Little Garden Club of Rye Business meeting and Awards Presentation

September 22, 2020 at 10 a.m.

Hybrid outdoors at the American Yacht Club and Zoom


Present in-person: Adler, Amato, Beary, Benavides, Brody, Coombs, Dillon, Donahue, Duncan, Galgano, Gonzalez-Molina, Hannigan, Hardis, Leonard, Macleod, Mark, McGuire, Schubert, Straub, Taplett (20)

Present via Zoom: Donley, Freimuth, Hansen, Hauptman, Julian, Kirkpatrick, McGough, Murray, O’Hare, Rohde, Schmiedeberg, Stewart (12)


President’s Welcome: Amy called the meeting to order, welcoming everyone in-person and remote to our first hybrid meeting. She thanked Marianna and Josie for organizing the drinks and cookies, Pam for handling the Zoom call and video, and Rosario for taking meeting photos. Marianna made the beautiful flower arrangement with flowers from her own garden. Amy said that for now social distancing, masks and hybrid meetings will continue. She asked that when members RSVP to her Paperless Post invitations they specify after answering “yes” whether they will attend in person or by Zoom. This allows Mary to know how to set up seating and whether the venue is the right size. Minutes for March and June meetings approved.


Programs: (Julian/Williams) Mary (via Zoom) announced Programs for this unusual year. She and Cynthia have worked to prepare a schedule flexible to meet changing circumstances of the pandemic. Mary noted one good thing resulting from Zoom meetings is that members who might not otherwise be able to attend now can. A full schedule of programs for the year is outlined in the new Directories distributed at the meeting. The October 13 meeting will be only on Zoom, Todd Forrest of the New York Botanical Garden with a talk about trees. Mary is particularly looking forward to the December 4 meeting, a Virtual Holiday Tea featuring a talk by Kathryn Aalto on the Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh and the forest that inspired the 100-Acre Wood. Members will be sent a special package ahead of time to help them participate in the virtual tea.


Awards: Presented by Amy on behalf of the Club:


LGCR Service Awards:

Anne Berntsen-65 years

Qxzy Burpee-60 years

Ann Collins-50 years

Helen Inglis-50 years

Cris Jamison-50 years

Jane Fortin-40 years

Ginny Benzak-35 years

Ruthie McClure-35 years

Carole McDougall-35 years

Pam Selden-35 years

Connie Macleod-25 years

Betsey Albert-40 (+1) years


LGCR Awards:


ABCD (Above and Beyond the Call of Duty): Chris Duncan and Mary Julian

Appreciation Award: Cheryl Adler, Kathy Barnard, Phyllis Schmiedeberg, Laura Haley, and Pam McGuire

Civic Appreciation: Chris Donley Conservation: Emily Dorin

Communications Award: Victoria Dillon

Photography Award: Mary Julian

Flower Show Award: Liz Doyle and Chris Murray

Helping Hands Award: Mary Collins and Doree Leonard

Roll with the Punches Award: Josie Beary and Marianna Amato

Kay Donahue Togetherness Award: Andrea Stewart


GCA Award:

Club Appreciation Award: Jean Taplett


Committee Reports:

Donations: LGCR received a thank you letter from Cindy Samuels, Zone III Scholarship Rep. for our contribution to the GCA General Scholarship Fund.

Photography: (Rohde/McGuire) Pam announced that the committee is organizing the first Club Photography Show. The plan is to encourage all members to participate, making it easy, available, and fun. The show will be virtual, for iPhone photo entries only with four classes organized by season.

Membership: (Leonard/Taplett) Membership is planning programs for new provisionals using Zoom, perhaps an evening presentation on what the Club does or an in-person garden tour before the cold weather.

Fundraising: (Duncan/Gonzalez-Molina) Chris D. showed an example of a decorated watering can for a silent auction at the spring fundraiser. She said she has extra cans and will give them to anyone interested in decorating one.

Programs: (Julian/Williams) Mary announced that the RGC has invited our members to participate in their October meeting, a presentation by Katie Ridder who writes on her garden in Millbrook, NY. The meeting ended at 10:55.


Following the meeting members present in-person watched the first session of the GCA’s Shirley Meneice Conference, a welcome and talk by Margaret Roach on a flat screen TV.


Next Meeting: Tuesday, October 13, Zoom meeting. (Business meeting at 10:30, followed by program)

Program: Todd Forrest, New York Botanical Garden, Great Trees Make Great Gardens.



Little Garden Club of Rye October 13, 2020

Business Meeting and Presentation via Zoom

By Todd Forrest, New York Botanical Garden “Great Trees Make Great Gardens”


Present: Adler, Amato, Barnard, Beary, Benevides Gallagher, Benzak, Cady, Collins, Coombs, Dillon, Donahue, Duncan, Gonzalez-Molina, Hansen, Hardis, Hauptman, Iles, Julian, Leonard, Macleod, McClure, McGuire, Mark, Murray, Parker, Rohde, Schmiedeberg, Stewart, Straub, Taplett (30)


President’s Welcome: Amy called the meeting to order, thanking Pam for hosting our first all Zoom meeting with a virtual program. Members of Rye and Irvington Garden Clubs were invited to participate in the Todd Forest talk following the General Meeting. Minutes of the September 22 meeting were approved (16-0) using an on-line poll, another first.


