The July Monthly Members Meeting is in Person at the The Old Mill - with Nancy's Challenge!

Feature Topic: "Lawn Alternatives" with speaker Lucas Thors, Vineyard Conservation Society

MONDAY July 13, 12:30 Social; 1:00 Business Meeting; 1:15-2:15 Speaker

The VCS Vineyard Lawns Program began in 2014, when voters approved a new bylaw regulating lawn fertilizer. The public interest in healthy, non-toxic lawns grew quickly as lawn footprints grew. Local water resources became more strained due to increased irrigation, and new data was released indicating how nitrogen-based fertilizers and other chemical law treatments were harming our water bodies, our physical health, and the health of our unique and delicate ecosystem. Today, more seasonal and year-round residents are aware of these issues, and are reducing the size of their lawns, planting more native flowers and grasses, and using mulching mowers to organically and reliably feed their lawns instead of laying down polluting fertilizers. Lucas will discuss how the program has developed over the years, what the future of Vineyard Lawns looks like, and what individual homeowners can do to help.

Lucas Thors, Vineyard Conservation Society. Lucas is the Programs and Communications Coordinator for Vineyard Conservation Society (VCS). A former journalist with The Martha's Vineyard Times and Bluedot Living Magazine, he spent seven years covering environmental issues and the local innovators working to address them. He now leads VCS's Vineyard Lawns initiative, developing public programs, educational resources, and community partnerships to support more sustainable landscaping practices.

NANCY'S CHALLENGE - See later in the newsletter for details on this month's challenge. What extraordinary florals to you have from in your landscape?

Refreshments provided by Edgartown.

Blooming Art 2026 Was a “Blooming” Success

Jayne Isford, Chair, Blooming Art 2026

Blooming Art 2026 was held June 19-21 at the Old Mill in West Tisbury. It was a true celebration of art, flowers, and community, as 38 members of our Club interpreted the artwork of 35 Island artists into spectacular floral designs.

Thanks to the creativity and dedication of the Blooming Art Committee, along with the generous support of our sponsors and the Island community, this year’s event set several new records. Attendance doubled, sponsorships doubled, and 19 pieces of artwork were sold, along with seven unframed works. More than 478 guests visited the Old Mill during the three-day event.

This year’s event generated over 60% more funds for the Club than last year’s Blooming Art, providing important support for our mission and operations.

A heartfelt thank-you goes to all of our club members who contributed as floral designers, docents, and artists. Every role was essential to making Blooming Art 2026 such an outstanding success.

Special thanks to Stephen Chapman, who once again created our beautiful event poster and supported the planning process; to the Vineyard Preservation Trust for graciously allowing guests to park at the Grange; and to Pete Bradford of Martha’s Vineyard Taxi for providing shuttle service between the Grange and the Old Mill.

We are also deeply grateful to our generous sponsors. Your support made this event possible, and we appreciate your commitment to our Club and community.

Notes from the Greenhouse at The Wakeman Center

Barbara Saltarelli

With the MVGC Plant Sale 2026 behind us, the Greenhouse Committee is enjoying a much-needed rest and considering how to build on the success of this year’s sale. Native plants were well received, so more varieties will be among next year’s offerings. While the committee plans to start up again in September, past and current members have already been in touch to offer exciting plant varieties. Among the forthcoming cuttings are Passionflower and Night Blooming Cereus. Plant cuttings will be accepted in September at the Wakeman Center Greenhouse. Please leave all plant material on the picnic table behind the Greenhouse. Do not bring cuttings into the Greenhouse, as plant material must be dipped to help prevent insect infestation.

If there is a plant you would like to see offered next year, please let the committee know. While greenhouse space is limited, all suggestions will be considered. Email suggestions to Greenhouse@marthasvineyardgardenclub.org.

Floral Design

Norah Van Riper and Colleen Harrigan

Join us for Nancy's Challenge at the July Member Meeting

Blooming Art 2026

Bouquets of gratitude to the Blooming Art Committee, led by Jayne Isford, and to the many talented floral designers whose creativity made this year's event so spectacular. Heartfelt thanks also to our participating artists, designers, docents, volunteers, attendees, Garden Club members, sponsors, and committee members whose time, talent, and enthusiasm helped Blooming Art flourish. The overwhelmingly positive feedback from visitors and artists alike made this a truly memorable celebration of art, flowers, and community.

Nancy's Challenge Returns!

Nancy's Challenge is back for our July Membership Meeting on Monday, July 13, at 12:30 p.m. We hope you'll join the fun by creating a floral design inspired by this month's theme. Nancy has chosen the following quote to spark your creativity:

"...when we look close enough, we can see that we are surrounded by extraordinary things." — Roxane Gay, The Audacity

Let this thoughtful quote inspire your interpretation through flowers, color, texture, form, or symbolism. What are the "extraordinary things" that surround you? We invite everyone to express their own unique perspective through floral design.

We look forward to celebrating the many ways inspiration can bloom!

Volunteer Floral Designers Needed

Featherstone's 30th Anniversary Gala

Featherstone Center for the Arts is celebrating its 30th Anniversary, and the Garden Club has been invited to create floral arrangements for this special gala.

• Date: Friday, July 17
• Time: 10:00 a.m.
• Location: Featherstone Center for the Arts

Featherstone will provide the flowers and containers. Volunteers simply need to bring floral clippers and their creativity.

