PROGRAMS
September 4, 2024
THE STORY OF THE VILLAGE GREEN MEMORIAL GARDEN
Civic Beautification Project
Location and Time: Fellowship Hall, 1651 Ardsley Place, Crofton. Social at 9:00 AM followed by business meeting at 9:30 AM.
Program: Once upon a time there was a garden, a garden made from left over easement property of poor quality soil. With a lot of kneeling and bending and good intentioned labor by many, what was once a barren stretch along a road became a loved memorial, a quiet place to come remember friends who had passed. It had a bench on which to sit and reflect. It had shade. It was very quiet, too. Too quiet, in fact. It had no path to reach it by and a chain to prevent it, or parts of it, from walking away. Today's program will take us on a photo journey of what it was once upon a time and the wonderful changes that have happened in one short summer. It will conclude with a short walk and rededication at the new Village Green Memorial Garden site. All club members are encouraged to support and attend this special occasion.
Speakers: CVGC Project Co-Chairs Littany Hollerbach and Lynne Malley
Horticulture Topic: Save the Dandelions
Design Exhibit: Favorite Color – Designer has freedom of design style and type to be staged on a white draped table in a space that is 18" wide and 30" deep.
Hostesses: Coordinator – Carol Buhr
Jessica Kruse, Laura Austin, Heather Marken, and C.J. Salisbury
Board Meeting: Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
Program: Once upon a time there was a garden, a garden made from left over easement property of poor quality soil. With a lot of kneeling and bending and good intentioned labor by many, what was once a barren stretch along a road became a loved memorial, a quiet place to come remember friends who had passed. It had a bench on which to sit and reflect. It had shade. It was very quiet, too. Too quiet, in fact. It had no path to reach it by and a chain to prevent it, or parts of it, from walking away. Today's program will take us on a photo journey of what it was once upon a time and the wonderful changes that have happened in one short summer. It will conclude with a short walk and rededication at the new Village Green Memorial Garden site. All club members are encouraged to support and attend this special occasion.
Speakers: CVGC Project Co-Chairs Littany Hollerbach and Lynne Malley
Horticulture Topic: Save the Dandelions
Design Exhibit: Favorite Color – Designer has freedom of design style and type to be staged on a white draped table in a space that is 18" wide and 30" deep.
Hostesses: Coordinator – Carol Buhr
Jessica Kruse, Laura Austin, Heather Marken, and C.J. Salisbury
Board Meeting: Wednesday, September 25, 2024, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
October 2, 2024
GARDENS AND GROUNDS OF THE WHITE HOUSE
U.S. and World Garden Tours
Location and Time: Fellowship Hall, 1651 Ardsley Place, Crofton. Social at 9:00 AM followed by business meeting at 9:30 AM.
Program: 2024 may be an election year, but the real work of gardening is apolitical, and plants have no party affiliation. Our speaker, having served as the Gardener Foreman for the White House under five presidents, gives an insider’s overview of the day-to-day operations of the White House grounds. His slide presentation includes such features as the Olmstead Vista, the Rose Garden, and South Lawn, to mention a few, as well as some memorable moments and landscaping achievements. Though our speaker supervised the creation of pathways upon which presidents walked, he sheds light on who it is that really runs the White House grounds and gardens.
Speaker: Michael Lawn, former Gardener Foreman and Chief of Maintenance for the National Park Service, 1977–2008
Horticulture Topic: Fruit Flies Don't Bother Me
Design Exhibit: Favorite Movie – Designer has freedom of design style and type to be staged on a white draped table in a space that is 18" wide and 30" deep.
Hostesses: Coordinator – Angela DeLuca
Nancy Durose, Paula Moratto, Jane McClanahan, and Carol Morris
Board Meeting: Friday, November 1, 2024, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
Program: 2024 may be an election year, but the real work of gardening is apolitical, and plants have no party affiliation. Our speaker, having served as the Gardener Foreman for the White House under five presidents, gives an insider’s overview of the day-to-day operations of the White House grounds. His slide presentation includes such features as the Olmstead Vista, the Rose Garden, and South Lawn, to mention a few, as well as some memorable moments and landscaping achievements. Though our speaker supervised the creation of pathways upon which presidents walked, he sheds light on who it is that really runs the White House grounds and gardens.