Tour of the new Website: (Donahue) Marilyn shared a tour of the new LGCR website, which she has been working on for many months. Members admired the new format with many additions, including the “Little Garden Shop, A Virtual Fundraiser”, where members can request LGCR-themed thank you gifts in exchange for donations to the Club. She is working on making PayPal available for payments, however for now members will need to send their checks to Marilyn who will arrange for delivery of the thank you gifts. Marilyn requests that members send her their photos and information on Club activities, Civic sites, horticultural resources, and GCA and Zone Programs and Flower Shows to keep the site fresh. Marilyn has been investigating why some members have had trouble accessing the new site. It appears that some servers, particularly Safari, work less well than others. She asked that members having trouble try different servers and reach out to her with their problems. Great job Marilyn!


LGCR Masks available: Amy modeled the new LGCR face mask which is available on the new Little Garden Shop site. They cost $15 (sent to Marilyn) and Mary will arrange for pick -up or delivery. They are very good quality, have nose adjusters, and a filter can be inserted. Extra Directories available: Extra Directories can also be requested through the new website. They’re available only to members for $10.


Club Photography Contest announcement: (McGuire/Rohde) The Photography Committee is planning a Club Photography Contest for spring 2021. This is a Club only event meant to be easy to enter for photographers of all levels. The contest will be all done on-line, with photo entries emailed to Pam. The theme is the Joni Mitchell song The Circle Game, with 6 classes. There will be GCA judges, and also a popular choice winner which everyone can vote for. Pam hopes to run a virtual workshop in November to help entrants prepare.


Announcements: Andrea announced that the Rochester Garden Club has opened its webinar talk by Doug Tallamy on October 26 to all Zone III members. See the Rochester Garden Club website for details (rocgardenclub.org). Andrea invited any interested member to an October 20 Zone III Zoom, “Co-Hort”, on Conservation and Horticulture topics, which Andrea (Zone III Conservation/NAL rep.) and Susie O’Connor (Zone III Hort. Rep.) will host.


Amy adjourned the meeting at 11 a.m.


Speaker: Todd Forrest, New York Botanical Garden, presenting the program, Great Trees Make Great Gardens.


Karen Coombs, Recording Secretary


Next meeting: Tuesday November 10, 2020

**In light of the continued concern over Coronavirus, the Executive Committee has decided that our November program, originally scheduled to be held indoors, will be moved outdoors and changed to: "Skyhunters in Flight" with Brian Bradley.

10am – Business meeting 11am - presentation Location: Mary Julian's home, 5 Belmont Ave, Rye. (located on the Westchester Country Club grounds)

We will gather outdoors for our meeting, and at 11am Brian will offer us a fascinating look at the world of raptors, their natural history and biology. He will also "fly" the birds for us.

Please wear masks and dress for the weather. If you have a folding "sports fan" or "tailgating" chair, please bring it. In the event of rain, the meeting will move to zoom and we will postpone Brian's presentation.




Little Garden Club of Rye
November 10, 2020 at 10:30
Business Meeting and Presentation Hybrid outdoors in Mary Julian’s garden
Brian Bradley, Sky Hunters in Flight



Present in-person: Adler, Amato, Beary, Coombs, Dillon, Donahue, Dorin, Duncan, Eyler, Hannigan, Hardis, Hauptman, Julian, Leonard, Macleod, Mark, McGuire, Murray, Porto, Rohde, Straub, Taplett, Valla, Williams (24)


Present via Zoom: M. Collins, Hansen, Hicks, O’Hare, Schmiedeberg, Stewart (6)

Guests: Beth Marren and Elizabeth Tretter


President’s Welcome: Amy called the meeting to order, welcoming all those present in-person and via Zoom to our second hybrid meeting. She thanked Mary for her on-going work to reschedule meetings during the pandemic and for opening her garden for today’s meeting. Amy thanked Pam for handling the Zoom call and video, Chris D. and Marilyn for offering LGCR items for donations at the meeting, and Chris D. for bringing snacks. Minutes for the October meeting were approved by a voice vote of in-person members and Zoom poll.


Committee Reports:


Civic: (Schmiedeberg) Speaking for Phyllis, Mary announced that Library Holiday Decorations will be different this year due to the pandemic. RGC will decorate the outside of the Library and LGCR will provide poinsettia plants for the inside. Connie and Dolores volunteered to meet with Chris Shoemaker, the Library Director, to assess the number, size and location of the plants required. They will purchase the plants, green foil wrappers and plastic saucers, and deliver them to the Library. Librarians will water the poinsettias.


