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PGC September 2021 Flower Show
Celebrating Plymouth–400 Years

Schedule and Guidelines

Now accepting registration for Design and Botanical Arts Classes
click here for the Flower Show Design classes–>Flower Show Design classes with notes

click here for the complete pamphlet–>Plymouth Flower Show September 2021 

anyone may email (geri3williams@comcast.net) or call her (508-833-4355) for more information or with any questions

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June Luncheon – 2021

The Awakening by Kevinette Considine

 

September – 2020

David Gould, Director of Plymouth’s Marine and Environmental Affairs
Guided Walk Along Town Brook Restoration Project.

Interested members of PGC met with David at the Plimoth Grist Mill. We walked with him up the restoration river path.  He spoke to us about this project at our February meeting.  The walk was about an hour and a half…we’re didn’t rush…just enjoyed all the sights, improvements  and information. David is a town employee and can not accept gratuities.  However,  we, the walkers, made a donation to The Friends of the Plymouth Pound in his name. That is the same organization/charity that PGC donated to when he was our presenter. We were so lucky to have such a beautiful day for this event!

 

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September – 2020

The Covid-19 Pandemic changed our lives as we’ve known it. New lingo includes social distancing, masks, PPEs, quarantine, flatten the curve, contact tracing, ventilators/respirators, virtual/Zoom interactions, toilet paper importance, working/learning from home and so much more.

How exciting to finally have our first in-person meeting! Who would have thought it would be outside at the American Legion overlooking a lovely pond. We had our…

ANNUAL INSTALLATION OF NEW OFFICERS

and AWARDS 

CO-PRESIDENTS: Rebecca Freer Freedman, Patricia Parker FIRST VP: Coleen Costa 2ND VP: Janet Voyer RECORDING SECRETARY: Paula Butterfield CORRESPONDIING SECRETARY: Linda Berthold TREASURER: Rose Cain ASST TREASURER: Marie Young AUDITOR: Kate Angley NOMINATING CHAIR: Liz Hester

and… CAROLE GUDRUN
Master Horticulturist

our interesting and informative speaker came to us via the Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary and Manomet Center for Conservation Sciences (formerly Manomet Bird Observatory). Carole spoke to us about plants, especially native plants, that can be used to enhance our ecological systems. The co-dependency of plants, birds, insects and animals truly impact our human life. There is much each of us can do to provide thriving environments for all.  A tidbit of trivia:  the name Manomet is a native American word that means portage path.

 

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March – 2020
Beyond Blooms: Creative Design with Color, Structure, and Seasonal Senescence

The club enjoyed a wonderful presentation by Warren Leach, Award winning Daylily and Iris Cultivator.  He is the owner of Tranquil Lake Nursery in Rehoboth, which specializes in Daylilies, Siberian, and Japanese Iris. Warren spoke on the intricacies of growing perennials and woody plants to create spectacular displays throughout the year. 

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February – 2020
20 Years of River Restoration

David Gould, Director of Plymouth’s Marine and Environmental Affairs, provided an excellent overview of many town projects.  He showed the process of restoration and the science of monitoring these sites after construction.

Click here for Town Brook Restoration video: https://www.miloneandmacbroom.com/work/town-brook-restoration

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January – 2020
Care & Appreciation of House Plants

Our speaker, Dorothy McFarlane, discussed the care, propagation and pesticide use in relation to houseplants.  Members also won various plants and cuttings that Dorothy shared with us.

 

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December – 2019
Christmas Buffet Luncheon

Members enjoyed our annual holiday luncheon so much.  Kevinette Considine was ill and could not attend.  However, Liz Hester stepped in and was a wonderful mistress of ceremonies. Her rendition of the ‘Twelve Days of Christmas’ was so entertaining.  We’ll never forget that ‘darn 60 pound unassembled tree’ and the other hysterical items. The buffet table groaned with the masses of incredible salads, entrees and desserts.  Everything was yummy!!

 

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Garden Therapy – Laurelwood/Newfield House 2019

Meghan Rinker’s team brings so much joy to residents of our area assisted living facilities.  Everyone has fun helping residents create cute mini floral arrangements. The residents enjoy talking to PGC members and love to take their floral creations back to their room.  Everyone loves these activities.

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November – 2019
Fall into Winter

 

Award-winning floral designer, Mary Huntoon, demonstrated flower designs for the Fall and Winter.  She had our undivided attention as she shared her secrets with us.  The arrangements were so unique and creative. Her completed designs were offered for chance opportunities.  Members that won were thrilled!!

