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. Education Beautification Fellowship Founded in 1926, our early members saw gardens as expressions of care for the community. Today, the roots planted in that era continue to define the club's mission to conserve and protect the environment while cultivating gardens and friendship with one another. In the News CLICK HERE to see ALL "In the News" posts Paint Your Own Pollinators 3 days ago Flower Show 2026: Awards Oct 17 Back to Basics Oct 17 Clip, Dip, & Sip―and Dahlias Oct 10 We're Out There Again! Oct 4 Ten Trees for Ten Decades Oct 1

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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.

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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. Events & Festivities We’re celebrating our anniversary with events throughout the year. Check back often because, as you can see, event details are still developing. Our full Calendar with these and all other Club activities is always available HERE . February 2 1:00pm Anniversary Kickoff. The celebration gets underway with a delicious tower of 100 mini cupcakes at the January Program meeting February 11 6:00pm Club President Fran Ackerly, in partnership with the Adult School at the main branch of the Public Library, leads a flower design demonstration in time for Galentine's Day. March 17 1:00pm Club Member Karen Fricke will present “An Introduction to Native Gardens” at the Montclair Library Bellevue Branch. April 27 6:00pm Our gala 100-Year Brithday Party for Members and spouses/ partners takes place at the Montclair Art Museum. Offering small bites, libations, and fun with our friends, the event will include a viewing of a movie highlighting the impact of GCM over the decades, currently being filmed. May 13-17 All day While participating in Montclair Art Museum’s biennial celebration of floral design “ Art in Bloom” is a Garden Club mainstay, this year our Club will be one of the honorees at the MAM's spring benefit luncheon on May 14. A video presentation featuring the contributions of Julia Berrall and Howard Van Vleck will be featured throughout at the event. June Two guided tours of Avis Campbell Gardens will be offered to the public scheduled to coincide with peak rose bloom in summer and the great array of dahlia varieties blooming in fall. Dates to be determined. September 24-27 The Club will be presenting an NGC Standard Flower Show at Van Vleck House & Gardens entitled "A Century in Bloom." All our Members will be involved in creating the event to showcase Flower Design, Horticulture and more, under the leadership of Club Members Sarah Stransky and Karen Fricke. October In partnership with the NJ Tree Foundation, we will be planting ten trees in Montclair, one for each year of our existence. The location and date of planting of these trees has not yet been finalized. December Our celebratory year will come to a triumphant close at our annual Holiday Tea. The date has not yet been determined.

Garden Therapy Committee Reports Committees 2025-2026― Olga Bequillard, Chair; Sheila Curry Oakes, Vice Chair The Garden Therapy Committee organized a series of engaging programs fostering creativity, well-being, and community. Three events were held at Oasis in Paterson, along with a smaller program at the Montclair Library-Bellevue Avenue Branch. In October, a Botanical Arts workshop invited participants to decorate 8 x 4 inch keepsake boxes using dried flowers, leaves, grasses, and ribbons. Our leader introduced materials and discussed texture, form, and mood. After a guided demonstration, each participant created a box unique in style and form. The workshop celebrated the beauty of creativity, expressing emotion, and finding moments of peace through the process. In February, a Galentine’s Day floral workshop featured five flower varieties, various types of greens, colorful ribbons, and glittery heart accents. With full participation, 20 clients and 10 volunteers created personalized arrangements reflecting their individual styles. At the outset, our leader discussed and guided the participants in mechanics, color combinations, and plant materials. We believe that engaging with fresh blooms elevates one’s mood. It is a wonderful and popular form of creative therapy. In March, at the Montclair Public Library-Bellevue Avenue Branch, Member Karen Fricke presented a talk on native plants. The presentation highlighted practical ways to support ecological health through home gardening. It was well attended and there was much discussion during the Q&A session. In April, a workshop on aromatherapy engaged 18 clients and six volunteers. Participants created potpourri jars and custom teabags using materials and blending herbs that have aromatherapy properties. We started the session by discussing aromatherapy, emphasizing memory (especially of a cherished one), scent, and well-being. The goal was to learn about using aromas and herbs to help reduce stress. It was likely achieved as there was strong engagement throughout. The workshops encourage creativity, connectivity, and joy and continue to provide positive experiences for both attendees and volunteers. Committee Members 2025-2026: Fran Ackerly, Susan Benner, Olga Bequillard, Susan Brady, Betsy Burgess, Susan Dumont, Susan Gloeckner, Anna Lee, Maria Matesanz, Betty Murphy, Sheila Oakes, Imke Oster, Patricia Rodio, Denise Silverman, Lisa Sweitzer, Cheryl Slutzsky, Wendy Stahl, Michele Tomasik, and Provisional Jane Wallace. 