Conservation: (Dorin) Speaking for Andrea, Amy announced that the GCA Conservation Study Group is running a free on-line program on November 17 and 18 with two sessions each day. Members can get information on speakers and sign up on the GCA website. Registrations due by November 16.


Fundraising: (Duncan/Gonzalez-Molina) Chris D. announced the offering of LGCR Ornaments in exchange for donations to the Club, $30 for one or $50 for two. This is in lieu of the traditional WinterGarden fundraiser. The Ornaments were hand painted by a local order of nuns, showing the new Club logo. Chris D. will be sending out an email featuring the Ornaments with a link for on-line orders later today. It is hoped that conditions will improve so that we will be able to hold a Spring Garden luncheon and boutique, with a presentation by Kent Russell on May 5.


Programs: (Julian/Williams) The December meeting is a virtual Holiday Tea and presentation by Kathryn Aalto on the forest that inspired the 100-Acre Wood in Winnie-the-Pooh. Mary reminded members that they must RSVP promptly so that they can receive a goodie bag with tea items—a mug, tea, handmade biscuits (from Cheryl and helpers), local honey and more-- to enjoy during the presentation. Mary canvassed members to see how many would be interested in purchasing Aalto’s book, which costs $30 inscribed. As a result of the count, Mary will order 15 to 20 books for members of the Club to purchase. Mary is working on a replacement for the January program, which must be replaced with a virtual meeting due to the pandemic.


Membership: (Taplett/Leonard) Jean introduced two new prospectives at the meeting, Beth Marren and Elizabeth Tretter. Jean announced a new program proposed by Kate McGough, which would reach out to children and parents in the three Rye elementary schools. With 1000 daffodil bulbs donated by Chris D., 200 interested students will be given bags of daffodil bulbs with instructions for planting and identifying markers. Volunteers are needed to help fill the bags this Thursday, and then to help deliver the filled bags to students. Those interested should contact Jean.


Photography: (McGuire/Rohde) Pam distributed flyers for the virtual Club photography show “The Circle Game” scheduled for May 2021. Registration has begun and entries should be submitted to Pam via email. Pam urged members to start taking pictures using their phones. Cheryl announced that Susie O’Connor, the Zone III Hort. Chair is looking for photos of late fall, early winter gardens for the next issue of The Real Dirt. Photos must be submitted by today, November 10.


Treasurer’s Report: (Donahue) Marilyn reported that there is $94,198 in the combined checking and savings accounts and that the Club has sufficient funds for operations even without our traditional winter fundraiser. She asked that members submit their Club related expenses to her for reimbursement.


Nominating Committee: (Adler) Cheryl will be naming 4 additional members to the Nominating Committee shortly, and the Committee will begin meeting in January to select a Board for the two-year term beginning Summer 2021.


Holy Child Daffodil Program: (Chris D. and Cheryl) Working with Toni Archibald, the Director of Community Outreach at Holy Child, Chris D. and Cheryl have set up this on-going program. They reported that last month 45 fifth and sixth grade girls planted 550 daffodil bulbs at the school. Classroom programs in various academic subjects are planned to accompany the students’ daffodil cultivation project. It is hoped that the students will participate in the LGCR Daffodil Show in the spring.


Daffodil Show: (Amato/Beary) Marianna announced that the Daffodil Show will be held at the Jay House again this year. If an in-person show becomes impossible due to the pandemic, they will work on a form of virtual show.


Thank you notes:

Amy read a note from Pam Selden thanking us for the GCA Member Years of Service Award she received in September, which recognized her 35 years of membership.

Amy reported that she has received a thank you from the GCA for the LGCR’s donation to the GCA General Scholarship Fund.

Amy congratulated Chris D. on her acceptance to the GCA Floral Design judging program.


The meeting ended at 11:05.


Presentation: Brian Bradley, Sky Hunters in Flight.


Next Meeting: December 4, 2020, 2:30 PM, Virtual Holiday Tea and Presentation by Kathryn Aalto, The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh, A Walk Through the Forest that Inspired the 100-Acre Wood.


Karen Coombs, Recording Secretary



Little Garden Club of Rye
December 4, 2020 at 2:30
Virtual Holiday Tea, Business Meeting and Business Meeting and Presentation
via Zoom by Kathryn Aalto
The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh, A Walk Through the Forest That Inspired the
100-Acre Wood



Attendance: Adler, Amato, Beary, Benavides, Benzak, Cady, A. Collins, M. Collins, Coombs, Dillon, Donahue, Duncan, Eyler, Garrett, Gonzalez-Molina, Hansen, Hardis, Hauptman, Julian, Leonard, Macleod, Mark, McGough, McGuire, McNiff, Morton, Murray, O’Hare, Schmiedeberg, Stewart, Straub, Taplett, Valla, Yewer (33) Guests: Lauren Julian, introduced by Mary Julian, and Marianne Shea, introduced by Ann Straub.


