swiggett, District IV Director Bette Lewis and NCA Awards Chairperson Babs McClendon.
--photos by Harold McClendon.

Philadelphia International Flower Show 2011

2011-03-26T11:10:00.008-04:00

For an overview of this year's flower show go here.

Ten Clubs Share District I Awards

2011-03-15T16:39:00.011-04:00

Cheverly, MD, March 10, 2011: Ten District I clubs received awards certificates at the annual District I awards meeting hosted by Cheverly Garden Club.

2011 District I Awards Program

Those accepting awards for their respective clubs were (from left): District I Awards Chairman Danielle Brabazon for Woodmoor Garden Club, Dee Droter for Tanta-Cove Garden Club, Donna Aldridge for Paint Branch Garden Club, Norma Hetrick for New Carrollton Garden Club, Julie Harrison for Mount Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club, Barbara Pejokovich for Cheverly Garden Club, and District I Director David Healy for Capitol Hill Garden Club:

During the awards program, District I Director David Healy gave certificates of appreciation to members of the District I Board: Ann Gardenhour, Margaret McKnew, Charmane Turesdell, Dee Droter, Arleen Ankeney, Christine Hambach, Healy, Sonia Johnson, Danielle Brabizon and Norma Merritt:

During the business meeting, NCAGC Second Vice President Babs McClendon delivered messages from President Mary Ellen Alden and First Vice President Vickie Godwin who were attending a stakeholders meeting at the U.S. National Arboretum.

Door prizes went to Jackie George (left) of Mount Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club and Camille McIntye of Tanta-Cove Garden Club:

Arbor House Treasurer Carolyn Casey Kneipp presided over a trunk show from the gift shop at the U.S. National Arboretum.
--Photos by Oliver Smith

Dave Kneipp Honored at District I Awards Meeting

2011-03-15T15:20:00.010-04:00

Cheverly, MD, March 10, 2011: Dave Kniepp, a member of Cheverly Garden Club, received the District I Award of Honor, and the National Capital Area Garden Clubs' Award of Recognition, for his stellar service to his club, community and Prince George's County.

The District I award was presented by District I Awards Chairman Danielle Brabazon and District I Director David Healy (left); and the NCA Garden Club award was presented by NCAGC Awards Chairman Babs McClendon:

Kneipp’s involvement in civic development began in childhood. As a Boy Scout, he achieved the rank of Eagle Scout. He was involved in scouting for 25 years. Dave served as Assistant Scout Master for Troop 716, Boy Scouts of America, as Unit Commissioner for the Patuxent District, and as Skipper of Sea Scout Ship 716.

In Chevelry Garden Club, he has held the offices of president, vice president, secretary and treasurer. While president, he led the effort to install the first Blue Star Memorial in Prince George’s County, Maryland. He is a life member of National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc.

Following his retirement, Dave became a Master Gardener. He is a member of Prince George’s Master Gardeners and serves on its Executive Council. Dave is active in Grow It Eat It, a collaboration between the Maryland Cooperative Extension and master gardeners, “to help more Marylander's grow more food.” He serves as the Grow It Eat It contact person for Prince George’s County and gives gardening programs to public and student groups. In 2009, Dave was named Master Gardener of the Year in Prince George’s County. He recently qualified as a Master Composter.

Dave has been very active with community groups in the Town of Cheverly.

* As a member of the environmental committee of Progressive Cheverly, Dave was instrumental in the creation of the Cheverly Community Vegetable Gardens, which provides residents with the opportunity to learn how to enjoy growing their own food close to home.

* As a member of Cheverly Conservation Alliance, Dave created a Cheverly Green Home Certification Program, which allows neighbors to calculate how green their home is and make improvements to help reduce their carbon footprint.

* Dave serves as a board member of The Friends of Lower Beaverdam Creek, which seeks to restore the health of this Anacostia River tributary through hands-on work.

* As the President of the Cheverly History Club, he has led the effort to bring the history of this early Washington suburban community out of dusty boxes and into the lives of its current residents by locating historic materials and putting them online.

Because of his community involvement, Dave Kneipp has received the Jack L. Wheat Award for contributing to the town’s quality of life and, in 2008, the Mayor’s Award for extraordinary services.

Dave Kneipp is an inspiration to gardening, landscaping, civic involvement, youth involvement and the environment.

Students from the Cheverly Weekday Nursery School were present for Kneipp's award. He worked with the students in planting, caring for and harvesting a salad box.
--Photos by Oliver Smith

THE GARDEN POST Spring 2011

2011-03-01T16:26:00.002-05:00

Garden Post Spring 2011

District I Tours Baltimore Conservatory

2011-03-01T16:25:00.008-05:00

Baltimore, MD, February 19, 2011: 20 members, in two groups, enjoyed a guided tour of the Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens of Baltimore. It's Victorian palm house in Druid Hill Park is one of the oldest conservatories in North America. It's Mediterranean and desert green houses are among the newest.

Afterwords, some of the participants dined at the nearby Cafe Hon:

--Photos by Bill Dean

Tour of the Baltimore Conservatory Scheduled

2011-01-21T15:43:00.006-05:00

District I, National Capital Area Garden Clubs, has arranged

a guided tour for District I club members of the

Howard Peters Rawlings Conservatory and Botanic Gardens of Baltimore

11 a.m., Saturday, February 19, 2011

3100 Swan Drive in Druid Hill Park

Baltimore MD 21217

Tour Fee: $4 cash per person
Participants must arrange their own transportation.

