'A Way We Grow'
Martha's Vineyard Garden Club
February 2022
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The President's Corner...
Dear Garden Club Members,
We’re all weary of our journeys through covid, and hope to return to a new normal soon! The Board has tried to adapt and provide you access to interesting programs in ways that satisfy your concerns for safety, and necessity has spurred evolution. Darwin would approve.
We think we've reached an enduring hybrid solution with face-to-face meetings that are zoomed and recorded. Karen has now created our own you tube channel, so we will have a library of presentations. We’ll continue to smooth out the technical zoom glitches. We will buy a new microphone system. Our March speaker will zoom remotely, but those of us who want to meet in person and watch the presentation together, we will gather either at Wakeman or at the Edgartown library, depending on whether the heating and air conditioning installation is complete and the conference room has been cleared. Regardless of where our March meeting is held, 2022 is going to be a great year! Stay tuned to the website and your emails for March meeting info!
Susan
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From Our Vice President, Ty Johnston!
'Let's Go Walkabout!!!'
Many members find it fun and informative to view other people's gardens. A stroll through a friend's garden enhances our skills and helps inspire us all. Our walkabouts are a perfect forum to allow an exchange of gardening philosophy and ideas in a VERY informal way.
What exactly is a Walkabout? Well, according to the dictionary it is “a short period of wandering as an interruption of regular work”, often used in the phrase “go walkabout” in Australia. Here at the MV Garden Club we use it to describe the fascinating and stimulating opportunities to wander about other gardens. This is a delightful way to spend a summer morning or afternoon, experiencing the gardens of fellow club members who are willing to share the beauty and history of their property and plantings. Often one may glimpse another member with a notebook and pen, jotting down ideas or plant names. This is really a fun and easy way to learn “what works” on the Vineyard, to share our own knowledge with others, and to get to know others in the club. And it's all free!
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The first step in this process is getting members to volunteer to open their gardens! What needs to be said is that these walkabouts are casual and non-judgmental. No one expects that the gardens are professional --- some may be mature gardens and others may be “works in progress.” Some may be pristine and beautifully groomed, but most will probably have a wheelbarrow sitting out and tools leaning against the shed! Please consider your calendar and decide if you would be able to offer your little piece of the island for other members and their guests to see in June, July, or August. I'll compile a list and a calendar and get it our to the whole club.
Contact me, Ty Johnston, at 339-364-1363 and leave a message.
Garden photo credit Ty Johnston
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March 3rd —Save the Date!!
Exciting Event for our Garden Club Members!
We are delighted to participate again this year in the Boston MFA Virtual Tour of their “Art in Bloom” event. This one-hour virtual tour will provide an up-close look at a selection of the work of professional artists matched with that of a professional floral designer...it's a great way to get ready for spring and our own Blooming Art event. Look for an email on March 3rd on how to register!
Ticket Prices:
March 3-20 the ticket price will be $20.00 per Garden Club member. Members can also purchase a ticket for one guest @ $20.00.
After March 20: The ticket price will be 30.00 for everyone.
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Some great news! The Garden Club has applied for outside funding and we need your support! |
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The West Tisbury Community Preservation Committee
The West Tisbury Community Preservation Committee approved the Garden Club’s application for a $20,000 grant to conduct a building feasibility assessment of the Old Mill. It will appear on the town warrant. If you live in West Tisbury, please attend the annual meeting on April 16 and vote for it! This was a multi-stage application process, with two written submissions and a presentation to the town. The documents we submitted are on the Members Only section of our website.
Our goals are to ensure we’re adequately maintaining the building and that it is safe for use, as well as to explore whether we can improve the building functionally through climate control, running water and plumbing. Armed with expert analyses, we can develop a five-year plan for the building.
The Old Mill is a wonderful historic building. We open it to the public annually for Blooming Art, and both islanders and visitors marvel at this hidden gem. Wouldn’t it be gratifying to be able to use it more and share it with our island community?
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Martha’s Vineyard Bank Community Impact Grant
The Garden Club also applied for the Martha’s Vineyard Bank’s Community Impact Grant. Four awards of $5,000 will be made to non-profit organizations, two on Martha’s Vineyard and two in Falmouth. If we are awarded the grant, we will use it to supplement any shortfall in our planned scholarships and make some repairs to the Old Mill stairs.
Voting for the MVB Community Impact Grant will begin on March 7 and run through April 8 via the MVSB website, community.mvbank.com. Please vote and encourage your friends to do the same! Our application is on our website.
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UPCOMING MEETING INFO:
March 15, 2022 - 1:00pm via Zoom, location TBD
Dan Himes / Terra Nova Nurseries - A Zoom presentation / 'Garden Gems'. Dan Himes has been exposed to more plants, in more places, than your average bear. He will talk about some of the newest, most exciting perennials, tropicals, and woodies seen today. Dan will pull these plants together from worldwide trips, botanical gardens, plant shows, and nurseries to indulge the plant nerd within.
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From our Windemere Chair, Joan Eville:
After a hiatus of two years due to Covid, the MV Garden Club’s flower arranging activity at Windemere will restart in June. According to Betsy Burmeister, the social director at Windemere, the residents have missed the floral arranging and are really looking forward to it. My therapy dog, Chloe Rose (pictured left), also goes along and provides joy. Everyone loved seeing and petting her.
