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The Full Story
Archives & History
Co-Chairs
Jane Henderson, Mary Brophy
Welcome to the Archives & History Committee page of our Stony Brook Garden Club.
Here, we celebrate the rich tapestry of our club's legacy, showcasing the stories, memories, and milestones that have shaped our community since 1939.
Club History
Club History
2023 - 2025 Carolyn Healey
2021 - 2023 Barbara Stowe
2019 - 2021 Louise Wellemeyer
2017 - 2019 Sue Plambeck
2015 - 2017 Olive Coughlan
2013 - 2015 Linda Gecha
2011 - 2013 Andrea Meyercord
2009 - 2011 B.J. Booth
2007 - 2009 Laura Hanson
2005 - 2007 Tracey Gates
2003 - 2005 Anne Gates
2001 - 2003 Meg Gorrie
1999 - 2001 Lockie Proctor
1997 - 1999 Vicky Wildmerding
1995 - 1997 Susan Levy
1993 - 1995 Suzanne Dyckman
1991 - 1993 Wendy Hopper
1989 - 1991 Katie Heins
1988 - 1989 Adela Wilmerding
1986 - 1988 Barby Delafield
1984 - 1986 Nancy Robins
1982 - 1984 Lynn Dawes
1980 - 1982 Janet Haring
1978 - 1980 Alice Carter
1976 - 1978 Audrey Gates
1974 - 1976 Lenkie Adamson
1972 - 1974 Angie Austin
1970 - 1972 Barbara Lawrence
1968 - 1970 Adra Fairman
1967 - 1968 Debbie Carey
1966 - 1967 Sara Sikes
1964 - 1966 Kay Dana
1963 -1964 Peggy Miller
1961 - 1963 Nancy Kirkpatrick
1959 - 1961 Nancy Genung
1957 - 1959 Peggy Milholland
1955 - 1957 Charlotte Schluter
1953 - 1955 Margaret Donoho
1951 - 1953 Sukie Williams
1949 - 1951 Alice Lindabury
1947 - 1949 Marion Leon
1945 - 1947 Helen Griffin
1943 - 1945 Sue Steele
1941 - 1943 Dorothy Fleming
1939 - 1941 Charlotte Schluter
1939
Four women having tea decided to start a garden club.
June 7 - twelve women met to organize a garden club and named it Greenfingers.
In December the name was changed to the Gardeners.
1941
Club did a garden in the community flower show. It was a before and after garden and won a special award. A picture of the garden was published in the New York Sun.
1942-1944
......................WAR YEARS............................
1940
Year spent in organization and planning
1945
Club became a member of the G.C.A. and changed its name to Stony Brook.
1946
Club entered the international flower show in new York city with a bay window planted with begonias.
1947
Stony brook and the G.C. of Princeton cooperated in a garden at the international flower show in New York city and won second prize. Flower show at McCarter Theater.
1948
Club trip to gardens in Ambler PA. One club member copied a solar heated pit garden seen on the trip - Fleming
1949
Club involved in the Princeton community flower show. Also acted as hostesses at New York flower show.
1950
Visiting house day -3 members' homes decorated for Christmas. Members made Christmas decorations and jellies. Club involved in community flower show and served as hostesses at New York show. G.C. of Princeton our guests at flower arranging program with Mitsou Arai. Club became a member of the Federated Garden Club of New Jersey.
1951
Sue Steele member of the schedule committee of the Philadelphia flower show.
1952
Club entered the New York International Flower Show with the Irvington, N.Y. G.C. and G.C. of Somerset Hills, NJ. Entry was a north european garden and won 3rd prize.
1953
Club entered the New York International Flower Show with the same two clubs as 1952. This year the entry was a spring garden with a dry stone wall which the clubs constructed. We won a 2nd prize and also served as hostesses at the show.
Club had a fall garden tour and flower show..
1955
Two members won 2nd and 3rd at the federated zone meeting - Fleming and Schluter.
Evelyn Alyea's Christmas program outstanding.
1954
Member awarded the tr-color at the Hopewell Valley show/ Schluter.
Club held a fall flower show and house tour.
Sue Steele gave a class in flower arranging at the adult school.
1956
Member won 1st prize at Rumson flower show - Steele
1957
Members served as hostesses at the New York Flower Show.
1958
Club entered the Philadelphia flower show. Entry was a garden planted to attract birds. It won 2nd prize.
Members served as hostesses at the New York Flower Show.
1959
Club invited by Philadelphia clubs to join them at a judging forum held in the Philadelphia art museum. Club went by bus.
Fund-raising committee was to hold an annual spring plant sale at a member's home.
1960
...........MAY MARKET WAS BORN..............
Outstanding speaker, Madeline Leuthardt, on dwarf and espaliered fruit trees,
1961
Mrs. Colie lectured on flower arranging. Club entered a garden at the Philadelphia flower show. Member received 3rd prize in arrangement class at Hopewell Valley Flower Show - Schluter.
1962
Suggested study of trees for zone, club started our tree box, which was later given to a local school, club entered a garden in the Philadelphia flower show. Members also served as hostesses at the NY show.
1963
Club program with Lois Poiner talking on how to garden without a gardener.
May market featuring unusual and hard to find plant material grown by members held at Helen Woodward’s. Sale becoming very popular by fellow serious gardeners.
1964
.*********25TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE CLUB**********
**********GARDEN AT ROCKINGHAM BORN**********
Herb garden designed by Helen Griffin and executed by members planted at Washington’s headquarters in rocky hill. This garden won the sears roebuck award.
1965
Flower arranging course by Mrs. Reynolds held on four wednesdays. 2 members entered the NY flower show and won 3rd in an arrangement class - Schluter and Campbell. Members served as hostesses at NY show. Club had spring and fall flower show.
1966
GCA Zone IV meeting held in Princeton with Adra Fairman our chairman. Meeting was co-hosted with the G.C. of Princeton. Some meetings held in Princeton university's newly opened art museum. Keynote speaker, Ian Mcharg, spoke at Lowery House,
1967
Fall, joint flower show with the G.C. of Princeton. Members slide show as a program.
1968
First scheduled work meeting at Rockingham. Club entered a window box at Philadelphia flower show. There was a club bus trip to the show. Joint flower show with the G.C. of Princeton.
1969
Joint meeting with the university league garden club. Club bus trip to Rutgers greenhouses and to the duke gardens.
1970
Bus trip to Bryant Park flower show in New York. Members served as hostesses at the show.
1971
Bus trip and meeting at the Brooklyn botanical gardens
1972
Member appointed zone iv chairman - Patton. First second-generation club president. Angie Austin, daughter of Dorothy Fleming, president 1941-1943
1973
Member appointed director of G.C.A. - Patton.