Participants MUST RSVP by February 10, 2011

to davidhealy@dcaccess.net or 202-543-5919

Holiday Design Showcase

2011-01-11T15:00:00.005-05:00

Alexandria, VA, December 3, 2010: District I participated in the Holiday Design Showcase for the Home, a fundraiser for the 2011 National Garden Club Convention. District I provided the name tags for participants. Connie Dalpra of Woodbury Garden Club, Poss Tarpley of Tanta-Cove Garden Club and District I Director David Healy checked registrations at the door and District I, with Poss' help, provided the vegetable trays for the refreshments tables.

Three District I clubs donated children's gift baskets for the silent auction: Cheverly Garden Club donated this Adirondack chair basket (l); and Woodmoor donated a pink tub of art supplies:

Four Seasons Garden Club donated two gift baskets of children's books:

The event was attended by National Garden Club President Renee Blaschke (l); the jewelry resale table was swarmed during breaks in the program.

Holiday Table Settings at Mount Airy Clay Breakers

2010-11-23T14:02:00.008-05:00

November 11, 2010: District I Director David Healy addressed the November meeting of Mount Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club, praising them for their many club activities and urging them to participate in the 2011 National Garden Clubs convention in Washington, DC.

The evening's program featured three table designs created by club members. Jackie George created a traditional Thanksgiving setting using hotel silver and an arrangement of fall leaves and other horticulture from her yard and garden.

Italy was the inspiration for Pam Smart's Tuscan setting with an arrangement of sunflowers:

Hostess Gilda Allen chose a seashore motif; the last blooms in her garden were arranged in a large seashell:

President Julie Harrison presided at the business meeting:

Central Atlantic Region Awards

2010-11-10T16:21:00.004-05:00

October 26, 2010: Two District I clubs were recognized by the Central Atlantic Region of National Garden Clubs, Inc. for various achievements at the annual C.A.R. Conference.

Tanta Cove Garden Club received three awards for its Flights of Fancy Flower Show: first place and $50 for a standard flower show schedule, the American Horticultural Society Regional Perennial Award, and third place Outstanding Educational Exhibit Award for a flower show exhibit on native plants.

Capitol Hill Garden Club won first place in the large club category for the Jean Ladson Outstanding Achievement Award which is "awarded to a club or group of clubs presenting the most outstanding garden club work that is not eligible for any other C.A.R. award." Capitol Hill received the award for its annual bulb give away program, which has resulted in thousands of daffodil and crocus bulbs planted in public spaces on Capitol Hill over the past decade. The award came with a certificate and a $100 check.

The Art and Science of Gardening

2010-10-01T12:03:00.004-04:00

At the state meeting on September 28, 2010 at the National Agricultural Library in Beltsville, MD, John Peter Thompson presented a well-received talk on THE HISTORY OF HORTICULTURE, The Art and Science of Gardening. His slides are reproduced here:

History of Horticulture Sept 2010

View more presentations from John Peter @InvasiveNotes Thompson.

Thompson's blogs is http://ipetrus.blogspot.com/ and the notes from his presentation are reproduced here.

WSJ Highlights Invasive Plant Eradication

2010-09-30T10:05:00.002-04:00

September 29, 2010: The Wall Street Journal today surveyed volunteer invasive plant eradication programs across the country. A prime example in the article was the work of the Friends of Lower Beaverdam Creek, which involves some members of the Cheverly Garden Club:

"That fall, Ms. Smith and her husband put a notice in the town newsletter asking neighbors to help them clear weeds and build a trail. To their surprise, about 15 people showed up on a Saturday morning. "It was a whole lot of people we would have never met before, but who were all interested in having a place to take their kids and walk the dog," says Ms. Smith. "People brought weed whackers, chain saws, and we hacked our way through very dense, overgrown woods."

Today, a regular weed-clearing takes place on the last Saturday of every month. The group calls themselves Friends of Lower Beaverdam Creek, Ms. Smith says, and brings plenty of coffee. Now, the trail is almost a mile long and growing. Homemade markers point to native trees such as paw-paws and birches that once were choked. Volunteers have noticed a return of birds and butterflies."

Also mentioned in the article was Montgomery County's "Weed Warrior" program which involves several members of District IV garden clubs.

Memories of a Lady's Manor

2010-09-27T09:58:00.049-04:00

Upper Marlboro, MD, September 25, 2010: District I's small standard petite flower show, Memories of a Lady's Manor, was well attended at Darnall's Chance House Museum, the 18th century Georgian home of Lettice Lee Wardrop Thompson Sim.

Julie Harrison of Mount Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club received a Petite Award of Merit in the flowers section of the Horticulture Division for her Lantana camara "Anne Marie"; Steve Hannun of Cheverly Garden Club received a Petite Award of Merit in the foliage section of the Horticulture Division for his Harsford Canadian hemlock [Tsuga canadensis]:

Danielle Brabazon of Woodmoor Garden Club received the Petite Flower Show Award for her tea cup arrangement in the Design Division; Christine Hambach of Goddard Garden Club received the Director's Challenge Award for her transparency arrangement:

Julie and Danielle:

Two unregistered tea cup designs were also judged and Danielle's daughter Rae Ann Marino received a first place ribbon and novice arranger Casey Kneipp of Cheverly Garden Club received a second place ribbon:

The Horticulture Division was divided into flowers and folliage and, despite a hot dry September there were top rated specimens: Ice plant [Delosperma ruschia] (left) and pin cushion flower [Scabiosa] (right):

Miniature Chrysanthemum (right) and miniature rose [Rosa] (right):

A marigold [Tagetes] (left) and a Sedum (right):

A bird's nest spruce [Picea abies] (left) and a dwarf Alberta spruce [Picea glauca "Jean's Dilly"] (right):

A squirrel's foot fern [Davallia truchomanodes] (left) and mondo grass [Ophiopogon japonicus "Nana"] (right):

Hosta "Blue Mouse Ears (left) and Hosta "Masquerade" (right):

In the Design Division, three classes--Afternoon Tea, A Spinning Wheel and A Garden Medley--were eligible for the Petite Flower Show Award and a fourth class--Candlelight Evening--were eligible for the Director's Challenge Award.