2024-2025 — Susan Dumont, Chair; Karen Kadus, Vice Chair The Garden Therapy Committee organized four large events this year. Our programs were dedicated to the organization, Oasis, a haven for women and children, in Paterson, NJ. Our objective was to maximize our impact on a select group of participants, provide a sense of accomplishment, promote social interaction and improve a participant’s mood, sense of well-being, and satisfaction in a safe and supportive environment. An aromatherapy workshop opened our season of programs. Fragrant therapy jars were filled with lavender, dried roses, calendula and sunflower petals. February found us celebrating “Galentines’ Day” with a flower design workshop using floral themed material and roses. April’s workshop engaged participants in the technique of creating collages using dried flowers and leaves. Wrapping up our scheduled events for the season was the planting of the Oasis rooftop garden. We provided both planting guidance and education on horticulture care. Working side by side with the Oasis clients, 16 raised beds were successfully planted for a summer’s bounty of blooms! Members 2024-2025: Maria Matesanz, Betty Murphy, Sheila Curry Oakes, Sara H. Olson, Imke Oster, Floss O’Sullivan, Helene Peck, Patricia Rodio, Grete Scheidl, Wendy Stahl, Suzy Straten, Eugenie Temmler, Michele Tomasik, Susan van Inwegen, Jane Wallace, Sue Young. Provisionals. 2023-2024 — Susan Dumont, Chair; Karen Kadus, Vice Chair The Garden Therapy Committee organized four large events this season, engaging both Club members and clients in therapeutic activities. November found us gathered in the Garden Club room, where we created beautiful floral arrangements with a fall holiday theme for the Toni’s Kitchen dining tables. In-house dining had happily returned after a three-year Covid closing and it was a joy to be part of welcoming Toni’s clients back to their dining room to enjoy their meals. Aromatherapy, a new outreach program offered in February to our clients of Oasis, allowed them to take away a breath of spring after creating their fragrant therapy jars filled with lavender, dried roses, and sunflower petals. April found our volunteers meeting in Paterson to hold a flower design therapy session for members of the CUMAC community. Both men and women learned about basic design technique and then indulged in using five different types of flowers to create their own masterpieces. Our final event of the season in May found us back at Oasis to help clients plant herbs and annuals in 16 large rooftop planters. Providing both planting guidance and education on horticulture care, volunteers and clients worked side by side to install over 200 annuals and herbs! 2022-2023 — Sarah Olson, Chair; Susan Dumont, Vice Chair This season Garden Therapy continued to build relationships with organizations we worked with in the past and added outreach to several new facilities. We reinstated monthly deliveries of flower arrangements designed by our members for the nurses at Mountainside Hospital, to recognize their commitment to healthcare. Our very popular flower arranging workshops were held at The Cliffs at Eagle Rock and Freedom Village, both senior living facilities, as well as at Oasis - A Haven for Women and Children. We created almost 300 seasonal floral arrangements for our Sharon's Harvest Thanksgiving event for Toni's Kitchen patrons, and seasonal winter arrangements for Park Methodist food pantry patrons, and Human Needs Food Pantry shut-ins. And we got back in the dirt for our workshops with a visit to Freedom Village where we guided clients in creating windowsill herb gardens, and a repeat visit to Oasis to assist in planting their rooftop containers. 2021-2022 — Sarah Olson, Chair; Floss O'Sullivan, Vice Chair This season, Garden Therapy expanded outreach to serve additional populations. Our work included projects creating content to be used virtually, cheerful floral gifts for those high-risk groups that couldn't risk in-person contact, and, when appropriate, spreading cheer through active project engagement. September 2021 saw us working outdoors with a small group of clients at the Canterbury Village Senior Center, planting succulent cactus container gardens. In October, we began a new monthly program for the nurses at Mountainside Hospital to recognize their commitment to healthcare. GCM Members worked alone or in small groups to design a floral arrangement that was delivered to nursing stations at the hospital. Our outreach in October was leading a flower arranging workshop at Oasis; again, a huge success as we worked with 19 clients. We repeated our Thanksgiving event for Toni's Kitchen, with a new twist to honor GCM member Sharon Karlson. Renamed "Sharon's Harvest," we teamed up with Van Vleck House & Gardens "Good Grows Here" event. GCM Members sourced and prepped materials and then assisted families on the day of the event in the design of their flower arrangement. Over 180 arrangements