1974
Trip to New Hope for a program at the Rosade Bonsai Studio.
1975
Mini G.C.A. sone iv meeting. 1st prize and 2 second prizes in arrangements. Members served as hostesses at Bryant Park show.
1976
Club started project of planting chambers walk in Princeton. Members cared for beds. Member entered Bryant Park show and won first in arrangement class - Delafield. Morristown flower show - two 1st prizes in horticulture.
1977
Two members worked together on an arrangement at the Philadelphia flower show and won third place - Delafield and deckman. One member served as an aide at the show. Member entered the Bryant Park flower show in NYC and won second place in the decoupage class - Fairman.
1978
Club held workshops on artistic arrangements and vegetable gardens. Contribution was made to American Land Trust whose project in NJ is the Pine Barrens.
1979
Autumn in the air - a joint community flower show with the G.C. of Princeton. Club invited guests to an evening meeting with Ralph Snodsmith as our speaker.
1980
Club won a first prize at the Philadelphia flower show in the new challenge garden class. The chairmen of our entry were Austin and Flemer. GCA Autumn in the Atrium Flower Show invited Austin and Flemer to run the horticulture classes. Member appointed G.C.A. Zone IV chairman, two year term - Fleming.
1981
Two members invited to be chairmen of challenge garden class at the Philadelphia flower show for next 2 years - Austin and Fleming
1982
Club voted to incorporate.
Member appointed G.C.A. Zone IV chairman for two year term - Austin,
Two members asked to be in charge of staging for G.C.A. autumn in the atrium flower show in NYC - Austin and haring.
1983
Tax exempt status for club approved in April.
1984
Club entered Philadelphia flower show room class Shangri-La, a place of your dreams. The title of our room was a slow boat to china. Won 1st prize and the Delaware valley florists' trophy - arrangers - bever and Rulon-miller.
GCA Zone IV meeting in town with the G.C.. of Princeton. Our chairman - Audrey gates.
1985
GCA zone meeting hosted by the G.C. of Trenton. 1st prize in abstract arrangement class - Austin.
1986
Joint meeting with g. Clubs of Princeton and Trenton for lecture by betty brown on art in bloom. Flower show staged in the Boston art museum.
Club bus trip to longwood gardens at Christmastime,
1987
**********GCA ANNUAL MEETING IN ZONE IV ************
One of 3 co-chairmen of meeting - Austin, joint meeting with g. Clubs of Princeton and Trenton to hear and see Herb Plankinton in the subject of arranging flowers.
1988
Club entry in Philadelphia flower show garden class, won 1st prize and PHS Silver Bowl with our Australian garden, chairmen of entry - Austin and Henkel.
1989
**********HAPPY 50TH BIRTHDAY TO CLUB**********
Member invited to be vice chairman of all artistic classes at the Philadelphia flower show for 2 year term - Austin
1990
Club entry in the room class at the Philadelphia flower show - theme of class was music. Our title - Flamenco, won 2nd prize and the Delaware valley florists' trophy and the G.C.A. certificate of excellence. Entry chairmen - Dawes and Hopper. Arrangers - Delafield, Dyckman and Haring.
Member asked to be G.C.A. flower show area vice chairman - Austin, area - NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA.
Member elected chairman of NJ Committee of the G.C.A. - Austin.
1991
Joint meeting with the G.C. of Princeton. G.C. of Trenton held a G.C.A. small flower show in state museum, 1st in arrangement - delafield.1sts in horticulture - Austin and Haring. Member asked to be co-chairman of arrangement workshops for Philadelphia flower show - Austin. Club became involved in isles Trenton inner city improvement program.
1992
Member was one of 18 ladies from across the country to create an exhibit in class America Discovered at the Philadelphia Flower Show invitational class - Austin. Entry was on CBS Good Morning America tv show and written up in NY Times - Austin.
Two members entered defined space class in Philadelphia - title size and shape. Entry won 1st prize and the GCA certificate of excellence - Austin and Delafield.
GCA Zone IV meeting in Englewood - flower show results : arrangement 1sts Austin and Delafield. Delafield also won best arrangement in show. Horticulture 1sts - Austin and Pontius. Club won the zone award for the most points earned in the flower show. Barbara Spaulding Cramer zone flower arrangement award - Austin.
1993
Member invited to be advisor for open and defined space class at Philadelphia flower show - Delafield.
May flea and flower market fund raiser,
1994
GCA zone iv meeting in town with co-hostess G.C. of Princeton. Co-chairman - Hayes
Member's Memories
Stony Brook Garden Club President 2009-11, BJ Booth, reflects on her time in the Club with humor and appreciation. In this video interview she recalls how over-zealous weeding nearly landed her in hot water, and celebrates members’ work creating the historically accurate garden at Rockingham and the forward-thinking environmental guide, “Does It Come in Green?
Watch Video
One of Stony Brook Garden Club’s longest- running projects, from 1960 to 2013, was its commitment to creating and maintaining gardens for Rockingham, an historically important building owned by the state. From researching and building the gardens to tending them and providing educational programs, SBGC helped keep history alive.
At the 2008 Holiday Party, members who had each belinged to the club for more than 30 years, gathered to share their reminiscences. They recslled how things were once done, including experiencing surprise garden 'inspections' before joining, bringing your own bagged lunches to meetings and GCA meetings where 'casual dress' meant designer outfits and gloves.
View Here
Meeting Minutes
Stony Brook Garden Club May 2025 Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, May 13th, 2025
Springdale Golf Club
President’s Welcome (Carolyn Healey):
· Carolyn welcomed everyone to the meeting.
· Skipped ahead of agenda to give one award, as the recipient needed to leave early.
· Awarded Club Silver Trowel Award to Barbara Griffin. Congratulations!
Approval of the April 2025 Minutes (Carolyn Healey):
· Carolyn asked for a motion to dispense with the reading of the minutes.
· Jess Koehler made a motion.
· Janet Haring seconded.
· Dispensed with the reading of the minutes and minutes were approved.
Thank You Notes and Announcements (Carolyn Healey):
· Thank you to the Hort Committee with Chairs Louise Wellemeyer and Kathy Herring todays beautiful hort show.
· Thank you to Judges Chairs, Betsy Stabler and Sonya Sappington; clerks, Eileen Todd, Anne Lewis, and Mary Brophy; passers, Anne Gates, Molly Schneider, and Tracy Johnson; and passers in training, Jean Shaver, Melissa Bernardi, and Cindy Besselar. Thank you to the Help Desk Janet Haring and trainee, Kate Slawson.
