Committee Reference Guide for 2025-2026 This year, our committee descriptions are a little different. The Board decided at our February meeting that we would ask members to sign up ONLY for the committees to which they feel they can ACTIVELY contribute. The list below is not a general description of our committees, but a request for volunteers. Please check your committee of choice to see whether you feel you can contribute. CLICK HERE to return to the Annual Dues Form. CLICK HERE for a general description of all our committees. Avis Campbell Gardens and Grounds: Maintain the perennial gardens and shrub plantings, April through early November. Committee members meet as a group every Tuesday morning, with other days and special events scheduled as needed. Committee members will fill one of these three roles: 1. Bed Captain, 2. Bed Partner, 3. Garden Floater. Botanical Arts: Committee members will work with the Chair(s) to help create the schedules at the beginning of the year and help set up the monthly exhibitions. Civic/Environment: Several new joint projects with the township are currently in planning stages. Physically able committee members will assist with the planting and initial maintenance of these projects. Environmentally committed members will search out examples of sustainable practices both within our town and globally, and work with the committee to highlight these on the Club’s social media and website platforms. Be prepared to interface with other committees of our club to learn, educate, and share ideas. Communications & Publicity: We are looking for Members who can contribute short accounts and photographs of Club activities for inclusion on the website. Share personal experience of new media to ensure the Club makes the best use of fast-changing technology. We are actively recruiting a publicity person to manage social media and external announcements. Facilities: Assist Chair in the maintenance of the Club’s physical plant. Ensure spaces (Club Room and Auditorium or outdoor space) are set up as needed. Interface with building management, i.e., communicate GC needs for use of space, garbage disposal, cleanliness of space. Flower Design: Attend committee meetings to help decide yearly theme, schedule, workshops etc. Assist Design Chair at monthly design competitions and workshops as well as assisting with other responsibilities associated with Flower Design. Garden Boutique: Assist Chair in maintaining the Club’s boutique store. Help set up off-site Boutique events and coordinate outside vendor sales twice a year, and perform other duties as needed. Garden Therapy: Garden Therapy is an opportunity to "give back" to the community with visits to nursing homes, senior centers, specialized schools, and refuges. Garden Club members work with the institutions to design programs that will interest participants and members alike, ranging from hands on workshops covering floral design, aromatherapy, botanical collage art and raised garden bed planting of annuals and herbs. Committee members will participate in purchasing materials, mentoring participants at events, helping to set up and break down the workshops and arranging car pools if needed. Horticulture: Attend committee meetings to help develop the horticulture schedule, choose the Horticulture “Project of the Year” and workshop. Assist Chair with set up and breakdown at monthly competitions, workshops and share your knowledge of exhibiting with new members. Hospitality: One of our three goals is "Fellowship," and the Hospitality Committee ensures that it is never far from any Club event. Members of this committee help organize lunches and teas, and provide all kinds of comforting fare for members and for judges at our competitions. Committee members should also help with set up and breakdown of these events. Membership: Volunteers on this committee are the welcoming faces for Provisionals. Their job is to mentor and make sure new members feel comfortable during their first year. As ambassadors for the Club, they publicize and recruit new members. They will also meet and greet members and visitors at program meetings and other events, and are expected to attend at least one program meeting where they will hand out and collect name tags. Programs: Yearly: Assist Chair(s) in suggesting and selecting interesting speakers for the monthly program meetings. Monthly: Solicit raffle items from speakers and/or purchase items for raffles. Confirm speakers 2 weeks prior to program meeting, confirm their needs for presentation. Check in members/guests at program meetings and sell raffle tickets. Send written thank you notes to speakers after each program. Learn how to set up audio and video equipment and assist Chair(s) with set up and break down at monthly programs. Be available to attend to guest speaker’s needs. Properties: Make sure our exhibitions and shows have the right equipment to make everything run smoothly. Committee members will set up and breakdown for competitions. Triangle Mall Gardens: Plant and maintain the raised beds in the downtown Montclair Church Street area. The schedule of work days will be created by the committee. Spring: Prune shrubs and perennials, pull spent tulip bulbs and plant annuals. Summer: Weed and water as needed. Late Fall: pull annuals and plant tulips. The fall and spring workdays (8:30 am - 12:30 pm) are scheduled on Mondays in late October and May. Ways & Means: Plan and implement fundraising activities that are needed for specific projects. Members have the opportunity to lead specific projects. Workshops: Attend planning meeting over the summer to assist Chair(s) in selecting and organizing monthly workshops and recruiting instructors. Help Chair(s) with set up/break down/clean-up of meeting room. Crane House Decorating Sub-Committee: Assist with pick-up and delivery of greens; assist with set up/clean-up for wreath and swag making; provide refreshments on decorating day; assist with clean up on decorating day. Youth: Help plan and lead activities that introduce children to basic principles of gardening, floral design, floral arts, ecology, and conservation.

