The Garden Club of Montclair is dedicated to sharing knowledge and practice of conservation, horticulture, and the artistic use of plant material. We beautify the Township of Montclair and sponsor and support projects in the schools of our town. And, not least, we foster fellowship and friendship through our work and our social activities. In the News Click here to see ALL "In the News" posts Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony, 2026 Jun 14 Art in Bloom 2026 May 17 100th Birthday Party: The Event May 10 100th Birthday Party: Designs for the Decades May 9 Julia Smith Berrall May 8 March Competition Results Apr 18

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.

Committee Reference Guide for 2026-2027 Please sign up ONLY for the committees to which you feel you can ACTIVELY contribute. The list below is not a general description of our committees, but a request for volunteers. CLICK HERE for a general description of all our committees to see whether you feel you can contribute. CLICK HERE to return to the Annual Dues Form. CLICK HERE for a general description of all our committees and members.. Avis Campbell Gardens and Grounds: Maintain the perennial gardens and shrub plantings, April through early November. Committee members meet as a group every Tuesday morning, with other days and special events scheduled as needed. Committee members will fill one of these three roles: 1. Bed Captain, 2. Bed Partner, 3. Garden Floater. Botanical Arts: Committee members will work with the Chair(s) to help create the schedules at the beginning of the year and help set up the monthly exhibitions. Church Street Gardens: Plant and maintain the raised beds in the downtown Montclair Church Street area. The schedule of work days will be created by the committee. Spring: Prune shrubs and perennials, pull spent tulip bulbs and plant annuals. Summer: Weed and water as needed. Late Fall: pull annuals and plant tulips. The fall and spring workdays (8:30 am - 12:30 pm) are scheduled on Mondays in late October and May. Civic/Environment: Several new joint projects with the township are currently in planning stages. Physically able committee members will assist with the planting and initial maintenance of these projects. Environmentally committed members will search out examples of sustainable practices both within our town and globally, and work with the committee to highlight these on the Club’s social media and website platforms. Be prepared to interface with other committees of our club to learn, educate, and share ideas. Communications & Publicity: We are looking for Members who are interested in the art and science of modern communications. We are also looking for those who can contribute short accounts and photographs of Club activities for inclusion on the website and social media. Facilities: Assist Chair in the maintenance of the Club’s physical plant. Ensure spaces (Club Room and Auditorium or outdoor space) are set up as needed. Interface with building management, i.e., communicate GC needs for use of space, garbage disposal, cleanliness of space. Flower Design: Attend committee meetings to help decide yearly theme, schedule, workshops etc. Assist Design Chair at monthly design competitions and workshops as well as assisting with other responsibilities associated with Flower Design. Garden Boutique: Assist Chair in maintaining the Club’s boutique store. Help set up off-site Boutique events and coordinate outside vendor sales twice a year, and perform other duties as needed. Garden Therapy: Garden Therapy is an opportunity to "give back" to the community with visits to nursing homes, senior centers, specialized schools, and refuges. Garden Club members work with the institutions to design programs that will interest participants and members alike, ranging from hands on workshops covering floral design, aromatherapy, botanical collage art and raised garden bed planting of annuals and herbs. Committee members will participate in purchasing materials, mentoring participants at events, helping to set up and break down the workshops and arranging car pools if needed. Horticulture: Attend committee meetings to help develop the horticulture schedule, choose the Horticulture “Project of the Year” and workshop. Assist Chair with set up and breakdown at monthly competitions, workshops and share your knowledge of exhibiting with new members. Hospitality: One of our three goals is "Fellowship," and the Hospitality Committee ensures that it is never far from any Club event. Members of this committee help organize lunches and teas, and provide all kinds of comforting fare for members and for judges at our competitions. Committee members should also help with set up and breakdown of these events. Membership: Volunteers on this committee are the welcoming faces for Provisionals. Their job is to mentor and make sure new members feel comfortable during their first year. As ambassadors for the Club, they publicize and recruit new members. They will also meet and greet members and visitors at program meetings and other events, and are expected to attend at least one program meeting where they will hand out and collect name tags. Programs: Yearly: Assist Chair(s) in suggesting and selecting interesting speakers for the monthly program meetings. Monthly: Solicit raffle items from speakers and/or purchase items for raffles. Confirm speakers 2 weeks prior to program meeting, confirm their needs for presentation. Check in members/guests at program meetings and sell raffle tickets. Send written thank you notes to speakers after each program. Learn how to set up audio and video equipment and assist Chair(s) with set up and break down at monthly programs. Be available to attend to guest speaker’s needs. Properties: Make sure our exhibitions and shows have the right equipment to make everything run smoothly. Committee members will set up and breakdown for competitions. Ways & Means: Plan and implement fundraising activities that are needed for specific projects. Members have the opportunity to lead specific projects. Workshops: Attend planning meeting over the summer to assist Chair(s) in selecting and organizing monthly workshops and recruiting instructors. Help Chair(s) with set up/break down/clean-up of meeting room. Crane House Decorating Sub-Committee: Assist with pick-up and delivery of greens; assist with set up/clean-up for wreath and swag making; provide refreshments on decorating day; assist with clean up on decorating day. Youth: Help plan and lead activities that introduce children to basic principles of gardening, floral design, floral arts, ecology, and conservation.

Annual Dues 2026-2027 Select ONE of the TWO options in the green boxes below to pay dues, select committees, and update your contact information. PAY DUES ONLINE Update Member info, choose committees, pay dues online . MAIL CHECK AND FORM Fill out PDF , print it out and mail it with check to the address on the form. Any questions? Contact our Membership Chair, Tova Narrett .

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.

Become a Member We are delighted that you are considering Membership in the Garden Club of Montclair. Please email Tova Narrett , our Membership VP. She will contact you, and answer any and all questions you have. In the meantime, read "In the News " or noodle around this website to get an idea of what we are up to. Your First Year: Opportunities to Participate To welcome you to the club, we make sure to assign you an experienced and knowledgeable "mentor." Your mentor will join you at meetings and social events, and provide you with information, encouragement, and guidance. We want you to love the club as much as we do! So, during your first year, you will be responsible for participting in: One program meeting Two workshops Two sessions gardening in the spectacular Avis Campbell Gardens One session gardening in our beautiful civic plantings on Church Street One garden therapy session (working with disadvantaged populations) Two of the following: ― One flower design entry (not judged) ― One horticultural specimen (not judged) ― One botanical arts entry (not judged). Provisional Dues: $100. Applications are accepted throughout the year. Click here for membership application. Provisionals are encouraged to attend all program meetings and workshops where they will get to know and be greeted by our members and learn about all the things that we do. If you already have a special interest you are welcome to join that committee .