· Synopsis of our 2024-25 Flower Show Year:
o There were 346 entries with 3 of them at Major GCA Shows
o 5 Best in Show (with 2 of them going to Novices). Anne Gates for May Hort, Jane Henderson for Feb Photo, Woodney for February Flower, Betsy Stabler for February Botanical Arts, Carolyn Healey for April Hort.
o Judge's Commendation for all of Class 2 Photography show.
o Judge's Commendation for the ENTIRE April Hort Show.
· Thank you to Melissa Bernardi for getting our articles in the Bulletin and onto the Zone 4 Landing Page. Hopefully, you saw our pictures and article in the Spring Bulletin. Articles planned for summer and fall issues, too.
· Thank you to Tracey Gates for a beautiful presentation at our April meeting on health, wellness, flowers and kindness and how they can fill your life with powerful positivity to be shared.
· Amy Granato brought a large stack of Allison Beer’s gardening books that her family wanted to share with SBGC members in her memory. Please feel free to take a book home with you
· GCA Visiting Gardens trip will take place June 23rd in Cold Spring Harbor. A House Within a Garden. Please register your interest on the GCA website. Look out for an upcoming announcement on a 2026 trip.
· Princeton Community Housing, the affordable housing non-profit that manages Elm Court (our Valentine's Day civics project site), is partnering with Sustainable Princeton to lead a new Community Garden at Princeton Community Village off Bunn Drive. If you have any gently-used gardening tools and equipment you no longer need and would like to donate—such as spades, shovels, hand rakes, pruning shears, trowels, watering cans, hoes, garden forks, and wheelbarrows—please coordinate with Ashley Lyu at lashley111@yahoo.com and 609-240-9974.
· Civics: Thank you to Sandy Scarlatella and those that volunteered for the April 24th Kate Gorrie Butterfly House Clean-Up the Watershed.
· Thank you to Nell Haughton and Linda Madani for setting up a table at Pennington Day last week and reading a children’s book to the kids on the importance of native plants in your garden and yard.
· Congratulations to Julie Tennant. Julie’s photo of Spring tulips and daffodils has been on the GCA landing page the last month.
· Once again, we want to congratulate both Woodney Wachter and Julie Tennent and wish them good luck with their advancements in the GCA Judging Program.
· We had three people attend the GCA Annual Meeting in Seagrass, FL, two weeks ago. Tracy Johnson, Gabrielle Shamsey, and Louise Wellemeyer. Thank you for attending for SBGC. There will be a report from the meeting at our September meeting.
Business and Committees:
· VP Tracy Johnson thanked the provisional class for a wonderful year and welcomed them up to celebrate their full membership. Carolyn gave an extra shout out and thanks for their success with the mantle at Morven.
· Membership: Carolyn (on behalf of Julie Sullivan) announced that we have a new provisional class for the 2025-2026 year. Thrilled to have a great group. Also, asked that members send any membership status change requests to Julie.
· The Zone IV meeting is next week, Tuesday and Wednesday, May 20 and 21st in Summit, NJ. I will send a note out after the meeting to everyone. Thank you to the many people who are putting a lot of work into this meeting, including Nikki Peters, Louise Wellemeyer, Tracy Johnson, Lisa Granozio, Molly Schneider, Suky Bracken, Nell Haughton, Katrina Walsh, and Rachel Lee.
· Zone IV Meeting: Katrina Walsh and Rachel Lee shared latest updates on the SBGC 2026 Zone IV Meeting. Unveiled the logo that we voted for in the April meeting.
· Horticulture update from Kathy Herring and Louise Wellemeyer:
o Thanked everyone who exhibited in today’s show.
o Thanked all passers for the show.
o Announced that the entire April Hort Show received a judge’s commendation.
o Thanked Barbie Griffin for Education Exhibit contribution to next week’s zone show.
o Asked members to contact Louise if they are interested in exhibiting a hort specimen in Zone IV show next week. She can help drive.
o Announced date change for Zone IV Hort Propagation Workshop. Now June 6th at 10:30am. Contact Louise if interested in attending. Also let her know if you would like to propagate but cannot attend the workshop.
o Tracy has suggested Spotted Wintergreen to propagate. Janet Haring ordered 20 plants. Let Louise know if you are interested.
o Louise mentioned that a judge at the GCA Annual Meeting was very impressed with our April Hort Show.
· Molly Schneider thanked Julie Tennant for picking up a judge who flew in to judge today’s Hort Show.
· Carolyn gave a President’s Commendation to Jaime and Monique for being fabulous hostesses.
· Nell Haughton announced that Pennington Day is taking place this weekend. Nell will be giving out Native Plants. Please join the fun!
Awards (Nikki Peters):
· Service Awards:
· 25 Years: Tracey Gates and Suky Bracken
· 30 Years: Elizabeth Wislar
· 30 Years: Anne Gates
· 40 Years: Nancy Henkel and Susan Levy
· 45 Years: Sarah Whitehouse
· 50 Years: Janet Haring
· SBGC Points Awards:
· Horticulture: Louise Wellemeyer
· Novice Horitculture: Rona MacInnes
· Adra Fairman Daffodil Award: Molly Schneider
· Floral Design: Woodney Wachter
· Novice Floral Design: Jessica Koehler
· Botanical Arts: Betsy Stabler
· Photography: Jill Mitchell and Julie Tennant
· Photography Novice: Jane Henderson
· Sweepstakes Award: Louise Wellemeyer
· GCA Club Awards:
· GCA Club Floral Design Award: Woodney Wachter
· GCA Club Garden History & Design Award: Louise Wellemeyer
· GCA Club Photography Award: Julie Tennant
· Silver Trowel Award
· Barbie Griffin
· Janet Haring
· Green Goddess Award
· Julie McLaughlin
Meeting concluded with an end of year poem from Carolyn and an official passing of the gavel from 2023-25 President Carolyn Healey to incoming 2025-27 President Tracy Johnson. Meetings will adjourn until September. Have a great summer!
Addendum:
End of Year Poem from Carolyn
A Garden Year to Cherish
by Carolyn Healey
At Stony Brook, we’ve bloomed once more,
With petals bright from here to shore.
A year of growth, both deep and wide,
With hearts and gardens opened wide.
We toasted eighty-five proud years,
With Merril’s help—and joyful cheers!
Through shows of Hort and floral flair,
botanicals and photos—beauty everywhere.
Three Hundred Forty-Six entries were shone,
Some buds were bought, others grown.
Five Best in Shows—a proud display,
and a Class accommodation on Photo Day
Another judge’s nod, a rare delight,
to all the April Hort Show flights
We learned of Dahlias, proud and tall,
As Samantha Rothman charmed us all.
From Bunny’s legacy we drew,
Inspiration, bold and true.