Reports of the Botanical Arts Committee of the Garden Club of Montclair Botanical Arts Committee Reports Committees 2024-2025 — Florence Leyssène Chair; Debbie Moran, Vice Chair The Botanical Arts Division held competitions this past year in October, November, January, February, March and April. Each month offered two classes from the Horticulture, Design, Artistic Crafts and Photography sections. A variety of classes was presented: Dried and Preserved Flowers in Horticulture; Exploration, Mobile, Plaque and Pot-et-Fleur in Design; Mask, Napkin Ring, Brooch, Bird House and Corsage in Artistic Crafts; two classes in Photography. The Botanical Arts Division seems to be successful as it attracts new and very enthusiastic designers. 2024-2025 Committee: Kathy Bachmann, Barbara Baletti, Karen DeLuca, Karen Fricke, Debbie Moran, Tova Narrett, Floss O’Sullivan, Susan van Inwegen. 2023-2024 — Florence Leyssène Chair; Debbie Moran, Vice Chair This past year marked the second year since the introduction of classes in the Botanical Arts Division for monthly competition. In each month, two classes were offered from among four sections in the Division ― Botanical Arts, Horticulture, Design, Artistic Craft and Photography ― and the member response was both enthusiastic and impressive in the degree of creativity and detailed execution. It’s clear that there is a home in Botanical Arts classes for some members who do not wish to participate in Flower Design, but like the opportunity to express their creativity using plant material in this different, slightly more informal environment. A decorated fresh pumpkin in the fall and a shoe embellished with plant material were enthusiastically and delightfully created, stunning invitation cards were crafted for a winter party, and a botanical jewelry bracelet and two photography assignments were also challenges embraced. Still a relatively new Division for NGC, each year brings a learning curve that will no doubt continue. Finding imaginative challenges for our members may be the toughest task for the Botanical Arts committee next year!

Garden Boutique Committee Reports Committees 2024-2025 — Susan Benner, Chair The mission of the Garden Club Boutique is to support members’ gardening and design needs while contributing revenue. Items are sold at our Program Meetings and Workshops. Although a Basket Raffle wasn’t held this year, we hope to hold one for the 100th Anniversary. The Boutique generated $450 in profit. Boutique items are now stored in the Club storage room. 2024-2025 Committee : Marie Donnelly, Anna Lee, Kem Louie, Nancy Stroud, Allyn Young, Marilyn Zaret. 2023-2024 — Susan Benner, Chair The mission of the Garden Club Boutique is to support your gardening and design needs while contributing revenue to the Club. Once again, flexibility is the key for the Garden Club Boutique. We continued selling items at our Programs and Workshops and had another successful “Basket” program. We generated $1,895 in profit this past year (Revenue: $3,188, Expenses: $1,293). Awards luncheon vendor donations from 2023 appear as income for 2023-2024. We have not received all the donations from the recent awards program, so they will appear as income for 2024-2025. Vendors donated over $450 from sales at our Holiday Tea. We anticipate similar donations from vendors at the Awards Luncheon. Special thanks to all those members and local businesses which donated items and bought tickets for our Baskets at the Luncheon, which contributed $760 to the Club. For those who got a basket, please thank the businesses who donated when you visit their shops. Special thanks to the members of the Boutique Committee for all their efforts. We welcome any new members to the team. All items are stored at the home of Susan Benner. If an item is needed, just ask Susan. 2022-2023 — Susan Benner, Chair The mission of the Garden Boutique is to support your gardening and design needs with flexibility, while contributing revenue. We continued our "Basket" sales and started selling items at our Program and Workshop meetings. We generated over $4000 in profit this past year. With revenue from a large donation of items from Brenda Bingham, we started off the year with $1,351 at our July "Garage Sale." Arts & Flowers : A Design Specialty Flower Show generated over $2,200 in sales ($1,700 in profit). We sold flower show notecards and bags. Special thanks to all our Members who contributed art for sale, which generated $702 in pure profit, along with our gorgeous photo flower dress, which generated over $142 in donations. Vendors generated over $800 from sales at our Holiday Tea and Awards Luncheon. Special thanks to all those Members and local businesses that donated items and bought tickets for our raffle at the luncheon, which contributed over $500 to the Club. Special thanks to the Boutique team and we welcome new Members to join us. Contact Susan Benner for needed items. 2021-2022 — Susan Benner, Chair Once again, our need for a flexible meeting place has challenged the revenue generation of the Garden Boutique. The cancellation of our in-person meetings, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, limited opportunities to sell boutique items and vendor contributions. We did not meet our budget of $1,000 but contributed a profit of $492. The Garden Boutique page on the Club's website was set up last year, but few new items were purchased. The boutique focused on selling our current inventory with a focus on demand items: Oasis, AgraWool, gloves, and garden utensils. "Basket" sales were the primary means of selling. For 2022-2023 our strategy will focus on sales during the 2022 ARTS & FLOWERS, A Design Specialty Flower Show, and providing items for sale as a service to our Members. We continue to use the "at cost" pricing strategy as a service to our Club Members by keeping the costs of tools for design and garden below general retail price. Look for exciting unique Garden Boutique items for sale at September's flower show! Vendor participation was inhibited during the past year, and we hope for more involvement in the upcoming year. Special thanks to the Garden Boutique team who helped with set up and sales. All items are stored at the home of Susan Benner. Just contact Susan Benner if you need anything. The boutique will need help at the 2022 flower show and to "reset" the boutique in the Club room after the remodeling. Please join the team. The mission of the Garden Boutique is to support your gardening and design needs. If an item is needed, JUST ASK. 2020-2021 — Susan Benner, Chair The Garden Club Boutique contributed $570 to the Club this year, less than the budgeted amount of $1,000. The cancellation of our in-person meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic limited opportunities for Boutique item sales and vendor contributions. The Boutique set up a page on the Club’s website. Few new items were purchased as the Boutique focused on selling current inventory. “Basket” sales were the primary selling mechanism. The 2021-2022 marketing strategy will focus on vendor contributions and sales at the 2022 Flower Show while providing items for sale as a service to our members. We continue to use the “at cost” model as a service to our Club members by keeping the prices of tools for design and gardening below general retail levels. Special thanks to the Boutique team who helped pack up Boutique items in anticipation of the United Way Building remodeling project. All items are now stored at the home of Susan Benner. Contact Susan if you need anything. The Boutique will need help next year for the 2022 Flower Show and then to "reset" the Boutique in the Club Room after remodeling is complete. Please join the team. The mission of the Garden Club Boutique is to support your gardening and design needs. If an item is needed that we don't stock, JUST ASK. 2019-2020 — Susan Benner, Chair The Garden Club Boutique exceeded its projected income of $500 and contributed $1,257 to the Club this year, despite the cancellation of our in-person meetings starting in March due to the Covid-19 emergency. We continue to use the "at cost" pricing strategy as a service to our Club members by keeping the cost of tools for Flower Design and gardening below general retail price. Our profit was achieved by selling unique items such as insulated gardening gloves, Therapy Dough, and Jellyfish air plants, as well as our holiday plants. The biggest revenue comes from the donations from vendors who sell products during our Holiday Tea and Annual Awards Luncheon. The new Make Earth Green Again caps were a success. We donated the profits from the sale of these MEGA caps to A Lot to Grow and NorthEast Earth Coalition — both nonprofit organizations support sustainability and the protection of the environment in Montclair ($108 each). We will order more caps next year for sale during the 2021 Specialty Flower Show. Many of our talented members are once again painting pictures inspired by the flowers in the wonderful Avis Campbell Gardens. The Boutique will sell them next year during the 2021 Flower Show. Special thanks to the Boutique team who helped pack up the Boutique items in anticipation of the remodeling of the United Way Building. All items are now stored at the home of Susan Benner. Contact Susan if you need anything. The Boutique will need help next year for the 2021 Flower Show and then to "reset" the Boutique in the Club room after the remodeling. Please join the team. The mission of the Garden Club Boutique is to support your gardening and design needs. If an item is needed, don't hesitate to ask.

