See the list below for this year's award winners, or click here to see all winners of all awards back to 1980. Susan Straten was added to our list of Members of 35 years or more, and Suzy, Gretchen Prater, and Barbara Meyer were honored with the title of Emeritus. And see below the winners of our new Bloomies awards. Their names will also be immortalized on our Awards page. Bloomies Award shows are famous for recognizing individual accomplishments and we anticipate guessing who will win the coveted top prize. But what about all the other people in the room who also make important contributions that we sometimes forget to celebrate? This was the thinking behind our first inaugural BLOOMIES Awards Presentation and we hope you join us in celebrating not only the silver trophy winners, but everyone who helped make this year amazing for The Garden Club of Montclair. Mission Impossible Award There was a large homeless family with a long list of needs and low budget looking for a home: large entertaining space, a prep kitchen for hosting parties, space to display their extensive art collection that changed over monthly, and seating for 60, furniture included.  Impossible you say?  Not for Cheryl Slutzky.  Thanks to her persuasive efforts, she found our Club a place to call home at Bnai Keshet that met all our wants and needs and for this we are all truly grateful. It gives us great pleasure to award Cheryl the Mission Impossible Award. Guardian of the Garden “Two things cannot be in one place. Where you tend a rose, a thistle cannot grow.” This quote from The Secret Garden describes one of our members from the Avis Campbell crew. You don’t often see this individual at our meetings, workshops, or competitions, but looking out the back windows of 60 S. Fullerton, you’ll often see her quietly tending to the beds, expecting no fanfare, but consistently nurturing our garden. For this reason, we want to award Maggie Rothman the Guardian of the Garden Award. Paparazzi Award She may not have a long lens or be hiding in the shrubbery waiting to accost you, but when it comes to candid photos at all our garden club events, Sue Yu is our gentle paparazza. She has a knack for capturing the spirit of our events, making sure everyone has a cameo, and somehow getting our “best sides” so we all look beautiful.  She offers us her talent with humility and grace and for this we award Sue Yu the Paparazzi Award. Helping Hand Award A well-known line from Bill Withers’ Lean on Me song goes: “You just call on me [sister] when you need a hand/We all need somebody to lean on” and it could not describe Nancy Stroud more perfectly. If any event required a volunteer, Nancy volunteered. She offered to help us distribute yearbooks last year but didn’t let us put her name on the committee. She is cheerful and an asset to all which is why we’re excited to award Nancy Stroud the Helping Hand Award. Party of the Year Award Walking into Avis Campbell Gardens for the Mad Hatter party, I felt just like Alice who exclaimed: “When I used to read fairy tales, I fancied that kind of thing never happened, and now here I am in the middle of one.” The theme, the décor, the food, the hats, the whole production felt magical and came from the inspired imagination of Lauren Zodel. She persevered through three weather-related postponements to host what can only be called a Fairy Tale Fantasia. For this reason, we award Lauren Zodel the Party of the Year Award. Innovator Award A cartoon depicting the Garden of Innovation by Tom Fishburne of Skydeckcartoons.com illustrates a woman with a single rose bush to plant surrounded by a crowd wielding clippers and cutters. Our budget meetings often focused on cost-cutting measures, but the Boutique figured out how to grow and turn a profit. Susan Benner and her team rose to the challenge of a moveable boutique that popped up at programs, workshops, and social gatherings introducing new merchandise – something we’ve all come to appreciate and enjoy. Therefore, Susan Benner is the winner of the Innovator Award. Painter’s Palette Award Danny Kaye once said, “Life is a great big canvas. Throw all the paint on it you can.” Who embodies this more than Karen DeLuca? From the Club’s branding, logos, and stationery, to flower show merchandise and watercolor painting with youth, her gentle artistic influence has woven itself through so many of our Club’s undertakings. Not only is Karen prolific, she is generous and joyful in sharing her art.  