And Cindy Ziipf, with ocean's plea,
Taught us to guard what’s wild and free.
Designs that dazzled, art so rare,
Secret Phillie gardens tucked with care.
Each speaker’s voice a blooming seed,
To spark new thought and thoughtful deeds.
Friendships rooted, blooming strong,
In every meeting, laugh, and song.
It’s been my honor, joy, and pride,
To walk with you, all side by side.
So as I pass the spade (gavel) along,
Know this: our club is bright and strong.
Thank you all for this grand ride—
In Stony Brook, we grow with pride.
April Minutes for SBGC Meeting
Tuesday April 8, 2025
President’s Welcome:
· NJ State Natives Month
· Thank you to Nell Haughton who advocated for this cause.
Approval of the March 2025 Meeting Minutes:
· Carolyn called for a motion
· Janet Haring made a motion
· Nell Haughton seconded the motion
· Dispensed with the reading of the minutes. No additions or corrections. Minutes approved.
Thank You’s and Announcements (Carolyn Healey):
· Thank you to the Hort Committee for this beautiful Show. Committee Chairs Louise Wellemeyer and Kathy Herring. Thank you to the clerks Michelle Baxter, Jane Henderson, and Betsy Stabler. Thank you to passers. Thank you to the Help Desk Janet Haring and Peter Ham. Janet mentioned that when Daffodils are ordered and planted, membership should write down the information, so it is readily available for future Hort shows. Also, she encouraged the membership to keep the cards from this year as an additional resource.
· Thank you to Lindsay Bracken and Tracy Dart for the wonderful SBGC Hats and Pots. They are for sale today at the meeting.
· Thank you to Molly Schneider for the Hort Minute at our May meeting to help prepare us for this show.
· Thank you to Sarah Callaghan and Laura Armstrong for bringing our speaker to us today. She is Author Nicole Juday and her book is Private Gardens of Philadelphia.
· Melissa for getting our articles in the Bulletin and the Elm Court Tea on the Zone 4 Landing Page. She has articles planned for this summer and Fall too.
o REMINDER: From Melissa Bernardi: Communications Chair: The Bulletin committee is looking for topics to add to our inventory of ideas. Is there something that you would like to learn more about? Is there a person or place that we should feature? Please let me know if you have a specific suggestion, and I will pass on your idea to the Bulletin committee. If the Bulletin uses your suggested topic, your club will get credit for the idea.
· Also from Nessa: The Photographs that were hung at the Arts Council show, Nessa will bring them to our April meeting at Springdale to pick them up.
· Nessa shared that there is a GCA On-The-Go Trip to register for. GCA Visiting Gardens link is found HERE
· GCA Founders Fund. SBGC members cast the most ballots for Project Number 1.
PROJECT 1: Marshlands Conservancy--Remediation of the Critical Meadow Habitat. Rye, NY
· SBGC Member Survey: Carolyn announced that you will receive a survey this week that asks you to share past committee experiences and roles. Thank you for completing promptly. The survey can be found here HERE
· There is the final civics event on April 24th 9:30-11:30 at The Watershed. Kate Gorrie Butterfly House Clean-up. Sign up online HERE. Contact Sandy Scarlatella with questions.
· Tuesday May 13th is our Annual Awards meeting and Luncheon at Springdale. There is a Hort Show at this meeting. Please see the schedule HERE and online. Points are for 2025-26 year. Note, there will be an invite that comes out for the luncheon meeting from Jaime and Monique. Please respond to it asap. It helps immensely with the planning process for them.
· The Spring 2025 edition of Princeton Magazine is out and in it there is an article called The Power of Flowers and it lists garden day trips from Princeton. It is page 80 in the magazine. HERE is a link to the article.
· Judging Announcement: “At their Spring meeting in Charleston SC The GCA Judging Committee announced advancements in the judging program and we are delighted that Woodney Wachter advanced to Prospective Floral Design Judge and Julie Tennant has become a Candidate in Photography. Congratulations Woodney and Julie!”
· Three Garden History and Design Announcements.
· There is NOT a Garden History and Design speaker zoom on May 8th.
· Rosedale House is featured in GCA’s current Garden History and Design Journal. I sent it to you yesterday and it will go out again after this meeting. Click HERE to see the article in the online GCA GHD Journal.
· Smithsonian Archives: We have another SBGC Garden at the Smithsonian! Boxwood Cottage Gardens, home of Elizabeth Wislar. Thank you to Louise Wellemeyer and team Lisa Granozio, Jane Henderson, Tracy Johnson and Ashley Lyu for getting Boxwood Cottage Garden accepted to the Smithsonian Archives. Elizabeth Wislar stood and gave thanks to Lousie and team and shared what her garden and SBGC means to her.
Business and Committees Announcements:
· Membership – Julie stated she was rolling off of Membership and wished Congratulations to Lindsay Bracken who will be the new Membership Chair. She also mentioned the Welcome Coffee on Friday May 9th for the 8 new provisionals. Julie read several new names and announced a visitor for the meeting. Also, Julie asked to please send to her by our May meeting any changes in membership status for the 2025-26 garden club year. jahsullivan@me.com Carolyn thanked Julie and her committee for diligently working on completing the applications for Provisionals for next year.
· DUES: I want to give you an increase in budget. Over the past two years we have look at our cost drivers and keeping our budget in line. Here are three things that are impacting us and driving our expenses up. Three areas that are driving this increase.
o We need larger space because we are successfully growing. We are not meeting at people homes.
o We now include in dues fantastic meeting luncheons. These used to be at people’s homes and it was untenable. The committee had the burden of planning working and paying for those luncheons. Now we have everyone present and engaging with each other. It’s one of our most impactful changes I believe and well worth it.
o The third driver in increasing our costs is that Prices have risen on everything so much.
o The outcome of this to increase dues by just over $100 to $385. This allows us to have revenues and expenses truly in line with each other. And then what is raised at our fundraisers, can truly go to extras for the club in ways that help us drive and enjoy our mission.
§ Community organization donations, maybe a SBGC scholarship. We now longer have a scholarship that was funded by Ellie Petronio. We can create a new scholarship program with fundraising revenue.
§ The executive has already approved unanimously this increase and per our by laws, I am presenting to membership for consideration and vote. I have a vote form I will email today to everyone. I also want to give the floor to questions or comments.
· NAL report from Peter Ham. Peter presented his experience attending the 2025 NAL conference in March. He really enjoyed this experience, shared some highlights and key takeaways from the conference and encouraged our membership to attend.