were delivered to Toni's Kitchen. February saw the launch of our YouTube video, "Botanical Journeys." Beautiful botanical images were set to music for the enjoyment of seniors. GCM Members supplied and curated the photos and then created the video. Connections at Home, an organization that caters to "shut-ins," was one of the recipients. March and April were active with additional flower arranging workshops for two organizations: Nassan's Place, an autistic youth program, and Oasis. In addition, GCM Members made 100 May Day baskets for Canterbury Rehab Center in Cedar Grove. We got our hands dirty with our season wrap up on June 1st by planning and planting six raised rooftop containers at Oasis. Clients and GCM Members enjoyed planting annuals and herbs. Thank you to the Garden Therapy committee for all of your support this year. And a huge thank you to the Club membership for their enthusiastic support and participation in all of our events! 2020-2021 — Sarah Olson, Chair; Floss O'Sullivan, Vice Chair Like so many other aspects of our lives, the COVID-19 pandemic affected how Garden Therapy was able to operate and achieve its mission. Our face-to-face interactions with clients had to be curtailed but we were able to spread floral good cheer due to the terrific participation of our Club members. In September 2020, Club members prepared 60 bundles of flowers for Toni’s Kitchen which had become a food bank site for the community due to COVID-19. Much of the plant material was cut from the Club’s Avis Campbell Gardens. In November, the Club delivered a windowsill hydroponic edibles project to the seniors at Canterbury Village in West Orange so those who had been confined indoors for months could enjoy a garden brought to them. Our 2020 Thanksgiving project offered an abundance of beauty to the clients of Toni's Kitchen. Club members, with foliage from Avis Campbell Gardens, designed 150 Thanksgiving floral arrangements that were given to the clients. Our Club delivered 140 May Day flower baskets to the seniors at Job Haines in Bloomfield and Canterbury Rehab in Cedar Grove. After a winter of minimal in-person interaction, our members enjoyed the social, therapeutic affects of this outdoor work session, and the seniors were thrilled to receive the cheerful arrangements. Also in May, a small group of members assisted residents of First Montclair House in planting windowsill herb gardens. The residents enjoyed talking to fellow plant lovers and showing us their raised beds planted with vegetables. Thank you to the Garden Therapy committee members for all of your support this year: Betsy Burgess, Ellen Colton, Susan Dumont, Donna Karanja, Vicky Kearns, Maria Matesanz, Maureen Michaud, Helene Peck, Peg Scott-Fleming, Wendy Stahl, Patt Sullivan-Perry, and Sue Young. And a huge Thank You to the Club Membership for your enthusiastic support and participation in all of our events. 2019-2020 — Sarah Olson, Chair; Floss O'Sullivan, Vice Chair Garden Therapy reviewed its mission and established the goal of expanding its outreach to include not only nursing homes and assisted living facilities but other groups facing personal challenges or where garden therapy would make a positive impact. To that end we created new activities and reached out to more groups in a wider geographic network. In August, four GCM members played flower Bingo with eight residents at First Montclair House in Montclair. Amy South's Moss & More supplied the succulent plants that were awarded as prizes. Canterbury Village in West Orange was our destination in September. Eight GCM members assisted thirteen senior residents in crafting artificial floral arrangements in raffia pouches that would hang on their apartment doors. Residents made their own choices from our offering of artificial and dried flowers and live greens. Our group visited Job Haines in October. Seven members assisted nineteen senior residents in creating floral arrangements for their rooms.We worked with a combination of artificial and dried flower material as well as live greens. Residents were encouraged to select their own materials from the assortment brought by the Club. In November, we shifted gears and visited Oasis in Paterson, a domestic violence support center. Our mission was to teach and create live floral arrangements with their clients. Fran Ackerly led the demonstration and six additional GCM members assisted 14 clients with their creations. Everyone was able to take home their beautiful designs. Vases and flowers were generously donated by Bartlett's Florists . Eight GCM members visited SOFIA in Montclair in February and celebrated "Gal-entine's" Day with 11 clients at this domestic violence support facility by creating live floral arrangements that the ladies could take home with them. Susan Benner led the demonstration and taught the basics of floral design. Vases were donated by Bartlett's Florists . Our March event at The Safe House was canceled due to Covid-19. We want to thank all of the GCM members who participated in our events and are counting on your support as we accept the challenge of continuing our mission of outreach during the Covid-19 era. We are grateful for the Garden Club's warm support to expand our program this upcoming year.

