Greetings!
I have greatly enjoyed my travels across the state over the past few months bringing a Garden Club of Virginia message to member clubs. I have appreciated your warm welcomes and look forward to being with more clubs in the coming weeks and months. These visits are not only a chance to share GCV information and updates, but more importantly provide the opportunity to express appreciation for all that you have done and continue to do in support of the mission of the Garden Club of Virginia.
Gratitude makes sense of our past,
Brings peace for today,
And creates a vision for tomorrow
--Melody Beattie
I am grateful to be part of a 100+ year old organization of active, engaged and committed volunteers whose work is meaningful, focused and continues to thrive. Isn’t it amazing all that we do, while hopefully having a lot of fun doing it?
My very best wishes to you for a happy and healthy holiday season.
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Missy Buckingham
GCV President, 2020-2022
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New Winter Photography Challenge
Celebrate the beauty of nature with this new winter photography challenge: Nature's Wintry Scenes. Take images of any element(s) of nature in or following a winter weather event: snow, ice, frost, sleet, rain or storms. Trees, berries, lichen, seeds, pods, cones, leaves and vegetation of any kind are fair game. Photographs may include structures, wild animals and birds but should avoid private homes, people and pets. Think big and go small from wide angle shots to close-ups and macro.
The photography challenge will run from Dec. 1, 2021 to Feb. 28, 2022. Send your photos to photos.gcv@gmail.com with your name and club on the subject line. Make sure photographs are sent “Actual Size” and at least 1 mb in size. We invite you to you go outside this winter, explore your world and show off your photographic talent. Remember: compose, focus, click, review, edit and share!
Images from the challenge will be available to view in March.
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Calling all daffodil enthusiasts. Daffodil Day 2022 will be March 29 at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden in Richmond. The show’s theme, “The British are Coming!” is a prelude to the upcoming GCV-sponsored flower arranging demonstration by famed London-based floral designer Paula Pryke, May 12, 2022, at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. Daffodil Day, hosted by the GCV and sanctioned by the American Daffodil Society, is one of the nation’s largest daffodil shows with award-winning specimens, floral designs and stunning photography.
The Artistic Design, Horticulture, and Photography committees have created schedules that reflect all things British and pay homage to style icons in flower arranging, landscape architecture, literature, music and other traditions from across the pond. Preview the three schedules, Artistic Design, Photography and Horticulture before online registration opens on January 15, 2022.
There will be a Member Orientation at Lewis Ginter on March 29 during judging. Stay tuned for details. All GCV members are encouraged to attend.
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Conservation and Beautification |
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Club Conservation Chairmen Chat
The C&B Committee hosted its second Club Conservation Chairmen Chat by Zoom on Nov. 15. Representatives from 26 clubs met with members of the statewide C&B Committee for an update on current GCV Conservation efforts. All GCV members can learn more at https://www.gcvirginia.org/main/conservation.
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Birding Tips from Conservation Forum Experts
As a follow up to the Conservation Forum Birds: Feathers, Fields, Forests and Flowers held on Oct. 25, the 2021 Conservation Forum Summary includes a reference guide and links from the experts on how to protect birds, information from state agencies and a stunning slide presentation of bird photographs by wildlife photographer and former GCV Dugdale Award Recipient Bill Portlock.
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2022 Virginia Legislative Session
Club Conservation Chairmen and Club Presidents will have an opportunity to attend a C&B Legislative Zoom Workshop "How to Talk with Your Legislator" on Jan. 17 from 7-8:30 p.m. to learn more about the GCV 2022 Legislative Policies. The Conservation page on the GCV website will be updated in mid-January with more information about GCV supported Bills and the 2022 GCV Board-approved Legislative Position Statement.
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Conservation Tips
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Try using Agra Wool, made from basalt wool with plant-based, starch binders, as an environmentally friendly option to floral foam for flower arranging.
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The Williamsburg Garden Club Conservation Chairman shares a Conservation Newsletter with her club members. Enjoy this one and consider creating one for your club.
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A glimpse into what to expect for HGW 2022:
- Historic Garden Week 2022 will showcase 28 tours across the state April 23-30. Some of the changes that were made last year will be helpful to clubs planning this year’s tours.
- Most tours will be offering online tickets only for 2022. Many tours will be offering the choice of morning or afternoon tickets to help manage the flow of visitors.
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Editing of the Guidebook is currently underway, and layout will begin in mid-December. Tour teams will be working in January to finalize Eventbrite ticketing, which will go live on Feb. 1, 2022.
- Final proofing for the Guidebook will take place in January with shipping beginning Feb. 16.
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The Garden Club of Virginia is thankful for
the gifts of time, talent and treasure from our members and friends. Your generosity ensures ongoing support of our mission to protect Virginia’s natural resources, to preserve its historic landscapes and to inspire others to do the same.
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Our charming Waterford Centennial Ornament is beautifully engraved and includes a decorative hanger. It is presented in an appealing Waterford gift box. This keepsake is available for half the original price at $25 plus shipping.
Shop our full line of items on the GCV website Shop page. Please order by Dec. 10 for a Dec. 24 delivery.
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March 1, 2022, Award Deadlines |
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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. The deadline is March 1. 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.
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 by March 1. Learn more.