Speaker: Michael Lawn, former Gardener Foreman and Chief of Maintenance for the National Park Service, 1977–2008
Horticulture Topic: Fruit Flies Don't Bother Me
Design Exhibit: Favorite Movie – Designer has freedom of design style and type to be staged on a white draped table in a space that is 18" wide and 30" deep.
Hostesses: Coordinator – Angela DeLuca
Nancy Durose, Paula Moratto, Jane McClanahan, and Carol Morris
Board Meeting: Friday, November 1, 2024, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
November 6, 2024
HONORING OUR VETERANS
Civic Achievement Project and Floral Design Worksop
Location and Time: Fellowship Hall, 1651 Ardsley Place, Crofton. Social at 9:00 AM followed by business meeting at 9:30 AM.
Program: Project Co-Chairs Barbara Emden and Cindy Hansen conduct a hands-on workshop where members will create 100 patriotic-themed floral arrangements for veterans. Following the workshop, 55 arrangements will be delivered by club members to Meals on Wheels in Baltimore for delivery to veterans on their service routes and the rest of the arrangements will be delivered to Hospice of the Chesapeake in Pasadena.
Hostesses: Coordinator – Diane Gallow
Charlotte Sazama, Carol Schoenfeld, Lois Nichols, and Lynne Malley
Board Meeting: Wednesday, November 27, 2024, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
Program: Project Co-Chairs Barbara Emden and Cindy Hansen conduct a hands-on workshop where members will create 100 patriotic-themed floral arrangements for veterans. Following the workshop, 55 arrangements will be delivered by club members to Meals on Wheels in Baltimore for delivery to veterans on their service routes and the rest of the arrangements will be delivered to Hospice of the Chesapeake in Pasadena.
Hostesses: Coordinator – Diane Gallow
Charlotte Sazama, Carol Schoenfeld, Lois Nichols, and Lynne Malley
Board Meeting: Wednesday, November 27, 2024, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
December 4, 2024
HOLIDAY DECORATING AND LUNCHEON
Civic Beautification Project
Location and Time: Crofton Country Club, 1691 Crofton Parkway, Crofton. Social and business meeting at 11:00 AM followed by lunch at 12:15 PM.
Program: Led by Committee Chair C.J. Salisbury, members decorate several community schools, the Crofton Library, Town Hall, and the Village Green with live green wreaths and festive bows.
After completing the civic project, members enjoy a festive holiday-themed luncheon. A 50/50 raffle is in the plans as has been our holiday tradition. All proceeds from the raffle benefit ongoing projects and programs of the Crofton Village Garden Club.
Special Note: Reservations will be taken at the November membership meeting. Guests are welcome!
Hostesses: Coordinator – Faye Tolliver
Angela DeLuca, Diane Smith, Paulette Heward, Patty More, and Shirley Levendoski
Board Meeting: Wednesday, January 8, 2025, time TBD, Fellowship Hall
Program: Led by Committee Chair C.J. Salisbury, members decorate several community schools, the Crofton Library, Town Hall, and the Village Green with live green wreaths and festive bows.
After completing the civic project, members enjoy a festive holiday-themed luncheon. A 50/50 raffle is in the plans as has been our holiday tradition. All proceeds from the raffle benefit ongoing projects and programs of the Crofton Village Garden Club.
Special Note: Reservations will be taken at the November membership meeting. Guests are welcome!
Hostesses: Coordinator – Faye Tolliver
Angela DeLuca, Diane Smith, Paulette Heward, Patty More, and Shirley Levendoski
Board Meeting: Wednesday, January 8, 2025, time TBD, Fellowship Hall
January 8, 2025
OSPREYS ON THE PATUXENT
Conservation/Environmental Lecture
Location and Time: Fellowship Hall, 1651 Ardsley Place, Crofton. Social at 9:00 AM followed by business meeting at 9:30 AM.
