Letters from current and previous presidents of the Club Letters From Our Presidents Fran Ackerly, Incoming President 2025-2027 The Garden Club of Montclair Dear Members and Provisionals, I am honored to be the President of the Garden Club of Montclair for 2025–2027. I became an active member in 2015 and as each year goes by, I grow more proud to be a part of this wonderful organization. I am in awe of what our members’ determination and teamwork can accomplish, as evidenced by the transformation of the Church Street Circle, the successful Bricks Campaign, and the beautiful Avis Campbell Gardens and Triangle Gardens (about to be renamed the Church Street Gardens). This same determination and teamwork goes on “behind the scenes” by the Committees planning and presenting the many varied Club activities and programs. I am excited as I look ahead to the upcoming year. In 2026 the Garden Club of Montclair will celebrate its 100th Anniversary! Special events are being planned for our members and in our community. I know that together we will continue to move the Club ahead in new directions but always remain true to our mission of Education, Beautification & Fellowship. With warmest regards, Fran Ackerly Sarah Olson, Outgoing President The Garden Club of Montclair Dear Fellow Garden Club Members and Provisionals, What a remarkable year it has been—full of growth, change, and exciting accomplishments! We returned to our longtime home at 60 South Fullerton Avenue for programs, meetings, and workshops. Despite some challenges with construction and filming on-site, we adapted smoothly. Although we no longer have our dedicated Garden Club Room, the large properties room has been refreshed and reorganized, thanks to the efforts of our members. We also embraced a major shift in communication, moving away from multiple emails, the printed Yearbook, and the Potpourri newsletter. Instead, we have consolidated communications through our website —streamlining how we share information. Our social media presence has expanded significantly, with engaging posts and reels that showcase our activities and events. We have created a real buzz and have even been featured in the Montclair Local. In September, we kicked off the year with a vibrant Small Standard Flower Show. The creative, sustainable floral designs and beautiful horticultural exhibits were a highlight. October brought us another win—our “Mother Nature” scarecrow earned first place and a $500 prize. Throughout the year, our Garden Therapy and Youth Committees continued their meaningful outreach, and our garden volunteers worked hard to enhance the Avis Campbell Gardens and Triangle raised beds with new native plants. Thanks to a grant from the Montclair Foundation and our successful BRICKS-to-BRICKS Campaign, we will begin renovating the Avis Campbell pathways this fall for better accessibility. Our presence in the community has never been stronger. We participated in local events such as Montclair EarthFest, the Glen Ridge Eco-Fair, and the Montclair Art Museum’s Free First Thursday. We also began collaborating with the town to transform the Church Street roundabout into a native plant garden—our first of several upcoming community beautification projects. We closed the year with our Annual Meeting, where we celebrated members and honored The Montclair Foundation and the Placek Family Foundation with Community awards. Our coveted perpetual awards and our Bloomie awards for unsung heroes capped off the event. As I step down, I do so with deep appreciation and pride. Thank you for the opportunity to serve this incredible club. I look forward to supporting you as we celebrate our 100th Anniversary together. With appreciation, Sarah

Photo: Claire Stepleton Sometimes known as Montclair’s “secret garden,” the beds of the Avis Campbell Gardens are lovingly tended every Tuesday morning (and other days, too) by Members of our Club. The gardens, recognized as a historic property by the township of Montclair, were planted behind 60 South Fullerton Avenue (next to the library) in 1953, using a plan created by noted landscape architect Avis Campbell. Her Wheel of Life design from 70 years ago has been maintained until the current day with brick paths radiating out from a central fountain, lining the rich beds of flowers blooming from early spring through the cold days of late November. The beds themselves are a tribute to the glories of gardening, with more and more native plants increasing a profusion of bees, butterflies, birds, and other happy pollinators. Come and visit this gentle, hidden jewel of Montclair! Visitors are always welcome, and the cost is free. Scroll down to see the gardens in full bloom as well as some historical photos from the Smithsonian. Members should click here for committee roles and responsibilities. And see, below, three photos from the Smithsonian Institution 's Maida Babson Adams American garden collection. Molly (Maida Babson) Adams (1918 - 2003) had a 40+ year career as a nationally recognized free-lance garden and wildlife photographer and conservationist. She took thousands of photos of gardens up and down the east coast of America from the 1950s to the 1990s. Although these particular photos are not dated, the cars suggest they were taken in the late 50s to early 60s, while the beds were still being populated.. Avis Campbell Gardens Anchor 1