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Membership Tips
- Consider scheduling at least one meeting per year in the evening or late afternoon to accommodate members who can’t attend during the day.
- Consider asking prospective members to hostess or help in other ways with Historic Garden Week.
- Member Orientation will be part of Daffodil Day in March. Make plans to be there.
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Nancy Alice Walthall Avery, of The Brunswick Garden Club, received the Brunswick Chamber of Commerce 2021 Margaret H. Traylor Distinguished Service Award in recognition of her many years serving her community. Among her many accomplishments, Nancy works as a member of the Fort Christanna Site Development Committee where she has been instrumental in transforming an overgrown site into an historical park with walking trails, interpretive markers and an outdoor learning center. Thanks to Nancy's vision and hard work, The Brunswick Garden Club was awarded the GCV Common Wealth award in 2006 and second place in 2021 for Fort Christanna. Read the complete article.
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Madeline Mayhood, member of The James River Garden Club and GCV Journal editor, has a featured article “A Gardener's Guide to Holiday Greens" in the December 2021 issue of Virginia Living magazine. Pick up your copy soon!
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Mill Mountain Garden Club and Roanoke Valley Garden Club hosted GCV President Missy Buckingham at their joint meeting in November. Pictured are Forrest Moore, Kay Strickland and Missy Buckingham.
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Roanoke Valley Garden Club members met for “Snips and Tips” workshops using succulents and pumpkins and more recently for wreath making.
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The Boxwood Garden Club
Joan Sewell
Margaret Simpson
Laura Strickler
Katherine Whitehead
Amy Wilson
The Charlottesville Garden Club
Margaret Hanson
The Garden Club of Fairfax
Deborah Mullan
Linda Remkes
Ali Simanson
Fauquier and Loudoun
Garden Club
Melinda Gable
Jennifer Sirianni
The Franklin Garden Club
Jane Best
Harriet Duck
Annette Edwards
Jane Humphries
Linda Jourgensen
Teresa Preston
Anne Williams
Leah-Beth Williams
Jennifer Rebbe
The Garden Study Club
Morgan Blancas
Liz Ferrell
Elyn Frieser
Bridgette Manley
Sue Rawls
Jennifer Reis
Lee Shepherd
Connie Stone
Liz Wolchko
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The Hampton Roads
Garden Club
Kristin Barnes
Page Kremp
Hillside Garden Club
Laura Borel
Laura Brat
Susan Creasy
Rachel Dalton
Whitney Perrow
Emily Vranian
The Lynchburg Garden Club
Wendy Kennedy
Erin McWane
Liz Wade
The Petersburg Garden Club
Linda Allen
The Rappahannock Valley
Garden Club
Anna Dickinson
Elizabeth Fraser
Lindsay Gould
Marian Matthews
Ann Sniffin
The Tuckahoe Garden Club
of Westhampton
Renee Montague
Elisabeth Mullins
Kelly Polk
Anastasia Seevers
Shelly Wiltshire
The Williamsburg Garden Club
Carol Hughes
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Paula Pryke Floral Demonstration
May 12, 2022, Virginia Museum of History & Culture, Richmond
The Centennial Steering committee is pleased to announce plans to welcome one of the most celebrated British floral designers in the world, Paula Pryke. An accomplished author of 16 floral design books and sought after speaker, Paula will provide a floral demonstration at the museum; a luncheon will follow. Save the date and plan to bring your friends.
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Horticulture Field Day, Alexandria
May 18-19, 2022
This member event will include a visit to the GCV restoration at Green Spring Gardens, which features a Beatrix Farrand design; five private gardens in Alexandria; a special tour at Mt. Vernon with Dean Norton and a guest lecture by a nationally known speaker, Ellen Ecker Ogden, who will talk about kitchen gardens. It promises to be a fantastic event that you won’t want to miss. Registration will begin in March 2022.
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Lilies in Bloom
June 14, 2022, Fredericksburg
Look forward to a judged flower show hosted by The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club with opportunities to exhibit in Artistic Design, Horticulture and Photography.
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GCV 2022 Symposium
Sept. 20-21, 2022, Science Museum of Virginia
Richmond
The 2022 GCV Symposium will offer members the opportunity to participate in floral, horticultural and photography competition and will showcase the work of the GCV in conservation and restoration. Plans are being made to offer exceptional workshops, programs, demonstrations and speakers. The event will be open to the general public.
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We want to hear from you! What is going on in your clubs and communities? Please share with us by contacting Membership News Chairman Molly Ill at mollyill.vb@gmail.com.
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Mark Your Calendar (All dates are subject to change.)
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Dec. 1-2 Nominations Committee Meeting
Dec. 3 Symposium Committee Meeting
Dec. 6 Conservation Awards Committee Meeting
Dec. 9 Kent-Valentine House Committee Meeting
Jan. 6 Daffodil Day Committee Meeting
Jan. 10 Development Committee Meeting
Jan. 11 Finance Committee Meeting
Executive Committee Meeting
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Jan. 12 Restoration Committee Meeting
Jan. 13 Restoration Properties Maintenance Workshop
Jan. 17 Artistic Design Committee Meeting
Jan. 20 Deadline for Submitting a Proposal for the 2023 HGW Guidebook cover
Jan. 25 Board of Directors Meeting
Jan. 27 HGW Committee Meeting
Massie Medal Committee Meeting
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