February Newsletter
February Program: Plants and Pollinators
Please join us for a virtual presentation on Wednesday, February 16th at 1 p.m. by Samantha Richardson, a lecturer at Mount Auburn Cemetery.
Samantha will discuss Northeastern plants and their relationship with pollinators. She will provide a basic plant anatomy and morphology lesson followed by a description of various pollinators and their habitats. A list of suggested native plants suitable for the home garden will also be provided. Zoom link will arrive by email Monday afternoon.
Spring Outreach Workshop
The Spring Outreach Project is right around the corner! This project brings club members together (in person!) to create and distribute flower arrangements to Concord residents and nonprofits, aiming to bring a touch of Spring and a smile to those who are not easily able to be out and about. Our hope is that this is a special treat for these Concordians after chilly Winter months.
The date for the project is March 16, and the flower arrangements will be delivered that afternoon. We are very aware of the need to be cautious and safe about delivery of the flower arrangements, and all deliveries will be “contactless.” Community service projects are part of the mission of the GCC, and this is one of our most meaningful projects. If you know a Concord resident who you feel would benefit from a spring flower arrangement, please send their name and address to … And, let us know of any questions!
Do you know someone who could use a little Garden Club cheers? Please submit names to Dennis Fiori or Sally Savelle.
There will be no educational program in March as Spring Workshop is our usual opportunity to get together. To participate as an arranger, please Sign Up here .
In Memorium
We are sad to share with you that Anne Miller’s husband, Edward, passed away January 30th. His obituary, a collection of family photos, and a recording of his Funeral Mass are all posted on the Dee Funeral Home website. Please join me in sending Anne and her family our deepest condolences.
Newsworthy Bits
New Member Tea: It’s been a few years since we celebrated new members: 16 have joined us since our last new members’ tea in 2018! Plans are in the works for a small party in April or May.
Two Important Dates: Special thanks to Amanda von Weise and Sarah MacEachern for taking on the management of the town gardens this summer. Clean up day will be March 13th. Meanwhile, the Plant Sale this year will be May 7th and preparations are gathering steam. There is much to do ahead of time even if you are not in town on that day. All active club members should consider their participation essential. Sign ups will be posted soon!
Email Changes: A few members have changed their email addresses recently. Please consult the digital directory for new addresses belonging to Pam Nelson, Jane White, and Hilary Robinson.
Our own Minutemen: Field Trip coordinators Holly Salemy and Andrea Meyers are waiting for the perfect combination of walkable trails and mild(ish) weather to organize a spontaneous group walk. Keep your eyes open for email announcements. If you have a judgmental spam filter and are anxious about missing out, send me (Julia Farwell-Clay) a note.
Remembering Member Frannie Brown
Betsy Howerton sent along two photographs of her orchid in glorious mid-winter bloom. This orchid came, she writes, “from Frannie Brown, a member and past president from 1953 until her passing in 2013. She had beautiful gardens and was on the Concord Museum Garden Tour several times. She was renowned for her orchids and this is from her Cymbidium that her daughter divided and shared. It must be Frannie’s deeply rooted care that keeps it blooming.”
Fun News You Can Use
In the New York Times: Alternatives for Peat-Free Growing by Margaret Roach
From the BBC: International Garden Photographers of the Year
How about a garden tour video? Shared by Dennis Fiori: Sir Cedric Morris’ Benton End (bio included in the link)
I have a few more inspirational garden videos saved for later this month, so stay tuned.