Greetings!
Happy New Year and welcome to 2021. January is a good time to reflect on where we have been and look forward to what lies ahead. While having undoubtedly been faced with pandemic related situations beyond our control this past year, we have learned to adapt and move forward in creative new ways. Don’t miss how to stay engaged with environmental issues, community projects, Daffodil Day photography, flower arranging and more featured in this and upcoming newsletters.
As our 2020 Centennial year came to a close, virtual opportunities and videos produced from September through December remind us of the mission and statewide impact of our organization. I hope you will sit by your fireside, go to our website and enjoy these videos to renew your sense of pride in our legacy and your work for the Garden Club of Virginia.
September RESTORATION
October CONSERVATION
November CENTENNIAL
December CENTENNIAL
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Missy Buckingham
GCV President, 2020-2022
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As the Garden Club of Virginia continues to monitor the Governor’s amended executive orders regarding pandemic protocols, we will continue to respond with new or updated protocols for building use and personal safety at our headquarters, the Kent-Valentine House. These protocols can be found by clicking here.
The Governor’s most current executive orders for meetings, workshops, business gatherings and daily operations will be followed.
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Daffodil Day is going virtual!
Spring Forward 2021 will offer two categories for participation: Artistic Design and Photography. While there will not be a Horticulture division, the GCV Daffodil Committee is creating an educational horticulture exhibit that will premiere along with the show online on April 1.
For more information about schedules, registration, deadlines, and virtual submissions, please go to the website gcvirginia.org/daffodilday
Mark Your Calendar
Daffodil Day registration open: February 1-March 7
Deadline for image submission for Artistic Design & Photography: March 15
Judging: March 18-20
Show opens April 1
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Virtual Exhibition: Celebrating Winter Trees
The GCV Photography Committee is sponsoring a virtual “Winter Tree” Exhibition now through mid-February 2021. No judging, no comments, just photos of a single tree, a copse of trees or a part of a tree that has lost its leaves. If you are game, give your tree a name that describes it best. Send your photos Actual Size to photos.gcv@gmail.com, Subject: Winter Trees – your name and your club’s name. Put the name you have given your image (optional) in the body of the email.
Results will be posted sometime in March. So, let’s have some fun this winter and explore this aspect of nature not normally celebrated!
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Centennial Time Capsule
The Centennial Time Capsule, located on the third floor of the Kent-Valentine House, was dedicated on December 9, 2020.
GCV President Missy Buckingham and Centennial Time Capsule Chairman Bettie Guthrie hosted the dedication. Every GCV member club and committee submitted a history, story or tangible item that reflects the Garden Club of Virginia in its 100th year. Watch the dedication here.
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"From Tiny Acorns Come Mighty Oaks"
Support the GCV Annual Fund
As together we face these challenging times, it will be your support that will move the Garden Club of Virginia forward into a successful second century.
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Conservation and Beautification |
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2021 GCV Legislative Policies and Concerns
GCV stated Legislative Policies and Concerns will be presented for approval at the January 14 Board of Directors meeting. This document will then be placed on the Conservation page of the GCV website. Members may only advocate for the 2021 issues as approved by the GCV Board of Directors. Bills may be posted on or before January 20 ahead of January 21, General Assembly Day, GCV afternoon advocacy activities.
The 2021 General Assembly Session will be virtual, different from any other year. It is always important to contact your legislator in a way most comfortable to you when advocating the GCV message. If you are a letter writer, a phone caller, an emailer or “zoomer,” there is a mode for you. Thank your Legislators for keeping the Environment on their minds. The afternoon of January 21 is a great time for your correspondence to arrive or your call to be made.
Virtual “Legislative Day”
VCN has announced that the 2021 Conservation General Assembly Day will be held virtually on Thursday, January 21, 2021. The GCV Conservation & Beautification Committee recommends participation only in the 8 am–12:30 pm virtual meeting. Please note that the VCN afternoon zooms “with your legislator” will not be restricted to GCV members only. Some of the positions other organizations support may not be ones that the GCV Board has approved. To register for the VCN morning session (no fee) look for the link on the GCV calendar or use this link.
Save River Farm
In December, the GCV Board of Directors approved becoming a Partner with Save River Farm “coalition” in response to a request from three Northern Virginia GCV garden clubs in District V: Alexandria, Fairfax and Hunting Creek. Also signing on as a Partner, are The GCV Blue Ridge Garden Club and The Warrenton Garden Club, along with other environmental organizations, such as: Scenic Virginia, The Mount Vernon Ladies’ Association and Preservation Virginia, who are working hard to save this important viewshed and historic property from imminent sale. River Farm, now owned by the American Horticultural Society, is one of the few remaining undeveloped tracks that once were a part of President Washington’s five contiguous farms, which included Mount Vernon. For more information about taking action as a Partner and/or signing the petition go to saveriverfarm.com, hosted by the Northern Virginia Conservation Trust.
