THE GARDEN CLUB OF YARMOUTH
ANNUAL REPORTS
2020-2021
ANNUAL MEETING
In January 2021, the committee-initiated discussion regarding the Annual Meeting Luncheon options which included meeting at the Old Yarmouth Inn, which members enjoyed previously. Considering the Covid impact, Executive Board discussions led to locating a venue that would offer a safe environment for members in September rather than May. Gray’s Beach and Lorusso Lodge, both in Yarmouth, were explored with the decision being Flax Pond’s Lorusso Lodge which provides more space, tables and chairs. The four-hour reservation period allows 30 minutes for setup and 30 minutes for cleanup. A deposit of $37.50 was made to the Town of Yarmouth in March, 2021 to reserve the facility which will remain subject to existing Covid regulations.
The Town provided a recommended list of caterers; we explored those for self-contained box lunches that included a sandwich, salad, chips, dessert, and drink. After tasting sandwiches prepared by two caterers, the committee with Board agreement decided that Violet’s Catering offered a creative box lunch of rollup choices that included greens, a pickle spear, fresh fruit cup, brownie, and a drink for $13 per person with free delivery for 50 or more box lunches (otherwise a $50 charge for delivery with an alternative pickup option). The Board agreed to purchase small bags of chips and additional waters and ice teas. Considering the Lodge rental cost and the potential number of members attending the luncheon, the member luncheon charge was set at $20 per person.
Violet’s Catering’s proposal (50 guests) did not require a deposit and payment of $650 for 50 guests, at $13 per guest, is due September 10, 2021 along with an accurate guest count. Members have been asked to submit their reservations and payment by September 1, 2021. The Hospitality Committee will set up the tables and the Flower Show Committee will provide table arrangements.
Paula Wilson and Mary Preikszas, Co-Chairs
BY-LAWS
There was a discussion of possible changes to certain by-laws. The membership would have to vote on any changes but they are not able to meet during the Covid-19 Pandemic so a vote cannot be taken.
There were motions suggested and voted upon to deal with conditions to ensure we survive as a club.
These were the motions put forward.
The first is authorized under our existing By-laws and the second is authorized by Chapter 53 of the Acts of 2020 law.
The Executive Board has voted to adopt two resolutions.
Cookie Barry, Chair
CIVIC BEAUTIFICATION
Covid-19 put the brakes on us last year and continues this spring. However, the gardens flourished in colorful glory and the window boxes and tubs gave us the promise we will survive! All the gardens cut back on the usual annual's order and supplies due to fund raising events had all been cancelled including this year's plant sale. The skeleton crews worked masked, socially distanced, and longer hours to keep the gardens in tip top shape and prevent loss due to neglect. We have a private irrigation guy now tending the needs of the systems which is working out well. This spring two new tubs were purchased for the S Yarmouth Post Office and sporting beautifully planted pansies. Thank you to the volunteer people watering there last year as there was no appointed person to that site. Our annual gifts of decorated Christmas wreaths to the Town's public buildings were graciously donated by members this year. We hope the rest of the Civic B members come back to the gardens and continue with the work that needs to be done.
Looking ahead, Sandee McGrath is chairing Buck Island for Ed this year and I will head Civic Beautification this year. So, acting as substitutes we are looking for new people to take over for those two chairs and will work with them until 2022 during the transition.
Jan Brogan
CONSERVATION
Conservation did not have any organized meetings. I did do a zoom talk about recycling restaurant trash! Hopefully everyone got out and enjoyed the beautiful Cape Cod scenery during the covid shut down. There is always something that can be recycled or repurposed, let your imaginations run free! I have a conservation moment for our fall, in person meeting!
Don’t forget to keep saving your pull tops for the Shriners transportation program for needy children.
Paula Phillips, Chair
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
It has been my pleasure to serve as Corresponding Secretary this past year. I have mailed 16 “thank you” notes to individual and groups who have donated checks to support Garden Club of Yarmouth programs and present informative programs during the past year. I have had 1 expense for a book of stamps ($11.00).
Respectfully submitted,
Norma Atwood
Corresponding Secretary
FLOWER SHOW
No committee meeting was held or any money spent from our budget.
Several members made flower arrangements for the podium for our zoom members meetings.
The 2 Flower Arranging Workshops and December Flower Show had to be cancelled.
Joy Shipp, Chair
HANDBOOK
There was no Handbook printed for 2020-2021. I have been attempting to keep the membership roster up to date, throughout this unusual year.
There were no Handbook costs this year.
Carol Ann Morris, Chair
HERB GARDEN
This was the year of the pandemic; some things were the same and some different. There was no full gathering of the Herb Committee in the spring for cleanup and planting of annual herbs and replacement of perennial herbs that did not make it through the winter months. This was done by the chair of the committee (me). Each member did take a week or two to help maintain the garden (watering, deadheading, and weeding), as that did not require one to be with other people. In October the garden was put to bed for the winter without the usual gathering of the committee.
Joan Huckins, Chair
HISTORIAN
I was asked to assume the role of Historian in February of 2020.
As the 2020-2021 year opened, snapshots and handouts were collected to document the wide variety of activities and programs sponsored by The Garden Club of Yarmouth, including how to create a “Rain Garden” and “Theme Gardens”. Photos were posted of dedicated members of the “Civic Beautification” committee maintaining gardens, Post Office decorations and seasonal wreaths on town buildings. A sample of a note card designed by one of our members as well as a photo of members who participated in a program to plant more “Pollinators” were added to the Historian’s scrapbook.
Eileen West, Chair
HORTICULTURAL ROUNDTABLE aka GARDEN KNOW HOW
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no ‘Garden Know How’ series meetings held for this fiscal year of the Garden Club of Yarmouth. Even though the annual budget for the Horticulture Roundtable was reduced from the regular annual amount of $500 down to $150, due to very limited amount of income raised this year, no money was spent.
Vicki Balboni, Chair
HOSPITALITY
Due to the pandemic the hospitality committee has been on hiatus. Hopefully the garden club will be able to have in person meetings again soon. The hospitality committee members will be ready to once again provide refreshments at our general meetings for all to enjoy.
Ann Libby and Mary Spurr, Co-Chairs
MEMBERSHIP
New Honorary Members
Dorothy McFarland
Paula McGarland
Mary Alice (Lolly) Warner
New Members Committees
Joan Donah.....Civic Beautification and Flower Show
Barbara Fitzpatrick.....Civic Beautification and Herb Garden
Michelle Collins Clements.....Civic Beautification
Gail McArthur.....Civic Beautification and Flower Show
Resigning Members Committees
Pat Leary.....Herb Garden
Shannan Myers.....By-Laws and Program
Sharon Carpenter.....Civic Beautification
Jane Thomas.....Website
Ginny Cohen.....By-Laws and Herb Garden
Gail Morlock.....Telephone and Ways and Means
Michelle Collins Clements.....Civic Beautification
Barbara Fitzpatrick.....Civic Beautification and Herb Garden
New Committee Chair
Margery Kelly.....Scholarship (and continues as Chair of Telephone)
Pat Holcomb, Chair
NEWSLETTER
Each month Chairs provided articles they wanted to put into the newsletter. They were put together to create The Trumpet. Unlike other years, the pandemic made it impossible to meet in person where printed copies were available for all. This year The Trumpet was emailed to members, printed out and mailed through the Post Office to those without email and posted on our website.
Thanks to Diane Tlapa for printing a planting guide from the Farmer’s Almanac went out in March’s Trumpet.
Ruth Piscitelli, Chair
PROGRAM
If ever there was a year for compassion & patience this was it! We Zoomed all meetings (Thank you, Madam President!) and dealt with a bare bones budget.
November 17, 2020:
Kiki introduced three committee chairs with their own holiday/winter themed programs. First, Paula Phillips (Conservation Chair) entertained/educated the membership with an eco & kid- friendly craft project. She showed us how to turn "restaurant trash" (paper napkin rings, empty cream containers, coffee stirrers) and readily available home & office/craft items (pipe cleaners, tongue depressors, pompoms, etc.) into a delightful Santa and his reindeer!
Ed Mulligan (Civic Beautification) demonstrated the proper method to care for/sharpen pruners! He used his 12-year-old pruners as proof positive of the virtue of daily maintenance by clean-cutting a sheet of paper! Tips included: cleaning pruners with a scotch pad/ fine steel wool and using his go-to-gadget AG701 from leevalley.com to maintain correct bevel angle. Ed generously offered to walk members through the AG701 process.
Last but not least, Joy Shipp (Flower Show Chair & Garden Goddess) created a tabletop Christmas tree using aromatic evergreens (flat branches) gathered from her own yard and a styrofoam cone (multiple sz up to 22" available) as the "tree" form(s). Other supplies needed include: large U pins, glue gun, lengths of twigs/branches for "trunks", pots of your liking, sphagnum moss and decorative bits (shells, sprigs of holly, ribbon, bells, etc. sz depends on size of tree). Glue to steady chosen "trunk" in styrofoam-filled pot. Glue moss to surface around trunk. Starting at the bottom of cone aka tree by pinning overlapping evergreen branches. Can use glue to secure branches and decorations galore. Ho,ho,ho!
January 19, 2021:
Co-chair Cheryl Ryan introduced the very talented Vicki Balboni (former Chair of Garden-Know-How and Co-Chair Flower Show Committees, member of the Herb Garden Committee and a Master Gardener since 2015). Vicki welcomed us all into her sunny home to meet her multitude of happy, healthy houseplants. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of her plants' characteristics and needs. Vicki ended her presentation by emphasizing the role houseplants - and all plants play- in cleaning the air/atmosphere.
March 16, 2021:
Prez Elaine Frongillo turned over the meeting to Cheryl Ryan who introduced Mass Audubon's Mark Faherty. He is a Wildlife/Research Ecologist, Naturalist, International Trip Leader, Lecturer, WCAI/NPR Commentator, the Science Coordinator at Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay. While at Mass Audubon Wellfleet Mark has helped establish a native plants garden to attract and support indigenous birds and insects. HIs research supports the premise that native plants offer more bugs for birds. His mission is educating the public, especially gardeners, when we choose native plants, those plants improve breeding and foraging for insectivorous birds. Great slide show!
May 18, 2021:
Kiki welcomed Marsha Alibrandi, Master Gardener & retired professor of Social Studies Education, to speak about year-round color in our Cape Cod gardens. Due to a technical glitch, there was no presentation that day. Dr Alibrandi has since sent links to her program on "Year- Round Color". See the May Trumpet (under Program Committee) for details.
Kiki Becker and Cheryl Ryan, Co Chairs.
PUBLICITY
There was no activity this past year 2020-2021. So as Publicity Chair for the Yarmouth Garden Club I did nothing and spent nothing.
Diane Tlapa, Chair
REMEMBRANCE
From January 2020 to April 2021 25 cards have been sent to Garden Club members.
Margaret Huszar, Chair
SCHOLARSHIP
The season of 20-21 was an unusual year for the scholarship fund. Because of no plant sales, flower sales, pie sales or donations collected at the Yarmouth land fill during the year, we had only allocated $500 to be awarded for scholarship. The Board decided that the final decision of who receives the scholarship should be voted on at a board meeting. We actually had just 6 applicants this year. A D-Y senior, Brady Holmes was the recommended winner by the committee and the approved recipient by the Board. He will receive his award after completing his first semester of college. The Garden Club Scholarship Committee consists of 3 people, Margie Kelly (acting chair), Claire Linnan, and Barbara McManus. Our award should be a considerably higher amount next year now that Covid 19 is under control and we can get back to our usual fund-raising activities.
Margie Kelly, Chair
TELEPHONE
The season of 20-21 was a trying one for all, but our Zoom meetings kept us connected. The gals on the telephone committee worked diligently making over 1000 calls to notify everyone of Garden Club business and Zooming meetings. The committee consists of Margie Kelly (Chair), Marie Hamilton, Charlene Goddard-Lyle, Ruth Gawle, Jean Snow, Colleen Miller, Mary Orcianelli, Sandi O’Donnell, Barbara Silver, Irene Shaw, and Margaret Rice. Our expenses are none and I don’t anticipate we will have any in the coming year. Thank you, ladies, for doing such a fine job.
Margie Kelly, Chair
WAYS AND MEANS
We were unable to do Fund raising because of the Pandemic. We did have note cards printed that were designed by member Kiki Becker. We sold half of them and will sell the rest once we are able to meet again. Ann Libby has done the paper work to have a fund raiser at the Recycling Center later this fall if we are allowed.
Karen Barry and Jan Brogan, Co-Chairs
WEB SITE
During the year we continued our internet presence with a web site and a Facebook page. Because club activities were limited this year, traffic was less than usual.
Through our web page we receive inquiries about membership along with communications from various Cape Cod organizations. Most of our new members this year contacted us through the web page. While the volume of inquiries is low, it is important that the public has this way to contact us. We also post Trumpet newsletters, board and general meeting minutes, as well as photos of our activities, scholarship applications, membership applications, and meeting topics and speakers.
A new feature was added this year called "In Our Travels" featuring photos of gardens visited by members off Cape.
Our Facebook page is especially useful to advertise fund raisers. As there were no fund raisers this year, Facebook traffic was down. We did post items of general gardening interest as well as Town of Yarmouth announcements to keep us in the public eye.
Ed Mulligan, Chair
ANNUAL REPORTS
2020-2021
ANNUAL MEETING
In January 2021, the committee-initiated discussion regarding the Annual Meeting Luncheon options which included meeting at the Old Yarmouth Inn, which members enjoyed previously. Considering the Covid impact, Executive Board discussions led to locating a venue that would offer a safe environment for members in September rather than May. Gray’s Beach and Lorusso Lodge, both in Yarmouth, were explored with the decision being Flax Pond’s Lorusso Lodge which provides more space, tables and chairs. The four-hour reservation period allows 30 minutes for setup and 30 minutes for cleanup. A deposit of $37.50 was made to the Town of Yarmouth in March, 2021 to reserve the facility which will remain subject to existing Covid regulations.
The Town provided a recommended list of caterers; we explored those for self-contained box lunches that included a sandwich, salad, chips, dessert, and drink. After tasting sandwiches prepared by two caterers, the committee with Board agreement decided that Violet’s Catering offered a creative box lunch of rollup choices that included greens, a pickle spear, fresh fruit cup, brownie, and a drink for $13 per person with free delivery for 50 or more box lunches (otherwise a $50 charge for delivery with an alternative pickup option). The Board agreed to purchase small bags of chips and additional waters and ice teas. Considering the Lodge rental cost and the potential number of members attending the luncheon, the member luncheon charge was set at $20 per person.
Violet’s Catering’s proposal (50 guests) did not require a deposit and payment of $650 for 50 guests, at $13 per guest, is due September 10, 2021 along with an accurate guest count. Members have been asked to submit their reservations and payment by September 1, 2021. The Hospitality Committee will set up the tables and the Flower Show Committee will provide table arrangements.
Paula Wilson and Mary Preikszas, Co-Chairs
BY-LAWS
There was a discussion of possible changes to certain by-laws. The membership would have to vote on any changes but they are not able to meet during the Covid-19 Pandemic so a vote cannot be taken.
There were motions suggested and voted upon to deal with conditions to ensure we survive as a club.
These were the motions put forward.
The first is authorized under our existing By-laws and the second is authorized by Chapter 53 of the Acts of 2020 law.
The Executive Board has voted to adopt two resolutions.
- First, the Board has waived the attendance requirement which is under Article III, Section 2.D in the by-laws for Club members during the 2020-2021 program year. In the fall, the Board will review whether to extend this waiver.
- Second, the Board has authorized specific actions that a new State Law permits:
- We will have remote meetings (Zoom)
- We can reschedule or cancel meetings
- We can permit Officers to continue in office until their successors are elected and take office
- The Board is allowed to appoint successors to Officers including those offices that may be vacant.