Contact Us If you are interested in joining us, please go to our provisional member page . If you would just like to talk to someone about what we do, please fill out this form and we will get back to you as quickly as possible. Name Address Email Phone Subject Message Thanks for contacting us! We'll get back to you as soon as possible. Submit

Awards – Other See also GCM awards . Award winner names from 1926-1986 are filed in the archives. 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 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 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

Workshop Committee Reports Committees 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.

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Open Gardens Reports Committees 2024-2025 — Marilyn Zaret, Moderator The Open Gardens Experience continued to thrive this spring as it entered its 8th year with a new entry featuring Marie Donnelly’s “Ode to the Weeping Cherry Tree” and a welcome repeat of Kathy Bachmann’s “Farm to Fable” festivities. Kazy Varnelis, the head of the NJ Native Plant Society, shared his rocky terrain and favorite natural gardening tips. Last year our hosts beat the heat with a moon garden, tested short notice invitations, and even welcomed devoted guests on rainy days. Our non-member friends, George Long and Patty Sullivan, once again joined our host list of repeat performances along with members Marilyn Zaret, Brigitte Padberg, and Bob Chapman with Florence Sinofsky. We look forward to our future Open Garden hosts taking the opportunity to determine their favorite days and themes for new and repeated venues. 2023-2024 — Marilyn Zaret, Moderator Open Gardens began its seventh year with a waiting list of excited volunteer hosts, all non-members, anxious to show off their spring blooms. Yet dozens of our Garden Club members were otherwise engaged with Art in Bloom, channeling their inner gardeners to create floral interpretations from Montclair Museum’s art collection. Consequently, we look forward to those potential hosts inviting us on any summer or fall day of their choosing. Over 40 events have built a large community of fellow gardeners, and we continue to be rewarded by invitations from our friends outside the Club. During the 2023-2024 season, these included Deb Ellis, John Suskewich, George Long, and Patty Sullivan. From our membership, first-timer Imke Oster charmed us with pink and purple blooms and yellow ducklings. In June we saw the first stages of Cynthia Corhan-Aitken’s landscape design at Karen Fricke’s garden and how beautifully her plans develop over several years when we visited Cynthia’s home later that season. Tova Narrett treated us to daffodil designs at her new home and I chose the sunset hours for my August party. Early May of 2024 brought rainy weather, yet Brigitte Padberg welcomed guests to her one-woman terraced monument that towers over her home. She personally led every climber to the summit where so many of us viewed the Manhattan skyline three years ago. During the last weekend of May, Susan Straten tested the instant Open Garden with one day’s notice and nearly two dozen spontaneous guests showed it can be done. As the friends we include continue to expand our program and our members shift to casual gatherings, we look forward to a wonderfully relaxed year in 2024-2025, where all kinds of gardens are welcome. 2022-2023 — Marilyn Zaret, Moderator Open Gardens branched out in unexpected ways by including non-member hosts, on-site tutorials, and a house and studio tour for over a dozen garden events this past year. Tova Narrett opened the season at her new home with her fourth year of daffodil glory. One of her guests, George Long, shared his Japanese style garden and was delighted by the inquiries about his extensive collection of rare plants. Deb Ellis, who heads the local native plant society, gave a tutorial in her back yard. Neighbor John Suskewich showed us his wild ensemble of specimens collected during his thirty years at New York Botanical Garden. Four days after lmke Oster's favorite tree peaked in pink blooms we had guests enjoying desserts on the deck while ducklings played in the grass. Karen Fricke stunned us with the one-year renovation of her house and garden, courtesy of Cynthia Corhan-Aitken of Twig & Vine Design. Karen's quilting studio, the core of her creativity, capped a wonderful Open Garden experience. We had our first Nopened (non-member) Garden at Carol Mahoney's beautiful Beatrix Cottage Fantasy, followed by Patty Sullivan's Walk on the Wildwood Side showplace of her personal projects that included a rustic archway, bluestone patio, and lily pond fountain. Bob Chapman and Florence Sinofsky generously hosted their third event at their Shangri-La in the Shade last July. Peter and I hosted an Anderson Park outdoor movie event, but the real show was the 25-foot-high rustic arch designed by Chuck Baum and enhanced by forty-foot bamboo supports thanks to Susan Yu's donation. The real WOW factor of 2022 took place pre-Halloween at Maureen Sprong's where dozens of dahlias reached their peak. The converted garage, (another Chuck Baum influence), provided the perfect perch for lemonade in that beautiful Victorian style venue. We have celebrated over 30 Open Garden events to the delight of our hosts and hundreds of their garden guests. The seed has been planted and all are welcome to showcase their own treasured gardens. 2021-2022 — Marilyn Zaret, Moderator "You are at your very best when things are [at their] worst," a quote from the movie "Starman," describes our Garden Club during the past two years. Always an engaging place to share ideas, nurture friendships and celebrate beauty, this group had to suddenly shift all programs to a virtual world. Open Gardens became our safe and social gathering place. As the pandemic caused travel plans and cultural events to shut down, we saw a significant rise in attendance from those who were happily grounded, at least for our garden parties. Cheryl Slutzky joined Provisionals Virginia Woo and Anna Lee in treating their neighborhood to July's Fernwood Avenue Stroll. Brigitte Padberg surprised us with a terraced rock mountain that she had assembled by hand over 20 years and Deborah Hirsch's 1880 Victorian Craftsman home staged a fairy tale setting with Cynthia Corhan-Aitken's expertise. Our Members met Provisional Kathryn Bachmann when she showcased her family's COVID-19 project — a new raised swimming pool — where we watched a video of the process on an outdoor television. September wrapped the season as I shared my own COVID-19 project, a 25-foot-high rustic archway, designed by Chuck Baum and made possible by Susan Yu's bamboo stalks. Now in transition as pandemic warnings are waning and schedules fill up, Open Gardens will continue to adapt and welcome all formats and ideas to accommodate past and future hosts from our amazing Garden Club, along with their families and friends. 2020-2021 — Marilyn Zaret, Moderator If there ever was a challenge to the Open Gardens Program, it was the summer of 2020. While our Club’s programs and meetings continued through Zoom technology, it looked like doom for our special garden parties. However, this challenge was met in mid-July when Florence Leyssène offered her garden to reunite our members. Masked guests poured in and stayed for hours to admire this botanical paradise, and to look over the photos of her thirty year process. October was my chance to embrace a Halloween theme in my own garden featuring costumed mannequins. We even invited families to join us from nearby Anderson Park. With an Opener and Closer, the summer of 2020 was a memorable one. Travel bans continued in 2021 and attendance increased as many newcomers joined the faithful regulars. In early May, Brigitte Padberg opened her garden to share her personal monument of multiple terraces and paths composed of the rocks she rearranged on her steep hill 30 years ago. Lucky climbers were treated to a Manhattan skyline view. Tova Narrett hosted her third party in four years with a Victorian venue of white blossoms while her daffodil field went dormant. In June we entered through a white picket fence to the fairy tale scene of Deborah Hirsch’s 1870 Gothic Carpenter home. With the help of Cynthia Corhan-Aiken, this cottage garden was transformed into a year round charmer and had over 60 delighted guests. This program has survived and thrived during this past year with its 20th Open Garden event and exceptionally high attendance as the pandemic winds down. I am overwhelmed by success and grateful to the hosts and the hundreds of exceptional people who came together during the challenges of 2020 and 2021. 2019-2020 — Marilyn Zaret, Moderator Open Gardens, an idea born from the pleas of our Membership to see the magic behind our fellow gardeners' workshops, celebrated its second successful year with eight beautiful venues open during the warm months. Open Gardens provides a platform of creativity by and for our members. All are encouraged to share their personal spaces and vision. Yet it seemed natural to branch out and include our neighbors, families, and friends. Gardens of all sizes and styles were showcased to crowds that ranged from 20 to 50 per event, likely reaching hundreds of exuberant guests through the season. Several gracious hosts found the experience so gratifying that half of those from the previous year signed up for an encore. In fact, some were invited to participate in the 2019 Van Vleck "Roses to Rock Gardens" tour which made the experience even more precious to our Club to have first dibs. As moderator, I've opened my own garden and will do so again. I have found the greatest joy in the Club's response to this simple idea, particularly with the gracious hosts whom I regard as my revolving committee: Tova Narrett, Nancy Stroud, Maureen Sprong, Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Barbara Meyer, Denise Silverman, Karen and Larry Whitehaus, Victoria Herrera, Stacie Gray, Sarah Olson, and Bob Chapman, who met Florence Sinofsky at his own Open Garden event, only to co-host again, his new wife at his side.

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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.