Workshop Committee Reports Committees 2025-2026 — Karen Fricke, Chair; Tova Narrett, Vice Chair We offered a variety of well-attended workshops this year, beginning with a Welcome Workshop for Provisionals and Novices, held at Cheryl Slutzky’s home. Other workshop topics: Color Theory in Flower Design; Creating a Combination Planting; Wholesale Flower Shopping; Using Dried and Pressed Plant Material in Botanical Arts; Schedule Reading Savvy & Staging Panel Proficiency; Botanical Art Photography; Cleaning & Sharpening Your Pruner; Seed Starting for the Kitchen Garden; Pruning Your Shrub; and Rose Revival. Our annual decorating of the Crane House began with a workshop, Honoring History in the Crane House, which included a slide presentation on period-appropriate holiday decorating and a tour from the Crane House museum staff. Greens Preparation workshop, Decorating the Crane House, and Crane House Clean-Up went seamlessly. Many hands made light work. Comittee Members 2025-2026: Barbara Baletti, Susan Brady, Florence Leysenne, Dorothy Meissner, Barbara Meyer. 2024-2025 — Karen Fricke, Chair; Tova Narrett, Vice Chair Workshops & Instructors Technology: Navigating the New Online Yearbook , Sue Young Basics of Horticulture for Provisionals and Novices , Heidi Muschick Basics of Flower Design for Provisionals and Novices , Debbie Moran and Florence Leyssène Daffodils , Heidi Muschick American Traditional Mass Design: Step-by-Step , Debbie Moran and Florence Leyssène Tips and Tricks from Our Top Tier Designers, Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Fran Ackerly, Barbara Baletti, Karen Fricke, Floss O’Sullivan, Tova Narrett Petite Flower Design, Debbie Moran Rose Revival at Avis Campbell Gardens , Barbara Meyer Botanical Arts : Prom Corsage, Florence Leyssène We found that the workshops held specifically for Provisionals were not well attended. We will reconsider the format and scheduling of those workshops for the upcoming year. The Board determined that Crane House decorating will exist as a sub-committee of the Workshops Committee. Karen Whitehaus has agreed to take over as lead. We will meet with the museum staff this summer to review plans to adhere more rigorously to historically accurate decorations. We spent $595.26 of our $700 budget. Thank you to our Committee members: Fran Ackerly, Barbara Baletti, Floss O’Sullivan, Celia Radek, Debbie Moran, Florence Leyssène. 2023-2024 — Celia Radek, Chair; Susan Benner, Vice Chair Beginning with the essentials of exhibiting Horticulture, then on to a deep dive into Elements and Principles of design, with stops along the way to create winter gardens and decorate for the holiday, and finally returning to the garden; the Workshop year was filled with opportunities to learn new skills and refresh best practices. For Provisional members, Horticulture 101 and the Basics of Traditional Flower Design provided a foundation for taking part in flower shows and monthly competitions. A series of workshops reviewing design basics, defining characteristics of traditional and creative design, and understanding point scoring rubrics was offered to develop the more seasoned flower designer skill set. Members created beautiful and bountiful winter container gardens to grace our front entries and we decked the halls, designing festive, period-appropriate decorations throughout the Montclair History Center’s Crane House. In spring, sessions on rose culture and pruning, composting, and the edible garden opened the growing season and closed out the year’s Workshops. With many thanks to all the presenters who generously shared their expertise and a warm welcome to incoming Chair Karen Fricke and Vice Chair Tova Narrett. 2022-2023 — Celia Radek, Chair; Susan Benner, Vice Chair Nine workshops averaging over 30 attendees were held during the program year, from June through April, complementing Club activities and projects. Design sessions included a pop-up Boutique and two were recorded for later viewing. Many included information handouts, which can be found on the website. Expenses totaled $366.05. The Committee called upon Club Members to share their expertise and the name of presenter(s) follows the workshop title. "Getting Ready for the Flower Show: Staging and Botanical Arts Design" (Florence Leyssène) "Horticulture 101: Introduction to Exhibiting Horticulture in a Standard Flower Show" (Heidi Muschick) "Flower Design 101 for Provisional and Novice" (Fran Ackerly and Barbara Baletti) "Hypertufa Garden Troughs" (Debbie Moran) "Greens Workshop and Decorating the Crane House & Historic YWCA.' "Botanical Arts Artistic Crafts: Masks, Hats, and Jewelry" (Florence Leyssène) "Flower Design, American Traditional Line: Crescent & Hogarth Curve" (Debbie Moran) "Creative: Underwater Design" (Debbie Moran and Florence Leyssène) "Rose Revival" (Barbara Meyer) "Growing Annuals and Perennials from Seed and Introducing the Estelle Leibrecht Horticulture Project: Growing Zinnias from Seed (Michele Trevenen, Karen Whitehaus, and Celia Radek) 2021-2022 — Floss O'Sullivan, Chair We offered eleven workshops to 205 Members on topics from gardening to flower design to botanical arts taught by our talented judges and expert Members. We happily resumed meeting in person following safety protocols and using Avis Campbell Gardens to meet outdoors for some of our workshops. Our Provisionals learned horticulture exhibition and flower design from Debbie Moran, Fran Ackerly, and Barbara Baletti. Maureen Sprong educated us on Dahlias and led the bed captains at Avis Campbell Gardens with annual and perennial planting advice. The Crane House and Historic YWCA looked wonderful after our 27th year of decorating. We so enjoy partnering with Montclair History Center and helped them secure sixth place in USA Today's 10 Best Historic Home Tours. Exploring Botanical Arts, Florence Leyssène led a 'Galentine's Day' workshop on designing gift boxes using flowers. Debbie Moran's Terrarium workshop taught us how to create and care for miniature glassed-in gardens. Amy South, owner of Moss & More, led a workshop on Japanese moss balls called 'Kokedama' — a new concept for us. A snowy Sunday rose-pruning session led by Barbara Meyer helped produce the glorious roses now in Avis Campbell Gardens. Finally, Brenda Bingham challenged us with multi-rhythmic design by explaining her own dynamic arrangements. Thanks to items donated by Brenda and bequeathed by Joan Crowther, attendees selected interesting containers and design materials, raising a lovely donation benefiting the Garden Club of Montclair. We used technology to capture photos and videos as reference material for future generations. We employed: Zoom, Live iPhone Camera Feeds, iPhone Video, Narration, iMovie, Photography Editing with iPhone, Snapseed and Retouch applications, Microsoft Photo Editor, Google Slides, PowerPoint, and Sign-up Genius. We also added animated commercials and website news posts to increase participation. It has been a delight to expand our workshops and find new methods to educate. Thank you to Sarah Olson, my Vice Chair, Sue Young for her website help, Florence Leyssène for her leadership, and our Members' enthusiastic attendance. Celia Radek, incoming Chair, will lead Workshops with her tremendous knowledge, collaborative approach, and proven dedication, making Workshops an ongoing success for the Club. 2020-2021 — Floss O'Sullivan, Chair In a challenging year, it was inspiring to see how our Garden Club flourished. Workshops went “virtual,” combining experts, slides, photos, videos, audio, and Zoom to make education accessible for members. Heartfelt thanks to NGC Accredited Master Flower Show Judges: Florence Leyssène, Debbie Moran, Brenda Bingham, and Arabella Dane who generously shared their expertise to create informative, beautiful workshops. Sincere thanks to all members who attended workshops - your enthusiasm and engagement resulted in priceless learning experiences for all. Grateful thanks to Fran Wong for e-blast announcements, and Amy South and Sue Young who posted workshops online. Our rosarian, Barbara Meyer, deserves thanks because she offered the only in-person workshop outside this Spring. Thank you all! In September, Florence Leyssène’s narrated video workshop: American Traditional Mass Design and Debbie Moran’s slideshow video: Horticulture–Preparing to Exhibit launched. Intended for new Provisionals, these will serve future Provisionals and established members. To prepare for virtual exhibitions, in October we met the delightful Arabella Dane, who provided guidelines, technology tips, and a judge’s perspective on Smart Phone Photography. November’s American Traditional Line Design featured Florence Leyssène’s superb horizontal and vertical line flower designs, photos, time-elapsed video, and live video demonstration. Our 26th year decorating the Crane House and Historic YWCA was a challenge for a socially distanced world. Thanks to the combined efforts of our members and Montclair History Center’s Jane Eliasof, they won 4th place in USA Today’s 10 Best Historic Home Tours. Congratulations all! In January, Brenda Bingham shared a judge’s perspective on Hogarth Curve Design and her inspiring flower design evolution. During February, Debbie Moran’s amazing precision for Petite Design illustrated scale and proportion. Barbara Meyer’s excellent Roses Workshop provided an education and hands-on practice preparing the roses in Avis Campbell Gardens in March. During April, Florence Leyssène and Debbie Moran conducted Stepping Up to Creative Design including live video demonstrations and creative techniques. Altogether, we had 176 participants in seven workshops taught by five instructors. We depend on one another to grow and appreciate everyone’s contribution. What a lovely community we have built together. It is an honor to be part of this remarkable organization. 2019-2020 — Barbara Baletti, Chair Providing opportunities to learn about gardening, horticulture, flower design, and community give-back are the hallmarks of a dynamic garden club and our Workshops are the conduit that allows this to happen. Despite the fact that our calendar was abbreviated by the global pandemic, we managed to present rich and varied offerings. In addition to our annual Flower Design and Horticulture Workshops for Active and Provisional members, we added new things to the mix to prepare for the Design Specialty Flower Show, now scheduled for the fall of 2021. These included workshops in both Photography and Botanical Arts. I offer special thanks to Florence Leyssène and Debbie Moran for their work in preparing and presenting new workshops to educate our Membership this year. Their instruction and enthusiasm are nonpareil. In early September, we offered a Bed Captains' Tour of our Avis Campbell Gardens where members learned first hand and "hands-on" about the creation, care, and variety of our planting beds from our devoted, hard working bed captains. October brought us Maureen Sprong's annual Dahlia slide show and specimen review which always lures a large group of dahlia addicts who return every year to learn more. Michael Downey, a professional photographer and instructor from Unique Photo Academy, presented to a rapt group of shutterbugs in November. The group learned both photography basics and tips to capture images of gardens and close-ups of flowers and plants. Our Annual Israel Crane House decorating project in early December had overwhelming Club participation both in the preparation of the greens and in creating the festive holiday dressing of the house. Thanks to the Membership and to Jane Elias of of the Montclair History Center. Another addition to our Workshop calendar this year was an "Interior Plantscapes" event at member Amy South's botanical boutique in Montclair, Moss & More, where she took us on a journey through the world of indoor tropical plants. Amy showed us how to grow and maintain them and shared insider secrets about what is trending now. As Workshops Chair, I had the opportunity to explore new areas and get to know Garden Club members so much better. I had the opportunity to work with Mara Harkins, a lovely woman who will be missed. The past year was challenging and fun. I know that Floss O'Sullivan, as she takes the reins next year, will bring her incredible enthusiasm and energy and bring this Committee to even greater heights.

Division V: Youth This division is a dedicated space for younger participants through age 18 and for community groups of adults and/or children who have been organized and possibly housed in facilities for treatment. In our show, we offer Youth Groups, which encourages early participation in horticulture and creative expression. Throughout the year, members of our club’s Youth Committee provide workshops and activities introducing young people to gardening, design, ecology, and conservation through a variety of hands-on projects. Our hope is that our involvement with youth today will inspire an enthusiasm for growing gardens in the future. This division may be judged or unjudged. In this show, it is unjudged. Youth Horticulture: “Little Landscapes” In July, the Garden Club of Montclair led an indoor gardening class for grades 3-6 at Succeed2gether . We focused on succulent plants and arid environments and the care of an arid indoor garden. After discussing garden design principles, the students designed their garden on paper. Then they executed the steps to create a succulent terrarium, from creating hospitable soil, to planting, and adding decoration. The displayed gardens have been cared for by the students since their creation. About our partner Succeed2gether (S2G), a non-profit 501(c)(3), was formed in the winter of 2009 to augment support systems for low-income families. S2G provides free, affordable educational programs to low-income students who may be at-risk academically or who can excel with enrichment. Programs are offered after school, on weekends, during spring break and summer vacations. The Garden Club of Montclair has partnered with S2G to help provide programs where students learn new gardening skills. Learn more about Succeed2gether. Youth Botanical Arts: “Grow and Throw!” Garden Club members led a workshop this past July to create these seed balls with Deron School students, aged 16 to 18. They are covered with clay and include native seeds and soil. When tossed on the ground the clay will protect the seeds from animals or wind. The clay dissolves over the winter allowing seeds to sprout in the spring. Seed balls were used worldwide for centuries but fell out of favor as modern farming took hold. They are regaining popularity and now are used to seed pollinator habitats or replant after wildfires. As botanical art, the exhibited creations were carefully decorated with nature’s beauty. About our partner Since 1967, The Deron School has offered a state-approved private school program for students with multiple disabilities. It provides a nurturing environment, family culture, and personalized curriculum to help students reach their highest level of independence and achievement. Deron prepares students to lead successful, productive lives, as contributing members of their community. The Garden Club has provided enrichment workshops and annually planted seasonal bulbs in Montclair with Deron students. Learn more about the Deron School . Youth Education: “Our School Garden, Our World” Botanical illustrations are introduced in the 3rd grade at Watchung School as part of the science curriculum; these have been an integral part of scientific study for over 2,000 years. In the classroom flowers are dissected and studied. Then, students come to the courtyard garden with a clipboard, pencil and paper. They select a plant and draw it in a single session. Drawings must include its shape and the structure of its stems, leaves and flowers. We are grateful to exhibit this selection of drawings from 3rd through 5th graders. About our partner At Watchung School in Montclair, the Connected Courtyard Garden is an important part of the school’s life. It boasts an outdoor classroom, a large native plant garden and a pond teeming with life including frogs. Teachers regularly utilize it for lessons ranging from gardening, to math, poetry and science. The garden was initiated by Sarah Paulsen, Watchung parent, and Drury Thorp, STEAM teacher. The Garden Club partnership began in 2023 with assistance including construction funding and the actual garden design by our member, Cynthia Corhan-Aitken. The Garden is stewarded by Sarah Paulsen and Master Gardeners of Essex County.

