January Newsletter
A very special sight from our Great Meadows walk January 10th, as captured by Cris Van Dyke
Dear Garden Club:
The January Newsletter could also be called December Newsletter, Part Two! (as you will see)
January brings something of a pause for reflection, both on the year past and the year to come. There is much behind us that we can congratulate ourselves for, as December was full of tasks and accomplishments like old times!
For one, we had a splendid Holiday Luncheon at Kim Burn’s beautiful home. No one failed to heap glowing adjectives on the table for Jeanne Hamilton’s commanding centerpiece.
Members were chic and cozy in seasonal tartans and colorful sweaters, while baubles dangled from ears and festive bracelets tinkled like bells. We were decked like the halls! Everyone was in high spirits and grateful for such a lovely party, and holiday travel timing enabled non-resident Linda Crescenzi to join us all the way from Naples, Florida! It was so good to see you, Linda.
Sally Savelle, Beth Kundert, Kate Wharton, Wendy McNally, Erika Rodriguez
Meanwhile, the food was glorious. Many thanks to all the hostesses, helpers, and bringers of food and flowers: Erika Rodriguez, Sarah Hoch, Susan Hurley, Kate Chartner, Katie Wilson, Leslie Cheney, Holly Darzen, Marta Taylor, Holly Salemy, Dennis Fiori, Georgina Feldt, Wendy McNally, Jennifer Stone, Helen Clayton, Kelley Bothe, Jeanne Hamilton, and most of all Kim Burns for the delightful afternoon. Many hands make lighter work.
Council on Aging Workshop
Wendy McNally and Jeanne Hamilton coordinated our second holiday workshop with the Council on Aging to great response. Last year’s inaugural was so well received and had such enduring word of mouth that this year’s offering was quickly over-subscribed and Jeanne and Wendy nimbly accommodated the eager wait listers. On behalf of the club, I cannot thank Jeanne Hamilton enough for her generosity and creativity in assembling such fool proof and beautiful materials for this very special outreach.
Jen Stone organizing a well-planned mis en place
New members Carol Hryniewicz and Beth Kundert jumping right in!
Jeanne, Beth Kundert, and Mary Pope supervise
Jeanne Hamilton in denim blue, & Mary Pope
This is the heart and soul of our mission as a garden club, and has quickly joined our many meaningful events. Thanks also to Mary Pope, Carol Hryniewicz, Jen Stone, Beth Kundert, and Dennis Fiori for supporting the enthusiastic COA workshop attendees.
Walk at Great Meadows
Holly Salemy, Jen Stone, AmyEaston, Ellen Whitney, Rod Riedel, Katie Sluder, Cris VanDyke (in back), Andrea Meyers, MaryRose Sykes, John Althouse, Joyce Lamensdorf
So on to January! Last week, members welcomed 2023 with a stroll through Great Meadows Wildlife Refuge, following Cris VanDyke around the upper pond to admire quiet vigor of winter’s mysteries. Drama unfolded on the water while the group was there. We watched a battle over a fresh kill play out between a Bald Eagle, a Northern Harrier, and a murder of Crows. The eagle is featured at the top of the newsletter, while other photos that Cris took during our walk can be admired here.
Plant Sale
A note from Sarah Beguelin:
The Plant Sale is our biggest fund raiser of the year and each of us contribute to its success. Every member is asked to contribute 12+ plants and volunteer to help with the sale. Many opportunities are available! The committee will be meeting on Monday January 23 rd @ 11:AM at the Raveis real estate office at 85 Main Street, Concord Center. If you have any ideas you would like to present or you would like to get more involved, please join us or contact Sarah Beguelin at 978.853.7368.
Hopefully you all have dug your plants so they are wintering over in their pots – but don’t despair, spring is also a good time to dig. We have pots if you need them, we can even help with digging if you need help! Please be thinking about this fund raiser, every plant donated is 100% profit!!! Our reputation for locally grown plants is what brings our customers to the sale year after year. Let’s make the 2023 Plant Sale the best ever!
January Program
The Programming Committee invites members a guests to join us for our January Program, this Wednesday the 18th, at 1pm EST. The in person presentation at TriCon will be shared over Zoom; a link will be emailed to all members in a few days.
The Beginners’ Guide to Growing Orchids at Home
Mike Badia and Linda Abrams will present “The Beginners Guide to Growing Orchids at Home” and will include tips on the basics of orchid culture including good types of orchids for growing in the home, watering, fertilizing, light requirements, potting mixes, repotting and pests. We will also include some of our favorite sources for orchid plants, orchid cultural information on the web and give a brief overview of our Massachusetts Orchid Society (MOS).
Fun Links
A visit with Harry Hoblyn, gardener at Bloomsbury’s Charleston: https://www.toa.st/blogs/magazine/charleston-gardener-harry-hoblyn-in-conversation-with-matt-collins?
Houseplant Love: https://howmanyplants.com/?mc_cid=82865b5233&mc_eid=2f441d3844
When in doubt, plant a chesnut tree: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/dec/24/push-to-seed-america-with-chestnuts?mc_cid=82865b5233&mc_eid=2f441d3844
Terrariums? Yes please: https://www.nytimes.com/2021/11/26/realestate/how-to-build-a-terrarium.html?te=1&nl=evening-briefing&emc=edit_ne_20211126