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Committees Descriptions, Chairs, and Members Click on a committee button, or scroll down to read about them all. Avis Campbell Facilities Hospitality Awards Finance Membership Triangle Botanical Arts Flower Design Nominating Ways & Means Church Street Garden Boutique Open Gardens Workshops Civic/Environment Garden Therapy Program Communications Horticulture Properties Youth Avis Campbell Gardens Reports 2019-2025 Ana Zalles Moore, Chair; Wendy Stahl, Vice Chair; Barbara Meyer, Rose Chair Members 2025-2026: Olga Bequillard, Susan Dumont, Donna Karanja, Anne Kerr, Clare Kuch, Kem Louie, Maria Matesanz, Barbara Meyer, Debbie Moran, Tova Narrett, Sarah Olson, Celia Radek, Edith Ries, Maggie Rothman, Valerie Slamka, Grete Scheidl, Maureen Sprong, Michelle Tomasik, Michele Trevenen, Jane Wallace, Karen Whitehaus, Susan Yu, Lauren Zodel, and Provisionals. The Avis Campbell Gardens and Grounds Committee maintains the grounds and the display gardens located behind 60 S Fullerton Ave. The gardens are open to the public. Designed by landscape architect and Garden Club member Avis Campbell and installed in 1952, the gardens are inspired by the Wheel of Life and feature a pedestal fountain surrounded by roses and beds of flowering perennials and annuals. The grounds include a memorial to Essex County residents who lost their lives on September 11, 2001. Volunteers are welcome to join committee members who garden every Tuesday morning from April through mid-November. Awards Tova Narrett, Chair Members 2025-2026 : This group of members is responsible for managing which members receive Garden Club awards. Click here for the full list of awards and recipients since 1980. Member of this committee are appointed. Reports 2019-2025 Botanical Arts Reports 2019-2025 Florence Leyssène, Chair; Debbie Moran, Vice Chair Members 2025-2026 : Kathy Bachmann, Barbara Baletti, Karen DeLuca, Karen Fricke, Debbie Moran, Tova Narrett, Floss O’Sullivan, Susan van Inwegen. Recently joining the line-up of Club activities, Botanical Arts (BA) offers additional opportunity for creative expression and presentation of other types of horticulture, design and exhibits. Included under the BA umbrella are Botanical Horticulture, Botanical Design, Artistic Crafts, and Photography. Church Street Gardens (formerly Triangle Gardens) Reports 2019-2025 Kathy Bachmann, Chair; Maggie Rothman, Vice Chair Members 2024-2025: Charlene Connolly, Nancy Foster, Betty Murphy, Deborah Hirsch, Anna Lee, Sara Olson, Janet Oscar, Maggie Rothman, Valerie Slamka, Kathy Sorkin, Wendy Stahl, Nancy Stroud, Pamela Torre, Jane Wallace, Sue Young. Church Street Gardens include the raised planting beds along Church Street and the traffic circle at the corner of Valley Road, planted in the summer of 2025. Active and provisional Members plant in the spring and maintain through the summer and fall, turning downtown Montclair into an oasis that residents take for granted. The Business Improvement District partners with the club, supplying funds and maintenance assistance during the growing season. Civic/Environment Reports 2019-2025 Deborah Hirsch, Chair; Sarah Olson, Vice Chair Members 2025-2026 : Kathy Bachmann, Karen Carter, Jacoba Coes, Marie Donnelly, Susan Dumont, Karen Kadus, Anna Lee, Maria Matesanz, Sydney Milliken, Sheila Oakes, Sarah Olson, Imke Oster, Susan Straten, Jane Wallace, Sue Young. The mission of this Committee is to encourage environmentally responsible beautification of our town’s outdoor green spaces. This Committee’s goal is to act as a resource for individual and organizational stewardship for planning and plant selection and to provide physical help where appropriate. We will offer advice on ways to beautify town businesses and create floral displays when requested. We will search for existing gardens that exemplify sustainable practices and businesses whose plantings or containers show significant effort in the use of pollinator friendly and native plants. We will highlight these examples on social media and website platforms. We will interface with other committees of our club to learn, educate, and share ideas. Communications/Publicity Reports 2019-2025 Celia Radek, Chair; Sue Young, Vice Chair Members 2025-2026 : Janice Benton, Karen DeLuca, Deborah Hirsch, Tova Narrett, Tracy Reilly, Amy South, Allyn Young. Not only do we need to inform members of all our activities, but we need to reach out to new gardeners. This committee runs this website, blasts out social media, updates our history online and with an annual printable Yearbook, communicates with blog updates and emails, and links with the public and press through social media and event notifications. It also helps all committees with publicity and other communications requirements. Facilities Reports 2019-2025 Karen Whitehaus, Chair Member 2025-2026 : Deborah Hirsch. Members of this committee oversee the very important maintenance of the Club’s physical plant. They are responsible for maintaining the Club's meeting rooms, whether at 60 South Fullerton Avenue or elsewhere. Finance Reports 2019-2025 Bob Chapman, Chair; Vice Chair TBD Members 2025-2026 : Class of 2026—Nancy Stroud, Imke Oster; Ways & Means—Gretchen Prater (non-voting); Class of 2027—Lissa Barrett, Karen Kadus; President (ex officio)—Fran Ackerly. As in any organization, this committee is responsible for collecting dues, creating and managing a budget, and ensuring we meet all legal and ethical standards concerning our finances. Members are appointed. Flower Design Reports 2019-2025 Barbara Baletti, Chair; Florence Leyssène, Vice Chair Members 2025-2026: Fran Ackerly, Barbara Baletti, Susan