On Van Vleck's Family Day on June 21, our Club's Youth Committee helped little ones make colorful, fun, easy flowers. It was enjoyed by various ages! Thanks to Donna Karanja and Suzy Straten for establishing this partnership. We look forward to upcoming opportunities and events that will allow the Youth Committee to spark the same enthusiasm that brought us to join the Garden Club in a new generation. Come join us and foster future "gardenophiles."

See more photos at the end of this article For years, everyone visiting the Board of Education or circling the century-old roundabout at the junction of Valley, Church, and Hillside fumed about the muddy mess in this 40-foot-wide circle. Back in 1976, the Garden Club donated a fountain and created and maintained an oasis in the middle of the road for 30 years until that responsibility was taken away from us and the area languished. Careless construction vehicles driving to a nearby apartment project further degraded the area. In December 2024, Deb Hirsch and Sarah Olson met with the planning and development office of the town to offer our help in the rebirth of the circle as part of the Club’s mission to combine civic beauty with environmental best practices. Marie Donnelly, Wendy Stahl, Celia Radek and Sarah Olson met at the circle to discuss ideas, and, with the help of Deb and Wendy, Celia came up with a beautiful plan using only native perennials and grasses. Months of careful planning followed, involving calculations of soil needs, plant quantities, mulch, and logistics. Cynthia Corhan-Aitken handled the purchases. A pivotal moment came when a local resident’s letter  expressing frustration with the muddy circle appeared in the  Montclair Local . The Club quickly responded , announcing their upcoming efforts and highlighting their commitment to beautifying Montclair. A Community Effort Takes Root On Friday, June 13, a pile of eight cubic yards of soil was dumped on the circle, a packed and weedy, stony mess. The weather was a summer combination of rain storms and humidity. Some hardy souls started hacking away at the mats of grass and weeds with rakes and hands, until Deb realized that this is what rototillers are designed for. Over the next four days, whenever the rain let up, Deb’s husband Peter pushed the jumping machine back and forth while Members painstakingly filled 10 paper leaf bags with chopped up weeds and spread three inches of dirt ― now mud ― over the area. We left a boundary of four feet for the town to fill with stones or Belgian block to allow for clumsy drivers. During those back-breaking days, passing cars honked their approval, and some local people even joined in the work. Wednesday was the fun day. The truck arrived with the plants and Club Members scampered between the cars, carrying 236 plants (see full list at the end of this article) onto the circle. There Celia directed our volunteers where to place them and Members and friends dug down to the very vocal good wishes of passers-by. It was a remarkable shared experience, driven by the need to get the plants in before the forecasted heat wave, but also a reminder of our renewed commitment to our town and the environment. The Future Happily, there is a water pipe in the circle that was put in a few years ago when the township was considering replacing the old fountain. The attempt was abandoned when the town realized how difficult and expensive maintaining fountains are in the north-east, but the pipe remains. The town has agreed to attach a spigot to this pipe and we will then connect drip hoses to save the plants during the ferocious heat of the summer. Hopefully this will be done soon because we are still in danger of losing our plants to the heat of summer, in spite of some efforts from the water trucks of the BID and the township. Currently the town has ordered and plans to install the needed parts within the next two weeks. Supposedly the township will be coming up with a more elaborate solution to the problem of vehicles driving over the area and we will be working closely with any plans they develop. Until then, we will be maintaining our beautiful new garden in the middle of the road. Truly, this has been a triumph of will, camaraderie, and cooperation. Here is a list of all the people who helped. Many thanks to: Kathy Bachmann, Barbara Baletti, Susan Benner,  Olga Bequillard, Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Mike DeCastro, Marie Donnelly, Larry Engelstein, Peter Hirsch, Deborah Hirsch, Donna Karanja, Mateo Karanja (Donna’s grandson), Betty Murphy, Sarah Olson, Amy Poster, Celia Radek, Peter Reilly, Tracy Reilly, Matt Schifrin, Amy South, Maureen Sprong, Wendy Stahl, Susan Yu, Sue Young, Dio from the Quest Emporium, and the Circle Guardian. Full List of Plants in the Circle Agastache 'Blue Fortune' Blue Fortune Anise Hyssop Amsonia hubrichtii Hubricht's Bluestar Conoclinium coelestinum Blue Mistflower, Hardy Ageratum Coreopsis verticillata 'Zagreb' Zagreb Whorled Tickseed Echinacea purpurea 'Magnus' Coneflower Liatris spicata Blazing Star Penstemon digitalis Foxglove Beardtongue Pycnanthemum muticum Short-Toothed Mountain Mint Rudbeckia fulgida ' Little Goldstar' Little Goldstar Black-eyed Susan Schizachyrium scoparium ‘Standing Ovation’ Little Bluestem 'Standing Ovation' Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks' Fireworks Goldenrod Vernonia noveboracensis New York Ironweed