For this reason we are thrilled to award her the Painter’s Palette Award. “Rat Pack” Award “The big lesson in life, baby, is never be scared of anyone or anything.” So said Frank Sinatra, leader of the Rat Pack. But it could also be said of our intrepid Betty Murphy. She and her Triangle Gardens team replanted Church Street with gusto, never backing down even with the infamous “rat problem in town.” Furthermore, she helped galvanize an overhaul for the Church Street plantings in partnership with Cynthia Corhan-Aitken and the Business Improvement District. With great appreciation, we award Betty Murphy the Rat Pack Award. First Responders Award “Whenever you call me, I’ll be there” is the famous lyric sung by The Spinners in I’ll Be Around.  Whenever there was an emergency, Barbara Meyer, Maureen Sprong, and Karen Whitehaus were the first to respond. They assessed and notified appropriate parties, and worked on quick solutions.  For getting the cracked fountain repaired, for handling the tree that went down in Avis Campbell Gardens, and for working to replace the vandalized Memorial Garden bench, we thank these women by awarding them the First Responders Award. Bright Ideas Award Like a breath of fresh air, Karen Fricke joined our Club and quickly got involved with projects the Garden Club had undertaken for years. Under her leadership and creativity, we won the Scarecrows in the Garden contest with Amanda Van Vleck and historically reimagined the yellow parlor in The Crane House with amazing and innovative period detail. For demonstrating how far you can take your designs and imagination, we award Karen Fricke the Bright Ideas Award. Unsung Hero Award “I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” So said Christopher Reeve. When it came to reviewing and revising the Club’s ByLaws and Standing Rules (multiple times), a job few have ever undertaken due to its complexity, we have Fran Wong to thank for stepping into the breach. Our own Superwoman, Fran Wong has rightfully earned the Unsung Hero Award. Call-to-Action Award From Nike’s slogan “Just Do It” to Tom’s Shoes “Pay It Forward” our President, Sarah Olson sounded a new call to action: Think of the Environment. She worked tirelessly to help the Club embrace an environmental focus and challenged each committee to find ways to plant natives, reduce waste, or choose environmentally friendly oasis substitutes. With Sarah’s vision, our Environmental/Civic Beautification committee is undertaking new projects and educating us along the way. For this we award Sarah Olson the Call-to-Action Award. The Rookie Award Each year the sports world holds drafts, excited to recruit the best rookies for their team. How lucky were we when Pam Turre and Melody Brown walked into our club and joined last year? Between their outstanding participation in Club events, to their enthusiasm for flower design, to now joining the Board of Trustees, we are thrilled to honor them with Rookies of the Year Awards. The Artists’ Muse Award As designers and gardeners, we look for inspiration everywhere. All of our artistic souls benefit from a little nurturing when our endeavors fail or we feel defeated by the rigors of the artistic process.  Enter Tova Narrett. An artist in her own right, she makes it a point to be an encourager of others, a muse defined as a “personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.” Her enthusiasm and genuine joy in the abilities of others are qualities we wish to celebrate by giving her The Artists’ Muse Award. Where's Waldo Award In the popular “Where’s Waldo” children’s book series, the goal is to find Waldo in the midst of crowded people scenes in different destinations. You could play the same game looking for Bob Chapman, our beloved Treasurer and one and only gentleman in the midst of a 142-member Club.  Additionally, he and Florence Sinofsky are always traveling the world, so the first question for him is always "Where have you been and where are you going?" What would we do without our intrepid “Numbers Guy?” Therefore, we award Bob Chapman the Where’s Waldo Award. Guidepost to Compost Award The Garden Club of Montclair welcomed a new baby to our ranks this year, that’s right our Composter!  Hearing Wendy Stahl introduce our new little genius with a huge smile made all of us proud.  Perhaps the best way we embraced our environmental goals this year, we congratulate Wendy on working to turn Avis Campbell Gardens refuse into life-giving compost and hereby award her the Guidepost to Compost Award. Poet Laureate Award There once was a woman named Marilyn Encouraged everyone to join in her shenanigans Persuaded gardens to open Celebrated members with poems Is anyone in need of a mannequin? Where would we be without our theatrical genius, Marilyn Zaret? She has brought us her talents as art teacher, play director, garden guide, scarecrow maker, and Crane House kitchen designer. She generously offers her own garden for cuttings, her pool for summer refreshment, and welcomes every new member with attentive curiosity. For all the unique and wonderful qualities she brings to our lives, we award Marilyn the Poet Laureate Award.