Committees Descriptions, Chairs, and Members NOTE: This is the WORKING LIST, updated as of 8/22. It includes all the requests made on the 2026-2027 renewal forms. NOTE: It may include some members from last year who do not want to continue. Each committee chair needs to check her members, and let Sue at syoung@ibisnetwork.com know of any deletions or other changes. 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 2019-2026 Maria Matesanz, Chair; Kem Louie, Vice Chair; Barbara Meyer, Rose Chair Members 2026-2027: Guita Behbin, Olga Bequillard, Pru Borland, Karen Carter, Ellen Colton, Michael De Castro, Marie Donnelly, Susan Dumont, Susan Gloeckner, Donna Karanja, Ana Moore, Deborah Moran, Betty Murphy, Sarah Olson, Helene Peck, Angel Pollack, Celia Radek, Patricia Rodio, Maggie Rothman, Grete Scheidl, Lisa Schweitzer, Elizabeth Seebode-Zazzali, Pat Sullivan-Perry, Valerie Slamka, Maureen Sprong, Amy South, Michele Trevenen, M ichele Tomasik, Pamela Turre, Donna Uher, Jane Wallace, Susan Yu, Loren 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 Karen Fricke, Chair Members 2026-2027 : TBD 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 2019-2026 Botanical Arts Reports 2019-2026 Florence Leyssène, Chair; Debbie Moran, Vice Chair Members 2026-2027 : Fran Ackerly, Barbara Baletti, Karen DeLuca, Karen Fricke, Victoria Herrera, Debbie Moran, Heidi Muschick, Floss O’Sullivan, Marilyn Zaret. 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 Reports 2019-2026 Sue Young, Chair; Kathy Bachmann, Vice Chair Members 2026-2027: Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Charlene Connolly, Michael De Castro, Nancy Foster, Deborah Hirsch, Anna Lee, Betty Murphy, Sara Olson, Janet Oscar, Helene Peck, Angel Pollack, Celia Radek, Maggie Rothman, Lisa Schweitzer, Kathy Sorkin, Wendy Stahl, Nancy Stroud, Patt Sullivan-Perry, Pamela Torre, Jane Wallace. 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 2019-2026 Sarah Olson, Chair; Deborah Hirsch, Vice Chair Members 2026-2027 : Kathy Bachmann, Guita Behbin, Meredith Bergmann, Barbara Baletti, Karen Carter, Jacoba Coes, Marie Donnelly, Susan Dumont, Anna Lee, Maria Matesanz, Sydney Milliken, Sheila Oakes, Imke Oster, Helene Peck, Susan Straten, Jane Wallace, Sue Young. This Committee's mission centers 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 to the field of conservation and restoration as well as challenging current standards of beauty and landscape-care habits. Communications/Publicity Reports 2019-2026 Celia Radek, Chair; Sue Young, Vice Chair Members 2026-2027 : Janice Benton, Karen DeLuca, Deborah Hirsch, Tova Narrett, Amy South. 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, Deborah Hirsch, Vice Chair Members 2026-2027 : No current members 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 2019-2026 Bob Chapman, Chair; Vice Chair TBD Members 2026-2027 : Class of 2027—Lissa Barrett, Karen Kadus; Class of 2028—Fran Wong, Amy Poster. 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 of this committee are appointed. Flower Design Reports 2019-2026 Barbara Baletti, Chair; Florence Leyssène, Vice Chair Members 2026-2027: Guita Behbin, Susan Brady, Carol Callahan, Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Karen Fricke, Alexandra Kilduff, Tova Narrett, Deborah Moran, Floss O'Sullivan, 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 2019-2026 Susan Benner, Chair Members 2026-2027 : Susan Benner, Susan Brady, Ellen Colton, Marie Donnelly, Susan Dumont, Dorothy Meissner, Sara Olson, Brigitte Padberg, Nancy Stroud. Assist Chair in maintaining store. Help set up off-site Boutique events twice a year and perform other duties as needed. Garden Therapy Reports 2019-2026 Olga Bequillard, Chair; Sheila Oakes, Vice Chair Members 2026-2027 : Fran Ackerly, Guita Behbin, Susan Benner, Betsy Burgess, Ellen Colton, Marie Donnelly, Susan Dumont, Susan Gloeckner, Clare Kuch, Anna Lee, Maria Matesanz, Betty Murphy, Sheila Oakes, Sara Olson, Imke Oster, Patricia Rodio, Lisa Schweitzer, Denise Silverman, Cheryl Slutzky, Amy South, Wendy Stahl, Michele Tomasik, Michele Trevenen, Jane Wallace, and provisionals.. The Garden Therapy Committee brings nature, creativity, and connection together through a variety of engaging programs, including Aromatherapy, Floral Design, Botanical Arts, and hands-on rooftop gardening. These initiatives offer a meaningful way to give back to the community through visits to Oasis in Paterson and the Montclair Public Library, where we will inspire and engage participants from Life Long Montclair’s dementia program. Through the healing power of plants and the arts, we cultivate moments of joy, discovery, and well-being.” Horticulture Reports 2019-2025 Kathy Bachmann, Chair; Heidi Muschick, Vice Chair Members 2026-2027 : Jacoba Coes, Celia Radek, Denise Silverman, Susan Straten. 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; Janet Oscar, Vice Chair Members 2026-2027 : Betsy Burgess, Carol Callahan, Karen Carter, Charlene Connolly, Karen DeLuca, Karen Kadus, Dorothy Meissner, Betty Murphy, Amy Poster, Michele Quinn, Elizabeth Seebode-Zazzali, Cheryl Slutzky, Patt 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 2019-2026 Tova Narrett, Chair; Susan Dumont, Vice Chair Members 2026-2027 : Olga Bequillard, Susan Brady, Deborah Fitzpatrick, Anne Kerr, Clare Kuch, Sarah Olson, Brigitte Padberg, Cheryl Slutzky, Kathy Sorkin, Nancy Stroud, Pam Turre, Judy Voccola, Virginia Woo, Sue Young, Susan Yu. This committee is responsible for recruiting and welcoming new members and managing all aspects of membership in the Club. Nominating Reports 2019-2026 Chair: Sarah Olson Members 2026-2027: Olga Bequillard, Clare Kuch, Betty Murphy, Maureen Sprong, Michele Trevenen, Karen Whitehaus. 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, Chair 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. Programs Reports 2019-2026 Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Chair; Karen Fricke, Vice Chair Members 2026-2027 : Barbara Baletti, Deborah Fitzpatrick, Deborah Hirsch, Karen Kadus, 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 2019-2026 Pam Turre, Chair; Angel Pollack, Vice Chair Member 2026-2027 : There are no members at this time. 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 Reports 2019-2026 Susan Benner, Chair; Olga Bequillard, Vice Chair Members 2026-2027 : Marie Donnelly, Deborah Hirsch, Anna Lee, Janet Oscar, Cheryl Slutzky, Susan Straten, Nancy Stroud, Michele Trevenen, Marilyn Zaret. Plan and implement fundraising activities and field trips. Workshops Reports 2019-2026 Lisa Schweitzer, Chair; Karen DeLuca, Vice Chair Members 2026-2027 : Barbara Baletti, Susan Brady, Susan Dumont, Karen Fricke, Alexandra Kilduff, Clare Kuch, Florence Leyssène, Dorothy Meissner, Barbara Meyer, Heidi Muschick 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 2019-2026 Jacoba Coes, Chair; Susan Yu, Vice Chair Members 2026-2027 : Karen Carter, Nancy Foster, Donna Karanja, Ali Kilduff, Sarah Olson, Helene Peck, Susan Straten. The Youth Committee offers members the opportunity to spark that “green enthusiasm” that brought us to join the Garden Club in younger generations. We introduce young people to gardening, design, ecology, and conservation. The enjoyment of our program participants and their pride in their gardening accomplishments touch our hearts. We know they will continue to appreciate gardens in the future!

A Standard Flower Show "A Century in Bloom" continues our centennial celebration. The Show will take place September 25 - 27 at Van Vleck House & Gardens and feature Horticulture, Flower Design, Education, Botanical Arts Artistic Crafts, Botanical Arts Photography, and Youth exhibits. The Show is an opportunity to showcase and share the many talents of our club members with the community. Click here for the latest version of the schedule. NOTE: Keep checking the schedule on a regular basis, because updates will keep being posted until the final approved one is listed. The most recent is dated 8/15.

Calendar Garden Club of Montclair events have green dates; NGC, CAR-SGC, and GCNJ events appear as purple dates.

What is a Flower Show? If you have never been to a National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC) flower show, think of it as part innovative art gallery, part vibrant agricultural fair, and part living science museum. It is a free, public event where garden club members display their creative arrangements, share their most prized horticultural specimens, and compete for awards. Flower shows always have a theme, and ours, of course, is “A Century in Bloom,” in celebration of the hundredth anniversary of our club. The titles of all the different categories carry this theme, with references to phrases and concepts from specific eras of the last hundred years. We are members of the NGC, and follow rules set out in the Handbook for Flower Shows . Every Standard Flower Show must offer specific categories, called Divisions: Horticulture, Flower Design, and Education are mandatory; optional categories are Botanical Arts and Youth & Sponsored Groups. In this show we have included them all. Each Division is divided into Sections, which subdivide the exhibits further. Then those Sections are partitioned into Classes, to make sure that “apples are competing against apples,” and every entry meets the same criteria. For every show, all of the Divisions, Sections, and Classes, along with all of the requirements for each, are written in a detailed document, called the Schedule. Entries in an NGC Standard Flower Show must adhere to specific rules from the Handbook, and are evaluated using the NGC Standard System of Awarding, which relies on a strict Scale of Points, with a perfect score being 100. Panels of accredited NGC judges evaluate each exhibit independently, comparing it to the standard of perfection rather than against other entries. This means that judges may decline to award a ribbon if none of the exhibits merits it. Ribbons are awarded based on precise point brackets, and only one blue, red, and yellow ribbon may be offered per competitive class or subclass. Blue ribbon (first place) must score 90 or above. Red ribbon (second place) must score 85 or above. Yellow ribbon (third place) must score 80 or above. White ribbon (honorable mention) must score 75 or above. Multiple white ribbons may be given. If you see a 90+ sticker on an entry card, that indicates that the exhibit received enough points to qualify for a first place ribbon, but another exhibit/s scored even higher. You might have a third place ribbon winner who would have received the blue if not for exhibits that were slightly better. Additionally, best-in-division and best-in-section Top Exhibitor Awards are selected collectively by the judging panels. To even be considered for a top award, the exhibit must be a blue-ribbon winner that scored 95 points or above and perfectly met all requirements of its class. Additional club awards are presented as merited.