President’s Introduction and Welcome: Amy welcomed everyone to the first LGCR virtual holiday tea, and thanked Mary for organizing the assembly and distribution to all participants of the festive goody bags filled with LGCR mugs, tea, jars of local honey, notepaper, pencils, and delicious shortbread cookies prepared by Cheryl with help from Marianna and Josie. Amy thanked Pam for coordinating the smooth running of the Zoom. Minutes of the November 10 Membership meeting were approved by a Zoom poll.


Treasurers’ Report: (Donahue) Marilyn reported that the Club finances are doing well, thanking members for supporting the virtual fundraiser, The Little Garden Shop.


Committee Reports:


Civic: (Schmiedeberg) Phyllis thanked Connie and Dolores for decorating the Rye Free Reading Room with poinsettias for the holidays. The Library has put a picture of the decorations on the Library Instagram site with their thanks.


Photography: (McGuire/Rohde) Pam reminded members of the iphone Photography Workshop being held next Wednesday, December 9 from 10 to 11:30 via Zoom for members interested in preparing for the Club Virtual Photography Show. She has already begun receiving entries for the Show. Pam will try to record the workshop for those who cannot make the Wednesday time.


Programs: (Julian/Williams) Mary announced that the program originally planned for the January meeting has been cancelled because it could not be run virtually. She wanted to gauge members’ interest in a floral design workshop run by Alice’s Table (alicestable.com). This would have to be an evening meeting. For a charge of $45 to $55 participants would be shipped farm-fresh flowers and a container and then be instructed how to arrange them in a simple design during a one hour live workshop. Mary asked members to respond to polls indicating whether they preferred meeting at 5 or 7 p.m. and whether they would participate in this workshop. A majority were interested.



Horiticulture: (Adler) Cheryl reported that members have been actively planting and encouraging the planting of daffodils at Holy Child and Resurrection Schools, and distributing bulbs to Rye Elementary School families in a program organized by Kate McGough. Chris D. is seeking volunteers to help plant 300 remaining bulbs at Rye Town Park during the Park clean up on December 12.


Fundraising: Amy announced the Knapp House Fundraiser for the Rye Historical Society on December 6. Four LGCR members have decorated Christmas trees for the Silent Auction, and the LGCR will be selling our hand-painted porcelain holiday ornaments, amaryllis plants and a few paper whites.


New Business:

Congratulations! Amy announced that Marilyn Donahue has been asked to serve as 1st Vice President of the Garden Club of America for a term beginning in July 2021.

Prize Drawing: The winner of the free subscription to either “Better Homes and Gardens” or “Martha Stewart Living” is Rosario Benavides. The subscription was given to the Club for a donation to the Native Plant Center.


The meeting ended at 3:10.


Presentation: A talk by Kathryn Aalto on “The Natural World of Winnie-the-Pooh, A Walk Through the Forest That Inspired the 100-Acre Wood”.


Next Meeting: The next virtual general membership meeting will be January 14. The next program is on January 14 at 7:00 p.m., a virtual floral design workshop with Alice’s Table.


Karen Coombs, Recording Secretary





January 14, 2021



Little Garden Club of Rye
January 14, 2021 at 6:30 p.m.
Business Meeting and Workshop via Zoom By Alice’s Table



Present: Adler, Benavides, Benzak, M. Collins, Coombs, Dillon, Donahue, Dorin, Eyler, Galgano, Gonzalez-Molina, Hansen, Hardis, Hauptman, Hicks, Julian, Kehoe, Leonard, Macleod, Mark, McGough, Murray, O'Brien, O'Hare, Parker, Rohde, Schmiedeberg, Stewart, Taplett, Valla (30)


Guest: Sandy Motland


President’s Welcome: Amy welcomed everyone to our January meeting and thanked Marilyn for hosting the Zoom. Debby Hansen introduced her friend and neighbor, Sandy Motland, who was visiting the Club for the first time.


Minutes of the December 4, 2020 Membership Meeting were approved by a Zoom poll with an edit adding Mary Collins to those present at the December meeting.


New Business:


Anne Berntsen donation and memoriam: Amy remembered Anne, a member of the LGCR for over 65 years. She was Club President from 1969 to 1971, and organized our first Daffodil Show. Anne was active in horticulture and conservation, spearheading major projects at the train station and police booth at Citibank in Rye. She was awarded the GCA Club Civic Improvement Award and Medal of Merit. Anne was active with the GCA, serving as Director and Hospitality Chair, and working on Scholarship and the NY Committee on restoration of the Conservatory Gardens in Central Park. The LGCR will make a $100 donation to GCA in Anne’s honor.


Thank you from Rye Sustainability: Amy said that the Club has received a thank you for a donation to the Rye Tree Fund from Rye Sustainability.


Administrative: Amy advised members that starting next month Chris Duncan will be sending meeting evites.


Committee Announcements:


Conservation: (Dorin) Speaking for Emily, Andrea announced that sessions of the GCA NAL scheduled for February 23 and 24 will be open to all members, and urged members to register. The theme is “Climate Solutions”. Amy recommended reading the current issue of ConWatch, which has an interesting article on whether bar or liquid soap is better to use.