Connnie DuHamel died on February 6, 2024, just two weeks shy of her 95th birthday. Connie's remarkable faith in God sustained her to the end, and her family is comforted to know that she returned into God's arms, joining her husband, Young, her daughter, Kate and two brothers James M.C. Ritchie and F. Somers Ritchie. Connie's charismatic enthusiasm, indomitable love of life, and unquenchable delight in her family and friends were an inspiration to those around her. The daughter of Constance Curran Ritchie Skinner and Frederic Somers Ritchie, Connie was born in Montclair, New Jersey, where she lived and raised her family. Her years in Montclair were particularly happy ones. She was a gifted student at The Kimberly School, and an active member of the Montclair Junior League, Montclair Golf Club, Montclair Historical Society, Montclair Art Museum, and Montclair Garden Club. The Immaculate Conception Church sustained her throughout her life. When choosing a college, she selected Smith, following in her mother's footsteps. After graduation, she hit the ground running at House Beautiful magazine in New York City, to which she commuted daily in her carpool of fellows who admired her spirit and encouraged her to marry Young, an equal match in athletics, humor, intellect and faith. The rest is history. As six daughters followed, Young would often say ""I'm simply perfecting what I do best."" Encouraged by longstanding friends from Montclair, Connie and Young arrived in Little Compton, Rhode Island, in 1962, where they became lifelong members of the Sakonnet Golf Club and St. Catherine of Siena Church. Connie will always be remembered as a formidable opponent on the tennis courts. She took up golf later in life and played a relaxed game; she was often up for playing three holes with her family during summer afternoons close to sunset. Sunday evening pilgrimages to the picnic on the rocks with her family and friends were one of her and Young's favorite traditions. Connie leaves behind her brother Robert M. Skinner (Elizabeth), daughters, Stancy (Carolyn), Lucie, Betsy, Emily (Monty) and Charlotte (Greg), her grandchildren: Katherine DuHamel, Grace Williams-DuHamel (Jackson), Anna Kirk and Young Kirk(Michelle), Kenny Ryan, Gabriel Brower, Gregory and Sacha Licholai and great grandson Oakland Kirk. They all appreciated her fun loving, patient and thoughtful nature, her curious mind and captivating tales, her love of history and the arts, and her capacity to recall and answer questions about events in her long and well lived time on earth. She was passionate about the outdoors, and refilled her bird feeders with diligence. Connie's surviving daughters and their families are grateful for her dedicated caregivers who became her close friends. The family is indebted to the caring staff at Brookdale Sakonnet Bay who made it possible for Connie to continue to enjoy her life and remain engaged until the end.

