BRGC President's News

BRGC President's News

FEBRUARY: As I write to you it is gently snowing outside. The world is so quiet, peaceful because of the snow. So beautiful too, everything coated in a white blanket. We are so lucky to live in this remarkable place. Not only for its beauty, but also all the remarkable people that make up this community we live in.

But, Summer, Ah! Remember Summer!

As you probably remember our Annual Home and Garden Tour was planned to highlight the neighborhood of "Ocean Point". Our wonderful H&GT Committee, Julie Krug, Ida Lancaster and Annemarie Mahoney secured seven distinctive homes, the Ocean Point Chapel and the Casino. Buses were ordered, plans being made. But, then the horrible storms this January brought huge waves and massive destruction to many coastal towns, including our beloved Ocean Point.

On January 14th I tried to walk around Ocean Point but the road was impassable even when walking. The extent of the damage was heartbreaking and it was clear we would have to postpone our planned H&GT to 2025.

So, then what do we do? The H&GT is a major club activity and fundraiser. Kevin suggested a Plant and Craft Sale on the Boothbay Common during the summer. When the Holiday Festival committee met yesterday this idea was suggested and was met with much enthusiasm and lots of good ideas. If all goes as planned, and we get BOD approval, Saturday July 13 will be the day of the First Annual Boothbay Region Garden Club Plant and Craft Fair. Or, something like that, we haven't decided on a name yet, even.

Please, let me know what you think, any ideas, suggestions, offers to help....

That's the News....Here's the February Calendar

Tues February 8th 10:00 AM Garden Therapy at St Andrews contact Jane Homer

Wednesday February 14th 11:30 to 12:15 Board of directors Meeting at St Columba's Church

Wednesday February 14th 12:30 Membership Meeting and Potluck Lunch

This is one of our most enjoyable meetings, where we discover exactly how culinary talented our members are. Or what they can find at Hannafords (that's me). This is a true potluck, no food categories assigned, so bring a favorite dish to share. Bring the recipe too if possible.

Tea Committee: Susan stapleton, Sandra Seifert and Kelly Race We Thank you

JANUARY:
Dear Garden Club Members;

Congratulations and a huge Thank You to all who participated in our Holiday Festival at St Columba's Episcopal Church. This beautiful church came alive with all our decorations and beautifully organized tables. Many people have stopped me in Hannaford's or just around town to say how much they loved the new venue and our Holiday Festival. I couldn't agree more. We did good.

Our treasurer, Sandy, has a gross revenue total, which you'll all be proud of. Right now: We all need time to enjoy family, friends and the holidays so sometime in January we'll have the actual net total and a breakdown. Another chance to celebrate.

A special thank you to Kevin Bowler for taking on this enormous project and making the Boothbay Region Garden Club Holiday Festival just shine. Thank you for your artistry, creativity, organization and for your incredible patience and good humor. Thank You, thank you.

Cookbook News !!

The other great news is that the wonderful Boothbay Region Garden Club Cookbook (yes our own cookbook) is now available for sale at the St Andrew's Thrift Shop. Just in time for your Holiday Gift Giving. So, stop by the St Andrew's Thrift (or Gift) Shop and pick up our cookbook. You'll probably find a lot of other great things too. A huge Thank You to Carole McCarthy, Thrift Shop Manager, for this opportunity. Of course, the biggest Thank You goes to Linda Bonin for creating the cookbook.

So: back to the calendar:

January: No meeting - No Board meeting Ah, we can rest

Wednesday February 14th at 11:30 First Board Meeting of 2024 St Columba's Episcopal Church

Wednesday February 14th First General Meeting of 2024 starting at 12:30.

This is a traditional pot-luck lunch. More to follow in a later calendar

I usually reach out to the committee chairs for information before I send this calendar, but alas, this calendar doesn't include any updates from them.

Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays. All the best to you in 2024. Thank you for your friendship, kindness, creativity and inspiration in 2023. Looking forward to 2024.