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October – 2019
Owls 101

   Morgan Ellis, Education Coordinator for the Mass Audubon Tidmarsh Wildlife Sanctuary, educated us about amazing owls.  The adaptations that make them such impressive night time predators and what we can do to help protect them.

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September – 2019
‘The Magnificent Monarch and its Life Cycle along with other interesting Pollinators

PGC is so lucky to have Gail Connor as one of our members.         

She is an avid beekeeper working to increase the population of the dwindling Monarch population.  Her butterfly garden helps in this endeavor.  She gave us information about the Monarchs and how we can help save them.  Needless to say we learned so much!

 

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May – 2019
Our 90th Anniversary Celebration

What a fun birthday celebration!!  History, games, prizes & music…that’s a recipe for a wonderful birthday party! 

                                                                                         

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April – 2019
“Two Designs from the New Flower Show Schedule”

Yvonne Capella is an award winning designer, flower show judge and GCFM board member.  She created both a Low Profile and a Featured Plant Material design.

 

 

 

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Floral Design Workshop

                        

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March – 2019
“A Garden for Butterflies, Hummingbirds & Other Creatures (Frogs, Toads, Racoons, Dragonflies & Native Bees)

Suzanne Mahler is Past President NE Daylily Society & Overseer for Massachusetts Horticultural Society. Her slide presentation was very informative and interesting.

Suzanne Mahler

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February – 2019
The Magic of the Winter Garden

Both Joan Butler and Jana Milbocker are past garden club presidents and GCFM Representatives. They shared wonderful suggestions to brighten up our gardens in winter. Beautiful images from their own gardens, the Arnold Arboretum and Tower Hill were truly inspirational.

                                                                

 

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January – 2019   Happy New Year
Pets & Your Plants

April Daley is a member of the Massachusetts Master Gardeners Speakers Program.  She presented her program about the various myths and truths about plants, pets and poisoning.  April Daley will delve into the topic of pets and plants. Whether your pet is a cat, dog, chicken or “other” (llama?!) they have the potential to be exposed to your plants either indoors, outdoors, or both. How much risk is involved, and what to do to protect your pets and your plants in each situation.

Presenter – April Daley

Fun picture of April

Protect our pets

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Christmas Luncheon – 2018

What a wonderful afternoon! Kevinette Considine once again was our entertaining hostess  extraordinaire. The Christmas tree was adorned with so many ornaments.  The buffet was a gourmet delight…there was so much tasty food for us to enjoy.  We had such a fun afternoon!

 

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Green Sale – December 2018

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Garden Therapy – November 2018

Our wonderful team headed by Meghan Rinker had a fun time helping residents at Newfield House create lovely mini floral arrangements. We all enjoyed this morning session.  How nice that team members had friends and loved ones who wanted to part of our photo gallery!

 

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November 2018
Your Body in the Garden, Ergonomic Gardening

Susan Guest gave us such an informative presentation of tips for ergonomic gardening.  She also showed us tools that help make the job less painful.

 

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October 2018
Floral Design Workshop

Geri Williams led another creative Floral Design Workshop before our meeting.  Check out the creative efforts of our club members. They will certainly enjoy their lovely fall arrangements.

   

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October 2018
History, Horticulture and Health

Rose Cain P.A. & PGC member and Keith Tibbetts Co-Director of Cultivation & Processing presented such an interesting program about medicinal benefits available today from several assorted plants. Their presentation offered information for enhanced and restorative functions, wellness and vitality.

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Books and Blossoms

Our talented garden club members interpreted books in interesting, creative table arrangements. What fun it was to match table arrangements to the correct book on the master list!  Lots of competition to get a perfect score!  Many other groups want to emulate this successful event.

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Art in Bloom, Boston

For those that missed Art in Bloom in Boston, here is the design Johanna Longo and Gail Connor did for their assigned art piece.  Such a creative and beautiful interpretation!!

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September 2018
Six Floral Designs to Welcome Fall

We started another new year with a wonderful presentation by award winning designer, Mary Huntoon. She completed six designs that were offered as chance opportunities.  How nice to have so many happy winners.

