2024 PROGRAM & ACTIVITY LIST
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06/01 Town Yard Sale - Writeup & Photos
06/14 Henry Homeyer Garden - Writeup & Photos
06/29 Old Home Day Parade - Blog Writeup & Photos
07/12 Shaker Museum Herb Garden - Writeup & Photos
07/16 Music in the Meadows - Flyer - Writeup & Photos
08/16 Cobb Hill Farm - Flyer - Writeup & Photos
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JUNE PROGRAM
Our Field Trip to Henry Homeyer's Garden Was Inspiring!
Henry Homeyer, The Garden Guy, is a New Hampshire Master Gardener who has published several books and written articles for the local Valley News. Fortunately for us, he also runs tours of his home gardens in Cornish Flat, and the weather cooperated for all three that we had scheduled with him on June 14th and 15th. Henry had asked that we break into smaller groups to make it possible for everyone who attended to be able to hear him and ask questions their throughout the tour. In total, 37 members joined Henry and his wife, Cindy Heath, to see all that they have lovingly created over the past 54 years in their little piece of paradise on the site of an old creamery.
Halfway through the tour, we were invited to relax on their porch for some refreshments, which allowed us to ask more questions and see the gardens from a tall vantage point. Now that Henry is in his 70’s, he told us he likes to hire teenagers to do some of the heavy lifting, and said he finds student athletes to be some of the best he's hired. When talking about various plants, Henry offered us advice, recommended certain plants for different areas, and warning us about some plants to stay away from. At one point he pointed to a small dead plant to show folks that mistakes happen, even for experienced gardeners, so we shouldn’t let such setbacks stop us. Coincidentally, Cindy is the president of the Hanover Garden Club whom many of us met when we toured their impressive greenhouse in May.
If you’d like to read more about Henry, here's a link to an article about him that was in New Hampshire Magazine three years ago:
Master Gardener Henry Homeyer Explains Why Gardening Is Important - New Hampshire Magazine
Halfway through the tour, we were invited to relax on their porch for some refreshments, which allowed us to ask more questions and see the gardens from a tall vantage point. Now that Henry is in his 70’s, he told us he likes to hire teenagers to do some of the heavy lifting, and said he finds student athletes to be some of the best he's hired. When talking about various plants, Henry offered us advice, recommended certain plants for different areas, and warning us about some plants to stay away from. At one point he pointed to a small dead plant to show folks that mistakes happen, even for experienced gardeners, so we shouldn’t let such setbacks stop us. Coincidentally, Cindy is the president of the Hanover Garden Club whom many of us met when we toured their impressive greenhouse in May.
If you’d like to read more about Henry, here's a link to an article about him that was in New Hampshire Magazine three years ago:
Master Gardener Henry Homeyer Explains Why Gardening Is Important - New Hampshire Magazine
JUNE ACTIVITY
What a Wonderful Morning Looking Back!
Many folks who had been in the club since its early days and many who are still members today, joined together in celebration of the club’s 25th anniversary by Revisiting the Early Days of the Club as captured in photos. The day before the event, volunteers washed our stash of bone china tea cups and saucers, spread linen table cloths, and made sure the equipment for the slideshow was good to go!
Then bright and early Friday morning, volunteers and bakers arrived to see to the finishing touches before our special guests and members arrived. Kristina Cole’s friend Sarah Luhmann, who owns the Adorn Boutique in West Lebanon, donated lovely flowers for the occasion which was a nice token gift for our guests and identified them as part of the early member group.
During the winter, well before the event, Emma Kaladjian and Terri Munson had retrieved photo albums from the Grantham Historical Society and scanned over 300 pictures to put together a slideshow of our early history in preparation for this special morning. Once everyone had arrived and was settled at the tables with cups of tea and platefuls of goodies set out in front of them, the joy of reminiscing began! As we began watching the slides showing past holiday parties, secret garden tours, field trips, plant sales, luncheons, and lobster dinners at Peppermint Pattie's, the recounting of memorable stories and recalling names began in earnest as our guest delighted in seeing the pictures of their younger selves! The photos brought back so many wonderful memories and gave our newer members a better understanding and appreciation of all that the early members did for the club and the town.
The icing on the cake was when one of the 2024 scholarship recipients, Katherine Herring, came to accept her scholarship and to thank the club members in person before beginning her study in environmental science at Mt. Holyoke this autumn. Coincidentally, the club’s 2011 president, Nancy Walters, graduated from Mt. Holyoke and was pleased to get a chance to talk with Katherine after the formal festivities.