Photography: (McGuire/Rohde) Darla encouraged members to register for the January 21 GCA virtual photo workshop. Registration is open now. She also urged members to keep taking photos and submit entries to the LGCR Photo Show. Amy reported that In Focus magazine is now on-line with the winners of the America the Beautiful photo competition.


DPW Valentine’s Day Breakfast: (Duncan) Cheryl, speaking for Chris, said that this year, because of the pandemic, the traditional DPW thank-you breakfast usually held on Valentine’s Day by LGCR and RGC must be changed. Instead, each of the 50 DPW employees will receive a $10 gift certificate for Jerry’s Post Road Market, which should pay for coffee and a baked good/breakfast sandwich. Chris will add some chocolates and a card to each. Connie Macleod offered to help if needed.


Website updates: (Donahue) Marilyn has recently added a section of photos of “Lily through the years”. She welcomes any photos from members, of Lily, their gardens and Club events.


Founder’s Fund: (Parker) Summaries of the three nominees this year are in the current GCA Bulletin. Anna will email members summaries of the candidates in March and plans to conduct voting by email.


Other discussion:


Anna asked if the GCA was still asking for photos of life during the pandemic. Marilyn said yes, and Victoria added that writings about people’s experiences were also welcome. Marilyn will send Anna the link for submissions.


Amy said she had spoken with long-time member Doris Reade today and reported that she seemed well, remembering the Club.


The meeting ended at 7 p.m.


Workshop: A Zoom floral design demonstration by Alice’s Table. Members who signed up to participate received fresh flowers and a vase a day ahead, and at the meeting were shown how to make a winter themed arrangement.


Karen Coombs, Recording Secretary




February 2, 2021



Little Garden Club of Rye
February 2nd 10:00am
Business Meeting and Joint Meeting with RGC via Zoom
Presentation by Ken Greene, Hudson Valley Seed Company
The Power of Seeds



Present: Adler, Albert, Beary, Benavides, Benzak, M. Collins, Coombs, Dillon, Donahue, Dorin, Duncan, Eyler, Galgano, Gonzalez-Molina, Hannigan, Hansen, Hardis, Hauptman, Julian, Kehoe, Leonard, Macleod, Mark, McGough, McGuire, Murray, O’Brien, O’Hare, Parker, Porto, Schmiedeberg, Schubert, Stewart, Sullivan, Taplett, Valla (36)


Guests: Marianne Shea and Sandy Motland


Greeting: Cheryl, acting for Amy who could not attend, welcomed everyone to the virtual meeting and thanked Pam for hosting the meeting.


Approval of Minutes: Members approved minutes of the January 14, 2021 meeting by an on-line poll.


Proposed By-Law Change: Cheryl read a proposed amendment to the LGCR By-Laws that would add Honorary members to the list of those who can propose and endorse new members. The amendment will be voted on next month and requires approval by a 2/3 vote. (Amendment to Article III-Membership, #8. (b) would replace the words “qualified Active or Affiliate member” with “qualified Active, Affiliate or Honorary member(s)” each time they appear in the first line.)


90th LGCR Anniversary/Olmsted 200/RTP: (Duncan) Chris D. told members that the GCA has invited Clubs to participate in a celebration of Frederick Law Olmsted’s bicentennial, PARKS: Where Nature Meets Community (April 2021 to June 2022), and asked members with ideas or an interest in participating to come forward. She suggested that this might be made part of the Club’s 90th anniversary project at Rye Town Park. Chris said that one exciting local connection is that Jean Taplett is researching Olmsted’s work at Manhattanville (part of which is now her property), and will pass along what she learns.


Programs: (Julian/Williams) The LGCR will co-host a book Zoom by Page Dickey on her new book “Uprooted” with East Hampton Garden Club on February 8 at 4 p.m. Chris D. will send out notice to LGCR members.


Horticulture: (Adler) Cheryl said that Marilyn has put information on winter seed sowing on the website and encouraged members to visit it. Some seeds started outside will be stronger than those started inside. She plans to start some hardy annuals this week. Cheryl said that the LGCR website will have a regular list of garden chores that should be undertaken each month, as well as a list of the best month to bring in branches of flowering trees and shrubs to force indoors. Chris M. added that the GCA website has a seed share data base on the Horticultural page, which lists seeds available and contacts.


Communications: (Dillon) Victoria reported that there was an article in the January 15 issue of the Rye Record on the daffodil planting that Chris D. organized. Mary will send Victoria a copy.


Daffodil Show: (Adler/Amato/Beary) Josie said that due to the pandemic, this year’s show will be virtual.


Photography: (McGuire/Rohde) Pam asked for photos for the Zone III Winter Wonderland article for the GCA Zone III e-newsletter. The deadline is February 5. She also encouraged members to continue to submit their photos for the Club Photography Show.