The latest update of the schedule for "Great Escapes," the small flower show planned for this September, has been posted. Please review, and let the Chairs for the various sections know that you want to exhibit. Do this as soon as possible to reserve your place. Botanical Arts: Florence Leyssène Flower Design: Barbara Baletti Horticulture: Maureen Sprong Each schedule page on the website will always have a link to the latest version of the schedule.

... but that didn’t stop 19 Club members from thoroughly enjoying Wildfair, the "Mansion in May" show house and gardens in Chester County fundraiser for Morristown Hospital. Although touring the gardens in a downpour was next to impossible, we did manage to see the entire home and finish with a stroll through the boutique. Then it was off to the Black Horse Tavern in Mendham for a delicious lunch and conversation with old friends and new ones. The sun came out just in time for our ride home! Looking forward to the 2027 showhouse. Thank you to Cynthia for putting this trip together! --Karen Kadus

Open Garden of Kazys Varnelis & Jennifer Bell THIS Wednesday, May 28, 2025 Address 3:30 to 6:30 There is so much to love at this one.  The garden is designed and maintained by Kazys Varnelis who is a historian of architecture, an artist who has exhibited at MoMA, and the President of the Native Plant Society of New Jersey.  Not being able to fit into our 2024 schedule, Kazys has waited a year to invite us to his May garden where his mid-century modern home beautifully blends into the forest garden that he transformed during the last eight years. Kazys's blog documents the evolution of this Northeastern native plant collection and their history in culture. Kazys and Jennifer are also hosts to this weekend’s Roses to Rock Gardens tour, so you will find easier parking and time to chat with them this Wednesday.  Rain or shine, this Open Garden is on! Marilyn Zaret ( marzaret@comcast.net )

June 10-12, 2025   The Garden Club of New Jersey is exc i te d to be offer i ng F l ower Show S choo l Ill i n J une o f t his year a t Holly House , 1 2 6 L og Ca bi n R oad , Eas t Br u nswick, N J . T h ese classes can b e ta ken in a n y o rder; t a k en for credit wit h t h e ob j ective of becom i ng a j udge or audited to le a r n m ore about F l ower Shows, ju dg in g, designs , and h orti cu l tu re . We hope you will conside r re gis te r i ng . Regis t ration info rmation i s o n the GCNJ website .   On Tuesday, Jun e 10,  our own He id i Mu s ch ic k w i ll ins t r uct i n horticu l tu r e, sp ec i ficall y j udg i ng roses and c o m bi na tion pla ntings a n d pr o cedures. T he GCN J members will p rov id e numerous p l ant mater i a l a nd p l antings for yo u r l earn i ng ex p erien c e . The morn i ng is s p en t learning all about these su bject s, then we break for l unch, a nd then c on cent ra te fo r t wo h ours on poi nt scor i ng wh ic h is th e bas i s for all judg i ng . T hose takin g it for cred i t w i ll do poi n t scor i ng for c red i t from 3-5 p.m.   Wedn es day, June 11 , L ynn F ronk fr om Georgia w ill i ns t ruct u s o n C r e ative Design an d st aging a nd p r ocedures. Ag a i n, our members and the i n st ructor w i ll have des i gns i n front o f you t hat w i ll be expla i ne d an d p oin t-s co r e d fo r your l earn in g e xp e r ience .   Fo r t hose t ak i ng the exam on l y , we w i ll mee t a t 9 a.m . unti l noon for a wr itt en exam on both su b j ects, o n T hursday, June 12.   Att en d i ng th ese courses is a wond e rful jo u rney and l ea rn i ng e xp erience . W e hop e you w i ll joi n us, for one day o r b o t h days. P l ease ch eck o ut our r eg is t r ation fo r the club spec i a l rate. Gail Bas so l i no is our r eg i st r a r an d may be r eached at cbassolino@aol.com for any re g i stration questions . T edd i e F a l cone i s the Fl ower Show Ch a ir a nd may be reached at tlfalcone@gmail.com for questions. P l ease CLICK HERE  for full reg i st r a tion information.   Flower Show School IV will be coming up in the spring of 2026. Stay tuned!