Afternoon Tea: A small, traditional design arranged in a teacup; not to exceed 8” in height, width, or depth. Designs to be placed on white pedestals of various heights.

Besides the winner of the Petite Flower Show Award (above), designs were submitted by Dee Droter (left) and Norma Merritt (right):

and by Donna Davidson, all of Tanta Cove Garden Club:

A Spinning Wheel: A miniature design; not to exceed 5” in height, width, or depth. Designs will be placed on black pedestals of various heights.

Entries by Dee Droter (first) (left) of Tanta Cove Garden Club and Ann Gardenhour (right) of Cheverly Garden Club:

Arleen Ankeney of Goddard Garden Club (left) and Connie Dalpra (right) of Woodberry Garden Club:

A Garden Medley: A traditional line design featuring small vegetables; not to exceed 8” in height, width, or depth. Designs to be placed on white pedestals of various heights.

Entries by Dee Droter (first award) (left) of and Jean Rositol (right) both of Tanta Cove Garden Club:

Bill Dean (left) and David Healy (right), both of Capitol Hill Garden Club:

Candlelight Evening: A standard size, transparency design; to be placed on off-white, open pedestals, 18” square by 30” tall. Design may be traditional or creative.

Besides the winner of the challenge award (above), designs were submitted by Dee Droter of Tanta Cove Garden Club:

Ann Gardenhour (left) of Cheverly Garden Club and Charmane Truesdell (right) of Montpellier Garden Club:

New Carrollton Garden Club Dedicates Blue Star Memorial

2010-09-20T16:39:00.015-04:00

New Carrollton, MD, September 18, 2010: New Carrollton Garden Club dedicated a Blue Star Memorial on Route 450 just southwest of it's intersection with the Capital Beltway. Route 450 from Peace Cross through New Carrollton (also known as Annapolis Road and Defense Highway) was also declared a Maryland Historic Highway.

A bus transported us from the city administration building to the memorial site:
The memorial was unveiled:
Margaret McKnew, Blue Star Memorial chairman for New Carrollton Garden Club thanked the State of Maryland, City of New Carrollton and VFW Post 8950 in helping with the memorial and its dedication. Dick Esper, chaplain of VFW Post 8950 led the assembly in prayer.

Geraldo Marshall played Taps; a memorial wreath was placed by H. Steve Mason of VFW Post 8950, Norma Hetrick, co-president of New Carrollton Garden Club and New Carrollton Mayor Andrew Hanko.

Among those attending were District I Director David Healy, NCA Garden Clubs President Mary Ellen Alden, National Garden Club 1st Vice President Shirley Nicolai, NCA Garden Club Blue Star Memorial chairman Marion Caldwell, New Carrollton Garden Club member Charmane Truesdell with Mayor Hanko.
Following the dedication, we returned to the city administration building for a short program. The New Carrollton Police Department color guard presented the colors and New Carrollton Co-President Norma Hetrick led us in the Pledge of Allegiance. Students from Parkdale High School then sang the National Anthem and another song.

New Carrollton Mayor Andrew Hanko gave a welcome and he was followed by Landover Hills Mayor Lee Walker, whose city is traversed by the historic highway.

Marion Caldwell presented the history of National Garden Club's Blue Star Memorial program; Margaret McKnew explained the history behind the designation of Route 450 as an historic highway.

New Carrollton Garden Club is participating in Operation Welcome Home, in which Marylanders go to BWI Thurgood Marshall Airport to greet service men and women returning from overseas. Hetrick invited attendants to pen welcome home cards for this project. Here Charmane Truesdell and Lurraine Gettier are writing welcome home cards.

Meeting at Hard Bargain Farm

2010-09-13T13:44:00.033-04:00

Accokeek, MD, September 11, 2010: Fergie's Gardeners and the Alice Ferguson Foundation hosted District I's annual fall meeting at Hard Bargain Farm. The morning started with a brief business meeting followed by a tour of the house and gardens. We gathered at Wareham Lodge, the overnight facility for the foundation's environmental education programs:

NCAGC past president Dale Defeo, NCAGC President Mary Ellen Alden and Tanta Cove Garden Club President Poss Tarpley observe National Garden Club 1st Vice President Shirley Nicolai creating an arrangement for the refreshments table:

Fergie's Gardeners President Betsy Reid and Alice Ferguson Foundation Deputy Director Libby Campbell:

Alice Ferguson was a painter who had studied at the Corcoran. Her friend and neighbor was the sculptor Leonore Thomas Straus, who had studied at the Art Institute of Chicago. Straus' Blue Rhinoceros was part of an unfinished WPA project which was discovered in a warehouse and installed at Hard Bargain Farm. Doris Sharp stands between Straus' sculptures of Henry "Fergie" Ferguson and Alice atop the gate posts; Henry (l) holds a soccer ball; Alice (r) holds a skull, a reference to her archaeological excavations of Amerindian artifacts on the bottom land of Hard Bargain Farm. Henry was Ivy League educated and a geologist with the U.S. Geologic Survey.

In Alice's time roses covered this entrance.

