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

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

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 .

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 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 2025-2026: 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.

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

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

Flower Design Schedule See summary chart of monthly schedules below with details underneath the chart. See Flower Design Rules for 2025-2026. Check Workshops for assistance. See also NGC Handbook for Flower Shows . No December competitions. See Flower Show 2024 . See Flower Show 2022 . See Clerking Guidelines. Need a refresher prior to GCM's monthly competitions? We have online videos to help, featuring Florence Leyssène and Debbie Moran, NGC accredited Master Flower Show Judges. Showcasing flower designs will naturally be part of the celebration and we have decided to segue from our usual monthly competition format and do something different. Following are the plans for the flower design component of the evening’s celebration: The theme for the flower design showcase is “Flower Designing through the Decades” We will exhibit 11 designs (see the list below for details ) commemorating the decades from the 1920s to the 2020s and ask designers to create a piece that reflects various aspects of a particular decade, This will not be a judged competition. Designers are free to do whatever they choose: fresh or dried plant martial, painted material, etc. (just NO traditional Oasis Advantage floral foam) All designs will be on pedestals, either 42” or 36” tall There will be no distinctive design divisions (Provisional, Novice, etc); all designers can opt to do any design Note that Botanical Arts and Horticulture will remain as planned in the Garden Club room for judging this day. We are looking for 11 designers to exhibit for this event. In the interest of fairness, after you review the attached document we ask that you rank your top three decade choices (1st, 2nd, and 3rd) and your selections will be honored “first come, first served,” based on replies to this email. If we find that we have more than 11 volunteers, we will ask some of you to do a small table design for this event. Details about setting up designs will be sent in a future email as we get closer to the event. Farm to Table October 20, 2025 Register with Barbara Baletti by October 16. Tea Table: TBD All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths. Wall background is an off-white curtain. No green floral foam may be used in any design. Provisional A Companion Design * See Handbook for Flower Shows , p .79. Staged on a shelf 43” from the floor. Frame of reference 14”W x 12”D; no height restriction. Exhibit is critiqued only. Fresh and dried fruits, nuts vegetables are permitted. Cut fruits and vegetables are not permitted. * This is a design in which two exhibitors work together to create a single design, where a more experienced designer (chosen by the Provisional) mentors/encourages the Provisional. Novice An American Traditional Design in the Form of a Triangle See Handbook for Flower Shows , p p.70-71. Staged on a table 30” high. Allowable space 24”W x 18”D; no height restriction. Underlay required. Fresh and dried fruits, nuts vegetables are permitted. Cut fruits and vegetables are not permitted. Intermediate An American Traditional Vertical Line-Mass Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , p .70. Staged on a dark green pedestal 42” high with a 14” square top provided by committee. Frame of reference: design may not exceed 6” beyond pedestal top in any horizontal direction; no height restriction; underlay optional, not to exceed pedestal top. Fresh and dried fruits, nuts vegetables are permitted. Cut fruits and vegetables are not permitted. Advanced A Creative Line Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , p .74. Staged on a table 42” high; Frame of reference 24”W x 24”D; staged in front of a two-dimensional staging panel with matching underlay provided by exhibitor. Designer’s choice of plant material and components. Fresh and dried fruits, nuts vegetables are permitted. Cut fruits and vegetables are not permitted. Advanced Plus An Exhibition Table See Handbook for Flower Shows , p .76 Staged on a table 30” high. Frame of reference 30”W x 24”D staged using a two-dimensional staging panel with matching underlay provided by exhibitor; no height restriction. Designer’s choice of plant material and components. Fresh and dried fruits, nuts, vegetables are permitted. Cut fruits and vegetables are not permitted. Color Harmonies November 17, 2025 Register with Barbara Baletti by November 13. Tea Table: TBD All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths. Wall background is an off-white curtain. No green floral foam may be used in any design. Provisional An American Traditional Mass Design in the Shape of a Triangle See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp.70-71 . Staged on a shelf 43” from the floor. Frame of reference: 12”W x 12”D. No height restriction. Novice A Companion Design featuring an American Traditional Vertical Line-Mass See Handbook for Flower Shows , p .79. This is a design in which two exhibitors work together to create a single design, where a more experienced designer encourages/mentors a novice designer. Novice must choose her mentor. Staged on a dark green pedestal 36” high with a 14” square top provided by committee. Frame of reference: design may not exceed 6” beyond pedestal top in any horizontal direction. No height restriction; underlay permitted, not to exceed pedestal top. Intermediate An American Traditional Line Design in a Monochromatic Color Harmony An American Traditional Line Design in a Monochromatic Color Harmony; one color (hue) and all its related tints, tones, and shades, excluding pure achromatic colors (black, white, gray). (See Handbook for Flower Shows , p. 64, II A 5a.). Frame of reference: staged on a table 30”high in front of a 2-dimensional staging panel 24”Wx 30”H with matching underlay provided by exhibitor. Designers choice of plant materials . Advanced A Creative Mass Design in an Analogous Color Harmony: two or more colors adjacent on the color wheel using only one primary color (red, yellow, blue). (HB p.65, II A 5b) staged on table 42” H. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24” D, staged in front of a 2-dimensional staging panel with matching underlay provided by exhibitor; no height restriction. Designer’s choice of plant material and components. Advanced Plus A Cascade Design in a Direct Complimentary Color Harmony: colors opposite each other on the color wheel (Handbook for Flower Shows p.65,IIA 5c. ) ) staged on a 42” pedestal with a 16” round top provided by committee. Frame of reference: design may not exceed 6” beyond pedestal top in any horizontal direction. No height restriction, underlay permitted, not to exceed pedestal top. Designers choice of plant material and components. Small Wonders February 2, 2026 (rescheduled from January 26.) Register with Barbara Baletti by January 29. Tea Table: TBD All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths. Wall background is an off-white curtain. No green floral foam may be used in any design. Provisional An American Traditional Vertical Line Design See Handbook for Flower Shows p.71. Frame of reference: staged on a shelf 43” from the floor. Allowable space 14”W x 12”D. No height restriction. Novice An American Traditional Petite American Design See Handbook for Flower Shows p.73. Frame of reference: staged on a black cube 9”x 9“x9“ on a table 30” high. Underlay optional Intermediate A Petite Design, Freedom of Style and Type See Handbook for Flower Shows p.73. Frame of reference: 10”H x 8”W x 8”D, staged on a black shelf approximately 42” from the floor. Exhibitor must provide staging panel and underlay. Designer’s choice of plant material and components. Advanced A Petite Transparency Design See Handbook for Flower Shows p.73. Frame of reference: 12”H x 10”W x10”D staged on a table 42” high. Exhibitor must provide staging panel and matching underlay. Designer’s choice of plant material and components. Advanced Plus A Petite Design, Freedom of Style and Type See Handbook for Flower Shows p.73. Frame of reference: staged in a lighted box. 58 1/2" from the floor: inside measurements 7"H x 6"D. Interior of box must be covered by exhibitor. taged on a table 30” high. Designer's choice of plant material. (Limited to 5 entries.) February 23, 2026 Canceled, due to snowstorm. Reduce, Reuse, Recycle March 23, 2026 Register with Barbara Baletti by March 19. Tea Table: TBD All tables are covered with ivory tablecloths. Wall background is an off-white curtain. No green floral foam may be used in any design. Provisional An American Traditional Mass Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , p.71 . (3) Staged on a shelf 43" from the floor. Frame of reference: 14"W x 12"D. Novice An American Traditional Horizontal Line Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , p.71 . (b) Staged on a table 30" high. Frame of reference: 24'W x 24"D. Underlay required. Intermediate A Multi-Rhythmic Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp.73-75 Staged on a table 42” high. Frame of reference 24”W x 24”D, staged in front of a two-dimensional staging panel with matching underlay provided by exhibitor. No height restriction. Designer’s choice of plant material and components (may be recycled.) Advanced A Creative Design Using at least three floral techniques specified in the Handbook for Flower Shows, pp.81-83, staged on a dark green pedestal 42”H with a 14” square top provided by committee. Frame of reference: design may not exceed 6” beyond pedestal top in any horizontal direction. No height restriction; underlay permitted, not to exceed pedestal top. Designer’s choice of plant material and components (may be recycled). Advanced Plus A Panel Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , p.75 Staged on a table 42” high. Frame of reference: 24”W x 24” D; two-dimensional staging panel with matching underlay required; staging panel will determine height of frame of reference, not exceeding 48”. Designer’s choice of pant material and components (may be recycled.) Flower Designing through the Decades Instead of our standard competition in April, our designers created individual arrangements to interpret the decades of our century of floral design to be displayed at our celebration on April 27 at the Museum. 1920s - Art Deco Sophistication Design look: • formal, symmetrical, architectural • strong lines, vertical emphasis, elegant restraint • influenced by luxury, jazz culture, and modernism Typical flowers: • calla lilies in tall vases • orchids (especially cymbidium) • long-stemmed roses arranged tightly • minimal greenery, polished containers (metal, glass) Signature vibe: glamorous, sculptural, “cocktail party chic 1930s - Elegant but Restrained Design look: • still structured but softer than the 20’s • graceful curves, fewer flowers due to economic hardship • beauty through proportion, not abundance Typical flowers: • garden roses • lilies • sweet peas • small hand-tied or low centerpiece arrangements Signature vibe: refined, dignified, quietly romantic 1940s - Modest and Meaningful Design look: • practical, sentimental, home-grown • smaller arrangements • symbolism mattered more than style Typical flowers: • carnations • chrysanthemums • daisies • victory garden flowers in simple vessels Signature vibe: heartfelt, patriotic, humble beauty 1950s - Romantic Abundance Design look: • full, rounded, lush • highly feminine and polished • symmetry and volume prized Typical flowers: • roses, baby’s breath • carnations and chrysanthemums • peonies • big dining table centerpieces Signature vibe: classic romance, suburban elegance 1960s- Flower Power Freedom Design look: • loose, wild, expressive • bright colors, symmetry • flowers as political and cultural symbols Typical flowers: • daisies • sunflowers • zinnias • mixed wildflower bunches tied with ribbon or string Signature vibe: joyful rebellion, peace and love 1970s - Bohemian and Earthy Design look: • natural, flowing, unstructured • heavy use of foliage and texture • earthy tone and dried elements Typical flowers: • marigolds • brown-toned roses • protea (emerging popularity • grasses, eucalyptus, ferns Signature vibe: free spirited but grounded, nature-driven 1980s - Bold and Maximalist Design look: • big, dramatic, colorful • “more is more” • arrangements were statement pieces Typical flowers: • orchids • anthuriums • birds of paradise • roses in hot pinks and reds • large cascading or fan-shaped designs Signature vibe: power, glamor, excess 1990s - Minimal and Natural Design look: • clean lines, few flowers • casual, slightly rustic • reaction against 80’s excess Typical flowers: • sunflowers • calla lilies • tulips Signature vibe: relaxed, fresh, understated 2000s - Structured Modern Romance Design look: • polished, intentional, customized • clean shapes with soft romance • event focused Typical flowers: • white rose • calla lilies • hydrangeas • monochromatic bouquets (all white was huge) Signature vibe: elegant, contemporary, tailored 2010s - Eclectic Garden Style Design look: • loose but styled • vintage + modern mix • “just picked from the garden” look Typical flowers: • ranunculus • dahlias • garden roses • anemones • mixed textures+ greenery (eucalyptus, olive branches) Signature vibe: romantic, artisanal, Instagram-ready 2020s - Natural, Nostalgic, Expressive Design look: • hyper-natural or hyper-minimal • sustainability matters • emotional storytelling through flowers Typical flowers: • locally grown seasonal blooms • dried and fresh flowers • scabiosa, hellebore, cosmos • asymmetrical, airy Back to description of the April 27 party flower project Decades