Garden Boutique Committee Reports Committees 2025-2026 — Susan Benner, Chair The mission of the Garden Club Boutique is to support gardening and design needs while generating revenue. We continue to sell items at programs and workshops. In the fall, the “Waxed Amaryllis,” a great holiday gift, was a popular item. While we use an “at cost” pricing strategy as a service to our club members, keeping costs below retail prices, the Boutique still generated $450 in profit. Exciting Boutique items were for sale at “Great Escapes,” the Small Standard Flower Show held in September, and the Boutique will sell 100th Anniversary Celebration bags, notecards, and various gardening and other gift items at this year's Standard Flower Show. Boutique items are now stored in the club’s storage room. 2025-2026 Committee : Susan Brady, Ellen Colton, Marie Donnelly, Susan Dumont, Dorothy Meissner, Sara Olson, Brigitte Padberg, Nancy Stroud. 2024-2025 — Susan Benner, Chair The mission of the Garden Club Boutique is to support members’ gardening and design needs while contributing revenue. Items are sold at our Program Meetings and Workshops. Although a Basket Raffle wasn’t held this year, we hope to hold one for the 100th Anniversary. The Boutique generated $450 in profit. Boutique items are now stored in the Club storage room. 2024-2025 Committee : Marie Donnelly, Anna Lee, Kem Louie, Nancy Stroud, Allyn Young, Marilyn Zaret. 2023-2024 — Susan Benner, Chair The mission of the Garden Club Boutique is to support your gardening and design needs while contributing revenue to the Club. Once again, flexibility is the key for the Garden Club Boutique. We continued selling items at our Programs and Workshops and had another successful “Basket” program. We generated $1,895 in profit this past year (Revenue: $3,188, Expenses: $1,293). Awards luncheon vendor donations from 2023 appear as income for 2023-2024. We have not received all the donations from the recent awards program, so they will appear as income for 2024-2025. Vendors donated over $450 from sales at our Holiday Tea. We anticipate similar donations from vendors at the Awards Luncheon. Special thanks to all those members and local businesses which donated items and bought tickets for our Baskets at the Luncheon, which contributed $760 to the Club. For those who got a basket, please thank the businesses who donated when you visit their shops. Special thanks to the members of the Boutique Committee for all their efforts. We welcome any new members to the team. All items are stored at the home of Susan Benner. If an item is needed, just ask Susan. 2022-2023 — Susan Benner, Chair The mission of the Garden Boutique is to support your gardening and design needs with flexibility, while contributing revenue. We continued our "Basket" sales and started selling items at our Program and Workshop meetings. We generated over $4000 in profit this past year. With revenue from a large donation of items from Brenda Bingham, we started off the year with $1,351 at our July "Garage Sale." Arts & Flowers : A Design Specialty Flower Show generated over $2,200 in sales ($1,700 in profit). We sold flower show notecards and bags. Special thanks to all our Members who contributed art for sale, which generated $702 in pure profit, along with our gorgeous photo flower dress, which generated over $142 in donations. Vendors generated over $800 from sales at our Holiday Tea and Awards Luncheon. Special thanks to all those Members and local businesses that donated items and bought tickets for our raffle at the luncheon, which contributed over $500 to the Club. Special thanks to the Boutique team and we welcome new Members to join us. Contact Susan Benner for needed items. 2021-2022 — Susan Benner, Chair Once again, our need for a flexible meeting place has challenged the revenue generation of the Garden Boutique. The cancellation of our in-person meetings, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, limited opportunities to sell boutique items and vendor contributions. We did not meet our budget of $1,000 but contributed a profit of $492. The Garden Boutique page on the Club's website was set up last year, but few new items were purchased. The boutique focused on selling our current inventory with a focus on demand items: Oasis, AgraWool, gloves, and garden utensils. "Basket" sales were the primary means of selling. For 2022-2023 our strategy will focus on sales during the 2022 ARTS & FLOWERS, A Design Specialty Flower Show, and providing items for sale as a service to our Members. We continue to use the "at cost" pricing strategy as a service to our Club Members by keeping the costs of tools for design and garden below general retail price. Look for exciting unique Garden Boutique items for sale at September's flower show! Vendor participation was inhibited during the past year, and we hope for more involvement in the upcoming year. Special thanks to the Garden Boutique team who helped with set up and sales. All items are stored at the home of Susan Benner. Just contact Susan Benner if you need anything. The boutique will need help at the 2022 flower show and to "reset" the boutique in the Club room after the remodeling. Please join the team. The mission of the Garden Boutique is to support your gardening and design needs. If an item is needed, JUST ASK. 2020-2021 — Susan Benner, Chair The Garden Club Boutique contributed $570 to the Club this year, less than the budgeted amount of $1,000. The cancellation of our in-person meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic limited opportunities for Boutique item sales and vendor contributions. The Boutique set up a page on the Club’s website. Few new items were purchased as the Boutique focused on selling current inventory. “Basket” sales were the primary selling mechanism. The 2021-2022 marketing strategy will focus on vendor contributions and sales at the 2022 Flower Show while providing items for sale as a service to our members. We continue to use the “at cost” model as a service to our Club members by keeping the prices of tools for design and gardening below general retail levels. Special thanks to the Boutique team who helped pack up Boutique items in anticipation of the United Way Building remodeling project. All items are now stored at the home of Susan Benner. Contact Susan if you need anything. The Boutique will need help next year for the 2022 Flower Show and then to "reset" the Boutique in the Club Room after remodeling is complete. Please join the team. The mission of the Garden Club Boutique is to support your gardening and design needs. If an item is needed that we don't stock, JUST ASK. 2019-2020 — Susan Benner, Chair The Garden Club Boutique exceeded its projected income of $500 and contributed $1,257 to the Club this year, despite the cancellation of our in-person meetings starting in March due to the Covid-19 emergency. We continue to use the "at cost" pricing strategy as a service to our Club members by keeping the cost of tools for Flower Design and gardening below general retail price. Our profit was achieved by selling unique items such as insulated gardening gloves, Therapy Dough, and Jellyfish air plants, as well as our holiday plants. The biggest revenue comes from the donations from vendors who sell products during our Holiday Tea and Annual Awards Luncheon. The new Make Earth Green Again caps were a success. We donated the profits from the sale of these MEGA caps to A Lot to Grow and NorthEast Earth Coalition — both nonprofit organizations support sustainability and the protection of the environment in Montclair ($108 each). We will order more caps next year for sale during the 2021 Specialty Flower Show. Many of our talented members are once again painting pictures inspired by the flowers in the wonderful Avis Campbell Gardens. The Boutique will sell them next year during the 2021 Flower Show. Special thanks to the Boutique team who helped pack up the Boutique items in anticipation of the remodeling of the United Way Building. All items are now stored at the home of Susan Benner. Contact Susan if you need anything. The Boutique will need help next year for the 2021 Flower Show and then to "reset" the Boutique in the Club room after the remodeling. Please join the team. The mission of the Garden Club Boutique is to support your gardening and design needs. If an item is needed, don't hesitate to ask.