Brady, Carol Callahan, Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Karen Fricke, Florence Leysènne, Tova Narrett, Deborah Moran, Amy Poster, Michele Quinn, Cheryl Slutzky, Sarah Stransky, Flower Design is an integral component of the Garden Club. Monthly competitions provide opportunities for new and experienced designers to showcase their designs, receive feedback from judges, and earn ribbons and design credits. By attending the many workshops offered each year by our expert designers, members can improve their design skills, learn about the different design types, staging, and mechanics. Garden Boutique Reports 2019-2025 Susan Benner, Chair Members 2025-2026 : Susan Brady, Ellen Colton, Marie Donnelly, Susan Dumont, Dorothy Meissner, Sara Olson, Brigitte Padberg, Nancy Stroud. The Garden Boutique not only provides gardening and flower design tools, caps, aprons, and other eye-catching gifts to members, but it makes a profit and contributes to our annual budget. Our chair is always open to new ideas for items. Garden Therapy Reports 2019-2025 Olga Bequillard, Chair; Sheila Oakes, Vice Chair Members 2025-2026 : Fran Ackerly, Susan Benner, Betsy Burgess, Susan Dumont, Anna Lee, Maria Matesanz, Betty Murphy, Sara Olson, Imke Oster, Denise Silverman, Cheryl Slutzky, Wendy Stahl, Michele Tomasik, Jane Wallace. Garden Therapy is an opportunity to “give back” to the community with visits to nursing homes, senior centers, specialized schools and refuges. GC members work with institutions to design programs that will interest participants, ranging from hands on workshops such as aromatherapy, floral design, botanical arts and the planting of annuals, perennials and herbs in garden beds or windowsill planters. Horticulture Reports 2019-2025 Heidi Muschick, Chair; Susan Straten, Vice Chair Members 2025-2026 : Jacoba Coes, Celia Radek, Denise Silverman. Horticulture involves the cultivation of fruits, flowering plants, vegetables, and ornamental plants with opportunities for members to exhibit specimens from their gardens or potted plants from their homes. Hospitality Reports 2019-2025 Florence Sinofsky, Chair; Betty Murphy, Vice Chair Members 2025-2026 : Betsy Burgess, Carol Callahan, Charlene Connolly, Karen Kadus, Dorothy Meissner, Betty Murphy, Amy Poster, Michele Quinn, Elizabeth Seebode-Zazzali, Pat Sullivan-Perry, Cheryl Slutzky. One of our three goals is "Fellowship," and the Hospitality Committee ensures that it is never far from any Club event. Our members look forward to the tradition of delicious lunches, teas, and all kinds of comforting fare conjured — apparently — out of nowhere. Membership Reports 2019-2025 Cheryl Slutzky, Chair; Susan Dumont, Vice-Chair Members 2025-2026 : Sarah Olson, Brigitte Padberg, Kathy Sorkin, Sue Young. This committee is responsible for recruiting and welcoming new members and managing all aspects of membership in the Club. Nominating Reports 2019-2025 Marie Donnelly, Chair Members 2025-2026: Barbara Baletti, Susan Benner, Karen Fricke, Sarah Olson, Florence Sinofsky, Fran Wong; Membership (ex officio)—Cheryl Slutzky; President (ex officio)—Fran Ackerly. The Nominating Committee prepares slates of candidates for Club officers and fills vacancies should they occur. Members of this committee are appointed. Open Gardens Reports 2019-2025 Marilyn Zaret, Moderator Connecting our Members, Open Gardens provides an opportunity to share knowledge and creativity. With friends included, these periodic social gatherings continue to expand in popularity, and serve as outreach to our community. Program Reports 2019-2025 Cynthia Cohan-Aitken, Chair; Karen Fricke, Vice Chair Members 2025-2026 : Barbara Baletti, Charlene Connolly, Sydney Milliken, Amy Poster, Sarah Stransky. Program meetings are held monthly from September to April for members and guests. Speakers come with an extensive knowledge of gardening, flower design and horticulture as well as topics as varied as the history of Essex County parks, color theory, tree therapy, and the relationship of the fashion industry to gardening. Properties Reports 2019-2025 Pam Turre, Chair; Melody Brown, Vice Chair Member 2025-2026 : Angel Pollack These behind-the-scenes troupers are responsible for making sure our exhibitions and shows have the right equipment to make everything run smoothly. Ways & Means Susan Benner, Chair; Olga Bequillard, Vice Chair Members 2025-2026 : Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Marie Donnelly, Deborah Hirsch, Anna Lee, Janet Oscar, Amy Poster, Cheryl Slutzky, Amy South, Susan Straten, Nancy Stroud, Michele Trevenen, Marilyn Zaret, This committee searches for ways to generate revenue to support the various club projects. Reports 2019-2025 Workshops Reports 2019-2025 Karen Fricke, Chair; Tova Narrett, Vice Chair Members 2025-2026 : Barbara Baletti, Susan Brady, Florence Leysenne, Dorothy Meissner, Barbara Meyer. Workshops are organized throughout the year to help members — provisionals in particular — learn about flower design, cultivating and exhibiting horticulture specimens, as well as other topics related to gardening. Youth Reports 2019-2025 Jacoba Coes, Chair; Susan Yu, Vice Chair Members 2025-2026 : Nancy Foster, Sarah Olson, Susan Straten, Allyn Young. This committee is unique — offering the opportunity to spark the same enthusiasm that brought us to join the Garden Club in a new generation. Through activities that introduce young people to the basic principles of gardening, design, ecology, and conservation we hope to encourage participants to develop a life-long love of gardens, a direct appreciation of horticulture's therapeutic effects and an understanding of the importance of plants to our planet.

