'A Way We Grow'

Martha's Vineyard Garden Club

January 2025

From our new President for 2025, Susie Wallo


As I sit in my living room the day after Christmas, the second day of Hannukah and the first day of Kwanza thoughts are of blessings.


Blessings for Celebrating our 100th Anniversary. Blessings for all of the events we hosted: Blooming Art, Garden Party, 100th Birthday Party, Holly Day Party. Blessings for our monthly meetings with incredible presentations, walkabouts, floral design workshops and the being together. Blessings for the time and talent of all of our members. Blessings for our Old Mill. She sure is looking beautiful after all of our hard work. Blessings to Ty, our amazing President, all of the board members, committee chairs and all of you our members, who behind the scenes worked nonstop to make 2024 a spectacular celebration of us and our founder Mrs. Agnes Meikleham. Blessings to our members who have passed and those who are experiencing health challenges.


As this chapter of our Garden Club ends, I look forward to our new chapter; 2025 and the year dedicated to FUN!


Starting off our year is the Floral design committee’s “A Wintry Mix” Floral Design demonstration and Soup for lunch on Tuesday, January 14 th at the Wakeman Center beginning at Noon. While you are there make sure to walk into “spring” by taking a tour of our Greenhouse which is alive and thriving.


Shall we create a Fun Committee who looks into fun adventures to “America” maybe a trip another Garden Club’s meeting, a flower show, Isabella Stuart Gardener Museum…put your thinking caps on and text, email or call with your ideas. Every idea is a jumping off point. Don’t hesitate to jump in.


For now, wishing you all the blessings of the season and a healthy, happy always a laughter filled 2025.


Happy Gardening,

Susie

Floral Design Update!

Jayne Isford and Nancy Cabot


We want to wish everyone a happy and healthy holiday season. Thanks for supporting your Floral Design team in 2024. We look forward to bringing more events to our membership next year. Below are a couple of our activities planned for early 2025.


Wreath Workshops a Tremendous Success!

Thanks to everyone who attended our Holiday Wreath workshops on

December 7th and 8th ! Attendees made spectacular wreaths under the

guidance of Nancy Cabot and Lynn Marquedant. A wonderful start to the holiday season!


Tuesday, January 14 th at Wakeman starting at Noon:

“A Wintry Mix” Floral Design demonstration and Soup for Lunch Too!

Nancy Cabot will demonstrate how to create a floral arrangement from

foraged materials available in the winter. Island artist and Garden club

member, Kanta Lipsky will also discuss color, proportion, textures and

inspirations with Nancy and attendees. A light lunch of soups will be

served to warm us up on a January day!


Saturday, February 8th at Wakeman starting at Noon:

Valentine’s Day Workshop is back!

We will hold our second annual Valentine’s Day workshop on Saturday,

February 8th with flowers from Morrice Florists. Maximum of 16

participants, so sign up early once you receive our email! Cost will be $35.00 as it was in 2024. Click on the link below and scroll down the page to see some of the lovely arrangements that our members did in 2024!

https://www.marthasvineyardgardenclub.org/floral-design-committee-

creativity.html

- submitted by Floral Design Co-Chair, Jayne Isford

From our Conservation Committee...


Dear Constance,


I must confess I waste A LOT of food! The microbes in my compost pile are well fed, but I’m embarrassed that I overshop then fail to prepare what I buy before it goes bad. Any advice for me?


Signed, Sheepish

Dear Sheepish,


You are not alone! Overbuying is the downside of our abundant society. Store aisles are brimming with food and so are our fridges and pantries! Roughly 40% of all food in America is wasted ~ primarily from our own kitchens. When tossed, the resources that grew, transported and stored that food are then wasted as well. 


I do commend you for home composting to avoid the methane-producing landfill, but prevention is key. Check out EPA’s great steps to minimize food waste at home and at work. Save the Food has tips on meal planning, smart shopping and storage. They even provide a food calculator for party planning. Zero Waste Chef is a fine resource, as well.


Good news ~ municipal composting is finally on our horizon! Residents could be able to resume dropping off their food waste at Island transfer stations by the end of the year. 


In the meantime, let’s all endeavor to buy better, cook more, throw dinner parties, embrace the freezer and fermenting jars, question sell-by-dates, support The Food Pantry and make friends with your neighbor’s chickens ~ they love people food!


To a greener new year, Constance


~Please do send your eco-questions to “Constance” at conservation@marthasvineyardgardenclub.org

-submitted by Conservation Committee Co-Chairs Laurisa Rich and Kim McCarthy

From Joan Eville, MVGC outreach member to the Food Bank.


Thank you to all of our members who helped with your food donations and also money for the food bank this month. We surpassed our goal of 100 items!! Gay Smith, Al and I dropped them off at the food bank. The response from the director was heartwarming. I just recently found out they can really use baby food! If anyone would still like to donate, please take your donations to the food bank directly and mention they are from the Garden Club. Or put them on my porch (14 Beecher Park, Oak Bluffs ) and I will deliver them. Thank you - submitted by Joan Eville 

A few pics from our annual 'Holly Day' party!

The Club's traditional 'Holly Day' party was once again held in early December at the Agricultural Hall, located in West Tisbury. Thanks to those who planned the evening! Visit our website's home page for a few images shared that evening!

Windemere Report...



On December 18 Nancy Cabot, Joan Eville, and Gay Smith brought holiday cheer to the residents who live at Windemere nursing home. With flowers donated by Donaroma’s nursery, participants made beautiful Christmas flower arrangements for their rooms and also for the nurses’ stations. Nancy Cabot led an art activity designing cards to place in the bouquets. The group enjoyed decorating their holiday cards with bows and candy canes and then placing them among their flowers. 🌺 The gathering was very festive with those participating wearing holiday tiaras. Family members also attended and enjoyed seeing the smiling faces of their loved ones enthusiastically engaged in the activity. -submitted by Joan Eville, Windemere Chairperson 

Martha's Vineyard Garden Club
PO Box 5061
Vineyard Haven, MA 02568
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