Cookie Barry, Chair
CIVIC BEAUTIFICATION
Covid-19 put the brakes on us last year and continues this spring. However, the gardens flourished in colorful glory and the window boxes and tubs gave us the promise we will survive! All the gardens cut back on the usual annual's order and supplies due to fund raising events had all been cancelled including this year's plant sale. The skeleton crews worked masked, socially distanced, and longer hours to keep the gardens in tip top shape and prevent loss due to neglect. We have a private irrigation guy now tending the needs of the systems which is working out well. This spring two new tubs were purchased for the S Yarmouth Post Office and sporting beautifully planted pansies. Thank you to the volunteer people watering there last year as there was no appointed person to that site. Our annual gifts of decorated Christmas wreaths to the Town's public buildings were graciously donated by members this year. We hope the rest of the Civic B members come back to the gardens and continue with the work that needs to be done.
Looking ahead, Sandee McGrath is chairing Buck Island for Ed this year and I will head Civic Beautification this year. So, acting as substitutes we are looking for new people to take over for those two chairs and will work with them until 2022 during the transition.
Jan Brogan
CONSERVATION
Conservation did not have any organized meetings. I did do a zoom talk about recycling restaurant trash! Hopefully everyone got out and enjoyed the beautiful Cape Cod scenery during the covid shut down. There is always something that can be recycled or repurposed, let your imaginations run free! I have a conservation moment for our fall, in person meeting!
Don’t forget to keep saving your pull tops for the Shriners transportation program for needy children.
Paula Phillips, Chair
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
It has been my pleasure to serve as Corresponding Secretary this past year. I have mailed 16 “thank you” notes to individual and groups who have donated checks to support Garden Club of Yarmouth programs and present informative programs during the past year. I have had 1 expense for a book of stamps ($11.00).
Respectfully submitted,
Norma Atwood
Corresponding Secretary
FLOWER SHOW
No committee meeting was held or any money spent from our budget.
Several members made flower arrangements for the podium for our zoom members meetings.
The 2 Flower Arranging Workshops and December Flower Show had to be cancelled.
Joy Shipp, Chair
HANDBOOK
There was no Handbook printed for 2020-2021. I have been attempting to keep the membership roster up to date, throughout this unusual year.
There were no Handbook costs this year.
Carol Ann Morris, Chair
HERB GARDEN
This was the year of the pandemic; some things were the same and some different. There was no full gathering of the Herb Committee in the spring for cleanup and planting of annual herbs and replacement of perennial herbs that did not make it through the winter months. This was done by the chair of the committee (me). Each member did take a week or two to help maintain the garden (watering, deadheading, and weeding), as that did not require one to be with other people. In October the garden was put to bed for the winter without the usual gathering of the committee.
Joan Huckins, Chair
HISTORIAN
I was asked to assume the role of Historian in February of 2020.
As the 2020-2021 year opened, snapshots and handouts were collected to document the wide variety of activities and programs sponsored by The Garden Club of Yarmouth, including how to create a “Rain Garden” and “Theme Gardens”. Photos were posted of dedicated members of the “Civic Beautification” committee maintaining gardens, Post Office decorations and seasonal wreaths on town buildings. A sample of a note card designed by one of our members as well as a photo of members who participated in a program to plant more “Pollinators” were added to the Historian’s scrapbook.
Eileen West, Chair
HORTICULTURAL ROUNDTABLE aka GARDEN KNOW HOW
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no ‘Garden Know How’ series meetings held for this fiscal year of the Garden Club of Yarmouth. Even though the annual budget for the Horticulture Roundtable was reduced from the regular annual amount of $500 down to $150, due to very limited amount of income raised this year, no money was spent.
Vicki Balboni, Chair
HOSPITALITY
Due to the pandemic the hospitality committee has been on hiatus. Hopefully the garden club will be able to have in person meetings again soon. The hospitality committee members will be ready to once again provide refreshments at our general meetings for all to enjoy.
Ann Libby and Mary Spurr, Co-Chairs
MEMBERSHIP
New Honorary Members
Dorothy McFarland
Paula McGarland
Mary Alice (Lolly) Warner
New Members Committees
Joan Donah.....Civic Beautification and Flower Show
Barbara Fitzpatrick.....Civic Beautification and Herb Garden
Michelle Collins Clements.....Civic Beautification
Gail McArthur.....Civic Beautification and Flower Show
Resigning Members Committees
Pat Leary.....Herb Garden
Shannan Myers.....By-Laws and Program
Sharon Carpenter.....Civic Beautification
Jane Thomas.....Website
Ginny Cohen.....By-Laws and Herb Garden
Gail Morlock.....Telephone and Ways and Means
Michelle Collins Clements.....Civic Beautification
Barbara Fitzpatrick.....Civic Beautification and Herb Garden
New Committee Chair
Margery Kelly.....Scholarship (and continues as Chair of Telephone)
Pat Holcomb, Chair
NEWSLETTER
Each month Chairs provided articles they wanted to put into the newsletter. They were put together to create The Trumpet. Unlike other years, the pandemic made it impossible to meet in person where printed copies were available for all. This year The Trumpet was emailed to members, printed out and mailed through the Post Office to those without email and posted on our website.
Thanks to Diane Tlapa for printing a planting guide from the Farmer’s Almanac went out in March’s Trumpet.
Ruth Piscitelli, Chair
PROGRAM
If ever there was a year for compassion & patience this was it! We Zoomed all meetings (Thank you, Madam President!) and dealt with a bare bones budget.
November 17, 2020:
Kiki introduced three committee chairs with their own holiday/winter themed programs. First, Paula Phillips (Conservation Chair) entertained/educated the membership with an eco & kid- friendly craft project. She showed us how to turn "restaurant trash" (paper napkin rings, empty cream containers, coffee stirrers) and readily available home & office/craft items (pipe cleaners, tongue depressors, pompoms, etc.) into a delightful Santa and his reindeer!
Ed Mulligan (Civic Beautification) demonstrated the proper method to care for/sharpen pruners! He used his 12-year-old pruners as proof positive of the virtue of daily maintenance by clean-cutting a sheet of paper! Tips included: cleaning pruners with a scotch pad/ fine steel wool and using his go-to-gadget AG701 from leevalley.com to maintain correct bevel angle. Ed generously offered to walk members through the AG701 process.
Last but not least, Joy Shipp (Flower Show Chair & Garden Goddess) created a tabletop Christmas tree using aromatic evergreens (flat branches) gathered from her own yard and a styrofoam cone (multiple sz up to 22" available) as the "tree" form(s). Other supplies needed include: large U pins, glue gun, lengths of twigs/branches for "trunks", pots of your liking, sphagnum moss and decorative bits (shells, sprigs of holly, ribbon, bells, etc. sz depends on size of tree). Glue to steady chosen "trunk" in styrofoam-filled pot. Glue moss to surface around trunk. Starting at the bottom of cone aka tree by pinning overlapping evergreen branches. Can use glue to secure branches and decorations galore. Ho,ho,ho!
January 19, 2021:
Co-chair Cheryl Ryan introduced the very talented Vicki Balboni (former Chair of Garden-Know-How and Co-Chair Flower Show Committees, member of the Herb Garden Committee and a Master Gardener since 2015). Vicki welcomed us all into her sunny home to meet her multitude of happy, healthy houseplants. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of her plants' characteristics and needs. Vicki ended her presentation by emphasizing the role houseplants - and all plants play- in cleaning the air/atmosphere.
March 16, 2021:
Prez Elaine Frongillo turned over the meeting to Cheryl Ryan who introduced Mass Audubon's Mark Faherty. He is a Wildlife/Research Ecologist, Naturalist, International Trip Leader, Lecturer, WCAI/NPR Commentator, the Science Coordinator at Mass Audubon Wellfleet Bay. While at Mass Audubon Wellfleet Mark has helped establish a native plants garden to attract and support indigenous birds and insects. HIs research supports the premise that native plants offer more bugs for birds. His mission is educating the public, especially gardeners, when we choose native plants, those plants improve breeding and foraging for insectivorous birds. Great slide show!
May 18, 2021:
Kiki welcomed Marsha Alibrandi, Master Gardener & retired professor of Social Studies Education, to speak about year-round color in our Cape Cod gardens. Due to a technical glitch, there was no presentation that day. Dr Alibrandi has since sent links to her program on "Year- Round Color". See the May Trumpet (under Program Committee) for details.
Kiki Becker and Cheryl Ryan, Co Chairs.
PUBLICITY
There was no activity this past year 2020-2021. So as Publicity Chair for the Yarmouth Garden Club I did nothing and spent nothing.
Diane Tlapa, Chair
REMEMBRANCE
From January 2020 to April 2021 25 cards have been sent to Garden Club members.
Margaret Huszar, Chair
SCHOLARSHIP
The season of 20-21 was an unusual year for the scholarship fund. Because of no plant sales, flower sales, pie sales or donations collected at the Yarmouth land fill during the year, we had only allocated $500 to be awarded for scholarship. The Board decided that the final decision of who receives the scholarship should be voted on at a board meeting. We actually had just 6 applicants this year. A D-Y senior, Brady Holmes was the recommended winner by the committee and the approved recipient by the Board. He will receive his award after completing his first semester of college. The Garden Club Scholarship Committee consists of 3 people, Margie Kelly (acting chair), Claire Linnan, and Barbara McManus. Our award should be a considerably higher amount next year now that Covid 19 is under control and we can get back to our usual fund-raising activities.
Margie Kelly, Chair
TELEPHONE
The season of 20-21 was a trying one for all, but our Zoom meetings kept us connected. The gals on the telephone committee worked diligently making over 1000 calls to notify everyone of Garden Club business and Zooming meetings. The committee consists of Margie Kelly (Chair), Marie Hamilton, Charlene Goddard-Lyle, Ruth Gawle, Jean Snow, Colleen Miller, Mary Orcianelli, Sandi O’Donnell, Barbara Silver, Irene Shaw, and Margaret Rice. Our expenses are none and I don’t anticipate we will have any in the coming year. Thank you, ladies, for doing such a fine job.
Margie Kelly, Chair
WAYS AND MEANS
We were unable to do Fund raising because of the Pandemic. We did have note cards printed that were designed by member Kiki Becker. We sold half of them and will sell the rest once we are able to meet again. Ann Libby has done the paper work to have a fund raiser at the Recycling Center later this fall if we are allowed.
Karen Barry and Jan Brogan, Co-Chairs
WEB SITE
During the year we continued our internet presence with a web site and a Facebook page. Because club activities were limited this year, traffic was less than usual.
Through our web page we receive inquiries about membership along with communications from various Cape Cod organizations. Most of our new members this year contacted us through the web page. While the volume of inquiries is low, it is important that the public has this way to contact us. We also post Trumpet newsletters, board and general meeting minutes, as well as photos of our activities, scholarship applications, membership applications, and meeting topics and speakers.
A new feature was added this year called "In Our Travels" featuring photos of gardens visited by members off Cape.
Our Facebook page is especially useful to advertise fund raisers. As there were no fund raisers this year, Facebook traffic was down. We did post items of general gardening interest as well as Town of Yarmouth announcements to keep us in the public eye.
Ed Mulligan, Chair
THE GARDEN CLUB OF YARMOUTH
ANNUAL REPORTS
2019-2020
ANNUAL MEETING
After checking other places, we decided since last year was a success we would go back to Old Yarmouth Inn. The board voted again to subsidize each meal. Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus the luncheon had to be cancelled. We look forward to next year.
Jeanne McGrath and Joy Shipp, Co-Chairs
CIVIC BEAUTIFICATION
In August 2019 the Forest Road garden lost two Bradford Pear trees during high winds associated with a tornado that touched down in Yarmouth and other towns on Cape. The Forest crew worked with hand tools to remove the trees from our flower beds. For replacements, Ann Libby has donated a 6’ Kousa dogwood and Jan Brogan is working on a grant to buy a second replacement tree.
For the Christmas holiday we once again decorated fourteen wreaths for Town offices.
Our Buck Island Road irrigation system was damaged by frost and will need repair before the 2020 season. We’ve notified the Town water department and have engaged a contractor to fix the problem.
Re the ongoing search for money for the Senior Center driveway garden, the Center staff is working with local landscaping contractors to develop a plan and provide estimated costs. That information will then be used to apply for a grant.
The flu pandemic will greatly affect our 2020 garden work. Roughly half of our committee members will not be able to join us this season due to various understandable concerns. For those of us who can work, social distancing and face mask guidelines will reduce our efficiency. To deal with this we will reduce our workload by planting fewer annuals and deferring planned additions to our gardens.
Flower boxes and containers at the three post offices and the Senior Center sign garden continue to be creatively designed and maintained by our members.
Ed Mulligan, Chair
CONSERVATION
In the fall members we encouraged members to continue collecting pull tabs to donate to the Shriners who sell them to provide money for free transportation to their hospitals. It was noted at a board meeting in December that Americorps was looking for assistance in removing invasive species from areas in Yarmouth. At the Membership Meeting in December members were encouraged to use reusable plastic bottles and fill them with tested water from the tap with the slogan” Bring back the tap!’
Paula Phillips, Chair
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
It has been my pleasure to serve as Corresponding Secretary this year, 2019-2020. I have mailed 6 thank you notes to those who have presented programs and 6 thank you notes to individuals who donated items or checks to support The Garden Club of Yarmouth. I have had no expenses.
Norma Atwood
Corresponding Secretary
FLOWER SHOW
In early summer in time to be printed in the Year Book, members signed up to make arrangements for the podium at all our monthly meetings.
The committee helped out at the Pie Sale in November by giving out wreaths for people to decorate, collecting various greens and making 43 Thanksgiving centerpieces to be sold at the sale.
On December 2nd we held a floral workshop as usual at St. David's church. It was a very busy morning with half the ladies making boxwood trees and the others a free form wreath made on a moss-covered wire and decorated a little differently than usual in a loose, wild manner with twigs and berries. It was a fun but cold morning, so cold that Marie Gates very kindly went out bought coffee and doughnuts to warm us up.
Unfortunately our year was cut short by the virus and we had to cancel our next workshop in April where we were going to learn about then make a Japanese Ikebana arrangement and because we didn't meet for our Annual Luncheon we did not have to make arrangements for the tables this year.
Joy Shipp, Chair
HANDBOOK
In June 2019, I brought the membership roster up to date. I requested information for the handbook from the various standing committee chairmen.
I created a draft of the handbook and met with the committee on August 8th to edit the contents and select a cover from the many photos created for us by Don Loring, husband of member Charl Loring.
I made a few corrections and additions to the handbook and had 110 copies printed at Winkir. I printed then applied address labels and distributed handbooks to board members at the September board meeting. Members picked up their copy at both the September and October meeting. Many members took Handbooks and hand delivered them to members that have not attended meeting, which saved us money in mailing expense. I mailed the several copies that were left.
The Handbook costs were:
8/29/2019 370.80
9/25/2019 additional copies for Garden Club Presidents Meeting 69.76
Total printing cost $440.56
Carol Ann Morris, Chair
HERB GARDEN
The Herb and Kitchen Gardens were opened up in the beginning of May 2019. Compost was put down on all gardens and the watering schedule was set up. New plants were put in place that did not make it over the winter. All members fulfilled their responsibilities for watering and caring for the gardens over the summer. It was an average summer weather-wise, with fewer drought periods than in the past summers. The gardens were closed the end of October 2020
Joan Huckins, Chair
HORTICULTURAL ROUNDTABLE
On September 24, 2019, we had our first presenter in our ‘Garden Know How’ series. Bob Brancale, Master Gardener, spoke on growing “Culinary Herbs” in our gardens and included some delicious recipes.
On October 22, 2019, we learned about “Trees on Cape Cod” presented by Russell Norton, Agriculture and Horticulture Educator with the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Service for Barnstable County.
The January 2020 horticulture meeting was an open invitation to visit the Cape Cod Orchid Society Show in Hyannis.
Joe Dwelly, MA Butterfly Club Member, presented a slideshow talk on “Butterflies on Cape Cod” on February 25, 2020.
The final two ‘Garden Know How’ series for March and April 2020 were cancelled along with our bus trip to the Boston Flower and Garden Show due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vicki Balboni, Chair
HOSPITALITY
The Hospitality Committee contacts club members who have signed up to provide a platter or floral arrangement for the refreshment table at monthly meetings.
