Karen DeLuca led an absorbing workshop on October 21, teaching our members how to create simple but creative cards using a special technique with watercolors and markers to craft sophisticated butterflies. The captivating class was designed for 10 people, but 20 enthusiasts showed up! Karen, professional artist and Montclair Art Museum teacher, provided all the instruction needed for non-artists and artists alike to take the technique home to produce their own polished hand-made cards for any and all events.

This post is strictly to record and celebrate all the awards presented at the Flower Show. Later posts will show photos of the entries and the amazing event. Winners' names in red NGC awards in purple Club awards in green Sweepstakes Award for Overall Flower Show – Debbie Moran FLOWER DESIGN Award of Design Excellence - Florence Leyssène SECTION A: “ROOTED IN TIME” The Twenties through the Fifties TriColor Award – Cheryl Slutzky Class 1: “All That Jazz” A Creative Design 1st – Barbara Baletti 2nd, 90+ – Betty Murphy 3rd – Susan Straten HM – Laurie Kroll Class 2: “Picture Perfect” An American Traditional Line-Mass Design. 1st – Cheryl Slutzky 2nd – Kathy Bachmann 3rd – Clare Kuch HM – Wendy Stahl Class 3: “Suburban Style” An American Traditional Design, limited to novice and intermediate members. 1st – Lisa Schweitzer (winner of Julia S. Berrall Award) 2nd – Guita Behbin 3rd – Michael De Castro HM – Ali Kilduff Class 4: “Mad for Modern” A Functional Tray Design for One 1st – Floss O’Sullivan 2nd – Amy South 3rd – Edith Ries HM – Carol Callahan SECTION B: “BRANCHING OUT” The Sixties through the Nineties The Petite Award – Karen Fricke Class 5: “Free Spirit” A Petite American Traditional Design 1st – Deborah Hirsch 2nd – Amy Poster 3rd – Kathy Sorkin HM – Carol Callahan Class 6: “Bold Moves” A Petite Transparency Design 1st – Celia Radek 2nd – Fran Ackerly 3rd – Heidi Muschick HM – Laurie Kroll Class 7: “Mix It Up” A Petite Multi-Rhythmic Design 1st – Karen Fricke 2nd – Debbie Moran 3rd – Olga Bequillard HM – Tracy Reilly SECTION C: “ENTWINED” The Aughts through the Twenty-Twenties Designer’s Choice Award – Florence Leyssène Class 8: “New Wave” An American Traditional Line Design 1st – Victoria Herrera 2nd – Sarah Olson 3rd – Sue Young HM – Michele Tomasik Class 9: “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” A Tubular Design 1st – Sarah Stransky 2nd – Cynthia Corhan-Aitken 3rd – Marie Donnelly HM – Susan Benner Class 10: “Forward Thinking” A Creative Line Design 1st – Florence Leyssène (winner of The Barbara Slockbower Schaeberle Award) 2nd – Floss O’Sullivan (winner of The Betty B. Merriam Silver Bowl) 3rd – Tova Narrett HM – Sydney Milliken HORTICULTURE Award of Horticultural Excellence – Celia Radek Section A: “The Bee’s Knees” Flowering Annuals Award of Merit – Denise Silverman Class 1: Salvia 1st – Celia Radek 2nd 90+ – Maureen Sprong 3rd – Michele Tomasik Class 2: Tagetes (marigold) 1st – Debbie Moran Class 3: Zinnia 1st – Denise Silverman 2nd 90+ – Jane Wallace Class 4: Any other worthy flowering annual specimen 2nd – Fran Ackerly Section B: “New Deal” Annuals Grown for Foliage Award of Merit – Kem Louie Class 5: Jacobea maritima (dusty miller) 1st – Anna Lee Class 6: Solenostemon (coleus) HM – Sue Young HM – Susan Yu Class 6a Solenostemon (coleus) 1st – Maria Matesanz 2nd 90+ – Susan Yu HM – Lauren Zodel Class 6b Solenostemon (coleus) 1st – Kem Louie 2nd – Debbie Moran 3rd – Sarah Olson Class 7: Strobilanthes (Persian shield) 1st – Denise Silverman 2nd – Michele Tomasik HM – Lauren Zodel Class 8: Any other worthy annual specimen grown for foliage 1st – Sarah Olson 2nd – Ana Moore HM – Celia Radek Section C: “Pop Art” Flowering Herbaceous Perennial Award of Merit – Cynthia Corhan-Aitken Class 9: Aster 1st – Cynthia Corhan-Aitken 3rd – Kem Louie HM – Jacoba Coes HM – Michele Tomasik Class 11: Sedum 1st – Susan Yu 2nd – Maria Matesanz 3rd – Cynthia Corhan-Aitken HM – Kathy Bachmann Class 12: Any other worthy flowering herbaceous perennial specimen 1st – Denise Silverman 2nd – Ana Moore 3rd – Michele Tomasik Class 12a: Any other worthy flowering herbaceous perennial specimen 1st – Jacoba Coes 2nd – Debbie Moran 3rd – Anna Lee HM – Michele Trevenen Section D: “Counterculture” Perennials Grown for Foliage Award of Merit – Celia Radek Class 13: Fern 1st – Anna Lee 2nd 90+ – Maria Matesanz HM – Karen Fricke Class 15: Hosta 1st – Debbie Moran 2nd – Maria Matesanz HM – Karen Fricke Class 16: Any other worthy perennial specimen grown for foliage 1st – Celia Radek Section E: “Baby Boom” Flowering Bulbs, Corms, Rhizomes, or Tubers Award of Merit – Susan Yu Class 19: Dahlia – one (1) stem 1st – Donna Karanja 2nd – Heidi Muschick Class 19a: Dahlia – one (1) stem 1st – Heidi Muschick 2nd 90+ – Heidi Muschick 3rd – Heidi Muschick HM – Kem Louie Class 19b: Dahlia – one (1) stem 2nd – Marie Donnelly 2nd – Heidi Muschick 3rd – Michael De Castro HM – Olga Bequillard HM – Michele Trevenen Class 