Flower Design Division Rules 2026-2027 Back to main Flower Design page. See also the online NGC Handbook for Flower Shows See Clerking Guidelines All Club Members are encouraged to enter flower designs in the monthly competitions as listed on the Flower Design page and in the Yearbook. RULES The NGC Exhibit Policies are printed in the Handbook for Flower Shows, Chapter 7, Exhibiting in the Design Division p. 79-81. Exhibitors may enter one (1) entry in Flower Design in each monthly competition. Designs should be dropped off downstairs in the Garden Club Room between 8:15am and 9:15am Designs must be picked up no later than 30 minutes after the end of the program meeting. Judging will begin promptly at 10am. Designs arriving late will not be judged. Decisions of the judges are final. Awards/ribbons may be withheld if not merited. Advanced registration with the Flower Design Chair is required no later than four (4) days before each Design Competition by emailing Flower Design Chair Barbara Baletti at bbaletti@me.com . Entry cards are available in the garden club room. Some plant material must be used in every design. Fresh plant material may never be treated; no artificial plant material is permitted in any exhibit. Refer to the NGC Handbook for Flower Shows pp. 80-81 for a complete list of plant material and non-plant material that is permitted and not permitted. Plant material on the New Jersey Conservation List may not be used unless it has been grown by the exhibitor or legally acquired and is so stated on an accompanying 3"x 5" index card. All plant material used in a design must be identified on a 3"x 5" index card and included with the entry card. Common names of plant material are acceptable. Plant material need not have been grown by the exhibitor. Exhibits must conform to the design type named in the schedule. Designs must be the work of one individual. (Exception: Companion Exhibits.) Flower Designs are judged using the Design Scale of Points found on p.130 in the Handbook for Flower Shows . Designers are not permitted to use floral foam in any designs with the exception of Oasis Renewal, Oasis TerraBricks, or Sideau Natural No Plastic Flower Foam (Agrawool). We continue to encourage the use of chicken wire, flower frogs (kenzans), pebbles, tape, or moss to anchor plant material. For questions about rules, design schedule, or specific designs, please consult with Flower Design Chairs or club judges (Florence Leyssène, Debbie Moran, Brenda Bingham.) FLOWER DESIGN LEVELS Provisional: Flower Designs exhibited by Provisionals are critiqued, not judged. Designs do not qualify for points or awards. Provisionals who are interested in moving to the Novice Level MUST submit at least one design during their term. Novice: Includes those who have earned up to nine points in Flower Design. Novices are eligible to receive The Elsie Bristol Novice Award (see award description ). Intermediate: Includes Members who have earned ten or more points in Flower Design. Intermediate designers are eligible to receive The President's Trophy for Flower Design, Intermediate (see award description ). Advanced: Includes Members who have progressed from the Intermediate Level by earning 20 points and one blue ribbon within a three year period in Flower Design. Advanced designers are eligible to receive The Garden Club Award for Flower Design, Advanced (see award description ). Every member of this level is expected to exhibit once a year. Advanced Plus: A competitive level for those who have won The Garden Club Award for Flower Design, Advanced twice. Advanced Plus designers are eligible to receive the Elsie Bristol Flower Award, Advanced Plus (see award description ) for achieving the highest points score and the winning of one blue ribbon. Invitational: Open to nationally accredited judges, professional flower designers, and Members at the Advanced Level invited by the Flower Design Committee. Participants exhibit for educational purposes and are critiqued. POINT SCORING 1st Blue 5 points 2nd Red 4 points 3rd Yellow 3 points Honorable Mention 2 points Unawarded Exhibits 1 point Tea/Luncheon Table 1 point