2022 Arts & Flowers A Design Specialty Flower Show Barbara Baletti & Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Co-Chairs See photos of all the winners. Van Vleck House & Gardens September 16-18, 2022. The show adhered to all the specifications of the National Garden Club. The Flower Design, Botanical Arts, and Education divisions were judged by five panels of Accredited Flower Show Judges and the Photography Division was judged by three professional photographers. Florence Leyssène was named Honorary Chair. Arts & Flowers included Flower Designs, Botanical Arts, Photography, and Educational Exhibits. As the title suggests, the focus was on the visual and performing arts. Exhibitors were challenged to create floral designs inspired by the music of Broadway, the movements of a symphony, the blues of Jazz, and the popping and multi-rhythms of Hip-Hop. There were interpretations of Monet, Matisse, and Warhol in Petite Flower Designs and Collages. A highlight was the Alvin Ailey Challenge Design where six exhibitors given the same components created their own unique design interpretations. The Photography Division classes, staged in the Education Center of Van Vleck, featured both color and black and white images that illustrated patterns or reflections in nature, as well as an "Avis Campbell Jubilee" class with photo exhibits of the club's beloved gardens in celebration of its 70th anniversary. Three classes of photographs were judged. The two Educational exhibits highlighted the importance of native trees in our environment and showcased the dedicated efforts of the Avis Campbell gardening team captains. Arts & Flowers was free and open to the public. Upwards of 700 people attended during the three-day period at Van Vleck. Club Preparation and Participation Planning for Arts & Flowers was a two-year process. The Schedule for the sh ow was written by Barbara Baletti and Cynthia Corhan-Aitken with the help, guidance, and expertise of Florence Leyssène, whose contributions were invaluable. Seventy-one Members working on 15 separate committees participated in the staging and execution. Brenda Bingham, our Judges Chairperson, sequestered six panels of 15 judges to evaluate the show. Division I Design: "Aesthetic Adventures" — 10 classes and 40 exhibits of American Traditional, Creative, Parallel, Multi-Rhythmic, and Petite Designs. Division II Botanical Arts Design: "Perceptions of Beauty " — 3 classes and 12 exhibits of Collage, Pot-et-Fleur, and Decorated Wreaths. Division II Botanical Arts Photography: "The Art of Seeing" — 3 classes and 45 entries. Division III Education: "The Garden and its Harmony " — 2 exhibits. "Native Trees: A Few Understories" and "'Oh Captain, My Captain': Avis Campbell Bed Captains Share Their Stories." Recognition from the 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 Recognition from the Garden Club of New Jersey Mrs. Davd L. George Silver Cup: Finest judged Standard Flower Show 22-23 Garden Club RFD Trophy: Finest Standard Flower Show Schedule of 2022 Dorothy M. Schick Trophy: Excellence in staging a Standard Flower Show Myra Brooks Memorial Trophy — Creativity in Flower Arranging: Tova Narrett Patricia Grossi Petite Award Trophy: Celia Radek Mrs. Reginald Wilson Memorial Award: Michele Tomasik Specialty Awards from the Garden Club of Montclair Betty B. Merriam Silver Bowl/Creative Use of Plant Material: Debbie Moran Barbara Slockbower Schaeberle Award: Tova Narrett Many thanks to all the Members of The Garden Club of Montclair whose efforts made the show a great success, the judges who came from far and wide, the Women's Club of Upper Montclair, the Board staff of Van Vleck House & Gardens, and the Montclair Foundation.

2017 Flower Show

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

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Youth Committee Reports Committees 2025-2026— Jacoba Coes, Chair; Susan Yu, Vice Chair The Youth Committee offers members the opportunity to spark the “green enthusiasm” that brought us to join the Garden Club of Montclair with a new generation. We introduce young people to gardening, design, ecology, and conservation. The enjoyment of the participants and the pride in their gardening accomplishments touch our hearts. We know they will continue to appreciate gardens in the future! This year the committee initiated programs with new partners: Educational events with Van Vleck House & Gardens (thanks to Donna Karanja and Suzy Straten for setting up this collaboration) Establishing students' participation in horticultural events and campus beautification at the Sawtelle Learning Center Assisting Master Gardeners at the new Hillside School garden Our events: Planted tulips at the YMCA with Montclair High School Planted tulips at Mountainside Cancer Center with Deron School Planted daffodils at Sawtelle Learning Center with students and faculty Created and led activities at three Van Vleck House & Gardens events: Sensory Celebration, Art and Nature, and Scout Program: Insect Exploration Planted more than twenty different varieties of seeds and native plants with Hillside School 3rd, 4th and 5th graders and the Hillside School Garden team. All varieties germinated successfully and were planted in the garden! Trained teachers at Sawtelle Learning Center in a Winter Sowing Workshop to allow more involvement of classes and students Introduced aromatherapy jars to the Sawtelle Learning Center faculty. Multiple classes enjoyed creating these very popular Mother’s Day gifts Right now we are a small dedicated team—we’d love to increase our members. If you want to grow future gardeners we are the team to join! 2025-2026 Committee: Nancy Foster, Sarah Olson, Susan Straten. 2024-2025 — Donna Karanja, Chair; Susan Straten, Vice Chair This year, the Youth Committee continued working with two long-term partners, Deron School and the Montclair High School Transition program, while also exploring possible new partnerships with other youth groups. In November, we planted tulips at Mountainside Hospital with Deron students and staff and at the YMCA with MHS students and staff. We are grateful to May in Montclair and its tulip chairperson Celia Radek for providing the bulbs. In April, we created jars of potpourri with Deron School students and teachers in their classroom. We met several times during the year with the education staff of Van Vleck House and Gardens to discuss ways we could help with their existing youth-centered programs or present activities of our own on their site. In June, we taught children how to create simple paper flowers as part of Van Vleck's "Sunflowers and Summer Blooms" family day. We have reached out to two local elementary schools and hope to provide activities for them as well as for our existing partners in the coming year. 2024-2025 Committee: Nancy Foster, Grete Scheidl, Allyn Young. 2023-2024 — Donna Karanja, Chair; Susan Straten, Vice Chair Throughout most of the past year the Youth Committee continued to work on rebuilding community relationships that had been disrupted by the long Covid shutdown and on developing new partnerships in and around Montclair. In November we spent two mornings with students and staff from Deron School and Montclair High’s Transition Program planting tulips at Mountainside Hospital and the YMCA. The bulbs for this long-time Youth Committee tradition were provided by the May in Montclair Tulip Committee through its chairperson, GCM’s Celia Radek. After the tulips were planted, things were quiet for our committee until early spring when we suddenly received positive responses from three groups which we had contacted much earlier in the year. Between late April and mid-May we created floral designs with teenagers at Deron School, planted succulent container gardens with fourth graders at Kelly School, West Orange, and taught basic plant identification and potting skills to local fifth grade Girl Scouts at Avis Campbell Gardens. We were delighted by the young people’s enthusiastic participation in these projects; and their leaders provided very positive feedback. Another exciting event in the spring was a meeting we initiated with Van Vleck staff members to discuss partnering with them for a few activities next year. We had a great time brainstorming with Van Vleck’s Director of Education, Michelle Weissner and Environmental Educator, Kelsey Sirica. We look forward to developing projects with them in the months ahead. Overall, our committee ended the year on a high note, resurrected and eager to build on our successes in the year to come. 2022-2023 — Debbie Fitzpatrick, Chair; Donna Karanja, Vice Chair In fall 2023, the on-going pandemic continued to limit opportunities for our committee to work directly with children, especially indoors. We were very happy that Deron School students and staff agreed to join us on a crisp November morning for our traditional tulip planting project at Mountainside Hospital. Many thanks to Celia Radek and "May in Montclair" for once again providing the bulbs for this activity! The rest of our activities this year have involved consulting with youth leaders to plan for the coming year. Sue Straten and Donna Karanja have been in regular contact with Watchung School teacher Drury Thorp about the progress of the school's Connected Courtyard, a project that several GCM members contributed to in prior years. Sue and Donna visited the Courtyard in April and were delighted to see the once overgrown area converted into a beautiful outdoor classroom filled with native plants, weather-proof tables and benches, and hands-on learning centers. Our committee plans to continue supporting Watchung's outdoor classroom in the coming year by suggesting learning activities and helping teachers implement them. Donna has been talking to two local Girl Scout leaders about activities our committee could do with them. We are excited about developing these new relationships and sharing the joys of the plant world with children and their leaders. 2021-2022 — Debbie Fitzpatrick, Chair; Donna Karanja, Vice Chair The Youth Committee's annual tulip bulb planting took place in November 2021. Students from the Deron School in Montclair helped plant tulip bulbs along with Youth Committee Members and GCM volunteers at Mountainside Hospital. In addition, students from the Community-Based Instruction (CBI) Program at Montclair High School and Club volunteers helped plant bubs at the Park Street YMCA. A special thank you to Celia Radek and "May in Montclair " for providing the bulbs! Youth Committee Members also assisted the Garden Therapy Committee in November at the "Good Grows Here" celebration at Van Vleck House & Gardens. They helped families create crafts and seasonal, natural material centerpieces to keep and to donate to "Sharon's Harvest" Thanksgiving guests at Toni's Kitchen. Our primary anticipated project this year was working with Watchung School to develop a landscape plan for its outdoor classroom. Watchung School received a $10,000 award from the Sustainable Jersey for Schools Grant Program for its Connected Courtyard Project. The school has hired a landscaper and work is scheduled to begin in late August. No further assistance is needed from the Garden Club at this time. We had also planned to offer flower design workshops to local Scouting organizations. Activities and opportunities to work with both local schools and organizations were limited due to COVID-19 restrictions and concerns this past year. 2020-2021 — Nancy Foster, Chair; Susan Straten, Vice Chair Our annual tulip planting took place in November 2020. Traditionally, students from the Deron School help plant about 200 pink tulip bulbs in front of the Oncology Clinic at Mountainside Hospital. The students could not come this year because of COVID. Many, many thanks to Nancy Sweetser and her family who volunteered and completed the planting! The main project this year was working with Watchung School to develop a landscape plan for an “outdoor classroom” in its courtyard. Suzy Straten, Deb Hirsch, Maureen Sprong, Sarah Olson, Barb Baletti, Claire Stepleton, and Susan Dumont met many times during the winter months with Drury Thorp and Sarah Paulsen from Watchung School to develop this plan. Cynthia Corhan-Aitken provided invaluable expertise, including landscape design and plant selection recommendations. Watchung School received a $10,000 grant from the Sustainable Jersey for Schools Grant for their “Connected Courtyard” project. Additional fund-raising and implementation of the Connected Courtyard will continue next year. We had planned to again offer flower design classes to local Girl Scout troops to provide an opportunity for participants to enter designs in the Garden Club’s Flower Show. Eight classes were scheduled to take place in the spring, but due to COVID only one workshop took place. The goal of assessing the status of Pollinator Gardens in Montclair’s elementary schools and following up with a plan to implement them was deferred because of COVID constraints. Thanks to our enthusiastic and determined Committee, we made it through the pandemic challenges and had a successful year! 2019-2020 — Nancy Foster, Chair; Susan Straten, Vice Chair Nancy Sweetser again organized a very successful pink tulip bulb planting at the Oncology Center at Mountainside Hospital. On November 6, students from the Deron School enthusiastically planted over 200 bulbs. The Youth Committee identified three projects to pursue for the year: Develop a landscape plan for Watchung School's Courtyard that incorporates a Native American teaching garden. A group consisting of Deb Hirsch, Maureen Sprong, Sarah Olson, Barb Baletti, Claire Stepleton, and Susan Dumont met many times during the winter and, working with Drury Thorpe and Sarah Paulsen from Watchung School, developed a plan for the courtyard which features an outdoor classroom/lunch area, teaching stations and utilizes native species. A few final touches have yet to be made, but the plan has been enthusiastically received by the school and they are seeking funding to execute the plan. Offer Flower Design classes to local Girl Scout troops and provide an opportunity for participants to enter a design in September's Flower Show. Working through the Girl Scout Council, we had 10 local troops express interest in doing a Flower Design workshop. We had eight scheduled to take place in March, April and early May. Unfortunately, due to Covid-19, only one workshop took place. We will try again in the fall. Floss O'Sullivan, Susan Benner, Susan Dumont, Marilyn Zaret, Sarah Olson, and Terri Breen volunteered to run workshops Assess the status of Pollinator Gardens in Montclair's elementary schools and follow up with a plan for schools that do not have them. This goal was also to be worked on in the ·spring and is deferred to next year.