                                                     

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June 2018 – Annual Luncheon
2019 Newly Elected Officers

 

_{Pat Parker – Vice President; Rebecca Freer-Freedman- Recording Secretary; Elaine Finneral –Treasurer;  Janet Voyer,- 2nd Vice President; Linda O’Neil – President; June Aronson – Parliamentarian; Gail Conner – Nominations; Donna Johnson-Assistant Treasurer; Linda Berthold – Corresponding Secretary  (Pat O’Brien, Auditor)}

Past Garden Club Presidents: Pat Parker, Rebecca Freer-Freedman, Jean Dobachesky, Natalie Caramello, Joanne Nikitas, June Aronson, Coletta Candini, Kevinette Considine

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May 2018

Jaw Dropping, Traffic Stopping, Get Your Neighbors Talking Containers

Deborah Trickett, The Captured Garden, Massachusetts Certified Horticulturist showed us how to turn our front decks and patios into welcoming places. Her created container was a chance opportunity for a lucky winner.

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Junior Gardeners Environmental Program
Grade 5 Students

So many thanks to Geri Williams and her team for this incredible project. Plymouth students learned so much about the treasures of Plymouth. Later in the year each student received a pine sapling to plant and help our environment. Such a success!

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April – Welcome to Spring

How fortunate is our club to have two nationally accredited Master Flower Show Judges, Elaine DiGiovanni & Linda Ladd at our meeting.  They presented their processes for implementing amazing spring ideas and designs.  Many club members were so excited to bring home a wonderful chance opportunity Elaine and Linda designed.

 

 

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April Morning Workshop

As part of the continuation in Principles of Floral Design, member Judith Brown, presented a wonderful workshop focusing on a monochromatic design theme.  Artistic creations were in interesting and varied shades of green.

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February – Who Said Only Roses for Valentine’s Day

We  were very fortunate to have Yvonne Capella, Award  Winning Designer, Flower Show Judge and GCFM Board  Member show us how to design a beautiful terrarium and other container gardens. Plus her designs also became chance opportunities – congratulations to the very lucky winners!

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January – Raising Shellfish in Cape Cod Bay

Rob Doane, President and CEO Aquaculture Research Center, Dennis, MA presented a very interesting and enlightening program regarding the various steps in raising clams and oysters in Wellfleet and other area hatcheries in MA.  He expertly answered members’ questions with humor and knowledge.  We certainly learned a lot!     (Reminder:  you always click on photos to enlarge for more detail)

                       

 

Pat Parker constructed an artistic ‘Stretch Design’— a creative design in two units, one smaller than the other, having a prominent component connecting the two units and referred to as the “stretch component.”    Once again Natalie Caramello lead the Floral Workshop participants to create amazing arrangements.

            

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Christmas Luncheon

Once  again, Kevinette Considine hosted a wonderful Christmas luncheon.  Her creative 12 Days of Christmas was so well received…who will forget the tangled lights, large red balls and that needed vacation!! Fun, food and friends is a perfect recipe for success.

         

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December Green Sale

Betty Sanders, Past President of GCFM, showed us how to create lovely arrangements for our holiday table from items found around our homes.  Completed designs were chance opportunities for our members and guests.  Winners were so delighted with their arrangements!

   

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October – Hollies, Care and Propagation

Chris Wiley, owner of Vineyard Gardens, and Bill Cannon, noted author, presented a very interesting scientific discussion about the various genus of hollies. They brought sample bushes and branches of many different varieties. However, the club members enjoyed even more the hands-on rooting workshop. Each of us filled six different startup hollies that we cut, dipped into root tone and then soil. Hope everyone is misting/watering their specimens!

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Art in Bloom

The annual floral interpretations of Art on Exhibit at the Plymouth Center for the Arts.  Once again the Plymouth Garden Club was well represented. We even had a winner, Jean Dobachesky for her incredible driftwood  interpretation of River Refuge.  The co-chairs, Judy Brown & Nancy Markley, spent hours working with Judy Tessin and Pat Parker and our wonderful, artistic PGC floral designers to help create an amazing program with the Art Center.

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September – Books and Blossoms 

PGC is such a fortunate club to have so many designers who use their creativity to interpret so many wonderful themes with flowers.   Many came to the library for Books and Blossoms.  They enjoyed the beauty and the fun of matching a table setting &  flower arrangement to a well-known book title.  With clipboards in hand, each entry was thoroughly examined and discussed as guests moved around the Fehlow Room striving for that perfect score.

See if you can match the books represented !!

Cinderella (June Aronson),  Moby Dick (Judy Brown),  Snow White (Gail Conner), First Man- Neil Armstrong (Jean Dobachescky),

Anne of Green Gables (Rebecca Freer-Freedman),   Wicked (Johanna Longo),   1776 (Judy MacDonald),   Treasure Island (Pat Parker),

The Good Earth (Meghan  Rinker),   Clifford, The  Big  Red Dog (Linda O’Neill),   Out of Africa (Joy Sand),   Lonesome Dove (Anne Phalen of the Library Staff).