20: Any other worthy flowering bulb, corm, rhizome, or tuber specimen 1st – Jacoba Coes 2nd – Olga Bequillard Class 20a: Any other worthy flowering bulb, corm, rhizome, or tuber specimen 1st – Cynthia Corhan-Aitken 2nd – Michele Trevenen 3rd – Kathy Bachmann HM – Donna Karanja HM – Sarah Olson Class 20b: Any other worthy flowering bulb, corm, rhizome, or tuber specimen 1st – Susan Yu 2nd – Maureen Sprong 3rd – Maria Matesanz Section F: “Victory Gardens” Vegetables Award of Merit – Kathy Bachmann Class 21: Capsicum (pepper) – five (5) if small; one (1) if large 1st – Kathy Bachmann 2nd – Celia Radek Class 24: Any other worthy vegetable specimen 1st – Karen Fricke 2nd – Denise Silverman 3rd – Karen Frick Section G: “Hashtag” Herbs Award of Merit – Debbie Moran Class 25: Rosmarinus (rosemary) 1st – Cynthia Corhan-Aitken 2nd – Olga Bequillard 3rd – Karen Whitehaus HM – Imke Oster HM – Pam Turre Class 26: Salvia (sage) 1st – Jacoba Coes 2nd – Pam Turre 3rd – Imke Oster HM – Karen Whitehaus Class 27: Thymus (thyme) 1st – Debbie Moran 2nd – Karen Whitehaus Class 28: Any other worthy herb specimen 2nd – Karen Whitehaus 3rd – Michele Trevenen HM – Karen Whitehaus Section H: “Outa Sight” Rosa Award of Merit – Valerie Slamka Class 29: Floribunda 1st – Valerie Slamka (winner of The Barbara Meyer Rose Award) 2nd – Valerie Slamka Class 30: Hybrid Tea 2nd – Valerie Slamka Class 31: Shrub Rose 2nd – Valerie Slamka HM – Cynthia Corhan-Aitken HM – Denise Silverman Class 32: Any other worthy named rose specimen 2nd – Valerie Slamka Section I: “Nifty” Woody Shrubs Arboreal Award – Karen Fricke One (1) cut stem no longer than 30” in length from cut end to apical tip; must include several nodes and the central leader. Must have been grown by exhibitor for at least six (6) months. Class 35: Hydrangea quercifolia (oakleaf) 2nd – Jane Wallace Class 36a: Any other worthy woody shrub specimen 1st – Ana Moore 2nd – Donna Karanja 3rd – Anna Lee HM – Imke Oster Class 36b: Any other worthy woody shrub specimen 1st – Sarah Olson 2nd – Susan Yu Class 36c: Any other worthy woody shrub specimen 1st – Karen Fricke 2nd – Olga Bequillard Section J: “You’ve Got Mail” Collections Collector’s Showcase Award – Michele Tomasik One (1) cut stem of five (5) different varieties/cultivars, exhibited in individual transparent containers provided by exhibitor; staging accessories such as mats, risers, etc. permitted but plant material must dominate; each specimen must be correctly identified by botanical name and its location easily identified in the collection (see HB, p. 60). Allotted space, 15” w x 24” d. Maximum of four (4) entries per class. Class 37: A collection of Dahlias – one (1) stem, disbudded; a minimum of one (1) set of leaves 1st – Maureen Sprong Class 38: A collection of herbs 1st – Kathy Bachmann (winner of The Amy Hatrak Herb Award) 2nd – Sarah Olson Class 39: A collection of Solenostemon (coleus) 1st – Michele Tomasik 2nd – Maureen Sprong 3rd – Sue Young Section K: “Hot Dish” Combination Plantings, A Dish Garden Grower’s Choice Award – Karen Fricke Miniature landscape of three (3) or more botanically different plants with similar cultural requirements. Class 41: Woodland Landscape 1st – Karen Fricke (winner of The Estelle Leibrecht Horticulture Award) 2nd – Celia Radek 3rd – Sarah Stransky EDUCATION“Deep Roots, New Shoots” Educational Top Exhibitor Award – Karen Fricke Section A: “Cultivating Change” 1st – Karen Fricke“ Creating Change: The Pollinator Pathway” 2nd – Deborah Hirsch “The Art of Flower Design: 100 Years of Flower Shows” BOTANICAL ARTS “From Garden to Gallery” Section A: Artistic Crafts “Let’s Celebrate” Botanical Arts Artistic Crafts Award – Floss O’Sullivan Class 1 “Happy 100th Birthday!” A 5” x 7” one-sided invitation to a party. 1st – Debbie Moran 2nd 90+ – Celia Radek 3rd – Karen DeLuca HM – Clare Kuch Class 2 “A Shoe Fit for a Party” A shoe, provided by exhibitor. 1st – Fran Ackerly 2nd 90+ – Michele Tomasik 3rd – Susan Benner HM – Marilyn Zaret Class 3 “Party Bling” A necklace using a structure created by exhibitor. 1st – Floss O’Sullivan 2nd – Cheryl Slutzky 3rd – Fran Ackerly HM – Pam Turre Section B, Photography: “Shifting Focus” Botanical Arts Photography Award – Clare Kuch Class 4 “Let It Be” A black and white photograph of a landscape. 1st – Michele Tomasik 2nd – Barbara Baletti 3rd – Sue Young HM – Sarah Olson HM – Amy South HM – Susan Yu Class 5 “Making Waves” A color photograph that includes the element of water in nature. 1st – Victoria Herrera 2nd 90+– Michele Tomasik 3rd 90+ – Tasha Madhok HM 90+ – Sue Young HM – Olga Bequillard HM – Mary Anne Link HM – Clare Kuch HM – Sheila Oakes HM – Celia Radek HM – Sarah Stransky Class 6 “Totally Rad” A color close-up photograph of an image in nature. 1st – Clare Kuch 2nd 90+ – Donna Karanja 3rd – Olga Bequillard HM – Kathy Bachmann HM – Barbara Baletti HM – Charlene Connolly HM – Karen DeLuca HM – Victoria Herrera HM – Mary Anne Link HM – Sheila Oakes