Today, the entrance is planted with Knock Out Roses and hyacinth beans intermingled with scarlet runner beans:

These insect floor lamps are unique to Hard Bargain Farm:

From the house, one can see the Potomac and into Virginia:
Beyond the east end of the balustrade is this water feature which was fed by a cistern that collected rainwater off the roof.

Grapes above the patio on the northeast side of the house:

From the east side of the garden, one can see Mount Vernon:
From the foot of the garden, one sees the front of the house anchored by the balustrade:
Henry and Alice lived in this log cabin while the house was being constructed; it later became Alice's studio.

Alice died in 1951 and Henry in 1966. Henry named their educational foundation after Alice.

Their environmental classes are growing monarch butterflies for release. A chrysalis is on the grapevine wreath and a caterpillar below:

Shirley's completed arrangement on the refreshments table; the resident elderly black rat snake.

Following the meeting, about 10 participants continued on to Piscataway Park which features a boardwalk across the marsh and a path about a mile along the shoreline of the Potomac to the mouth of Piscataway Creek:

Joyce Meyer, Linda Millette, Mary Beth Cecil, Sonia Johnson and President Julie Harrison of Mount Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club pose with District I Director David Healy:

Restoring the eroding shoreline of Piscataway Park was a stimulus program administered by the Alice Ferguson Foundation:
From the Potomac shore, one sees this view of Hard Bargain Farm:

At the mouth of Piscataway Creek, one can see the lighthouse at Fort Washington. The fort itself is obscured by the trees and, if you enlarged the photo on the right, you can make out the flag at half-staff in remembrance of 9/11:

There were kayakers on Piscataway Creek and the trail went far enough to see the Fort Washington Marina:

A memorial to the Chief Turkey Tayac, who is buried in an ossuary with ancient Piscataway chiefs, is located along the trail.

It was a great day for butterflies:

xxx

Garden Post Fall 2010

2010-09-13T13:35:00.001-04:00

Garden Post Fall 2010

Garden Post Summer 2010

2010-06-29T12:13:00.003-04:00

Garden Post Spring 2010

Presidents' Meeting in Friendship Garden

2010-06-10T14:10:00.008-04:00

June 8, 2010: When we arrived for the Presidents' Meeting we found another unscheduled activity already underway in the auditorium of the U.S. National Arboretum. So, it being a sunny, cool, low humidity day, we moved the meeting to the Friendship Garden behind the Arbor House gift shop. The irony was that two weeks earlier, the District I board, after an extensive debate on whether to have a picnic or a luncheon, decided on a luncheon and we ended up with a picnic anyway.

A patio table became the sign-in table (l); NCA President Mary Ellen Alden addresses the meeting on the lawn under the shade:

NCA Awards Chair Babs McClendon presented a National Garden Club award to District I for the memorial grove project with Prospect Hill Cemetery. (Go here for more on this award.) McClendon also presented two National Garden Club awards to Tanta Cove Garden Club President Poss Tarpley--a Standard Flower Show in Public Building Rosette and the Tommy Donnan Certificate of Merit for their 2009 Twigs and Sprigs newsletter:

Julie Harrison, president of Mount Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club, provided this hydrangea arrangement for the buffet table:

National Award for Prospect Hill Project

2010-06-10T12:58:00.008-04:00

June 8, 2010: National Garden Clubs awarded a Certificate of Commendation in Civic Achievement to District I, National Capital Area, for its memorial grove project with Prospect Hill Cemetery.

District I's book of evidence received all 100 points. The judge's comment was:

"What an awesome project. Your book of evidence met all the
requirements for your project. Keep of the good work!"

The award was issued on May 16, 2010 during the National Garden Clubs' convention in Atlanta. NCA Awards Chair Babs McClendon announced the award to District I during the Presidents' Meeting on June 8, 2010 at the U.S. National Arboretum. Below Babs presents the certificate to District I Director David Healy.

Memorial Grove Dedication

2010-06-01T15:13:00.012-04:00

Memorial Day, May 31, 2010: More than 60 people attended the dedication of the memorial grove at Prospect Hill Cemetery, The dedication followed the Memorial Day service at the cemetery.

Carol Holler, president of the cemetery’s board of trustees (below l), said the grove was a dream come true and thanked District I for its contribution and work. Rudy Becker, the cemetery representative on the project committee (below r) gave an overview of the history of the memorial grove project.

District I Director David Healy addressed the gathering. He thanked the District I clubs for the donations and work on the project and entrusted the grove to the care of the cemetery.

The Washington Sängerbund performed Wanderers Nacthlied, a poem by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe set to music by Franz Schubert. This poem has been called the most famous lyric poem in German literature.

Here, the Sängerbund rehearses before the ceremonies:

Charmane Truesdell, Carol Holler and David Healy cut the ribbon held by Gerhard Meinzer (l) and Rudy Becker:
Pastor Bodo Schwabe of The United Church gave the blessing. Project Manager Charmane Truesdell took a bow.

The Blessing:

Do not stand at my grave and weep;

I am not there. I do not sleep.

I am a thousand winds that blow.

I am the diamond glints on snow.

I am the sunlight on ripened grain.

I am the gentle autumn rain.

When you awaken in the morning's hush

I am the swift uplifting rush

Of quiet birds in circled flight.

I am the soft stars that shine at night.

Do not stand at my grave and cry;

I am not there. I did not die.

--attributed to Mary Elizabeth Frye

The angel statue on its secure base and a dedication arrangement by project committee member Christine Hambach:

--photos by Bill Dean

Our Trip to Nemours

2010-05-26T11:07:00.005-04:00

Wilmington DE, May 23, 2010: District I's bus trip to Nemours was generally well received. There was rain on and off but not when it really counted. Participants were divided into small groups for the mansion tour and each received a flower on the way in. The Nemours horticulturist addressed those who walked the gardens. Those who later toured the garage received a bottle of Nemours water.