Hospitality Committee Reports Committees 2024-2025 — Florence Sinofsky, Chair; Betty Murphy, Vice-Chair The Hospitality Committee had a vibrant year supporting the Garden Club’s mission through well-planned welcoming events. We provided breakfast and lunch for the judges at the Fall Flower Show, with Members generously contributing delicious and much-appreciated baked goods. We also ensured refreshments were available for Members after Program Meetings. Member participation was enthusiastic and dependable, and seeing everyone gathered around beautifully presented refreshments made us happy and proud. The Holiday Tea was a true highlight. Floral designers created stunning displays and vendors’ holiday gifts provided festive touches. The beautifully decorated home, creative displays, and generous sweet and savory contributions from Members made the event magical. The Annual Luncheon at the Glen Ridge Country Club was a resounding success. A later lunch allowed more time for enjoyable browsing and shopping. The event featured awards, floral centerpieces, and vendors in a lovely setting with attentive service. Members 2024-2025: Elizabeth Burgess, Carol Callahan, Karen Kadus, Kate Khachaturian, Dorothy Meissner, Janet Oscar, Gretchen Prater, Michele Quinn, Elizabeth Seebode-Zazzali, Cheryl Slutzky, Patt Sullivan-Perry. 2023-2024 — Michele Quinn, Chair; Betty Murphy, Vice Chair Hospitality had a very busy and deliciously successful year. The program meetings and competition events at Bnai Keshet throughout the year were well attended. The decision was made to have the buffet table available before and during the meetings so that cleanup did not happen too late in the day. As is our routine, every competition that was judged had coffee and a breakfast snack available for the judges and others who participated in the scoring. Our Holiday Tea was graciously hosted at Imke Oster’s beautiful house and many of our members, besides our committee members, brought fabulous sweets and savories that made the holiday spirit soar! Completing the year was a wonderful brunch at Glen Ridge Country Club. I enjoyed being Hospitality Chair for the last two years and couldn’t have done it without my co-chair Betty Murphy and my committee! It takes a village! 2022-2023 — Michele Quinn, Chair; Betty Murphy, Vice Chair The Hospitality Committee was pleased to serve the Judges breakfast prior to our monthly competitions and wonderful teas after the Club's program meetings held at Union Congregational Church. Thank you to our talented and hard-working committee for making all the treats to feast upon! A big thank you to Susan Brady for hosting our annual Holiday Tea at her beautiful home on December 14, 2022. We also thank our Tea/Coffee pourers and Past Presidents: Firth Fabend, Kate Khachaturian, Gretchen Prater, Susan Straten, and Connie Young. Club Members' delectable savories and sweets enhanced the tea table, their exquisite holiday floral designs graced throughout, and boutique vendors enticed us with festive gifts. The event was enjoyed and remembered by all and we look forward to welcoming everyone when programs commence in the fall. 2021-2022 — Janet Oscar, Chair; Gretchen Prater, Vice Chair We thank Gretchen Prater for hosting our annual Holiday Tea at her beautiful home on December 15th. It was so wonderful to see over sixty Members join us to begin the Holiday Season in such a beautiful setting. Thanks to our talented Members who contributed to the tea table, which offered a variety of delicious homemade savories and desserts: Barbara Baletti, Terri Breen, Betsy Burgess, Carol Callahan, Ellen Colton, Peggy Scott Fleming, Kate Khachaturian, Floss O'Sullivan, Patti Sullivan-Perry, Michele Quinn, Cheryl Slutzky, Michele Trevenen, Susan Yu. We also thank our Tea/Coffee pourers: Past Presidents Deborah Hirsch, Kate Khachaturian, Michele Quinn, Susan Straten, Sarah Stransky, and Karen Whitehaus. The Hospitality Committee was so pleased to serve breakfast items to the Judges and Clerks on March 21st, at our first in-person program meeting and Petite Flower Design competition at Union Congregational Church. At our April 25th meeting, our committee served savories and sweets prior to our evening meeting. We thank Karen Whitehaus for her assistance at the Church and we thank Nancy Stroud for assisting our committee. We are forever grateful to our President Florence Leyssène's leadership during the ever-changing conditions and circumstances of our times. We thank our Hospitality Committee Members for their participation in our Hospitality events throughout the year. We look forward to seeing everyone in person when we begin our programs in the fall. 2020-2021 — Janet Oscar, Chair; Gretchen Prater, Vice Chair This has been and exceptionally challenging year for everybody. Since we were not meeting in person, the Hospitality Committee thought it would be nice to remember our members who reside at Crane’s Mill with lovely Thanksgiving Baskets filled with homemade zucchini bread, dessert cart dreams along with nuts, cheese, and crackers. They were so appreciative that the Garden Club members remembered them at this time. Our Committee member, Terri Breen, came up with the clever idea of presenting photos of past Holiday Teas for our December Program on Zoom. Committee member, Floss O’Sullivan, did a fantastic job in presenting the slideshow. We also honored Helen Geyer who was a long time member of the GCM. We made a beautiful Easter Basket with quiche and homemade desserts and delivered it to our longtime member Eileen Butler. She was thrilled that we remembered her at this time, and sent her thanks and appreciation. The Hospitality Committee members were so pleased to finally have a chance to bake for Garden Club members at the Annual Awards Ceremony which was held in the beautiful Avis Campbell Gardens in May. Gretchen Prater, Vice Chair, and I thank our Hospitality Committee bakers Kate Khachaturian, Ginny Demoreuille, Cheryl Slutsky, Patt Sullivan-Perry, and Terri Breen who joined us in making their delicious treats. Terri Breen not only baked but assisted us in filling the sixty goody bags, and also helped with set up and clean up. In celebration of Connie Young’s 100 Birthday we sang 'Happy Birthday' and presented Connie with a birthday cake along with a beautiful floral arrangement from the Avis Campbell Gardens designed by Michele Tomasik. We thank all who participated in our Hospitality events throughout the year. We look forward to seeing everyone in person when we begin our Programs in the fall. 2019-2020 — Maureen Donahoe, Chair This was the first year we were working at Van Vleck and we started off with a bang! A fabulous homemade soup and pasta salad offering from Floss O'Sullivan, the Hospitality Captain for September, was complemented by loads of sweets and savories contributed by the Membership as we were introduced to what life would be like for us in our new home. In the following months the Captains continued our beloved tradition of providing lunches for our Judges, Clerks, and Program presenters, followed by tea, coffee, sweets and savories for our members and guests following the Monthly Program. We also had our first ever evening event after which we offered tea, coffee, sweets and savories to all the attendees. Once again, we were fortunate to have Sam help us in the kitchen during the Program teas. Our Captains did an amazing job and outdid themselves with fantastic meals until our get-togethers were shut down by Covid-19 in March. Our annual Holiday Tea was held in the beautiful Victorian home of Bob Chapman and Florence Sinofsky. There were fabulous holiday floral arrangements throughout the house which were contributed by several of our members. It was a lovely event and everyone who attended enjoyed socializing, the delicious treats, and the opportunity to shop with holiday vendors. Thank you to Charlene Connolly for sending out the invitations, Susan Benner for arranging for fabulous vendors, and Elizabeth Linder for helping out in the kitchen. The Hospitality Committee is grateful for the cooperative effort of our members who take on the task of being a Hospitality Captain and ensuring a wonderful lunch is presented to our guests. Thanks, as well, go out to the members who contribute sweets and savories for our monthly teas. Hopefully, we will be able to resume getting together in person in the near future when we will all be taken care of by our new Hospitality Chair, Janet Oscar.

