Meeting Minutes

Little Garden Club of Rye at the Osborn

Business Meeting

February 14, 2023, 1:00 p.m.

“Arrangements for Valentine’s Day” with Osborn residents

Present: Adler, Benzak, M. Collins, Coombs, Delaney, Dillon, Duncan, Hoover, Kehoe, Lambert, Macleod, Murray, O’Hare, Taplett, Valla (15)

Guests: Izzy Copus, Bea Cremieux, Sarah O’Keefe, Kelly Walsh, Stefanie Watkins, Elizabeth Nace, Chase English, Peggy Franck

Welcome and Introduction of Prospective Members:

Jean welcomed members to our Valentine’s Day meeting at The Osborn, and welcomed prospective members Izzy Copus, Bea Cremieux, Sarah O’Keefe, Kelly Walsh, Stefanie Watkins, Elizabeth Nace, Chase English and Peggy Franck.

The minutes were approved for the January 10, 2023 Business Meeting.

Community Stewardship Updates:

Rye Nature Center: Jean reported that members have electronically approved a gift of $10,000 to the Rye Nature Center to repair the pond platform used for children’s educational programs. LGCR has applied for a GCA Restoration Initiative Grant to repair damage done at the Center by Hurricane Ida.

Knapp House: Jean and Chris D. met with Knapp House representatives on February 13 to discuss plans for work in the gardens. Reconfiguration of the former irrigation system does not appear to be a solution to the watering problem since the plantings have such different water requirements. The Club plans to fund a student intern to water and weed during the summer with advice from a knowledgeable Club member.

Bids for installing the brick walkways are being solicited. The plan is to use bricks saved from earlier walkways at Knapp and bricks Jean is donating from her garden.

Rockridge Triangle: Jean reported that the Club has received an email from Rye City stating that the installation of an irrigation system at Rockridge is pending inspection by the Department of Health of the backflow prevention system. Installation could start this summer. Jean has a schematic of the Triangle that she will send to Chris M.

Civic Improvement: As reported above, the RNC GCA Restoration Initiative Grant has been submitted. Applications for GCA Hull Awards are due March 1. The Club will submit one for Deborah Davis-Galliard, a Rye Middle School Science teacher involved in the Oyster Project.

Jean announced this year’s three finalists for the GCA Founders Fund Award:

The Cylburn Arboretum Friends Nature Center,
The Butterfly and Bee Pollinator Meadow at Chickasaw Park in Honor of Muhammad Ali, and
Sowing and Growing Evanston Grows: Urban Gardens and Community.

Members will be receiving more information about the proposals and will need to vote by April 1.

Scholarship: The Club plans to offer a $2500 scholarship to a Rye High School Senior who has demonstrated a strong interest in the environment/ecology. Jean distributed a draft of the application form that students will submit to the Club for consideration.

Daffodil Show: The Show is scheduled for Thursday, April 13 at Jay Heritage with set-up on April 12. A Sign-up Genius will be out shortly asking volunteers to sign up for work slots.

Horticulture: The Winter Seed sowing workshops are scheduled for tomorrow, February 15 at Cheryl’s house. Cheryl reports that she has many seeds and that members interested in sowing who cannot make the scheduled times should contact her to make other arrangements. She will be distributing left- over seeds to people who can plant them directly in gardens in the spring.

Chris M. and Cheryl have geranium plugs from the Hortulus Garden Club that they will give to LGCR provisionals to grow and potentially enter in the upcoming Hortulus Show.

By-Laws Amendments: Jean reported that more members need to submit their votes on the proposed By-Law changes.

Announcements:

Chris D. reported that the annual Rye DPW Valentines Day breakfast was a great success. LGCR and RGC coordinated to provide breakfast, chocolates and a $10 Post Road Market gift card to 50 employees of the DPW.
Bedford Garden Club is hosting the Zone III Meeting this year in June and LGCR hopes to organize a trip there for our members since it is nearby.

The Business Meeting ended at 1:55 p.m. and was followed by a workshop led by Chris Duncan at which Club members and Osborn residents made Valentine’s Day floral arrangements for The Osborn residents and socialized over snacks and beverages.