Nominating Committee Reports Committees 2025-2026 — Marie Donnelly, Chair In January, the Nominating Committee began looking for nominees to fill 15 open positions. Although the task had some ups and downs and seemed daunting when a few acceptances were retracted, it became an exercise that informed and inspired all of us. Many thanks to the team listed below for their tireless work. You were an amazing team, dedicated to keeping our club running smoothly for the future. 2025-2026 Committee: Barbara Baletti, Susan Benner, Karen Fricke, Sarah Olson, Florence Sinofsky, Fran Wong, Cheryl Slutsky (ex-officio) and Fran Ackerly (ex-officio.) 2024-2025 —Tova Narrett, Chair The Nominating Committee met in early January. Over the next six weeks, members worked together to successfully recruit candidates to fill 12 important Club positions on the Board. 2024-2025 Committee: Cynthia Corhan-Aitken; Marie Donnelly; Sarah J. Olson; Celia Radek; Cheryl Slutzky; Maureen Sprong; Sue Young; Marilyn Zaret. 2023-2024 — Barbara Baletti, Chair The Nominating Committee began its efforts to prepare a slate of Officers and Chairs in early December 2023 and continued through March 2024 through email correspondence, Zoom meetings, and telephone/text outreach. Our “NomCom” made an effort to understand the responsibilities of Committee Chairs which helped to target and recruit members to fill specific Chair positions. The slate of Officer and Chair Positions presented to the Board of Trustees in April included candidates for: 1st VP Membership, 3rd VP Finance, Recording Secretary (one year), Avis Campbell Gardens, Civic/Environment (one year), Facilities, Flower Design, Horticulture, Hospitality, Potpourri, Nominating, Properties, Ways and Means, and Workshops. In addition to these Board/Chair positions, new members were suggested for the Finance Committee. Committee members did an outstanding job, and thanks go to all the Garden Club of Montclair members who agreed to accept these positions. Recruiting such qualified nominees is not an easy task, but the team I had to work with did an amazing job. They were responsive, reliable, and forward thinking.They cast a wide net this year and were able to bring on board both experienced individuals and new bounty. I thank them all: Terri Breen, Tova Narrett, Denise Silverman, Cheryl Slutzky, Amy South, Nancy Stroud, and Virginia Woo. I would also like to give special thanks to Sarah Olson, our President and greatest asset, who does not just preside but who produces. 2022-2023 — Susan Straten, Chair The Nominating Committee met seven times by Zoom to fill the following Officer and Committee Chair positions: President, 2nd Vice President/Communications, Recording Secretary, Avis Campbell Gardens & Grounds, Triangle Gardens, Garden Therapy, Program, and Youth. Working with these committee Chair candidates, we appointed Vice Chairs for each of their committees. In addition, we nominated two members to the Finance Committee and six members to the Nominating Committee. We selected Barbara Baletti from this year's Committee to chair the Nominating Committee next year. Our team was excited to present a strong group of leaders to the membership for their approval. I want to thank the Committee Members Barbara Baletti, Marie Donnelly, Floss O'Sullivan, Marilyn Zaret, and our ex-officio members Cheryl Slutzky, Membership Chair, and President Sarah Stransky for their conscientiousness and commitment to our charge. Their willingness to share their insights and to make some of the "asks" was most appreciated. The way this committee worked together in such a thoughtful and efficient manner is an example of why our Club is so great! 2021-2022 — Karen Kadus, Chair The 2021-2022 Nominating Committee began its work in June and continued through January to prepare a slate of Officers and Committee Chairs to serve in leadership positions in The Garden Club of Montclair. The nominations were forwarded to the Board of Trustees in February. Due to the ongoing pandemic, all meetings were held on Zoom. The committee filled the following leadership positions of Officers, Committee Chairs and Vice Chairs for 2022-2024: President (one year), 1st Vice President Membership, 3rd Vice President Finance, Recording Secretary (one year), Avis Campbell Gardens, Civic Beautification, Facilities, Flower Design, Horticulture, Hospitality, Newsletter Potpourri, Nominating, Properties,Ways and Means, Workshops, and Yearbook. We also nominated candidates to serve on the Finance Committee and the Nominating Committee. Many thanks to our committee Members Lissa Barrett, Susan Brady, Susan Dumont, Kate Khachaturian, Sara H. Olson and Maureen Sprong for their thoughtful discussions and outreach to potential candidates. Thanks also to ex-officio Members Cheryl Slutzky, Membership, and Florence Leyssène, President, for their invaluable advice and dedication to our Garden Club. Sarah Stransky, who served as President from 2001 to 2003, graciously agreed to accept the position of President for one year. Susan Straten will be the next Nominating Chair. 2020-2021 — Susan Benner, Chair The 2020/2021 Nominating Committee worked throughout the year to prepare a slate of accomplished candidates to serve the Garden Club of Montclair in leadership positions. I would like to thank Deborah Hirsch, Floss O’Sullivan, Karen Kadus, Michele Trevenen, Susan van Inwegen, and Susan Straten for all their hard work over Zoom and through personal calls to members. Special thanks to Florence Leyssène who attended all meetings and provided sound advice and guidance throughout the year. Despite challenges caused by the pandemic, the Committee successfully filled the following positions of Officers and Committee Chairs for the upcoming term: President, Communication, Recording Secretary, Program, Garden Therapy, Triangle Garden, Yearbook, Youth, Avis Campbell Gardens, Nominating and Finance Committee members. Special efforts were made to secure Vice-Chair positions for the following positions: Membership, Program, Garden Therapy, Triangle Garden, Youth, Avis Campbell Gardens. Due to the pandemic, the Committee felt that the Club would benefit if Florence Leyssène could continue as President for a third year. The Committee requested and received a change in the By-laws to allow this extension. Florence graciously accepted the position and we are fortunate that the Club will have her experience for another year. Since the Nominating Committee makes personal contact with members, the Membership Vice-Chair has been asked to participate in future meetings. 2019-2020 — Terri Breen, Chair The 2019-2020 Nominating Committee worked throughout the fall and winter to prepare a slate of accomplished candidates to serve The Garden Club of Montclair in leadership positions. I'd like to thank Fran Ackerly, Claire Stepleton, Jackie Kling, Susan Benner, Lori Vick, and Sarah Stransky for all your hard work. The Committee successfully filled the following positions of Officers and Committee Chairs for the term 2020-2022: Finance, Civic Beautification, Hospitality, Ways and Means, Properties, Newsletter, Flower Design, Workshop, and Horticulture. The new position of 'President-Elect' was created with a job description and responsibilities defined and voted on by the Executive Committee and, then ultimately, the Membership. We were fortunate our President, and previous Nominating Chair, Florence Leyssène, attended every meeting and provided methodical direction and sound advice throughout the year. Thank you, Florence. I'd also like to thank Deborah Hirsch who served as a consultant to our committee to develop the new President-Elect position.

