EXCITING NEWS!!!! The March Flower Design Competition will be in person. The schedule for March has been changed to A Petite Design, Freedom of Style. Design not to exceed 12" in height, width and depth, underlay required. The design is the same for all levels. Provisional designs will be critiqued and Novice, Intermediate, Advanced and Advanced Plus designs will be judged. For a refresher on how to create a Petite Flower Design, watch Debbie Moran's tutorial here. Design entries can be dropped off at Union Congregational Church, Montclair on Monday, March 21 between 9:30am and 10:15am and must be picked up by 3:00pm the same day. Please enter through the East door. Masks must be worn. To guarantee a space for your design you must register your entry no later than Wednesday, March 16.

Back at last in our old home at 60 South Fullerton, Debbie Moran showed us how to create terrariums, large and small, ready to grow and be exhibited and judged. Click here for the link to Debbie's workshop instructions (members only), and click here to see our members in action.

For the past two years, Garden Therapy has been collecting the best of our members' photographs to create a meditative video for some of the facilities we visit. You can see and listen to "Botanical Journeys with the Garden Club of Montclair" by clicking on the link on our video page. So far, we have sent it out to three places: Connections At Home, Canterbury Village, and Job Haines. They will be sharing it with their shut-in clients and residents. We're waiting to hear how they like it. This work of art owes thanks to many: Photographers: Claire Stepleton, Donna Karanja, Sarah Olson, Sydney Milliken, Maria Matesanz, Sue Young Photos curated by: Michele Tomasik Technical Assistance: Floss O'Sullivan

March horticulture procedures are as follows: Narcissus (daffodil, jonquil) — 1 cut stem, no foliage. Muscari (grape hyacinth) — 3 cut stems, no foliage. Saintpaulia (African Violet) — Container-grown plant, must be in bloom, pot size not to exceed 8" diameter. Entries are limited to one entry per class per member. Pre-registration to Debbie Moran is required no later than 4:00 pm, Sunday, March 20. Entry cards may be picked up at Debbie Moran’s house at 10 Elston Road in Upper Montclair by request, or members may use a printed facsimile available upon request to Debbie. Entry cards must be completely filled out prior to drop off and no assistance on identification will be available on site — no exceptions. Members must stage their cut specimens at home in clear, recyclable, appropriately sized bottles or containers with clear wedging because all specimens will be discarded at the conclusion of the Program — no exceptions. No containers or wedging will be provided on-site by the Committee for cut specimens. Specimens can be dropped off at UCC on Monday, March 21 between 9:15 am - 10:15 am through the east door near the handicap parking area to avoid interaction with children at the church.

We have two new events set up for March. 1. March 12, 10 am to 11:30 am Floral Arranging at Nassan's Place. 222 Main St., West Orange "Nassan's Place is helping to make a difference in the lives of children and families affected by autism in and around under-served communities by providing educational and recreational programs, social outings, and resources." Volunteers, please click here to sign up. 2. March 26, 10 am to 12 pm Flower Arranging with Oasis clients 59 Mill St., Paterson "The mission of Oasis is to change the lives of women and children by breaking the cycle of poverty through compassionate programs designed to feed, clothe, educate and empower women and children in need." Volunteers, please click here to sign up.

What a fun Galentine’s Day celebration we all had together in our nighttime workshop! Florence Leyssène introduced us to Botanical Arts: Artistic Crafts, reviewing techniques to create jewelry, wearable apparel, and decorations using fresh and/or dried flowers. Our garden club members came up with amazing interpretations for beautifully decorated gift boxes. Take a peek at the results, below, and get inspired to explore artistic crafts as your new creative outlet. Thanks to all who attended. Gift Boxes Created by GCM Members