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 .

Apply for Membership We are delighted that you are considering Membership in the Garden Club of Montclair. Please complete and submit this form to Cheryl Slutzky, our Membership VP. She will contact you, and answer any of your questions. For more information about joining the club and what we are about, scroll down below the form. Did someone recommend that you consider Membership? Please let us know their name. Thanks for considering Membership! We will get back to you as quickly as possible. Submit Provisional Requirements and Information Requirements Note: If you have a friend in the Club, she/he will be your "mentor," that is, your guide through the first year. If you found us online, we will assign a Garden Club member as your mentor. Mentors join Provisionals at program meetings, competitions, the Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation in May, and social events, and keep track of their progress. You'll find that everyone is more than willing to help you through the year. Provisional members are responsible for completing the following requirements to become Active members: 1 Program Meeting 3 Workshops 3 two-hour work sessions in Avis Campbell Gardens 1 two-hour work session in Triangle Mall Gardens 1 Garden Therapy visit 1 Flower Design entry (not judged) 1 Horticultural specimen (not judged) Clerk for one monthly competition (may substitute an additional Flower Design or Horticultural entry The above requirements are the minimum required. Provisionals are encouraged to attend all Program Meetings and Workshops and enter additional Flower Design/Horticulture competitions. See more details about the above requirements. Provisional Dues: $100. Dues are payable after the Provisional Informational Coffee held in February. The official Provisional year begins on April 1, but applications are accepted throughout the year. Cheryl Slutzky Membership Chair Back to the form.