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September – Welcome to the Wonderful World of Honeybees

Gail Conner, Nominating Chair PGC and member of the Plymouth County Beekeepers Association, presented a fascinating program on honeybees.  Besides the queen bee which we are familiar with there are drones and worker bees.  Those worker bee perform many different roles.  Did you know there are nurse/housekeepers, undertakers, architects. cleaners/organizers & honey makers, the  queen’s attendants, guards and forager? We were amazed to learn about life in a beehive and her personal beekeeping experiences!

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June – Our Annual Luncheon

Following a delicious luncheon at the Plymouth Country Club, the Garden Club held its Annual Meeting and Installation of Officers.  The Club welcomed newest Life Member, Mary Almeida.  Donna Olsson received the Above and Beyond Award.  The club also presented two scholarships to high school seniors: Tommy Nguyen to study biology at Providence College and Tyler Chiocchio who will major in biochemistry and biophysics at Rensselaer Poly Tech in NY.

The slate of Officers for 2017-2018 were installed by June Aronson in a beautiful and moving ceremony.  Now the members have dispersed to their Civic Beautification tasks and their own gardens for the summer.  See you in September!

Officers 2017-2018

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April 12, 2017 – Cooking with Herbs

Betsy Williams, gardener, herb grower, and cook, demonstrated how to decorate our homes and flavor favorite recipes with herbs.  The afternoon ended with a tasty sampling!  Our April meeting also saw the return of horticulture specimens from member gardens, in which Club Member, Joy Sand, provided interesting information about the specimens.

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March 8, 2017 – Design Class, Invasive Weeds and Plants

March Garden Club Wednesday began with a morning floral arrangement class lead by Nancy Carafoli.  Then Russ Norton, horticultural educator from the Cape Cod Cooperative, taught us how to identify and control invasives in our home gardens and woodlands and explained how to control invasive weeks and plants in environmentally friendly ways.

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February 8, 2017 – The Lost and Disguised Buildings of Plymouth 

Architect and local historian, Bill Fornaciari, spoke on the significance of historic preservation in our community as the club members, through his slideshow,  took a look back at local buildings lost or redesigned through the years.

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January 11, 2017 – Unfurling the Leaf, from Harvest to Cup

Happy New Year!  Lisa Tavakoli, tea specialist and educator took us on a journey through the world of tea.  She spoke on several varietals of tea, and the proper way to make a cup of tea.  Club members were able to sample several types of these teas.

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December 14, 2016 – Merry Christmas

The club members celebrated their bonds of friendship, family and community with the annual buffet luncheon.  The food, everything from appetizers to assorted main dishes, to sumptuous desserts was outstanding.  The entertainment of Kevinette Considine nourishes the bodies and spirits of the club members.

 

 

 

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November 9, 2016 – Sculpture in the Garden 

Karin Stanley, sculptor and garden designer, demonstrated how to create peaceful garden rooms and to accessorize with sculpture.  She designs modern sculpture by tapping into the Irish and Scottish influences of light, stone, air and the spirit of the place.  Symbols incorporate earth, air, fire, water and shadow in different metals mixed media and explores lunar and solar patterns, time orientation and hieroglyphs that speak to unity, eternity and love.  Karin brought a small gift to give to the person with the birthday closest to hers.  Ann Urquhart was the lucky recipient!

October 12, 2016 – Learn to Prune

Using slides, samples of appropriate tools and safety gear, Jen Kettell, a certified horticulturalist and arborist, offered instruction in pruning techniques.  For more than a decade, she worked as a staff horticulturist at Harvard University’s Arnold Arboretum. Now she shares her passion for teaching horticulture through the training she provides to both homeowners and green industry professionals. She is a guest lecturer and trainer at the University of Massachusetts, MA Department of Conservation and Recreation, New England Wildflower Society, and the Arnold Arboretum. Her knowledge will certainly enhance our own landscapes of plants, trees and shrubs.  The brutally dry growing season has taken a toll on our gardens and horticulture displays.  The gardens are readying for an early sleep.

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September 26, 2016 – Sunset Soiree

We enjoyed a delightful sunset gathering of friends in the Henri-Marie Room and Patio of Mirbeau Spa with hors d’oeuvres, door prizes and mystery gift bags.