If you had a chance to meet Bonni Babson in this life, there is a good chance you would not soon forget this unique and special lady. Bonni passed peacefully in her sleep at home on Thursday, February 3, 2022. Bonni was born in New York City and was the only child of Andrew and Anna Charmec. She lived most of her life in New Jersey settling in Essex County in the 1980s. She graduated from Rutgers University in 1970 with a B.S. in Management. Early in her career she held several positions in administration, product information and publicity. Bonni retired as a Publications and Training Coordinator from the Westinghouse Elevator Company in 1985. Her decision for early retirement was necessary for the next chapter and many adventures in life. In 1985 she married the late Rea Norton Babson and together they made a beautiful life together and moved to Norton’s childhood home in Essex Fells. Bonni was active in her new town and community especially as a member of The Garden Club of Essex Fells where she enjoyed many years in several positions including club treasurer. In 2014 the club conferred upon Bonni an Honorary Membership for her extraordinary service. Along with her late husband, Norton, she was a dedicated member of the Montclair Art Museum. The lovely couple enjoyed music in many venues including churches, local schools and especially with the Montclair Operetta Club / Mel-O-Chords. Surviving are her friends at Cranes Mill, especially John C. Kern, MD, stepson, Jeffrey Babson and his family, members of her church and garden club and many more.

February's exhibitions are now closed. The judges' comments can be seen at this link. (The photo of the closed door is actually from "The Hobbit" movie set in New Zealand.)

We’re offering a do-it-yourself terrarium workshop in person. Come to 60 South Fullerton Thursday 2/24/22 for the 10am or 12:30pm session. Debbie Moran will help you create an indoor garden, create an ingenious gardening tool, and provide advice for maintaining your terrarium. Bring a glass container with at least a 6” opening. (Good sources include: Cedar Grove Garden Center, Crate & Barrel, or Ikea.) Purchase a kit onsite (3 plants for $15 or 5 plants for $20), which will have everything you need. Only 6 spots remain, so please RSVP by 2/14/22 to Floss O'Sullivan. Proof of vaccination and masks onsite are kindly requested. Click the start button of the video, below, to spark your interest!

We’re offering a fun night workshop to celebrate Galentine’s Day! Join us Thursday February 10 @7pm via Zoom. Watch as Florence Leyssène demonstrates Decorative Botanical tips and techniques. Then make your own floral gift box while she decorates along with you live. Kits with all the supplies and flowers you’ll need are available for $20 (the floral glue is a game-changer for designers!). Chocolate is included, so you know this will be fun! Whether you want to just watch or try it out with a kit, please attend either way. RSVP to Floss O'Sullivan. Watch Floss's video, below, to tempt you!

For those of you who missed Lindsay Taylor's presentation today, click here for a link to her PDF presentation that accompanied her riveting talk. Note: You will need to log in to this Programs Handouts page, since it is protected.

See the judges' comments on the creations of our January stars in flower design and horticulture.

Claire's extraordinary photos were recognized today on the National Garden Clubs' Facebook page. Aside from five more exquisite photos like the one on this page, the organization recognized Claire's work with the following words: "Claire Brown Stepleton is our photographer "Behind the Camera" this month. "Claire picked up a camera as a hobbyist about 6 years ago. Having spent most of her life in Colorado and overseas, landscape and travel photography were natural areas to explore. She then tackled long exposure with sunrises, sunsets, waterfalls, and finally astrophotography. After moving her primary residence to New Jersey, Claire became active in the Garden Club of Montclair. Tending her beds at the Club’s Avis Campbell Gardens and hiking among Colorado wildflowers every summer inspired her to start photographing flowers and their pollinators. Claire’s ‘less is more’ philosophy is often reflected in her flora photos. "With no formal training, Claire learns by watching videos, following photography groups online, attending workshops, and practicing in the field. Once she selects a project, she researches settings and equipment she will need, scouts the location and often makes several visits before ‘getting it right’. The 2017 solar eclipse was the first big project she researched and prepared for down to making a solar filter with a rubber band, sheet of ND5 film, and cardboard oatmeal canister! "Claire hopes her photographs convey the awe she feels while hiking trails, working in the garden, or watching the stars. She also aims to spark curiosity: “Where does the trail lead?” “Why is the moon so huge on the horizon?” "Claire is currently pursuing fast shutter speed subjects like birds in flight and moving animals but anything is fair game for her lens as long as it is outside!" We have long recognized Claire's extraordinary talent. Now every gardener in America knows it. Congratulations, Claire!