Committees Descriptions, Chairs, and Members Click on a committee button, or scroll down to read about them all. Avis Campbell Facilities Hospitality Awards Finance Membership Botanical Arts Flower Design Nominating Ways & Means Church Street Garden Boutique Open Gardens Workshops Civic/Environment Garden Therapy Program Communications Horticulture Properties Youth Avis Campbell Gardens Reports 2019-2026 Maria Matesanz, Chair; Kem Louie, Vice Chair; Barbara Meyer, Rose Chair Members 2026-2027: Guita Behbin, Olga Bequillard, Diane Bersen, Ann Bismal, Pru Borland, Karen Carter, Ellen Colton, Michael De Castro, Marie Donnelly, Susan Dumont, Susan Gloeckner, Maria Teresa Guanabara, 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, Valerie Slamka, Amy South, Maureen Sprong, Pat Sullivan-Perry, Michele Tomasik, Michele Trevenen, 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: Ann Bismal, Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Charlene Connolly, Michael De Castro, Nancy Foster, Maria Teresa Guanabara, Deborah Hirsch, Diane Kinney, Anna Lee, Leslie Meeks-Wohl, 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 Turre, 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, Barbara Baletti, Guita Behbin, Meredith Bergmann, Ann Bismal, Karen Carter, Jacoba Coes, Marie Donnelly, Susan Dumont, Nancy Elliott, 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, Deborah Hirsch, Tasha Madhok, Karen Meneghin, Floss O'Sullivan, Amy South, Lauren Zodel. 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, Diane Bersen, Susan Brady, Carol Callahan, Alison Christmas, Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Karen Fricke, Dee Hall, Alexandra Kilduff, Deborah Moran, Tova Narrett, 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, Alison Christmas, Ellen Colton, Marie Donnelly, Susan Dumont, Nancy Gentile, Susan Gloeckner, Dee Hall, Deepa Khosla, Clare Kuch, Anna Lee, Mary Anne Link, Maria Matesanz, Betty Murphy, 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. 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 candid ates 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 : Mary Anne Link 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, Nancy Haven, 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!

Properties Committee Reports Committees 2025-2026 — Pamela Turre, Chair; Melody Brown, Vice Chair It has been an incredible two years partnering with Vice Chair Melody Brown and creating a new storage space for the club: moving all of the items to a clean, painted and accessible space with shelves, and setting up for meetings, monthly floral arrangements, horticultural, and botanical competitions. Two years of teamwork with Melody ended due to family obligations. Angel Pollack is the new vice chair and will serve for the next two years. I am looking forward to working together for this period. 2024-2025 — Pamela Turre, Chair; Melody Brown, Vice Chair 2024-2025 was a busy year for the Properties Committee. Last summer we thoroughly revamped the Properties room at 60 South Fullerton Avenue to its current condition. The room was emptied, scrubbed, and painted, and all properties/inventories were organized in groups and placed on newly installed shelves. As a result, the monthly set-ups for routine meetings, workshops, and competitions were much easier. A special thank you to Sarah Olson, Karen Whitehaus, Floss O’Sullivan, Debra Hirsch, Barbara Baletti, and Christine James for their support and participation throughout the year. Looking forward to an exciting year in the fall. 2023-2024 — Nancy Stroud, Chair It was goodbye to Properties storage at Union Congregational Church and the Van Vleck basement; time to consolidate. Much thanks to those helping hands that moved pedestals, glassware, and many additional items to our Properties Room in 60 South Fullerton and down the street to Bnai Keshet. This move was a breeze because of the elevator there. Setups and breakdowns for the remaining competitions included repositioning chairs in the beautiful Temple and helping set up tables for floral designs, horticultural specimens, and botanical arts. Much gratitude to our members who graciously pitched in to assist. We assisted with pick up and return of pedestals for our Art in Bloom designers. Inventories are up to date. Best of luck and thanks to incoming Properties Chair Pam Turre and Vice Chair Melody Brown. 