Fundraisers: (Duncan/Gonzalez-Molina) Chris D. said plans are developing for the May Spring Garden fundraiser with Kent Russell. The current plan is a box lunch outdoors under the tent at Apawamis for a limited number of people, a program and plant sale by Kent Russell.


Announcements:

Andrea encouraged members to sign up for some of the upcoming GCA NAL Conference programs open to all members. Emily Dorin and Holly Galgano will represent the Club.

Connie Macleod congratulated Marilyn Donahue on her nomination to be First Vice President of the GCA next year.


The meeting ended at 10:30.


Program: Joint meeting with Rye Garden Club, Ken Greene, Hudson Valley Seed Company, The Power of Seeds.


Next Meeting: Tuesday, March 9, 2021. Program TBD.


Karen Coombs, Recording Secretary














March 9, 2021



March 9, 2021



Little Garden Club of Rye
March 9, 2021 10:00am
Business Meeting and Presentation by Ellen Hoverkamp
An Introduction to Floral Scanner Photography for Gardeners



Present: Adler, Amato, Benavides, Coombs, Donahue, Duncan, Gonzalez-Molina, Hansen, Hardis, Hauptman, Julian, Leonard, Macleod, Mark, McGuire, Murray, O’Hare, Pierpont, Rohde, Schmiedeberg, Stewart, Straub, Taplett (23)


Guests: Beth Marren, Marianne Shea.


Introduction: Amy welcomed everyone to the meeting and thanked Pam for acting as Zoom host. Members unanimously approved the minutes for the February 2nd meeting through an online poll.


Thank yous: Amy read thank you letters from Debbie Oliver for our donation of $100 to GCA in honor of Ann Berntsen, from the New York Committee for our donation of $200 to be used for the Olmsted 200th Celebration, and Caritas Portchester for a $200 donation.


Vote on By-Law change: Members approved a By-Law change read at the February 2 membership meeting by an online poll, 12 of 17 voting yes. The change adds Honorary members to the list of those who can propose and endorse new members. (Amendment to Article III-Membership, #8. (b) would replace the words “qualified Active or Affiliate member” with “qualified Active, Affiliate or Honorary member(s)” each time they appear in the first line.)


Mission Statement: Jean Taplett will lead a project to update the wording of our Mission Statement as it appears on our website, since the official mission statement in our By-Laws is dry and incomplete. Andrea and Rosario offered to work with her. Amy asked them to have a proposal to present at the June membership meeting.


Treasurer’s Report: (Donahue) Marilyn reported that the Club’s finances are in very good condition, with approximately $43,000 in the checking account and $53,000 in the savings account, a total of $96,000. During the pandemic expenses have been under budget.


Founder’s Fund: (Parker) Amy, speaking for Anna, asked Chris D. to look into resending the Founder’s Fund material to members who have not yet voted. There may be a problem with people not seeing the Constant Contact emailings.


Fundraising: (Duncan/Stewart/Gonzalez-Molina) Andrea said that 20 people attended a Zoom last week to discuss plans for the May 5 Spring Garden, which will be held outdoors under a tent at Apawamis.

Kent Russell will give a demonstration/talk and sell plants. He will prepare 10 planters for the Club to sell.

Jean and Mary Collins are working on finding additional vendors, who will provide their own tents.

Connie and Widgie are working with Apawamis on a box lunch, which will be available after the 10:30 talk for people to take home or eat there.

There will be a silent auction of the watering cans that members have decorated or filled

Mary is having scarves made with artwork from Hudson Valley Seeds, which will be sold.

There is a limit of 150 people at the event.

Invitations will be sent to LGCR and RGC members, and members can send invitations to their friends.


Daffodil Show: (Amato/Beary/Adler) The schedule has been sent out to the membership. Chris M. and Marilyn are finding judges.


Daffodil Project: All of the schoolchildren who planted daffodils last fall will have an opportunity to show their flowers on April 17. Students will display their blooms in the Pavilion at Rye Town Park from 10 to 3 p.m. The plan is to place daffodil pinwheels in the windows of Rye merchants and Civic sites, and have children search to locate them to be rewarded with a cookie. Jean said that volunteers are needed to staff Rye Town Park when the children are bringing in their daffodils. Cheryl is coordinating the placement of the 9-inch pinwheels in Rye shops and LGCR Civic sites.


Horticulture: (Adler) Cheryl said she has over-purchased seeds this winter for spring planting and also has dahlia tubers to share. She will work with Marilyn to enable members to exchange information about sharing seeds and plants in the Horticultural section of the website. Chris D. will send out a notice to members when the site is ready.

Cheryl told members who are participating in the plant exchange to check on their plants outdoors.


Civic Sites: (Schmiedeberg) Phyllis reminded Civic Captains that although there is no set day on the schedule for Civic Clean-up, they should be planning spring clean-ups of their sites. The last week of April is earmarked, but captains should set a time based on the individual needs of their sites.


Communications: (Dillon) Victoria said that the Rye Record recently had an article on the DPW Valentines Day Program arranged by members of the LGCR and RGC.