Forum 2020
An update. Number of visitors to the first virtual annual Conservation Forum website have now exceeded 2,100 individual IP addresses. These come mostly from Virginia, but also from other states.
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Wine & Country Life magazine, a Virginia focused bi-annual publication, spotlighted our century of activism and preservation with articles featuring the GCV Centennial exhibition and Historic Garden Week. Enjoy at this link.
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Bessie Bocock Carter Conservation Award Finalists
This award provides funding to member club conservation or environmental protection projects that will serve as a catalyst for community action within the commonwealth.
Member clubs will vote on the three nominees listed below and submit their choice by March 31. The winner will be announced at the GCV Annual Meeting in May.
2021 Finalists
Albemarle Garden Club: “Stream Restoration Education at McIntire Botanical Garden”
Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club: “Roundabout Meadows”
The Lynchburg Garden Club & Hillside Garden Club: “Roadside Biodiversity Native Perennial Beds”
March 1, 2021, Award Deadlines
The de Lacy Gray Conservation Medal was established in 1965 by the Dolley Madison Garden Club as a memorial to de Lacy Thompson Gray. The award recognizes outstanding effort of 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 only. The deadline is March 1. Learn more. For questions, contact Jane Edwards, Conservation Awards chairman at je-lgn@earthlink.net
The Common Wealth Award, established at the Annual Meeting in 1979, provides funds to support community projects of conservation, beautification, horticulture, preservation and/or education. The two word name Common Wealth was chosen to describe the "wealth" that is "common" to all Virginians. Nominations may be submitted by GCV members or member clubs. The deadline is March 1. The nominations form and more information may be found online. For questions, contact Carol Carter, Common Wealth Award chairman at rcarter112@aol.com.
The Horticulture Award of Merit, established in 1960, recognizes individual members of the Garden Club of Virginia who have achieved significant accomplishments in horticulture, both personally and in the community. Please look within your clubs and find that special horticulturist who deserves this recognition. The deadline for applications is March 1. The nominations form and more information can be found here. For questions, contact Heidi James, Horticulture chairman at heidifjames@gmail.com.
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In response to the unavoidable cancellation of last year’s tours, Historic Garden Week - The Magazine was created to provide increased visibility and recognition of our 2020 Guidebook advertisers and Honor Roll sponsors. It also serves to underscore our appreciation for their ongoing support. This 100-page publication is filled with useful and relevant content, allowing us to re-engage our tour patrons and friends while sharing important information about safety precautions and plans for Historic Garden Week 2021.
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Members of The Augusta Garden Club recently came together for a fall cleanup and bulb planting in the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library garden, a Garden Club of Virginia Restoration site.
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In lieu of Christmas parties The Lynchburg and Hillside Garden Clubs added Flower Flashes to Monument Terrace and the outside bench at the Cancer Center in Lynchburg.
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Big day for Lynchburg! As part of their Bee City relationship, The Lynchburg Garden Club, Hillside Garden Club and the city of Lynchburg planted a large perennial bed.
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The Virginia Horticulture Foundation
Home Gardener Day 2021 - Growing Wild
January 11, 2021 (Virtual)
Speakers will be talking native plants - why we need them, how to grow more of them and how we can incorporate them into all kinds of gardens.
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GCV and club merchandise is available on the Shop page of the GCV website.
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The Garden Club of Gloucester
Linda Bradford
Hillside Garden Club
Kristen O'Neill
Mary Omotoye
The Hunting Creek Garden Club
Lucie Holland
The Garden Club of the
Northern Neck
Mary Jane Thompson
Roanoke Valley Garden Club
Amanda Marko
Jeannie Moore
Sonya Poole
Lisa Soltis
Sara Winn
The Williamsburg Garden Club
Betty Delk
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We want to hear from you! What is going on in your clubs and communities? What fun and creative ways are you finding to stay connected during this time of social distancing? 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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January 6 Conservation and Beautification Committee Meeting
January 7 Finance Committee Meeting
January 7 HGW State Committee Meeting
January 8 Centennial Series Meeting
January 11 Development Committee Meeting
January 14 GCV Board of Directors Meeting
January 18 Artistic Design Committee Meeting
January 18 Horticulture Committee Meeting
January 18 Legislative Day Committee Meeting
January 21 Conservation General Assembly Day (VCN)
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January 25 Artistic Design Committee Meeting
January 26 Kent-Valentine House Committee Meeting
February 17 HGW State Committee Meeting
March 1 Nomination deadline for de Lacy Gray Conservation Medal, Common Wealth Award and Horticulture Award of Merit
March 8 Horticulture Committee Meeting
March 8-12 HGW Region Meetings
March 19 Photography Committee Meeting
March 22 Strategic Planning Committee Meeting
March 31 Deadline to submit club vote for Bessie Bocock Carter Award
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