Lunch followed at the nearby Dupont Country Club.

Heavy traffic on I-95 southbound prevented the planned visit to Draycott Gardens.

The docents continue the tradition of Alfred DuPont's third wife who greeted all guests with a fresh flower. Here flowers are received an Arleen and her sister Betty:

--photos above by Carolyn Fichtel.
The parterres:

The English gates on the east of the mansion.

The Catherine the Great gates to the west gardens:

Some toured the French style gardens on foot. Others by bus. The Nemours horticulturist addressed those walking the gardens.

The DuPonts actually used the main fountain pool for recreation.

A tulip poplar in bloom.

A late lunch at Dupont Country Club:

--above photos by Michael Giese.

Cheverly Tours National Wildlife Visitors Center

2010-05-04T15:01:00.002-04:00

April 19, 2010: Cheverly Garden Club toured that National Wildlife Visitors Center at the Patuxent Research Refuge of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. The refuge occupies 12,841 acres off the BW Parkway via Route 197. It is one of 540 national wildlife refuges and has the only National Wildlife Visitors Center.

Along the entrance road from Route 197, we saw a dozen deer:

Before the sun set, the group observed this deer across Lake Redington:

Nell Baldacchino led the tour. Here she discusses the center's schoolyard habitat, a demonstration habitat to show how small spaces can be inviting to wildlife:

Then we toured the indoor exhibits:

--photos by Bill Dean

District I Receives Helen P. Reed Landscaping Award

2010-03-24T12:07:00.003-04:00

March 23, 2010: District I received the Helen P. Reed Award for Landscape Design for its Prospect Hill Memorial Planting during award ceremonies today by National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc. The award was memorialized by this certificate and a cash award of $100. The award recognizes District I's achievement in the installation of a memorial grove at Prospect Hill Cemetery in partnership with the cemetery board.

NCAGC Award Chair Babs McClendon (above) presents the award to District I Director David Healy.

District I clubs honored at the NCAGC meeting included Capitol Hill Garden Club represented by Janice McKenney, New Carrollton Garden Club represented by Margaret McKnew, Mount Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club represented by Julie Harrison and Tanta Cove Garden Club represented by Poss Tarplay (above from left).

District I clubs were recognized for the following:

Capitol Hill Garden Club
- Outstanding Garden Club Achievement 60 or more members
- Beatrice M. Coiner Award ($100) – bulb giveaway program

Cheverly Garden Club
- Donation, Fern Valley

Four Seasons Garden Club
- Donation, Washington Youth Garden

Mount Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club
- Certificate of Recognition Club for Flowers and Cheers for Our Veterans
- Arbor House Service Certificate
- Donation, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Citation
- Donation, World Gardening
- Donation, Fern Valley Citation

New Carrollton Garden Club
- Outstanding Garden Club Achievement 24 or fewer

Tanta Cove Garden Club
- Outstanding Garden Club Achievement 25-39 members
- Evelyn Lang Award - Educational Exhibit ($50)
- Standard Flower Show Citation, “Flights of Fancy” Flower Show
- Yearbook Certificate of Merit 30 -44 members
- Outstanding Club Newsletter 33-99 members
- Arbor House Service Certificate
- Donation, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Citation
- Donation, Nature Conservancy Citation
- Donation, Fern Valley Citation
- Donation, Washington Youth Garden Citation
- Donation, Fern Valley Entrance and Botanical Labeling

Woodberry Garden Club
-Donation, Fern Valley

Woodmoor Garden Club
- Donation, Chesapeake Bay Foundation Citation
- Donation, Nature Conservancy Citation
- Donation, Fern Valley Citation

Christine Hambach from Goddard Garden Club was recognized as the District I award of honor recipient and received a certificate of recognition from National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc.

Janet Fernandez of Bethesda received the NCAGC Award of Honor for 2010.

Ronnie Levay presented the NCAGC Award of Excellence to John Peter Thompson for his work on invasive plants. The Award of Excellence is given annual to a non-garden club member for his/her work in related endeavors. Thompson is the grandson of the founders of The Behnke Nurseries Co. He works as a consultant in ecosystem services and advocacy .

NCAGC President Mary Ellen Alden recognized Hallie Beth "Poss" Tarpley of Tanta Cove Garden Club for her yeoman's work establishing the NCAGC's new website: http://ncagardenclubs.org/

This spring arrangement by Christine Hambach graced the sign in table for District I:

--Photos by Ronnie Levay and David Healy

District I Awards Meeting 2010

2010-03-24T11:31:00.003-04:00

March 11, 2010: Babs McClendon, awards chair for National Capitol Area Garden Clubs, Inc., recognized Christine Hambach of Goddard Garden Club as the NCAGC Award of Recognition winner for District I. District I Director David Healy presented daffodils to her.

Danielle Brabazon, awards chair for District I, presented Christine with the District I Award of Honor certificate.
Christine has been a long time president of Goddard and also active on the District I board. She was instrumental in having Goddard establish and maintain a small garden on the former chapel site at historic Prospect Hill Cemetery and she was a prime mover in District I's memorial grove project at the cemetery.

Clubs and individuals were recognized for their support--financial and hands-on gardening-of the District I civic project--the planting of a memorial grove at historic Prospect Hill Cemetery:

Clockwise from upper left: Danielle Brabazon, Carolyn Fichtel, Ann Gardenhour, David Healy, Poss Tarpley, Shirley Nicolai, Dee Droter, Julie Harrison, Charmane Truesdell, Christine Hambach, Janice McKenney and Sonia Johnson.