Photography: (Rohde/McGuire) Speaking for Pam, Amy said that the Club Virtual Photography Show schedule is on the website, urging members to participate. Registrations should be sent to Pam by May 3 and photos are due by May 10. Photos must be taken with a cell phone and members can enter 2 classes. There will be GCA judges and winners will be announced at the June meeting. Chris M. said they are planning a pop-up workshop to give members some in-person help.


Membership: (Leonard/Taplett) Doree reported that three of the provisionals are participating in the GCA Annual Meeting Virtual Flower Show with their Cybister Amaryllis as their provisional project, and the fourth, Joan, is decorating a watering can for the May 5 fundraiser silent auction as hers.


Announcements:

All GCA events through December 2021 will be virtual and open to all members. Members should receive a notice of the GCA Floral Design Conference scheduled for April 8 today.

Mary reminded members of the special program tomorrow on the Harvard Glass Flower exhibit.


The meeting ended at 10:40


Program: Presentation by Ellen Hoverkamp, An Introduction to Floral Scanner Photography for Gardeners.


Next Meeting: TBD.

The April Daffodil Show originally scheduled for April 15 will now be virtual due to the pandemic.

Civic clean-up at LGCR sites will be scheduled by site captains around the last week of April.


Karen Coombs, Recording Secretary




June 15, 2021



March 9, 2021



Little Garden Club of Rye
June 15 2021 10:00am
Annual Membership Meeting



Present: Adler, Amato, Beary, Benavides, Benzak, Coombs, Dillon, Donahue, Eyler, Goldie, Green, Hannigan, Hansen, Hardis, Hauptman, Julian, Leonard, Macleod, Mark, McClure, McGough, Murray, O’Hare, Parker, Porto, Rohde, Stewart, Straub, Taplett, Valla (29)


New Provisional: Beth Marren


Zoom: McGuire Guests: Kendra Dowling, a prospective member, and Dottie Nutant, a former LGCR member


Welcome: Amy welcomed everyone to our in-person annual meeting in the lovely setting at AYC, and introduced former active member Mary Sydney Green, now a LGCR secondary member from Mississippi, and guests Kendra Dowling and Dottie Nutant. Members voted to approve the minutes from the March 9, 2021 membership meeting.


Treasurer’s report: (Donahue) Marilyn asked that everyone give her their expense reimbursement requests by the end of our fiscal year, June 30. She reported that as of June 14, there was $61,700 in the checking account and $53,000 in the savings account. Members had received copies of the proposed 2021-2022 budget by email. Dolores Eyler moved to approve the budget and Cheryl Adler seconded. Members approved.


Committee Reports: Full committee reports will be available in our digital archive, accessible through the LGCR website under “Committee Reports.”


Archives/History: (Hardis) Amy had prepared a board with photos and other items from the Club’s archives honoring the Club’s 90th Anniversary this year. She gave a short history of the LGCR and shared fascinating items, newspaper articles and letters, from our archives highlighting the many important civic projects Club members have led and supported over the past 90 years.


Bulletin/Communications: (Dillon) Victoria reported on her work during the pandemic communicating with members and the larger community about Club activities. She helped compose at least 5 articles on the Club for the Rye Record, prepared quarterly Club newsletters, and promoted our Facebook and Instagram presences. She thanked Amy for her help.


Conservation/NAL: (Dorin) Andrea Stewart (the NAL Zone Rep.) reported that the first ever Zoom NAL Conference was well attended.


Floral Design/Flower Shows: (Murray) Amy reported that it has been a quiet year for floral design. We had a floral design presentation by Alice’s Table at the February membership meeting.


Daffodil Show results: (Amato/Beary) All of the winners in each class are listed on the LGCR website. Marianna and Josie announced the three special winners: George and Robin Russell Award-Cheryl Adler, Nancy Georgi Farrall Award-Marilyn Donahue, and Anne Berntsen Award-Marilyn Donahue.


Fundraising: (Duncan/Gonzalez-Molina) Reporting for Chris D., Andrea announced that the SpringGarden “friend and fundraiser” earned about $11,500. She gave pins with the LGCR logo to everyone.


Horticulture: (Adler) Cheryl thanked everyone who participated in this year’s plant exchange and propagation workshop with the theme “hedges at the edge of marshes”. We have three entries in the Zone III virtual PX, Anna Parker, Mary Julian and Joan Marks. She invited everyone to take home one of the Tweedia plants that Kent Russell gave Marilyn. Members can take pictures of their plants to share at the September meeting. Cheryl reported on the educational daffodil project that she and Chris D. coordinated this year with Toni Archibald, a LGCR member and head of community outreach at Holy Child. Students learned about planting and caring for daffodils, and teachers incorporated materials about nature and gardens in many different subject areas this year.


Hospitality: (Amato/Beary) Marianna and Josie prepared refreshments for the in-person September and June meetings, and helped Cheryl bake cookies for the December tea.