Open Garden of Kathy and John Bachmann Tuesday, May 20 5:00 to 7:30 PM Address If you follow the adventures of Kathy Bachmann on social media, as I do, you may be surprised to learn that she grew up on a farm. But it makes sense when you see her potager/kitchen garden and the stunning heirloom bearded irises handed down through generations in her Ohio family. When you visit, ask Kathy and John to share "before" photos of the family Covid project ― that lovely pool where you will be enjoying drinks and snacks. See photos below. This hostess shared her garden with our Club when she was a provisional and also on a Van Vleck Garden Tour, and welcomes us again with extended evening hours of 5 to 7:30. ― Marilyn Zaret

Our new provisionals sample the fellowship of the Garden Club of Montclair See the profusion of color at Floss O'Sullivan's home where she, organizer Barbara Baletti, and other Club members welcomes our provisionals with flowers. We are happy to have you join us!

FLOWER DESIGN Novice - Pam Turre, 1st PROVISIONALS Lisa Schweitzer Alexandra Kilduff Clare Kuch   NOVICE 1st - Pam Turre Intermediate - Susan Brady, 1st INTERMEDIATE 1st - Susan Brady 2nd - Karen Fricke 90+ 3rd - Olga Bequillard   Advanced - Barb Baletti, 1st ADVANCED 1st - Barb Baletti 2nd - Floss O'Sullivan 90+ 3rd - Tova Narrett 90+ HM - Suzy Straten HM - Michele Tomasik   Advanced Plus - Sarah Stransky, 1st ADVANCED PLUS 1st - Sarah Stransky 2nd - Fran Ackerly 90+ HM - Cynthia Corhan-Aitken   BOTANICAL ARTS Prom Corsage - Floss O'Sullivan, 1st Prom Corsage Floss O'Sullivan Karen Fricke   Pot-et-Fleur - Karen Fricke, 1st Pot-et-Fleur Karen Fricke Cynthia Corhan-Aitken HORTICULTURE The photos in the Gallery below show how many of our members entered this month's competition. Hort Chair Heidi Muschick announced that over 20% of the entries received blue ribbons. A big thank you to Floss O'Sullivan who, through the years, can always be relied on to keep track of these awards and take such great photos to memorialize them.

Our last program of the year, “Designing Women,” was held on Monday, April 21.  Three intrepid advanced or advanced plus designers agreed to a friendly face-off challenge design.  Fran Ackerly, Barbara Baletti, and Sarah Stransky gamely took on the challenge.  Plant material and additional decorative components, as well as a container and non-Oasis foam mechanics were provided at tables, and the designers created magical floral arrangements while members strolled around the room to observe (but not distract!) them as they worked.  At the end, each designer briefly explained her process, and members asked questions.  It was a fun way to see how some of our top designers create, and a great finish to a wonderful year of programs. We’re looking forward to next year!

Open Garden of Marie Donnelly Address TOMORROW April 24, 2025  5:00 to 7:00 “Weep not for me” I imagine Marie’s beautiful old weeping cherry tree would say if it knew it would soon be removed for the crime of root invasion of her home’s foundation. Let’s take a break from our own spring clean-ups and celebrate our first Open Garden of 2025.  Friends are welcome. Look for Marie's beautiful contemporary style home in this cul-de-sac and park head-in to accommodate more guests. Call Marilyn ( marzaret@comcast.net ) for details.

