January Newsletter
I waited for all my adult kids to return to their own nests before I pulled down the tree and dragged all the dessicated wreaths out to the compost pile. I am not one of those poinsettia preservationists: out they went too, along with the depleted paper whites and a Blue Star Fern I’ve finally given up on after three years of coaxing. As excited as I always am to decorate every year, I enjoy almost as much the sense of peace and quiet that comes with the packing away.
After the busy-ness of December, we can all enjoy the spartan month of January and preparing for the year ahead. December was as fully scheduled as it every was for our club, and we can all take pride in jobs well done. Our luncheon early in the month turned out to be one of the highlights of this year’s season. Our Family Tree was on display at the Concord Museum all month, and a workshop at the Council on Aging and our annual Cans for Caring were especially welcome for members and recipients alike. See past posts in the blog if you missed news of these events. Now we turn in anticipation of an equally busy spring: Spring Outreach in late March while still a bit of time away is close enough that you can count the weeks on your fingers. We are remaining optimistic that a pared down version will bring every bit as much joy as in years past. Stay tuned for details on that.
In Memoriam
I received a note a few days ago that long-time member Barbara Elliott passed away peacefully January eighth. I understand Barbara had good friends among our members and was also involved with the Concord Museum and other town organizations. Her passing is a loss to us all. Barbara’s obituary is posted on the Dee Funeral Home website.
And as you may already know, this week Sarah Beguelin lost her husband of 34 years – known to friends as Dru – to cancer. According to his obituary also on the Dee Funeral Home website, he passed away at home surrounded by family, “without remorse or anything left unsaid”. Concord’s Town Flag will fly at half-staff on Tuesday, January 18th in recognition of his honorable service to our country in the United States Navy. The Club sends our condolences to Sarah and her family.
Paper Directories
You may have heard that we have a new paper Club Directory. If you missed the luncheon, where copies were handed out, Erika Rodriguez is hosting a pile on her front porch at 70 Walnut Street, off Ridge Rd. Pick one up and be sure to check off your name in the Master copy where you can also make note of any changes in your information. The hazard of paper is that it can’t be changed, but any new or different information you share will go into the on-line directory on the website. Any unclaimed copies will eventually make it to you, mailed to local-ish non-residents, and scanned and emailed to more distant members. We are trying to save on gas and postage, so if you can pick yours up in person (or have someone sign one out for you) the club budget will thank you.
Town Gardens
The public garden beds our Club maintains at Town Hall, the Milldam, and the Rail Trail are still in need of co-managers. The task is to organize a group for spring and fall clean up, to remind sign-up volunteers by email when their chosen week has arrived, and to occasionally field or fill in for the odd open spot. Here’s the Sign Up link if you can help the Club out in this essential role.
Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts
The winter edition of The Mayflower, newsletter for the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts, is now live, full of news of other clubs’ activities and virtual learning opportunities. It’s worth checking their calendar as the Federation has been offering regular programming and zoom lectures available to you as a member of the GCFM. For example, upcoming are Christie Dustman’s “CONIFERS ARE LIVING SCULPTURES” on the 19th and Jan Johnsen with “FLOWERTOPIA” on February 9th. Check their Events page for more information.
Wednesday Program Notes
Please join us for a virtual presentation on Wednesday, January 19, 2022 at 1 p.m. by Jana Milbocker of Enchanted Gardens. Zoom link will be sent to your email directly on Monday.
Jana is a well-known author and lecturer. Her most recent book is The Garden Tourist: 120 Destination Gardens and Nurseries in the Northeast. She has a passion for landscape design and has been gardening on her two-acre property in Holliston’s historic district for over 25 years.