Division II: Design Design is one of the show’s mandatory divisions and its creative center. Members arrange fresh and/or dried plant materials, often with other components, to interpret the themes in the schedule. The full schedule sets strict requirements for size, materials, and display. Rather than stifling creativity, these shared rules make each designer’s individual and experimental choices more visible. As you view the designs, decide for yourself: Do boundaries inspire creativity? Designs fall into two main groups: ·A Traditional Design is based on a single set pattern of geometric shapes, such as a sphere, a cylinder, or a pyramid. Plant material is used in a naturalistic manner, radiating from one point. Materials, forms, and colors are integrated rather than grouped. A Creative Design is not bound by traditional patterns or styles; the important relationship is between form and space. Eclectic in approach, components are used in a non-realistic manner. Unusual plant material and other unconventional objects not usually associated with flower design may be used. Different types of Creative Design have different requirements, and the designer must conform to those limitations. Judges consider the following: ·Balance —is there balance of colors, forms, and textures? Does the design appear stable and visually balanced: left to right, top to bottom, front to back? Contrast —are there contrasts in colors, forms, and textures providing visual interest? Dominance —what is dominant in the design? Is it color, texture, or specific plant material? Does the design type require something to be dominant? Rhythm —is the rhythm easy to follow through the design, along a specific path? Is the viewer’s eye led out of the frame of reference, or is it contained within the design? Scale —are the size relationships between components complementary? Proportion —is the design in proportion to the frame of reference, or does it extend beyond the allotted space? Does the design fill the frame of reference, or does it look too large or too small? Has the staging been considered, including pedestals, underlays, and staging panels? Selection —are the choices of components and plant material appropriate to the requirements and unique? Organization —are the requirements for the specific design followed? Is the thematic title being expressed? Distinction —the mechanics, workmanship, and condition of all the components, including plant material and staging, will determine how distinctive the floral design is.

Yearbook Committee Reports Committees Starting in 2045-2025, the Yearbook became a a task for the Communications Committee. The website was updated on a regular basis, and a PDF was created from the most important sections and published on September 1 of each year. Some sections, such as awards, were updated only on the web. The goal is to keep a historical record of all our activities, whether on a web page or as part of the annual PDF. 2023-2024 — Floss O'Sullivan, Editor Our team’s focus this year was to support the Club’s environmental efforts and provide information as early as possible to the membership. To highlight pollinators and native plants in New Jersey, we were fortunate to use Claire Stepleton’s beautiful cover photo. It shows the Eastern Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes asterius), which is New Jersey’s state butterfly, balanced on pink Garden Phlox (Phlox paniculata), a native plant in our state. Thanks to the hard work of all the Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs providing detailed information, the Yearbook Committee completed the 2023-24 edition by August 1. To promote use of the Club’s website and provide members with information as early as possible, we thank Sue Young for publishing all the Yearbook’s content by August 10. We printed the yearbook by August 23, mailed 50% and hand delivered 50% so members received their yearbooks by Labor Day in time for the start of the year. With thoughtful consideration about our environmental footprint and costs to produce the Yearbook, we decided to retire the standard printed edition of the yearbook. Instead, we will move all information to the Club’s website, which allows us to provide members with content earlier and place it in relevant subject areas. The Garden Club of New Jersey awarded the Club a Certificate of Merit with Gold Seal for the 2023-2024 Yearbook, with a score of 97 out of 100 points. Sincere thanks to the Yearbook team for another banner year. 2022-2023 — Floss O'Sullivan, Editor This was a banner year for our Yearbook, featuring the 70th Anniversary of Avis Campbell Gardens and Arts & Flowers: A Design Specialty Flower Show. To celebrate, we featured Claire Stepleton's photo of Avis Campbell Gardens on the cover, Victoria Herrera's colorful artwork and explanations of these events on the inside cover, and Karen DeLuca's 70th Anniversary marker and brand-new Club logo. With the Club's growth in members and the robust calendar of events, there was much to communicate to Members meeting in person once again. The Committee Reports are an indication of the dedicated contributions of the Chairs and Vice Chairs, and we thank them for their timely, accurate content. The Garden Club of New Jersey awarded the Club a Certificate of Merit for the 2022-23 Yearbook . The Yearbook team was instrumental in developing a style guide, bridging content with the website, reducing print costs, and hand delivering close to 60 percent of the 146 Yearbooks to save on postage — all by late August, well in time for our new Club year. Thank you team! 2021-2022 — Claire Stepleton, Editor Thanks to timely responses from Committee Chairs and other contributors, we were able to print and distribute 190 Yearbooks last August, well before the first program. Ongoing COVID-19 concerns did not keep this Club from scheduling engaging Programs,Workshops, Exhibitions, Gardening sessions, Garden Therapy projects, and other activities throughout the year. This quality content earned the Club a Certificate of Merit with Gold Seal from the Garden Club of New Jersey for the 2021-22 Yearbook. Karen Whitehaus, Fran Wong, Deb Hirsch, and I tried something new and hand-delivered Yearbooks to 34 of the 148 Members to save postage expense. I'm grateful to all Yearbook contributors for prompt, well-written information, schedules, and reports. Many thanks to Celia Radek for her extensive training and handholding, and to Janice Benton for her sharp-eyed editing and grammar skills. Fran Wong did a terrific job updating the bylaws and directory. Deborah Hirsch's input was key to ensure accuracy of Membership information. I'm also thankful to Florence Leyssène for her contributions and guidance. Last but definitely not least, my thanks and gratitude go to Karen Whitehaus for her excellent editing feedback and her assistance stamping and mailing the Yearbooks. There is no doubt that Floss O'Sullivan will do a fantastic job as the new editor of the 2022-23 Yearbook. 2020-2021 — Celia Radek, Editor Last summer, creativity and flexibility were the catchwords of the Committees that organized the gardening sessions, workshops, programs, and exhibitions that kept the Club connected throughout the year. The Committee reports in this Yearbook show an engaged, Active Membership despite the repeat of to be determined in last year’s calendar. One hundred and eighty-five copies of the Yearbook were printed and mailed to the Membership prior to the first Program meeting, presented on Zoom in September. The 2020-21 Yearbook was submitted to the Awards Committee of the Garden Club of New Jersey. The Club received a Certificate of Merit with Gold Seal and the Yearbook was forwarded to the Central Atlantic Region of State Garden Clubs (CAR) for national award consideration. The Club was honored to receive the National Garden Clubs, Inc., Certificate of Commendation, First Place for Club size 100 – 299 members. Congratulations to all as it is the work of the Club that is being recognized for achievement! Many thanks to all members who supplied the information, schedules, and reports that makes this Yearbook an important resource throughout the GC year; to Deb Hirsch and Fran Wong for Membership Directory updates; to Michele Tomasik for another fabulous cover image; to Fran Ackerly, Janice Benton, and Karen Whitehaus for their detailed proofreading; and to Florence Leyssène for her encouragement and leadership. I’m pleased to turn the reins over to the talented new editor, Claire Stepleton. 2019-2020 — Celia Radek, Editor In 2019, Yearbook production moved into the cloud. The online desktop publishing software, which can be accessed by PC or Mac operating systems, allows collaborative work on documents and easy sharing of draft content. Thanks to Fran Wong for researching the software which is now available for Club use through subscription. Future Yearbook editors will appreciate the easy transition from year to year. Printed at a cost of $925 for 210 copies, the Yearbook was mailed to the Membership prior to the first meeting of the Program year. The Yearbook was submitted to the Awards Committee of Garden Club of New Jersey for consideration and, in July 2020, the Club received word that the 2019-2020 edition was selected to receive a Certificate of Merit with Gold Seal. While the Award pays tribute to format and design, it is, first and foremost, the projects and programs of the Club that are being recognized for achievement. Many thanks to Committee Chairs for their Annual Reports and to the Committees for organizing the creative, fun, and informative Garden Club year; to Deb Hirsch and Fran Wong for keeping the Membership Directory updated and accurate throughout the year; to Michele Tomasik for her fabulous cover image; to proofreaders Fran Ackerly, Janice Benton, Lori Vik, and Karen Whitehaus for their collective eye for detail; and to Florence Leyssène for her good advice and much appreciated encouragement.