I am thrilled to be able to return to Windemere as chairperson of this activity. One of the residents told me during one of our workshops, “ Most of us can’t see or hear very well, but we can still enjoy smelling the flowers.” Anyone interested in helping is welcome. I like to have 2-3 helpers for each session. Thanks, Joan Eville
*** If you are interested in being a part of this Committee with Joan, do let her know via email! For more information on the Garden Club's Windemere Program, click here.
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From our Treasurer:
Here's an FYI as to the 'State of Affairs' regarding the Club's Scholarship Fund and Old Mill Preservation Fund. Donations help keep the Old Mill and our Scholarship Fund going strong.
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'Earth Day' Call to Action...
DO bring your vision to us about how best the MVGC can honor Earth Day this year! (April 22) The Executive Board welcomes new ideas and ways to best build a sense of community within (and outside!) the Club!
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A WARM WELCOME TO THESE
NEW CLUB MEMBERS !
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Susan Bernard - C
Pamela Besse - VH
Pamela Brock - VH
Pat Cooney - E
Colleen M. Harrigan - E
Christine Mignanelli - E
Sarah Murphy - WT
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Thanks to Tracie Clark for sharing these pics...this is what's been brewing at the Greenhouse @ Wakeman! |
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A Few Fun Things worth sharing! |
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Island-Wide Garden Competition taking place this Spring!
Gardeners are invited take part by submitting photos of their garden their choice of one in five style categories. You have the opportunity to win bragging rights, a commemorative garden award AND a professional photo shoot which will appear in the MV Times!
Click here to visit the Competition website or check the MV Times on March 1 for a press release announcing the event and how to take part!
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Plan a visit to the Polly Hill Arboretum for Arbor Day!
Nancy Weaver (our Garden Club Treasure and a Polly Hill Volunteer!) tells us that Polly Hill Arboretum is offering a wonderful Arbor Day experience for visitors! In a celebration of trees, there's a tour, a tree planting demonstration and attendees will leave with a seedling as a take home memory of the day.
Click here to reserve and for more information on Arbor Day at the Arboretum!
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A VP, COMMITTEE CHAIR & VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!
CHILMARK VP NEEDED ~ Chilmark members need a Vice President! Lauren Lynch, who was VP for the past two years, has resigned due to her huge responsibility as Executive Director of the Agriculture Society. We can promise two things: you’ll get to know some talented and enthusiastic Board members, and the position is easy.
COMMITTEE MEMBERS NEEDED for Building and Grounds/The Old Mill Committee ~ The Building and Grounds Committee includes the chairperson and as many members as are deemed necessary to properly serve the Mill. The Committee seasonally opens and closes the Old Mill and is responsible for seeing that the Mill is ready for Club meetings and other events the Club hosts there. Additionally, the Committee cares for the grounds by overseeing maintenance that is done around the Mill. Any parking arrangements for special events held at the Mill are managed by this Committee. Building and Grounds Chairperson is currently Tracie Clark
ARCHIVIST NEEDED and members for the Archives Committee ~ This Committee is responsible for looking after permanent records of the Garden Club and shall ensure that they are kept in the file at the Club office located at The Wakeman Center. This is a great position for anyone who enjoys learning about Club history and the history of The Old Mill. Positions are open for Archivist Chair & Committee Volunteers
Please let Susan Hobart know if you’re interested in any of these positions.
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Our past few meetings... I think we can all agree the decision of meetings these past months has been quite challenging...but we have done our best to make lemonade out of lemons!
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In January, we were slated for a 'hands on' seed saving workshop at the Wakeman Center...but when our speaker had a last minute emergency and cancelled her presentation, we couldn't find a replacement but did the best we could! We hosted a Zoom meeting where Board and each member attendee introduced themselves, talked a little about their backgrounds and shared aspirations for the MVGC 2022. It turned out to be a great meeting and several attendees suggested we have that type of meeting once a year!
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For those who were not able to attend, click here to watch the meeting via our You Tube Channel and meet some your fellow Garden Club members and the MVGC 2022 Board.
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We held our February meeting at the Edgartown Library (thanks to Trudy Williams for her diligence in making that happen!)...the meeting room at Wakeman was in a state of disrepair due to new ductwork and systems being upgraded and we once again had to punt at the last minute! Jennie Slossberg, our Speaker was most gracious and accommodated us beautifully at the Library with her presentation, 'Planning For Success'. For those who missed it, click here to view Jennie's presentation via YouTube.
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in the past 7 days our website has had 708 page views / 191 unique visitors! (Yes, people DO look at the website!)
Our Instagram now has 367 'followers'...our following has tripled in the last 9 months!
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Garden Club Member Submission! |
Thanks to Gay Smith for sending this photo of these lovely and colorful Clivia she has growing as houseplants in her home!
Garden Club members, do send photos of your garden or plants that you are growing and want to share with other Garden Club members! Even gardening 'tips' and/or helpful websites you have enjoyed are much appreciated and will be shared either via this newsletter or on the website with credit given to the sender!
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Our goal is to enhance communications with current Garden Club members and to attract new members to our Club. Facebook, Instagram, YouTube and our website will no doubt make it easier for our Club to be found via social media and for us to be recognized as the dynamic, creative and community focused Club we are. Do join us on social media if you have not already, and share our pages with your friends. That's how we will grow together!
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Interested in writing for or contributing to our Newsletter? If you have a passion for anything 'garden related', I would love to hear from you! Please email me at donna.arold@gmail.com
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