     

    

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September 14, 2016 – The Language of Flowers

We laughed, were moved and left our cares behind for the afternoon!  Master Storyteller Diane Edgecomb captivated her audience with delightful stories of the origins of flowers, especially roses.  We will never forget all the characters she introduced her incredible voice and facial changes. Celtic Harper, Margaret Chamberlain accompanied the stories with sweet, evocative music. Such an enjoyable, fast-paced presentation.

Members dazzled one another with a  of horticultural offerings from their gardens.  In a year of drought and water bans, the display was amazing.  Well done!

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September 2016 High Tea
Sponsored by Friends of the Plymouth Center for Active Living (PCOA)

Once again talented PGC members  volunteered their time and talents to create an incredible array of floral designs in teapots that were donated to the Friends.  Everyone raved about the beautiful creations!  It was so nice that some members were able to attend this special occasion. Attendees were thrilled to have the opportunity to receive such special arrangements at the end of the afternoon. Traditional High Tea fare, music, friends, our flowers and of course the hats made the High Tea an unqualified success!

Pat Parker PGC, Kevinette Constantine PGC, Judith Ingram PG, Madeleine Mulvihill, Catherine Walton PGC & Friends

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Annual Luncheon and Re-Installation of Officers June 2016

We ended our Club year with our annual luncheon at the Plymouth Country Club. Our benediction poem “The Suburbanites” was read by Kevinette Constantine, and thoroughly enjoyed by our members. Our President, Judy Ingram, conducted a short business meeting, highlighting the number of new members for 2015-2016 and welcoming all aboard. She announced her choice for the 2016 President’s Above and Beyond award–Jeanne Whitten. Jeanne has always done so much for the club, assisting the President with preparing the Newsletter and has a great attitude.  She received a standing ovation. All members and guests enjoyed a wonderful lunch of their choice of Lobster Caesar Salad or Chicken Francaise.

Congratulations to our two scholarship winners.  Charlene Kernen, a graduate of Plymouth South High School plans to major in Biology at Stonehill College.  Our second recipient, Kerry McGovern, a graduate of Plymouth North High School, plans to major in biology at UMass Lowell.

After the luncheon, the re-installation of Officers and Past Presidents were called to the podium. Past Presidents all received a single rose with yellow ribbons. The officers were given a rose with different colored ribbons based on their position and its duties before they were sworn in. It was a beautiful day!

The elected 2016-2017 Officers: Linda O’Neil, President; Susan Denehy, First Vice-President; Stacy Connor and Pat Parker, Co-Second Vice-President; Jeanne Whitten, Recording Secretary, Janette Somerville, Corresponding Secretary; Donna Olsson, Treasurer; Jane Bishop, Asst. Treasurer; Liz Branch, Auditor; Gail Conner, Nominating Committee Chair; Judith Ingram, Immediate Past President.

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Art in Bloom April – May 22, 2016

Members, Johanna Longo and Jean Dobachesky worked with a portrait of Major Thomas Savage. Jean prepared notes describing their initial thoughts.  “Major Thomas Savage is very current to us Plymoutheans because we are getting ready to celebrate 400 years as a colony, 1620-2020.  Johanna and Jean represented the Plymouth Garden Club and the Evening Garden Club of Plymouth.

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The Southeasterm District Annual Meeting April 21, 2016

The meeting was well-attended.  Thelma Shoneman gave an outstanding presentation, “Spring Floral Designs Inspired by Famous U.S. Gardens.”  The highlight of the day for our members was the presentation of the Floribunda Award to Jane Bishop, our Assistant Treasurer.  The annual award recognizes a member from each club in the district for outstanding service to their club.

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President’s Day April 13, 2016

This year’s program featured many of our past presidents in roles ranging from first-hand design demonstrations to indoor and outdoor horticulture and many related skills in-between.  The three experienced PGC arrangers/past presidents, Natalie Caramello, Jean Dobachesky, Joanne Nikitas, applied their proven interpretation skills to identical floral materials and produced unique results. Our guests included GCFM officers, SE District presidents and their guests.  It was a resounding success, thanks to the knowledge of our available past presidents and the expertise of the hospitality committee.  We welcomed 75, including 19 guests and 56 members.

 

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 Christmas Luncheon December 9, 2015

We enjoyed our annual pot-luck Christmas luncheon with fabulous favorite appetizers, main dishes and desserts provided by all members. The Christmas tree featured many interesting ornaments that were exchanged by participating members. The committee worked very hard under the direction of Kevinette Considine to create lovely table & buffet settings enjoyed by all. The candid shots tell the story.