Civic/Environment Committee Reports Committees This webpage includes the last reports of the Civic Beautification committee and the first report of the newly activated Environment committee. Due to the overlap in functions of these two committees, the Board of Trustees felt that it made sense to combine the two as one, to be known as the Civic/Environment committee. 2024-2025 — Deborah Hirsch, Chair This year marked a turning point for our newly combined Committee — defined by renewed energy, creative collaboration, and visible progress. We began with our third Upper Montclair clean-up, assessing tree conditions and documenting findings with photographs. Building on that momentum, we met with the Township Planning Commission to revisit the Valley Road and Church Street Circle—once home to a Garden Club fountain installed in 1976. In December, we launched efforts to revitalize the site, culminating in June with the installation of a native garden designed by Committee member Celia Radek. Throughout the year, we explored additional partnerships with the Office of Sustainability, including potential plantings in tree wells slated for replacement. The committee started working with the township to plan for the native garden to be installed at the long-abandoned circle at Valley Road and Church Street. We proudly represented the Club at Montclair’s second EarthFest and Glen Ridge’s Environmental Day, engaging with the public and sharing our mission. Committee member Jacoba Coes kept us informed regarding the development of the Greenway Project which is now beginning to welcome volunteers into this exciting new public space on the old rail track between Montclair and the Hudson River. In alignment with our sustainability goals, we phased out the use of Oasis in floral arrangements and prioritized biodegradable, compostable, and reusable materials at our social gatherings. In collaboration with the Triangle team, we also supported the replanting of raised beds with native species, reinforcing our commitment to climate-resilient, pollinator-friendly landscapes. These accomplishments reflect the dedication and enthusiasm of a remarkable team: Kathy Bachmann, Andie Bertsche, Jacoba Coes, Marie Donnelly, Susan Dumont, Karen Kadus, Ann Lee, Sydney Milliken, Sarah Olson, Imke Oster, Brigitte Padberg, Helene Peck, Sheila Oakes, MaryEllen Stadtlander, Wendy Stahl, Susan Straten, Sonyia Woloshyn, Allyn Young, Sue Young. 2023-2024 — Deborah Hirsch, Chair Our Environment Committee was restored to active duty during this year. We started with an engaged group of members who reviewed lots of ideas about how we should approach this important aspect of Club work, beginning with educating ourselves about best garden practices. Some members wrote articles for the website under the new Environment tab, others submitted reference opportunities on the subject. We all agreed that collaboration with other like-minded organizations should be encouraged. Our first public effort was a clean-up of Upper Montclair Business District in early March. On a rainy Saturday we met at member Amy South’s Moss & More shop and set out to collect trash and photograph tree conditions. Later in the year we fashioned a new Civic Beautification and Environmental Responsibility Committee, with the following mission: "The mission of this Committee is to encourage environmentally responsible beautification of our town’s outdoor green spaces. This Committee’s goal is to act as a resource for individual and organizational stewardship for planning and plant selection and to provide physical help where appropriate. We will offer advice on ways to beautify town businesses and create floral displays when requested. We will search for existing gardens that exemplify sustainable practices and businesses whose plantings or containers show significant effort in the use of pollinator friendly and native plants. We will highlight these examples on social media and website platforms. We will interface with other committees of our Club to learn, educate, and share ideas". 2023-2024 — Marie Donnelly, Civic Beautification Chair; Susan Benner, Vice Chair The Civic Beautification Committee continued improving the outdoor spaces of Montclair businesses and residences by planting urns in front of Church Street stores and providing landscape designs for open spaces on Seymour Street. In keeping with our new cooperation and upcoming merger with the Environmental Committee, we encourage the use of native and pollinator plants. A generous grant from the Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation helped enormously in our efforts. Plans for beautifying open spaces at Montclair High School and Bradford School are in the works. Once again, this year more than 25 of our members participated in Art in Bloom at the Montclair Art Museum. Their interpretations of and meaningful insights into works of art displayed at the Museum are more examples of the many ways the Club interacts with the community. We photographed local gardens that promote the use of native plants and pollinator species. By promoting these on social media and in the local press we encouraged other gardeners to follow these examples. . In the future, we look forward to our presence as an integral part of the new Civic/Environmental Committee. 2022-2023 — Marie Donnelly, Chair; Susan Benner Vice Chair The Civic Beautification Committee meets several times a year to brainstorm and implement ideas to help beautify the community. We are continuing with plans to install a pop-up flower/plant design in Montclair next year and hoping this will become an annual event that will draw people from neighboring towns. Addressing the needs of businesses asking for help is another way we serve the community. In 2023 the Montclair Ambulance Unit at 95 Walnut Street requested help with improving the look of their building. We rose to the challenge and installed two new planters in front of their building in time for the Walnut Street Fair on May 7, 2023. 2021-2022 — Marie Donnelly, Chair; Susan Benner Vice Chair More than 25 of our Members participated in Art in Bloom at the Montclair Art Museum. Their interpretations of works of art on display offered meaningful insights to one of the many ways the Garden Club of Montclair impacts the community and supports the Museum. The committee is very enthusiastic about developing a long-range project to install "pop-up" flower design displays in Montclair 's business districts. Members are consulting with local crafters and creating a proposal to submit to the Township for a yearly event. Conversations continue enthusiastically with the Montclair Public Library Foundation to beautify the library plazas, host a farm stand, provide space for native plants, and promote sustainability initiatives. 2020-2021 — Marie Donnelly, Chair Due to the COVID pandemic and resulting restrictions in 2020–21, the Civic Beautification Committee was unable to complete its planned community projects. The Committee will renew efforts to engage the community in the upcoming year. 2020-2021 — Cheryl Slutzky, Chair It was a rather quiet year for Civic Beautification. While we looked forward to planning for Art in Bloom at the Montclair Art Museum and a "May in Montclair" coordinated experience in the township, COVID-19 had other plans! In 2019, the merchants in Upper Montclair and the South End business districts produced some lovely outdoor floral displays. There were no such displays in 2020 and no little Garden Club of Montclair cards of congratulation appeared. Here's hoping we see those little cards inserted into happy, creative displays — and that we all fare better in 2021.