Replaced with Decorative Botanicals and Terrariums Floss writes: "We decided to postpone the Staging & Mechanics workshop originally scheduled for 1/10/22 to June of 2022. This type of workshop works best in person and will be instrumental in preparing exhibitors for the upcoming flower show, so moving it later in the year made sense. "That said, we are preparing two February workshops to ignite your creativity. We filmed last summer to prepare both Decorative Botanicals (rescheduled to 2/10/22) and Terrariums (scheduled for 2/24/22), so we will be ready via Zoom or in person, to be as flexible as possible. Don’t forget that the Decorative Botanicals session is a night workshop to accommodate our working members as well."

Time to put the decorations away! Join us as we clear the Crane House of its splendor and catch up with our garden club friends after the holidays. Click here to select your time.

After missing it for a year, we were all so happy to get together on December 15 for our beloved annual Holiday Tea. Hospitality Chair Gretchen Prater welcomed us to her beautiful home, which she had been decorating for weeks before the day! Vice Chair Janet Oscar and the entire Hospitality committee provided the delicious, elegant, and bounteous sustenance for us all and — so important — cleaned up afterwards. Scroll down to see four of the photos taken by our sterling photographers — Michele Tomasik, Claire Stepleton, Barbara Baletti, Susan Yu, Floss O'Sullivan, and Wendy Stahl — then click here to see dozens more memories of that wonderful day. May the plague be driven from our world in 2022, allowing us more opportunities to share our lives and our flowers.

"Tulips were a tray of jewels." —E.M. Forster, 'Howards End,' 1910. In late November, the Youth Committee planted tulips at the Park Street YMCA with students and staff of Montclair High's Community Based Instruction Program and at Mountainside Hospital with Deron School students and their teachers (see more pictures, below.). Despite very chilly weather on both occasions, everyone had a good time learning about tulips and sharing in the beautification of the town. Many thanks to Celia Radek, GMC member and May in Montclair tulip chair, for providing the bulbs and the planting expertise. All participants are looking forward to a beautiful tulip display next Spring.

These photos are all from Claire Stepleton, wonderful as always. Click here to see more lovely photos of a lovely day.

From Karen Kadus: After a very long pause in travel, Garden Club members were happily on the road again with a visit to Morris County Farms Nursery, a favorite Holiday plant and home decor destination in Denville. The greenhouse was well-stocked with flowering plants, pots and garden decor, and the gift shop offered a little something for everyone. After filling our cars with shopping bags, we headed over to The Capital Grille in Parsippany, where we (wined and) dined in a private room, caught up with some old friends and made new ones as well. How wonderful it was to be together again!

We are reviving the opportunity for you to upload your best and most beautiful photos using this form. Garden Therapy is collecting photos of gardens, flowers, and nature at work for various projects. Photos from all four seasons are requested. Very important! Please make sure your photos are as large as possible. They may be used in a video; a beautiful small photo can look blurry on a large screen. Equally important! Rename your photos before attaching them to the form and sending. For example, find your DSC-000001.JPG and rename it to Sue-Young-001. You can name it anything you like, but it MUST include your first and last name. If you don't know how to rename a file, please call Sue Young at 917-364-9020 for help. You can submit up to 10 photos per "location" at a time. For each additional "location" please start the whole process again. You can do this as often as you like. For example, you might fill out the form, add eight photos under the location "Avis Campbell Garden," click the 'Submit' button. Then you would click on the link, above, to bring up the form again to add four photos under the location "Personal Garden."