2022-2023 — Nancy Stroud, Chair 2022-23 glided by with ease for the Properties Committee. Union Congregational Church handled all our Program setups. Volunteers helped move some items out of Van Vleck House & Gardens and into Union Congregational Church's basement. Volunteers also assisted with moving photo display racks and pedestals in and out of basements. Workshops and meetings at 60 S. Fullerton were handled by presenters and attendees. The major effort went into the set-ups and breakdowns for our Arts & Flowers: A Design Specialty Flower Show held at Van Vleck House & Gardens in September. Many, many helping hands were greatly appreciated. All inventories are now complete. Properties are located at Union Congregational Church and in our properties room at 60 S. Fullerton. Thank you to all our Members who stepped up to haul our display properties up and down basement stairs. We are a team! 2021-2022 — Nancy Stroud, Chair As in-person activities and events progressed throughout the year, Properties stepped in for setups. Assistance from members of the Union Congregational Church staff, one GCM Member's husband, and many Club Members helped to lighten our work. Setups for competitions, workshops, Art in Bloom pedestal pickup and drop off, and our Annual meeting in the Garden were smooth and easy. Much gratitude to Florence Leyssène, outgoing President, for her advice and support, to Peter Zaret, Committee Members, and all who helped. Thank you to all. 2020-2021 — Nancy Stroud, Chair The Committee set up for our Awards Program, held in May in the beautiful Avis Campbell Gardens. New, lightweight folding tables were purchased for this as well as future events. Folding chairs were also set up. Recognition is due to Marilyn Zaret for her assistance carrying more than fifty metal folding chairs from the basement Club Room to the Garden, as well as to Deborah Hirsch for purchasing and delivering the new tables. Thanks to the members who stepped up to help us put everything away. Otherwise, it was a quiet year for Properties due to the COVID-19 lockdown. 2019-2020 — Debbie Moran, Chair The properties identified to go to Van Vleck for the year were taken over on "Moving Day" last summer and stored in the basement. Properties remaining in the storage room at the United Way Building were identified as either "keep" or "discard." Tables from Van Vleck made set up for Horticultural Competitions relatively fast. Using only lightweight pedestals was a boon because they had to be brought up from and then back down to the basement storage room. A set of four new pedestals for Design classes was made to add to the properties on hand at Van Vleck. There was no activity in March or April due to the corona virus lockdown.

Awards Committee Reports Committees See also the full list of GCM awardees and other awards since 1980. Earlier awards are listed in Yearbooks dating back to 1951. Earlier records are covered in various printed minutes kept in the Garden Room. 2025-2026 — Tova Narrett, Chair A heartfelt thank you to all our enthusiastic, conscientious, and hardworking members: Fran Ackerly, Deb Hirsch, Barb Baletti, Olga Bequillard, and especially Sue Young who wrote every word of the tributes! Deborah Hirsch created the lovely personalized award certificates. Barb and Olga each generously donated beautiful silver trays for our two newest awards: the Howard Van Vleck Award (for civic beautification and community engagement) and the Julia Berrall Award (for Traditional flower design). Together, we bestowed 21 well-deserved awards, at a relaxed and festive outdoor luncheon in glorious Avis Campbell Gardens. 2025-2026 Committee : Fran Ackerly, Barb Baletti, Olga Bequillard, Deb Hirsch, Sue Young. 