Greetings!
As summer comes to a close and we begin our fall GCV season together there is much to look forward to. Be sure to take note of all of the fun and educational upcoming opportunities - webinars, programs and special events - listed in this newsletter and on the GCV website. Be on the lookout for the next Journal featuring a special focus on native plants, interesting and informative articles and club news. The Garden Club of Virginia Annual Report will be included in the fall issue to offer sincere appreciation and thanks to our generous GCV members and friends.
It was wonderful to be with club Presidents last week to share ideas and make plans for how we can work together in the coming year to provide ways for all members to stay connected, informed and enjoy being together in safe and productive ways.
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Missy Buckingham
GCV President, 2020-2022
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Learn at Oak Spring and Rokeby Farm Event
Oct. 2, 2021
Unlimited guests for GCV members
Don’t miss this exclusive opportunity for GCV members and friends to explore and learn at the 700-acre former estate of Paul and “Bunny” Mellon in Upperville on Saturday, Oct. 2, 2021. Oak Spring's staff members will be at the residence, garden and Biocultural Conservation Farm to share educational, horticultural and site-specific information to enhance your visit.
While ticket sales have been robust, GCV members are now welcome to invite an unlimited number of guests to experience this exceptional horticultural opportunity.
Tickets are $125 each.
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Conservation and Beautification |
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Monday, Oct. 25, 9 a.m. - noon
Live Zoom Webinar, not recorded
Open to GCV members and the general public
Fee: $15, students free
Why Birds?
More than a quarter of birdlife has been lost since 1970. Of the nearly 3 billion birds lost, 90% came from just 12 bird families, including sparrows, warblers, finches and swallows. These common, widespread species play influential roles in ecosystems. If they're in trouble, the wider web of life, including us, is in trouble, too.
Speaker and Panel of Experts
Feathers: Jennifer Ackerman, author, The Genius of Birds
Fields: Dr. Amy Johnson, Program Director, Virginia Working Landscapes, Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute
Forests: Dr. Christine Sheppard, Director, Glass Collisions Program, American Bird Conservancy
Flowers: Stephen Living, Habitat Education Coordinator, Virginia Department of Wildlife Resources
GCV Conservation Award recipients will be recognized
Bird Photographs: Bill Portlock, GCV Dugdale Award recipient, Senior Educator, Chesapeake Bay Foundation (retired)
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Thank you to our generous sponsors. |
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GCV Joins Virginia Invasive Plant Species Work Group
The state Invasive Plant Species Work Group (HJR 527) convened for the third time on Aug. 23 at Pocahontas State Park to discuss ways to redress the sale of invasive plants by Virginia nurseries and landscapers. Chris Ludwig, wildlife biologist and former director of the Virginia Natural Heritage Program and the Flora of Virginia Project, explained that Virginia’s biodiversity is threatened by three major factors: habitat loss and fragmentation due to development, climate change, and the proliferation of invasive species. He cited invasive species as being especially problematic as they spread rapidly, are fast growing and have no natural predators. They are responsible for the decline of native plants leading to the current “insect apocalypse” and the resulting substantial loss of native bird species, as 96% of songbirds rear their young on native caterpillars. The Work Group discussed the importance of educational measures such as forums, webinars, and professional training programs in raising awareness, singling out the success of the “Plant Virginia Natives” initiative as a model. The Work Group uniformly agreed to recommend that the state encourage expansion of the program and consider investing in the development of native seed farms and native plant nurseries to meet the rapidly growing consumer demand within the industry.
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We are the Garden Club of Virginia Video |
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INTRODUCING: We Are the Garden Club of Virginia - a compelling five-minute video that shares GCV’s long history and legacy of accomplishments. The Development Committee created the video to build greater awareness and pride in our organization. It is hoped that the video will find its way into all clubs, districts and communities and will be of help in pursuit of our common mission. Uses of the video may include member club education and orientation, community advocacy, sponsorship solicitation and more.
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Garden Club of Virginia 2021 Lily Collection
The collection includes six bulbs from B&D Lilies. Deadline for receipt of orders Oct. 15, 2021). View the collection now.
