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| 2009 Program |
January 21:
Business Meeting-Presentation of Program and Budget to Members
There is no presentation this month because we devote our entire time to approval of the 2009 program and budget. Our Program theme for this 30th anniversary year – From Worms to Bees and Everything Inbetween - complements the theme of current NHFGC President, Joyce Kimball - Observe, Conserve and Preserve the Beauty All Around You. Joyce completes her very successful term of office in May when we will welcome Diane McMillen as the Federation’s new President.
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February 18:
Red Worms for a Green Earth
Ken Perry has been spreading the word about vermiculture (composting through worms) since he began his business in 2002. He will demonstrate how we can turn our household green waste into compost for our gardens using vermiculture. Ken’s presentation will include a short discussion of the different species of earthworms and their suitability for use in a vermicomposting system, followed by a display of equipment including a working worm bin. The presentation will conclude with a question-and-answer session with those interested in the technique. Worm factories and worms will be available for purchase. We will each receive a small sample bag of vermicompost to try on our houseplants or gardens.
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March 18:
Propagation Workshop
Have a houseplant you'd like to propagate, but don't know how to do it? Join Joyce LeBlanc Pelchat, of Joyce’s Garden, Amherst, NH, as she teaches us how to divide and conquer houseplants – and maybe some outdoor ones as well! Joyce will bring several plants for us to cut up and plant and will provide containers and soil. If you have a houseplant you'd like to share, please feel free to bring it. If you have plants that you want to propagate, ask Joyce for advice. This is a free workshop. Bring gardening gloves if you wish.
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April 15:
Getting the most Perennial Bang for your Buck!
Nora and Doug McElroy of Newton Greenhouses, Amesbury Road, Newton, NH, will share with us how to get the best display from the money we invest every year buying new perennials. Newton Greenhouses is a local company that has been in business for 37 years. Open year round, their greenhouses are a sight to see, bursting at the seams with potted plants of all types, bedding plants, new varieties of perennials and, at holiday time, bumper crops of poinsettias, Easter lilies, etc, depending on the holiday. Nora and Doug will bring some perennials for sale.
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May 20:
Sand-cast a Birdbath Workshop
Come as early as you can to participate in this fun workshop and sandwich swop, when we will produce leaf-shaped birdbaths by using the technique of sand casting. Bring any large leaves you have in your garden – for example, rhubarb or elephants ear and in five easy steps, we will learn how to use it as a birdbath mold. Bring thick gloves. Everything needed to produce the birdbath, other than gloves, will be provided. Tom has kindly agreed that we may leave our birdbaths on site to complete drying at the end of the evening. Workshop fee is $15, payable in advance, and is non-refundable. Best of all, we’ll be able to view the remarkable garden art that Tom welds into the most beautiful and fanciful artifacts, which are displayed throughout his large yard.
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June 17:
Art-in-the-Park and Thirtieth Anniversary Celebration
Our fourth “Art-in-in the Park” event at Ordway Park will provide a wonderful backdrop for the celebration of our 30th anniversary. The long June evening will give us ample time to mingle with friends old and new – including past members and former Club Presidents. Members’ creative floral interpretations of artwork will be on display to delight fellow club members and guests. As always, music and the colorful gardens will play a large part in the pleasure this popular event provides. The public is invited to join us in celebrating our anniversary and to share in the beauty and camaraderie of the evening. Many of our past scrapbooks will also be on display to revive memories of the club’s long history.
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July 15:
Miniature Summer Wreath Workshop
Join us in celebrating one of nature's most beautiful flowers - the rose. Nancy Engel, owner of Sunny Window, Southborough, MA, will guide us in making a 6" heart-shaped rose wreath while she discusses roses, their history and varied uses, including rose oil. She will also share with us some rose-flavored foods. Nancy, who has travelled the world in her pursuit of knowledge about roses, lavender, and other natural substances, started her business more than 20 years ago, selling natural products on a card table at a flea market. Now she sells the products she and her staff make in her antique barn. There will be items available for us to purchase. Workshop cost is $15, payable in advance, and is non-refundable. Additional wreath kits will also be available for purchase at $5 each.
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August 22:
Field Trip to the home of Michelle Mensinger
This Saturday trip will give us ample time to tour Michelle’s beautiful and colorful gardens. Michelle is Chair of the NHFGC Birds and Butterflies committee and her gardens reflect her interest and work in this area. We will be able to spend time enjoying one another’s company in beautiful surroundings. Sandwich-swop lunch. Those unable to be at St. Ann’s for the 11:30 a.m. carpool departure may travel direct to Michelle’s home.
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September 16:
Discovering New England’s Stone Walls
Kevin Gardner, author of The Granite Kiss, will explain the history, technique, stylistic development, and aesthetics of stone walls. He will discuss how and why New England came to acquire its thousands of miles of such walls, the ways in which they and other dry stone structures were built, how their styles emerged and changed over time, and their significance to the famous New England landscape. Along the way, Kevin will build a miniature wall on a tabletop, using tiny stones from a five-gallon bucket. There will be a generous question-and-answer period to discuss specific problems or listeners’ own projects. Copies of The Granite Kiss will be available for sale. This meeting will be open to the public who will be able to buy tickets in advance at $5 each. (No charge for members and honorary members). A copy of The Granite Kiss will be raffled as a mini fund raiser.
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October 21:
A day in the life of a Bee - Beekeeping, Making a Difference
So we’ve learned about worms and vermicomposting – and everything in between. Now it’s the turn of the bees. Did you know that there’s a beekeepers’ tradition of ‘telling the bees’ family news and happenings? Beekeepers visit their hives and whisper the latest family news to the colony! Wendy Booth, a local beekeeper from Sandown and a member of the NH Beekeeper’s Association, will explain her hobby of beekeeping and the current environmental issues affecting honey bees and their role in agriculture. She will also have available demonstrations of live bee hives and beekeeping equipment. Even though you may not be interested in actual beekeeping, we will learn how to maintain a bee-friendly environment in our gardens, thus ensuring the renewal of our plants and bumper crops from our vegetables and fruit trees.
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November 18:
Deck the Halls
Tonight’s the night! Yet again, we work together to assemble holiday wreaths and garlands to plant the holiday spirit in our town and celebrate the season. Our Deck the Halls Committee provides the greenery, accessories, and a sample of the creative design. Club members will work in teams to assemble wreaths and garlands to dress our civic sites and town buildings for the holidays. When ready, we will set out in teams, with flashlights and ladders to hang the wreaths and garlands to delight our fellow townsfolk when they see them for the first time on Thursday morning.
Our annual Giving Tree, with numbered gift tags, will be available for members to take one or more tags for gifts to be given to community members in need. The gifts, wrapped and tagged “From Santa” will be brought to the Holiday Gathering in December.
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December 9:
Holiday Gathering
Our anniversary year is nearly over. We’ve learned about worms and vermicomposting, bees and honey – and everything in between! Now it’s time for some fun – so let’s get together to celebrate the holiday season at the beautiful antique home of Connie Adams. We’ll give thanks for the friendship and companionship of our club, and bring gifts to place under Connie’s tree for less fortunate members of our community. Diane McMillen, newly appointed President of the New Hampshire Federation of Garden Clubs, will be with us to install our 2010 Executive Board.
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