Our special guests lavished praise on the club and were so pleased to see that what they had started is still going strong and has the same mission of promoting the love of gardening, offering educational programs, and town beautification.
Then bright and early Friday morning, volunteers and bakers arrived to see to the finishing touches before our special guests and members arrived. Kristina Cole’s friend Sarah Luhmann, who owns the Adorn Boutique in West Lebanon, donated lovely flowers for the occasion which was a nice token gift for our guests and identified them as part of the early member group.
During the winter, well before the event, Emma Kaladjian and Terri Munson had retrieved photo albums from the Grantham Historical Society and scanned over 300 pictures to put together a slideshow of our early history in preparation for this special morning. Once everyone had arrived and was settled at the tables with cups of tea and platefuls of goodies set out in front of them, the joy of reminiscing began! As we began watching the slides showing past holiday parties, secret garden tours, field trips, plant sales, luncheons, and lobster dinners at Peppermint Pattie's, the recounting of memorable stories and recalling names began in earnest as our guest delighted in seeing the pictures of their younger selves! The photos brought back so many wonderful memories and gave our newer members a better understanding and appreciation of all that the early members did for the club and the town.
The icing on the cake was when one of the 2024 scholarship recipients, Katherine Herring, came to accept her scholarship and to thank the club members in person before beginning her study in environmental science at Mt. Holyoke this autumn. Coincidentally, the club’s 2011 president, Nancy Walters, graduated from Mt. Holyoke and was pleased to get a chance to talk with Katherine after the formal festivities.
Our special guests lavished praise on the club and were so pleased to see that what they had started is still going strong and has the same mission of promoting the love of gardening, offering educational programs, and town beautification.
MAY FUNDRAISER
Our Spring Plant Sale Returns!
After spending a huge number of volunteer hours preparing, our May 18th plant sale saw a frenzy of purchases that led to our being sold out in just about 90 minutes! Clearly, our friends and neighbors throughout the community were glad to see this spring plant sale return after a several years hiatus! Thanks to Kristina Cole for leading our enormous team effort, and to Ray Miner and Pete LePre for their generous donation of veggie plants that they had nurtured through the winter. We are pleased to report that this sale brought in over $4,000 for the club’s scholarships and educational programs, so thank you to everyone who made this happen! And to our wonderful customers, we promise to put together an even bigger sale next year, so we hope to see you again next spring!
MAY PROGRAM
A Feast of Flowers!
We were so pleased when the Hanover Garden Club invited us to tour their impressive new greenhouse at a point when it was filled with the beautiful plants they had nurtured through the winter for their upcoming spring sale. Coffee, tea, and delicious homemade treats awaited us, before their former club president, Sandra Johnson, gathered everyone outside to tell us some of their club's history and the remarkable story behind how this greenhouse came to be built where it is on town land. Sandra had spearheaded the entire project from fundraising through to the completion of the building, and there's no doubt that her story left many of us green with envy over all that this remarkable club has accomplished in building their greenhouse!
MAY ACTIVITY
Our 4th Spring Cleanup Day!
The GGC, under the leadership of Diane Bilotta, is proud to have organized the 4th annual Grantham Cleanup Day, inviting all town residents to join our members in this community effort. A conservative estimate is that at least 50 people participated, picking up 75 bags of trash in 3 hours. Many thanks to Diane and everyone who pitched in, we look forward to seeing all of you again next spring!
APRIL PROGRAM
A Container Gardening Revolution!
We were so pleased to welcome members of the New London Garden Club who co-sponsored our program this month, and despite it being a rainy April morning, our featured speaker, tv and radio host, the well-known gardening writer, Charlie Nardozzi, brightened the day for all of us! We had a great turnout from both clubs and enjoyed meeting each other and mingling during our Coffee and Conversation social time. As always, we have our wonderful Hospitality Team to thank for providing an impressive spread of delicious home baked goodies!