Irene Fowle

BRGC President

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER:

We are all saddened and shaken by the tragic events of last week. I know that you and all our member's hearts go out to all the families and individuals personally affected by this horrific event. We hold our friends and family even closer after times like these. Thank you all for being a member of this club, for all you do, for all your smiles, laughter and just showing up. Thank you.
Irene Fowle, President

Boothbay Region Garden Club November/December Calendar

So, hold onto your hats, November and December are busy months, but such fun too. Then, phew, we rest....till February.

Tuesday November 7: Garden Therapy at St Andrew's..contact Jane Homer

Wednesday November 8: 11:30 to 12:15 Board Meeting at St Columba's Episcopal Church

November Member Meeting

Wednesday November 8th at St Columba's Episcopal Church at 12:30

PotLuck Soup Luncheon (Yum, Yum)

Please bring in your soup, bread or dessert by noon. Soups should be hot due to limited time and kitchen space..

Program is Christmas tree decorating, instead of the usual wreath decorating.

Last year we sold around 25 3-4 ft trees at the Holiday Festival. So, we thought it may be fun for you all to have a chance to add your tree decorating skills. Bring in any extra ornaments or artificial trees you have. We will use some of your ornaments that day, but the rest will go on a big tree and be sold individually. We love theme ornaments: angels, lighthouses, santas, dogs,horses, you get it: We had two Mah Jongg trees last year, they sold right away.

All the tables are looking for gently used Christmas items, household items, lovely jewelry. You name it. Anything in excellent condition that we can offer to our customers at the Christmas Festival that will ensure we can provide the scholarships we promise to our young students. For example: tablecloths , vases, dishes, glasses, Christmas cards, children's toys, ornaments, artificial swags or wreaths........Please bring them to this meeting.

Also: Don't Forget to bring in a meal for four for "Dinners to Go". A fun table at our Holiday Festival. Bring in a frozen dinner in a gallon ziplock bag, serving for four people. Linda Bonin can pick it up too. just email her at mommybonin@gmail.com.

Saturday November 11th at 10:00 am. Veteran's Day placing of a wreath at the Blue Star Memorial.

Contact Linda Redman for more information

Friday November 17th at 10:00: pick up wreaths for public buildings

Tuesday November 28th at 10am at the Southport Town Hall. Floral arrangement, boxwood trees and peanut butter birdhouse workshop. Bring interesting vases, especially Chritmas themed, ribbons, eye catchers for the arrangements, tiny ornaments for the boxwood trees. And, anything you can donate for the tables at the Holiday Festival.

HOLIDAY FESTIVAL SCHEDULE

Thursday November 30th: Set Up: St Columba's Episcopal Church; Kevin said she would be there at 7:00 AM. I won't be there that early. But, do join us. We need all our help. We'll finish when we're finished setting up, so come whenever you can.

Friday December 1st: Holiday Festival opens (phew). St Columba's Church 10am to 3pm

Saturday December 2nd: Holiday Festival 10am to 3pm. Then clean up after. Again, many hands make light work.

No meeting in December or January.

OCTOBER:

Fall is definitely in the air this morning. A good time to enjoy the cool, crisp weather and the wonderful Boothbay Region Garden Club programs. For more complete information and pictures too visit our wonderful website…. boothbayregiongardenclub.org

Irene Fowle, President

Boothbay Region Garden Club October Calendar

:Monday October 2: Weeding Team #1. Postponed till Friday October 20

Tuesday October 3: Garden Therapy at St Andrews. contact Jane Homer: You must fill all the requirements of a Lincoln Health Volunteer before participating. Jbhomer@gwi.net

: Wednesday October 11: Board Meeting at 11:30, St Columba's Church.

Followed by:

October Membership Meeting - St Columba's Episcopal Church

Tea Service at 12:30, Business Meeting at 1:00

Here's your chance to declutter and bring any Christmas Trees, ornaments, decorations, etc. Also gently used Christmas glassware, dishes, tablecloths, jewelry, cards, etc. Anything we can sell at our wonderful Christmas Market in December.

Also, dinner for four, flat frozen in a gallon plastic bag. Or just bring it and we will freeze it.

:Our speaker will be Irene Barbour from the Coastal Maine Botanical Garden. She will talk about therapeutic and Accessible Gardens. Designs and tools to make gardening physically easier. Still fun.