Tour the Watchung Connected Courtyard, designed by Cynthia Corhan-Aitken (she never stops!) on Saturday, June 8 from 10-11:30AM, with an introduction at 10AM. The Watchung School is located at 14 Garden Street in Montclair. As Sarah said in her remarks at the luncheon, our Club continues to reach out to the community. Rain date: Sunday, June 9.

Open Garden of Susan and Roland Straten Address Tomorrow Sunday, May 26, 2024 5:00 to 7:00 The Queen of Erwin Park. That’s how the real estate agent described Suzy’s home years ago.  Fortunately for her (and for us) she decided not to sell. Those of you who stayed in town are welcome to gather around the pool tomorrow and share a lovely casual Open Garden in the heart of Erwin Park. Friends are welcome. Marilyn (marzaret@comcast.net)

Write the date in your calendars! Now the tulip bulbs have been pulled (thank you Janet Oscar's Triangle crew and see pictures below!) the new gardens will be planted with native shrubs and flowers according to Cynthia Corhan-Aitken's design on June 5. This means that the planting for May 20 has been CANCELLED.

Click HERE to pay online, or click HERE for full information about where to send a check. We need to know THIS WEEK how many will be attending so we can let the Glen Ridge Country Club know.

Brigitte Padgett's Open Garden tomorrow Sunday, May 5 is still on from 3:00 - 7:00 PM in spite of the awful weather forecast, but we have added another day for those who have no umbrellas or who don't like the chance of getting wet. As well as Sunday, you may visit her garden on Monday, May 6 from 3:00 - 6:00 PM (one hour earlier than Sunday). Whichever day you choose, don't miss your chance to see this amazing garden. Click here for her address.

OPEN GARDEN of Brigitte Padberg Sunday, May 5, 2024.  3:00 - 7:00 See address High on the hill that rises above the Iris Garden is a secret place that unfolded to our gardeners three years ago.  Do NOT miss this one: an interactive experience so perfect for the brave and athletic among you. When a humble Brigitte mentioned that she had built terraces on the rocky hill behind her home and was awaiting the spring bloom of her azaleas, nothing could have been more of an understatement. This Rocky Mountain High rises several stories to join the cliff edge of Mills Reservation and Brigitte alone spent 10 years reassembling those rocks to form a series of winding terraces complete with resting and lookout stops. A clear view of the Manhattan skyline caps this breathtaking experience. With a salute to native gardening, Brigitte treasures her perennials and shrubs that accent her vivid yellow house and welcomes the families of wildlife who also enjoy terrace hopping. Come to climb or just to gasp and wear sturdy shoes. Friends are welcome. If poor weather makes it necessary to postpone,  an email will be sent the day before the Open Garden event. Coordinator: Marilyn Zaret ( marzaret@comcast.net)

On Friday, April 26, the Youth committee ― specifically Donna Karanja, Allyn Young, Sarah Olson and Sue Young ― led delighted fourth graders at the Kelly School in West Orange through a workshop in planting succulents and decorating their achievements. Many thanks to teacher Alicia Lampley who encouraged our green invasion of her class. The students had such a good time that she is setting up the same workshop for the rest of the fourth graders in the school so that they won't be jealous of her students' creations. Our club received a virtual hug from the happy kids. And for the benefit of Club members who are not too familiar with succulent husbandry, see a very short and illuminating introduction to the topic, below.

We should have known, but many of us were awed to learn the full extent of the astonishing careers of three of our members in the fashion industry, (l-r, below) Tova Narrett, Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, and Lauren Zodel. On April 15, in the last program of the year, each told us her story and described her core values, and displayed a floral interpretation of her professional creations. Below are photos of the event and Karen Fricke's introductions (in the order they spoke) to each of these wonderful and powerful women. Tova Narrett began making and selling her clothing designs when she was 14. She earned a BFA in Fashion from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Tova worked as a fashion designer in Manhattan for 36 years, for many very upscale, contemporary design firms. Her specialty was highly adventurous and unconventional knitwear. Seven years ago, Tova made her very first flower design, for the Garden Club provisional requirement. She was totally amazed ― this was exactly like fashion design! So she just fell in love. Lauren Zodel studied Fashion Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology, specializing in Childrenswear.  During her time at FIT, she interned at Oilily in Amsterdam, a Dutch company founded in 1963, and known for its original use of colors and innovative designs. Her time there greatly influenced her design aesthetic.  After graduation, she worked for DKNY Kids, Baby Gap, Calvin Klein Kids, Eddie and Stine, by Eddie Bauer and Tommy Hilfiger Kids.  She opened her own business, Blueprint Studios, in Maplewood, a creative place for kids and teens focusing on Fashion Design and Photography.  In 2011, she began teaching at FIT, and in 2018 she received full tenure. Lauren joined the garden club in 2021, and this past January she expanded her artistic reach to include creating floral designs for a restaurant in Montclair. Cynthia Corhan-Aitken graduated from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City. She went on to have a successful career in the garment industry, first designing women’s jackets and coats for an outer wear company, and then for a private label collection, before ultimately opening Cynthia C & Company, a Couture Bridal house. In addition to creating custom designs out of her Soho Design Studio, Cynthia also designed and produced two collections a year which were carried in 25 stores across the country and Canada under the label Cynthia C. & Company. After moving to Montclair, she began studying landscape design at the New York Botanical Garden before opening Twig & Vine Design, a residential Garden and Landscape Design firm. She continues to run her business from her home studio, often volunteering her time to create landscape designs for Montclair’s public spaces and non-profit organizations.