Karen Coombs, Recording Secretary

Next Meeting: Thursday, March 2, 2023, 11:30 a.m. Business Meeting followed by a Botanical Arts Workshop at Rye Recreation, 281 Midland Ave.

Little Garden Club of Rye Rye Free Reading Room Business Meeting

January 10, 2023, 10 a.m.

Present: Beary, Benavides, M. Collins, Coombs, Dillon, Donahue, Goldie, Kehoe, Leonard, Macleod, Murray, O’Hare, Parker, Porto, Shea, Taplett, Valla (17)

Guests: Sarah O’Keefe, Kelly Walsh, Stefanie Watkins

President’s Welcome: Jean welcomed members and guests. She distributed copies of the current By Laws and the proposed amended By-Laws. Membership approval of the amendments will be done by an on-line vote. Acceptance of By-Law amendments requires the approval of two-thirds vote of those members entitled to vote at any special, regular or Annual Meeting.

NOTE: This will be amended to read: "The By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of those members entitled to vote provided the proposed amendment has been distributed to all members, by USPS (for members without email) or electronically by email, and included and distributed in the approved minutes of a previous meeting.” The Club currently has 64 members eligible to vote. Members approved minutes for the October 4, 2022 Business meeting.

COMMITTEE REPORTS

Community Stewardship: (Benavides) Rosario reported on accomplishments and plans for our Civic Sites.

Work is progressing on a redo of the Knapp Garden with brick paths replacing the gravel, and repair, and possible reconfiguration, of the irrigation system. Dawn Morton, an original designer of the Knapp Historical Garden, has volunteered to help with this project beginning with a review of the irrigation system. Anna Parker and Liz Garrett have also generously volunteered to counsel the team on this effort.
Rosario has spoken with Ryan Coyne, the Rye City Department of Public Works Chief Engineer about allowing the Club to connect to the existing six-inch water main running under the Rockridge Triangle Garden to install irrigation at the Rockridge Triangle. The proposal was warmly received and Rosario is awaiting final approval. The LGCR will cover the cost of the pump, piping and overflow valve and their installation. The City will pay for the water and maintain the equipment including annual inspection.
The large pots have been moved from the front of the Post Office to the Knapp House driveway to delineate the border of the driveway and protect the lawn. The pots will be replanted in the spring replacing the arborvitae. Rosario has been talking with the Post Master about repairing the irrigation system at the Rye Post Office and getting their landscaper more involved in maintaining the property including pruning the trees.
All sites as well as the Library were decorated for the Holidays, including garlands for the first time at the Gazebo. The year round plants at the Train Station are doing well and Rosario plans to work with Chris Duncan’s Floral Flash team to add seasonal pop-up plants for color there.

Membership: (Murray) Chris M. introduced prospective members Kelly Walsh, Stefanie Watkins, and Sarah O’Keefe who attended the meeting.

Civic Improvement: Jean explained that this is a relatively new GCA Committee that coordinates GCA grant giving activities. The LGCR is currently seeking a number of GCA grants and awards for our local community collaborators.

LGCR and RGC are supporting Jay Heritage’s application for a Founders’ Fund Award for their Edible Plant Learning Center project.
LCGR is helping Rye Nature Center apply for a $10,000 GCA Restoration Initiative grant to repair damage done at the Center during Hurricane Ida, and plans to seek a Hull Award for Deborah Davis Galliard, a Rye Middle School Science teacher involved in the Oyster Project.
Jean asked that anyone interested in becoming involved in any of these projects to contact her.

Scholarship: The Club is looking into offering a scholarship to a Rye High School Student who has demonstrated a strong interest in the environment/ecology. Jean and Chris M. will get information on the Rye Youth Council’s scholarship program to see how the Club might participate. Jean asked that anyone interested in working on the scholarship program contact her.

Horticulture: Jean, speaking for Cheryl, passed around sign-up sheets for the Winter Seed Sow workshop which Cheryl plans to hold on February 15 and 16. Cheryl will also send out a Sign-Up Genius.

Nominating Committee: Cheryl, as 1st V.P, will form a nominating committee of four members including one past President to form a slate of Club officers for 2023-2025.

