Crofton Village Garden Club members and guests gathered today at Walden Country Club for our annual Holiday Luncheon, enjoying a pleasant afternoon of conversation, camaraderie, and seasonal cheer.

This year’s table arrangements were created by hostesses Patty More (lead), Angela DeLuca, Cindy Hare, Shirley Levendoski, Sally Moore, and Rena Pogue. The group designed charming centerpieces featuring hat boxes filled with holiday greens and accented with a fascinator, ornament, and plaid bow. Their creativity added a festive touch to the room.

As part of the celebration, each centerpiece was given to a member at its table, providing a thoughtful keepsake to take home.

​An additional highlight of the luncheon was a presentation by First Vice President Diane Smith, who displayed her White House Christmas Ornament collection and offered a brief history of this cherished tradition.

The White House Christmas Ornament series, created by the White House Historical Association, began in 1981. Each annual ornament honors a different U.S. president or a significant moment in White House history, with designs inspired by period architecture, artwork, or celebrations held during that presidency. Diane’s display provided a lovely glimpse into this meaningful tradition and was enjoyed by all.

We are pleased to welcome Catherine Reardon as a member of the Garden Club. She was installed by Second Vice President Rena Pogue and was sponsored by Yael Beckman. Catherine recently retired and joins the club with an interest in gardening and community activities.

Crofton Village Garden Club Celebrates Earth Day with Violet Planting

For this year’s Earth Day celebration, Crofton Village Garden Club members came together in a collaborative effort to naturalize a bed of violets in the space between the Blue Star Memorial Garden and the Native Garden at the Crofton Community Library. The project was a true club effort, with members donating violets from their own gardens and working side by side to enhance this shared green space.

The new violet bed highlights the club’s ongoing dedication to sustainability and eco-friendly gardening practices. It brings early spring color, strengthens pollinator habitat, and forms a natural, beautiful bridge between two of the club’s most cherished garden areas.

Special thanks go to all CVGC members who contributed their time, plants, and energy to make this Earth Day project a success. Your generosity and teamwork made it possible. With appreciation to CVGC President Margo Antonelli, Blue Star Memorial Garden Project Chair Littany Hollerbach, Native Garden Project Chair Nancy Percivall and her husband George, Laura Austin, Trish Demers, Nancy Durose, Cindy Hare, Rosa Johnson, and Yuki Adams for their meaningful contributions to this effort.
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Together, club members continue to cultivate beauty, community, and environmental care—one plant at a time.

PROGRAM: Spring Luncheon and New Officer Installation

Members of the club gathered at Walden Country Club to celebrate the installation of new officers, marking the beginning of a new chapter of leadership and continued dedication to gardening and community involvement. The ceremony was followed by a delightful luncheon, filled with conversation and excitement for the year ahead.

The highlight of the event was a presentation from guest speaker Katie Barney, a renowned author, speaker, and instructor on international cooking. Barney shared her expertise on locally grown edible flowers, discussing their culinary applications and historical significance. 

To further engage the senses, guests had the opportunity to sample Barney’s floral-infused delicacies, experiencing firsthand the unique flavors these flowers bring to the table. She also explored the fascinating realm of non-edible flowers, discussing their historical and modern uses—while reminding attendees that these particular blooms should never be consumed.

Adding to the festive ambiance, hostesses Littany Hollerbach (coordinator), Sue Callahan, Beverly Frye, Cindy Hare, Nancy Percivall, and Angela Wetzel transformed the venue with a delightful St. Patrick's Day theme. Tables featured Hellebore centerpieces (non-edible), which were later raffled off to attendees.

The afternoon was a perfect combination of education and enjoyment, leaving members inspired to explore the beauty and functionality of flowers beyond the garden.

PROGRAM: A Festive Gathering at Crofton Country Club

​CVGC members and guests gathered for an afternoon of celebration and camaraderie at the Crofton Country Club. Hostesses Faye Tolliver, Angela DeLuca, Diane Smith, Paulette Heward, Patty More, and Shirley Levendoski outdid themselves, transforming the tables with whimsical Santa centerpieces. One lucky recipient at each table was able to take a centerpiece home as a special holiday keepsake. It was the ideal backdrop for members to relax, share stories, and reflect on the year's accomplishments.

As part of the festivities, the traditional 50/50 raffle was held – a holiday favorite that adds an extra layer of excitement to the luncheon. Proceeds from the raffle directly benefit the club’s ongoing projects, which aim to beautify our community, support local environmental initiatives, and promote gardening education for all ages.

No holiday gathering is complete without some great music, and this year’s luncheon was no exception. The talented duo PJ and Neal provided live entertainment, setting the tone for an afternoon of celebration and joy.

Crofton Village Garden Club members and guests had a groovy time at our 60's Flower Power themed flower show held at Crofton Library commemorating Crofton's 60th Anniversary. With over 200 horticulture exhibits, 24 floral design exhibits, 12 youth exhibits, and two educational exhibits many awards were achieved. Below is just a sampling of what the day held.

To view award recipients, click the button below.