Join us to Celebrate You! Thursday, May 30th, 10:30 am at The Glen Ridge Country Club, 555 Ridgewood Avenue, Glen Ridge. All levels of Garden Club membership and their guests are welcome! Luncheon Country Club attire is requested (no jeans or sneakers). Tickets: Peony: $70 (base price) Dahlia $90 (+$20 donation) Rose $120 (+$50 donation) Click here to pay online (under "Business") and click here for the invitation explaining where to send a check if you prefer to pay that way.

Before even looking at the competition results, see a view of the crowded kitchen at Bnai Keshet at 8 in the morning as members prepare their specimens before the judges arrive. And now to the results. Flower Design The last Flower Design competition of 2023-24 proved to be a showcase of the talent in our Club. Designers from Provisional to Advanced Plus entered designs of differing styles and types. Horizontal Mass, Petite, Illuminary, and Abstract Designs were exhibited. The judges awarded the following: Provisional – Allyn Young (critique only) Novice – 1st Karen Fricke, 2nd Olga Bequillard Intermediate – 1st Susan Brady Advanced – 1st Floss O’Sullivan (see photo), 2nd Barbara Baletti, 3rd Suzy Straten Advanced Plus – 1st Fran Ackerly, 2nd Cynthia Corhan-Aitken Botanical Arts Section A: Cuff Bracelet 1st:       Karen Fricke (see photo) 2nd:     Debbie Moran 3rd:      Michele Tomasick HM:      Floss O’Sullivan Section B: This Section was divided into 2 classes. B1: Early morning Landscape 1st:      Debbie Moran 2nd:     Olga Bequillard 3rd:      Denise Silverman HM:      Barbara Baletti B2: Trees/Branches under early lighting 1st:      Michele Tomasik 2nd:     Floss O'Sullivan 3rd:      Celia Radek HM:      Sheila Oakes Horticulture Jacoba Coes was in first place with 48 points Celia Radek was in second place with 44 points Sue Straten was in third place with 42 points. Eighteen participants in the competition with one provisional included. Congrats to Allyn Young for completing her Provisional  Horticulture requirement. Our members displayed 96 specimens in 7 Classes. Of the specimens exhibited, 32 Blue Ribbons were awarded! Pretty impressive numbers all around. Jacoba Coes was in first place with 48 points Celia Radek was in second place with 44 points Sue Straten was in third place with 42 points. Eighteen participants in the competition with one provisional included. Congrats to Allyn Young for completing her Provisional  Horticulture requirement. Our members displayed 96 specimens in 7 Classes. Of the specimens exhibited, 32 Blue Ribbons were awarded! Pretty impressive numbers all around.

For a number of years now, members of the Garden Therapy committee have been visiting Oasis, the extraordinary nonprofit organization in Paterson that supports 1,000 women and children a day with all kinds of services from hot meals, emergency food, clothing, and social support to educational programs. On February 28, The Club held an aroma therapy workshop at the center, created, curated, and presented by Jacoba Coes. Club volunteers supported 25 Oasis clients as together they created aromatic jars of therapeutic scent using lavender, calendula, rosebuds and sunflower petals. This workshop was a brand new success for the Garden Therapy committee!