Membership: (Taplett/Leonard) Jean and Doree introduced the new active members who have completed their provisional year, Barbara Hauptman, Kate McGough, Joan Mark, and Anja Porto, and introduced next year’s new provisionals, Beth Marren and Marianne Shea. Jean and Doree had prepared slides highlighting membership activities for the year. The pandemic-bound provisionals received plants, bulbs, and seeds with care instructions, and were able to participate fully in all of the virtual and in-person Club activities this year. Some participated in the GCA Annual Meeting challenge to grow an amaryllis variety, as well as in the Rye Daffodil Day, Spring Garden, civic, and the Photography Show. Provisional Kate McGough had the idea of distributing daffodil bulbs to Rye school families with information about planting, and this project grew into the Rye Daffodil Day. Club volunteers delivered bags of five bulbs to 100 Rye families for planting in their gardens and, on April 17, children brought their cut flowers to Rye Town Park for display. The day included a “seek and find” with children looking for pinwheel daffodils in Rye merchants’ windows and cookies and certificates at the Square House.


Photography: (McGuire/Rohde) Darla and Pam (on Zoom) announced the awards for the Club’s virtual “Circle Game” photography contest, showing the winning photos on the large TV monitor. The names of the winners and all of the photograph entries are on the LGCR website. Darla said she plans to run an in-person iPhone photography workshop this summer.


Programs: (Julian/Williams) Mary presented a humorous “show and tell” summary of the wide variety of Zoom and in-person programs she organized this year in spite of pandemic restrictions. Some highlights were the October program in Mary’s garden, Brian Bradley’s Sky Hunters in Flight, the December virtual holiday tea and presentation by Kathryn Aalto, A Walk Through the Forest that Inspired the 100-Acre Wood, the January flower arranging workshop by Alice’s Table, and the February joint meeting with Rye Garden Club with Ken Greene from Hudson Valley Seed Company talking about The Power of Seeds.


Scholarship/Founders Fund: (Parker) Anna announced that the GCA Founders Fund Award of $30,000 will go to the Seattle Garden Club this year for the restoration of a historic Rhododendron Glen. This was the project supported by LGCR members. She reported that the LGCR has made donations totaling $5,100 to the GCA General Scholarship Fund, GCA NY Committee, and many local organizations involved in environmental protection and education.


Website: (Donahue) Marilyn has worked to expand website coverage this year and requests more photos of Club activities. She would like to have more information on Committee pages.


GCA Office Holders: Amy thanked all LGCR members who have held GCA and Zone III positions this year and announced members who will assume new roles with the GCA and Zone next year:

  • Marilyn Donahue-GCA First Vice President (and second year on ad hoc Publications Advisory Committee)
  • Amy Hardis-Archives & History Committee
  • Chris Duncan-Civic Improvement Committee and Hospitality Committee
  • Victoria Dillon-Communications,
  • Zone III Rep. Chris Murray-Vice Chair Horticulture Committee
  • Jean Taplett-Library Committee


Amy thanked all members of the Executive Committee and Board for their hard work this year.


Nominating: (Adler) Cheryl announced the slate of officers nominated for 2021-2023, which members then voted to approve:

  • President-Jean Taplett
  • 1st V.P.- Amy Hardis
  • 2nd V.P -Rosario Benavides
  • Treasurer- Marilyn Donahue
  • Recording Secretary- Karen Coombs
  • Corresponding Secretary- Josie Beary


Awards: (Stewart) Presented by Amy and Andrea on behalf of the Club:

  • GCA Member Years of Service Certificates: Alex Jasper-25 years and Nancy Richards-40 years LGCR
  • ABCD (Above and Beyond the Call of Duty) Award: Pam McGuire and Dolores Eyler Appreciation Award: Karen Coombs Helping Hands: Chris Murray and Mary Kelly
  • Kehoe Civic Appreciation: Chris Duncan, Cheryl Adler, Kate McGough, Jean Taplett, Doree Leonard
  • Communications: Marilyn Donahue
  • Seedling: Kate McGough
  • Perennial Bloomer: Kathy Barnard and Rita Schubert Kay Donahue
  • Togetherness Award: Cheryl Adler
  • Shutterbug: Anja Porto
  • Fearless Fundraiser: Chris Duncan, Cheryl Adler, Andrea Stewart, Valerie Gonzalez-Molina


GCA Club Awards:

  • Club Appreciation: Mary Julian Club
  • Communications Award: Victoria Dillon


Amy thanked Andrea for her work as Awards Chair the past two years.


Mary presented Amy with appreciation gifts for her hard work as Club President for the past two unusual and challenging years, an engraved crystal vase and a watering can.


Two LGCR members were honored at the Zone III Annual Meeting. Chris Duncan received the Zone Appreciation Award, and Pam McGuire received an Honorable Mention in the Photography Show.


A boxed lunch was available after the meeting.

Karen Coombs, Recording Secretary




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Little Garden Club of Rye, PO Box 58, Rye, NY 10580