Membership Committee Reports Committees 2025-2026 — Cheryl Slutzky, Chair Membership in the Garden Club of Montclair remains stable. Sadly, three longtime members passed away during the year. Our website provides the opportunity for interested parties to apply for membership. Both the membership chair and the website manager receive the application via email almost instantaneously. It has been my policy to respond by email inviting those individuals to join while providing them with the list of requirements to become a provisional member. Sometimes this is a lengthy process and sometimes it is very quick: it depends on the interest level of the applicant. On that note, we moved up four individuals to active status this year and now have five provisionals in the pool. There are several more in the wings. The primary obstacle to membership is personal obligation to other activities including work schedules. I have heard that often this past year. Eventually it deters individuals from keeping commitments. Daytime activities are difficult to fulfill for some of our interested provisionals. Perhaps our bylaws need to be looked at once again. In October 2025, I hosted an evening event at my home for provisionals and anyone interested in learning more about flower design. It was well attended and very appreciated. Thank you to Barbara Baletti, Fran Ackerly, and Celia Radek for being wonderful instructors. A big thank you to all the committee chairs, especially Flower Design, Horticulture, Avis Campbell Gardens, and Garden Therapy. You all helped to keep our provisional members current and on schedule. Once again dues collection was a bit of a drag but we overcame it with many reminders and telephone calls as well as emails. Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to serve the Garden Club of Montclair for the past four years. It has been my pleasure even through all the bumps. Congratulations to new Chair and VP Tova Narrett! 2025-2026 Members: Sarah Olson, Brigitte Padberg, Kathy Sorkin, Sue Young. 2024-2025 — Cheryl Slutzky, Chair Membership remains steady at 130, including five Provisionals. In April, our flower designers wowed crowds at MAM’s Free First Thursday, attracting interest — and at least one very active new Member. At our May Awards Brunch, we honored three former Presidents as new Emeriti: Janet Oscar, Sarah Stransky, and Karen Whitehaus. Each of these wonderful women have made and continue to make extraordinary contributions to the Club. Dues collection for 2024–2025 followed the usual pattern — early birds and late bloomers — and I am happy to report all payments have been received. Thanks to all Committee Chairs, especially Flower Design, Horticulture, Avis Campbell, and Garden Therapy, for guiding Provisionals and making them welcome. A special plea: please pay dues by credit card and choose committees via our website. Save time and save a tree! 2024-2025 Members: Susan Brady, Tova Narrett, Brigitte Padberg, Kathy Sorkin, Sonyia Woloshyn. 2023-2024 — Cheryl Slutzky, Chair Membership in the Garden Club of Montclair is stable. Sadly, several beloved members have passed away, a few have resigned for personal reasons, and a few provisional members have had second thoughts due to work schedules. That being said, we continue to attract many interested individuals by way of recommendations from friends and through discovering our truly amazing website. Our website shows off our Club’s accomplishments and describes all we do as a vibrant organization that is constantly evolving. We began the year with 19 provisional members and it is exciting to be moving 10 of these members into active status. They have all worked hard to get there, each in their own individual way. We need every one of them to take an active role especially as we near the celebration of the Club’s 100th anniversary! The Membership Committee is a small group. It does not share the popularity of Garden Therapy, Avis Campbell Gardens, Hospitality, etc. For that reason, I will be welcoming a Vice Chair this year, Fran Ackerly. Fran, who is known for being the Chair of Flower Design and also a floral designer par excellence, will be joining the Membership Committee. She and I will be doing our best to reach every single member and to engage every member on this Committee to fully participate. If you decide to be on the Membership Committee you will advocate for new members. I am hoping to have participation at each and every monthly program as well. To my surprise, I’ve signed up for a second term. I guess I like my job. A big thank you to all the Committee Chairs, especially Flower Design, Horticulture, Avis Campbell, and Garden Therapy. Once again, you all helped to keep our provisional members current and on schedule. Your watchful eyes and encouraging words are appreciated! And once again, kudos to Communications Chair Sue Young for making the membership database available to me. Thank you to Floss O’Sullivan for diligently keeping all Committee Chairs and Officers up to date with her detailed meeting minutes. And a big Thank You to our President Sarah J. Olson for her patience and back-up. All I need now is the ability to deposit checks remotely, and I’m set. 2022-2023 — Cheryl Slutzky, Chair Without Members, we would not have our wonderful Garden Club of Montclair. We saw an influx of nineteen new Provisionals throughout this past year. Several had to withdraw for personal reasons, but we left the door open for their return. From this class, we welcome three new active Members ready to share their talents: Kathy Bachmann, Jacoba Coes, and Karen Fricke. It is vital to the Club's growth to have a rolling admissions policy. If someone is interested in becoming a Member in November or January, we want to welcome them so they can start fulfilling Provisional requirements. While Horticulture might be on hold during winter, there are plenty of workshops, events like Crane House decorating, and clerking for judges. Garden Therapy opportunities were very popular with Provisionals, building camaraderie and helping the Club to do community outreach. Thanks to Sue Young for making the Membership database available and simplifying sending out correspondence, renewing memberships, keeping the database current, and staying on track. I so appreciate all the Committee Chairs, especially Flower Design, Horticulture and Avis Campbell Gardens. You worked with me to keep our Provisionals current and on schedule. Your input and team effort helps us do our best to get to know new people while strengthening relationships with current Members, making everyone feel at home in The Garden Club of Montclair. 2021-2022 — Deborah Hirsch, Chair Despite our continued health crisis, our Membership continued to grow, with an outstanding group of new Provisionals and a wonderful new leader of Membership, Cheryl Slutzky, for the coming two years. This year we did enjoy some time together, and it was without doubt a welcome time. The kindness of our Committee Chairs provided two workshops on two weekends for Provisionals in the fall at Avis Campbell Gardens, in Flower Design and Horticulture. I learn something from every workshop and going back to basics is always informative. Our incredible team of leaders have brought us new Members, maintained a steady calendar of Programs, Workshops, Flower Design, and Horticulture shows, Garden Therapy events, opportunities to work in our gardens, and exceptional communication through our emails and first-rate website. We are working to make evenings and weekends a regular part of our offerings, as we have many Members working full-time who will stick with us if we do! I look forward to working on many committees and under the leadership of our new President, Sarah Stransky, even as we bid adieu to our dear Florence. Take a moment to review the list of new and ongoing Provisionals, as this year we will have an opportunity to get to know them in person, as they will get to know all our Active Members and Committee Chairs. 2020-2021 — Deborah Hirsch, Chair Would you like to know how it feels to be a member of the Garden Club of Montclair during the Pandemic? Remember when the Titanic was sinking and the band continue to play? Well, we are that band. Our members have been impacted in a myriad ways but the coming together for our in-person Awards meeting this May reminded us all of the importance of our relationships to one another, to our beautiful Avis Campbell and Triangle Gardens, to the educational yearning we seek, to the community we serve, and to the amazing resilience of our members, young and old. Welcome to the new Provisional class: Tracey Alampi, Betty Murphy, Virginia Woo, and Lauren Zodel. Inquiries continue to roll in and last year's Provisional class has for the most part stuck with us, lending a helping hand where they could during this shutdown in our lives. We will meet again in May of 2022 to celebrate our new members properly. Until then, thank you to the Membership committee who willingly reached out to our membership to check in throughout the year. 2019-2020 — Deborah Hirsch, Chair Our Membership has proven robust and flexible during this challenging year. Twenty-two Provisionals participated with enthusiasm from the beginning of the year. The Executive Committee unanimously agreed that they all be invited to become Active members for the coming year, since they were unable to complete their requirements because of the Covid-19 pandemic lockdown. The response was a rousing thank you! Please welcome our new Active members: Susan Brady, Elizabeth Burgess, Christina Cattell, Robert Chapman, Ellen Colton, Jessica Fleming, Sharon Karlson, Dorothy Meissner, Maureen Michaud, Sarah H. Olson, Jacqueline Rondeau, Barbara Schiavone, Florence Sinofsky, Wendy Stahl, and Sue Young. Thank you to their sponsors, and I hope you will continue to support them in their first year Active status. Please welcome our new Provisional class for 2020-2021 who have already taken advantage of opportunities to work outdoors in the Avis Campbell Gardens and Triangle Gardens: Joan Byrne, Nancy L. Herron, Eleni LaSenna, Laela Perkins, and Maryellen Stadtlander. Remember, we encourage Membership applications year round, so if you know of someone who would enjoy our Club, send them my way. I hope all our members will embrace the new year in its virtual form for the time being, as our Committee Chairs work hard to spin their magic in Design, Horticulture, Programs, Workshops, Education, and Garden Therapy for us to enjoy. Thank you to my Membership Committee for their support this year: Carol Callahan, Sarah Olson, Brigitte Padberg, Gretchen Prater, Denise Silverman, Kathy Sorkin, Judy Voccola. To Fran Wong, database wizard, for keeping our information up-to-date, thank you!