On March 10, CeCe Haydock, landscape architect and devotee of literature and historic gardens, gave a fascinating lecture at 60 South Fullerton on the fabulous gardens of the North Shore of Long Island, a favorite retreat of the rich and famous, where they created elaborate gardens to accompany their grand houses.  She showed us the gardens as they were originally built, and taught us about their history, landscape design, and present conditions.

As you can see from the results, below, the judges had a hard time on March 10 figuring out to whom they should award the blue stickers. Once again our Members showed their passion and skill as they created imaginative responses to the strict and dry words of the schedules. At right, Florence Leyssène's stunning response to " A Framed Spacial Design using no floral foam but employing alternative mechanics. Open to Club designers who are nationally accredited judges. To be exhibited for educational purposes. Staged on a 42” high dark green pedestal with a 14” square dark green top ." Flower Design Novice No entries Intermediate: A Multi-Rhythmic Design 1st - Karen Fricke 2nd - Marie Donnelly 3rd - Susan Brady HM - Olga Bequillard Advanced: A Challenge Design Committee will provide 6 identical components to designers who must use a minimum of 4 in their design. 1st - Floss O'Sullivan 2nd - Susan Benner 3rd - Michele Tomasik HM - Carol Callahan HM - Suzy Straten Not judged - Barbara Baletti Advanced Plus Same requirements as Advanced 1st - Sarah Stransky Provisional: An American Traditional Design Clare Kuch Amy Poster Val Slimka Botanical Arts Birdhouse 1st - Debbie Moran 2nd 90+ - Karen Fricke 3rd - Michele Tomasik HM - Floss O'Sullivan Plaque 1st - Karen Fricke 2nd 90+ - Cynthia Corhan-Aitken 3rd 90+ - Fran Ackerly And here are all the other entries, in no particular order:

But Estelle Leibrecht narcissus competition POSTPONED until March 25. After much discussion, it was decided to cancel the scheduled horticulture competion for this month.  Mother Nature just is not cooperating. See the Horticulture Schedule page for full details of the Estelle Leibrecht award requirements. Contact Heidi Muschick or Suzy Straten with any questions.

Beyond Gatsby: The Fabled Gardens of the North Shore of Long Island March 10, 1PM  60 S Fullerton Ave in the auditorium Old Westbury Gardens A life-long passion for literature and historic gardens led landscape architect CeCe Haydock to write and lecture on historic Italian, French, and American gardens.  In this lecture, she focuses on the North Shore of Long Island , a favorite retreat of the rich and famous, who built elaborate gardens to accompany their grand houses.  CeCe will show us the gardens as they were originally built, and teach us about their history, landscape design, and present conditions.

Garden Therapy committee members presented a special Galentines Day flower design event on Feb. 13 for clients of Oasis. Enthusiastic participants created Valentines Day themed arrangements,  complete with decorative hearts and  beautiful bows! This is the second of four events planned in this season’s Garden Therapy program designed specifically to provide therapeutic, educational programs for clients of Oasis. Our programming has been thoughtfully designed to bring Oasis clients in contact with soil, plants, flowers, aromatics, and scent, promoting social interaction and improving mood, sense of wellbeing and satisfaction. See some photos below of the Galentines Day event, and the earlier visit in January, all organized by Karen Kadus and Susan Dumont.

Chester Township in Morris County Friday May 16 Morning House and Garden Tour followed by Lunch   Join us for a lovely day at “Mansion in May”, a designer showhouse and gardens fundraiser for Morristown Medical Center. This rambling country estate with a rich history, known as Wildfair, is located in Chester Township in Morris County. The home and gardens are designed by professional interior and landscape designers. Take a self-guided tour in the morning, shop in the boutiques and then enjoy lunch at a nearby restaurant. Tickets for the house and gardens tour are $53.50 per person. Carpools will be arranged. If you wish to attend, please contact Cynthia Corhan-Aitken no later than April 1. She will purchase tickets for our group. There are no refunds.

