On this First Day of Christmas, members gathered at the Blue Dolphin Seafood Bar and Grill to share the joy of the season with lunch and fellowship. 

Photo Credit: Doris Smith

Hostesses Angela Silverstein, Linda Childs, Shirley Levendoski, Paula Moratto and Marcia Richard provided the centerpieces, Poinsettias with fairy lights, that were raffled off during the luncheon. Two new members were installed – Sue Callahan, sponsored by JoAnn Cook and Pam Ildefonso, sponsored by Second Vice President (Membership Chair) Diane Smith. Following lunch, designer and stylist Suzanne Brinks of Deca Wraps joined us. Members modeled a few of her designs and were invited to shop for the holidays.

​Scroll over the photo and use the play button or arrow buttons located at the top of the picture to view photos.​​​​​​​​​

The October program, Inspired by Christmas, featured guest speaker Claire Jones, an experienced horticulturist, landscape design consultant, and floral designer. The presentation covered colonial decorations with traditional Williamsburg fruit and dried flowers, and more current decorating techniques used at Biltmore Estate and the White House. Following the presentation, Claire, along with members JoAnn Cook and Pat Stevenson, demonstrated how to prepare a fresh colonial centerpiece. A handout on Christmas decorating techniques was also provided.

CVGC's last in-person meeting was on March 4, 2020. Since that day, the Club has held monthly virtual meetings.  

CVGC's new project for 2021-2023 is the Anne Arundel County Pollinator Pathway. Project Chair Lauren Toomey discussed the Pollinator Pathway and ways CVGC is partnering with other community organizations and groups to establish and promote the Pollinator Pathway in Anne Arundel County. On Saturday, September 4th, Lauren will be at the "Pollinator Pathway" booth at the Maryland State Fair in Timonium, inside the Agriculture Building.

CVGC President Cathy Gallagher presented, in person, Shirley Levendoski and Harriet Kiilehua with the 2020 Bernie Robertson Award. The awards were presented at the Greater Crofton Community Awards Ceremony that took place in February via Zoom. It was announced that member Sally Moore will be awarded the 2021 Bernie Robertson Award at the Greater Crofton Community Awards Ceremony in November.

Thank you to today's hostesses, Shirley Levendoski (Hospitality Chair), Barbara Emden, Nancy Durose, Marie Bryer (not pictured) and Faye Tolliver (not pictured) for providing treats for members and their guests.

The William Paca Garden is a two acre oasis of natural beauty in the bustling center of Annapolis’ Historic District. Although many colonial Annapolitans had gardens, only Paca’s has been returned to its original splendor and opened to the public. Intrigued by garden details in the background of Charles Willson Peale’s 1772 portrait of Paca, researchers were able to reconstruct the site from a series of archeological digs that turned up evidence of the garden’s former glory.

Following the business meeting, a speaker from William Paca House and Gardens will join us and take members on a virtual tour of the gardens. A group tour, for those who wish to participate, will take place later in the afternoon at the William Paca Garden. 

The Pollinator Pathway is corridors of public and private properties that provide pesticide-free native plant habitat and nutrition for pollinators. Reconnecting the landscape by making properties stepping stones for the free flow of species across a healthy, native landscape. 

​Led by member Lauren Toomey with keynote speaker Sam Droege, Wildlife Biologist, USGS Patuxent Wildlife Refuge. Members and guests will view a PowerPoint presentation on the Pollinator Pathway, followed by a discussion with Louise Washer, Pollinator Pathway Northeast founder, on how to implement a successful pathway by reducing turf, planting native plants, and avoiding pesticides.

Anne Arundel County is the first county in Maryland to establish a pollinator pathway. The goal of Pollinator Pathway Maryland is to connect the pathway with Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and the Capital Trails Network within Prince George's and Montgomery County, Maryland, the District of Columbia, and Virginia.

​For more information on the Anne Arundel County Pollinator Pathway, click the button below.