Our Mission The Garden Club of Montclair educates Members and the public in their knowledge and practice of conservation, horticulture, and the artistic use of plant material. We work to beautify the Township of Montclair and the State of New Jersey. The Club sponsors and supports projects of an educational character, specifically allied to these purposes, and fosters fellowship through its work and its social activities. Club Member Benefits Programs : Members and their friends enjoy renowned speakers, authors, and experts on notable gardens, original flower design techniques, pollinator cultivation, and community outreach through gardening. Workshops : Members and Provisionals have the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in Horticulture, Floral Design, and Botanical Arts by attending these workshops. Members and Provisionals only, unless indicated otherwise. Materials fees may apply. Avis Campbell Gardens and Grounds : Located at 60 S. Fullerton Avenue in Montclair, Avis Campbell Gardens is maintained by Club Members and is a beautiful space open to the public. Learn from our masterful gardeners and get hands-on experience. Community Outreach via Garden Therapy, Triangle Gardens, and Youth Organizations : Opportunities abound to beautify our town by planting at Church Street and sharing flower design/gardening techniques with charitable organizations. Help harvest at Avis Campbell Gardens to create Thanksgiving arrangements for Toni's Kitchen and other food pantry clients. Members partner with Scouts and schoolchildren in garden related activities. Open Gardens : Serving as a connection among our Membership, Open Gardens provides an opportunity to share knowledge and creativity. With friends included, these periodic social gatherings continue to expand in popularity and serve as outreach to our community. Garden Boutique : The Garden Boutique offers unique flower arranging, gardening, and related items for sale. Holiday Tea, Annual Awards Celebration, Clip, Dip & Sip in ACG : Enjoy social gatherings that build camaraderie among Members, share successes and experiences with one another, and appreciate floral displays and our beautiful gardens. 2024 -2025 Fees and Annual Dues Active Member : $100 Associate Member: $125 Non-Resident Member: $ 50 Provisional: $100 Emeritus: $0 Guest Fee: Donations welcome

Flower Design Division Rules 2025-2026 Back to main Flower Design page. See also the online NGC Handbook for Flower Shows See Clerking Guidelines All Club Members are encouraged to enter flower designs in the monthly competitions as listed on the Flower Design page and in the Yearbook. RULES The NGC Exhibit Policies are printed in the Handbook for Flower Shows, Chapter 7, Exhibiting in the Design Division p. 79-81. Exhibitors may enter one (1) entry in Flower Design in each monthly competition. Designs should be dropped off downstairs in the Garden Club Room between 8:15am and 9:15am Designs must be picked up no later than 30 minutes after the end of the program meeting. Judging will begin promptly at 10am. Designs arriving late will not be judged. Decisions of the judges are final. Awards/ribbons may be withheld if not merited. Advanced registration with the Flower Design Chair is required no later than four (4) days before each Design Competition by emailing Flower Design Chair Barbara Baletti at bbaletti@me.com . Entry cards are available in the garden club room. Some plant material must be used in every design. Fresh plant material may never be treated; no artificial plant material is permitted in any exhibit. Refer to the NGC Handbook for Flower Shows pp. 80-81 for a complete list of plant material and non-plant material that is permitted and not permitted. Plant material on the New Jersey Conservation List may not be used unless it has been grown by the exhibitor or legally acquired and is so stated on an accompanying 3"x 5" index card. All plant material used in a design must be identified on a 3"x 5" index card and included with the entry card. Common names of plant material are acceptable. Plant material need not have been grown by the exhibitor. Exhibits must conform to the design type named in the schedule. Designs must be the work of one individual. (Exception: Companion Exhibits.) Flower Designs are judged using the Design Scale of Points found on p.130 in the Handbook for Flower Shows . For questions about rules, design schedule, or specific designs, please consult with Flower Design Chairs or club judges (Florence Leyssène, Debbie Moran, Brenda Bingham.) FLOWER DESIGN LEVELS Provisional: Flower Designs exhibited by Provisionals are critiqued, not judged. Designs do not qualify for points or awards. Provisionals who are interested in moving to the Novice Level MUST submit at least one design during their term. Novice: Includes those who have earned up to nine points in Flower Design. Novices are eligible to receive The Elsie Bristol Novice Award (see award description ). Intermediate: Includes Members who have earned ten or more points in Flower Design. Intermediate designers are eligible to receive The President's Trophy for Flower Design, Intermediate (see award description ). Advanced: Includes Members who have progressed from the Intermediate Level by earning 20 points and one blue ribbon within a three year period in Flower Design. Advanced designers are eligible to receive The Garden Club Award for Flower Design, Advanced (see award description ). Every member of this level is expected to exhibit once a year. Advanced Plus: A competitive level for those who have won The Garden Club Award for Flower Design, Advanced twice. Advanced Plus designers are eligible to receive the Elsie Bristol Flower Award, Advanced Plus (see award description ) for achieving the highest points score and the winning of one blue ribbon. Invitational: Open to nationally accredited judges, professional flower designers, and Members at the Advanced Level invited by the Flower Design Committee. Participants exhibit for educational purposes and are critiqued. POINT SCORING 1st Blue 5 points 2nd Red 4 points 3rd Yellow 3 points Honorable Mention 2 points Unawarded Exhibits 1 point Tea/Luncheon Table 1 point

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

Garden Therapy Garden Therapy is an opportunity to “give back” to the community with visits to nursing homes, senior centers, specialized schools and refuges. GC members work with institutions to design programs that will interest participants, ranging from hands on workshops such as aromatherapy, floral design, botanical arts and the planting of annuals, perennials and herbs in garden beds or windowsill planters.