This sign-up is conducted at the September meeting. Committee members help with set-up, tea & coffee service, and cleanup at the monthly meetings.
Mary Spurr and Ann Libby, Co-Chairs
MEMBERSHIP
New Members
Eileen West - Ways and Means
Gary Spurr - Civic Beautification
Ginny Cohen - Herb Garden
Alice Ruckert - Civic Beautification
Resigned Members
Ruth Lund - Remembrance
Alice Ruckert - Civic Beautification
Patti Faff - Civic Beautification
New Honorary Members
Mary Dee
Julie Royes
Average attendance for monthly meetings: 60 members
Currently there are 95 members including the Honorary Members
New Committee Chairs
Luncheon - Paula Wilson and Mary Preikszas
Historian - Eileen West
Publicity - Diane Tlapa
Remembrance - Margaret Huszar
Photo Album - Arlene Lavelle
Program - Cheryl Ryan and Kiki Becker
Assistant Treasurer - Gary Spurr
Pat Holcomb, Chair
NEWSLETTER
The Trumpet containing articles submitted by members was printed and available at Membership Meetings from September through February. There were no meetings in April and May because of the coronavirus so a special issue was created by Chairs and others to inform members of plans for the future and various gardening and non-gardening activities of interest. The Trumpet was emailed to members, sent through the regular mail to those without email and posted on our website.
Ruth Piscitelli, Chair
NOMINATING
Members were called to ask if they would be interested in vacant positions on the Board. After much discussion those who will be taking over are listed under Membership.
Pat Holcomb, Chair and only Member
PROGRAM
September’s meeting kicked off our 2019-2020 calendar year with our annual WELCOME BACK LUNCHEON and the first annual GROW SHOW, an agricultural fair presented by our members to show off our oddest, awful or lovely garden achievements.
In October, Mal Condon, “The Hydrangea Guy,” presented a slide show and a discussion on SUCCESS WITH HYDRANGEAS – AUTUMN CULTURAL ISSUES, which included advice on growing and caring for hydrangeas on Cape Cod.
November brought us to our successful PIE SALE and Thanksgiving and Christmas Centerpieces and Decorated Wreaths Sale for which our members created delicious pies, decorative wreaths and beautiful centerpieces.
Nancy Walsh appeared at our December meeting and demonstrated how she turns ordinary items into unusual and imaginative floral arrangements and centerpieces. At the conclusion of her presentation FOUND CONTAINERS AND HOW TO USE THEM FOR THE HOLIDAYS, her original creations were raffled off to our lucky members.
In January, our guest speaker was Kristin Andres from the Association to Preserve Cape Cod. Her informative presentation, ITSY BITSY SPIDER’S RAIN GARDEN – A GARDEN WITH A PURPOSE explained what a rain garden is, how to create one and why we should have rain gardens.
February’s meeting featured Suzanne Mahler, an avid gardener, photographer and lecturer. In her presentation THEME GARDENS, she provided colorful images of multiple theme gardens and glorious plants to consider buying to create attractive garden designs.
Our March meeting was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Deb Carmel from Barnstable County Beekeepers Association who was scheduled to present SECRET LIFE OF BEES will appear at our December 2020 meeting.
April’s TREEMENDOUS FUN and May’s ANNUAL LUNCHEON were cancelled because of the pandemic.
The Program Committee prepares the Senior Center for our meetings. With the assistance of our Custodian, Joe Saltzman, tables are set up for the various committees, audience chairs are arranged, and the Bulletin Board, Lectern and Pedestal are made available. At close of each meeting, the room is cleaned and restored to its original state and property is returned to storage.
The Program Committee met and discussed potential programs and guest speakers for the 2020-2021 calendar year. By phone and email communications, the members shared ideas and selected programs and presenters for our October through April meetings. Next season’s meetings will cover a broad range of topics and will educate and entertain us. All Contracts for Speaking Engagement are signed for 2020-2021.
Elaine Frongillo, Program Chair and 1st V.P.
PUBLICITY
The publicity contact list has been maintained and updated as needed with appropriate names and email addresses as well as preferred methods of contact.
Thank you notes were published to officials and the generous donors for our Landfill collection.
An announcement seeking applicants for our scholarship program was submitted to all publications in January.
Color flyers for the Pie Sale were printed at Winkir’s, and appropriate notices were submitted for print in all newspapers as well as radio and online bulletin boards.
We applied for but did not receive approval for a free full page informational Public Service Announcement in the Cape Cod Times for September 2021 as the program was reduced from 52 awards to 12 for the year. Garden Club Publicity volunteers developed the PSA for September 2020.
Notices inviting the public to each Garden Club of Yarmouth meeting are published monthly. The notices give a brief statement about the speaker who will present at that meeting.
Our annual Fund Raiser at the Recycle Center for the Garden Club was held on Saturday and Sunday September 21st and 22nd. It netted, $2,425.20.
The Ways and Means also ran a “Thanksgiving Pies, Breads, Floral Centerpieces, Holiday Wreaths and Greens” Sale on Tuesday, November 26th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. It was very successful and netted $2,568.00.
Our Plant Sale normally held in May had to be canceled due to the Coronavirus.
Updated Garden Club activity information was submitted to the Barnstable Patriot for inclusion in Yarmouth Handbook for 2021.
Cheryl Ryan, Chair
REMEMBRANCE
Appropriate cards were sent to members or their families
Ruth Lund, Chair from September to December, sent out two cards.
Twelve more cards were mailed from January through May.
Margaret Huszar, Chair
SCHOLARSHIP
In January, last year’s scholarship recipients, all of four of whom fulfilled their requirements, were sent their checks.
New applications are being reviewed in order to make a decision on who will receive next year’s scholarships or toolship. Decisions will be made by the committee on who will be chosen and the club informed.
Claire Linnan, Chair
TELEPHONE
* text here
The telephone committee was busy this year making over 1000 phone calls and several e-mails. Many members look forward to our calls and like to chat with a friendly voice. All of the committee members enthusiastically signed on for a third year. And our one question is….did Kiki ever find her rain jacket??!!
Margie Kelly, Chair
WAYS AND MEANS
Our annual Fund Raiser at the Recycle Center for the Garden Club was held on Saturday and Sunday September 21st and 22nd. It netted, $2,425.20.
The Ways and Means also ran a “Thanksgiving Pies, Breads, Floral Centerpieces, Holiday Wreaths and Greens” Sale on Tuesday, November 26th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. It was very successful and netted $2,568.00.
Our Plant Sale normally held in May had to be canceled due to the Coronavirus.
Cookie Barry and Jan Brogan, Co-Chairs
WEBSITE
During the year we continued our internet presence with a web site and a Facebook page.
Through our web page we receive inquiries about membership along with communications from various Cape Cod organizations. While the volume of inquiries is low, it is important that the public has this way to contact us. We also post Trumpet newsletters, board and general meeting minutes, as well as photos of our activities, scholarship applications, membership applications, and meeting speakers.
Our Facebook page has tipped the magic numbers of 100+ people who “like” the page and almost 125 people who “follow” it. The Facebook page has become an inexpensive and powerful advertising tool. We ‘boosted’ (paid for an advertisement) for Facebook posts about the November pie sale and a “save the date” notice for the scheduled May plant sale. Those ads reached 1,850 screens and resulted in 194 ‘engagements’ which are photo clicks, shares, and link clicks. Ways and Means authorized $26 for this advertising. In addition, Facebook gave us $30 in free advertising which we can apply to future ‘boosts’. Based on our prior experience, had we been able to apply that bonus to advertising for a May Plant Sale as planned we anticipate that the ad would have reached approximately 3,000 individuals.
Ed Mulligan, Chair
*“Yes! I did find my jacket...
Apologies for belated reveal & THANK YOU! Cookie had mine. I had hers. She received but dismissed email/phone call. Life gets busy. One rainy day - weeks & weeks later - Cookie discovered she had wrong jacket when it didn’t fit her. Didn’t connect it to me til much later.”
Kiki
THE GARDEN CLUB OF YARMOUTH
2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORTS
ANNUAL MEETING
At our first meeting, we decided to look for a new place to hold our annual luncheon since members seemed to want a change. We talked about many possibilities and visited three, The Yarmouth House, Kings Way Grille and The Old Yarmouth Inn. After presenting our findings about each restaurant to the Board, they decided to go with The Old Yarmouth Inn. Because of the cost, the Board voted to subsidize members price at $5.00 since we did not have to provide flowers for center pieces. Menu choices and signup sheets were printed, handed out and collected. We met with Stacy many times to finalize the menu, arrangement of tables for club business, seating and placing of the raffle items.
Jeanne McGrath, Chair
CIVIC BEAUTIFICATION
Last year we reported that the irrigation system at Buck Island was overhauled, upgraded and converted to battery powered timers. With the more complete watering coverage the plants there are looking much better. Irrigation for the Highbank / North Main gardens was also upgraded with positive effect.
The Town of Yarmouth DPW has taken over responsibility for the irrigation timers in all four of our gardens including battery replacement and programming. We are grateful to the Town staff for this service.
To address the spring weed situation at Forest, in April 2019 we invited the entire committee (approximately 30 gardeners) to a work session to clean up the beds. In spite of challenging weather, we had a great turnout for this activity. This may become an annual task.
At the Senior Center, we met with Director Kathy Bailey to see if the driveway area could be improved. We proposed that the improvements would be undertaken by the Town and / or private donations and the Garden Club would be responsible for ongoing maintenance. So far, we haven’t received a positive response. We received a substantial ($400) donation with a request that part of the money be used to improve plantings around the Senior Center front entrance. Upon investigation we discovered that there are volunteers associated with the Senior Center who maintain the plantings in that area. So, in spring 2019 we will install heuchera and grasses in the area.
On the subject of safety, we are providing information on permethrin, a tick repellant, to our members. At no cost to us the Town provides us with safety vests to wear when we are working on our gardens. Acceptance by our members is improving.
The gardens at Highbank and North Main continue to delight passersby there.
Flower boxes and containers at the three post offices and the Senior Center sign garden are creatively designed and maintained by our members.
For the Christmas holiday we once again decorated wreaths for Town offices.
Ed Mulligan, Chair
CONSERVATION
This committee provides year-round emphasis on environmental issues and concern with fun (and hopefully useful) conservation tips at regular meetings. In the fall we conduct a beach clean-up at Bass River Beach or Seagull Beach. We also participate in the annual town clean-up in early spring. Throughout the year we also arrange conservation walks.
Paula Phillips, Chair
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
It has been my pleasure to serve as Corresponding Secretary this year. I have sent out ten thank you notes to those who made donations to the Club in memory of Ellen Philie plus four notes to persons who individually donated items and time to our Club this year. I also purchased a box of 100 note cards from Staples for future use.
Norma Atwood, Corresponding Secretary
FLOWER SHOW
We started the year by having a Flower Arranging Workshop in October to do arrangements in candlesticks, it proved to be very popular. The arrangements were on show at the October 16th meeting. All our workshops are held at St. David's Church, Yarmouth.
In November we made 36 Thanksgiving flower arrangements and gave out 12 wreaths for members to decorate at home for the sale held at the meeting on November 20th.
From April 5th - 8th we had 13 arrangements depicting Spring at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod at a combined show with the Yarmouth Art Guild. There was a reception on opening night where we provided the refreshments and they brought the wine. Linda Cook was in charge of the kitchen.
On April 15th we held another Flower Arranging Workshop where members worked on line design and their flowers were taken to the April meeting to be viewed by everyone.
This year we will not be providing table arrangements at the Annual Luncheon, held at the Old Yarmouth Inn as the board is donating $5.00 for each person attending towards their meal.
We also sign up a different member each month to make an arrangement for the podium at our monthly meetings.
Joy Shipp, Chair
HANDBOOK
In June 2018, I brought the membership roster up to date. I requested information for the handbook from the various standing committee chairmen.
I created a draft of the handbook and met with the committee on August 8th to edit the contents and select a cover from the many photos created for us by Don Loring, husband of member Charl Loring. This year’s photo with a beautiful butterfly was an Orange Eye Butterfly Bush.
I made a few corrections and additions to the handbook and had 150 copies printed at Winkir. I printed, applied address labels and distributed handbooks to board members at the September board meeting. Members picked up their copy at both the September and October meeting. Many members took Handbooks and hand delivered them to members that have not attended meeting, which saved us money in mailing expense. I mailed the few copies that were left.
The Handbook costs were:
$12.50 for proofs
$493.93 for printing
Total cost: $506.43
Carol Ann Morris, Chair
HERB GARDEN
The Herb and Kitchen Gardens were opened up the end of April 2018. Compost was put down on all gardens and the watering schedule was set up. New plants were put in place that did not make it over the winter. All members fulfilled their responsibilities for watering and caring for the gardens over the summer. It was a very dry summer which required more diligence in maintaining the gardens. The gardens were closed the end of October.
Joan Huckins, Chair
HORTICULTURAL ROUNDTABLE
The September 2018 excursion to the Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary was cancelled due to rain. In October, we heard about ‘Cape Cod Native Plants’ presented by Kristen Andres from the Association to Preserve Cape Cod. January 2019 horticulture meeting was an open invitation to visit the Cape Cod Orchid Society Show in Hyannis. Vicki Balboni, a member of the GCOY, presented a slide show of her gardens throughout the growing season in February.
Master Gardener Pamela Phipps spoke on ‘Embrace More Gardens, Less Lawn’ in April.
Our annual bus trip on Friday, June 22, 2018 to the Newport Flower Show at the Rosecliff Mansion was well attended. The weather was perfect and we all had a fabulous time walking the grounds and viewing the many floral and horticultural displays.
We are planning another road trip on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 to the Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, MA, which will include a guided tour as well.
Vicki Balboni, Chair
HOSPITALITY
The Hospitality Committee contacted Club members who have signed up to provide a platter or floral arrangement for the refreshment table at monthly meetings. This sign-up is conducted at the September meeting. Committee members helped with set-up, tea & coffee service and cleanup at the monthly meetings.
Ann Libby and Mary Spurr, Co-Chairs
MEMBERSHIP
NEW MEMBERS
JUNE-Gail Morlock
SEPTEMBER- Debra McMullen
OCTOBER-Nancy Proulx, Ann Cavanagh-Stein
NOVEMBER-Paula Wilson
FEBRUARY-Cathy Cardia, Catherine Ryan, Elaine Frongillo
MARCH-Charlene Goddard-Lyle
MAY-Beverly Ross, Shirley Noyes
RESIGNED
JULY-Dawn Jackson
AUGUST-Mary Salviati
OCTOBER-Jenny Anastasio
MARCH-Lynn Froleiks
APRIL-Janice Martin
MAY-Ruth Grout, Candy Vance
IN MEMORIAM
Ellen Phiie
Andrea Pederson
RELOCATED
Carol Coverly
Pat Holcomb, Chair
NEWSLETTER
“The Trumpet” newsletter is published each month and distributed to the membership at the regular meetings September-May. The newsletter covers activities organized by the club’s committees and any other pertinent information of interest to Club members. It can also be found on the Garden Club website.
Candy Vance, Chair
NOMINATING
The Nominating Committee is a very small group: myself, Sandee McGrath and Barbara McManus. We have worked on finding new members to become President and Vice President through the year. We plan to work over the summer to continue our search.
Kiki Becker, Chair
PROGRAM
The 2018-2019 Programs were:
October 16 - “Fall Migration December 18 – “Holiday Arranging” – Betty Sanders – very creative arrangements for the Holiday season with found branches, bright objects,etc.
January 13 – “Stewardship of Cape Cod Fishing” – Seth Rohlbein – enthusiastic and humorous speaker on the importance of conservation of fishing – the most compliments from our members for finding him. February 19 – “Quenching Heat, Humidity and Drought” – Warren Leach – a rainbow of color to survive the growing season.
March 19 – “Entry Courtyards” – Tom Strangfeld – designer of landscapes – won top prizes at the NE Flower Shows.
April 16 – “Art of Floral Design” – Rev. Sonny Gada – a lifelong passion for growing flowers and making creative arrangements.