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Christmas Green Sale December 5, 2015

The Green Sale at the Plymouth Public Library was a resounding success.  The Fehlow Room provided an ideal workshop for wreath production and floral arrangements on Friday.  It was converted seamlessly into a beautiful and fragrant holiday boutique on Saturday.  A special thanks to all the members, friends and partners who devoted time and energy to creating wreaths, table arrangements and craft items, setting the scene and overseeing brisk sales. Everyone’s effort netted a surprising amount to our treasury in support of club projects.

No review of our sale would be complete without thanks to the library staff for their enthusiastic support.

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Art in Bloom Road Show November 2015

Every March the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston features an Art in Bloom three-day event, where floral designers create a floral design interpreting their assigned piece of art. Many designs are entered by various garden club members as well as professional floral designers.
The Green Sale at the Plymouth Public Library was a resounding success. The Fehlow Room provided an ideal workshop for wreath production and floral arrangements on Friday. It was converted seamlessly into a beautiful and fragrant holiday boutique on Saturday. A special thanks to all the members, friends and partners who devoted time and energy to creating wreaths, table arrangements and craft items, setting the scene and overseeing brisk sales.

Everyone’s effort netted a surprising amount to our treasury in support of club projects. In November, our Southeast District Director, Fluffy Winner, assembled two mass designs utilizing flowers she selected based on the colors and subjects in the painting . No review of our sale would be complete without thanks to the library staff for their enthusiastic support. Meg Pierce, a member of the MFA since 2008, is a Senior Associate serving as a Guide for the museum’s permanent collection and Chair of Staffing for Art in Bloom. Meg presented a PowerPoint of the the many designs nterpreting artworks over the years. This a wonderful yearly event. If you’ve never been to this program, you should plan to attend one in the future. Thank you Fluffy and Meg for a wonderful road show.

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High Tea Sponsored by Friends of the Plymouth Council On Aging (PCOA)

A group of PGC members created an incredible array of floral teapot designs. They were donated to the Friends of the PCOA’s first afternoon High Tea. All raved about the beautiful creations! Attendees were thrilled to have the opportunity to receive such special arrangements at the end of the afternoon. Traditional High Tea fare, music, friends, our flowers and of course the hats made the High Tea an unqualified success! Let’s plan to attend and enjoy this lovely afternoon event next September.

Featured in the group photo are: Karen Whipple, VP Friends of PCOA, High Tea Chairman; Jean Dobachesky, Past President; PGC Catherine Walton, Treasurer of FPCOA; COA Member, Lisa Sharp, Tea Co-Chair; PGC Meghan Rinker, First Co-VP

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Annual Luncheon and Re-Installation of Officers June 2015

We ended our Club year with our annual luncheon at the Plymouth Country Club. Our President, Judy Ingram, conducted a short business meeting, highlighting the number of new members for 2014-2015 and welcoming all aboard. She announced her choice for the 2015 President’s Above and Beyond award–Coletta Candini was the deserving recipient. Coletta has always done so much for the club and received a standing ovation. All members and guests enjoyed a wonderful lunch of their choice of Lobster Caesar Salad or Chicken Francaise. After the luncheon, the re-installation of Officers and Past Presidents were called to the podium. Past Presidents all received a single rose with yellow ribbons. The officers were given a rose with different colored ribbons based on their position and its duties before they were sworn in. All in all a lovely and beautiful day!

The re-elected 2015-2016 Officers: Front Row L-R, Judy Ingram, President; Jane Bishop, Asst. Treasurer; Meghan Rinker, Co-First Vice-President; BackRow L-R, Gail Conner, Nominating Chairman; Donna Olsson, Treasurer, Sheila Sadler, Auditor; Janette Somerville, Correspondence Secretary; Jeanne Whitten, Recording Secretary; Linda O’Neill, Co-First Vice-President

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S.E. District Annual Meeting April 24, 2015

Several members attended this annual meeting and luncheon. June Aronson received the first Mary Lou Alla Award for her floral design in the 2014 Barnstable Fair Flower Show. The first picture is when she was called to the podium and Geri  Williamson presented the Award. The second picture is of June smiling and thanking the judges and members for such an award. June is a life member in our club and is always there to help anyone who asks. She is a Master Flower Show Judge, our club Parliamentarian, teacher for floral design, and many other various club projects. Congratulations June! The third picture is of Natalie Caramello receiving the Floribunda Award. Standing to the left of the picture is the president of our club, Judy Ingram, and the District Director, Sandy Slavin, to the right. The Florabunda Award of Appreciation is presented to a member of each club at the annual luncheon in recognition of their valuable contributions to their respective club. Natalie has been a past president, working up through all the positions, she has taught floral design to members, has received many blue ribbons at respective flower shows and has formed a crafting committee to make boutique items to be sold at fundraising projects and is the “go to” person for club projects. Congratulations Natalie!
Click here for photos.