Rose Show in Martinsville
The Patrick Henry Rose Society will host an American Rose Society sanctioned Rose Show, Sept. 18, 2021, at the Piedmont Arts Center, 215 Starling Ave, Martinsville.
GCV members are invited to show roses, photographs of roses or enter a design class.
The venue opens at 6:30 a.m. for entries. The show opens to the public 1-4 p.m. For a copy of the schedule or to enter design classes, contact Joyce Moorman moorjoy@verizon.net 540-874-9351. Deadline: Sept. 10
Virtual Garden Tours
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Common Wealth Award Ballots Due Sept. 30, 2021
The annual Common Wealth Award provides a grant/grants to fund exceptional community projects of member clubs in the areas of conservation, beautification, horticulture, preservation or education. The two-word name, Common Wealth, signifies the “wealth” that is “common” to all Virginians. Ballots have been provided for each club to submit their vote for the 2021 recipient(s) to Carol Carter, Common Wealth Award Committee Chairman, 852 Redlands Farm, Charlottesville, Va., 22902 or rcarter112@aol.com. Read About the Finalists.
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Conservation
The Conservation Awards Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2021 Conservation Educator Award and Elizabeth Cabell Dugdale Award for Conservation.
The Conservation Educator Award recognizes individuals or organizations whose work in an educational environment empowers the mission of the Garden Club of Virginia. The recipient’s work must create a learning situation which benefits the community. An individual and an organization are honored this year.
Nominated by The Augusta Garden Club, The Allegheny Mountain Institute cultivates healthy communities through food and education. Jen Erving, Youth Education Specialist at the Norfolk Botanical Garden, was nominated by The Garden Club of Norfolk.
The Elizabeth Cabell Dugdale Award for Conservation also honors an individual and an organization this year for rendering outstanding service in conservation and wise development of the natural resources of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Leighton Powell, Executive Director of Scenic Virginia, was nominated by Jeanette McKittrick of Three Chopt Garden Club. Powell has been Executive Director since the founding of Scenic Virginia in 1998. The Northern Neck Land Conservancy was nominated by The Garden Club of the Northern Neck. Since their founding 2004, The Northern Neck Land Conservancy has pursued a mission to preserve the rural heritage of the Northern Neck by conserving land, water and culture for the future.
Award certificates will be presented this fall to these outstanding recipients.
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Nominations For Bessie Bocock Carter Conservation Award Nominations Due Nov. 1, 2021
The Bessie Bocock Carter Conservation Award is given annually in memory of Bessie Bocock Carter, GCV President, 1998-2000. The award’s intent is to fund implementation of a conservation project that will serve as a catalyst for community action for natural resource conservation or environmental protection within the Commonwealth of Virginia. Grants are awarded to a GCV member club or to the member club in association with another conservation group.
The recipient will be announced at the 2022 Annual Meeting in May. Nomination applications are due Nov. 1, to the attention of Ann Heller, GCV Communications Coordinator, 12 East Franklin Street, Richmond, Va., 23119 or communications@gcvirginia.org.
Additional questions may be addressed to Conservation Awards Chairman Jane Edwards Je-lgn@earthlink.net.
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GCV member club Presidents were welcomed to the Kent-Valentine House headquarters on Thursday, Sept. 2 for an organizational meeting and luncheon. GCV President Missy Buckingham, Board members and committee chairmen shared information and provided an opportunity for round table discussions with the focus on membership recruitment, engagement and retention. A highlight of the meeting was the premiere launch of a video created by members of the Development Committee and GCV leadership - We are the Garden Club of Virginia.
What a positive start to our new GCV year together.
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Safety Measures continue for Historic Garden Week 2022
Planning for Historic Garden Week 2022 is well underway. Having learned much from hosting GCV’s signature event during a pandemic, the HGW Committee and staff are in an even better position to support 2022 tours. Processes and procedures will be fine-tuned benefitting from last year’s experience. HGW 2022 tours will follow the current and applicable CDC and Governor’s mandates regarding COVID-19 and its variants.
Information, a timeline and discussions with tour chairs and co-chairs at regional meetings in mid-September will guide decision-making over the coming months. The Historic Garden Week Committee will keep the membership abreast of plans and precautions to ensure another successful Historic Garden Week - April 23-30, 2022. As always, if you have any specific questions, please contact Tricia Garner, Historic Garden Week Chairman.