Mary Ehbrecht, Chair
PUBLICITY
The publicity contact list has been maintained and updated as needed with appropriate names and email addresses as well as preferred methods of contact.
Thank you notes were published to officials and the generous donors for our Landfill collection.
An announcement seeking applicants for our scholarship program was submitted to all publications in January.
Color flyers for the Pie Sale were printed at Winkir’s, and appropriate notices were submitted for print in all newspapers as well as radio and online bulletin boards.
We applied for and received approval for a free full page informational Public Service Announcement in the Cape Cod Times for September 2020. Garden Club Publicity volunteers developed the PSA for September 2019.
Color flyers for the Plant Sale were printed at Winkir’s, and appropriate notices were submitted for print in all newspapers as well as radio and online bulletin boards.
Notices inviting the public to each Garden Club of Yarmouth meeting are published monthly. The notices give a brief statement about the speaker who will present at that meeting.
Updated Garden Club activity information was submitted to the Barnstable Patriot for inclusion in Yarmouth Handbook for 2020.
Cheryl Ryan, Chair
REMEMBRANCE
Appropriate cards were sent out for ongoing concerns of members. A follow up was mailed if indicated. Thirteen of this kind of card were sent. Three congratulatory cards went out to the winners of our scholarships. Members were encouraged to convey information when and where so we could be supportive to one another.
Ruth Lund, Chair
SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarship Award checks were dispersed to our successful candidates of 2018.
We received a good number of applications for 2019.
Our Committee met on May 8 and we found we had three equally outstanding candidates and our conclusion was to award $1000.00 to each of them.
Brooke Withers
Daycia Frye
Toriana Richards
We also Awarded the $550.00 Toolship to Nicholas Bach, an outstanding student and Horticulture major at Cape Cod Tech. Who will be working in the landscape industry.
Claire Linnan, Chair
TELEPHONE
2018-2019 was a busy year for the Telephone Committee. With about 108 members in the club and 12 of us to make the phone calls/emails, we made over 1000 calls this year. The work was shared by the following women: Ruth Gawle, Marie Hamilton, Virginia Hatch, Colleen Miller, Shannan Myers, Sandi O’Donnell, Mary Orcianelli, Margaret Rice, Irene Shaw, Barbara Silver, Mary Ann Janosko and myself (Margie Kelly). Now, many of you don’t answer your phone all the time (which I can understand), but those of you that we talked to, we enjoyed hearing about what you’re up to not only in gardening, but in life. We look forward to talking to you in September.
Margie Kelly, Chair
WAYS AND MEANS
We held our annual Fund Raiser at the Recycle Center on September 22 & 23rd. It was very successful. On Tuesday, November 20th, the Thanksgiving Pie Sale which also included centerpieces, Holiday Wreaths and greens was held. We will repeat this next year as we were very pleased with the results. Our Annual Plant Sale and gently used tools is Saturday, May 18th, at the at the Moose Lodge. All members are expected to take part.
Jan Brogan and Cookie Barry, Co-Chairs
WEBSITE
During the year we continued our internet presence with a web site and a Facebook page. Through our web page we receive inquiries about membership along with communications from various Cape Cod organizations. While the volume of inquiries is low, it is important that the public has this way to contact us. Our Facebook page has become an inexpensive and powerful advertising tool. We ‘boosted’ (paid for an advertisement) for Facebook posts about the November pie sale, Thanksgiving, the December wreath decorations, and the May plant sale. To date (May 13, 2019) those ads reached 2,900 screens and resulted in 320 ‘engagements’ which are photo clicks, shares, and link clicks. Ways and Means spent $25 for this advertising. Inaddition,Facebook gave us $50 in free advertising which we applied to our ‘boosts’.
Ed Mulligan, Chair
****************************************
ANNUAL REPORTS
2017-2018
Annual Meeting
At our first meeting, we decided to hold the annual luncheon at the Riverway as it has worked well for our purposes in the past. We then met with the manager to discuss, table, space and time needs and our menu choices which were changed. We printed up new reservation forms which were available at the March meeting and April’s Horticultural Roundtable. In May, we took care of the details such as tables needed at the entrance, for the raffle, seating for members, stickers for meal choices and other Garden Club business. This year, as my swan song, a friend agreed to provide musical background to our luncheon.
Jeanne McGrath, Chair
By-Laws
Committee recommended two changes to the by-laws. Both were changes to Article VII Section 2. The first was to read The Officers “shall be elected to a one-year term” instead of two-year term. The second was the position of the Corresponding Secretary be added to those officers who may be elected for additional terms. They were voted on by the membership and carried through in January of 2018.
Cookie Barry, Chair
Civic Beautification
This year, with the impetus of a $500 donation from the Rotary Club, we looked into the possibility of improving our irrigation systems. With manual labor from the Parks and Recreation Department and a $1,300 grant from the Community and Economic Development Committee (a committee which provides small grants to beautification projects), we were able to have a tubed system with timers installed in the Triangle, Parkside and George Davis gardens in June. This eliminated the need to turn on soaker hoses and sprinklers in the midst of heavy street traffic several times a week.
Because of the traffic situation George Davis agreed to take over the maintenance of the garden in front of his property which had been maintained by the Garden Club for 44 years.
With the $500 from the Rotary Club and donations of $400 from various donors given to Civic Beautification we were able to update the 20-year-old system at Buck Island with a timer and an expanded range of watering in May. The garden has many flowering trees and shrubs, perennials and annuals, continually changing with each month during the season.
The Forest/Old Town House garden had a problem in the spring with excessive weeds developed from seeds of the surrounding grasses. These new gardens also had to replace some perennials that did not survive the winter. A large branch fell onto the stone bench from a diseased tree which will be removed at some point. The garden design is low maintenance and very attractive.
The garden at the entrance of the Senior Center now has water available at the site with a timer and soaker hose to facilitate easy watering. Joyce Jenks, who maintains the site, also has planted and maintained appropriate perennials at the Town Hall in the garden below the Town Hall sign.
All the Post Offices are creatively maintained by members and hand-watered all season. We also provided decorated Christmas wreaths to town offices. Thanks to all who dedicate themselves to beautifying our town.
Carol Coverly and Marie Gates, Co-Chairs
Conservation
The Coastal Sweep was held in September. Because of bad weather it had to be put off to Saturday the 23rd. A large amount of trash was collected.
In October I asked members to save the pull tabs from cans to donate to the Aleppo Shriners Children’s Transportation Fund.
Corey Bray of AmeriCorps spoke to the members in December about his work with the Town Hall Conservation Department to clean up the town of invasive species to inform and ask members to join him. February’s conservation moment involved straws. Five hundred million non-biodegradable straws are used and thrown away every day. I asked members to use biodegradable straws from now on.
Paula Phillips, Chair
Corresponding Secretary
As Corresponding Secretary, thank-you notes were sent to all of this year’s Garden Club meeting speakers as well as all the Roundtable speakers. There were eighteen thank-you notes sent to those who made donations to our club in memory of Judy McClory. Several others were also thanked for their individual donations during the year.
Judy Tabb, Chair
Flower Show
We celebrated the Garden Club of Yarmouth's 45th anniversary with a Flower Show and Boutique at the Bangs Hallet House Museum on August 4th 2017, together with the Ways and Means Committee. Several flower arrangements were placed in each room of the house and a Horticultural Show was held in the chapel. It was a very successful day.
In September we made flower arrangements for the lunch tables at the meeting.
On March 19th we held a Flower Arranging Workshop at St. David's Church with 17 members in attendance, the most we have ever had. The ladies brought their arrangements to the Garden Club the next day to show what they had created. They were all given printed notes on the conditioning of various flowers and on basic designs of arranging.
Once again, we joined with the Yarmouth Art Guild to celebrate their Spring Show at the Cultural Center of C.C. on April 20th until the 23rd.We had sixteen beautiful flower arrangements all proclaiming Spring and very different from each other.
Our last duty for the year is to provide the centerpieces for the top table and other tables at the Annual Luncheon to be held at the Riverway restaurant on May 22nd 2018.
Joy Shipp and Vicki Balboni, Co-chairs
Handbook Committee
In June 2017, I brought the membership roster up to date. I also requested information for the handbook from the various standing committee chairmen.
I created a draft of the handbook and met with the committee on August 1st to discuss the contents and to select a cover from the many photos created for us by Don Loring, husband of member Charl Loring.
I made a few corrections and additions to the handbook and had 145 copies printed at Winkir. I printed and applied address labels and distributed handbooks to board members at the September board meeting. Members picked up their copy at both the September and October meeting. I mailed the copies that were left.
The Handbook costs were:
$43.12 for proofs
$478.10 for printing
$16.38 for postage
Total cost: $536.60
Carol Ann Morris, Chair
Herb Garden
The Herb and Kitchen Gardens were opened up at the end of April 2017. Compost was put down on all gardens and the watering schedule was set up. New plants were put in place that did not make it over the winter. All members fulfilled their responsibilities for watering and caring for for the gardens over the summer. It was a very dry summer which required more diligence in maintaining the gardens. The gardens were closed the end of October.
Joan Huckins, Chair
Horticulture Roundtable
This year we had three members, Joyce Jenks, Joy Shipp and Ed Mulligan, participate as speakers, with a guided tour of a Hydrangea Garden, talks on Ancient Art of Well Dressing and Ease of Drip Irrigation, respectfully. The other two presenters were Emily Woudenberg and Linda Colgan, both Master Gardeners speaking on Bokashi Composting and Growing Herbs. Thank you to all who have participated and helped out!
Our annually bus trip is scheduled for June 22nd to the Newport Flower Show at the Rosecliff Manor in Newport, Rhode Island this year.
Vicki Balboni, Interim Chair
Hospitality
The Hospitality Committee contacted Club members who have signed up to provide a platter or floral arrangement for the refreshment table at monthly meetings.
This sign-up is conducted at the September meeting. Committee members help with set-up, tea & coffee service, and cleanup at the monthly meetings.
Mary Spurr, Chair
Membership
SEPTEMBER
RESIGNED- Clair Banks, Donna Hill, Mary Spellman
NEW MEMBERS- Marie Hamilton, Shannan Myers
NEW ASSOCIATE- Pat Donovan
DEATH- Shirley Taylor
OCTOBER
NEW MEMBER- Lynette McCloy
NOVEMBER
NEW MEMBERS-Andrea St. Germain, Louise Wolf, Pamela Innamorati, Lynn Froleiks, Mary Salviati
DECEMBER
NEW MEMBER-Gail Cronin
JANUARY
NEW MEMBER- Judith Majusky- Voted in but 1ST meeting will be March
FEBRUARY
NEW MEMBERS-Diane Tlapa, Genie Anglin, Mary Ann Janosko
MARCH
NEW MEMBERS- Shirley Fitzgerald, Dawn Jackson
NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBER- Klara Campos
APRIL
NEW MEMBER- Sharon Carpenter
RESIGNED- Janet Snelley, Diane Baniewicz, Kathy Deschaines
Lynette McCloy, Margaret Flaherty, Mary Ann Anese, Susan Anderson
DEATH-Elaine Martin,
Janet Snelley, Chair
Newsletter
“The Trumpet” newsletter is published each month and distributed to the membership at the regular meetings September-May. The newsletter covers activities organized by the club’s committees and any other pertinent information of interest to Club members. It can also be found on the Garden Club website.
Candy Vance, Chair
Nominating
The Committee formed to facilitate selection of new officers and fill open committee chairs, as needed. Members were Barb Commons, Joan Huckins, Pat Leary, Regina Mullen & Kiki Becker. We also addressed the untimely departure due to illness of President Ellen Philie.
Kiki Becker assumed presidency a year earlier than scheduled. Mary Ehbrecht stepped into 1st VP/Program Chair. Vicki Balboni filled Horticultural Roundtable Chair position for one year as interim. Nominating Committee suggested to Bylaw Committee a change from 2 year term for Presidency and 1st VP to one year each.
Kiki & Mary will serve two year terms (President & 1st VP)after that President and 1st VP will be reduced to one year terms as approved and voted on by executive board and voted/approved by general population of GC of Y.
As of May 8, 2018, new executive board members and new committee chairs: Corresponding Secretary - Norma Atwood; Membership Committee Chair - Pat Holcomb; Civic Beautification - Ed Mulligan; Hospitality Co Chairs - Mary Spurr & Ann Libby. We still need Chairs for Horticultural Roundtable and Annual Luncheon. Working on it!
Kiki Becker, Chair
Program
2017 October 17- “Gardening is Murder” by Neal Sanders-was a laugh out loud presentation and very much enjoyed by club members. November 14- “Fragrant Gardens and Lovely Containers” presented with beautiful slides by Donelle Denery, Master Gardener.
December 12- “Floral Artistry & Hostess Gifts for the Holidays” by Anna Holmes, very popular Floral Designer. Her creations were raffled off to members (6 tickets were handed out to each member).
2018
January 16- “The big Three: Sun, Soil & Water for Healthy Plants” by Mike Almonte, Master Gardener and former Police Chief-very engaging and humorous.
February 20- “The Artist in the Garden” presentation by Shannon Goheen of Second Nature gardenworks-amazing demonstration of making framed collage pictures with dried plants and blossoms from your own garden-ideas for garden memories and gifts.
March 20- “Spring Fever”- Jeannie Gillis (original designer was ill) – her flower arrangements were full of brilliant colors for Spring with a variety of greens – ideas for everyone.
The Program Committee has all contracts signed for 2018-2019
October 16 – “Fall Migration Magic” – with bird calls by Phillip Kyle
December 18- “Holiday Arranging” colorful with Betty Sanders
2019
January 15 – “stewardship of Cape Cod Fishing” – with enthusiasm by Seth Rolbein
February 19 – “Quenching Heat, Humidity & Drought” – season’s pallet with Warren Leach
March 19 – “Entry Courtyards” – Tom Strangfeld- lucky to have him
April 16 – “Flower Arranging” – Rev. Sonny Gada – very happy to come – lifetime of flowers
Mary Ehbrecht, Chair
Publicity
The publicity contact list has been maintained and updated as needed with appropriate names and email addresses as well as preferred methods of contact.
Updated Garden Club activity information was submitted to the Barnstable Patriot for inclusion in Yarmouth Handbook for 2018.
We applied for and received approval for a free full page informational Public Service Announcement in the Cape Cod Times for September 2019.
Color flyers were printed at Winker’s to advertise our 45th Anniversary Celebration at the Bangs Hallett House in August 2017.
Save-the-Date cards were printed by Winker as well as flyers for the November Boutique.
An announcement seeking applicants for our scholarship program was submitted to all publications in January.
Notices inviting the public to each Garden Club of Yarmouth meeting are published monthly. The notices give a brief statement about the speaker who will present at that meeting.
The banner for the Plant Sale was patched by Sign-O-Rama. Color flyers were printed at Winkler’s, and appropriate notices were submitted for print in all newspapers as well as radio and online bulletin boards.
Cheryl Ryan, Chair
Remembrance
Appropriate cards were sent for ongoing concerns of members. A follow up was mailed if indicated. Twenty-three cards went out this year. Members were encouraged to convey information when and where so we could be supportive to one another.
Ruth Lund, Chair
Scholarship
Last Year’s Scholarships were disbursed to our successful awardees.
2 scholarships and 1 tool ship award.
I have received approximately 10 applications
We had a committed meeting 5/1/18 at noon to review and select among the applications who will be awarded scholarships for 2018. The committee has chosen to share our $3500. award among 3 candidates. We are awarding $1500.00 each to Brett Halloran of West Yarmourh and Alexis Hartnett of Yarmouth Port. Brett is Pursing Environment Police studies Alexis is an Environmental Sciences major.
Hanna Wilson will be working locally in the organic, nursery,/landscaping industry. and being awarded a $500. toolship toward the tools and work-related things she needs.
Claire Linnan, Chair
Telephone
Forty-two club members were called by the ten committee members throughout the year. Because of the cancelled April Membership Meeting there were emergency calls made to over 100 members to remind them of the Plant Sale, Annual Luncheon and Horticultural Roundtable road trip.