Awards to District I clubs were presented by Awards Chair Danielle Brabazon and Director David Healy:

Janice McKenney accepts for Capitol Hill Garden Club (l); Cynthia Smith accepts for Cheverly Garden Club:

Ellen Spencer accepts for The Gardeners of the Junior League of Washington (l); Charmane Truesdell accepts for Montpelier Garden Club:

Julie Harrison accepts for Mount Area Clay Breakers Garden Club (l); Margaret McKnew accepts for New Carollton Garden Club:

Carolyn Fichtel accepts for Paint Branch Garden Club (l); Poss Tarpley accepts for Tanta-Cove Garden Club:

A panel discussed special projects by District I clubs:

Danielle Brabazon of Woodmoor Garden Club talked about the community involvement in the club's labyrinth at Montgomery Blair High School. She said some of the students were very protective of the labyrinth.

Carolyn Fichtel of Paint Branch Garden Club discussed their annual garden therapy at Hillhaven Nursing home which started when a member's relative moved into the facility.

Julie Harrison of Mount Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club told about their making floral arrangements and taking them room to room in the Veteran's Hospital to give to patients. She said it had been very rewarding since their very first encounter with a woman who asked, "Are these for me?"

Oliver Smith of Cheverly Garden Club told about his becoming involved with National Police Week activities following the death of his son in the line of duty. Each year his club makes corsages for the survivors of police offers who attend the memorial events..

Janice McKenney of Capitol Hill Garden Club discussed her club's annual giveaway of crocus and daffodil bulbs for planting in public areas of Capitol Hill neighborhoods.

Sheila Nebel (above left) gave the Treasurer's Report, NCAGC 1st Vice President Vickie Godwin (above right) discussed club membership and NCAGC President Mary Ellen Alden showed the NCAGC tote bags that are for sale as a fundraiser (r).

Director Healy thanked Danielle Brabazon for her work as awards chair (l) and Ann Gardenhour for her work with hospitality.

--Photos by Oliver Smith

Plant Sale -- Tanta-Cove Garden Club

2010-03-20T16:38:00.001-04:00

9 AM - 1 PM, Saturday, May 8, 2010

St. John's Episcopal Church,
9801 Livingston Rd., Fort Washington, MD

Plants from members yards: perennials, shade lovers, sun lovers as well as a large selection of herbs

Philadelphia Flower Show 2010

2010-03-12T14:41:00.000-05:00

More photos can be seen here.

The Garden Post, Spring 2010

2010-02-28T23:37:00.003-05:00

To enlarge this for easier reading, click on the circle to the right of the word BOX at the bottom of the pdf frame.

Gardeners Go Green

2010-01-13T16:45:00.019-05:00

January 12, 2009: The Gardeners of the Junior League of Washington presented a small standard flower show entitled "Gardeners Go Green" at the Sumner Village Community Center in Bethesda. Considering that it was the middle of the coldest winter in several decades, the horticulture was spectacular. The judges declared the show "wonderful."

Division I: Horticulture -- From Your Outdoor and Indoor Garden

BEST OF SHOW: HORTICULTURE -- Oxalis (wood-sorrel or shamrock) by Joy Vigé:

Division II: Design -- Using the Winter Bounty of the Garden to Decorate the Home.

Class 1 -- An arrangement of all fresh plant material dominated by fresh foliage and enhanced with flowers.

Class 2. An arrangement of all fresh foliage enhanced by fresh fruit or vegetables or both.

Class 3. A fresh foliage arrangement which may include some dried branches, staged on a pedestal and to be viewed from all sides.

BEST OF SHOW: DESIGN by Jane Battle:

Standby arrangements (just in case there were one or more holes in Division II):

Espalied Ivy

2010-01-07T10:16:00.005-05:00

December 31, 2009: For those with extra time on their hands, the espalied ivy at Dumbarton Oaks:

For a look inside the museum, click here.

Holiday Floral Decoration at National Cathedral

2010-01-05T11:08:00.011-05:00

December 29, 2009: Beyond the cathedral arrangements which greeted visitors at the west front, the floral decoration in the nave, transept, choir and high altar were strictly evergreen with full red poinsettias, carnations, winterberry and nandina. As one moved to the sides, there were red apples and then pink poinsettias.

Anthurium and winterberry provided the red on a side altar:

Floral decoration moved away from strict red and green on the side altars:

White was added in a "Children's Chapel":

A wreath with apples and pine cones greeted visitors to the Herb Cottage (l);

For more cathedral views click here.

Memorial Grove in Winter

2010-01-04T14:09:00.006-05:00

December 27, 2009: The 22 plants comprising District I's memorial grove at Prospect Hill Cemetery appear to have thrived since their planting, September 19.

Nemours Trip Scheduled for May 23, 2010

2009-11-23T12:03:00.004-05:00

UPDATE: This Nemours Trip has been fully subscribed. Reservations are still being accepted for the waiting list in case of cancellations.

Click on photo for a larger view and click again for an even larger view.

District 1 Youth Poets Recognized by CAR

2009-11-17T08:40:00.005-05:00

Tarrytown, NY, November 1, 2009: Fifth Grader Mary Rourke received a First Place Certificate from Central Atlantic Region of National Garden Clubs, Inc., in NGC's 2008 youth poetry contest. Ms Rourke was sponsored by Mt Airy Clay Breakers.

Sixth grader Thomas Leonard, also sponsored by Mt. Airy Clay Breakers, received a poetry certificate from CAR in the same contest.

The annual NGC youth poetry contest is open to students from Kindergarten through 9th grade.