· SBGC 2026 Zone IV Meeting update. Katrina Walsh and Rachel Lee presented us with an update on the activities for April 2026 zone meeting including the final logo options for our zone meeting logo. Nessa will create a survey monkey and send to membership so they can vote on the logo option. The final selection will be announced at the May meeting. Katrina also thanked everyone for responding with their committee interest for the Zone IV meeting and confirmed that they will let everyone know what committee they are on before the summer. She also shared that we are doing well with the Growing Fund and are currently in first place but we still have $3,000 to go. Also, both grants we voted on were approved (Rumson Garden Club and Somerset Hills).
o Carolyn thanked Katrina and Rachel for the work and the past presents who saved for this meeting so that we are fully funded for it. Thank you for that discipline and planning.
· Hort: Louise announced that there will be a Zone Meeting and Flower Show again in 2026 so that Zone IV can get back on track with the correct schedule. Stony Brook Garden Club of Princeton is hosting this on April 7-8, 2026 at the Grounds for Sculpture and will also have a GCA Plant Exchange. The plant exchange requires that the plants to be exchanged be propagated by seed, cutting, layering, grafting or division. In preparation Zone Jane Murphy is having a Propagation workshop on Friday at her home in Princeton, May 16, 2025 at 10:30 am. She stressed that we really needed 4 Live Native Plants so encouraged membership to sign up for the workshop. She also mentioned that we will get more points if a Novice enters. Please let Louise know if you can attend.
· Tracey Gates: Relationship between health, wellness, flowers, kindness.
Next meeting is our Annual Awards Luncheon and Hort Show is May 13th.
Business meeting adjourned at 10:45. Today’s speaker, Nicole Juday, started at noon.
SBGC Meeting at The Bedens Brook Club
Tuesday March 11, 2025
Monthly Meeting (Virtual via Zoom) Minutes
The meeting was virtual, using Zoom. There were 58 members in attendance. The meeting commenced at 9:35am
Carolyn Healey, President, opened with approval of the February 2025 Minutes
1. Do I have a motion to dispense with the reading of the previously distributed minutes for the Stony Brook Garden Club February 2025 meeting? Yes from Louise Wellemeyer
-Is there a second? Yes from Nancy Henkel
-We will dispense with the reading of the minutes. Are there any additions or corrections to the minutes?
-There being no further corrections or additions, the minutes are approved as written.
Thank you and announcements – Carolyn
1. There were three stunning, gorgeous Flower Shows in February. I hope you got to see the entrees at our last meeting and the Photography Show at The Arts Council.
a. Congrats to those that entered
b. Thank you to our Committee Chairs:
Floral Show: Chairs: Barbara Stowe and Christina Henderson.
Botanical Arts: Chairs: Jill Mitchell and Julie Tennant Photographer Chairs: Nessa Tallo, Susan D’Amour.
2. The Photographs that were hung at the Arts Council show, Nessa Tallo will bring them to our April meeting at Springdale to pick them up. Thank you Nessa.
3. Elm Court Valentine’s Tea was a huge success. The room and flowers were beautiful. The food was colorful and delicious. Our members were talking and visiting with residents and the residents were full of joy, laughter and appreciation. It was the definition of kind connectivity. See below for a Elm Court residents’ thank you note to SBGC as well as an article on SBGC in the Princeton Housing Newsletter.
4. “Seeing More Deeply” a virtual Photography workshop by John Barclay was held on February 25th from 1:00pm-2:00pm. I hope that many of us were able to participate and enjoyed the presentation.
5. Thank you Peter Ham for organizing a trip to Philadelphia Flower Show.
6. Thank you Nell Haughton for doing a children’s book reading on Native Plants at The Winter Fairy Festival at the Watershed, delivered in our own Stony Brook Garden Club Playhouse! Brava Nell!
Announcements:
1. Civics: There is the final civics event on April 24th 9:30-11:30 at The Watershed. Sign up online. Contact Sandy Scarlatella with questions.
2. From Melissa Bernardi: Communications Chair: The Bulletin committee is looking for topics to add to our inventory of ideas. Is there something that you would like to learn more about? Is there a person or place that we should feature? Please let me know if you have a specific suggestion, and I will pass on your idea to the Bulletin committee. If the Bulletin uses your suggested topic, your club will get credit for the idea.
3. Talk at The Watershed on March 29 at noon. It is Rosalind Doremus of My Backyard at Nestor’s (River Rd in Titusville) and she will speak on Permaculture and raised bed gardening. Rosalind is a native plant material expert. Permaculture is a sustainable land management and design practice that mimics natural ecosystems. It aims to reduce waste, prevent pollution, and improve biodiversity.
4. Please note that the Tues April 8th meeting will commence at 9:30am vs 9:45am.
5. GCA Conferences: NAL is later this month. Thank you Peter Ham for being our SBGC delegate. Nell Haughton is attending also. It will be a fantastic experience.
Business and Committees:
1. NJ Committee Grant Proposal Vote: Carolyn
2. VOTE: 2025-27 Exec Committee Slate nominations: Approval of the Slate-2025-27. The slate:
Vice President: Gabrielle Shamsey
Treasurer: Ena Lumba
Recording Secretary: Monique Bombardieri
Membership Chair: Lindsay Bracken
Corresponding Secretary: Louise Wellemeyer
VP Tracy Johnson read the nominated slate and asked if there are any nominations from the floor. With there being non, Tracy asked our Recording Secretary, Woodney Wachter, there being no further nominations, I ask our Recording Secretary to cast one vote. Woodney said that she casts one vote for this slate. Tracey Johnson asked membership, Do we have approval from the floor for this slate for the Executive Board 2025-2026 - All in favor? Any against? The new Executive Board is approved as presented.
3. Membership – Julie Sullivan and her committee have been diligently working on completing the applications for Provisionals for next year. Thank you to those have been helping that. See Julie with any questions about what you are working on for her. She will also take the names of any guests fort he April meeting.
4. SBGC 2026 Zone IV Meeting update. Carolyn explained what is a Zone Meeting. What does it look like? Why do we have it? Katrina and Rachel will make some announcements around theme and leadership at our April Meeting at Springdale Golf Club.
5. Horticulture Show is Tuesday April 8th at Springdale. See the schedule in our booklet and online. Contact Louise Wellemeyer or Kathy Herring will questions
6. HORT MINUTE: Molly Schnieder gave a presentation on daffodils and the best way to present them for show.
7. Our next meeting is a Springsdale Golf Club Tuesay April 8 with the Hort Show and it starts at 9:30a
8. Carolyn closed the Meeting. There was no Program Speaker for this meeting
Thank you letter from Libby Schwarts, resident at Elm Court who attended our Tea. Libby was an internationally working Psychologist turned writer.