2024-2025 — Sarah Stransky, Chair Many thanks to our dedicated Awards Committee—Fran Ackerly, Deb Hirsch, Floss O’Sullivan, Suzy Straten, and President Sarah Olson—who handled unexpected changes with grace. After much thought, the Committee retired the tradition of hand engraving the Silver Awards, as our longtime engraver passed away and the craft faded. At the May 22, Awards Meeting and Luncheon, 2024–25 Silver Award winners received certificates, and their Silver Awards were loaned to them, as usual. Also at the Luncheon, engraved glass trophies for special recognition were presented to Jacquelin McMullen (55 years) and Brenda Bingham (50 years), along with community partners The Montclair Foundation and the Placek Foundation. Our new crowd favorite, the just-for-fun “Bloomies,” was a festive closer. Although we didn’t win an award this year, we proudly submitted applications to the GCNJ and NGC, often honoring us in the past. 2024-2025 Committee : Fran Ackerly, Deborah Hirsch, Floss O'Sullivan, Susan Straten, Kate Khachaturian 2023-2024 — Deborah Hirsch, Chair Thank you to the Awards team of Floss O’Sullivan, Kate Khachaturian, Celia Radek, Maureen Sprong and Florence Leyssène. Your collective knowledge, wit, compassion and attention to detail were so important to the process. And thanks, too, to Sarah Olson for attending our meetings. As of this writing we are waiting on the State, CAR, and National Clubs for responses to our five applications. We are delighted to announce the following GCNJ award: Certificate of Merit with Gold Seal for our Yearbook 2023-2024. Award Application: Floss O’Sullivan, editor in chief of the Yearbook.. The Garden Club of Montclair Awards were distributed at the Glen Ridge Country Club on May 30, 2024. We introduced a new category, The Bloomies , to recognize many unsung heroes who stepped in to make a difference during the year. Emeritus Awards 2024: Susan Straten, Gretchen Prater, and Barbara Meyer The Till Beatty Allis Award 2024: Deborah Moran The Bauer Horticulture Award 2024: Karen Whitehaus The Louise D. Mann Award 2024: Sue Young 2022-2023 — Celia Radek, Chair Ribbons, rosettes, and silver. This was a very full awards year that included a Flower Show and competitions in Horticulture, Flower Design, and Botanical Arts at monthly meetings. The Club inaugurated a new award in the Botanical Arts Division, joining top point-scored honors in other categories. Thanks to Susan Straten for her gift of the silver bowl for this new award. Silver bowl perpetual trophies earned at the Arts & Flowers : A Design Specialty Flower Show were among the Club awards and special tributes presented at the Annual Meeting in May. The President's Award for Horticulture —Sarah J. Olson The Amy Hatrak Herb Award —Denise Silverman The Barbara Meyer Rose Award —Denise Silverman The Estelle Leibrecht Horticulture Award —Debbie Moran The Bauer Horticulture Award —Maureen Sprong The President's Trophy for Flower Design, lntermed .—Sarah J. Olson The Garden Club Award for Flower Design, Adv .—Barbara Baletti The Kay Maclane Van Deusen Rose Award —Fran Ackerly The Betty B. Merriam Silver Bowl —Debbie Moran The Barbara Slockbower Schaeberle Award —Tova Narrett The Botanical Arts Award —Floss O'Sullivan The Till Beatty Allis Award —Fran Ackerly The Louise D. Mann Award —Deborah Hirsch Special Tributes —Susan Benner, Marilyn & Peter Zaret 2023 President's Special Recognition Award —Sue Young Congratulations to the Yearbook Committee and Editor Floss O'Sullivan for the Garden Club of New Jersey Certificate of Merit for Yearbook 2022-23. Many more GCNJ and NGC Awards are detailed in the report on Arts & Flowers : A Design Specialty Flower Show . With appreciation to the 2022-23 Awards Committee members: Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Florence Leyssène, Sarah J. Olson, Maureen Sprong, and Sarah Stransky, ex officio. 2021-2022 — Sarah Stransky, Chair The Awards Committee is to be applauded for their work on GCM Awards and active participation in National and State Award/Grant applications writing. Many thanks to Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Sarah Olson, Celia Radek, and Fran Wong. We also appreciated the guidance of the GCNJ Awards Chair, Peggy Morrissey, who helped facilitate our application process. We are delighted to announce the following GCNJ Awards: Certificate of Merit with Gold Seal 1st Place YB-1 Yearbook 2021-22 (100-299 members). Award application by Editor, Claire Stepleton. Score 100%. Hanover Garden Club Trophy for outstanding innovative project: Website 2021-22. Award application by Sue Young, 1st Vice President and Website Webmaster, and Sarah Stransky. GCNJ Special Award/Large Club for Triangle Gardens (a Civic Beautification project since 1952). Award application by Susan