CAR Conference: Half Moon Over the Hudson

2009-11-05T09:07:00.017-05:00

Tarrytown, NY, November 1, 2009: Central Atlantic Region of National Garden Clubs, Inc. held its annual conference "Half Moon Over the Hudson" amidst the Hudson Valley Dutch settlements in celebration of the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson's exploration of the Hudson River for the Dutch East India Company. [Right click on photos for a larger view in another window.]

There was a junior flower show:

Floral Tributes: Golden Days by Jeanne-Beryl Metz in honor of National Garden Club President Renee Blaschke (left); arrangement by Joy Coletta in honor of CAR Director Carmie De Vito (right):

Henry Hudson's "Ghost Ship" by Jeanne Nelson in honor of New York President Elaine DiPietro (right): Half Moon Over the Hudson by Johnna Claire Metz in honor of conference chairs Lynne Arnold and Jeanne-Beryl Metz (left):

Designer Showcase: The Narrows at Lake George by Gail Corle, The Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania (left); arrangement by Diana Mullins, The Garden Club of Ohio, Inc. (right):

Storm in the Mountains by Mary Corley, National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc. (left); Morning in the Tropics by Judith Tucholski-Zon, The Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, Inc. (right):

Early Morning Cold Spring by Brenda Bingham, The Garden Clubs of New Jersey, Inc.:
Arrangement by Sylvia Deck, Federated Garden Clubs of Maryland, Inc. (left); Arrangement by Joy L.. Ericson, Delaware Federation of Garden Clubs (right):

Marigold Harding, Jamaica, took Henry Hudson's exploration of the Hudson River as the theme of her floral designs following the luncheon; the display was momentary--we only caught Henry Hudson's ship The Half Moon and a novel arrangement representing river turbulence:

National Capital Area attendees [photo by friendly delegate]:

Seated Shirley Nicolai, Mary Ellen Alden; First Row (left to right) Karen O’Meara, Mary Corley, Helen Reed, Bette Lewis, Vickie Godwin, Jo Sellers; Second Row (left to right) Nancy L. Angelelli, Carol Carter, David Healy, Poss Tarpley, Ida Swiggett.

Photos by Bill Dean.

Brooklyn Botanic Garden

2009-10-19T14:07:00.007-04:00

Brooklyn, NY, October 30, 2009: Click here for photographs of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.

Excursion Americus -- an Exhibition of Floral Design

2009-10-18T08:11:00.039-04:00

October 17, 2009: The World Association of Flower Arrangers [WAFA] exhibited floral designs by 48 of the top amateur designers from eastern North America and the Caribbean and judged by 88 international judges from 22 of the 30 member countries. The 48 designs were divided into 8 classes of American landmarks and monuments--Excursion Americus.

[Right click on photographs to see a larger view in another window.]

GATEWAY ARCH, Class One

1a Jackie Lundberg, Ohio, Second Place (left); 1b Trece Chancellor, Alabama, First Place (right):

1c Lynn Fronk, Ohio (left); 1d Angela Raitano, Pennsylvania, Mention (right):

1e Susan Detjens, Massachusetts, Third Place (left); 1f Peggy Moore, Connecticut (right):

GRAND CANYON, Class Two

2a Brenda Bingham, New Jersey, Third Place (left); 2b Marianna Brewster, Texas, Mention (right):

2c Penny Decker, Florida, Second Place (left); 2d Lillian Rico, Puerto Rico, First Place (right):

2e Marigold Harding, Jamaica (left); 2f Jane Owen Barbot, North Carolina (right):

WASHINGTON MONUMENTS, Class Three

3a Judy B. Binns, Virginia, Second Place (left); 3d Bobbi Heenan, Georgia, Third Place (right):

3b Sara H. Lavelle, North Carolina and close-up of reflection:

3c Julie Spear, Arkansas, First Place and MOST INNOVATIVE:

3e R. Ellen Avellino, Connecticut (left); 3f Diane Hughes, Pennsylvania (right):

EPCOT, WALT DISNEY WORLD, Class 4

4a Deidre Gross, New Jersey, First Place (left); 4b Jo Ann Wade, Alabama, Third Place (right):

4c Clare H. Stewart, Maryland (left); 4d Gay Estes, Texas (right):

4e Cathy Westerfeld, New York, Second Place (left); 4f Linda Masland, Maryland (right):

GIANT REDWOODS, Class 5

5a Rilla M. Crane, Virginia, Third Place (left); 5b Helen Goddard, Massachusetts, First Place and BEST USE OF TEXTURE (right):

5c Pamela Rhoda, New York (left); 5d Susan Sikorski, Virginia, Second Place (right):

5e Mary Corley, Maryland, Mention (left); 5f Sylvia Deck, Maryland (right):

SPACE NEEDLE, Class Six

6a Diane B. Herman, Pennsylvania, Third Place (left); 6b Lula Potter, Texas, Mention (right):

Press play to rotate Herman's space needle:

6c Helen Martin, South Carolina, First Place and BEST IN SHOW (left);

6d Lissa Williamson, Maryland (right):

6e Michaela Robinson, Virginia, Second Place (left); 6f Barbara Campbell, New York (right):

MAUNA LOA VOLCANO, Class Seven

7a Di Cook, Virginia, Third Place (left); 7b Matilda H. Bradshaw, Virginia, First Place (right):

7c Bonnie Mirmak, Virginia (left); 7d Jeanne T. Nelson, New York, BEST USE OF COLOR (right):

7e Mary Ellen Alden, Virginia, Second Place (left); 7f Marilyn Whitmore, Pennsylvania (right):

NIAGARA FALLS, Class Eight

8a Muriel Turner, Virginia, Mention (left); 8b Sarah Salomon, Maryland (right):

8c M. Liz Piazza, New York, Second Place and MOST INTERPRETIVE EXHIBIT (left)
8d Frances Thrash, Virginia, First Place (right):

8e Claudette J. Smith, Ontario, Canada (left); 8f Dale Wybrow, Florida, Third Place (right):

Photos by Bill Dean.