Harriet Murphy, Chair
Ways and Means
We had three fundraising projects this year. The first, the Annual Fundraiser at the Recycle Center was September 23 and 24, 9AM to 12 Noon both days. The second, Our Fabulous Annual Members Boutique. This year we sold pies, breads and crafts on Tuesday, November 14th. The third will be the Annual Plant Sale and Raffle on May 19th, held at the Moose Family Lodge. In each of these events the entire membership takes part and is the reason they are so successful.
Jan Brogan and Cookie Barry, Co- Chairs
Web Site
During the year we continued our internet presence with a web site and a Facebook page.
We launched our Facebook page in March 2017. By posting items of interest to gardeners we hope to bring new members into the club. During the past year we purchased Facebook advertising for three of our activities: the May plant sale, the August flower show, and the November boutique. The advertising reached over 2,000 people and cost $35.
Our web site software, Weebly, which we installed last year, has proven to be reliable and easy to use.
Ed Mulligan, Chair
ANNUAL REPORTS
2019-2020
ANNUAL MEETING
After checking other places, we decided since last year was a success we would go back to Old Yarmouth Inn. The board voted again to subsidize each meal. Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus the luncheon had to be cancelled. We look forward to next year.
Jeanne McGrath and Joy Shipp, Co-Chairs
CIVIC BEAUTIFICATION
In August 2019 the Forest Road garden lost two Bradford Pear trees during high winds associated with a tornado that touched down in Yarmouth and other towns on Cape. The Forest crew worked with hand tools to remove the trees from our flower beds. For replacements, Ann Libby has donated a 6’ Kousa dogwood and Jan Brogan is working on a grant to buy a second replacement tree.
For the Christmas holiday we once again decorated fourteen wreaths for Town offices.
Our Buck Island Road irrigation system was damaged by frost and will need repair before the 2020 season. We’ve notified the Town water department and have engaged a contractor to fix the problem.
Re the ongoing search for money for the Senior Center driveway garden, the Center staff is working with local landscaping contractors to develop a plan and provide estimated costs. That information will then be used to apply for a grant.
The flu pandemic will greatly affect our 2020 garden work. Roughly half of our committee members will not be able to join us this season due to various understandable concerns. For those of us who can work, social distancing and face mask guidelines will reduce our efficiency. To deal with this we will reduce our workload by planting fewer annuals and deferring planned additions to our gardens.
Flower boxes and containers at the three post offices and the Senior Center sign garden continue to be creatively designed and maintained by our members.
Ed Mulligan, Chair
CONSERVATION
In the fall members we encouraged members to continue collecting pull tabs to donate to the Shriners who sell them to provide money for free transportation to their hospitals. It was noted at a board meeting in December that Americorps was looking for assistance in removing invasive species from areas in Yarmouth. At the Membership Meeting in December members were encouraged to use reusable plastic bottles and fill them with tested water from the tap with the slogan” Bring back the tap!’
Paula Phillips, Chair
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
It has been my pleasure to serve as Corresponding Secretary this year, 2019-2020. I have mailed 6 thank you notes to those who have presented programs and 6 thank you notes to individuals who donated items or checks to support The Garden Club of Yarmouth. I have had no expenses.
Norma Atwood
Corresponding Secretary
FLOWER SHOW
In early summer in time to be printed in the Year Book, members signed up to make arrangements for the podium at all our monthly meetings.
The committee helped out at the Pie Sale in November by giving out wreaths for people to decorate, collecting various greens and making 43 Thanksgiving centerpieces to be sold at the sale.
On December 2nd we held a floral workshop as usual at St. David's church. It was a very busy morning with half the ladies making boxwood trees and the others a free form wreath made on a moss-covered wire and decorated a little differently than usual in a loose, wild manner with twigs and berries. It was a fun but cold morning, so cold that Marie Gates very kindly went out bought coffee and doughnuts to warm us up.
Unfortunately our year was cut short by the virus and we had to cancel our next workshop in April where we were going to learn about then make a Japanese Ikebana arrangement and because we didn't meet for our Annual Luncheon we did not have to make arrangements for the tables this year.
Joy Shipp, Chair
HANDBOOK
In June 2019, I brought the membership roster up to date. I requested information for the handbook from the various standing committee chairmen.
I created a draft of the handbook and met with the committee on August 8th to edit the contents and select a cover from the many photos created for us by Don Loring, husband of member Charl Loring.
I made a few corrections and additions to the handbook and had 110 copies printed at Winkir. I printed then applied address labels and distributed handbooks to board members at the September board meeting. Members picked up their copy at both the September and October meeting. Many members took Handbooks and hand delivered them to members that have not attended meeting, which saved us money in mailing expense. I mailed the several copies that were left.
The Handbook costs were:
8/29/2019 370.80
9/25/2019 additional copies for Garden Club Presidents Meeting 69.76
Total printing cost $440.56
Carol Ann Morris, Chair
HERB GARDEN
The Herb and Kitchen Gardens were opened up in the beginning of May 2019. Compost was put down on all gardens and the watering schedule was set up. New plants were put in place that did not make it over the winter. All members fulfilled their responsibilities for watering and caring for the gardens over the summer. It was an average summer weather-wise, with fewer drought periods than in the past summers. The gardens were closed the end of October 2020
Joan Huckins, Chair
HORTICULTURAL ROUNDTABLE
On September 24, 2019, we had our first presenter in our ‘Garden Know How’ series. Bob Brancale, Master Gardener, spoke on growing “Culinary Herbs” in our gardens and included some delicious recipes.
On October 22, 2019, we learned about “Trees on Cape Cod” presented by Russell Norton, Agriculture and Horticulture Educator with the Cape Cod Cooperative Extension Service for Barnstable County.
The January 2020 horticulture meeting was an open invitation to visit the Cape Cod Orchid Society Show in Hyannis.
Joe Dwelly, MA Butterfly Club Member, presented a slideshow talk on “Butterflies on Cape Cod” on February 25, 2020.
The final two ‘Garden Know How’ series for March and April 2020 were cancelled along with our bus trip to the Boston Flower and Garden Show due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Vicki Balboni, Chair
HOSPITALITY
The Hospitality Committee contacts club members who have signed up to provide a platter or floral arrangement for the refreshment table at monthly meetings.
This sign-up is conducted at the September meeting. Committee members help with set-up, tea & coffee service, and cleanup at the monthly meetings.
Mary Spurr and Ann Libby, Co-Chairs
MEMBERSHIP
New Members
Eileen West - Ways and Means
Gary Spurr - Civic Beautification
Ginny Cohen - Herb Garden
Alice Ruckert - Civic Beautification
Resigned Members
Ruth Lund - Remembrance
Alice Ruckert - Civic Beautification
Patti Faff - Civic Beautification
New Honorary Members
Mary Dee
Julie Royes
Average attendance for monthly meetings: 60 members
Currently there are 95 members including the Honorary Members
New Committee Chairs
Luncheon - Paula Wilson and Mary Preikszas
Historian - Eileen West
Publicity - Diane Tlapa
Remembrance - Margaret Huszar
Photo Album - Arlene Lavelle
Program - Cheryl Ryan and Kiki Becker
Assistant Treasurer - Gary Spurr
Pat Holcomb, Chair
NEWSLETTER
The Trumpet containing articles submitted by members was printed and available at Membership Meetings from September through February. There were no meetings in April and May because of the coronavirus so a special issue was created by Chairs and others to inform members of plans for the future and various gardening and non-gardening activities of interest. The Trumpet was emailed to members, sent through the regular mail to those without email and posted on our website.
Ruth Piscitelli, Chair
NOMINATING
Members were called to ask if they would be interested in vacant positions on the Board. After much discussion those who will be taking over are listed under Membership.
Pat Holcomb, Chair and only Member
PROGRAM
September’s meeting kicked off our 2019-2020 calendar year with our annual WELCOME BACK LUNCHEON and the first annual GROW SHOW, an agricultural fair presented by our members to show off our oddest, awful or lovely garden achievements.
In October, Mal Condon, “The Hydrangea Guy,” presented a slide show and a discussion on SUCCESS WITH HYDRANGEAS – AUTUMN CULTURAL ISSUES, which included advice on growing and caring for hydrangeas on Cape Cod.
November brought us to our successful PIE SALE and Thanksgiving and Christmas Centerpieces and Decorated Wreaths Sale for which our members created delicious pies, decorative wreaths and beautiful centerpieces.
Nancy Walsh appeared at our December meeting and demonstrated how she turns ordinary items into unusual and imaginative floral arrangements and centerpieces. At the conclusion of her presentation FOUND CONTAINERS AND HOW TO USE THEM FOR THE HOLIDAYS, her original creations were raffled off to our lucky members.
In January, our guest speaker was Kristin Andres from the Association to Preserve Cape Cod. Her informative presentation, ITSY BITSY SPIDER’S RAIN GARDEN – A GARDEN WITH A PURPOSE explained what a rain garden is, how to create one and why we should have rain gardens.
February’s meeting featured Suzanne Mahler, an avid gardener, photographer and lecturer. In her presentation THEME GARDENS, she provided colorful images of multiple theme gardens and glorious plants to consider buying to create attractive garden designs.
Our March meeting was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Deb Carmel from Barnstable County Beekeepers Association who was scheduled to present SECRET LIFE OF BEES will appear at our December 2020 meeting.
April’s TREEMENDOUS FUN and May’s ANNUAL LUNCHEON were cancelled because of the pandemic.
The Program Committee prepares the Senior Center for our meetings. With the assistance of our Custodian, Joe Saltzman, tables are set up for the various committees, audience chairs are arranged, and the Bulletin Board, Lectern and Pedestal are made available. At close of each meeting, the room is cleaned and restored to its original state and property is returned to storage.
The Program Committee met and discussed potential programs and guest speakers for the 2020-2021 calendar year. By phone and email communications, the members shared ideas and selected programs and presenters for our October through April meetings. Next season’s meetings will cover a broad range of topics and will educate and entertain us. All Contracts for Speaking Engagement are signed for 2020-2021.
Elaine Frongillo, Program Chair and 1st V.P.
PUBLICITY
The publicity contact list has been maintained and updated as needed with appropriate names and email addresses as well as preferred methods of contact.
Thank you notes were published to officials and the generous donors for our Landfill collection.
An announcement seeking applicants for our scholarship program was submitted to all publications in January.
Color flyers for the Pie Sale were printed at Winkir’s, and appropriate notices were submitted for print in all newspapers as well as radio and online bulletin boards.
We applied for but did not receive approval for a free full page informational Public Service Announcement in the Cape Cod Times for September 2021 as the program was reduced from 52 awards to 12 for the year. Garden Club Publicity volunteers developed the PSA for September 2020.
Notices inviting the public to each Garden Club of Yarmouth meeting are published monthly. The notices give a brief statement about the speaker who will present at that meeting.
Our annual Fund Raiser at the Recycle Center for the Garden Club was held on Saturday and Sunday September 21st and 22nd. It netted, $2,425.20.
The Ways and Means also ran a “Thanksgiving Pies, Breads, Floral Centerpieces, Holiday Wreaths and Greens” Sale on Tuesday, November 26th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. It was very successful and netted $2,568.00.
Our Plant Sale normally held in May had to be canceled due to the Coronavirus.
Updated Garden Club activity information was submitted to the Barnstable Patriot for inclusion in Yarmouth Handbook for 2021.
Cheryl Ryan, Chair
REMEMBRANCE
Appropriate cards were sent to members or their families
Ruth Lund, Chair from September to December, sent out two cards.
Twelve more cards were mailed from January through May.
Margaret Huszar, Chair
SCHOLARSHIP
In January, last year’s scholarship recipients, all of four of whom fulfilled their requirements, were sent their checks.
New applications are being reviewed in order to make a decision on who will receive next year’s scholarships or toolship. Decisions will be made by the committee on who will be chosen and the club informed.
Claire Linnan, Chair
TELEPHONE
* text here
The telephone committee was busy this year making over 1000 phone calls and several e-mails. Many members look forward to our calls and like to chat with a friendly voice. All of the committee members enthusiastically signed on for a third year. And our one question is….did Kiki ever find her rain jacket??!!
Margie Kelly, Chair
WAYS AND MEANS
Our annual Fund Raiser at the Recycle Center for the Garden Club was held on Saturday and Sunday September 21st and 22nd. It netted, $2,425.20.
The Ways and Means also ran a “Thanksgiving Pies, Breads, Floral Centerpieces, Holiday Wreaths and Greens” Sale on Tuesday, November 26th from 1:00 to 3:00 PM. It was very successful and netted $2,568.00.
Our Plant Sale normally held in May had to be canceled due to the Coronavirus.
Cookie Barry and Jan Brogan, Co-Chairs
WEBSITE
During the year we continued our internet presence with a web site and a Facebook page.
Through our web page we receive inquiries about membership along with communications from various Cape Cod organizations. While the volume of inquiries is low, it is important that the public has this way to contact us. We also post Trumpet newsletters, board and general meeting minutes, as well as photos of our activities, scholarship applications, membership applications, and meeting speakers.
Our Facebook page has tipped the magic numbers of 100+ people who “like” the page and almost 125 people who “follow” it. The Facebook page has become an inexpensive and powerful advertising tool. We ‘boosted’ (paid for an advertisement) for Facebook posts about the November pie sale and a “save the date” notice for the scheduled May plant sale. Those ads reached 1,850 screens and resulted in 194 ‘engagements’ which are photo clicks, shares, and link clicks. Ways and Means authorized $26 for this advertising. In addition, Facebook gave us $30 in free advertising which we can apply to future ‘boosts’. Based on our prior experience, had we been able to apply that bonus to advertising for a May Plant Sale as planned we anticipate that the ad would have reached approximately 3,000 individuals.
Ed Mulligan, Chair
*“Yes! I did find my jacket...
Apologies for belated reveal & THANK YOU! Cookie had mine. I had hers. She received but dismissed email/phone call. Life gets busy. One rainy day - weeks & weeks later - Cookie discovered she had wrong jacket when it didn’t fit her. Didn’t connect it to me til much later.”
Kiki
THE GARDEN CLUB OF YARMOUTH
2018-2019 ANNUAL REPORTS
ANNUAL MEETING
At our first meeting, we decided to look for a new place to hold our annual luncheon since members seemed to want a change. We talked about many possibilities and visited three, The Yarmouth House, Kings Way Grille and The Old Yarmouth Inn. After presenting our findings about each restaurant to the Board, they decided to go with The Old Yarmouth Inn. Because of the cost, the Board voted to subsidize members price at $5.00 since we did not have to provide flowers for center pieces. Menu choices and signup sheets were printed, handed out and collected. We met with Stacy many times to finalize the menu, arrangement of tables for club business, seating and placing of the raffle items.
Jeanne McGrath, Chair
CIVIC BEAUTIFICATION
Last year we reported that the irrigation system at Buck Island was overhauled, upgraded and converted to battery powered timers. With the more complete watering coverage the plants there are looking much better. Irrigation for the Highbank / North Main gardens was also upgraded with positive effect.
The Town of Yarmouth DPW has taken over responsibility for the irrigation timers in all four of our gardens including battery replacement and programming. We are grateful to the Town staff for this service.
To address the spring weed situation at Forest, in April 2019 we invited the entire committee (approximately 30 gardeners) to a work session to clean up the beds. In spite of challenging weather, we had a great turnout for this activity. This may become an annual task.
At the Senior Center, we met with Director Kathy Bailey to see if the driveway area could be improved. We proposed that the improvements would be undertaken by the Town and / or private donations and the Garden Club would be responsible for ongoing maintenance. So far, we haven’t received a positive response. We received a substantial ($400) donation with a request that part of the money be used to improve plantings around the Senior Center front entrance. Upon investigation we discovered that there are volunteers associated with the Senior Center who maintain the plantings in that area. So, in spring 2019 we will install heuchera and grasses in the area.
On the subject of safety, we are providing information on permethrin, a tick repellant, to our members. At no cost to us the Town provides us with safety vests to wear when we are working on our gardens. Acceptance by our members is improving.
The gardens at Highbank and North Main continue to delight passersby there.