Always in demand, our expert flower designers Florence Leyssène, Fran Ackerly, and Barbara Baletti once again led our provisionals and novices through the basics of flower design in a workshop on Thursday, October 15. One of the best things about our club is our monthly competitions which allow us to hone our skills for our breathtaking flower shows. What our teachers did on Thursday was to explain not only what the National Garden Club judges are looking for, as well as practical information on what kind of tools to use, but they also communicated their joy in the sheer process of creating designs. They focused on Traditional American design, bringing their own designs to critique and deconstruct, since those are on the schedule for the upcoming October competition for provisionals and novices. They talked about height, width, pots, Oasis, and more abstract concepts such as space and grace. "Let a butterly move through your design," said Florence, and "Have fun!" said all three.

The Garden Club of Montclair is dedicated to sharing knowledge and practice of conservation, horticulture, and the artistic use of plant material. We beautify the Township of Montclair and sponsor and support projects in the schools of our town. And, not least, we foster fellowship and friendship through our work and our social activities. Education Beautification Fellowship Founded in 1926, our early members saw gardens as expressions of care for the community. Today, the roots planted in that era continue to define the club's mission to conserve and protect the environment while cultivating gardens and friendship with one another. In the News CLICK HERE to see ALL "In the News" posts Paint Your Own Pollinators 3 days ago Flower Show 2026: Awards Oct 17 Back to Basics Oct 17 Clip, Dip, & Sip―and Dahlias Oct 10 We're Out There Again! Oct 4 Ten Trees for Ten Decades Oct 1

Item List Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More Read More

Latest News Mar 22, 2023 Best smart wearables of 2023 This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More Mar 21, 2023 Gadget review: release of new Airy Pods This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More Mar 20, 2023 Long-term benefits of clean energy sources This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More Mar 19, 2023 How technology can help curb attention disorders This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More Mar 18, 2023 Entering a new era of IoT This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More Mar 17, 2023 test 1 This is placeholder text. To change this content, double-click on the element and click Change Content. Read More