Many of us remember Yulia B ellinger 's stimulating presentation on native planting at our October Program meeting. On March 13 at 7 p.m. , she will be hosting a free webinar on the topic. CLICK HERE to sign up. She has partnered with the Brookdale Park Conservancy to guide you through every step in creating a native garden, from choosing the perfect location to selecting plants, installing them, and ensuring long-term maintenance—all covered in the webinar and takeaway materials. This webinar is so timely in light of our exciting planned projects in partnership with our township as well as the amazing fact that spring is actually on the way ― in spite of doubters, such as myself.

Flower Design Provisional Clare Kuch Novice 2nd - Florence Sinovsky Intermediate 1st - Olga Bequillard 2nd - Karen Fricke 3rd - Wendy Stahl Advanced 1st - Barbara Baletti 2nd - Floss O'Sullivan 3rd - Cheryl Slutzky Advanced Plus 1st - Cynthia Corhan-Aitken 2nd 90+ Fran Ackerly Invitational Debbie Moran Botanical Arts Brooch 1st - Debbie Moran 2nd 90+ - Karen Fricke 3rd - Fran Ackerly HM - Floss O'Sullivan Mobile 1st - Sarah Stransky 2nd - Florence Leyssene 3rd - Karen Fricke HM - Cynthia Corhan-Aitken The pictures above show the winners in each category, but the runners-up are -- in the minds of most of us -- just as good. See a selection below.

Our Loving Mother, Michele Cusack Conlin, left this world on Sunday February 9th. Michele passed peacefully at home in the company of loving family, cherished friends and wonderful neighbors. Michele enjoyed a happy childhood in Jersey City, NJ arriving on June 14th, 1932 to the proud new parents Michael and Laurette (Jennings) Cusack. Being the first child of three, Michele was joined by her dear brother Michael Harry and her beloved sister Maureen (Cusack) Vigna. Michele studied history at The College of Saint Elizabeth's and was fortunate to make several lifelong friendships before graduating with honors in 1953. She enjoyed teaching as a young graduate in Jersey City and Syracuse, NY. She also worked as a counselor at a summer camp on Long Island. This is where she met another counselor, Edward J. Conlin, over the dessert bar, we were told. It was love at first bite. Michele and Ed married in 1958 and were blessed to enjoy another 54 summers together. Their lives were filled with joy, family, friends, travel and as many days on the beach at the Jersey Shore as possible. Ed's Basketball career brought them to Syracuse, Detroit, and Saint Louis before returning to Jersey City with two young daughters. With the family getting ready for one more addition, Michele and Ed moved their growing family to Montclair in 1964. Michele delighted in meeting and making new friends through her career as a realtor. She collaborated with colleagues at JoAnn Eagan, Ladendorff Associates, Schweppe, Burgdorff, and Stanton Company, where she worked until 2015. She took pleasure in her engagement with The Garden Club of Montclair, the Iris and Van Vleck Gardens, her treasured friends in The Investment Club and her fellow parishioners at Saint Cassian Parish. Michele was a smiling optimist who looked for the best in people and life. She was particularly devoted to the intergenerational community of her neighborhood on North Mountain Avenue. She relished in friendships from all chapters of her life: the early days on Stegman Parkway in Jersey City, where her father was the Police Chief, to high school, college and her many happy years in Montclair. Michele enjoyed the design aspect of real estate and the history and variety of the architecture of her town. She appreciated its parks and public spaces and delighted in supporting local businesses and community members. She was extremely fortunate to age in place in her home where she was lovingly cared for by her son, Ed Conlin of Montclair. She is survived by her son and two daughters and their families including: Carole (Conlin) Wedge, Jerry Wedge, Morgan & Aynsley Wedge of Concord, Massachusetts and Jane Conlin, Jackson & Sally Zieper of Far Rockaway, Burlington, Vermont, and Brooklyn. A celebration of her life will take place on April12th at 11am Saint Cassian Church in Montclair, New Jersey. Donations in Michele's memory may be made to The Montclair Foundation/Van Vleck House & Gardens . To plant trees in memory, please visit the  Sympathy Store .