Suzanne Scott Price, also known as Mom, Susie, Gram, and G.G., passed away peacefully after a brief illness on Friday, March 29, 2024 at Crane's Mill of West Caldwell, at the age of 93. She was born on July 12, 1930 in her childhood home in Glen Ridge and was graduated from Glen Ridge High School in 1948. She attended Wellesley College and then Bradford Jr. College, where she was graduated in 1951. She went on to graduate from the Katherine Gibbs Secretarial School in 1953. Susie worked for the Japan Society Inc. in NYC for the next three years, getting to know the Rockefeller family. During this time she married Douglas Price in 1955 and moved to Montclair, living in three different homes over the next 43 years. It was in 1998 that she and Doug would sell their home of 29 years to move into the newly-constructed cottage at Crane's Mill. While raising two children, Susie was extremely active in their lives and activities while immersing herself into community endeavors and volunteer work. She was proud of the organizations she participated in such as The Junior League of Montclair-Newark (1952-present Sustainer Emeritus); the Humdingers of the Junior League '75-'89; Girl Scout Leader; a docent for The Van Vleck House and Presby Iris Gardens; several committees on the Crane's Mill Residents Association; three terms on the Board of Directors of the CMRA; and the Crane's Mill Chorus. But she was probably most proud of her years spent with the Garden Club of Montclair where she won numerous awards in floral design and horticulture including The Kay Moelane Van Deusen Rose Award, The Presidential Award for Horticulture, The Bauer Horticulture Award and the Louise Mann Award. Susie had a huge enthusiasm for life that included but was not limited to her family, music, gardening, and traveling. She had a beautiful voice, was an accomplished tennis player, and knew every botanical name when asked. Her bags were always packed by the front door, ready for the next adventure. She was determined to keep herself healthy in body and spirit and lived with so much optimism that it was contagious. Generous, patient, loving, and giving were just some of the qualities that friends and family benefited from. But her family was her greatest joy and pride. Her life was truly well-lived and our lives have been made richer by her presence. Suzanne was predeceased by her husband Douglas Fleet Price (2009), a daughter-in-law Karyn Price, and a brother Harry B. Scott (Beatrice). She is survived by a daughter, Lyn Price Buck (Frank); a son, Scott Price; three grandchildren, Georgie Buck Penny (Forest), Amanda Price, and Ryan Price; two great grandchildren, Colton and Baylyn Penny; and six nephews, David, James, Thomas, Kevin, Robert, and Christopher with their spouses. A memorial service will be held in Hinman Hall of Crane's Mill 459 Passaic Ave. West Caldwell, NJ on Monday, May 20 at 11:00 a.m., followed by a luncheon there. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association at act.alz.org, or the Garden Club of Montclair at www.gardenclubofmontclair.com/donate.

Meeting outside in the cool weather of early spring, Laura Roberts, the Van Vleck Gardens Director of Horticulture, led a very informative workshop to jump start the season that's beginning to unfold. First up, composting.  Learning about the ratios of browns to greens and what should and shouldn't be added to the pile, Laura made a good case for cold, not hot, composting as the way to go. While learning the how to and why of this regenerative, soil building gardening practice, an earthquake hit the area which passed unnoticed until cell phones started pinging! Then on to the Edible Garden where all that good compost is put to use.  Showcasing cool season crops to plant in the fall and in early spring, Laura pulled up carrots and radish that grew under row covers through the relatively mild winter and then planted peas for an early summer harvest.  The bounty is shared with Toni's Kitchen.  We're fortunate to have Laura Roberts share her expertise with us.  Now it's time to get growing!  Members are welcome to the workshop handout and notes here.

"Clothes aren't going to change the world. The women who wear them are." – Anne Klein We have amongst our members, a surprising number of women who have found their way to the glories of gardening after (or during!) careers in the garment industry. Is there a correlation between fashion and flora? On Monday, April 15, as early as 5:30pm, we will gather at Bnai Keshet for an evening program to hear from four of them: Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Sidney Milliken, Tova Narrett, and Lauren Zodel. Each designer will display a garment that represents her niche in the industry, as well as a floral design, inspired by her garment. She will share reflections on her career in the world of fashion, and ruminate on how she transferred that same creativity to the world of gardening and floral design. Join us for a festive evening as these four members share their fascinating journeys from hemlines to hellebores.