Program: Today’s program focuses on the osprey, the often-seen and beloved “fish hawk” of local rivers and a symbol of Chesapeake Spring. This slide and lecture presentation includes osprey biology and our speaker’s successful nest platform and banding program that spans much of the Tidal Patuxent. Re-introduction efforts, tracking, and a lot of hands working wetlands conservation are part of the story that helped this once-imperiled bird become a conservation success.
Speaker: Greg Kearns, Senior Park Naturalist, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission at Patuxent River Park, Prince Georges County; Environmental Law Institute’s National Wetlands Conservation Award and DNR Conservationist of the Year
Horticulture Topic: What is LECA and Should It Be Used for House Plants
Design Exhibit: Favorite Holiday – Designer has freedom of design style and type to be staged on a white draped table in a space that is 18" wide and 30" deep.
Hostesses/Host: Coordinator – JoAnn Cook
Angela Wetzel, Heather Marken, C.J. Salisbury, and Rena Pogue
Board Meeting: Wednesday, January 29, 2025, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
Program: Today’s program focuses on the osprey, the often-seen and beloved “fish hawk” of local rivers and a symbol of Chesapeake Spring. This slide and lecture presentation includes osprey biology and our speaker’s successful nest platform and banding program that spans much of the Tidal Patuxent. Re-introduction efforts, tracking, and a lot of hands working wetlands conservation are part of the story that helped this once-imperiled bird become a conservation success.
Speaker: Greg Kearns, Senior Park Naturalist, Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission at Patuxent River Park, Prince Georges County; Environmental Law Institute’s National Wetlands Conservation Award and DNR Conservationist of the Year
Horticulture Topic: What is LECA and Should It Be Used for House Plants
Design Exhibit: Favorite Holiday – Designer has freedom of design style and type to be staged on a white draped table in a space that is 18" wide and 30" deep.
Hostesses/Host: Coordinator – JoAnn Cook
Angela Wetzel, Heather Marken, C.J. Salisbury, and Rena Pogue
Board Meeting: Wednesday, January 29, 2025, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
February 5, 2025
MAKING STRIDES TOWARD ECOSYSTEM REINTEGRATION
Conservation and Environmental
Location and Time: Fellowship Hall, 1651 Ardsley Place, Crofton. Social at 9:00 AM followed by business meeting at 9:30 AM.
Program: The term ‘ecosystem reintegration’ represents a sea change in the way we think of and interact with the natural world around us. Our speaker, using slide and Lan-SAT imagery, brings the world into close view and into a discussion of the gardens and farms of the future. Learn how to use biomimicry to create sustainable and resilient communities without human interventions such as irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides. See how to expand a small growing space with patented vertical growing structures. Find out how a thriving native ecosystem can be used to guide land management practices in both rural and urban environments for agriculture and landscaping. That’s right — landscaping — even in an urban front yard.
Speaker: Ben Friton, President REED Center for Ecosystem Reintegration
Horticulture Topic: An Unusual Valentine Gift
Design Exhibit: Favorite Song – Designer has freedom of design style and type to be staged on a white draped table in a space that is 18" wide and 30" deep.
Hostesses/Host: Coordinator – Lauren Toomey
Verna Pond, Yael Beckman, Glenna Kidd, and Sally Moore
Board Meeting: Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
Program: The term ‘ecosystem reintegration’ represents a sea change in the way we think of and interact with the natural world around us. Our speaker, using slide and Lan-SAT imagery, brings the world into close view and into a discussion of the gardens and farms of the future. Learn how to use biomimicry to create sustainable and resilient communities without human interventions such as irrigation, fertilizers, and pesticides. See how to expand a small growing space with patented vertical growing structures. Find out how a thriving native ecosystem can be used to guide land management practices in both rural and urban environments for agriculture and landscaping. That’s right — landscaping — even in an urban front yard.
Speaker: Ben Friton, President REED Center for Ecosystem Reintegration
Horticulture Topic: An Unusual Valentine Gift
Design Exhibit: Favorite Song – Designer has freedom of design style and type to be staged on a white draped table in a space that is 18" wide and 30" deep.