Monday October 16: Weeding Team - see Friday October 20 th

:Friday October 20: Amilliary Garden Fall Clean Up at 9:00. Snacks and beverages provided. Contact Kevin Bowler: bowlerkg@gmail.com

Sunday October 22: Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk. 1:00 pm

Damariscotta.. Contact Bridgette Smith @ jmbsmith197@hotmail.com

Tuesday October 24: GCFM Fall Conference, Augusta Civic Center

"Gardening for the Soul"

$30.00 for members, bring a check to the Members meeting on the 11th.

SEPTEMBER:

Boothbay Region Garden Club September Events

The Summer sure has flown by, don't know where it went, but it's just about September. Here's the Garden Club Calendar for September. Or at least, what I think is current. Let me know any changes. New members are always welcome at these events. Hope to see you at some of these events.

Irene Fowle

Tuesday September 5th: Garden Therapy at St Andrews. This month is flower arranging. Jane asks us to bring flowers, greens, etc from our gardens for this meeting. Just leave them at St Andrews Village by the front doors in the buckets that Jane conveniently provides. All flowers, greens. welcome. New members are also welcome. Contact Jane Homer

**Wednesday September 6th: Weeding team #1. Date is Changed from the Monday Holiday. Contact Bridgette Smith

September 9th. Social evening at the Southport Yacht Club was cancelled this year. Ida's Wonderful Boathouse Party last June was well attended by family and friends.

***September 12th: Tour of Veggies to Table in Newcastle. We still have a few openings for this tour, which Linda Redman says is fabulous. The tour is from 3:00 to 4:30 pm. If interested contact Irene Fowle

September 13th. Board Meeting at 11:30 (not 11:00 as the Yearbook says). St Columba's Episcopal Church.

***September 13: Members meeting: Program is Denny Dennison from Barter's Island Bees ( he is great)

12:30: Social Time and Tea

1:00 Business meeting starts, followed by program around 1:30'

Don't forget to go through your attic, basement, closet or storage unit and bring gently used Christmas ornaments, decorations, trees, dinnerware, jewelry, scarves. Whatever you think may sell at the Christmas Market in December. Also any items we can use when crafting. Your item might be someone's treasure and brighten their cold, dreary December day.

Also: In a cooking mood. Save four servings, put them in a quart zip lock bag and bring those to the meeting for "Meals to Go" Linda will put them in her freezer to save for the Holiday Festival.

Monday September 18th: Weeding Team # 2. Help weed and care for the Armillary Garden and other gardens we manage.

****All this and more can be found on our wonderful website: www.boothbayregiongardenclub.org

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT OUR WEBMASTER, MELISSA THORNTON.

All Club member emails are available in the Directory component in our Year Book.

AUGUST:

Boothbay Region Garden Club August Events

Finally summer is here. I am so glad to see the sun today.

Congratulations to the Home and Garden Tour Co-Chairs, Ida Lancaster, Ann Marie Mahoney and Julie Krug for a very successful event. As fabulous as they are, they couldn't have done it without you, the members of this wonderful club. So, a big thank you to all the hostesses, car parkers, cookie bakers, ticket sellers and everyone who participated.

AUGUST CALENDAR;

August 1, Tuesday: Garden Therapy - contact Jane Homer if interested.

August 7, Monday: Weeding Team #1 - Contact Bridgette Smith if interested.

August 9th, Wednesday: Members Meeting and Board of Directors Meeting

St. Columba's Episcopal Church

Board of Directors Meeting - 11:30

Members Meeting: Tea and Social Time at 12:30

Business Meeting Starts at 1:00 pm. Guest speaker Stan Wakefield - "Birds in the Garden" follows.

Stan Wakefield has been an enthusiastic birder and gardener for the past 25 years.

A light summer tea will be provided by the club. We always welcome members' donations to the tea.

