Happy New Year!
As we welcome 2023 and the myriad of possibilities it presents, we have a great opportunity to create a new and exciting chapter for ourselves and for the GCV. What will our story be? How will we expand our horizons and continue to make a difference in our communities throughout the commonwealth? The stage is set for all of us to participate and the potential is inspiring.
As we get our ducks in a row for the new year, much of our attention is focused on environmental advocacy in preparation for the upcoming General Assembly session. We hope you will join us for Legislative Day on Jan. 31 to support our initiatives for clean air, water and soil, or join the effort through your personal outreach to your legislators. Dates are booked throughout January with GCV committees gathering to finalize upcoming virtual and in-person educational workshops, projects and events. Plans are in the works to help our members grow in areas of importance to them. Stay tuned for more information on each.
The GCV's favorite annual events are spread across the state in 2023. Be sure to mark your calendar for Daffodil Day in Norfolk, Horticulture Field Day in Williamsburg, the Lily Show in Orange County and the 65th Conservation Forum in Lynchburg. See the dates included in this newsletter and watch for full details as they become available.
I look forward to sharing all of GCV’s exciting opportunities with you and wish you a happy, healthy new year!
Warm regards,
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Debbie Lewis
GCV President, 2022-2024
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Daffodil Day
March 29, 2023
2-5 p.m.
Norfolk Botanical Garden
6700 Azalea Garden Road
Norfolk, VA 23518
Free of Charge and Open to the Public
As the days of winter drag on, we long for more sunlight to nudge the first blooms of spring. Join us to see an abundance of these early bloomers at the Garden Club of Virginia’s 89th Daffodil Day, which carries the theme “Here Comes the Sun.”
As one of the nation’s largest daffodil shows, an estimated 2,000 daffodil specimens will be featured, along with 40 floral arrangements and an eye-catching photography show. The horticulture show will be judged by American Daffodil Society judges, the artistic design will be judged by GCV judges and the photography show by GCA/GCV judges
Daffodils will be showcased in a wide variety of “sunny” floral arrangements that interpret “The Sun King” in the Early French Baroque style; “The Sun Also Rises” in the Phoenix style, “Keep Your Sunny Side Up” in the Casual Contemporary style, and more.
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There will be a Member Orientation at Norfolk Botanical Garden on March 29 during judging. All GCV members are welcome to attend. Stay tuned for details.
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The Conservation Legislation sub-committee has worked hard to develop GCV Advocacy for 2023 Legislative Issues which was approved by the GCV Board of Directors. The statement is on the Conservation page of the GCV website and can be used to guide your environmental advocacy during the upcoming Virginia General Assembly session. Check the website later in the month for the list of bills and resolutions that GCV is tracking.
The 2023 General Assembly session begins on Jan. 11 but GCV members don’t need to wait until then to contact their legislators regarding environmental concerns. Why not call or write a note to your legislator now wishing them the best in 2023 and thanking your Senator or Delegate for keeping the environment in mind? Whether you are a letter writer, phone caller, emailer or “Zoomer,” legislators are equipped to accept your input however you prefer to communicate.
On Jan. 31, GCV members can participate in the Virginia Conservation Network’s Lobby Day (also known as GCV Legislative Day). Register to join the in-person meetings with legislators to share your concerns about pressing environmental bills.
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2023 GCV Conservation and Environmental Studies Fellowship Now Open for Applications
Due Feb. 1, 2023
Established in 2014, the fellowship supports scholars conducting research in areas relating to the conservation of natural resources and/or environmental studies concerning flora, fauna or cultural practices within communities that directly impact the Commonwealth of Virginia. You may have seen presentations from our former fellows who researched pollinators in solar fields, sea grasses that help prevent beach erosion and a bevy of other important topics. The GCV distributed announcements to Virginia colleges and universities in November, but we welcome your efforts to help share the news.
Pictured is Jordan Martin (William & Mary), Conservation and Environmental Studies Fellow 2021, catching insects for her project "Investigating the Pollinator Promoting Potential of Virginia Solar Facilities."
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What Will the 2024 Guidebook Cover Look Like?
Proposals are due Jan. 23, 2023
Historic Garden Week tour teams procuring homes and gardens for 2024 HGW tours are encouraged to submit a proposal to be considered by the HGW Committee for the next Guidebook cover. If possible, please include a list of plants that will be in bloom on the property this spring. We remind you that the house and/or gardens should be ready to be photographed anytime from mid-April through early May 2023. Please send submissions to Karen Ellsworth, Director of HGW, at Karen@VAGardenWeek.org. Read complete information regarding the Guidebook cover selection process.
Online ticketing for HGW 2023 goes live on VAGardenWeek.org on Feb. 6.
And please don’t forget, state passes which normally sell for $300 are now $200 through an exclusive, joint promotion with Flower magazine. Purchase yours now!
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Winter Photo Challenge
You are invited to celebrate the beauty of nature in winter with a new Winter Photo Challenge which will run from early January to February 15. This year’s challenge has two themes: “Monochrome Flora” and “Water in Nature in Winter.” Photos should reflect the winter season and should not include pets, animals, buildings or people. The water photos may be running water, waterfalls, ice or rain but the image must clearly reflect a winter scene. As a reminder, monochrome photos are one color only and also include black and white shots. Please submit only one image per person per class.