Hostesses/Host: Coordinator – Lauren Toomey
Verna Pond, Yael Beckman, Glenna Kidd, and Sally Moore
Board Meeting: Wednesday, February 26, 2025, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
March 5, 2025
SPRING LUNCHEON AND NEW OFFICER INSTALLATION
Edible Flowers – Floral Design in Culinary Art
Horticulture Lecture
Horticulture Lecture
Location and Time: Walden Country Club, 1500 Riedel Road, Crofton. Business meeting at 11:00 AM followed by lunch at 12:15 PM.
Program: Following the installation of new officers, members will enjoy a fine luncheon and camaraderie. Our guest speaker will follow with an informative talk on locally grown flowers that can be used to create special dishes for special occasions. Optimal growing conditions in the home garden and season of bloom will be discussed along with how to prepare them for the dish. Samples of her prepared edibles may be enjoyed. Some tempting non-edible flowers with other uses – medicinal, dyes, perfumes – will be discussed, but these should never pass the lips!
Speaker: Katie Barney, Author, Speaker, and Instructor on International Cooking; Founder of the Secret Garden Tour of Annapolis and the Kitchen and Garden Tour in Easton, MD
Hostesses: Coordinator – Littany Hollerbach
Sue Callahan, Beverly Frye, Cindy Hare, Nancy Percivall, and Angela Wetzel
Board Meeting: Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
Program: Following the installation of new officers, members will enjoy a fine luncheon and camaraderie. Our guest speaker will follow with an informative talk on locally grown flowers that can be used to create special dishes for special occasions. Optimal growing conditions in the home garden and season of bloom will be discussed along with how to prepare them for the dish. Samples of her prepared edibles may be enjoyed. Some tempting non-edible flowers with other uses – medicinal, dyes, perfumes – will be discussed, but these should never pass the lips!
Speaker: Katie Barney, Author, Speaker, and Instructor on International Cooking; Founder of the Secret Garden Tour of Annapolis and the Kitchen and Garden Tour in Easton, MD
Hostesses: Coordinator – Littany Hollerbach
Sue Callahan, Beverly Frye, Cindy Hare, Nancy Percivall, and Angela Wetzel
Board Meeting: Wednesday, March 26, 2025, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
April 2, 2025
GROUNDCOVERS: GREAT ALTERNATIVES TO TURF GRASS
Conservation and Environment, Landscape Design
Location and Time: Fellowship Hall, 1651 Ardsley Place, Crofton. Social at 9:00 AM followed by business meeting at 9:30 AM.
Program: Groundcovers are low–growing plants that serve many different purposes in the landscape from limiting weed growth to stabilizing slopes to adding texture to your garden. Kathy Jentz, author of the new book, Groundcover Revolution, will cover several of these beautiful, hard-working plants and the best kinds to use for our region.
Speaker: Kathy Jentz, Gardening Author, Founder of the Washington Gardener Magazine, Host of GardenDC Podcast, Recipient of Gold Laurel for Public Speaking and Best Podcast Series and Silver Laurel for Social Media (GardenComm Media Awards 2023)
Horticulture Topic: Benefits of Growning Native Violets
Design Exhibit: Favorite TV Show – Designer has freedom of design style and type to be staged on a white draped table in a space that is 18" wide and 30" deep.
Hostesses: Coordinator – Margo Antonelli
Jessica Kruse, Becky Hogan, Diane Gallow, and Carol McNemar
Board Meeting: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
Program: Groundcovers are low–growing plants that serve many different purposes in the landscape from limiting weed growth to stabilizing slopes to adding texture to your garden. Kathy Jentz, author of the new book, Groundcover Revolution, will cover several of these beautiful, hard-working plants and the best kinds to use for our region.
Speaker: Kathy Jentz, Gardening Author, Founder of the Washington Gardener Magazine, Host of GardenDC Podcast, Recipient of Gold Laurel for Public Speaking and Best Podcast Series and Silver Laurel for Social Media (GardenComm Media Awards 2023)
Horticulture Topic: Benefits of Growning Native Violets
Design Exhibit: Favorite TV Show – Designer has freedom of design style and type to be staged on a white draped table in a space that is 18" wide and 30" deep.