Also, Bring Items for the Holiday Festival:

Planning for the Holiday Festival has begun. ( I know we just finished the Home and Garden Tour). We know many of our members are not able to be with us for the Holiday Festival and would love to contribute to this spectacular event. Consider letting go of some of your "gently" used holiday and home decor. Also, any jewelry, scarves, notepads, journals, decorative pillows, home or kitchen items. If you loved it, someone else might too. Bring your donations to any meeting. Thank You

August 21, Monday ......Weeding Team #2 - Contact Becky Singer if interested-

LAST CALL FOR RECIPES FOR OUR COOKBOOK from Linda Bonin

I'm hoping to have our BRGC cookbook ready for sale at our Holiday Festival. It would be wonderful to have at least one recipe from each member, so if you haven't sent me one. Now is the time. We could use more main dish recipes, but anything you send is good. We can't use recipes published in a copyrighted book, but if you've made adjustments that made it your own, those we can use. A photo of the finished product is the best. Please send your recipes to Linda Bonin

We have been asked to participate in a Brown Tail Moth Survey by the University of Maine:

Greetings from the University of Maine. You may have read it in the news, or worse, experienced it, but browntail moth has been the bane of Maine for the past few years. From its itchy toxic hairs to eating a buffet of Maine’s beautiful trees, wanting to control this pest is on many Mainers’ minds. Graduate students McK Mollner (School of Economics) and Devin Rowe (School of Biology and Ecology) invite you to take this short research survey to hear your views about browntail moth. To take part, you must be at least 18 years old.

The survey is confidential and will take 20 minutes. Once you reach the end of the survey, you can enter a raffle for a $75 LL Bean gift card. The survey will be open until the first week of August 2023. If you have already submitted this survey via postal invitation, thank you for doing so. Please do not respond to the survey again. If you have any questions about this research, you may contact the research team at BrowntailMaine@gmail.com or (207)-814-8505.

Please use your computer to respond to the survey.

**Please participate by using the following link: https://tinyurl.com/4he68yxd

Sincerely,

McK Mollner

Advisor: Dr. Mario Teisl

Devin Rowe

Advisor: Dr. Angela Mech"

JULY:

Boothbay Region Garden Club July Events

July sure is going to be a fun and busy month for our club with many opportunities to participate and be engaged. So you don’t miss out, here’s a reminder.

*Monday July 3: Weeding Team: FMI: Brigitte Smith -

*Tuesday July 11: Garden Therapy at St Andrew’s Village FMI:

Contact Jane Homer

*Wednesday July 12: Meetings at St Columba’s Episcopal Church

Board Meeting: 11:00 to 12:15

*Membership Meeting starting at 12:30 with a PotLuck Summer Tea

The February Pot Luck is always fun, so the Tea Committee thought we’d try it again when our Summer members are here too. A true Potluck, no assignments, just bring something to share. A favorite recipe, a family tradition or something from Hannaford’s are all welcome for this Garden Club Summer Tea.

1:00: Membership meeting: highlight will be a short presentation by our current scholarship students, Della Hahn and Grace Campbell

1:30: Flower Design - Summer Inspirations

Bring a small to medium size vase or fun container along with any extra flowers from your garden to be included with club purchased flowers to create an arrangement that brings Summer to mind.

*Monday July 17: Weeding Team: FMI: contact Becky Singer

*Friday July 21: The Fabulous Home and Garden Tour

This is going to be another wonderful tour. Tickets are selling fast for this year’s Home and Garden Tour. Thank you David Applegate for all the wonderful publicity.

Here’s how you can participate and join the fun:

Don’t forget to bring a check or cash to purchase a ticket at the General Meeting on Wednesday July 12.
Sign up to be a hostess at one of the fabulous homes. Hostess duties this year are for two hours, giving you plenty of time to visit all the homes.
MAKE COOKIES: Our Home and Garden Tour guests traditionally receive a small bag with a few homemade cookies. Kevin Bowler has made a challenge to the club. She will make 200 cookies. She challenges the rest of the club to make another 300 cookies. These are small cookies. Just a taste, a pick-me-up. Please bring them on July 12 to the members meeting at St Columbas.

So: for the July 12th meeting bring (if you can):

Potluck dish to share

Vase or container for a flower arrangement (We will have extra vases there)

Any Extra flowers in your garden to compliment the store bought ones

Small Cookies for the Home and Garden Tour

But, mostly just bring yourself. That is the most important thing. We’re so glad you are a member of this vibrant Garden Club and happy to have you participate in any way you can.