Never having attended one of Stony Brook's fabled Valentine Day Parties, I was surprised by the
loud, happy laughter that greeted me as I approached the community room filled with large tables, surrounded by dozens of grey headed seniors. Some were seated in rollater walkers, others with canes and walking sticks by their sides.
What they had in common was the hearty laughter and smiling faces I rarely see here as I pass in the halls.
They were chatting with other residents, the first time for some, since it is rare to have residents of both buildings together unless the topic was targeting their safety, health insurance or any questions or concerns they had about life in affordable housing for seniors.
I took a quick look at the tables bearing a variety of inviting sandwiches from McCaffrey's market at the Princeton Shopping Center, a store well known for the high quality of its food. Platters of cookies, tiny cakes, luscious lemon squares and heart-shaped cookies accompanied the sandwiches.
Residents were chatting and laughing and meeting new people they had not known before. More important, the Stony Brook hostesses were actively circulating from one table to the next, greeting
residents they already knew and introducing themselves to others.
The sense of joy throughout the crowd of fifty or more residents was palpable. Above all, it was a time of shared humanity among residents of many nations: China, Spain, Germany, Russia, Korea, America and Mexico.
Stony Brook hostesses played a significant role in creating the sense of shared humanity that permeated
the room. Regardless of income disparities, age, religious or racial differences, our SBGC hostesses brought to all our residents, who are elderly and often lonely, an afternoon of Valentine joy. Thank you SBGC
After an afternoon of delicious food, fabulous gift packages for all and warm company to share the special day, we were reminded once again that "old age is not insurmountable. It can be a lightness of being--another step toward completing a long, rich journey in the miracle of life,"
Article in the Princeton Community Housing Winter 2025 Newsletter on SBGC and our Valentine Tea
A Valentines Day Tea
A huge thank you to the Stony Brook Garden Club of Princeton for organizing yet another successful Valentines Day Tea Party for our Elm Court and Harriet Bryan House senior residents!
PCH’s relationship with Stony Brook first bloomed with a floral arrangement workshop at Elm Court in 2013. True to their mission of cultivating community, connection, growth, and inspiring curiosity about gardening and conservation with the act of sharing flowers, this relationship has only strengthened since. Elm Court and Harriet Bryan House residents have cherished the chance to meet and connect with Stony Brook members each Valentine’s Day Tea Party, with letters of gratitude sent each year after the event.
One resident shared last year, “I’ve been here for 17 years and will turn 90 this year; I’ve been to many parties... you Ladies know how to throw a party!!! Thank you so much for this one; I can’t wait until next year.”
Since the 2013 workshop that planted the seed of friendship between PCH and Stony Brook, Princeton Community Village has joined the list of communities to receive gorgeous arrangements each holiday season by club members— a more recent tradition residents look forward to each year!
Stony Brook Garden Club Monthly Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, February 11, 2025
Location: Springdale Golf Club
Attendance: Active members: 59 Present
Welcome – Carolyn Healey
· Carolyn welcomed everyone to the meeting and reminded everyone that the Floral Design and Botanical Arts Flower Show judging took place on Monday, February 10th, and all judged entries are on display for viewing at today’s meeting.
Approval of the Minutes – Carolyn Healey
· Corrections made to the January 2025 minutes:
o Janet “Haring” spelling correction (not “Herring”)
o Susan Finlay was the speaker at the December meeting, not Susan Levy.
· Carolyn called for motion to approve the minutes. Louise Wellemeyer made a motion. Barbara Griffin seconded. All were in favor. Minutes approved with corrections noted.
Giving Thanks – Carolyn Healey
· Thank you to Springdale and Jim Graham and staff for hosting us here today. Thank you to Springdale for allowing us to hold our here yesterday morning.
· We had three stunning, gorgeous Shows since our last meeting. All with irregularities, all requiring a pivot, all requiring care, creativity and team work to make happen. Congratulations and thank you to all.
o Thank you to Betsy Stabler and Sonya Sappington, our Judges Chairs, who liaised with the judges for the three shows.
o Thank you to our Committee Chairs:
§ Floral Design: Chairs: Barbara Stowe and Christina Henderson.
§ Botanical Arts: Chairs: Jill Mitchell and Julie Tennant Photography Chairs: Nessa Tallo, Susan D’Amour.
§ Thank you to Clerks for the Floral and Botanical Arts shows: Molly Schneider, Kate Slawson, Linda Madani, Kristen Seligman, and Ena Lumba.
o Thank you to Passers: Janet Haring and Suky Bracken.
o Thank you to Photography Clerks: Sonya Sappington, Katie Redmond, Margot Wilkinson, Nikki Peters, and Jennifer Bednar. We will hear from each of these committees shortly.
Announcements – Carolyn Healey
· The March Meeting on Tuesday March 11th is Virtual (via zoom). Business meeting only and will include a Hort Minute to help us prep for the upcoming April and May Hort Shows. No speaker. Start time is 9:30am.
· 9:30 AM will be the new start time for our business meetings going forward.
· There is a small group driving to the Philadelphia Flower Show on Tuesday March 4th. Please see Peter Ham with interest in joining.
· GCA Conferences:
o GCA Virtual Photo Workshop took place on 2/6. Hope some of you engaged with that.
o Virtual Floral Design Conference is today, Tuesday 2/11.
· GCA Website: Update your personal account with GCA. Log in and update your personal information and you can upload a photo. Club President or Membership Chair can add past and present committees.
Announcement of Executive Slate for 2025-2027 – Barbara Stowe
· Nominating Chair Barbara Stowe thanked her fellow committee chairs for their work compiling the slate for 2025-2027. Barbara announced the slate and announced there will be a vote at the virtual March meeting.
o The Slate:
§ President: Tracy Johnson
§ Vice President: Gabrielle Shamsey
§ Treasurer: Ena Lumba
§ Recording Secretary: Monique Bombardieri
§ Membership Chair: Lindsay Bracken
§ Corresponding Secretary: Louise Wellemeyer
Committees Announcements
· NJ Committee Grant Proposal – Rachel Lee/Katrina Walsh
o Announced two proposals for upcoming vote
o Details on proposals will be sent via email.
· SBGC 2026 Zone IV Show Introduction – Rachel Lee/Katrina Walsh
o SBGC will host 2026 Zone IV Show at Grounds for Sculpture
o April 7th and 8th 2026
o Will need full club participation. Email will be sent around so that you can indicate how you would like to get involved.
· Membership – Lindsay Bracken
o Lindsay read names and announced guests.
o Reviewed key dates for membership and encouraged people to think about next year.