Hostesses: Coordinator – Margo Antonelli
Jessica Kruse, Becky Hogan, Diane Gallow, and Carol McNemar
Board Meeting: Wednesday, April 30, 2025, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
May 7, 2025
GRASSES AND SEDGES: UNSUNG HEROES OF THE LANDSCAPE
Conservation and Environment, Native Plants, Landscape Design
Location and Time: Fellowship Hall, 1651 Ardsley Place, Crofton. Social at 9:00 AM followed by business meeting at 9:30 AM.
Program: Landscape design in more compact residential greenspaces can be problematic, especially when it comes to incorporating natives that may not behave as neatly as more hybridized plantings grown for uniformity. The question, then, is how do we get more natives — in this case, grasses — into contemporary landscaped yards while still giving a more managed and controlled aesthetic for the homeowner and perhaps for their neighbor or HOA. Using a slide presentation, our speaker, who as a landscaper and the Principal Agent Associate for Home Horticulture in Talbot County, has a lot of thoughts to consider along with offering her top picks for the environment.
Speaker: Mikaela Boley, Principal Agent Associate for Home Horticulture and Master Gardener Coordinator, Talbot County
Horticulture Topic: Why Aren't My Irises Blooming?
Design Exhibit: Favorite Sport/Hobby/Recreation – Designer has freedom of design style and type to be staged on a white draped table in a space that is 18" wide and 30" deep.
Hostesses: Coordinator – Barbara Emden
Cindy Hansen, Paulette Heward, Rosa Johnson, and Charlotte Sazama
Board Meeting: Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
Program: Landscape design in more compact residential greenspaces can be problematic, especially when it comes to incorporating natives that may not behave as neatly as more hybridized plantings grown for uniformity. The question, then, is how do we get more natives — in this case, grasses — into contemporary landscaped yards while still giving a more managed and controlled aesthetic for the homeowner and perhaps for their neighbor or HOA. Using a slide presentation, our speaker, who as a landscaper and the Principal Agent Associate for Home Horticulture in Talbot County, has a lot of thoughts to consider along with offering her top picks for the environment.
Speaker: Mikaela Boley, Principal Agent Associate for Home Horticulture and Master Gardener Coordinator, Talbot County
Horticulture Topic: Why Aren't My Irises Blooming?
Design Exhibit: Favorite Sport/Hobby/Recreation – Designer has freedom of design style and type to be staged on a white draped table in a space that is 18" wide and 30" deep.
Hostesses: Coordinator – Barbara Emden
Cindy Hansen, Paulette Heward, Rosa Johnson, and Charlotte Sazama
Board Meeting: Wednesday, May 28, 2025, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
June 4, 2025
LIVING THE LIFE IN THE COUNTRY
Potluck Luncheon and Reflection
Location and Time: Home of Sally and Gary Moore, 2003 Baltimore Avenue, Gambrills, MD. Social and business meeting at 11:00 AM followed by lunch at 12:00 PM.
Program: As the last membership meeting of the year, the mood is set for casual and fun. After a brief business meeting concludes, members will share and enjoy their successes and achievements for the past year as they share a potluck luncheon. Hostess Sally Moore will lead a tour of her lovely landscaped garden with mature plantings and perennials of seasonal color, all planned with an eye to detail. A fun group engagement will follow.
Special Note: Parking is limited, so carpooling is a must. Details for carpooling and what to bring will be provided as the date approaches. This will be a good time, so mark it on your calendar now!
Hostesses: Coordinator – Marcia Richard
Diane Stovel, Kathy Puhak, Doris Smith, and Sandy Robertson
Board Meeting: Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
Program: As the last membership meeting of the year, the mood is set for casual and fun. After a brief business meeting concludes, members will share and enjoy their successes and achievements for the past year as they share a potluck luncheon. Hostess Sally Moore will lead a tour of her lovely landscaped garden with mature plantings and perennials of seasonal color, all planned with an eye to detail. A fun group engagement will follow.
Special Note: Parking is limited, so carpooling is a must. Details for carpooling and what to bring will be provided as the date approaches. This will be a good time, so mark it on your calendar now!
Hostesses: Coordinator – Marcia Richard
Diane Stovel, Kathy Puhak, Doris Smith, and Sandy Robertson
Board Meeting: Wednesday, August 27, 2025, 1:15 PM, Crofton Library