Throughout his slide presentation, Charlie kept us entertained as he educated us about the latest in container gardening. Charlie started with a discussion of the many reasons why the interest in container gardening is growing, such as the lack of space many gardeners face, or a desire to take your garden with you when you move, or even to move plants within your yard throughout the growing season as conditions change. One important tip he shared about moving large, heavy containers—if you’re looking for a caddy to sit the container on, get one with a caster wheel brake! |
Next, Charlie covered all manner of container sizes and shapes, identifying the pros and cons of the various materials—clay, wood, metal, ceramic, fiberglass, coir, hypertufa—that pots, barrels, and grow bags, etc. are made from. He talked about which materials are best suited for the requirements of different types of plants, considering moisture, drainage, and other soil conditions.
We also learned quite a bit about blending various soil types for both vegetables and flowering plants, and the use of fertilizers. Another tip Charlie mentioned is mixing one cup of vinegar with two cups of water as a solution for cleaning your clay pots. |
Later, Charlie pointed out that containers are a great way to add interest and bring color to areas under large trees where nothing—except, as he jokingly pointed out, mulch—seems to grow well when large tree roots are winning the battle for nutrients in the soil! He also encouraged us to enjoy those shady areas of our gardens where moss seems to be the only plant that thrives. Charlie described a way to even expand mossy areas by blending a handful of moss with a cup of buttermilk (or beer), adding just enough water to produce a slurry that can be painted on rocks and logs where your moss already exists. This is just a sampling of all we learned as Charlie treated us to stunning pictures of container arrangements brimming with glorious color, compatible companion plantings, and ingenious plant architecture. Who would have thought that you could stack pots on rebar?! We recommend checking out Charlie’s new book, Month-by-Month Gardening New England. The signed copies he brought sold out quickly! Did you know Charlie hosts webinars and leads international gardening tours? Visit his website Gardening with Charlie to find out where he's going next. |
MARCH PROGRAM
Learning More About Local Efforts!
Our club members were very impressed with Pattie Fried's presentation of the restoration of Lake Mascoma's Lakeside Park. Pattie led this two-year project which took over 40 volunteers, including our own Civic Garden Team Leader Bill Weeks. Pattie fielded all the many questions our audience had for her, as they took advantage of her expertise to help them find their own garden solutions. No doubt many will be paying a visit to this local park during the upcoming spring and summer months to view the completed restoration firsthand!
Joining Pattie is our Recording Secretary, Susan Terwilliger (left), and our Program Team Leader, Emma Kalaidjian (right). Our thanks to Emma for arranging for Pattie to join us this morning. |
FEBRUARY PROGRAM
New Member Orientation & Program "Simple Ways to Support Pollinators"
The club’s second program of the year featured a New Member Orientation presented by President, Terri Munson for the new members who have joined the Garden Club over the past 4 months. Attendees were wowed by all of the club’s civic and educational activities and volunteer opportunities! Everyone enjoyed meeting the new members and mingling with friends and guests during the social "coffee and conversation" time before the program.
We had a large turnout to hear our guest speaker, Dawn Dextraze, Education and Outreach Specialist for the Sullivan County Natural Resources Department and Conservation District, talk about “Simple Ways to Support Pollinators”. Dawn provided several tips to consider when choosing host plants that can be showy, colorful, and diverse while attracting pollinators. We learned about identifying nesting sites and how to help pollinators overwinter by leaving woody stems during our autumn yard cleanups to provide pollinators with shelter and nesting locations.
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Dawn generously provided a number of her handouts and informational materials, as well as her presentation slides, for posting on our website.
View Dawn's Presentation with Information about Pollinator Habitats
JANUARY PROGRAM
Kickoff Brunch & Program "Healthy Soil For Optimum Plant Growth"
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The club’s 2024 inaugural meeting was held on Friday, January 9th and attended by approximately 50 people. After a 2-year hiatus due to COVID, the Program Team brought back our popular potluck brunch as the perfect way to kick off the club’s 25th anniversary year. With an amazing amount of delicious savories and sweets filling five tables, no one left the meeting hungry! Louise Rauh, the club’s Membership Team Lead, was kept very busy managing all the membership renewals she received as well as first-time registrations.
Following brunch, Gail McWilliam Jellie, part time UNH Extension Program Assistant in Food & Agriculture, provided a talk on “Healthy Soil for Optimum Plant Growth”, including a lot of specific information for Grantham. She also spoke about the invasive Asian Jumping Worm, explaining its identifying characteristics, the difficulty in managing them if you find them in your garden, as well as preventative measures since there is currently no way to eradicate them. |
View Gail's Presentation with Information about Soil Testing and Asian Jumping Worms