District 1 Members Receive Prince George's Beautification Awards

2009-10-11T06:14:00.006-04:00

Mitchellville, MD, September 23, 2009: Several District 1 members received awards from the Prince George’s County Beautification Committee at a recent reception.

Freia Lorimer (l) received the "Golden Trowel" Award for maintaining her garden at a superior level for 5 years in a row. Lorimer had received the Prince George’s County Garden of the Year Award in 2004. Lorimer is corresponding secretary of District 1 and a member of New Carrollton Garden Club.

Other superior maintenance awards were received by Arleen and Ted Ankeney from Goddard Garden Club, Casey and David Kneipp from Cheverly Garden Club, and Julie Harrison, Iona Black, and Arminta Donovan from Mt. Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club.

Mt Airy Clay Breakers, as a club, received an award for their maintenance of the Holloway Park Entrance Garden on Rosaryville Road in Upper Marlboro, MD. Clay Breakers also nominated gardens at Concordia Lutheran Church and St. Mary of the Assumption School, both in Upper Marlboro, which also received awards. (Julie Harrison, Thomas Leonard and Arminta Donovan right with Mt Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club awards.)

The guest speaker for the awards reception was Sandi Piccirillo, who engaged the audience with a lively discussion about edibles in the landscape. Piccirillo is chair of the flower show school for National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc.

Through its beautification program, Prince George’s County honors those who have contributed to the community through excellence in gardening and landscape design. The Beautification Committee is dedicated to the protection of the environment and the preservation of Prince George’s County as a healthy and pleasant place to live and work.

Judging for the 2009 beautification awards was organized by District 1’s Charmane Truesdell (Montpellier Garden Club). Many members of National Capital Area Garden Club’s landscape design council participated as judges.

--Contributed by Lorraine Leonard

District 1 Hosts State Fall Meeting

2009-09-22T15:02:00.000-04:00

September 22, 2009: Charles Wilts, in association with Claymore C. Sieck Wholesale Florist, presented a program on practical flower arranging for the everyday enjoyment of flowers at the fall meeting of National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc. While making arrangements, Wilts gave tips on the care and handling of flowers, including reviving drooping roses by given them a bath in warm water and using a little Chlorox to get Gerber daisies to stand up straight.

His first arrangement was based on flowers from a typical retail assortment. His second "Georgetown arrangement" combined small tight bouquets of single-type flowers together into one arrangement. [Right click on individual photographs for a larger view in another window].

His finale was the creation of complementary arrangements in three nesting baskets, which could be combined into one towering arrangement for a buffet table and later separated into individual arrangements for display throughout one or more rooms.

At the end of the business meeting, the five arrangements were raffled as door prizes!

District 1 hosted the luncheon following the state meeting. Thirteen clubs donated salads, sandwiches and desserts. The District 1 board provided coffee and tea. Charmane Truesdell created a charming fall arrangement for the luncheon buffet table.

Memorial Grove Planted at Prospect Hill Cemetery

2009-09-20T09:46:00.000-04:00

September 19, 2009: Thirty volunteers completed the planting of a memorial grove at historic Prospect Hill Cemetery on Saturday morning. The grove was a joint project of District 1, National Capital Area Garden Clubs, Inc. and Prospect Hill Cemetery. Seventeen members from 8 District 1 garden clubs were joined by volunteers from the cemetery and the Sängerbund for Saturaday's planting day. The 32 trees and shrubs planted along a portion of the cemetery's northern boundary are intended when mature to screen an unsightly maintenance yard across the fence. [For larger views, click on individual photographs or right click to open in another tab or window.]

Sonia Johnson and Julie Harrison check out the angel statue while Charmane Truesdell marks the spot where the statue will be relocated.

Save the Date for Nemours

2009-09-12T00:18:00.000-04:00

District 1 has scheduled a bus trip for May 23, 2010 to Nemours, the Alfred I. Dupont estate in Wilmington, DE. The estate features the finest French formal garden in North America. Trip details will be provided in the new year. For a sneak preview, click here.

Iris at Fall Meeting

2009-09-11T23:19:00.001-04:00

September 10, 2009: Iris was the topic for Carol Warner, the proprietor of Draycott Gardens in Upperco, MD. While Warner sells beardless iris and the new Pseudata iris, her informative talk covered all varieties of iris from the Iris reticulata, bearded iris, beardless iris, Siberian iris, species iris, Japanese iris and the varieties of iris that rebloom in the fall.

Warner explained the mechanics of bee pollinization of iris and the process of hybridizing iris. She gave tips on the planting and dividing of iris, on how to treat the iris borer that eats out the rhizome, and discussed how to winter over water iris. She said beared iris should not be mulched and beardless iris should only be lightly mulched after planting to conserve moisture.

Warner also discussed the display of iris in landscapes and in beds and how to combine them with other plants so as to show them at their best. She said this region was home to two native iris--Iris versicolor which grows from here north and Iris virginica which grows from here south through the Carolinas.

Coffee, tea and pastries were served before the meeting while waiting for those delayed by traffic. Maggie Lippert of Paint Branch Garden Club provided a seasonal floral basket arrangement for the buffet table and Anne Gardenhour shared freshly picked Gala apples from the orchards of central Maryland.