Flower Design Committee Reports Committees 2025-2026 — Barbara Baletti, Chair; Florence Leyssène, Vice Chair The Flower Design Committee had a very active year, from start to finish. It began with our Small Standard Flower Show in September, “Great Escapes,” planned and executed by Debbie Moran and Florence Leyssène, and ended with the 100th Anniversary Celebration of our club at the Montclair Art Museum (MAM). In each event our designers were called upon to rev up their creative juices and they did not disappoint. Twelve flower show awards were given by National Garden Club judges in the September show alone. For the 100th Anniversary Celebration in April, we showcased eleven “Decade Designs” at MAM, each reflective of a particular decade in the history of the garden club, from the 1920s to the 2020s. They were placed on pedestals in Leir Hall and admired by all who attended the 100th Anniversary Celebration. You can see these beautiful designs on our website at any time. Sandwiched between these two major events was a calendar year of four successful flower design competitions. Designers submitted a variety of designs that spanned American Traditional, Petite, Creative, Transparency, Cascade and more. We presented a total of 73 designs despite some snow days that caused competition cancellations. We also presented new themes in our schedule which we hoped would compel our designers to think “outside the box” and come up with some design ideas that challenged their creativity. The results were impressive. Excitement could be felt from both judges and members in the garden club room when the designs were viewed. In addition, we designed a schedule that we hoped would propel our designers to think about sustainability and we challenged them with options to use recycled materials in their work. As expected, they came through with ingenious and striking designs. Although not a specific activity of our Flower Design Committee, the Art in Bloom event at MAM was graced with art interpretations by 23 of our members. Finally, I want to thank Vice Chair Florence Leyssène who has been an invaluable partner in the planning and execution of every flower design event this year. Her savvy and skills are remarkable. Committee Members 2025-2026 : Fran Ackerly, Barbara Baletti, Susan Brady, Carol Callahan, Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Karen Fricke, Tova Narrett, Deborah Moran, Amy Poster, Michele Quinn, Cheryl Slutzky, Sarah Stransky. 2024-2025 — Barbara Baletti, Chair; Floss O’Sullivan, Vice Chair We experienced an innovative and diverse Flower Design year which was quite successful. We eliminated the use of green floral foam and challenged our designers to utilize alternative techniques in their creations. We maintained a focus on the basic design types for Provisionals and Novices as they continue to learn the importance of the Principles and Elements of Design. We introduced new challenges for our Intermediates to test their skills with Petite, Multi-rhythmic and Creative designs. Our Advanced and Advanced Plus designers did amazing work with Abstract, Transparency, Tapestry, and Armature designs, just to name a few. The move into more difficult and challenging designs would not have been possible without the technical advice and assistance of our resident accredited judges, Florence Leyssène, Debbie Moran, and Brenda Bingham. We exhibited 87 floral designs in our competitions this year, 16 for our Holiday Tea and 15 for our Awards Luncheon. This speaks to a vibrant group of designers who love what they do, and a Club membership that appreciates and enjoys it all. Special thanks to Floss O’Sullivan, my Vice Chair, for her invaluable assistance and expertise. 2024-2025 Committee : Susan Brady, Carol Callahan, Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Karen Fricke, Florence Leyssène, Tova Narrett, Debbie Moran, Amy Poster, Michele Quinn, Cheryl Slutzky, Sarah Stransky. 2023-2024 — Fran Ackerly, Chair; Barbara Baletti, Vice Chair In keeping with one purpose of the Garden Club of Montclair, education, the Flower Design committee chose to go “back to basics” this year. In September, a two-part workshop was given exploring the principles and elements of design and how to apply them in creating a flower design. Later in the year, a point-scoring workshop was held to show how flower designs are judged in a competition or flower show. Trial Run was brought back which gave designers an opportunity to do a design new to them to be critiqued only. Thanks to our member NGC judges, the Invitational showcased more advanced designs as examples of what was ahead on the design schedule. Thank you to each member of the committee for her valuable contributions in planning this year, to Barbara Baletti who was there every step of the way, and to the 28 designers who participated by exhibiting 64 designs this year. 2022-2023 — Fran Ackerly, Chair; Barbara Baletti, Vice Chair It was an exciting year for Flower Design. Inspired by the success of our award-winning flower show, Arts & Flowers : A Design Specialty Flower Show, the committee made some changes to the design schedule for monthly competitions. The format was altered to follow the schedule of an actual flower show, allowing Members more freedom in choosing a design class and type. New workshops were offered, interesting challenges in Flower Design were introduced, and Botanical Arts made its debut. Members enjoyed the new opportunities, and Club competitions were replete with decorated hats and boxes, dazzling masks, and necklaces. These new additions were enthusiastically embraced by designers. We exhibited fifty-two Flower Designs and twenty-five Botanical Arts designs in five competitions this year. To educate new Members and increase participation in Flower Design, we are going "back to basics," returning to our original flower design format. Botanical Arts will become a separate division and have its own committee. 2021-2022 — Fran Ackerly, Chair; Barbara Baletti, Vice Chair Concerns about COVID-19 had an impact on Flower Design events again this year. Virtual Design Exhibitions were held in October, November, January, and February. Designers took a photo of their flower design, attached the photo to the online entry form, and sent their entry to The Garden Club of Montclair 's website. The judges were able to view the design photos and add their comments. I want to thank our own judges, Florence Leyssène and Debbie Moran, for the countless hours they spent critiquing the designs each month, and Sue Young for putting each Exhibition on the website for Members to enjoy viewing. To everyone's delight, in March and April there was a return to inperson Design Competitions. March brought us lovely Petite Designs ranging in size from 3 inches to 12 inches. In April, designers rose to the challenge of a Multi-Rhythmic Design. I want to thank all designers for participating and for sharing their creativity and talent. This year, 28 designers entered a total of 72 flower designs. A thank you also must go to Barbara Baletti, Vice Chair of Flower Design, whose ideas, suggestions, and support were invaluable. Working together this year was great and Flower Design survived and thrived. 2020-2021 — Fran Ackerly, Chair; Barbara Baletti, Vice Chair Many things were different this year due to the pandemic and Flower Design was no exception. The monthly Flower Design Competitions became Virtual Design Exhibitions. Each month, designers took photos of their designs and submitted them electronically to the Club’s website. Once submitted, they were critiqued by our own member Judges and each designer was awarded one point for participation. No Flower Design awards were given this year. The aim was to keep members connected and involved during the difficult time of COVID-19. In all, 23 designers submitted a total of 95 designs. This success would not have been possible without the support of Vice-Chair Barbara Baletti, Flower Design Committee members, Workshops Chair Floss O'Sullivan, and the Communications Chair Amy South. Thank you to all. 2019-2020 — Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Fran Ackerly, Vice Chair This will serve as my last report as Chair of Flower Design as I pass the baton to Fran Ackerly and her Vice Chair Barbara Baletti. I have loved every minute of serving as Chair of this committee mainly due to the fact that I have always had an enthusiastic group of volunteers with whom to work. My sincerest thanks go to Fran Ackerly who served as my Vice Chair during my second term and took a huge weight off my shoulders by always being willing to help and advise. Much gratitude and many thanks go to Florence Leyssène and Debbie Moran for always being there to support me, answer my many questions and, in general, encourage me every step of the way. To my Flower Design Committee members: Barbara Baletti, Brenda Bingham. Joan Crowther, Firth Fabend, Sharla Blanz, Carol Callahan, Tova Narrett, Floss O'Sullivan, Michele Quinn, Sarah Stransky, and Marylin Zaret; you have all always been willing to help and have taken on the many tasks that go along with this Committee with willingness and grace. Most importantly, thank you to all the designers who have participated in our monthly Flower Design Competitions. Your creativity has never failed to impress and amaze me. Without you all there would be a lot less beauty in the world! This has been a difficult spring for everyone. Who could have predicted that the world would go into lockdown in March and that life as we know it would change so extremely? Sadly, we missed two competitions for Design and Botanical Arts in March and April and, of course, there was the cancellation of our Design Specialty Flower Show scheduled for September. I look forward to the day, hopefully in the not too distant future, when we will all be back together again doing the things we love and sharing it with all of our Garden Club friends.