Please send your digital images Actual Size to Georgiana Watt at Georgianawatt@hotmail.com no later than Feb. 15. Your email should include your name, club and District with your entry renamed as follows:
Flora, First Initial, Last Name
Water, First Initial, Last Name
This year, we will introduce a new aspect to the Winter Challenge -- photos will be judged! First, second and third place awards will be given in both categories. Because of this, photos submitted after Feb. 15 will not be accepted. So, go outside this winter, explore your world and show off your photographic talent. Remember: compose, focus, click, review, edit and share!
Photo by Edie Hessberg
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Photography Workshops
If you are interested but cannot participate on the scheduled dates, please submit your contact info here.
Photo by Edie Hessberg
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David Luria Zoom Presentation on "Moving Past Auto on Your Camera," Jan. 19, 7 p.m. via Zoom
Free of Charge
You love your camera, but do you always keep it on a nice, safe “Auto” or “P” and let the camera do the thinking? Would you like to learn what some of the other buttons on your camera do? What ISO and White Balance are and how each affects your images? You are not alone and help is on the way.
Bring your camera and your questions and join David Luria of the Washington Photo Safari to this special Zoom session to learn how you, and not the camera, can control the final image. Please register here.
Photo by Kelly Hirshman
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Restoration News
Developed by the GCV Restoration Committee, this online publication is an informational link between the GCV and historic properties. Read the Winter 2023 Edition to learn about protecting views, the Virginia Executive Mansion and sedge, a plant worth knowing.
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Thomas Jefferson's Poplar Forest. Photo by Eric Proebsting |
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GCV Awards Deadlines, March 1, 2023 |
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The Common Wealth Award, established in 1979, provides funds to support community projects of conservation, beautification, horticulture, preservation and/or education. The two-word name Common Wealth describes the "wealth" that is "common" to all Virginians. Nominations may be submitted by GCV members or member clubs. Learn more.
The Horticulture Award of Merit was established in 1960 to recognize individual members of the Garden Club of Virginia who have achieved significant accomplishments in horticulture, both personally and in their communities. Please consider nominating your club’s dedicated and hard-working horticulturalists. Learn more.
The de Lacy Gray Conservation Medal was established by the Dolley Madison Garden Club as a memorial to de Lacy Thompson Gray. The award recognizes outstanding effort by a GCV member or a GCV member club in furthering the knowledge of our natural resources as well as encouraging their wise use. Nominations may be submitted by GCV members or member clubs. Learn more.
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Bunny Mellon Style
Presentation and Book Signing
Bolling Haxall House
Richmond
April 12, 2023
4:30–6 p.m.
Join the Garden Club of Virginia and The Woman’s Club as we partner for a special evening hosting
Bunny Mellon’s grandson, Thomas Lloyd, and fellow author Bryan Huffman. The co-authors will share
entertaining stories and design tips from their book Bunny Mellon Style, the perfect precursor to Historic Garden Week tours taking place this spring. Four properties with direct connections to Bunny Mellon (Oak Spring, Little Oak Spring, Apple Hill and Carter Hall) will be showcased on the Middleburg tour and the Clarke County tours.
Mark your calendar and look for details to be announced soon on the GCV website.
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Horticulture Field Day Williamsburg
June 7-8, 2023
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2023 Lily Show
Orange
June 20-21, 2023
Hosted by Dolley Madison Garden Club
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Conservation Forum
Fall 2023
Lynchburg
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The Warrenton Garden Club will host a free event Sunday, Jan. 8, 1 to 3 p.m. at the Laurent Ridge Community College’s Hazel Hall to educate landowners about promoting native flora and fauna through “sustainable land use.” Keynote Speaker Amy E. M. Johnson (pictured here), the program director for Smithsonian’s Virginia Working Landscapes program, will discuss efforts to promote native bird habitat. Johnson is based at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal and holds a doctorate in conservation science and a master’s degree in environmental science and policy. A panel of local experts will follow Johnson, including October Greenfield, wildlife habitat restoration coordinator for Piedmont Environmental Council; Bert Harris, the executive director of the Clifton Institute; Charlotte Lorick, naturalist and biodiversity management team coordinator for Oak Spring Garden Foundation; and Gary Rzepecki, director of Fauquier County Parks and Recreation.
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The Garden Club of Norfolk presents Rebecca Lang, celebrated author of Y'all Come Over: Charming Your Guests with New Recipes, Heirloom Treasures and True Southern Hospitality.
Wednesday, Feb. 15, 2023
Norfolk Yacht & Country Club
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Our Shop features fun and useful GCV and Member Club items. Shop Now.
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The Charlottesville Garden Club
Madeline Pittenger
Peggy Williams
The Little Garden Club of Winchester
Christa Nahhas
Susie Porter
Carmen Sheppard
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The Lynchburg Garden Club
Susan Barney
Betty Lynn Blanks
Heidi Carey
Bianca Childress
Michele Fredricks
Sarah Bennett Grigg
Kathryn Hansen
Treena Koroneos
Emily Vermilya Phillips
Kelly Rapadas
Anne Royer
The Tuckahoe Garden Club of Westhampton
Audra Boardman
Lizzie Cox
Catherine Driscoll
Margaret Ivey
Caroline Packard
Kay Pangraze
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Our Mission:
To conserve the gifts of nature, to restore and preserve historic landscapes of the commonwealth, to cultivate the knowledge and love of gardening, and to lead future generations to build on this heritage.
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