Flower boxes and containers at the three post offices and the Senior Center sign garden are creatively designed and maintained by our members.
For the Christmas holiday we once again decorated wreaths for Town offices.
Ed Mulligan, Chair
CONSERVATION
This committee provides year-round emphasis on environmental issues and concern with fun (and hopefully useful) conservation tips at regular meetings. In the fall we conduct a beach clean-up at Bass River Beach or Seagull Beach. We also participate in the annual town clean-up in early spring. Throughout the year we also arrange conservation walks.
Paula Phillips, Chair
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY
It has been my pleasure to serve as Corresponding Secretary this year. I have sent out ten thank you notes to those who made donations to the Club in memory of Ellen Philie plus four notes to persons who individually donated items and time to our Club this year. I also purchased a box of 100 note cards from Staples for future use.
Norma Atwood, Corresponding Secretary
FLOWER SHOW
We started the year by having a Flower Arranging Workshop in October to do arrangements in candlesticks, it proved to be very popular. The arrangements were on show at the October 16th meeting. All our workshops are held at St. David's Church, Yarmouth.
In November we made 36 Thanksgiving flower arrangements and gave out 12 wreaths for members to decorate at home for the sale held at the meeting on November 20th.
From April 5th - 8th we had 13 arrangements depicting Spring at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod at a combined show with the Yarmouth Art Guild. There was a reception on opening night where we provided the refreshments and they brought the wine. Linda Cook was in charge of the kitchen.
On April 15th we held another Flower Arranging Workshop where members worked on line design and their flowers were taken to the April meeting to be viewed by everyone.
This year we will not be providing table arrangements at the Annual Luncheon, held at the Old Yarmouth Inn as the board is donating $5.00 for each person attending towards their meal.
We also sign up a different member each month to make an arrangement for the podium at our monthly meetings.
Joy Shipp, Chair
HANDBOOK
In June 2018, I brought the membership roster up to date. I requested information for the handbook from the various standing committee chairmen.
I created a draft of the handbook and met with the committee on August 8th to edit the contents and select a cover from the many photos created for us by Don Loring, husband of member Charl Loring. This year’s photo with a beautiful butterfly was an Orange Eye Butterfly Bush.
I made a few corrections and additions to the handbook and had 150 copies printed at Winkir. I printed, applied address labels and distributed handbooks to board members at the September board meeting. Members picked up their copy at both the September and October meeting. Many members took Handbooks and hand delivered them to members that have not attended meeting, which saved us money in mailing expense. I mailed the few copies that were left.
The Handbook costs were:
$12.50 for proofs
$493.93 for printing
Total cost: $506.43
Carol Ann Morris, Chair
HERB GARDEN
The Herb and Kitchen Gardens were opened up the end of April 2018. Compost was put down on all gardens and the watering schedule was set up. New plants were put in place that did not make it over the winter. All members fulfilled their responsibilities for watering and caring for the gardens over the summer. It was a very dry summer which required more diligence in maintaining the gardens. The gardens were closed the end of October.
Joan Huckins, Chair
HORTICULTURAL ROUNDTABLE
The September 2018 excursion to the Long Pasture Wildlife Sanctuary was cancelled due to rain. In October, we heard about ‘Cape Cod Native Plants’ presented by Kristen Andres from the Association to Preserve Cape Cod. January 2019 horticulture meeting was an open invitation to visit the Cape Cod Orchid Society Show in Hyannis. Vicki Balboni, a member of the GCOY, presented a slide show of her gardens throughout the growing season in February.
Master Gardener Pamela Phipps spoke on ‘Embrace More Gardens, Less Lawn’ in April.
Our annual bus trip on Friday, June 22, 2018 to the Newport Flower Show at the Rosecliff Mansion was well attended. The weather was perfect and we all had a fabulous time walking the grounds and viewing the many floral and horticultural displays.
We are planning another road trip on Tuesday, June 18, 2019 to the Tower Hill Botanic Garden in Boylston, MA, which will include a guided tour as well.
Vicki Balboni, Chair
HOSPITALITY
The Hospitality Committee contacted Club members who have signed up to provide a platter or floral arrangement for the refreshment table at monthly meetings. This sign-up is conducted at the September meeting. Committee members helped with set-up, tea & coffee service and cleanup at the monthly meetings.
Ann Libby and Mary Spurr, Co-Chairs
MEMBERSHIP
NEW MEMBERS
JUNE-Gail Morlock
SEPTEMBER- Debra McMullen
OCTOBER-Nancy Proulx, Ann Cavanagh-Stein
NOVEMBER-Paula Wilson
FEBRUARY-Cathy Cardia, Catherine Ryan, Elaine Frongillo
MARCH-Charlene Goddard-Lyle
MAY-Beverly Ross, Shirley Noyes
RESIGNED
JULY-Dawn Jackson
AUGUST-Mary Salviati
OCTOBER-Jenny Anastasio
MARCH-Lynn Froleiks
APRIL-Janice Martin
MAY-Ruth Grout, Candy Vance
IN MEMORIAM
Ellen Phiie
Andrea Pederson
RELOCATED
Carol Coverly
Pat Holcomb, Chair
NEWSLETTER
“The Trumpet” newsletter is published each month and distributed to the membership at the regular meetings September-May. The newsletter covers activities organized by the club’s committees and any other pertinent information of interest to Club members. It can also be found on the Garden Club website.
Candy Vance, Chair
NOMINATING
The Nominating Committee is a very small group: myself, Sandee McGrath and Barbara McManus. We have worked on finding new members to become President and Vice President through the year. We plan to work over the summer to continue our search.
Kiki Becker, Chair
PROGRAM
The 2018-2019 Programs were:
October 16 - “Fall Migration December 18 – “Holiday Arranging” – Betty Sanders – very creative arrangements for the Holiday season with found branches, bright objects,etc.
January 13 – “Stewardship of Cape Cod Fishing” – Seth Rohlbein – enthusiastic and humorous speaker on the importance of conservation of fishing – the most compliments from our members for finding him. February 19 – “Quenching Heat, Humidity and Drought” – Warren Leach – a rainbow of color to survive the growing season.
March 19 – “Entry Courtyards” – Tom Strangfeld – designer of landscapes – won top prizes at the NE Flower Shows.
April 16 – “Art of Floral Design” – Rev. Sonny Gada – a lifelong passion for growing flowers and making creative arrangements.
Mary Ehbrecht, Chair
PUBLICITY
The publicity contact list has been maintained and updated as needed with appropriate names and email addresses as well as preferred methods of contact.
Thank you notes were published to officials and the generous donors for our Landfill collection.
An announcement seeking applicants for our scholarship program was submitted to all publications in January.
Color flyers for the Pie Sale were printed at Winkir’s, and appropriate notices were submitted for print in all newspapers as well as radio and online bulletin boards.
We applied for and received approval for a free full page informational Public Service Announcement in the Cape Cod Times for September 2020. Garden Club Publicity volunteers developed the PSA for September 2019.
Color flyers for the Plant Sale were printed at Winkir’s, and appropriate notices were submitted for print in all newspapers as well as radio and online bulletin boards.
Notices inviting the public to each Garden Club of Yarmouth meeting are published monthly. The notices give a brief statement about the speaker who will present at that meeting.
Updated Garden Club activity information was submitted to the Barnstable Patriot for inclusion in Yarmouth Handbook for 2020.
Cheryl Ryan, Chair
REMEMBRANCE
Appropriate cards were sent out for ongoing concerns of members. A follow up was mailed if indicated. Thirteen of this kind of card were sent. Three congratulatory cards went out to the winners of our scholarships. Members were encouraged to convey information when and where so we could be supportive to one another.
Ruth Lund, Chair
SCHOLARSHIP
Scholarship Award checks were dispersed to our successful candidates of 2018.
We received a good number of applications for 2019.
Our Committee met on May 8 and we found we had three equally outstanding candidates and our conclusion was to award $1000.00 to each of them.
Brooke Withers
Daycia Frye
Toriana Richards
We also Awarded the $550.00 Toolship to Nicholas Bach, an outstanding student and Horticulture major at Cape Cod Tech. Who will be working in the landscape industry.
Claire Linnan, Chair
TELEPHONE
2018-2019 was a busy year for the Telephone Committee. With about 108 members in the club and 12 of us to make the phone calls/emails, we made over 1000 calls this year. The work was shared by the following women: Ruth Gawle, Marie Hamilton, Virginia Hatch, Colleen Miller, Shannan Myers, Sandi O’Donnell, Mary Orcianelli, Margaret Rice, Irene Shaw, Barbara Silver, Mary Ann Janosko and myself (Margie Kelly). Now, many of you don’t answer your phone all the time (which I can understand), but those of you that we talked to, we enjoyed hearing about what you’re up to not only in gardening, but in life. We look forward to talking to you in September.
Margie Kelly, Chair
WAYS AND MEANS
We held our annual Fund Raiser at the Recycle Center on September 22 & 23rd. It was very successful. On Tuesday, November 20th, the Thanksgiving Pie Sale which also included centerpieces, Holiday Wreaths and greens was held. We will repeat this next year as we were very pleased with the results. Our Annual Plant Sale and gently used tools is Saturday, May 18th, at the at the Moose Lodge. All members are expected to take part.
Jan Brogan and Cookie Barry, Co-Chairs
WEBSITE
During the year we continued our internet presence with a web site and a Facebook page. Through our web page we receive inquiries about membership along with communications from various Cape Cod organizations. While the volume of inquiries is low, it is important that the public has this way to contact us. Our Facebook page has become an inexpensive and powerful advertising tool. We ‘boosted’ (paid for an advertisement) for Facebook posts about the November pie sale, Thanksgiving, the December wreath decorations, and the May plant sale. To date (May 13, 2019) those ads reached 2,900 screens and resulted in 320 ‘engagements’ which are photo clicks, shares, and link clicks. Ways and Means spent $25 for this advertising. Inaddition,Facebook gave us $50 in free advertising which we applied to our ‘boosts’.
Ed Mulligan, Chair
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ANNUAL REPORTS
2017-2018
Annual Meeting
At our first meeting, we decided to hold the annual luncheon at the Riverway as it has worked well for our purposes in the past. We then met with the manager to discuss, table, space and time needs and our menu choices which were changed. We printed up new reservation forms which were available at the March meeting and April’s Horticultural Roundtable. In May, we took care of the details such as tables needed at the entrance, for the raffle, seating for members, stickers for meal choices and other Garden Club business. This year, as my swan song, a friend agreed to provide musical background to our luncheon.
Jeanne McGrath, Chair
By-Laws
Committee recommended two changes to the by-laws. Both were changes to Article VII Section 2. The first was to read The Officers “shall be elected to a one-year term” instead of two-year term. The second was the position of the Corresponding Secretary be added to those officers who may be elected for additional terms. They were voted on by the membership and carried through in January of 2018.
Cookie Barry, Chair
Civic Beautification
This year, with the impetus of a $500 donation from the Rotary Club, we looked into the possibility of improving our irrigation systems. With manual labor from the Parks and Recreation Department and a $1,300 grant from the Community and Economic Development Committee (a committee which provides small grants to beautification projects), we were able to have a tubed system with timers installed in the Triangle, Parkside and George Davis gardens in June. This eliminated the need to turn on soaker hoses and sprinklers in the midst of heavy street traffic several times a week.
Because of the traffic situation George Davis agreed to take over the maintenance of the garden in front of his property which had been maintained by the Garden Club for 44 years.
With the $500 from the Rotary Club and donations of $400 from various donors given to Civic Beautification we were able to update the 20-year-old system at Buck Island with a timer and an expanded range of watering in May. The garden has many flowering trees and shrubs, perennials and annuals, continually changing with each month during the season.
The Forest/Old Town House garden had a problem in the spring with excessive weeds developed from seeds of the surrounding grasses. These new gardens also had to replace some perennials that did not survive the winter. A large branch fell onto the stone bench from a diseased tree which will be removed at some point. The garden design is low maintenance and very attractive.
The garden at the entrance of the Senior Center now has water available at the site with a timer and soaker hose to facilitate easy watering. Joyce Jenks, who maintains the site, also has planted and maintained appropriate perennials at the Town Hall in the garden below the Town Hall sign.
All the Post Offices are creatively maintained by members and hand-watered all season. We also provided decorated Christmas wreaths to town offices. Thanks to all who dedicate themselves to beautifying our town.
Carol Coverly and Marie Gates, Co-Chairs
Conservation
The Coastal Sweep was held in September. Because of bad weather it had to be put off to Saturday the 23rd. A large amount of trash was collected.
In October I asked members to save the pull tabs from cans to donate to the Aleppo Shriners Children’s Transportation Fund.
Corey Bray of AmeriCorps spoke to the members in December about his work with the Town Hall Conservation Department to clean up the town of invasive species to inform and ask members to join him. February’s conservation moment involved straws. Five hundred million non-biodegradable straws are used and thrown away every day. I asked members to use biodegradable straws from now on.
Paula Phillips, Chair
Corresponding Secretary
As Corresponding Secretary, thank-you notes were sent to all of this year’s Garden Club meeting speakers as well as all the Roundtable speakers. There were eighteen thank-you notes sent to those who made donations to our club in memory of Judy McClory. Several others were also thanked for their individual donations during the year.
Judy Tabb, Chair
Flower Show
We celebrated the Garden Club of Yarmouth's 45th anniversary with a Flower Show and Boutique at the Bangs Hallet House Museum on August 4th 2017, together with the Ways and Means Committee. Several flower arrangements were placed in each room of the house and a Horticultural Show was held in the chapel. It was a very successful day.
In September we made flower arrangements for the lunch tables at the meeting.
On March 19th we held a Flower Arranging Workshop at St. David's Church with 17 members in attendance, the most we have ever had. The ladies brought their arrangements to the Garden Club the next day to show what they had created. They were all given printed notes on the conditioning of various flowers and on basic designs of arranging.
Once again, we joined with the Yarmouth Art Guild to celebrate their Spring Show at the Cultural Center of C.C. on April 20th until the 23rd.We had sixteen beautiful flower arrangements all proclaiming Spring and very different from each other.
Our last duty for the year is to provide the centerpieces for the top table and other tables at the Annual Luncheon to be held at the Riverway restaurant on May 22nd 2018.
Joy Shipp and Vicki Balboni, Co-chairs
Handbook Committee
In June 2017, I brought the membership roster up to date. I also requested information for the handbook from the various standing committee chairmen.
I created a draft of the handbook and met with the committee on August 1st to discuss the contents and to select a cover from the many photos created for us by Don Loring, husband of member Charl Loring.
I made a few corrections and additions to the handbook and had 145 copies printed at Winkir. I printed and applied address labels and distributed handbooks to board members at the September board meeting. Members picked up their copy at both the September and October meeting. I mailed the copies that were left.
The Handbook costs were:
$43.12 for proofs
$478.10 for printing
$16.38 for postage
Total cost: $536.60
Carol Ann Morris, Chair
Herb Garden
The Herb and Kitchen Gardens were opened up at the end of April 2017. Compost was put down on all gardens and the watering schedule was set up. New plants were put in place that did not make it over the winter. All members fulfilled their responsibilities for watering and caring for for the gardens over the summer. It was a very dry summer which required more diligence in maintaining the gardens. The gardens were closed the end of October.
Joan Huckins, Chair
Horticulture Roundtable
This year we had three members, Joyce Jenks, Joy Shipp and Ed Mulligan, participate as speakers, with a guided tour of a Hydrangea Garden, talks on Ancient Art of Well Dressing and Ease of Drip Irrigation, respectfully. The other two presenters were Emily Woudenberg and Linda Colgan, both Master Gardeners speaking on Bokashi Composting and Growing Herbs. Thank you to all who have participated and helped out!
Our annually bus trip is scheduled for June 22nd to the Newport Flower Show at the Rosecliff Manor in Newport, Rhode Island this year.
Vicki Balboni, Interim Chair
Hospitality
The Hospitality Committee contacted Club members who have signed up to provide a platter or floral arrangement for the refreshment table at monthly meetings.
This sign-up is conducted at the September meeting. Committee members help with set-up, tea & coffee service, and cleanup at the monthly meetings.
