Garden Club of Montclair Awards
See also national and state awards.
Competition Awards
Merit Awards
Special Recognition Awards
Standard Flower Show Awards
The Elsie Bristol Novice Award
A silver bowl perpetual trophy awarded to the member of Novice Level who, during the year, achieved the highest score, including the winning of one blue ribbon.
Date | Recipient |
|---|---|
2025 | Kathy Bachmann |
2024 | Karen Fricke |
2020 | Ginny Demoreuille |
2019 | Cheryl Slutsky |
2018 | Michele Reiter |
2017 | Susan Benner |
2016 | Fran Ackerly |
2015 | Tessie Thomas |
2014 | Lorrie Weeks |
2013 | Lillian Rockwood |
2012 | Elizabeth Saylor |
2011 | Susan Dumont |
The President's Trophy for Flower Design, Intermediate
A silver bowl perpetual trophy awarded to the member of Intermediate level who, during the year, achieved the highest score, including the winning of one blue ribbon.
Date | Recipient |
|---|---|
2025 | Karen Fricke |
2024 | Cheryl Slutzky |
2023 | Sarah Olson |
2019 | Susan Straten |
2018 | Barbara Baletti |
2017 | Michele Tomasik |
2016 | Lillian Rockwood |
2015 | Lorrie Weeks |
2014 | Liz Saylor |
2013 | Susan Dumont |
2012 | Kathleen McCoy |
2011 | Fran Liscio |
The Garden Club Award for Flower Design, Advanced
A silver plate awarded to the member of Advanced Level who received the highest number of points in a year, including two blue ribbons. Note: Prior to 2019, this award was made at the Advanced 1 Level.
Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
2025 | Barbara Baletti |
2024 | Floss O'Sullivan |
2023 | Barbara Baletti |
2020 | Fran Ackerly |
2019 | Michele Tomasik |
2018 | Fran Ackerly |
2017 | Sarah Stransky |
2014 | Fran Liscio |
2011 | Cynthia Corham-Aitken |
2010 | Celia Radek |
2009 | Cynthia Corham-Aitken |
2008 | Dolores Kelly, Lucy Schneider |
The Elsie Bristol Flower Design Award, Advanced Plus
A competetive award for those who have twice won the Garden Club Award for Flower Design, Advanced..
Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
2025 | Cynthia Corhan-Aitken |
2024 | Cynthia Corhan-Aitken |
The Elsie Bristol Flower Award, Advanced II
This award, a silver plate perpetual trophy, was retired in June 2018 when the Advanced I and Advanced II levels were combined to become the Advanced Level. The members listed below achieved the highest score, including the winning of one blue ribbon.
Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
2018 | Michele Tomasik |
2017 | Lillian Rockwood |
2016 | Liz Saylor |
2015 | Liz Saylor |
2014 | Sarah Stransky |
2013 | Fran Liscio |
2012 | Michele Quinn |
2011 | Darlene Sneden |
2010 | Betty Ann Cannell, Pat Green |
2008 | Cynthia Corhan-Aitken |
2007 | Celia Radek |
2006 | Lori Beitler, Celia Radek |
The President's Award for Horticulture
A silver plate perpetual trophy awarded to the member who, during the year, achieved the highest score, including the winning of one blue ribbon in the Club's Horticultural Competitions.
Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
2025 | Denise Silverman |
2024 | Cynthia Corhan-Aitken |
2023 | Sarah Olson |
2020 | Denise Silverman |
2019 | Michele Trevenen |
2018 | Karen Whitehaus |
2017 | Susan Straten |
2016 | Fran Wong |
2015 | Susan Straten |
2014 | Fran Liscio |
2013 | Michele Trevenen |
2012 | Cynthia Corhan-Aiken |
The Botanical Arts Award
A silver bowl perpetual trophy is awarded to the Garden Club member who, during the year, achieved the highest total score for participation in Botanical Arts competitions of any type, including the winning of one blue ribbon. The four types include Botanical Arts Horticulture, Botanical Arts Design, Botanical Arts Artistic Crafts, and Photography.
Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
2025 | Karen Fricke |
2024 | Karen Fricke |
2023 | Floss O'Sullivan |
The Kay Maclane Van Deusen Rose Award
A silver vase perpetual trophy, given in her memory by her family, awarded to the Garden Club member who, in a Competition scheduled by the Flower Design Committee, best perpetuates the love and use of roses in artistic design. The winner will be chosen by a panel of five members composed of the President, the Awards Chair, and three others appointed by the President. The presentation of this award takes place at the annual meeting.
Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
2025 | Cheryl Slutzky |
2024 | Fran Ackerly |
2023 | Fran Ackerly |
2020 | Sarah J. Olson |
2019 | Denise Silverman |
2018 | Fran Ackerly |
2017 | Cynthia Corhan-Aiken |
2016 | Celia Radek |
2012 | Elizabeth Saylor |
2014 | Cynthia Corhan-Aitken |
2013 | Susan Dumont |
2012 | Elizabeth Saylor |
The Amy Hatrak Herb Award
A silver tray perpetual trophy, given in her honor by her family, in recognition of her accomplishments in the field of herbs. To be given to the Garden Club member who, during the September or October Competition, best exemplifies and demonstrates the growing of herbs, for use and for delight, including aromatic, culinary, medicinal herbs, and scented geraniums. To be judged by a panel composed of the President, the Awards Chair, and three others appointed by the President. The Award is announced upon the judges’ decision and the trophy presented at the Annual Meeting in May.
Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
2025 | Karen Fricke |
2024 | Celia Radek |
2023 | Denise Silverman |
2020 | Denise Silverman |
2019 | Nancy Loo |
2018 | Jamie Chase |
2017 | Susan Straten |
2016 | Susan Straten |
2015 | Elaine Conti |
2014 | Karen Whitehaus |
2013 | Elaine Conti |
2012 | Elaine Conti |
The Barbara Meyer Rose Culture Award
A perpetual trophy recognizing excellence in rose culture may be awarded to the member of the Garden Club of Montclair whose single rose specimen, grown by the exhibitor, received the highest-scoring blue ribbon in a Club Horticulture Competition, Horticulture Specialty, Standard Flower or Small Standard Flower Show.
Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
2025 | Barbara Meyer |
2024 | Deborah Hirsch |
2023 | Denise Silverman |
2019 | Susan Straten |
2018 | Barbara Meyer |
The Estelle Leibrecht Horticulture Award
A silver bowl perpetual trophy awarded by the Horticulture Committee to the member who receives the blue ribbon for the Club project, to be judged at a fall or spring horticultural show, a Standard Flower Show, or a Small Standard Flower Show.
Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
2025 | Celia Radek |
2024 | Celia Radek |
2023 | Debbie Moran |
2022 | Denise Silverman |
2017 | Fran Wong |
2015 | Luce Battsek |
2014 | Fran Liscio |
2008 | Nancy Sweetser |
2005 | Gratia Pelliciotti |
2004 | Lori Beitler |
2003 | Maeve Clemens |
2002 | Ann Liedtka |
The Till Beatty Allis Award
A silver bowl perpetual trophy given in honor by her family, to be awarded by the Awards Committee to a member who has made an outstanding contribution in the area of Flower Design and Flower Design education.
Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
2025 | Debbie Moran, Florence Leyssène |
2024 | Deborah Moran |
2023 | Fran Ackerly |
2022 | Floss O'Sullivan |
2021 | Florence Leyssène |
2019 | Brenda Bingham |
2018 | Florence Leyssène |
2017 | Sarah Stransky |
2015 | Cynthia Corham-Aiken |
2009 | Debbie Moran |
2008 | Brenda Bingham |
2007 | Florence Leyssène |
The Bauer Horticulture Award
A silver bowl perpetual trophy given by the late Mrs. John Bauer may be awarded each year at the Annual Meeting for major achievement in Horticulture. The winner is chosen by decision of the Awards Committee. Individual members may make application for this award.
Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
2025 | Heidi Muschick |
2024 | Karen Whitehaus |
2023 | Maureen Sprong |
2021 | Debbie Moran |
2020 | Maureen Sprong |
2018 | Michele Trevenen |
2017 | Jacklyn Kling |
2016 | Karen Whitehaus |
2014 | Jaimie Chase |
2010 | Kristin Krongard |
2009 | Celia Radek |
2008 | Barbara Meyer |
The Louise D. Mann Award
A silver tray perpetual trophy, given in her memory by her family, to be awarded to a member of The Garden Club of Montclair when merited, in recognition of her vision and significant accomplishments in a field that advances Garden Club objectives. The winner is chosen by the Awards Committee.
Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
2025 | Sarah Olson |
2024 | Sue Young |
2023 | Deborah Hirsch |
2022 | Sarah J. Olson |
2021 | Floss O'Sullivan |
2020 | Claire Stepleton |
2019 | Gretchen Prater |
2018 | Celia Radek, Sarah Stransky |
2017 | Florence Leyssène |
2016 | Brenda Bingham |
2015 | Kate Khachaturian |
2014 | Debbie Moran |
The Betty B. Merriam Silver Bowl
This perpetual trophy silver bowl may be awarded at a Standard Flower Show or Small Standard Flower Show for any decorative use of plant material having distinctive beauty. Only members of the Garden Club of Montclair are eligible for this trophy, which shall remain in the Garden Club Room. A special panel of judges shall be invited to make the award. A small version of the award shall be presented to the winner. Names of the winners are inscribed on a wall plaque in the Garden Club Room.
Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
2023 | Debbie Moran |
2018 | Janice Benton, Jamie Chase, Deborah Hirsch, Debbie Moran |
2009 | Jamie Chase, Margaret Kenrick, Florence Leyssène |
2009 | Debbie Moran |
2006 | Brenda Bingham |
2004 | Joan Crowther |
1995 | Barbara Meyer |
1994 | Brenda Bingham |
1993 | Brenda Bingham |
1992 | Mary McGeown |
1991 | Rita Berkowitz |
1990 | Gladys Hunziker |
The Barbara Slockbower Schaeberle Award
A silver bowl perpetual trophy given in her memory by her family, to be awarded at a Standard Flower Show or Small Standard Flower Show to the member of the Garden Club of Montclair who wins the Designer's choice Award.
Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
2023 | Tova Narrett |
2018 | Barbara Baletti |
2006 | Debbie Moran |
2004 | Joan Crowther |
2000 | Brenda Bingham |
1998 | Joan Crowther |
1996 | Brenda Bingham |
1993 | Brenda Bingham |
1990 | Mary McGeown |
1986 | Mary McGeown |
Special Tributes
Year | Recipient |
|---|---|
2011 | Helen Steinbrueck, Karen Whitehaus |
2025 | Karen DeLuca |
2023 | Susan Benner, Marilyn & Peter Zaret |
2022 | Sue Young |
2021 | Cynthia Corhan-Aiken, Sandy Sorkin, Karen Whitehaus, Fran Wong |
2020 | Sarah J. Olson, Floss O'Sullivan |
2019 | Larry Whitehaus, Marilyn Zaret |
2018 | The Montclair Foundation's Van Vleck House & Gardens |
2016 | Rene Cohen |
2015 | Firth Fabend, Gretchen Prater, Lorrie Weeks |
2014 | Maryetta Bartlett, Nancy Bartlett |
2013 | Sanford Sorkin, Darlene Sneden |
Bloomies
Award shows are famous for recognizing individual accomplishments, but what about the people in the Club who also make important contributions that we sometimes forget to celebrate? Hence the new BLOOMIES Awards.
Year | Recipients |
|---|---|
2025 | Valerie Slamka (Rookie), Tova Narrett (Pinch Hitter), Marilyn Zaret (Susan Lucci), Barbara Baletti (Trailblazer), Jacoba Coes (Comeback Kid), Karen Kadus (Comeback Kid), Ana Zalles Moore (Rising Star), Betty Murphy and Cynthia Corhan-Aitken (Visioneers), Tracy Reilly and Amy South (Shorty's). |
2024 | Susan Benner, Melody Brown, Bob Chapman, Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Karen DeLuca, Karen Fricke, Barbara Meyer, Betty Murphy, Tova Narrett, Sarah Olson, Maggie Rothman, Cheryl Slutzky, Maureen Sprong, Wendy Stahl, Nancy Stroud, Pam Turre, Karen Whitehaus, Fran Wong, Susan Yu, Marilyn Zaret, Lauren Zodel. |
National Council of Accredited Flower Show Judges
Master Judges: Brenda Bingham, Florence Leyssène, Mary McGeown, Debbie Moran, Heidi Muschick
Master Gardeners
Members who have completed the Essex County Master Gardener Course and volunteer requirements for Master Gardener designation.
Brenda Bingham, Jamie Chase, Jacoba Coes, Karen Fricke, Donna Wright,