Yu, Triangle Gardens Chair, and Sarah Olson. The Garden Club of Montclair Awards were given at the Annual Meeting held at Avis Campbell Gardens on May 25, 2022, with the help of the Properties Chair, Nancy Stroud, Membership Chairs, Deborah Hirsch and Cheryl Slutzky, the Awards Committee, and Marilyn and Peter Zaret, who set up and dismantled chairs and tables for the event. The venue location was revised to be outdoors because of a recent outbreak of COVID-19. Emeritus Award 2022 - Brenda Bingham. Dedication to GCM, GCNJ, and NGC through focus on flower design since 1975. Tribute 2022 - Sue Young . Webmaster/renovator of current website. The Till Beatty Allis Award 2022 – Floss O’Sullivan . Flower Design Education through the creation of virtual workshops and exhibitions. The Louise D. Mann Award 2022 - Sarah Olson . Garden Therapy development and expansion of programs involving many more Members and reaching out to more people facing personal challenges in our communities. 2020-2021 — Sarah Stransky, Chair Many thanks to the 2020-21 Awards Committee including Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Karen Kadus, Kate Khachaturian, Michele Tomasik, and Fran Wong for their Zoom input, and collection and cleaning of the silver awards. Special thanks to Michele Tomasik for her assistance writing and editing several of the Emeritus and Tribute Awards. We also appreciate the support of GCNJ Awards Chair, Peggy Morrissey, whose guidance facilitated our state and national award application processes. We are thrilled to announce these GCNJ and NGC Awards received in June 2021 for outstanding achievements in 2020 during the pandemic: Yearbook 2020-21 — Award application by Celia Radek, Editor. Score 100%. Certificate of Commendation First Place YB-1 Yearbooks (100-299 members) awarded by National Garden Clubs, Inc. Certificate of Merit with Gold Seal YB-1 Yearbooks (100-299 members) awarded by Garden Club of New Jersey. Virtual Flower Design Education 2021 — Award application by Workshop Chair, Floss O'Sullivan, Florence Leyssène, and Sarah Stransky. Certificate of Merit First Place and Overall Winner Award FD-2 (Aiv) Floral Design Program/Single Club awarded by National Garden Clubs, Inc. Garden Therapy 2021 — Award application by Garden Therapy Chair, Sarah Olson, and Sarah Stransky. Myra Brooks Garden Therapy Trophy #15a Renovated Garden Therapy Program awarded by the Garden Club of New Jersey. The Garden Club of Montclair Awards were given at the 2020-21 Annual Meeting held in Avis Campbell Gardens on May 26 with the help of the Hospitality, Properties, Membership, and Avis Campbell Gardens Committees. A celebration for Connie Young’s 100 birthday was an important part of the agenda! The Bauer Horticulture Award 2021 — Debbie Moran The Louise D. Mann Award 2021 — Floss O’Sullivan The Till Beatty Allis Award 2021 — Florence Leyssène Tributes — Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Sandy Sorkin, Karen Whitehaus, Fran Wong Emeritus Award Members 2021 — Bonni Babson, Betty Ann Cannell, Chris Cowles, Firth Fabend, Joan Larkin, Mary McGeown, Fritzi Mills, C.Y. Treene. 2019-2020 — Sarah Stransky, Chair T he 2019-2020 Awards Program, held annually in May, was postponed until fall of 2020. Because we have chosen to honor the recipients in a timely fashion, it is with great pleasure that we announce the following 2019-2020 awards: The President's Award for Horticulture — Denise Silverman The Amy Hatrak Herb Award — Denise Silverman The Bauer Horticulture Award — Maureen Sprong The Elsie Bristol Novice Award — Ginny Demoreuille The Garden Club Award for Flower Design, Advanced — Fran Ackerly The Kay Maclane Van Deusen Rose Award — Sarah J. Olson The Louise D. Mann Award — Claire Stepleton Special Tributes — Sarah J. Olson and Floss O'Sullivan All Awards will be presented at the Awards Program in the fall of 2020. The Awards Committee congratulates the above listed, and all our members, as you further our purposes of Education, Beautification, and Fellowship! And a big Thank You to the 2019-2020 members of the Awards Committee: Fran Ackerly, Karen Kadus, Kate Khachaturian, and Michele Tomasik.

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.

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