District 1, National Capital Area Garden Clubs

2012 Presidents' Luncheon with National President

Fort Washington, MD, June 16, 2012: National Garden Club President Shirley Nicolai hosted the annual District I Presidents' Luncheon at her home along the Potomac. Nicolai is a member of two District I clubs-- Tanta-Cove Garden Club and Fergie's Gardeners.

Coffee on the porch overlooked the Potomac River.

Secretary Sonia Johnson records welcome by District I Director Danielle Brabazon.

Nicolai (left above) discussed her activities as National Garden Club president. Vickie Godwin (right above), president of National Capital Area Garden Clubs, discussed state activities.

David Healy, NCA 1st Vice President, discussed the President's Package on the state website: ncagardenclubs.org

Carol Edwards (left), president of Capitol Hill Garden Club, discussed the club's programs and activities. She invited District members to attend their monthly programs.

Ann Gardenhour, president of Cheverly Garden Club, reported on its activities and informed the District of Cheverly's new continuing education grants for community members taking classes in horticulture.

Betsy Reid (right), president of Fergie's Gardeners, discussed their plans for renovating the 1920s country house gardens at The Ferguson Foundation. She invited clubs to take advantage of their teas, tours and luncheons.

Elizabeth Dietel (standing above), president of The Gardeners of the Junior League of Washington, discussed her club. She said the League was needing younger members.

Christine Hambach (left), reported on the 50 years of Goddard Garden Club and their recent anniversary celebration.

Charmane Truesdell (left), president of Montpelier Garden Club, reported on the death of its co-founder and active member Jimalou Whiting.

Julie Harrison (above), immediate past president of Mount Airy Clay Breakers Garden Club, reported on its activities. Its after school youth program will next work on a butterfly garden. The first year it had a salad garden and the second year a pizza garden.

Mary Alice Bartman (right), president of New Carrollton Garden Club reported that many of its members had moved away from the community but nevertheless were offering programs to attract New Carrollton gardeners.

Lydia Barbour (right), president of Tanta-Cove Garden Club, described the three gardens that are maintained by its member in the community. Tanta-Cove will host Morning of Design for District I in October.

Arvie Atkinson (left), president of Woodberry Garden Club, told of its volunteer activities at Joint Base Andrews.

Sally Oconnell and Sue Santucci, members of Woodmoor Garden Club, discussed their club's activities, including its plant sale and garden tour each spring.

Poss Tarpley (left) reported on Landscape Design School.

Dee Droter (right) reported on the Gardening Studies Course.

Truesdell reported on the Environmental Studies School.

District III Director Sandi Piccirillo (right) reported on Flower Show School.

Membership Outreach

Beltsville, MD, June 9, 2012: Behnke's Garden Center hosted its annual garden party, an opportunity for clubs, plant societies and other horticultural organizations to promote membership.

This year District IV hosted the membership table for National Capital Area Garden Clubs,

Sylvia Tetrault, David Healy and Bette Lewis

Burtonsville Garden Club hosted its own membership table.

Jeanne Byrd, Sue Stimak, David Healy and JoAnn Mueller.

CAPITOL HILL GARDEN CLUBS CELEBRATES 60 YEARS

June 2, 2012: Capitol Hill Garden Club celebrated its 60th anniversary at its annual June Garden Party held for the first time on the patio of the headquarters building at the United States National Arboretum. Dr. Colien Hefferan, arboretum direcctor, welcomed the club to the arboretum. Members enjoyed a potluck buffet.

Out going president Vira Sisolak introduced two 50-year members and six past presidents. Each had an opportunity to reminisce about the club. Then the gavel was passed from Sisolak to incoming president Carol Edwards.

For more pictures go here.

THE CAPITAL GARDENER Summer 2012

Capital Gardener Summer 2012

THE GARDEN POST Summer 2012

The Garden Post Summer 2012

GODDARD GARDEN CLUB CELEBRATES 50 YEARS

Greenbelt, Md, May 19, 2012: Goddard Garden Club celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a reunion banquet at the Sir Walter Raleigh Inn. All but one of the club’s six members were present. They were joined by eight former members, four spouses, and three guests including District I Director Danielle Brabazon. Former club president Linda Foote traveled the farthest. She came from Florida to be there.

The event proved to be a very special evening of laughs, heartfelt hugs, and memories. The memorabilia table set by President Christine Hambach had some correspondence and notes both to and from several of those who could not attend. A silent, continuous, 17-minute, big-screen slide show provided quick glimpses through five decades of club activities and accomplishments.

A rose ceremony highlighted the evening’s program. One-by-one, member Arleen Ankeney announced each woman's name and said something meaningful about her involvement with the club while member Charmane Truesdell presented the woman with a white rose tied with a sheer, green bow with streamers.

Truesdell presents a rose to the club's most senior member Billie Stansbury; District I Director Brabazon is on the left.

Members admire their roses.

Club President Hambach was surprised with a bouquet of pink roses and long, appreciative, enthusiastic, applause for her leadership and friendship through nearly two decades as the club’s President.

--submitted by Arleen Ankeney

"May Day" Flower Show

Bethesda, MD, May 1, 2012: The Gardeners of the Junior League of Washington presented a small standard flower show at the Sumner Village Community Center.

Sandi Birdsong won Best of Show in the Horticulture Division for her Paeonia caucasica:

Louvette Aspiotis won Best in Show in the Design Division for her May Day Meadow Picnic for Two.

From left above, member Ellen Spencer chats with the judges Muriel Turner, Lisa Adelman and Jane Goodman while National Capital Area Garden Clubs president Vickie Godwin looks on.