SpringGarden/Gold Luncheon: The event in support of Jay Heritage will be held at Jay Mansion on April 14, the day after the Daffodil Show. Marta McDowell will talk about writing Unearthing the Secret Garden, and there will be a box lunch.

WinterGarden: Members thanked Mary Collins, Kathy O’Hare and Beth Marren for their work on the very successful WinterGarden. A record 216 people came to the lunch. There was a lively discussion on possible ideas for next year. Jean asked people interested in getting involved in planning for next year to contact her. She stressed the need to start planning early.

The Business Meeting ended at 11:10 a.m.

Karen Coombs, Recording Secretary

Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 14, 2023, 1 p.m. Business Meeting followed by “Arrangements for St. Valentine’s Day” at The Osborn.

Little Garden Club of Rye Business Meeting Minutes

October 4, 2022 - 10 a.m. Wainwright House

Followed by a joint program with Rye Garden Club

Speaker: Kathy Gagan, of "Peony's Envy"

Attended: Adler, Amato, Beary, Benavides, Buckley, M. Collins, Coombs, Donahue, Dorin, Dowling, Duncan, Gonzalez-Molina, Hauptman, Julian, Lambert, Leonard, Macleod, Marren, McClure, McGuire, Murray, O’Hare, Parker, Rohde, Shea, Taplett, Valla (27)

Guests: Izzy Copus, Bea Cremieux, Chase English, Sarah O’Keefe, Elizabeth Mace, Julie Finnis, J. Colwell (Irvington GC), Doree Leonard’s friend, Patricia.

President’s Welcome: Jean welcomed members and guests to a brief business meeting, and introduced the guests.

Members approved minutes for the September 23, 2022 Business Meeting.

WinterGarden: (O’Hare/M. Collins) An organizational meeting will be held on Thursday, October 6 at 9:30 a.m. at Jean Taplett’s house for volunteers to sign up for committees and address invitations to the Club’s main annual fundraiser to support Community Gardens, which will be held on November 30. The WinterGarden speaker will be Laura Dowling, Chief Floral Designer at the White House for six years and author of three books on flower arranging. Her books will be available through pre-sales only. Volunteers are needed to construct the six Community Garden-themed tablescapes and the planned Giving Tree raffle, as well as for setting up and staffing the event. There will be a wreath workshop on Monday, November 28 at Jean’s house to construct wreaths for sale at a silent auction. Mary asked that members with vendor suggestions call her.

Horticulture: (Adler) Cheryl asked those interested in the “Lasagna Layered” bulb planter workshop at her home on Tuesday, November 1st at 9:30am and Wednesday, November 2nd at 1PM to sign the clip board or email her. She asked that anyone who is signed up for the first session, and who can switch to a different session, contact her. More information about the workshop is in the Newsletter. Jean will send the Newsletter to guests interested in joining the Club.

Floral Design: (Duncan) Chris D. raffled a “frog” for constructing floral arrangements. She asked members to vote for the best entrant in the Teacup Challenge displayed upstairs. She announced that the Children’s Museum of Westchester has asked the Club to consult on “growing space”. The Museum could be an ideal space for the Club’s flower show being planned for September 2024.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Chris D. and Cheryl are again working on educational programs with Holy Child students. Chris D. said that the Club has been approached by Rye Country Day about setting up a similar program there.

Chris D. and Chris M. are coordinating a program with Rye Garden Club scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, December 14 at AYC to prepare small (tuna can) floral arrangements for Meals on Wheels. They asked members to collect tree and shrub trimmings appropriate for the arrangements prior to the event.

The Business Meeting ended at 10:40 a.m. and was followed by a program by Kate Gagan owner of “Peony’s Envy”.

Karen Coombs, Recording Secretary

Next Meeting: Saturday, November 5, 2022, Festival on the Green in collaboration with Rye Free Reading Room..