· Photography – Susan D’Amour
o Reviewed our Jan Show results and our Opening Fete at the Arts Council of Princeton this past Saturday.
o It was a great success and we received great feedback!
o Members of the public came to the opening viewing party. Fun!
o Carolyn Healey added that the show was beautiful and stunning.
o Carolyn also asked for a raise of hands to see who might be interested in participating in the “Seeing More Deeply” virtual photography workshop by John Barclay on 2/25 from 1PM-2PM.
§ Enough hands were raised to indicate interest. Carolyn will send out link.
· Floral Design --Barbara Stowe and Christina Henderson
o Thanked all who participated the beautiful flower show.
o Show was well-received and we are grateful for participation.
o Trader Joes is an excellent place to buy flowers in a pinch.
o Judging is based on the Principles and Elements of Design
o Be sure to read the schedule carefully, as this includes rules and restrictions that your design may be judged on.
o In the end, remember that floral design is a subjective art. Most important to enjoy the process!
· Botanical Arts – Rachel Lee
o Growing Fund: Please donate to the Growing Fund. Seeking 100% participation. No amount is too small. QR codes are available to link to donate, or donate on website.
o Reviewed the 2 Growing Fund proposals (not yet circulated)
o NJ Committee Luncheon will take place on Wednesday, November 5th. Save the date. This covers Rutgers scholarships. Speaker will be Debra Prinzing from the Slow Flowers podcast.
· Photography – Nessa Tallo
o Nessa detailed processes and procedures for entering the upcoming photography show. Contact Nessa with any questions. Information is also on the website.
o Snapseed Workshop took place at the same time as our workshop. Link to recording will be posted and sent out by Carolyn for all to view in their own time.
· Floral Design Committee – Deb Haines on behalf of Barb Stowe and Christina Henderson
o Deb gave detailed information about entering the upcoming flower show in February.
o One major change to highlight is that the judging will now take place on Monday, February 10th. Doors will open to pass exhibits at 8:45 AM and close at 9:30 AM on Monday. Entries will remain on display through the meeting on Tuesday. Please contact Barb or Christina with any questions.
· Botanical Arts – Julie Tennant and Jill Mitchell
o BA workshop was very well attended. Thank you to Mimi Carrington for her instruction.
o Next time, the BA workshop may be scheduled for a longer stretch of time.
o Thank you to all who entered and participated in the first SBGC BA show in 10 years! It was a great success. Be sure to check out the beautiful creations.
· Civics – Sandy Scarlatella
o Sandy reminded everyone about the Elm Court Valentine’s Tea.
o Thanked all for a fantastic response and participation.
o Please arrive by 9 and/or drop amenity bags and arrangements by 9 or 9:30.
· Conservation – Eileen Todd
o Congrats to Philadelphia Eagles fans on the Superbowl win!
o Call to Action! We are asking for you to reach out to our NJ state reps regarding the bipartisan approved Invasive Legislation.
o An email with a template for these letters will be sent after the meeting.
Business meeting adjourned and followed by visiting speaker: Cindy Zypf, Founder of Clean Ocean Action
Stony Brook Garden Club Monthly Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, January 14th, 2025
Location: Springdale Golf Club
Attendance: Active members: 47 Present, 27 Absent
Total members: 51 Present
Welcome – Carolyn Healey
· Carolyn welcomed everyone to the first meeting of 2025 in the 85th year of the Stony Brook Garden Club of Princeton.
Approval of the Minutes – Carolyn Healey
· Corrections made to the December 2024 minutes:
o Judges’ “Commendation” not “Accommodation”
· Carolyn called for motion to approve the minutes. Louise Wellemeyer made a motion. Nancy Henkel seconded. All were in favor. Minutes approved with corrections noted.
Giving Thanks – Carolyn Healey
· Thank you to Springdale and Jim Graham and staff for hosting us here today. Thank you to Monique Bombardieri and Jamie Stournaras for hosting this meeting today.
· Thank you again to everyone who made our December luncheon, boutique, and Anniversary celebration so incredibly special. From Monique, Jaime, Rachel, Merril, our incredible speakers Janet Haring, Nancy Robbins, and Susan Levy, to all who donated to the boutique, thank you. The names of all who donated are in the December minutes.
· Thank you to Nessa Tallo and Photography Committee for hosting a Photo Critique session on Jan 3rd.
· Thank you to the Conservation Committee for hosting the composting workshop. Thank you to Carrie Dyckman for leading and offering her expertise.
· Reminder that we are always here to support each other when a member of our garden club experiences a loss in the family. Please always let us know.
Announcements – Carolyn Healey
· The March Meeting on Tuesday, March 11th is Virtual. It will be via Zoom and be business only. No speaker, so the meeting should last approximately an hour.
· The Philadelphia Flower Show is March 1-9. Visiting Gardens Committee will figure out best ways to attend based a gauged interest. We will hear more from Peter Ham later this morning.
· GCA upcoming virtual conferences:
o Thursday, February 6th Photo Conference.
o Tuesday, February 11th Flower Arranging.
o NAL conference in DC is also coming up in March (3/23-3/26). Cost of attendance is covered by club.
Committees Announcements
· Membership – Julie Sullivan
o Membership process is moving along well for the year.
o 6 potential provisionals visiting today. More in February!
· VP Announcements and Provisional Report – Tracy Johnson
o Our Provisional’s SBGC Christmas Pajama Mantel at the Morven Festival of Trees won first place!
o Thank you to Kerry Kandel, Nikki Frith, Victoria McDowell, and Grace Wuertz for a creative and heartwarming creation.
o In other business, SBGC is set to host the Zone IV Meeting for 2026. Meeting will take place in April 2026, and we will need all hands on deck. Stay tuned!
· Holiday Boutique/Fundraising – Rachel Lee
o Thank you to all who donated and purchased goods at the boutique.
o We raised almost $11,000!
o Special Thanks to all who volunteered to set up and run the boutique.
o Please contact Rachel with any questions on Party Board Dates.
· NJ Committee and Growing Fund – Rachel Lee
o Growing Fund: Please donate to the Growing Fund. Seeking 100% participation. No amount is too small. QR codes are available to link to donate, or donate on website.
o Reviewed the 2 Growing Fund proposals (not yet circulated)
o NJ Committee Luncheon will take place on Wednesday, November 5th. Save the date. This covers Rutgers scholarships. Speaker will be Debra Prinzing from the Slow Flowers podcast.
· Photography – Nessa Tallo
o Nessa detailed processes and procedures for entering the upcoming photography show. Contact Nessa with any questions. Information is also on the website.
o Snapseed Workshop took place at the same time as our workshop. Link to recording will be posted and sent out by Carolyn for all to view in their own time.