Finance Committee Reports Committees 2025-2026 — Bob Chapman, Treasurer and Chair We are close to the end of two years of major financial activities for the club: revisions to Church Street Gardens; the YMCA project; rehabilitation of Avis Campbell Gardens, including major repairs to the fountain and irrigation system, and completion of the bricks project; and the 100th Anniversary Celebration. These are all unusually large in terms of expenditures for the Club and they have all turned out well. Our conversion to QuickBooks Online has helped to keep track of these big activities. 2025-2026 Committee: Lissa Barrett, Karen Kadus, Imke Oster, Nancy Stroud, Ways & Means—Gretchen Prater (non-voting), President (ex officio)—Fran Ackerly. 2024-2025 — Bob Chapman, Treasurer and Chair From a financial perspective, it has been a good year: Membership dues are back to normal, we have strong assets to protect our future, and we had good participation from Committee leaders in preparing the budget for our next year. We are attracting more grants and donations than ever before: $7,700 in memorial donations and grants from the BID ($4,000) and the Montclair Foundation ($2,000). We renewed our maturing CD at Bank of America with a new $41,000 CD at Valley Bank, which had a much better rate: 4% APY, maturing Jan 26, 2026. We have purchased QuickBooks Online for better reporting and access. We have added two new categories (Committees) to the financial information: o Donations Made: Tracks donations to outside organizations o Memorial Committee Expenses. 2024-2025 Committee: Lissa Barrett, Susan Benner, Karen Kadus, Imke Oster, Nancy Stroud. 2023-2024 — Bob Chapman, Treasurer and Chair We try to keep the finances of GCM really boring: when Finances get exciting, you’re in real trouble! I am happy to say that we have done a pretty good job of “boring” this year. When our approximately $75,000 of CDs matured this year, we rolled them over at the same bank and for about the same annual yield. There weren’t a lot of different options in the marketplace. We are happy to have the income from these investments. We used some funds from savings to replace a vandalized bench at ACG and committed funds to the Triangle Gardens rehab project, which has largely been funded from grants and donations. Probably the most interesting item of the year is that we are apparently exempt now from paying rent and, instead, reserve the meeting rooms we need, including the auditorium, using the building's master reservation system. 2022-2023 — Bob Chapman, Treasurer and Chair The Finance Committee met three times this year by email and Zoom to discuss financial reporting, next year's budget, and investment decisions. It was decided that with the higher interest rates now available in these inflationary times, we should be investing in either T-Bills or CDs. In May we chose CDs of 7-month and 13-month duration. GCM is holding funds that have been donated in memory of several people. One of those amounts was dispensed this year, and we now have a better accounting as to the purpose of the others. The 2023-2024 budget was presented to the Board in March, reviewed and modified through meetings in April and May, and approved at the June Board meeting. We now have a better records-retention arrangement for financial information with solid offsite storage, and improvements in our non-financial records. 2021-2022 — Susan Straten, Treasurer and Chair The Finance Committee met three times this year to discuss the disposition of our savings/endowment, ideas for fund raising suggested by the Ways and Means Committee, and the preparation of the 2022-2023 budget. Our CD at Haven Savings Bank came due February 4th. It was decided not to roll it over and wait to invest the funds, pending improved interest rates. The funds were deposited into our Bank of America savings account. The Garden Club of Montclair was the recipient of many donations in memory of Larry Whitehaus, husband of member Karen Whitehaus, who passed away in May of 2021. The money has been earmarked for repairing the pathways in Avis Campbell Gardens. The Finance Committee presented the initial budget for 2022-2023 at the March Board meeting. Amendments were made then and after further discussions at the April and May Board meetings. The budget for 2022-2023 was approved by the new Board at its first meeting in June. 2020-2021 — Susan Straten, Treasurer and Chair Year-end actual expenses vs income came in $572 under budget due to the lack of activity of a number of Committees. The Finance Committee met several times to create the budget for 2021-2022. It became clear that dues income and random contributions would be insufficient in the future to support the needs of our expanding Committee activities. The Finance Committee recommended that the Ways and Means Committee explore fundraising opportunities which would bring in an additional $3,000-5,000 each year. Ted O'Dell, CPA, is reviewing our books for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 and will prepare our 2019 and 2020 Tax returns which are due October 1, 2021. We welcome Class of 2023 Bob Chapman and Maureen Michaud to the Finance Committee. 2019-2020 — Tessie Thomas, Treasurer and Chair When the COVID-19 crisis hit, I was amazed how quickly GCM went digital. When I created the ballot for virtual elections, I was thinking, "This was not in our plans!" Over two years in the Treasurer role (and the previous two as Editor of Potpourri), my mantra was automate and digitize. This pandemic just accelerated the whole plan. GCM continues to celebrate nature and make the world a more beautiful place for all. To me, GCM is a reminder of all that is normal and good in the world. There is a natural selflessness in what GCM does — a powerful reminder that collectively we can overcome anything, even a pandemic. As a mother of two teenagers with active sports and academic schedules, along with my work with other nonprofits, I am grateful for the support and inspiration from GCM Board and the Membership. In the work as Treasurer, we continued to build upon the themes of simplifying and digitizing. Nothing gave me more pleasure than instances where we were able to save many a lot of time and effort - even when it was a simple thing like taking a picture of a bill and emailing it to me rather than dropping the bill to my home or mailing it. We continued using Quicken accounting software and stuck to cash accounting. We filed taxes successfully and in a timely manner. We are on strong financial grounds. Despite all the sudden cancellations of plans and programs, we ended the year with $82,619.67: We made the budgeting process even more transparent with inputs over Zoom and buy-in from all the Committee Chairs before settling on the budget with the Finance Committee. After all that hard work, I handed over the keys to Susan Straten. Needless to say, the transition is straightforward as she has been my helpline and mentor! GCM remains fiscally strong. Account 2019 2020 CD $40,315.00 $41,403.98 Savings account $27,053.00 $25,112.87 Checking account $23,986.00 $16,102.82