Little Garden Club of Rye Business Meeting Minutes

September 23, 2022 - 10 a.m. Jean Taplett’s home

Attended: Jean Taplett, Chris Murray, Andrea Stewart, Mary Collins, Ginny Benzak, Carolyn Brody, Fran Buckley, Sue Garofalo, Liz Garrett, Valerie Gonzalez-Molina, Debby Hansen, Amy Hardis, Maureen Kirkpatrick, Miriam Lambert, Connie Macleod, Beth Marren, Pamela McGuire, Darla Rohde, Andrea Stewart, Ann Straub, Nadia Valla (21)

Guests: Peggy Brandwein, Izzy Copus, Bea Cremieux, Beth Delaney, Julie Finnis, Sarah O'Keefe, Kelly Walsh, Stefanie Watkins (8)

Contributors to our Lunch: Ginny Benzak, Carolyn Brody, Fran Buckley, Sue Garofalo, Miriam Lambert, Beth Marren, Chris Murray, Andrea Stewart, Anne Straub.

Floral arrangements: Chris Murray.

Thank you all! Please thank Miriam Lambert who has volunteered to Co-Chair the Hospitality Committee with Mary Kelly-Kehoe.

INTRODUCTIONS: The meeting began with two of our three Provisional members providing a brief biography: Sue Garofalo and Miriam Lambert. Kendra Dowling was unable to attend this meeting. Our guests, who have expressed interest in becoming members, also introduced themselves: Peggy Brandwein, Izzy Copus, Bea Cremieux, Julie Finnis, Sarah O'Keefe, Kelly Walsh, Stefanie Watkins.

MINUTES OF THE JUNE 14, 2022 MEETING: A vote was held to adopt the minutes of the previous meeting. Mary Collins moved to accept and Chris Murray seconded the motion. The minutes were unanimously accepted.

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Community Collaboration – Jean Taplett, with the help of Connie “Vanna” Macleod displaying visuals, stated that our mission and philosophy remains the same for the 2022-2023 term as for the 2021-2022 term: “A Reason – A Season – A Lifetime” recognizing that our members have busy lives and varied interests, and we welcome attendance and support according to each’s ability. Our Club’s strength comes from each of our members working together whenever time allows. We need you! Our focus continues to be on Community Collaboration working with other Rye organizations to educate the Community on horticulture and conservation and community beautification and improvement.

2022-2023 Calendar and Cash Flow – Jean mentioned that Committee Chairs have received their budgets and reminded everyone to provide receipts to Chairs soon after approved purchases are made. Please remember to use the Tax Exemption when purchasing.

“Teacup Challenge” – Back by popular demand. Chris Duncan provided a Sign-up sheet for the 2022- 2023 meeting schedule which was circulated.

Chris Duncan’s Art Show – This summer, The Rye Free Reading Room had been displaying Chris Duncan’s collages inspired by nature - “Trash to Treasure”. All proceeds from the sale of Chris’s work go to support the RFRR. The show will close on Thursday, September 29 with a last chance to view and purchase these wonderful collages while sipping a beverage with Chris from 5:30-7:30PM. All are welcome!

HORTICULTURE (Valerie Gonzalez-Molina for Cheryl Adler who was traveling)

Valerie announced that “Avalanche” has been selected as the Challenge Bulb for the Annual Daffodil Show at the Jay Heritage Carriage House on Thursday, April 13, 2023. A Sign-up sheet was circulated for members who want to grow and show this bloom. It is a fragrant Division VIII/Tazetta daffodil also known as the “Seventeen Sisters” for its cascade of multiple 1" flowers. A naturalizing 1906 heirloom, it has a creamy-white perianth and a bowl-shaped, greenish-yellow cup. Height: 16" to 18". Cheryl will be ordering bulbs very soon. The Club will pay for the bulbs. Please contact Cheryl (cherylmadler@yahoo.com) with any questions.

Valerie also circulated a Sign-up sheet for "Lasagna Layered" Planter Workshop at Cheryl Adler's home. Two Workshops: Tuesday, November 1st at 9:30AM and Wednesday, November 2nd at 1:00PM Plant 5 different types of Spring flowering bulbs in pastel shades - daffodils, tulips, hyacinth, muscari, anemone blanda - planted in layers. Participants must bring their own 12 inch diameter, very deep, freeze-proof pot. Soil will be provided. The cost for the bulbs will be ~ $20/person or pot. If you would like to participate, please e-mail cherylmadler@yahoo.com with the day and the number of pots you'd like to plant.