Click here for slideshow.

April 8, 2015 Meeting

The finished project photo IMG_0590.jpgIt felt like spring had finally arrived; but our gardens were still asleep and gave us nothing to bring in for horticulture. However, the speaker, Lisa Oberholtz-Gee, held the members in awe as she created two different designs, both were creative and very different. We also surprised our president as she came up to the podium and we clapped and stood and sang Happy Birthday Judy!https://plymouthgardenclub.org/events-and-shows/

Click here for photos.

Click here for slideshow.

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Design Class March 9, 2015

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December 2014 – Holiday Luncheon

The club celebrated the season with a Holiday Party. It was also the last meeting in the 2014 Calendar year. Everyone had a great time. The appetizers, main courses, salads, and scrumptious desserts were unbelievable. We also had a good supply of holiday arrangements for sale and more were auctioned. A big thank you to Kevinette and her committee for putting it all together.

Click here for photos.

Click here for slideshow.

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October 2014 Civic Beautification:
Planting 1000 Daffodil bulbs

It was a perfect day to plant one thousand daffodils at the Council on Aging in Plymouth. This is the fifth year, planting one thousand daffodils in Plymouth at various sites. Coletta and her team: front row, l-r, Judy Ingram and Betsy Donahue – second row, l-r, Coletta Candini, Donna Olsson, Liz, Rosetti, Stacy Connor and Jean Whitten. Great job ladies!

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Topsfield Flower Show 2014

Joanne Nikitas was awarded a Blue Ribbon for her Class 3 Best of Color a Hanging Design, Type II, Created to move freely

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August 2014 – Antiquarian Society Fair

Once again, as in past years, the club members set up on the lawn of the Hedge House on The Plymouth waterfront selling their plants, home grown veggies and flowers, books, and crafts for helping the fundraising for the Antiquarian Society. The club also helps with maintenance of the Hedge House gardens as part of Civic Beautification Projects.

Thanks to all the members who participated this year!

Click here for photos.
Click here for slideshow.

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August 2014- Marshfield Flower Show

We had one member who entered the show. She earned Blue Ribbons and Special Awards for two of the flower arrangements she entered under the Floral Arrangement Design Class. She is an avid gardener who grows 300 dahlia plants, which she overwinters and replants every year, and grows other plants that she uses for fillers and arrangements. -She works outside the home, too! Super-girl -Super-Member!
Click here for photos.
Click here for slideshow.

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July 2014 – 2014 Barnstable Flower Show

We had great representation at the show. The Horticulture Chairman was Coletta Candini. She and her helpers documented and placed countless specimens of horticulture through two different entry days. Five members received ribbons and two members received special awards. Our Junior Gardeners Chairman was the Chairman of the 2014 S.E. District Standard Flower Show. What a great job by everyone!
Click here for photos.
Click here for slideshow.

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Annual Meeting June 2014

Annual Meeting June 2014 held at the Plymouth Country Club was the last meeting for the club year with a Business Meeting, Awards, Luncheon, and Installation of Officers. President, Jean Dobachesky thanked all the Members, Officers, Standing Committee Advisors & Chairmen, and Special Appointees for all the good work they did for the 2012-2014 club years. She announced the Member selected to receive the President’s ABC Award, which was Natalie Caramello. Natalie graciously accepted the award, as she was applauded by all members with a standing ovation. Jean expressed her emotions as to not being president again and wished the incoming president, Judy Ingram,all the best for her term 2014-2016. After the conclusion of the business meeting, invocation was given by Elizabeth Forman before the luncheon was served. After the luncheon, The Installation of Officers Ceremony was presented by June Aronson, Parliamentarian, with assistance from Joanne Nikitas, Past President, 2002-2004.
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Mentorship Meeting May 2014

A Mentorship Meeting was held at the home of Coletta Candini, Mentorship Chairman, directed to the new members who have joined in the last two years. Members who were assigned as Mentors to each new member were invited as well as other members. The reason for the meeting was to orient new members to the club projects, membership and opportunities. The meeting started (12:30 p.m.) with refreshments and conversation. The club yearbook was reviewed and discussed from front to back. A slide presentation was given by Coletta of the opportunities and guidelines of the club. There were 13 new members and 8 regular members. It was a great project and was beneficial to the members and the club!
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Plant, Bake and Attic Treasures May 2014

The club ran its Annual Sale which proved to be a successful fund raiser for the general fund and the scholarship fund. The volunteer members manned the tables of plants, baked goods and attic treasures.