Irene Fowle, President

JUNE:
Dear Presidents (please share this information with your members)

Bath Garden Club member Pam Allen’s Oak Hill Lodge in Nobleboro will be the setting of the first GCFM open garden for 2023. It will be open from 10am until 3 pm on May 8.

The early May date was chosen to highlight the garden’s daffodils. There are thousands of flowers with new bulbs added every fall. Those who visited the very first open garden in 2021 know that fanciful outbuildings Pam and her husband Eric made of recycled architectural material add charm to the garden. This year they are also opening their home to visitors. The unique space includes an authentic looking English pub in the basement.

Pam’s garden has been in Downeast’s Maine Homes magazine. Pam was recognized by GCFM with the Stella Dearborn award as the best all around member gardener and by New England Garden Club with an award for the best perennial garden. PRESS HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION.

The 11 am gardening program will be by Brent McHale, a CMBG horticulturist. He will talk about bulbs. Brent is also in charge of Gardens Aglow at CMBG and may be willing to answer questions about it. The 1 pm floral design program will be led by Sabrina Warner of St Mary’s Garden Club. Please bring your own lawn chair for seating.

If you would like to come for the day, you are welcome to bring a picnic lunch. This is a perfect opportunity to visit with other gardeners. It’s also a chance to get inspired and to learn from the presentations.

A suggested donation of $10 payable at the garden pays for the program.

Directions to 41 Bayview Road, Nobleboro:
For clubs south of Pam's:
On Rt. 1 North, go past the exit for Damariscotta/Pemaquid. About 1.5 miles further on Rt. 1 there will be a yellow flashing light. Make a left at the light onto Belvedere Rd., following it about 2 miles until it ends, intersecting with Bayview Rd. Make a right onto Bayview and Oak Hill Lodge is about 1/4 mile on the left (41 Bayview) on the crest of the hill, with a small “Oak Hill Lodge” sign by the driveway.

For clubs coming from the north:
Coming down Route 1 South, you will come to where it intersects with Business Rt. 1 at Hunt Brothers Lumber Co. Stay on Rt. 1 and you will come to a yellow flashing light. At the light make a right onto Belvedere Rd., following it about 2 miles until it ends, intersecting with Bayview Rd. Make a right onto Bayview and Oak Hill Lodge is about
1/4 mile on the left (41 Bayview) on the crest of the hill, with a small “Oak Hill Lodge” sign by the drive.

Harriet B. L. Robinson, PhD
107 Bow St.
Otisfield, ME 04270
U.S.A.

Dear Members,

Happy Spring!! So glad to be able to say that. I wish you all a wonderful Easter/Spring celebration.

Next week St. Columba’s will become a classroom for the 4th graders to finish their school year. We have to reschedule April and move our May meetings. April is rescheduled for the 19th (spring break for the kids) at St Columba’s.

To meet the Medomak meeting registration deadline of April 14th, Sandy Abernathy has asked that if you’re going to the Medomak District Meeting, please send your checks, by April 12th, to Sandy’s home address: 53 Annable Road, Boothbay 04537. Thank you.

Our tea service and social time will begin at 12:30p and this month, Abbie Shaw, our Hospitality committee chair has a special treat... she will be serving pizza. If you would like to participate in our tea service, we would very much appreciate if you would bring a salad or a dessert to compliment our pizza. Please let Abbie know if you plan to bring a salad or dessert. Thank you!!

Our business meeting will begin at 1:00pm and our program will follow. Our program will be a speaker from the new management of Conley’s nursery to share future plans for how they will be serving our community.

Our garden season has begun and we have many fun activities to share with you.

Upcoming Events:

April 20th: GCFM Floral Design workshop 10a-12p -St. Mary’s Church, Falmouth, ME (we will car pool)

May 1st: Medomak District Annual Meeting-Topsham (we will carpool)

May 4th: Tea Cup flower design workshop- Rotary Club house (cups will be sold at GCFM annual convention)

Other Opportunities:

April 22: CMBG opportunity to volunteer for Earth Day at the Boothbay Library……4 volunteers that can cover the CMBG table at the Boothbay Harbor library for Earth Day on 4/22. (Outside). Either a 2 hour shift or a 4 hour shift. 9:30-11:30 or 11:30-1:30. Call Kelly Hamilton

Gloria Wakefield, President