Our March program speaker was Horatio Joyce who introduced us to the story of The Garden Conservancy and the evolution of its mission to restore, rescue, and rehabilitate public gardens as well as to open private gardens to the public. Frank Cabot, a financier and passionate gardener and horticulturalist founded the Conservancy in 1989 after noting that two-thirds of America's great gardens had been destroyed by development. The Conservancy began with "four acres of giant cactuses, succulents and native species" in Walnut Creek, California, the life's work of gardener Ruth Bancroft. The Conservancy is now a nationwide organization, active in the preservation of 17 important private gardens for posterity, including the rehabilitation of the gardens at Alcatraz. Its Open Days program has introduced more than 300 private gardens to the public throughout the United States ― including the garden of our own Cynthia Corhan-Aitken whose garden will be open on Saturday, June 1 from 10am-4 pm. Click here to book a ticket and find out more about this special event!

Rutgers is hosting a series of seminars this spring as part of the university's "Earth Day Every Day" program. The webinars look interesting, very science-based.  The soil lecture should be great ― always lots more to learn there. Click here to see the descriptions of each topic along with the registration link.. And click here to view their monthly newsletter "Earth Day is Every Day."

The exhibits this March showed why this Club is going from strength to strength. Whether it was the superb quality of the flower designs, the wild imagination of the botanical arts creations or the sheer abundance of spring's lush horticutural specimens, everything simply sang. At right, Sarah Olson's sweet tea table decoration, and below, the winners in each category as well as Brenda Bingham's astonishing two-sided design. Flower Design Novice 1st: Karen Fricke 2nd: Olga Bequillard 3rd: Kathy Bachmann Intermediate 1st: Deb Hirsch, 2nd: Marie Donnelly Advanced 1st: Floss O'Sullivan 2nd: Barbara Baletti 3rd: Carol Callahan Advanced Plus 1st: Cynthia Corhan-Aitken 2nd: Sarah Stransky Trial Run Karen Fricke (critiqued only) Botanical Arts Topiary 1st: Michele Tomasik 2nd: Karen Fricke 3rd: Cynthia Corhan-Aitken HM: Fran Ackerly The Shoe class (all entries with the two firsts at top shown below) was divided by the judges into a ‘dress’ shoe group and a more ‘casual/informal’ shoe group, as there were nine entries total: The other winners in no particular order .... ‘Dress’ Shoe group 1st:  Floss O’Sullivan 2nd: Michele Tomasik 3rd:  Fran Ackerly HM: Cynthia Corhan-Aitken HM: Jacoba Coes “Casual/Informal” Shoe group 1st:  Karen Fricke 2nd: Cheryl Slutzky 3rd:  Marilyn Zaret HM: Barbara Baletti Horticulture First Place—TIE: Cynthia Corhan-Aitken/Kathy Bachmann Second Place: Celia Radek Third PlaceL Maureen Sprong Invitational Brenda Bingham created this dramatic two-sided design.

The last competitions of 2023-2024 (Theme: Dawn) will be held on Monday, April 15. Do not fear: September is not that far away and there is, of course, Art in Bloom to come in May! Remember that this is an evening program meeting. As always, your entries should be dropped off between 8:15 and 9:15 am and must be picked up immediately after the meeting. If you are not attending the evening meeting you must pick up your design between 12:00 and 12:30 pm after the judging. Register no later than Thursday, April 11, For Flower Design, Fran Ackerly at  fackerly1@gmail.com.. See the schedule HERE or in the Yearbook on page 42. For Botanical Arts, Florence Leyssene at florenceleyssene@gmail.com. See the schedule HERE or in your Yearbook on page 43. For Horticulture, Karen Whitehaus at parlonny@comcast.net. See the schedule HERE or in your Yearbook on page 43.