Mary Spurr, Chair
Membership
SEPTEMBER
RESIGNED- Clair Banks, Donna Hill, Mary Spellman
NEW MEMBERS- Marie Hamilton, Shannan Myers
NEW ASSOCIATE- Pat Donovan
DEATH- Shirley Taylor
OCTOBER
NEW MEMBER- Lynette McCloy
NOVEMBER
NEW MEMBERS-Andrea St. Germain, Louise Wolf, Pamela Innamorati, Lynn Froleiks, Mary Salviati
DECEMBER
NEW MEMBER-Gail Cronin
JANUARY
NEW MEMBER- Judith Majusky- Voted in but 1ST meeting will be March
FEBRUARY
NEW MEMBERS-Diane Tlapa, Genie Anglin, Mary Ann Janosko
MARCH
NEW MEMBERS- Shirley Fitzgerald, Dawn Jackson
NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBER- Klara Campos
APRIL
NEW MEMBER- Sharon Carpenter
RESIGNED- Janet Snelley, Diane Baniewicz, Kathy Deschaines
Lynette McCloy, Margaret Flaherty, Mary Ann Anese, Susan Anderson
DEATH-Elaine Martin,
Janet Snelley, Chair
Newsletter
“The Trumpet” newsletter is published each month and distributed to the membership at the regular meetings September-May. The newsletter covers activities organized by the club’s committees and any other pertinent information of interest to Club members. It can also be found on the Garden Club website.
Candy Vance, Chair
Nominating
The Committee formed to facilitate selection of new officers and fill open committee chairs, as needed. Members were Barb Commons, Joan Huckins, Pat Leary, Regina Mullen & Kiki Becker. We also addressed the untimely departure due to illness of President Ellen Philie.
Kiki Becker assumed presidency a year earlier than scheduled. Mary Ehbrecht stepped into 1st VP/Program Chair. Vicki Balboni filled Horticultural Roundtable Chair position for one year as interim. Nominating Committee suggested to Bylaw Committee a change from 2 year term for Presidency and 1st VP to one year each.
Kiki & Mary will serve two year terms (President & 1st VP)after that President and 1st VP will be reduced to one year terms as approved and voted on by executive board and voted/approved by general population of GC of Y.
As of May 8, 2018, new executive board members and new committee chairs: Corresponding Secretary - Norma Atwood; Membership Committee Chair - Pat Holcomb; Civic Beautification - Ed Mulligan; Hospitality Co Chairs - Mary Spurr & Ann Libby. We still need Chairs for Horticultural Roundtable and Annual Luncheon. Working on it!
Kiki Becker, Chair
Program
2017 October 17- “Gardening is Murder” by Neal Sanders-was a laugh out loud presentation and very much enjoyed by club members. November 14- “Fragrant Gardens and Lovely Containers” presented with beautiful slides by Donelle Denery, Master Gardener.
December 12- “Floral Artistry & Hostess Gifts for the Holidays” by Anna Holmes, very popular Floral Designer. Her creations were raffled off to members (6 tickets were handed out to each member).
2018
January 16- “The big Three: Sun, Soil & Water for Healthy Plants” by Mike Almonte, Master Gardener and former Police Chief-very engaging and humorous.
February 20- “The Artist in the Garden” presentation by Shannon Goheen of Second Nature gardenworks-amazing demonstration of making framed collage pictures with dried plants and blossoms from your own garden-ideas for garden memories and gifts.
March 20- “Spring Fever”- Jeannie Gillis (original designer was ill) – her flower arrangements were full of brilliant colors for Spring with a variety of greens – ideas for everyone.
The Program Committee has all contracts signed for 2018-2019
October 16 – “Fall Migration Magic” – with bird calls by Phillip Kyle
December 18- “Holiday Arranging” colorful with Betty Sanders
2019
January 15 – “stewardship of Cape Cod Fishing” – with enthusiasm by Seth Rolbein
February 19 – “Quenching Heat, Humidity & Drought” – season’s pallet with Warren Leach
March 19 – “Entry Courtyards” – Tom Strangfeld- lucky to have him
April 16 – “Flower Arranging” – Rev. Sonny Gada – very happy to come – lifetime of flowers
Mary Ehbrecht, Chair
Publicity
The publicity contact list has been maintained and updated as needed with appropriate names and email addresses as well as preferred methods of contact.
Updated Garden Club activity information was submitted to the Barnstable Patriot for inclusion in Yarmouth Handbook for 2018.
We applied for and received approval for a free full page informational Public Service Announcement in the Cape Cod Times for September 2019.
Color flyers were printed at Winker’s to advertise our 45th Anniversary Celebration at the Bangs Hallett House in August 2017.
Save-the-Date cards were printed by Winker as well as flyers for the November Boutique.
An announcement seeking applicants for our scholarship program was submitted to all publications in January.
Notices inviting the public to each Garden Club of Yarmouth meeting are published monthly. The notices give a brief statement about the speaker who will present at that meeting.
The banner for the Plant Sale was patched by Sign-O-Rama. Color flyers were printed at Winkler’s, and appropriate notices were submitted for print in all newspapers as well as radio and online bulletin boards.
Cheryl Ryan, Chair
Remembrance
Appropriate cards were sent for ongoing concerns of members. A follow up was mailed if indicated. Twenty-three cards went out this year. Members were encouraged to convey information when and where so we could be supportive to one another.
Ruth Lund, Chair
Scholarship
Last Year’s Scholarships were disbursed to our successful awardees.
2 scholarships and 1 tool ship award.
I have received approximately 10 applications
We had a committed meeting 5/1/18 at noon to review and select among the applications who will be awarded scholarships for 2018. The committee has chosen to share our $3500. award among 3 candidates. We are awarding $1500.00 each to Brett Halloran of West Yarmourh and Alexis Hartnett of Yarmouth Port. Brett is Pursing Environment Police studies Alexis is an Environmental Sciences major.
Hanna Wilson will be working locally in the organic, nursery,/landscaping industry. and being awarded a $500. toolship toward the tools and work-related things she needs.
Claire Linnan, Chair
Telephone
Forty-two club members were called by the ten committee members throughout the year. Because of the cancelled April Membership Meeting there were emergency calls made to over 100 members to remind them of the Plant Sale, Annual Luncheon and Horticultural Roundtable road trip.
Harriet Murphy, Chair
Ways and Means
We had three fundraising projects this year. The first, the Annual Fundraiser at the Recycle Center was September 23 and 24, 9AM to 12 Noon both days. The second, Our Fabulous Annual Members Boutique. This year we sold pies, breads and crafts on Tuesday, November 14th. The third will be the Annual Plant Sale and Raffle on May 19th, held at the Moose Family Lodge. In each of these events the entire membership takes part and is the reason they are so successful.
Jan Brogan and Cookie Barry, Co- Chairs
Web Site
During the year we continued our internet presence with a web site and a Facebook page.
We launched our Facebook page in March 2017. By posting items of interest to gardeners we hope to bring new members into the club. During the past year we purchased Facebook advertising for three of our activities: the May plant sale, the August flower show, and the November boutique. The advertising reached over 2,000 people and cost $35.
Our web site software, Weebly, which we installed last year, has proven to be reliable and easy to use.
Ed Mulligan, Chair
THE GARDEN CLUB OF YARMOUTH
ANNUAL REPORTS
2016-2017
Our 2016 -2017 calendar year has been filled with wonderful events and some challenges as well. I need to thank all Officers, Chairpersons and Committee Members for working together with energy and positive attitudes to make the season thoroughly successful ~! WELL DONE to you all~! Monthly meeting programs were well received by members. Despite the fact that two presenters were unable to fulfill their commitments, and one meeting needed to be cancelled due to the Senior Center Ballroom’s floors being refinished, our team of Officers flexed their mental and physical muscles, and the production of each program went smoothly.
Highlights of the season included Anna Holmes, Floral Designer from Falmouth, a fabulous Flower Show in November, and renowned Bill Graham of Salem MA presenting his signature program THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS. Inasmuch as we are in our 45th year as a Garden Club, we celebrated with West Dennis Garden Club, which funded our Club's start-up with a $500 check. We chose to make the Bill Graham presentation a joint effort of the two clubs. It was wonderful to be able to share the work and the fun with our West Dennis Sisters~!
All our gardens continue to flourish, our Flower Show “Home for the Holidays” was a success, Horticultural Roundtable had interesting speakers, publicity has increased our presence in the community, our scholarships have been given out, we have been successful in the raising of funds, our website has been improved and another site added, in addition to the successful meeting of the goals of each committee.
Ellen Philie, President
Annual Meeting
At our first meeting, we decided to hold the Annual Meeting at the Riverway as it has worked well for our purposes in the past. We then met with the manager to discuss, table, space and time needs and our menu choices which were changed. This year we included a vegan/vegetarian choice. We printed up new reservation forms which were available at the March and April meetings. In May, we took care of the details such as tables needed at the entrance, for the raffle, seating for members, stickers for meal choices and other Garden Club business.
Jeanne McGrath, Chair
Civic Beautification
Buck Island continues to add to the beauty of Yarmouth through successive plantings of spring flowers, perennials, flowering trees and spectacular annuals. The roses seemed to lack water due to overhanging shrubs. This year we will improve the situation with hand watering. A redbud tree was donated by a nearby association in remembrance of a member.
The gardens at Forest and Old Townhouse greeted us last spring when 450 bulbs burst into a wave of yellow daffodils. Even better news was to see that most of the plantings survived their first winter. Greenspot replaced, free of charge, five small grasses and we added five additional blue stem grasses to fill in. The final addition to the design of the gardens was a stone bench purchased from Cape Wood Stone of Orleans. It was erected under one of the flowering trees to view all angles of the three triangular, natural, xeriscape gardens.
The Highbank, Parkside Gardens and George Davis Gardens were maintained by members last summer, but it was found that leaking hoses and the watering situation needed to be changed. Traffic around the gardens are a concern. Until a permanent watering system can be installed we are making a temporary change by installing timers with new hoses. The Town will install a new system, but we must find funding for the parts ($1,400} This May we will ask a Yarmouth group that has funds for tourism. It may be that we can only do one garden this year, others in time.
Our Post Office window boxes and tub and Senior Center garden continue to show the creative aspects that the Town has come to enjoy.
Thanks to all on the Committee for your diligent work and, at times, going above and beyond.
Carol Coverly and Mary Gates, Co-Chairs
Conservation
Our goal is to encourage protection of our natural resources, reduce waste, & create healthy, safe environments. We work toward that through education and various activities.
This past year Conservation did a Fall Clean Sweep picking up trash at Smugglers/Bass River Beach. We were joined by several eager & very helpful Cape Abilities participants; their Leader would like to continue participating in the future. Jill Talladay stopped by from Care For The Cape & Islands and indicated her group might join us next year. The CofC supplied necessary materials, coffee & donuts, & sends our results to a national data base.
Conservation Committee members met at my house to share ideas & decide on what specific issues they wanted to focus. We decided that sharing knowledge on these issues with our whole club would reap more benefits than just keeping the information in our committee. Committee members then chose which issue each would present at Club monthly meetings. We ended with a nice lunch.
"Conservation Moments" were then presented at most meetings to educate our club on environmental/conservation issues or current events, with a positive response from members.
Finally, Conservation had to cancel its usual Spring Tour this year due to learning quite late that members could be stung by bees during the Beekeeper's presentation.
Donna Hill, Chair
Corresponding Secretary
As Corresponding Secretary, thank-you notes were sent to all of this year’s Garden Club meeting speakers as well as all the Roundtable speakers. There were eighteen thank-you notes sent to those who made donations to our club in memory of Judy McClory. Several others were also thanked for their individual donations during the year.
Judy Tabb
Flower Show
We started the year by holding a "Winter Holiday" flower arranging class at St. David's Episcopal church in Yarmouth on October 17th that was well attended by our members.
Then on November 19th we hosted a Flower Show and Boutique, [the Ways and Means Committee was responsible for the latter], it was held in Nelson Hall at St. David’s. The show was titled "Home For The Holidays" and all the arrangements were related to either Thanksgiving or Christmas. There were 7 categories with 6 displays in each.
It proved to be very popular with our members and the general public that came to view it.
We were also responsible for finding members to make an arrangement for the podium at the monthly meetings.
At the Annual Luncheon on May 23rd we will make centerpieces for each dining table as well as the top table.
Joy Shipp and Vicki Balboni, Co-Chairs
Handbook
In June 2016, I brought the membership roster up to date. I also requested information for the handbook from the various standing committee chairmen.
I created a draft of the handbook and met with the committee in July to discuss the contents and also to select a cover from the many photos created for us by Don Loring, husband of member Charl Loring. I made the corrections and additions to the handbook and the committee met again for another review. Committee members proof read this copy and I had 175 copies printed at Winkir.
I printed and applied address labels and distributed handbooks to board members at the September board meeting. Members picked up their copy at both the September and October meeting. I mailed the 7 copies that were left.
The Handbook costs were:
$ 27.36 for proofs $522.60 for printing $12.99 for labels $6.23 for postage
Total cost: $579.18
Carol Ann Morris, Chair
Herb Garden
The Herb and Kitchen Gardens were opened up the end of April 2016. Compost was put down on all gardens and the watering schedule was set up. New plants were put in place that did not make it over the winter. All members fulfilled their responsibilities for watering and caring for the gardens over the summer. It was a very dry summer which required more diligence in maintaining the gardens. The gardens were closed the end of October.
Joan Huckins, Chair
Horticultural Roundtable
This year was very well received with an average of between 25 – 30 members attending. We encouraged everyone to save seed, garden supply and ornament catalogs.
September, “Lifelong Gardening” by Cherie Bryan. October, “Putting your Garden to Bed” by Clint Flagg. January, the Cape and Islands Orchid Society Show counted toward attendance. February, “Starting Seeds and Seed Catalog Exchange” with Linda Colgan. March, “Beneficial and Pest Insects of the Garden” with Larry Dapsis, Entomologist, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension. April, “Native Orchids of Cape Cod”.
Our Road Trip will be in June to Acushnet for visiting the Roseland Nursery, eating lunch at the Captain’s Place (select from sandwich/salad menu) and continuing on to the Allen C Haskell Public Gardens for a guided tour of the hosta collection.
My appreciation to the Committee for suggesting topics for our 2017-2018 year. Five, meetings are booked: September, “Hydrangeas” guided walk through Joyce Jenks garden. October, “Well Dressing” by Joy Shipp. January, view the Cape and Islands Orchid Society Show. February, “Drip Irrigation” with props by Ed Mulligan. March, “Bokashi – Complete Composting” by Emily Woodenberg. April, “Dahlias” by Helen McVeigh.
Annual Road Trip will be carpooling to the East Dennis Oyster Farm – date to be announced for best month, May at low tide.
Mary Ehbrecht, Chair
Hospitality
The Hospitality Committee contacts Club members who have signed up to provide a platter or floral arrangement for the refreshment table at monthly meetings.
This sign-up is conducted at the September meeting. Committee members help with set-up, tea & coffee service, and cleanup at the monthly meetings.
Mary Spurr, Chair
Membership
TOTAL MEMBERS-115
NEW MEMBERS
PAULA PHILLIPS MARY PREIKSZAS MARGERY KELLEY SUSAN ANDERSEN CLAIRE OLSEN CORINNE BISCARDI
RESIGNED
FRAN WHITNEY
DEATH
JUDY MC CLORY
NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
IRENE LANDENBERGER JEANNE SNOW MARGARET HUSZAR PATTI FAFF
MARGARET FLAHERTY IS STILL A MEMBER BUT HAS BEEN OUT WITH A LONG TERM ILLNESS.
Janet Snelley, Chair
Newsletter
“The Trumpet” newsletter is published each month and distributed to the membership at the regular meetings September-May. The newsletter covers activities organized by the club’s committees and any other pertinent information of interest to Club members. It can also be found on the Garden Club website. I took over this responsibility in October 2016.