Environment We see this page as a developing newsletter, where we document our Club's commitment to the increasingly urgent need to view everything we do individually and as a group through the lens of sustainability. Below you will find upcoming events, featured articles, this committee's mission, News Not exactly news, but read Jacoba's fascinating article on trees on this page, below . She wrote it for the Brookdale Park Conservancy . Events Nov. 13, 6:00 - 8:00pm. Groundbreaking for the Newark portion of the Greenway project is expected in 2025! Join the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and NJ Transit for an open house-style event to learn about project updates, see artistic images of the Greenway, share your thoughts and enjoy light refreshments. See details . Oct. 24, 30 and November 4, 12. at 6:30PM. Rutgers webinar series on environmental impacts from climate change. See flyer for details and click here to register. This Week's Featured Post Want to fix up your lawn the environmentally safe way? Click here . Other Interesting Articles National Wildlife Protection article: " Five Simple Ways to Create Habitat This Fall . " Article in The New York Times real estate section: " A Viable Alternative to Convention al Lawn? Cornell May Have Found One . " Washington Post: " A couple was sick of mowing. Now their wildflowers are a local attraction. " Op-Ed in The New York Times: "Turn the National Mall Into a Wildflower Meadow " Article in Environmental Journal: . "Anxiety and mood linked to bird diversity ." Article in The Cornell Lab : "After The Fire: How A Sustainable Ranch Survived A Natural Wildfire " Mission This committee's mission c enters on creating an Act of Restorative Kindness to our earth within our community. Members work to restore, improve and protect the quality of our environment with like minded community partners. This involves embracing new knowledge and science in the field of conservation and restoration as well as challenging current stan dards of beauty and landscape-care habits. Resources The Greenway Brookdale Park Conservancy Homegrown National Park ,Native Plan t S ociety of NJ Jersey-Friendly Yards Rebecca McMackin newsletter Montclair Bird Club Northeast Earth Coalition EPA: Comp o sting and Recycling Rutgers: New Jersey Climate Change Resource Center Committee Members Chair: Deborah Hirsch Committee: Kathy Bachmann, Andie Bertsche, Jacoba Coes, Karen DeLuca, Marie Donnelly, Susan Dumont, Karen Kadus, Anna Lee, Sydney Milliken, Sheila Curry Oakes, Imke Oster, Brigitte Padberg, Helene Peck, Maryellen Stadtlander, Wendy Stahl, Sonyia Woloshyn, Jane Wallace, Allyn Young, Sue Young ex officio Sarah J. Olson. by Jacoba Coes During the dog days of this sweltering summer, I escaped to Brookdale Park to walk my dog and discovered that it was significantly cooler walking in the park than around town. I figured the park climate had to do with the number of trees we are so lucky to have. A little research taught me that trees have cool powers. We’ve all taken cover under a tree for the shade but trees do even more to affect temperatures. Trees “transpire”. They absorb rainwater through their roots and then release it as vapor via the pores on their leaves, cooling the air. Areas with trees can be up to 10 degrees cooler than city streets. WHAT ELSE DID I DISCOVER IN MY RESEARCH? Trees remove fossil fuel emissions from our atmosphere - a third of worldwide emissions every year, in fact. This is known as carbon sequestration. A roadside tree can reduce indoor pollution by 50 per cent . Particulates land on the leaves and are absorbed by the tree along with the air they take in during the process of photosynthesis. Trees can reduce home heating/cooling energy use by up to 25% according to the US Energy Department . In our region, strategically planting trees based upon the prevailing wind and the sun’s path can maximize the sun’s warming power in winter, provide cooling power in summer by shading, and help influence the impact of the wind. And one of the coolest things about trees - studies show that the mere presence of trees in an urban environment appears to have a correlation to reducing aggression and violence . For more tree awesomeness check out this comprehensive list from the Arbor Day Foundation Newly inspired by how cool trees really are, I want to share a few ways we can help trees thrive. Help get more trees planted. Brookdale Park Conservancy plants trees every year to replace those we lost to storms and to create new areas of beauty. This year we will plant 50 trees - your donations directly fund this program. Advocate for more shade trees in your community. Zero in on the heat map to pinpoint opportunities. Take care of newly planted trees - review how to care for your baby tree . A key take away - watering slowly and longer will let the goodness sink into the ground. If there is a newly planted shade tree near you, help to water it. Support a healthy root system. This starts with exposing the root flare at the base of the trunk. It is part of the tree’s “lungs” and needs direct contact with the air to absorb oxygen. Burying the flare in soil or mulch suffocates the tree. Proper mulching is beneficial, but improper mulching is a tree killer . This video of Roger Cook at This Old House teaches you all about mulching correctly. While you adjust your mulch, consider being a sustainable gardener and mulch with fallen leaves. I hope these ideas take root and that you are inspired to help trees! FAMILY ACTIVITIES Volunteer at Brookdale Park. Learn about planting and caring for native plants, trees and our park. We have fun and are happy to work with volunteers of all ages, including for community service credit. Email info@brookdalepark.org to learn more. Back to main Environment section .

Division IV: Botanical Arts Botanical Arts is an optional division that allows additional types of exhibits that reach beyond the scope of the Horticulture and Design Divisions, highlighting artistic designs and unique horticulture. In this show we offer two sections of Botanical Art: Artistic Crafts and Photography. Botanical Arts: Photography Exhibits must follow the rules presented in the Schedule and relate to the natural world. Accredited Flower Show judges are joined by professional and/or accomplished amateur photographers to evaluate the entries. Judges consider the following: Conformance —does the item meet the requirements set out in the Schedule? Interpretation —has the photographer captured the class title in the image? Composition —do the elements in the photo work cohesively with each other? Artistry/Creativity —is the image aesthetically pleasing, unique, and surprising? Technical —does the photo exhibit a distinctive technical achievement? Impact —does the photo offer a Wow! Factor? photography

Flower Show 2022 Click on any of the images to see them larger. "HM" is short for "Honorable Mention." Division I - Design Section A: "All the World's A Stage" Class 1: "West Side Story" A Creative Parallel Design, staged on a 30” high dining table covered with ivory tablecloth. Four (4) exhibits staged in front of a black divider 36” high provided by committee. Staging panel and underlay required and provided by exhibitor, allowable space 32” high x 24” wide x24” deep. First: Michele Tomasik. (Also won Award of Design Excellence and Tricolor Award.) Second: Marie Donnelly Third: Cheryl Slutzky HM: Susan Brady Class 2: "Oklahoma" A Design, freedom of style and type, staged on a 42” high round black pedestal with 14” black square top, provided by committee. Staged in front of a sage green wall and viewed from front. Allowable space 26” wide x 26” deep, no height restriction. Underlay optional. First: Barbara Baletti Second: Cynthia Corhan-Aitken Third: Sarah Stransky HM: Victoria Herrera Class 3: "Madame Butterfly" An American Traditional Design on a 36” high round black pedestal with a 15” diameter black top, provided by committee. Staged in front of a sage green wall, allowable space 26” wide x 26” deep, no height restriction. Underlay optional. First: Patricia Rodio Second: Betty Murphy Third: Nancy Foster HM: Gretchen Prater Section B: "Revelations" Class 4: "Alvin Ailey" A Challenge Design, staged on 30” high x 18” deep conference table, provided by committee. Three (3) per table, allowable space 24” wide x 18” deep. Identical components will be supplied to exhibitors by consultant no later than August 21, except for fresh flowers which will be supplied September 14. Exhibitor must use a minimum of three (3) components provided. First: Sarah Olson Sarah also won Special Arts & Flowers Award Second: Carol Callahan Third: Susan Benner HM: Nancy Stroud HM: Floss O'Sullivan Section C: "Fascinating Rhythms" Class 5: "Symphony" A Low-Profile Design: a 3-D design incorporating three (3) or more design techniques (HB p.81-83). Techniques must be identified on a 3” x 5” index card. Completed design must be at least four (4) times as long and/or wide as it is high. Staged on a horizontal staging panel required and provided by exhibitor, placed on a 26” long x 16” wide x 7.5” high box provided by committee. Allowable space 36” long x 24” wide. First: Florence Leyssène Second: Brenda Bingham Third: Deborah Moran HM: Celia Radek Class 6: "Jazz" A Design, freedom of style and type, staged on a 30” high table covered with ivory tablecloth. Staging panel and underlay required and provided by exhibitor, allowable space 24” wide x 24” deep, no height restriction. First: Tova Narrett (also won Designer's Choice Award and the Barbara Slockbower Schaeberle Award Second: Susan Dumont Third: Marilyn Zaret HM: Sydney Milliken Class 7: "Hip Hop" A Multi-Rhythmic Design staged on a 42” high black pedestal with 14” square black top, provided by committee. Pedestals placed in the middle of the room. Designs are free standing, viewed and judged from all sides. Allowable space 26” wide x 26” deep, no height restriction. Underlay optional. First: Fran Ackerly Second: Barbara Baletti Third: Deborah Hirsch HM: Jessica Fleming Section D: “The Flower as Muse” Class 8: "Contemporary Art" A Tubular Design, staged on a mantel shelf, 54.5” high from the floor x 10” deep. Staging panel and underlay required and provided by exhibitor, allowable space 12” high x 12” wide x 10” deep, wall color is off-white. First: Fran Ackerly Second: Nancy Stroud Third: Susan Benner HM: Dorothy Meissner Class 9: "Impressionism" A Design, freedom of style and type, staged on a glass-topped shelf, 52.5” high x 10” deep. Staging panel and underlay optional, allowable space 12” high x 12” wide x 10” deep, wall and shelf color are off-white. First: Susan Straten Second: Michelle Quinn Third: Sarah Olson HM: Victoria Herrera Class 10: "Pop Art" A Creative Design, staged on a glass-topped shelf, 52.5” high x 10” deep. Staging panel and underlay required and provided by exhibitor, allowable space 12” high x 12” wide x 10” deep, wall and shelf color are off-white. First: Celia Radek (also won Petite Award) Second: Deborah Hirsch Third: Carol Callahan HM: Maria Matesanz Division II - Botanical Arts Section A: "Botanical Arts Design Class 1: "In Honor of Matisse" A Collage, an abstract design with a dominance of components arranged in a non-realistic manner, staged on a board not to exceed 16” x 20”, provided by exhibitor. May be exhibited horizontal or vertical on easel provided by committee and staged on a glass-topped off-white shelf, 52.5” high x 10” deep. All surfaces of board should be covered or painted, freedom of components, some plant material must be included. First: Marie Donnelly Second: Cheryl Slutzky Third: Barbara Baletti HM: Carol Callahan Class 2: "The Garden of Earthly Delights" A Pot-et-Fleur, not to exceed 14” long or wide, staged on a 36” high sage green pedestal with 16” square top provided by committee and placed in the center of the library. Designs are free standing, viewed and judged from all sides. (A Pot-et-Fleur (HB p. 94) is a design combining two (2) or more flowering and/or foliage plants with roots growing in soil or other medium. Fresh cut flower/s must be included. Dried plant material or natural components may be added for interest.) First: Cynthia Corhan-Aitken (also won Botanical Arts Design Award) Second: Susan Dumont Third: Sarah Olson HM: Nancy Stroud Class 3: "Frame Work" A decorated wreath (any shape), traditional or creative, provided by exhibitor, no larger than 16” x 16” hung on a green metal tripod provided by committee, staged on table 30” high provided by committee. First: Deborah Moran Second: Fran Ackerly Third: Sarah Stransky HM: Floss O'Sullivan Section B: "Botanical Arts Photography Class 4: "Rhythms in Nature" Image of plant(s) that illustrates patterns in nature. Color or Black & White. First: Sheila Curry Oakes Second: Betty Murphy Third: Sarah Olson HM: Michele Tomasik HM: Deborah Moran HM: Susan Yu Class 5: "Avis Campbell Jubilee" Celebrate Avis Campbell’s 70th birthday with your favorite image taken in the garden. Color or Black & White. First: Donna Karanja Second: Claire Stepleton Third: Barbara Baletti Class 6: "Poetic Reflections" Image of a botanical subject and its reflection. Color or Black & White. First: Sarah Stransky Second: Susan Straten Third: Sheila Curry Oakes HM: Donna Karanja HM: Deborah Moran HM: Maureen Sprong Division III - Education Exhibit 1: Native Trees, a Few Understories Small native trees are big contributors to a home landscape. By virtue of their smaller size, these trees are suitable for the residential scale and will create an intermediate layer between shade trees and shrub, perennial, and ground-cover plantings. There are many native trees to choose from which will provide interest throughout the year; with spring flowers to summer shade, autumn color, and winter silhouette. Native trees have evolved in the regions in which they grow, adapted to thrive in the local climate, and support pollinators and beneficial wildlife. Exhibit 2: Oh, Captain My Captain , ACG Bed Captains Share Their Stories This year marks the 70th anniversary of the Garden Club of Montclair’s Avis Campbell Gardens, located behind the public library in downtown Montclair. The Wheel of Life design creates distinct beds which are planned and maintained under the good care of GCM members—the Bed Captains. Here is an opportunity to learn about the plants you’ll find there: combinations and sources, maintenance considerations, and how the Captains pull together to keep color and bloom going from April to November. First: Celia Radek (also won Educational Top Exhibitor Award) Second: Maureen Sprong