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May Meeting 2014

May was the last regular meeting for the club. Our Program was given by Lou Greenstein, Epicurian Consulting who demonstrated designing edible centerpieces. Everyone enjoyed watching him as he took fruits and vegetables and turned them into wonderful displays to put on a buffet table or next party. He was guick-witted which kept you focused and enjoying every one of them.
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Nursing Home Day May, 2014

Members Johanna Longo and Pat Parker helped the Newfield House with their Tropical Cruise Theme. The Newfield House does this every year, providing everything and decorating as you would see on a real cruise. The residents really enjoyed watching the tropical arrangements as they were being designed. The arrangements stay at the home as part of the cruise theme.

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Junior Gardeners Program Arbor Day Celebration

The Jr Gardeners Environmental Enrichment Program is held for all 5th graders in the Plymouth Public Schools each year. This program is chaired by Geri Williams and other club volunteers to teach the students what their role is in protecting their environment which includes trees and leaf identification, pine trees, ecology, water sources, and conservation, to name a few. One school each year is selected to celebrate Arbor Day. This year, Cold Spring Elementary School was selected. Students were given a pine sapling and helped by other club volunteers to plant them in a pot, The tree was donated and planted on the school grounds by the town DPW. All other 5th grade classes received sapling to plant at home. One teacher gave us a picture of the tree after she planted her sapling 10 years ago. Also included with the pictures is a look at the 1000 daffodils Club members planted last year at the Life Care Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center.
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April 17, 2014

GCFM Southeastern District Annual Meeting and Luncheon was held at the Coonamessett Inn in Falmouth, MA. Our member, Pat Parker was awarded the Floribunda Award of Appreciation. This award is presented to a member of each club in recognition of their valuable contributions to the respective club. The person is recognized by the Club president who submits the name of the member to the District Director, along with the member’s contributions.

Floribunda Award – Plymouth Garden Club
PGC President, Jean Dobachesky, Recipient, Pat Parker, and SE District Director, Sandy Slavin

                                                                           April 2014

We held our Presidents’ Luncheon, recognizing S.E. District Presidents and their guest and GCFM officers. We had a wonderful speaker who gave a powerpoint presentation of Six Steps to Successful Roses and Overcoming the barriers to growing beautiful roses. We also had surprise visit from the “Litter Lady” who dropped in to remind us of the Plymouth’s Spring Clean- up on May 3, 2014. The club will be hosting its House and Garden Tour on that date, but she encouraged members to help the clean-up campaign after they have attended the tour. Litter still remains a problem, ending up in our oceans, ponds and streams, killing wildlife and polluting our planet. We celebrated our 85th Anniversary and shared a beautiful cake with the guests and our members. Thanks to Hostess, Gaye Flood, Co-Hostess, Geri Williams and the committee members who presented a wonderful tea table that was over the top!

Blue Ribbon – Boston Flower Show March 2014

Joanne Nikitas won a blue ribbon for her Bridal Table design. Congratulations Joanne!

March 2014

Floral Design March 2014 Coletta Candini photo Floral_Design-Mar2014 -Coletta_Candini.jpg The last design for this year in keeping with the educational exhibits of Principles of Design, Coletta Candini presented her Spatial Thrust design. Joanne Nikitas, Floral Designer, critiqued the design and stated great use of color – very vibrant. Parallel plant material, bamboo, needs to be thicker. Creative use of vegetables rather than traditional plant material; however these, too, need to be fuller/more dense and taller to project the upward thrust. Great first attempt! In April we will go back to horticulture. Club members are urged to bring in a cutting from their yards and present the item with a form, just as they would in the horticulture section of a flower show.

February 12, 2014

In keeping with the program of Principles of Floral Design, member, Pat Parker exhibited a Synergistic Design. The first picture is a before “as presented” and the second is an after “as judged” by June Aronson, GCFM Master Judge.

January 8, 2014

As part of the continuation in Principles of Floral Design, member, Marie Dunlap presented a Type II Table Design. Demonstrations will continue at the February and March 2014 meetings, by other club members.