FESTIVAL ON THE VILLAGE GREEN AND “BIG DAFFODIL DIG”– COLLABORATION WITH THE RYE FREE READING ROOM. (Jean Taplett for Chris Duncan who was traveling) LGCR will have a table at the Festival on the Village Green on Saturday, November 5, 2022. LGCR will distribute five daffodil bulbs, planting instructions and a copy of The Secret Garden to all the children in attendance. We will need volunteers to package the bulbs and instruction sheets and sit at the tables to distribute. This is the first of a three-part schedule of events in collaboration with the RFRR. A Sign-up Genius will be sent to all members to get volunteers for the event. This year’s “Big Daffodil Dig” will be at the Rye Historical Society. Children will plant daffodils at the Village Green side entrance to the Square House or between the Square House and the building next door. They will also be given daffodils to bring home to plant.

WINTERGARDEN 2022 (Mary Collins, Beth Marren. Kathy O’Hare was traveling) – Our Annual Fundraiser to support our Community Gardens will be held on Wednesday, November 30, 2022 at the Westchester Country Club. Our speaker will be Laura Dowling, Chief Floral Designer at the White House for six years and author of three books on Floral Arranging. Prior to her White House assignment, Laura Dowling was Senior Manager of Strategic Communications at The Nature Conservancy.

Tickets will be $150 with a discounted ticket ($125) for guests under 40 years of age. A Patron table of ten is being offered for $2500 with each guest receiving a copy of Laura’s book – Floral Diplomacy – and an invitation to meet Laura the previous evening. Laura will create three floral arrangements during her lecture to be raffled as prizes.

Kick-off meeting to address invitations and form Committees will be held on Thursday, October 6 th at 9:30am at Jean Taplett’s home. The Save-the-Date has gone out by email. 500 paper invitations will be mailed. There will be six tablescapes – one for each of our Community Gardens. An 8 ½”x11” picture of each garden will be placed on the table. The tables will not be as large as last year. Regarding the WinterGarden Marketplace, in addition to our wonderful line-up of vendors, we will be creating hand-decorated wreaths. A wreath workshop will be held at Jean’s home after Thanksgiving weekend – Monday, November 28th. Mary Collins asked everyone to think about additional potential vendors and let her know of any possibilities.

COMMUNITY STEWARDSHIP – (Jean Taplett for Rosario Benavides-Gallagher who was traveling) Next year we need to start early to hire interns who are Ecology, Botany or Environmental Science majors to weed and water the gardens at the Knapp House, RNC and the Triangle. We lost several new plants at the Knapp House this summer. Jax at RNC and Julia at Marshlands are completing their Masters in Environmental Science and can connect us with potential interns.

Rosario will initiate a conversation with the City to determine interest and feasibility regarding bringing water to the Triangle. There is a 6" water main running under the Triangle. Estimated cost to connect to it: $11,000 - $12,000.

Meter pit: $2000
Backflow preventer: $1000
Piping: $1000
Design/installation: $7000-$8000
First consideration should be given to the City’s priority and timing assigned to the Master Plan design to create a traffic circle in the area of the eastern most point of the Triangle and whether this would require relocation of any previously laid out piping.

Rosario will determine a date for Fall Clean-up based on weather and alert the Membership.

The new bright green Community Stewardship Safety Vest imprinted with “Little Garden Club of Rye” was shown to the group at the meeting.

The City of Rye police have authorized the LGCR to close the portion of Wappanocca Avenue next to the garden for safety reasons when we are working on the Triangle. We are required to leave a message on the RPD answering system the morning of the event.

Jean announced the following “Years of Service” awards and congratulated all recipients. Award Certificates will be distributed to each of the following:

Dawn Morton - 45 Years
Jean Taplett – 35 Years
Marilyn Donahue – 30 Years (2021)
Dolores Eyler - 25 years
Anna Parker – 25 Years

Congratulations to all and thank you for your wonderful contributions to the Little Garden Club of Rye.

The meeting ended at 12:30pm and lunch was served.

Respectfully submitted by Jean Taplett for Karen Coombs who was traveling!!

Little Garden Club of Rye Meeting Minutes2022-2023

March 2, 2023

February 14, 2023

January 10, 2023

October 4, 2022

September 23, 2022

Little Garden Club of Rye
Meeting Minutes
2022-2023