· Floral Design Committee – Deb Haines on behalf of Barb Stowe and Christina Henderson
o Deb gave detailed information about entering the upcoming flower show in February.
o One major change to highlight is that the judging will now take place on Monday, February 10th. Doors will open to pass exhibits at 8:45 AM and close at 9:30 AM on Monday. Entries will remain on display through the meeting on Tuesday. Please contact Barb or Christina with any questions.
· Botanical Arts – Julie Tennant and Jill Mitchell
o Julie and Jill announced and gave details about the BA Workshop taking place on Thursday, January 23rd at the Watershed. Limited Spaces available. Please sign up on website or reach out to Julie and Jill with questions.
o Also gave information about how to enter the BA Show taking place in February. Please reach out to Jill and Julie for more detailed information.
· Points – Carolyn Healey on behalf of Nikki Peters
o Reminded everyone about the need to get show points for the year.
o Reminder that you receive additional points for exhibiting in outside shows, but be sure to report this points to the Committee Chair and Points Chair.
o Link to opportunities at the Philadelphia Flower Show HERE
· Conservation – Ena Lumba
o NAL Conference will take place March 23rd-March 26th in Washington, DC. We need a delegate from SBGC. Cost of attendance is covered. Please contact Ena if interested.
o Shared detailed information about NAL. Contact Ena for full summary.
· Civics – Sandy Scarlatella
o Sandy reminded everyone of the opportunity to earn Civics points through volunteering for Elm Court in February. Three ways to earn points: floral arrangement, amenity bags, and/or attend. Sign up on website. Contact Sandy for more information or with questions.
· Grants – Gabrielle Shamsey
o Gabrielle walked through how to find information about GCA grants on the GCA website.
o Provided details on each of the 5 major available grants.
o Consult website or contact Gabrielle for more info or to express interest in applying for a grant on behalf of our club.
· Visiting Gardens – Peter Ham
o Would love to organize a trip in March to the Philadelphia Flower Show. Please email Peter if interested in attending with the group so that he can make a plan.
o Shared announcement by the Barnes in assuming support of Philadelphia’s Calder Gardens
Business meeting adjourned and followed by visiting speaker, Photographer Lisa Field.
Stony Brook Garden Club Monthly Meeting Minutes
Tuesday, December 10th, 2024
Location: Bedens Brook Club
Attendance: 89 Present, 18 Absent
Welcome – Carolyn Healey
· Carolyn welcomed everyone to the December meeting and 85th Anniversary Celebration of the Stony Brook Garden Club of Princeton.
Approval of the Minutes – Carolyn Healey
· Corrections made to the November 2024 minutes:
o Carolyn Healey (not Woodney Wachter) did roll call
o Spelling correction for Susan D’Amour’s name
o The October 2024 minutes were unanimously approved as written during the November meeting
· Carolyn called for motion to approve the minutes. Nancy Henkel made a motion. Laura Hanson seconded. All were in favor. Minutes approved with corrections noted.
Thank You and Announcements – Carolyn Healey
· Thank you to Bedens Brook, Kendall Eager, Craig Campbell, and the entire staff for having us here today.
· Thank you to Rachel Lee and committee of Lindsay Bracken, Tracy Dart, Deb Haines, and Melanie Clarke for this beautiful Holiday Boutique presentation.
· Thank you very much to those who donated to the Holiday Boutique:
o Barb Stowe
o Louise Wellemeyer
o Mary Brophy
o Janet Haring
o Judy Savary
o Melanie Clarke
o Julie Tennant
o Susan Damour
o Zoe Bylin
o Nancy Henkel
o Tracy Dart
o Janet Mintz
o Ashley Lyu
o Nikki Peters
o Lindsay Bracken
o Jamie Stournaras
o Monique Bombardieri
o Rachel Lee
o Christina Henderson
o Deb Haines
o Sonya Sappington
o Kerry Kandel
o Eileen Todd
o Nikki Frith
o Ena Lumba
o Gabrielle Shamsey
o Jennifer DeSimone
o Alicia Merse
o Amy Granato
o Betsy Stabler
o Ann Lewis
o Margaret Stoneman
· Shout out to our November Flower Show, To Jackie with Love, Part I, that was organized and chaired by Barbara Stowe and Christina Henderson. The entire show was awarded a Judges Accommodation. Well done to all those who entered.
· Recognition of the Provisional Project: SBGC Mantel at Morven Festival of Trees – It’s fabulous. The mantel is creative, playful, inviting and heartwarming. Please everyone go see our mantel and, importantly, VOTE! Thank you to Kerry Kandel, Nikki Frith, Grace Wuertz and Tori McDowell.
· On behalf of membership, Carolyn read three names. Please reach out to Julie Sullivan or me with further names or comments.
· The Nominating Committee has been formed. Barbara Stowe will serve as Chair with the assistance of Christina Henderson and Alicia Merse. Thank you in advance to this team.
· Thank you Sandy Scarlatella for organizing the Rockingham Holiday Decorating event and thank you to all who came and worked at it. They truly appreciated the help.
· We had a fun morning yesterday making holiday wreaths and tabletop decorations. Thank you to those who participated.
· Thank you to Nessa Tallo and Susan D’Amour for organizing the Photo 101 in Nov. And to Jane Henderson for again hosting this workshop.
· New Announcement to make note of for Photography Committee and Show:
o CHANGE: Photo Show sign-ups open tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec 11 at 10am.
o Photo critique on Fri Jan 3rd. Please email nessa.tallo@gmail.com your digital files by December 27th – a maximum of three images per person for critique. We will review photos and discuss each other’s work in a supportive environment to allow everyone to become more comfortable with entering the show. Critique will be held at Nessa’s house on Friday Jan 3 at 10am.
o All photos for the actual Show will need to be delivered by Thursday Jan 16 to Nessa’s home 947 Lawrenceville Road, Princeton. There will be a box on the side porch.
o Regarding any questions, please reach out to Nessa and Susan.
o Show will be hung at Princeton Arts Council.
· Important Date to Note: January 23rd! Botanical Arts Workshop will take place at The Watershed at 10 AM. Please sign up online.
· General Update:
o This is roughly the halfway point of our 2024-25 year.
o This is our fourth meeting.
o We have had four workshops: 1 Hort, 1 Floral Design, 2 Photography.
o We have engaged in three civics projects with 25 members volunteering across these events.
o We have had three amazing program speakers:
§ Thomas Lloyd and Bryan Huffman on Bunny Mellon
§ Botanist Samantha Rothman on Dahlias
§ Kerry Patel on Intentional Flower Arranging
o Thank you and congratulations on all that we have accomplished thus far—looking forward to a strong second half of the year!
· Business Meeting adjourned and was followed by a lovely 85th Anniversary Celebration and Luncheon.
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