Hospice Soirée

The Garden Club is once again proud to support the annual Hospice & Palliative Care of Martha's Vineyard Soirée, continuing a tradition that has become one of our favorite service projects.

Led by the incomparable Wiet Bacheller, volunteers will create approximately 40 floral centerpieces for the evening's fundraising event.

• Date: Monday, August 4
• Time: 10:00 a.m.
• Location: Farm Neck Golf Club

Please dress comfortably, as we'll be working under a tent. Refreshments will be provided. Flowers and greenery from your garden are always welcome, and please remember to bring your floral clippers.



Interested in volunteering? Please email the Floral Design Committee at floraldesign@marthasvineyardgardenclub.org. Space is limited, so we encourage you to respond soon. We hope you'll join us in helping make these special celebrations bloom.

Mark Your Calendar for Upcoming Events

Click here for the full club event calendar

July 10 Summer Social Friday at the Old Mill

July 13 Member Meeting: Vineyard Lawn Alternatives at the Old Mill

August 10 Annual Membership Meeting and Leadership Elections at the Old Mill

August 24 Christin Geall Lecture and Book Signing: Flora Culture at the Grange

Help Bring the MVGC Ag Fair Display to Life

The Martha’s Vineyard Garden Club has a long tradition of participating in the Agricultural Fair, and this year’s display is being led by Allison Doriss.

The display will feature a three-sided screen constructed of wooden slats and placed in front of a draped six-foot table. Gardening gloves will be attached to the screen and decorated with flowers, twine, and other natural materials, with additional flowering garden gloves and potted plants incorporated into the table display.

Save the Date: Ag Fair Display Workshop

Tuesday, August 11

Wakeman Center

Two work sessions will be offered:

Session 1: 10:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Session 2: 12:30 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Wish List

To help make the design come to life, the Ag Fair team is looking for:

• Old gardening gloves, ideally men’s gloves
• Small 2-foot or 4-foot potted plants or flowers for the gloves
• Plants for the tabletop and around the base of the display
• Boots that can be filled with flowers
• A black or dark green plastic tablecloth for a six-foot rectangular table

Any other materials you think would add to the display

For questions or to sign up for a session, please contact Allison Doriss, Ag Fair Chair, at 2mv2wb@gmail.com or 239-250-3623.

4 O'Clock Friday Summer Social

THIS Friday



Our next 4:00 Friday gathering will be held on July 10 at the Old Mill.

We had a wonderful turnout in June, and house guests are welcome too.

Beverages will be provided. Please bring an appetizer to share if you can, though you are warmly welcome either way.

Walkabouts 2026: Share Your Garden with Fellow Members

Ty Johnston and Suzanne Solch

Thank you to Ty Johnston, Joan Cavazuti, and Sarah Lolley for hosting recent Walkabouts and are looking forward to the walkabouts on the calendar for July. We are filling out the calendar for the summer. If you’re interested in learning more about hosting your garden, please contact Ty Johnston at 339-364-1363 or email tyrene.johnston@gmail.com.

Thursday July 16th 10-12noon "A Wildlife-Friendly Garden in the Heart of Edgartown"

Hosted by Joyce Esernia at Carol Berwind’s Property, 35 Peases Point Way S, Edgartown

Tuesday July 21st 10-12noon "Flowers, and veggies, and a pool; Oh my!"

Member Host, Iris Gold, will share her lovingly tended grounds at 46 Buttonwood Farm Road, West Tisbury.

Friday July 24th 10am-2:00pm 50 "Hydrangea Varieties in Bloom"

Take advantage of this extended walkabout time. Peter Norris @ 19 Blueberry Ridge Lane, Chilmark

Directions and Parking: Turn onto Blueberry Ridge Lane from North Road. The house is the first driveway on the right. There is space for 5–6 cars directly across the road from the gate. Additional parking is available near the house, but you’ll need to open the deer fence gate to enter—and please be sure to close it again behind you. We encourage carpooling, if possible. Look for signs to guide you! Peter's home phone is 508-645-9796

What is a Walkabout? Walkabouts are informal garden visits where members open their gardens for others to enjoy, share ideas, and gather inspiration. From well-established landscapes to works in progress, every garden offers something unique. Members are free to come and go during the designated time, making Walkabouts a relaxed and enjoyable way to connect with fellow gardeners and discover new ideas.

2026 Bylaw Committee Update

Following the Board’s decision last year to review the Club’s 2013 Bylaws, a six-member Bylaw Committee was formed in January 2026. Representing both newer and long-time members, the committee brought a valuable blend of fresh perspectives, institutional knowledge, and experience with bylaw reviews. Over several months, the committee carefully reviewed each article of the 2013 Bylaws and recommended updates to reflect the Club’s current needs. The proposed revisions were refined through multiple Board reviews and were unanimously approved by the Board at its May 14 meeting.

In late July, members will receive copies of both the 2013 Bylaws and the proposed 2026 Bylaws in advance of the membership vote at the Annual Meeting on August 10.

Thank you to Deb Boyle, Nancy Cabot, Sheila Fane, Jayne Isford, Kathie Skinner, and Anda Woodward for their time, dedication, and thoughtful work throughout this process. Special thanks to Kathie Skinner for the many hours she devoted to editing and refining the document through each revision.

Martha's Vineyard Garden Club

PO Box 5061

57 David Avenue

Vineyard Haven, MA 02568