Explanation of Provisional Requirements back to main Provisional page Program Meetings are held monthly from September to April for Garden Club Members and guests. Speakers come with an extensive knowledge of subjects germane to gardening, Flower Design, Horticulture, and Botanical Arts. Meetings coincide with monthly Flower Design, Horticulture, and Botanical Arts competitions. A tea and social follow Program Meetings. Workshops are offered throughout the year to help Provisionals learn about Flower Design, cultivating and exhibiting Horticulture, as well as other topics related to gardening. Workshops are entertaining, hands-on, and fun. Avis Campbell Gardens & Grounds are the pride of the Garden Club. The Gardens are located at 60 South Fullerton Avenue and maintained by the Membership, both Active and Provisional. Volunteering time at Avis Campbell is an enjoyable experience. It is an opportunity to meet and work with other Provisionals and learn about gardening from our experts. Triangle Mall Gardens are the raised planting beds along Church Street in downtown Montclair. They are maintained in the fall and spring by Club Members with the help of Provisionals. The Business Improvement District (BID) partners with the Garden Club in supplying funds and maintenance assistance during the growing season. The Club has recently taken on the task of creating and maintaining the plantings at the traffic circle where Church Street meets Valley Road and Hillside Avenue. Garden Therapy is an opportunity to aid the physical, mental, and emotional health of persons in the community who are facing personal challenges such as physical disability, homelessness, or violence. We lead flower arranging workshops and other garden-related activities that inspire creativity and personal achievement for the individuals we serve. Flower Design is an integral component of the Garden Club. There are opportunities to create traditional designs, as well as those which express more "freedom of style", and exhibit in monthly competitions. You will learn through Workshop participation and the help of our expert designers. Provisional designs are not judged, but receive constructive comments. 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. Our workshops will teach you to experiment and improve your own gardens. Clerking Flower Design, Horticulture, and Botanical Arts competitions include shadowing judges as they view all entries in the monthly in-house competition, recording their comments, criticism, points, and placing awards. The purpose of these requirements is to provide exposure to the important activities of the Club. We encourage you to attend Membership meetings whenever possible, to try your hand at additional Flower Design, Horticulture, and Botanical Arts competitions, and to partake in as many Workshops as you can. In addition, you might like to join in the seasonal decoration of Montclair History Center's Crane House & Historic YWCA or the biennial "Art in Bloom" exhibition at the Montclair Art Museum — two important civic events that are both meaningful and fun. 2025-2026 marks our centennial with many different events and opportunities planned. The more activities you become involved in, the sooner you become acquainted with other Members and begin to feel that you are a part of a wonderful organization.