Candy Vance, Chair
Program
A computer melt down caused our scheduled speaker to cancel one day before the September meeting! The Yarmouth Senior Center closed TWICE (due to ongoing renovations) which resulted in the rescheduling of two more speakers. After a bumpy start and two detours, we finished the year with a BANG, “The Little Black Dress” & the West Dennis Garden Club! Nearly finished with next year's roster of speakers. Committee will meet in late May.
Kiki Becker, Chair
Publicity
The publicity contact list was reorganized and updated with appropriate names and email addresses as well as preferred methods of contact.
Updated Garden Club activity information was submitted to the Barnstable Patriot for inclusion in Yarmouth Handbook for 2018.
With the help of Ed Mulligan and Ellen Philie, a full page informational Public Service Announcement was created. It ran in the Cape Cod Times in June.
Thank you letters were sent in October to those officials who granted us time to make a collection at the landfill.
Color flyers were printed at Winkler’s to advertise Home for the Holidays Flower Show and Christmas Boutique held in November at St. David’s Church.
An announcement seeking applicants for our scholarship program was submitted to all publications in January.
The banner for the Plant Sale was patched by Sign-O-Rama. Color flyers were printed at Winkler’s, and appropriate notices were submitted for print in all newspapers as well as radio and online bulletin boards. This included submission to Cape Cod Life and Cape Cod Magazine.
Cheryl Ryan, Chair
Remembrance
Appropriate cards were sent for ongoing concerns of members. A follow up was mailed if indicated. Eleven cards went out this year. Members were encouraged to convey information when and where so we could be supportive to one another.
Ruth Lund, Chair
Scholarship
The Committee met on April 24, 2017
We had received 9 candidates from DY and 6 from Cape Cod Tech, and one candidate currently in college.
We were very fortunate to have 16 great candidates apply and appreciate the collaborative effort of all the board along with the technical and PR efforts.
We reviewed all the applications and decided to award the $3000.00 Award divided between 2 candidates.
Cory Farrell Jr., Cape Cod Tech, $1500.
Kyle Campbell, Dennis Yarmouth, $1500
The $500 Toolship award to Joseph Ostrom
I will be contacting the schools and the Award recipients next week as I am recovering from surgery and will be away until May 1.
Claire Linnan, Chair
Telephone
Forty-two club members were called by the twelve committee members throughout the year.
Harriet Murphy, Chair
Ways and Means
We had three fundraising projects this year. The first, the annual collection at the Landfill was September 24th and 25th. The second was a flower show and boutique that was held at St. David's Episcopal Church on November 19. It was titled "Home for The Holidays" and was a very successful money maker along with our members’ boutique at November’s meeting. The third, our yearly Plant Sale is being held on May 20th at the Moose Family Lodge. Thanks to the entire Garden Club membership, our first year chairing this committee went very well.
Jan Brogan and Cookie Barry, Co-Chairs
Website
This year we have two significant improvements to our internet presence.
First, we have a new web site software platform, Weebly. It is cloud-based and, after a short learning curve, is easier to use than our previous software. Cost is about the same. The new platform interfaces with all hardware (laptops, tablets, smart phones, desktops) and operating systems (Windows and Apple). We now have a password-protected area on the web site so our members can view meeting minutes, complete Trumpets and other personal information.
Second, we now have a Facebook page. As we accumulate 'friends’ and 'likes' we believe this will become a powerful tool for internet advertising and for leading the public to our web site.
While web site traffic is difficult to characterize with precision, we are seeing approximately 30 visitors per month coming from search engines such as Google with search criteria such as 'Cape Cod garden clubs'.
Our Facebook page went live March 10 2017. As of April 4 we have 86 'views' .
Ed Mulligan, Chair
Respectfully Submitted,
Ruth Piscitelli, Recording Secretary
ANNUAL REPORTS
2016-2017
Our 2016 -2017 calendar year has been filled with wonderful events and some challenges as well. I need to thank all Officers, Chairpersons and Committee Members for working together with energy and positive attitudes to make the season thoroughly successful ~! WELL DONE to you all~! Monthly meeting programs were well received by members. Despite the fact that two presenters were unable to fulfill their commitments, and one meeting needed to be cancelled due to the Senior Center Ballroom’s floors being refinished, our team of Officers flexed their mental and physical muscles, and the production of each program went smoothly.
Highlights of the season included Anna Holmes, Floral Designer from Falmouth, a fabulous Flower Show in November, and renowned Bill Graham of Salem MA presenting his signature program THE LITTLE BLACK DRESS. Inasmuch as we are in our 45th year as a Garden Club, we celebrated with West Dennis Garden Club, which funded our Club's start-up with a $500 check. We chose to make the Bill Graham presentation a joint effort of the two clubs. It was wonderful to be able to share the work and the fun with our West Dennis Sisters~!
All our gardens continue to flourish, our Flower Show “Home for the Holidays” was a success, Horticultural Roundtable had interesting speakers, publicity has increased our presence in the community, our scholarships have been given out, we have been successful in the raising of funds, our website has been improved and another site added, in addition to the successful meeting of the goals of each committee.
Ellen Philie, President
Annual Meeting
At our first meeting, we decided to hold the Annual Meeting at the Riverway as it has worked well for our purposes in the past. We then met with the manager to discuss, table, space and time needs and our menu choices which were changed. This year we included a vegan/vegetarian choice. We printed up new reservation forms which were available at the March and April meetings. In May, we took care of the details such as tables needed at the entrance, for the raffle, seating for members, stickers for meal choices and other Garden Club business.
Jeanne McGrath, Chair
Civic Beautification
Buck Island continues to add to the beauty of Yarmouth through successive plantings of spring flowers, perennials, flowering trees and spectacular annuals. The roses seemed to lack water due to overhanging shrubs. This year we will improve the situation with hand watering. A redbud tree was donated by a nearby association in remembrance of a member.
The gardens at Forest and Old Townhouse greeted us last spring when 450 bulbs burst into a wave of yellow daffodils. Even better news was to see that most of the plantings survived their first winter. Greenspot replaced, free of charge, five small grasses and we added five additional blue stem grasses to fill in. The final addition to the design of the gardens was a stone bench purchased from Cape Wood Stone of Orleans. It was erected under one of the flowering trees to view all angles of the three triangular, natural, xeriscape gardens.
The Highbank, Parkside Gardens and George Davis Gardens were maintained by members last summer, but it was found that leaking hoses and the watering situation needed to be changed. Traffic around the gardens are a concern. Until a permanent watering system can be installed we are making a temporary change by installing timers with new hoses. The Town will install a new system, but we must find funding for the parts ($1,400} This May we will ask a Yarmouth group that has funds for tourism. It may be that we can only do one garden this year, others in time.
Our Post Office window boxes and tub and Senior Center garden continue to show the creative aspects that the Town has come to enjoy.
Thanks to all on the Committee for your diligent work and, at times, going above and beyond.
Carol Coverly and Mary Gates, Co-Chairs
Conservation
Our goal is to encourage protection of our natural resources, reduce waste, & create healthy, safe environments. We work toward that through education and various activities.
This past year Conservation did a Fall Clean Sweep picking up trash at Smugglers/Bass River Beach. We were joined by several eager & very helpful Cape Abilities participants; their Leader would like to continue participating in the future. Jill Talladay stopped by from Care For The Cape & Islands and indicated her group might join us next year. The CofC supplied necessary materials, coffee & donuts, & sends our results to a national data base.
Conservation Committee members met at my house to share ideas & decide on what specific issues they wanted to focus. We decided that sharing knowledge on these issues with our whole club would reap more benefits than just keeping the information in our committee. Committee members then chose which issue each would present at Club monthly meetings. We ended with a nice lunch.
"Conservation Moments" were then presented at most meetings to educate our club on environmental/conservation issues or current events, with a positive response from members.
Finally, Conservation had to cancel its usual Spring Tour this year due to learning quite late that members could be stung by bees during the Beekeeper's presentation.
Donna Hill, Chair
Corresponding Secretary
As Corresponding Secretary, thank-you notes were sent to all of this year’s Garden Club meeting speakers as well as all the Roundtable speakers. There were eighteen thank-you notes sent to those who made donations to our club in memory of Judy McClory. Several others were also thanked for their individual donations during the year.
Judy Tabb
Flower Show
We started the year by holding a "Winter Holiday" flower arranging class at St. David's Episcopal church in Yarmouth on October 17th that was well attended by our members.
Then on November 19th we hosted a Flower Show and Boutique, [the Ways and Means Committee was responsible for the latter], it was held in Nelson Hall at St. David’s. The show was titled "Home For The Holidays" and all the arrangements were related to either Thanksgiving or Christmas. There were 7 categories with 6 displays in each.
It proved to be very popular with our members and the general public that came to view it.
We were also responsible for finding members to make an arrangement for the podium at the monthly meetings.
At the Annual Luncheon on May 23rd we will make centerpieces for each dining table as well as the top table.
Joy Shipp and Vicki Balboni, Co-Chairs
Handbook
In June 2016, I brought the membership roster up to date. I also requested information for the handbook from the various standing committee chairmen.
I created a draft of the handbook and met with the committee in July to discuss the contents and also to select a cover from the many photos created for us by Don Loring, husband of member Charl Loring. I made the corrections and additions to the handbook and the committee met again for another review. Committee members proof read this copy and I had 175 copies printed at Winkir.
I printed and applied address labels and distributed handbooks to board members at the September board meeting. Members picked up their copy at both the September and October meeting. I mailed the 7 copies that were left.
The Handbook costs were:
$ 27.36 for proofs $522.60 for printing $12.99 for labels $6.23 for postage
Total cost: $579.18
Carol Ann Morris, Chair
Herb Garden
The Herb and Kitchen Gardens were opened up the end of April 2016. Compost was put down on all gardens and the watering schedule was set up. New plants were put in place that did not make it over the winter. All members fulfilled their responsibilities for watering and caring for the gardens over the summer. It was a very dry summer which required more diligence in maintaining the gardens. The gardens were closed the end of October.
Joan Huckins, Chair
Horticultural Roundtable
This year was very well received with an average of between 25 – 30 members attending. We encouraged everyone to save seed, garden supply and ornament catalogs.
September, “Lifelong Gardening” by Cherie Bryan. October, “Putting your Garden to Bed” by Clint Flagg. January, the Cape and Islands Orchid Society Show counted toward attendance. February, “Starting Seeds and Seed Catalog Exchange” with Linda Colgan. March, “Beneficial and Pest Insects of the Garden” with Larry Dapsis, Entomologist, Cape Cod Cooperative Extension. April, “Native Orchids of Cape Cod”.
Our Road Trip will be in June to Acushnet for visiting the Roseland Nursery, eating lunch at the Captain’s Place (select from sandwich/salad menu) and continuing on to the Allen C Haskell Public Gardens for a guided tour of the hosta collection.
My appreciation to the Committee for suggesting topics for our 2017-2018 year. Five, meetings are booked: September, “Hydrangeas” guided walk through Joyce Jenks garden. October, “Well Dressing” by Joy Shipp. January, view the Cape and Islands Orchid Society Show. February, “Drip Irrigation” with props by Ed Mulligan. March, “Bokashi – Complete Composting” by Emily Woodenberg. April, “Dahlias” by Helen McVeigh.
Annual Road Trip will be carpooling to the East Dennis Oyster Farm – date to be announced for best month, May at low tide.
Mary Ehbrecht, Chair
Hospitality
The Hospitality Committee contacts Club members who have signed up to provide a platter or floral arrangement for the refreshment table at monthly meetings.
This sign-up is conducted at the September meeting. Committee members help with set-up, tea & coffee service, and cleanup at the monthly meetings.
Mary Spurr, Chair
Membership
TOTAL MEMBERS-115
NEW MEMBERS
PAULA PHILLIPS MARY PREIKSZAS MARGERY KELLEY SUSAN ANDERSEN CLAIRE OLSEN CORINNE BISCARDI
RESIGNED
FRAN WHITNEY
DEATH
JUDY MC CLORY
NEW ASSOCIATE MEMBERS
IRENE LANDENBERGER JEANNE SNOW MARGARET HUSZAR PATTI FAFF
MARGARET FLAHERTY IS STILL A MEMBER BUT HAS BEEN OUT WITH A LONG TERM ILLNESS.
Janet Snelley, Chair
Newsletter
“The Trumpet” newsletter is published each month and distributed to the membership at the regular meetings September-May. The newsletter covers activities organized by the club’s committees and any other pertinent information of interest to Club members. It can also be found on the Garden Club website. I took over this responsibility in October 2016.
Candy Vance, Chair
Program
A computer melt down caused our scheduled speaker to cancel one day before the September meeting! The Yarmouth Senior Center closed TWICE (due to ongoing renovations) which resulted in the rescheduling of two more speakers. After a bumpy start and two detours, we finished the year with a BANG, “The Little Black Dress” & the West Dennis Garden Club! Nearly finished with next year's roster of speakers. Committee will meet in late May.
Kiki Becker, Chair
Publicity
The publicity contact list was reorganized and updated with appropriate names and email addresses as well as preferred methods of contact.
Updated Garden Club activity information was submitted to the Barnstable Patriot for inclusion in Yarmouth Handbook for 2018.
With the help of Ed Mulligan and Ellen Philie, a full page informational Public Service Announcement was created. It ran in the Cape Cod Times in June.
Thank you letters were sent in October to those officials who granted us time to make a collection at the landfill.
Color flyers were printed at Winkler’s to advertise Home for the Holidays Flower Show and Christmas Boutique held in November at St. David’s Church.
An announcement seeking applicants for our scholarship program was submitted to all publications in January.
The banner for the Plant Sale was patched by Sign-O-Rama. Color flyers were printed at Winkler’s, and appropriate notices were submitted for print in all newspapers as well as radio and online bulletin boards. This included submission to Cape Cod Life and Cape Cod Magazine.
Cheryl Ryan, Chair
Remembrance
Appropriate cards were sent for ongoing concerns of members. A follow up was mailed if indicated. Eleven cards went out this year. Members were encouraged to convey information when and where so we could be supportive to one another.
Ruth Lund, Chair
Scholarship
The Committee met on April 24, 2017
We had received 9 candidates from DY and 6 from Cape Cod Tech, and one candidate currently in college.
We were very fortunate to have 16 great candidates apply and appreciate the collaborative effort of all the board along with the technical and PR efforts.
We reviewed all the applications and decided to award the $3000.00 Award divided between 2 candidates.
Cory Farrell Jr., Cape Cod Tech, $1500.
Kyle Campbell, Dennis Yarmouth, $1500
The $500 Toolship award to Joseph Ostrom
I will be contacting the schools and the Award recipients next week as I am recovering from surgery and will be away until May 1.
Claire Linnan, Chair
Telephone
Forty-two club members were called by the twelve committee members throughout the year.
Harriet Murphy, Chair
Ways and Means
We had three fundraising projects this year. The first, the annual collection at the Landfill was September 24th and 25th. The second was a flower show and boutique that was held at St. David's Episcopal Church on November 19. It was titled "Home for The Holidays" and was a very successful money maker along with our members’ boutique at November’s meeting. The third, our yearly Plant Sale is being held on May 20th at the Moose Family Lodge. Thanks to the entire Garden Club membership, our first year chairing this committee went very well.
Jan Brogan and Cookie Barry, Co-Chairs
Website
This year we have two significant improvements to our internet presence.
First, we have a new web site software platform, Weebly. It is cloud-based and, after a short learning curve, is easier to use than our previous software. Cost is about the same. The new platform interfaces with all hardware (laptops, tablets, smart phones, desktops) and operating systems (Windows and Apple). We now have a password-protected area on the web site so our members can view meeting minutes, complete Trumpets and other personal information.
Second, we now have a Facebook page. As we accumulate 'friends’ and 'likes' we believe this will become a powerful tool for internet advertising and for leading the public to our web site.
While web site traffic is difficult to characterize with precision, we are seeing approximately 30 visitors per month coming from search engines such as Google with search criteria such as 'Cape Cod garden clubs'.
Our Facebook page went live March 10 2017. As of April 4 we have 86 'views' .
Ed Mulligan, Chair
Respectfully Submitted,
Ruth Piscitelli, Recording Secretary