Botanical Arts Schedule Open to all levels. All tables are 30" high and covered with ivory linen. See monthly schedule, below. As dates pass, they move to the bottom of this page. Check all rules for Botanical Arts - Horticulture, Design, Artistic Crafts, Photography. See also NGC Handbook for Flower Shows . Need a refresher prior to GCM's monthly competitions? We have online videos to help, featuring Florence Leyssène and Debbie Moran, NGC accredited Master Flower Show Judges. November 16, 2026 Register with Florence Leyssène by Thursday, November 12. ARTISTIC CRAFTS: Deck the Hall 4 entries An Ornament no larger than 5”. Designer’s Choice of plant material and components. Plant material must be identified by binomial names on a 3” x 5” index card. Staged on a white cube 9” x 9” x 9” placed on table 30” high covered with off-white linen provided by committee. Exhibitor to provide the support to hang the ornament for display. BA HORTICULTURE: Fall Foliage 4 entries Arboreal ( Handbook for Flower Shows p. 91). One Branch from a tree or shrub with recognized natural fall colors with majority of leaves firmly attached. Must include several nodes, central leader, and apical tip. Specimen longer than 30” but not exceeding 40” long. Staged in a container provided by committee. Bubble wrap wedging permitted and provided by committee. Exhibitor must provide an entry card with correct binomial name. January 25, 2027 Register with Florence Leyssène by Thursday, January 21 ARTISTIC CRAFTS: Going to a Jazz Concert 4 entries A pair of Earrings no longer than 5” hanging from a display (will provide measurements later) provided by committee staged on table 30” high. Designer’s Choice of plant material and components. Plant material must be identified by binomial names on a 3”x 5” index card. BA HORTICULTURE: Blowing in the Wind 4 entries Dried and Preserved Specimens: Evergreen Cones ( Handbook for Flower Shows p. 92). 1 large, 3 medium, or 12 small, staged on 12” round white paper plate provided by exhibitor. No additional embellishments permitted. Exhibitor must provide an entry card with correct binomial names. February 22, 2027 Register with Florence Leyssène by Thursday, February 18. DESIGN: A Note to a Friend 4 entries A Postcard 5” x 7” decorated with dried plant material. Designer’s Choice of plant material and components. Plant material must be identified by binomial names on a 3” x 5” index card. Exhibitor to supply a stand/easel for display. BA HORTICULTURE: Winter Interest 4 entries Arboreal ( Handbook for Flower Shows p. 91). One Branch from a tree or shrub recognizing natural winter color, form, or textural interest. Must include several nodes, central leader, and apical tip. Specimen longer than 30” but not exceeding 40” long. Staged in a container provided by committee. Bubble wrap wedging permitted and provided by committee. Exhibitor must provide an entry card with correct binomial name. March 22, 2027 Register with Florence Leyssène by Thursday, March 18. DESIGN: Garden Stroll 4 entries Decorated Sun Glasses provided by exhibitor. Must be wearable. Designer’s Choice of plant material and components. Plant material must be identified by binomial names on a 3” x 5” index card. Staged on a white cube 9” x 9” x 9” placed on table 30” high covered with off-white linen. BA HORTICULTURE: Pod Cast 4 entries Dried and Preserved Specimens: Seed pods/heads. ( Handbook for Flower Shows p. 92). 1 large, 3 medium, or 12 small, staged on 12” round white paper plate provided by exhibitor. No additional embellishments permitted. Exhibitor must provide an entry card with correct binomial name. April 26, 2027 Register with Florence Leyssène by Thursday, April 22. DESIGN: Spring Fling 4 entries A pair of decorated Flip-Flops provided by exhibitor, must be wearable. Staged on a shoebox provided by exhibitor, covered in a uniformly solid colored material (paper or fabric). Designer’s Choice of plant material and components. Plant material must be identified by binomial names on a 3” x 5” index card. BA HORTICULTURE: Pressed for Time 4 entries Dried and Preserved Specimens ( Handbook for Flower Shows p. 92). One pressed specimen (flower or foliage) not artistically arranged as a ‘design’ or ‘artwork’. 1 specimen if large, 3 specimens if medium/small on a 8 1/2” x 11” piece of cardboard, staged on easel provided by exhibitor. No additional embellishments permitted. Exhibitor must provide an entry card with correct binomial name. October 19, 2026 Register with Florence Leyssène by Thursday, October 15 . ARTISTIC CRAFTS: Ultimate Updo 4 entries Decorated Hair Comb provided by exhibitor, no larger than 5” in any direction. Must be wearable. Designer’s Choice of plant material and components. Plant material must be identified by binomial names on a 3” x 5” index card. Staged on a white cube 9” x 9” x 9” placed on table 30” high covered with off-white linen provided by committee. BA HORTICULTURE: Dried But Dramatic 4 entries Dried and Preserved Specimen ( Handbook for Flower Shows p. 92). One stem of dried Allium no longer than 25”. No additional embellishments permitted but may use hairspray, Super Surface Sealer, to prevent shattering. Staged on table 30” high covered with off-white linen in a clear vase provided by committee. Exhibitor must provide an entry card with correct binomial name.