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

Thank you, Donor Name We are so grateful for your generous donation of $0. Your donation number is #1000. You’ll receive a confirmation email soon.

Donate a Brick to Avis Campbell Gardens CLICK HERE to donate a brick. 4" x 8" $200 8" x 8" $300 Pay by credit card or check. For over 70 years, the Garden Club of Montclair has lovingly maintained the Avis Campbell Gardens, our cherished historical gardens in Montclair located behind 60 South Fullerton Avenue (next to the library). Volunteers dedicate over 800 hours each season tending this hidden but public oasis , but the pathways have deteriorated over time, making it harder for visitors to fully enjoy this special space. As part of our 100th-anniversary celebration, we are launching a Pathway Renovation Project—and you can be a part of it! We invite you to leave your mark on this historical treasure of Montclair by donating an engraved brick to be incorporated into the new pathways between the gardens. Your contribution will help restore the paths, enhance accessibility and provide new benches for visitors to enjoy. Join us in preserving the beauty of the Avis Campbell Gardens for future generations. Donate today and become a part of this lasting legacy! The Garden Club of Montclair is a 501(c)(3) organization, and your donation is fully tax deductible. Your donation supports our ongoing service and restoration of the Avis Campbell Gardens. Disclaimer: The Garden Club of Montclair reserves the right to review and finalize all inscriptions. Should a inscription require revision, you will be contacted for assistance in submitting an alternative inscription. Questions? Ask at ACGbricks@gmail.com The Plan: Over the years, the pathways, last replaced between 1970-72, have become uneven, weed-prone, and unsafe for visitors and volunteers. The gardens' plastic edging has deteriorated, allowing the bricks to shift. The plan is to repair the existing pathways by leveling and resetting the bricks, incorporating new ones where needed, and adding polymeric sand for stability. Metal edging will be installed to secure the bricks. Additionally, benches will be placed for visitors to rest and enjoy the gardens.

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 2 workshops 2 two-hour work sessions in Avis Campbell Gardens 1 two-hour work session in Church Street Gardens 1 Garden Therapy session Two of the following: ― 1 Flower Design entry (not judged) ― 1 Horticultural specimen (not judged) ― 1 Botanical Arts entry (not judged). 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. The official Provisional year begins on April 1, but applications are accepted throughout the year. Cheryl Slutzky Membership Chair Back to the form.