April 2020
Greetings!

It is hard to believe that a month ago, the words “social distancing” and COVID-19 were not part of our everyday language. Our lives have changed, and we will remember these times forever.
 
But here is what hasn’t changed. Loving, caring, helping, appreciating, listening, laughing.
 
I am amazed at the strength and determination of all of you. We have changed in-person meetings to teleconferences, and we look forward to hearing each other’s voices. We have accepted disappointments, and we are moving ahead in new and exciting directions. We are planning for the future as we pray for each other and our families.
 
I hope you will read on and find things that will lift you up. Adele Smith and her Daffodil Day committee have worked hard to present to you our first virtual Daffodil Show. Your Board of Directors has shared messages of hope, humor and inspiration with you. Have fun trying your hand at the Horticulture crossword puzzle.
 
Time, once a luxury in our busy lives, is now our gift. We have the time to enjoy our gardens, to read a good book, to take a walk and breathe in the fragrances of spring, to celebrate the beauty of our Virginia countryside that we work hard to protect. 
 
I wish you and your families good health and lots of smiles.
GCV Member Photography
Douglas Wise-Stuart
The Warrenton Garden Club
 The sun’ll come out tomorrow. Bet your bottom dollar that tomorrow there’ll be sun.

­~from the musical, Annie
The Show Must Go On(line)!
Just for Fun
Board Boost
From Artistic Design Chairman Tory Willis
Tory's daughter Larkin and her housemate, a science teacher, have started a garden to boost their spirits. They've had soil delivered, plotted the property and have begun planting. It has become a neighborhood point of interest. Families with children walk by and watch the changes. Larkin created large colorful labels for the plants so that everyone who strolls by can see what is growing. The joy on the faces of the socially distant visitors is heart warming. 

Tory also shares link, describing how Bloomia has brightened Fredericksburg by spreading thousands of tulips around town.

A favorite quote from Development Chairman Sue Rosser

Life is the greatest gift that could ever be conceived... A daffodil pushing up through the dark earth to the spring, knowing somehow deep in its roots that spring and light and sunshine will come, has more courage and more knowledge of the value of life than any human I’ve met.
~Madeleine L’Engle
From Director at Large Anne Harrison Harris

Anne Harrison shares this LOVE trellis, made by a friend in Charlottesville, who plans to plant clematis at the base of each letter.

Anne Harrison also shares "I arrived home a few days ago to a message on my answering machine. One of my Hampton Roads Garden Club members was calling each and every one of us (52 active!), doing a wellness check and offering assistance. She ended her call with “Love you.”

The call actually took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes. As my late mother used to say, 'It made my heart swell.''
From Corresponding Secretary Janet Rosser

Buffy Bickford, a member of the Ashland Garden Club, has a blog, 'Every Girls Dream.' This week, she invited club members to photograph their spring arrangements for her to post. The outpouring has been amazing with wonderful flower arranging and garden photos, under the heading Abundant Spring. Very uplifting! Click Here

From Director at Large Debbie Lewis

Sharing the Spectacular Sights and Sounds of Spring with Senior Citizens: Many of us have family or friends who are unable to leave their home or senior residence. Share the outdoors with those who must stay indoors. Suspend a bird-feeder outside the window of their residence and let them enjoy the beautiful songbirds as they pass through the Commonwealth in springtime. A book about birds will help to occupy their time and keep them connected with nature as they try to spot migratory birds such as the White-throated Sparrow, the Purple Martin and the Blue-grey Gnatchatcher. 
From Chairman of Historic Garden Week Tricia Garner

Look what I found on Facebook this weekend from the Virginia Department of Historic Resources:
“We were sad to learn this week the Virginia Garden Week was cancelled. The annual April event that takes place in every region of the state often showcases Virginia's high style and vernacular houses. We also note that this year is the centennial celebration for the Garden Club of Virginia. Virginia Garden Week features lovely photos from past events:  https://www.vagardenweek.org/main/photos
To lift spirits, we will run a feature over the next few weeks to showcase some of the tours from over the past few years. We will post just a "flavor" or inspiration from the real event. You have to attend Garden Week to really experience the beauty!”
From Horticulture Chairman Wendy Walker and Tricia Garner

Flower magazine features the Garden Club of Virginia in 'Southern Favorites in Springtime Gardens."

From Finance Chairman Tricia McDaniel

Tulips in the neighborhood.
Member Club Activities
Rappahannock Valley Garden Club
Schedules for Lilies in Bloom are being finalized. To view a "working" Artistic Design schedule, Click Here.
Dolley Madison
Julia Lyman

Fairfax
Pilar Bell
Jennifer Bressan
Joan D'Agostino
Nancy Perkins
Laura Warren

Gabriella
Stacy Gato
Emma Sellers

Gloucester
Robin Ramsey

Hampton Roads
Samantha Bishop
Rita Quinn

Hunting Creek
Aey Needham

Leesburg
Alyce Rideout

Princess Anne
Carolyn Myrick

Williamsburg
Stacy Lendrim
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