Flower Design Schedule The theme for 2026-2027 is "Music Blooms Throughout the Year." See summary chart of monthly schedules below with details underneath the chart. See Flower Design Rules for 2026-2027. Check Workshops for assistance. See also NGC Handbook for Flower Shows . No December competitions. See Flower Show 2024 . See Flower Show 2022 . See Clerking Guidelines. Need a refresher prior to GCM's monthly competitions? We have online videos to help, featuring Florence Leyssène and Debbie Moran, NGC accredited Master Flower Show Judges. Country Music November 16, 2026 Register with Barbara Baletti by November 12. Tea table: TBD All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths. Wall background is an off-white curtain. Only compostable floral foam permitted. No green Oasis permitted. Designer's choice of plant material and components unless specified in schedule. Provisional An American Traditional Vertical Line Mass Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp.70-71 . Staged on a shelf 43” from the floor. Frame of reference: 24”W x 12”D x 18”H. Only fresh plant material can be used. Novice An American Traditional Vertical Line Mass Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70-71. Staged on a table 30" high. Frame of reference: 18”W x 24”D x height determined by exhibitor. Underlay required. Only fresh plant material may be used. Intermediate An American Traditional Line Mass Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. .70-71 Staged on a pedestal 36” high. Frame of reference: 14”W x 14”D x height determined by exhibitor. Advanced A Creative Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 71-72. Emphasizes some type of fiber work, fiber art, or actual fibers within the design. Fiber may be visible in any portion of the design, including staging panel and/or underlay. Fiber may be man-made (acrylic, nylon, polyester) or natural (cotton, wool, hemp, or any fibrous material). Fiber art may include but not limited to crocheting, embroidery, felting, knitting, quilting, weaving, wrapping, etc. Fiber used must be listed on a 3’x5’ card. Staged on a table 42” high. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24”D x 36"H. Advanced Plus A Creative Horizontal Design with a dominant strong horizontal rhythm. See Handbook for Flower Shows , p .74. D Balance is typically asymmetrical and achieved by unlike forms, sizes, and colors. This design is not a traditional centerpiece . Staged on a table 30” high. Frame of reference: 30”W x14”D x14”H. Jazz January 25, 2027 Register with Barbara Baletti by January 21. Tea Table: TBD All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths. Wall background is an off-white curtain. Only compostable floral foam permitted. No green Oasis permitted. Designer's choice of plant material and components unless specified in schedule. Provisional An American Traditional Design in the Form of a Triangle See Handbook for Flower Shows pp. 70-71. Staged on a shelf 43” from the floor. Frame of reference: 14”W x 12”D x 12"H. Only fresh material can be used. Underlay required. Novice A Petite Traditional Design See Handbook for Flower Shows p. 73. Staged on a table 42” high. Frame of reference: 10”W x 8”D x 12H. Underlay required. Intermediate A Petite Tubular Design See Handbook for Flower Shows p. 77 R. Staged on a 9” square cube on a 30” high table. Frame of reference: 9”W x 9” D x 9”H. Underlay optional. Advanced A Panel Design See Handbook for Flower Shows p. 75 K. Staged on a 42” high pedestal with a 16” square top. Frame of reference: 20”W x 20”D height determined by exhibitor. Underlay required not to exceed 16” pedestal top. Advanced Plus A Creative Design featuring mixed-media components (2 or more) integrated into the design to emphasize Color, Form, Pattern, and Texture. Mixed Media component are non-plant material components . They are manufactured components which include (but not limited to) paper, yarn, rattan, caning materials, fabric, cardboard, leather, wire, plastic, etc. Mixed Media differs from Multi-Media as it does not include sound or video projection. Mixed Media used must be listed on a 3” x 5” card. Staged on a table 42” high. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24”D x 36” H. Staging panel and underlay required. Rock and Roll February 22, 2027 Register with Barbara Baletti by February 18. Tea Table: TBD All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths. Wall background is an off-white curtain. Only compostable floral foam permitted. No green Oasis permitted. Designer's choice of plant material and components unless specified in schedule. All exhibits eligible for the Barbara Meyer Rose Award. Provisional An American Traditional Line Design See Handbook for Flower Shows pp. 70-71. Staged on a shelf 43” from the floor. Frame of reference: 14”W x 12”D x 18"H. Only fresh plant material can be used. Novice An American Traditional Horizontal Line Design See Handbook for Flower Shows pp. 70-71 Staged on a table 30” high. Frame of reference: 30”W x 14”D x 14”H. Underlay optional. Only fresh plant material can be used. Intermediate A Parallel Design See Handbook for Flower Shows, pp. 70-71 Staged on a table 30” high. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24”D x 32”H. Staging panel and underlay required. Advanced A Multi-Rhythmic Design See Handbook for Flower Shows p. 75 J. Staged on a 42” high pedestal with a 16” square top. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24”D x height determined by exhibitor. Underlay optional. Advanced Plus A Creative Hanging Design with unrestrictive movement. It cannot be static. The design must freely rotate, suspended from a hook in a frame. Design must not stop moving when encountering the sides of the frame. Staged in a black frame 22”W x 36”H on a table 30” high, frame to be supplied by club. Latin Rhythms March 22, 2027 Register with Barbara Baletti by March 18. Tea Table: TBD All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths. Wall background is an off-white curtain. Only compostable floral foam permitted. No green Oasis permitted. Designer's choice of plant material and components unless specified in schedule. Provisional An American Traditional Mass Design of your choice See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp.70-71 Staged on a shelf 43” from the floor. Frame of reference: 14”W x 12”D x 18”H. Only fresh plant material can be used. Novice An American Traditional Mass Design of your choice See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp.70-71 Staged on a 36” high pedestal with a 14” square top. Frame of reference: 24”W x 18”D x 32”H. Staging panel and underlay optional. Only fresh plant material must be used. Intermediate A Multi-Rhythmic Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , p. 75 J Staged on a 42” high pedestal with a 16” square top. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24”D x height determined by exhibitor. Underlay optional. Advanced An Exhibition Table See Handbook for Flower Shows , p. 76 Not meant to be functional, created artistically to suggest the service of food with no requirements as to the type or number of table appointments. Frame of reference: 24”W x 18”D x 36”H. Staged on a table 30” high. Staging panel and underlay required. Advanced Plus An Assemblage Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , p. 77 A three-dimensional abstract design consisting of plant material and “found” unrelated disparate objects. Found objects are non-art objects, not made or manufactured for decorative purposes. Staged on a table 42” high. Frame of reference: 24”W x 18”D x 36”H. Staging panel and underlay required. The Final Coda April 26, 2027 This month’s competition is open to all design levels. Each exhibitor, regardless of design level , will create a design, freedom of style and type, to be staged as instructed below. The design requirements for all exhibitors include: selecting one of this year’s monthly musical themes (Classical, Country, Jazz, Rock and Roll, or Latin) choosing a specific song/piece of music from that musical genre and citing the artist/composer creating a design interpreting that piece of music. Exhibitors must list the following on a 3” x 5” index card to display next to their design: Musical Genre Song/Composition Title Name of Artist/Composer Register with Barbara Baletti by April 22. Tea Table: TBD All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths. Wall background is an off-white curtain. Only compostable floral foam permitted. No green Oasis permitted. Designer's choice of plant material and components unless specified in schedule. Provisional Design staged on a shelf 43” from the floor. Frame of reference: 14”W x 12”D x18”H. Novice Design staged on a table 30” high. Frame of reference: 20”W x 24”D x height determined by exhibitor. Intermediate Design staged on a table 42” high. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24”D x 36”H. Staging panel and underlay required. Advanced Design staged on a 42” pedestal with a 14” square top. Underlay optional Advanced Plus Design staged on a 36” pedestal with a 16” square top. Underlay optional. Classical Music October 19, 2026 Register with Barbara Baletti by October 15. Tea Table: TBD All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths. Wall background is an off-white curtain. Only compostable floral foam permitted. No green Oasis permitted. Designer's choice of plant material and components unless specified in schedule. Provisional An American Traditional Mass Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp .70-71 S taged on a shelf 43” from the floor. Frame of reference: 14”W x 12”D x 18” H. Only fresh plant material can be used. Novice An American Traditional Mass Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , p p.70-71. Staged on a table 30” high. Frame of reference: 22”W x 24”D x 24”H. Underlay optional. Only fresh plant material must be used. Intermediate An American Traditional Triangular Mass Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp . 70-71. Staged on a table 30” high. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24”D x 32”H. Staging panel and underlay required. Only fresh plant material can be used. Advanced A Cascade Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , p .65. Staged on a 42” high pedestal with a 14” square top. Frame of reference: 14”W x 14”D; height determined by exhibitor. Advanced Plus A Creative Design using ONLY foliage (fresh and/or dried) as plant material. Foliage can be manipulated. Non-plant material may be used but is subordinate to the foliage. Flowers, fungi, husks, kelp, moss, seaweed, sheaths, spathes and bare stems/branches cannot be used. Staged on a 36” high pedestal with a 16” square top. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24”D x height determined by exhibitor. Underlay optional not to exceed 14” pedestal top.