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Fall Workshops
Sept. 27 - Basic Composition with Focus on Cellphones Webinar
Sept. 29 - Basic Editing Techniques and Practices
Sept. 30 - Basic Composition Review Session
*Oct. 27 - Snapseed: a mobile advanced editing app
*Nov. 1 and 8 (two-part) - Lightroom Classic: a computer-based advanced editing program. Laptop required with Lightroom Classic pre-loaded (see note below)
*Members interested in Snapseed or Lightroom Classic Workshops in the fall must have attended the free Zoom photography information sessions.
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Daffodil Day
March 29, 2022, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
Richmond
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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
Tour beautiful private gardens and spend a day at George Washington's Mt. Vernon with Dean Norton, director of horticulture. Join Ellen Ecker Ogden as she speaks about kitchen gardens and organic gardening. This is not to be missed.
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Lilies in Bloom
June 14, 2022, Fredericksburg
Plan to exhibit in this judged show hosted by The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club with schedules created by the GCV Artistic Design, Horticulture and Photography committees.
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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.
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The Garden Club of Fairfax
Rebecca Corcoran
Gabriella Garden Club
Katie Thomas
The Martinsville Garden Club
Olivia Garrett
Tyler Lacy
Winchester-Clarke Garden Club
Beth McCormick
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GCV and club merchandise is available on the Shop page of the GCV website.
Markdowns: A Landscape Saved is $10. The Tulips are Frozen is $5.
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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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Albemarle Garden Club is hosting Genius of Place An Ode to Frederick Law Olmstead Sept. 14 -15
- Virtual Flower Show with Honorary Chair, Charlotte Moss (Format: Virtual, Zoom Webinar)
- Olmstead Forum (Format: Hybrid) with four speakers: Susan Rademacher, Sara Zewde, Sara Cedar Miller, John Dean Davis and moderator Beth Meyer.
- “A Toast to Olmstead” Fralin Art Museum (Format: In-person)
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GCV Members Participate in the North American Lily Society International Lily Show
Thirty-three GCV members participated in the North American Lily Show this summer.
Congratulations to the award winners.
In Floral Design: Annie Vanderwarker received Gold, Suzi Worsham - Silver, Fran King - Bronze.
In Horticulture: Joyce Moorman received Best in Show for her horticulture stem Eastern Morn x Sinfonia (pictured at left), Jane Hammond Salmon Star won best vase of three, and one of her stems was chosen for best oriental.
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Mark Your Calendar (All dates are subject to change.)
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Sept. 13 - Horticulture Committee Meeting
Sept. 13 - Daffodil Day Committee Meeting
Sept. 13 - HGW West Region Meeting
Sept. 14 - HGW Central Region Meeting
Sept. 15 - HGW East Region Meeting
Sept. 15-16 - Restoration Committee Meeting
Sept. 16 - HGW South Region Meeting
Sept. 20 - Artistic Design Committee Meeting
Sept. 20 - HGW North Region Meeting
Sept. 23 - Club Historians Meeting
Sept. 27 - Photography Workshop: Basic Composition
Sept. 27 - Artistic Design Committee Meeting
Sept. 28 - Strategic Planning Committee Meeting
Sept. 28 - Conservation and Beautification Committee Meeting
Sept. 29 - Photography Workshop: Basic Editing
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Sept. 29 - Membership Committee Meeting
Sept. 30 - Photography Composition Workshop Review
Oct. 2 - Member Event at Oak Spring
Oct. 4 - Development Committee Meeting
Oct. 7 - Finance Committee Meeting
Oct. 12-14 - Board of Governors Meeting, Lynchburg
Oct. 14 - Poplar Forest Dedication
Oct. 18 - Artistic Design Committee Meeting
Oct. 20-24 - Fine Arts and Flowers, VMFA, Richmond
Oct. 25 - Conservation Forum, Webinar
Oct. 27. - Photography Workshop: Snapseed
Nov. 1 - Photography Workshop: Lightroom
Nov. 4 - Historic Garden Week Marketing Meeting
Nov. 8 - Photography Workshop: Lightroom
Nov. 18 - Artistic Design Committee Meeting
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