National, Regional, and State Garden Clubs Contact Information and Calendars The Garden Club of Montclair is a member of National Garden Clubs, Inc., Central Atlantic Region of State Garden Clubs, Inc., and The Garden Club of New Jersey, Inc. These organizations provide opportunities for further education and provide a wealth of resources to garden clubs across America. Contact them for more information, events, and resources. National Garden Clubs, Inc. Email and Website 4401 Magnolia Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63110-3492 Phone: 314-776-7574 President : Brenda Moore President's Theme: Go Green - Plant America Central Atlantic Region - SGC, Inc. Contact and Website Director : Monica Hanson CAR-SGC Director 's Theme: Together We Will Plant America for a Cleaner, Greener, and Healthier World 21 Henning Drive Orchard Park, NY 14127-2816 Newsletters Garden Club of New Jersey, Inc. Contact and Website Location: Holly House-Rutgers University 126 Ryders Lane East Brunswick, NJ 08816 President : Beverly Kazickas GCNG President's Theme: Plant America ... Gardening for a Healthy Mind, Body, and Soul District II Director : Julie Morgan Newsletters NGC's "The National Gardener" magazine Winter 2024 Winter 2023 Spring 2023 Summer 2023 Fall 2023 Winter 2022 Spring 2022 Summer 2022 Fall 2022 Winter 2021 Spring 2021 Summer 2021 Fall 2021 See also earlier editions of The National Gardener as well as all NGC publications.

Crane House For many years, members have decorated The Crane House and Historic YWCA for the holidays, using only the ornaments, trimmings and garlands the original 18th-Century owners Israel and Fanny Crane would have would have recognized. Watch the video, below, for a virtual holiday tour. In 2020 the Crane House landed in 4th place in USA Today’s 10 Best Historic Home Tours , thanks to the efforts of the Garden Club of Montclair. See also the article in the Montclair Local . The photos of 2021's decorating extravaganza show how we are ready to win again. Thank you to everyone involved in keeping this beloved tradition alive. What an amazing way to end each year.

Awards – Other See also GCM awards . Award winner names from 1926-1986 are filed in the archives. 2026 National Garden Club Top exhibitor awards at the "Century in Bloom" Standard Flower Show included: Sweepstakes Award for Overall Flower Show: Debbie Moran Horticulture Award of Horticultural Excellence: Celia Radek Arboreal Award: Karen Fricke Collector's Showcase Award: Michele Tomasik Grower's Choice Award: Karen Fricke Awards of Merit: Kathryn Bachmann, Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Kem Louie, Debbie Moran, Celia Radek, Denise Silverman, Valerie Slamka Design Award of Design Excellence: Florence Leyssène Designer's Choice Award: Florence Leyssène Tricolor Award: Cheryl Slutzky Petite Award: Karen Fricke Education Educational Top Exhibitor Award: Karen Fricke Botanical Arts Botanical Arts Artistic Crafts Award: Floss O'Sullivan Botanical Arts Photography Award: Clare Kuch 2023 National Garden Club Arts & Flowers earned the National Garden Club's Flower Show Achievement Award, Certificate of Merit for a Standard Flower Show with a score of 98.5 out of a possible 100. Evaluators stated that the show was "spectacular" and "showcased the talent in design." Top Exhibitor Awards included: Award of Design Excellence: Michele Tomasik Tricolor Award: Michele Tomasik Designer's Choice Award: Tova Narrett Petite Award: Celia Radek Botanical Arts Design Award: Cynthia Corhan-Aitken Educational Award: Celia Radek Recognition Award: Sarah J. Olson Garden Club of New Jersey Mrs. David L. George Silver Cup: Finest judged Standad Flower Show 23-23 Garden Club RFD Trophy: Finest Standard Flower Show Schedule of 2022 Dorothy M. Schick Trophy: Excellence in stating a Standard Flower Show Myra Brooks Memorial Trophy - Creativity in Flower Arranging : Tova Narrett Paricia Grossi Petite Award Trophy: Celia Radek Mrs. Reginald Wilson Memorial Award: Michele Tomasik Garden Club of Montclair President’s Special Recognition Award : Sue Young 2022 Garden Club of New Jersey Yearbook 2021-22 — Award application by Editor, Claire Stepleton. Score 100%. Certificate of Merit with Gold Seal 1st Place YB-1 Yearbook (100-299 members). Website 2021-22 — Sue Young, 2st Vice President and Website Webmaster, and Sarah Stransky. Hanover Garden Club Trophy f or outstanding innovative project. Triangle Gardens (a CivicBeautification project since 1952). Award application by Susan Yu, TriangleGardens Chair, and Sarah Olson. GCNJSpecial Award/Large Club 2021 National Garden Clubs, Inc. Yearbook 2020-21 — Award application by Celia Radek, Editor. Certificate of Commendation First Place YB-1 Yearbooks (100-299 members). Score 100% Virtual Flower Design Education 2021 — Award application by Workshop Chair, Floss O'Sullivan, Florence Leyssène, and Sarah Stransky. Certificate of Merit First Place and Overall Winner Award FD-2 (Aiv). Floral Design Program/Single Club Garden Club of New Jersey Yearbook 2021-21 — Award application by Celia Radek, Editor Certificate of Merit with Gold Seal YB-1 Yearbooks (100-299 members) Garden Therapy 2021 — Award application by Garden Therapy Chair, Sarah Olson, and Sarah Stransky. Myra Brooks Garden Therapy Trophy #15a Renovated Garden Therapy Program

In Memoriam Click on each name for more about the Members we have lost. See the relevant Yearbooks for earlier names. 2025-2026 Joan Larkin Cherry Provost Kathleen Bulgreen 2024-2025 Michele Conlin Mary McGeown Anne von Hoffmann Terri Breen Kate Khachaturian Marilyn Yeutter 2023-2024 Connie DuHamel Pat Green Fritzi Mills Susie Price

Visit more of our projects: Art in Bloom Avis Campbell Gardens Boutique Civic Beautification Crane House Garden Therapy Open Gardens Social Events Triangle Gardens Trips and Outings Youth Projects Art in Bloom Art in Bloom is a biennial exhibition that brings spring to life at the Montclair Art Museum. Club members create unique, harmonious, and thought-provoking floral designs to complement their assigned work of art. See all the designs created in 2026 , the designs of 25 of our members in 2024 , and just a few from 2022 .

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Division I: Horticulture Horticulture is one of the mandatory divisions in the show. Club members take special care to nurture their plants through the growth cycle, and select entries based on what has reached its peak of perfection on the day of the show. Specimens are meticulously groomed to remove blemishes or debris and artfully staged to show off the plant’s best features. It’s important for visitors to note that judging occurs before the show is open to the public, and exhibits may not be at their best one or two days later. Judges consider the following: Nomenclature—does it have its correct scientific binomial name consisting of genus and species or cultivar? Maturity—is it at the pinnacle of its growth cycle? Is it immature so that it doesn’t show the plant at full peak, or over-mature and showing signs that it is past its prime? Quality—is it in excellent health, without blemishes or bruises, demonstrating balance, color, form, and symmetry based on a knowledge of the plant in its ideal state? Presentation—is it displayed at its best, carefully groomed and staged to show off its best features? Conformance—does it meet the requirements set out in the show schedule, such as length or sets of leaves?

Division IV: Botanical Arts Botanical Arts is an optional division that allows additional types of exhibits that reach beyond the scope of the Horticulture and Design Divisions, highlighting artistic designs and unique horticulture. In this show we offer two sections of Botanical Art: Artistic Crafts and Photography. Botanical Arts: Artistic Crafts Artistic Crafts are objects that have a function. They should also be artistically pleasing, but they must have a primary purpose, such as a shoe, a hat, a birdhouse, etc. Judges consider the following: Conformance —does the item meet the requirements set out in the Schedule? Design —are all the elements and principles of design used in crafting the object? Craftsmanship —does the item display excellence and skill, as well as technical execution? Distinction —is there an artistically unique use of materials and incorporation of the theme of the class? Are the materials used in pristine condition? Botanical Arts: Photography Exhibits must follow the rules presented in the Schedule and relate to the natural world. Accredited Flower Show judges are joined by professional and/or accomplished amateur photographers to evaluate the entries. Judges consider the following: Conformance —does the item meet the requirements set out in the Schedule? Interpretation —has the photographer captured the class title in the image? Composition —do the elements in the photo work cohesively with each other? Artistry/Creativity —is the image aesthetically pleasing, unique, and surprising? Technical —does the photo exhibit a distinctive technical achievement? Impact —does the photo offer a Wow! Factor? photography