Member of The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc.and National Garden Clubs, Inc.

Newsletter May/June 2020

Upcoming Events

Board MeetingMay 26th at 7 PM via ZoomThe SPGC Board held its most recent Board Meeting via Zoom. It was terrific to see everyone and a great way for people to get together in a safe and socially distanced manner. Much was agreed on and accomplished during the meeting. Select takeaways include:

June Membership meeting will be conducted via Zoom and awards will be announced Hort and Design membership requirements will be waived for the 2019/2020 year May Market Committee will plan a smaller scale Fall Market in September

Until such time as when conditions are safe for our members to congregate in person, we will plan to meet via Zoom for the near- to medium-term.

Photo courtesy of Birlie Lau

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May/June 2020

Membership Meeting and Annual Awards CeremonyJune 11th @ 2 PM via Zoom Our next Membership Meeting will continue as scheduled on June 11th, but via Zoom at 2 PM, not 12 PM. Please look for an emailed Zoom invitation from Kristen Hayes closer to the meeting date.

Our program agenda will include annual committee reports and Kristen Hayes will administer the awards and honors for the year.

June Flower DesignWhile we will not have our standard show this month, if members would like to work on their design skills and share photos, design guidelines are below.

Redwood National Park, established in 1968 and located in northern California, is home to the tallest trees and among the oldest trees on Earth. Redwood National Park along with California's Del Norte Coast, Jedediah Smith, and Prairie Creek Redwoods State Parks combine to form the Redwood National and State Parks, containing 139,000 acres of land and protecting 45% of all remaining coast redwood (Sequoia sempervirens) old-growth temperate rainforests, vast prairies, oak woodlands, wild river-ways, and nearly 40-miles of rugged coastline.

Photography ContestBarbara Deysson will be leading our photography project this year, commencing with a fun and educational photography contest from June - August. Please note the following:

Month Submission DeadlineJune June 15th July July 15th

August August 15th

Submission guidelines: Format: Digital photos in JPEG format – Color photos only Email photos to Barbara at barbara.deysson@raveis.com In the subject line of email, write only the class number Send each photo separately Only 1 entry per class

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Design Theme: Redwood National ParkType: Creative Line DesignSize: 36” high, 24” wide, and 24” deepPlant Material: Fresh and/or dried plant materialStaging: Background and underlay recommended, but not required

May/June 2020

Barbara would like to get 5 judges since we are all new to photography and learning. If you have knowledge and/or interest in judging, please let Barbara know. It would help if you have had some experience in judging or an art background.

Other News

Membership DuesFirst, we would like to thank Jo Benson for her many years of service as Membership Chair. Jo has been a stalwart leader in recruiting new members to the club and fostering relationships among proposed members and their sponsors and the broader membership. Jo recently stepped down from the role and Meg Kelley has volunteered to act as Membership Chair. Thank you, Meg!

Second, membership dues are due by June 15th. Checks should be made payable to SPGC and mailed to:

BARBARA LE CORNEC61 Seaview AvenueUnit 62Stamford, CT 06902

Dues are:Active $31.00Non-Residents $36.00Sustaining $36.00Federation Life – Active $25.00Federation Life – Non-Resident $30.00Honorary $0

If you have any questions please contact the Membership Chair – Meg at 203-321-6000.

Civic PlantingThe Welcome gardens and other gardens have been cleaned and mulched (Katrina Mygatt Recycling Center Garden has not yet been mulched), by Jaime and his crew. Gardens are looking well but will require ongoing maintenance. While we will not be getting together in groups to weed the gardens, if you have time to check-in and do a bit of clean-up over the course of the coming months, please do so and report your time to Kim Dickinson and Donna Wiberg at kimdickenson@me.com and wiberg.donna.c@gmail.com, respectively.

We would like to thank Ginny Fox and Sally Russell who have maintained the Traffic Circle Garden for several years, but are now ready to pass on the baton. If you are interested in taking the lead on maintaining the garden, please reach out to Kim and Donna.

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May/June 2020

Scholarship Due to the untimely school closings in March, our organization and several other organizations, received little or no response to their Scholarship applications. Other organizations have indicated they will “roll over” their scholarships to 2021. It is something we could consider.

Magee ProjectDaffodilsFollowing the fall planting party with the Shippan Point Association and other community members, the fruits of everyone’s labor made itself evident in April and May. Magee Avenue was alight with 100s of dancing daffodils, brightening the neighborhood with brilliant bursts of color, even on the cloudiest of days!

Daffodils along Magee

Daffodils at the Stamford Regional Fire School

Photos courtesy of Janet McCabe, Krystyna Vaughn, and Diane White

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May/June 2020

Tree PlantingOn May 26th, the City Operations Department planted 24 Accolade Cherry trees along Magee Avenue; Nook plantings with Blue Princess Holly and Golden Cypress were added on June 1st. Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' will be planted the week of June 8th. We will be adding daffodils in the fall.

We thank all the people and companies who helped organize and fund the effort. Nancy Saiers, Janet McCabe, Kathleen Mathews, Maureen Carson, and Barbara Deysson developed the design and coordinated with the City and vendors.

The Magee Project is being funded by SPGC, SPA, a grant from the City, and donations from Miller Motors, Hank Mays, and maybe the Ford dealer from efforts by David Watkins, District 1 Representative and husband of SPGC member, Patti Watkins. The Cokins also donated $250 to the effort. In total the project is costing over $15K. It’s a wonderful collaboration between organizations, the City, and privately owned businesses. The plan also includes two dogwood trees at the animal control center; Kristen Hayes and the Girl Scouts who will be overseeing the gardens there. We are most grateful for all who have sponsored this endeavor!

The City Operations Crew Preparing for planting

In the ground, a job well done.

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May/June 2020

Branches free to spread and grow Hmm, there may be many dogs marking their territory here.

Golden Cypress and Blue Princess Holly Blue Princess hollies, golden cypress mops, and beautiful skies

Geranium macrorrhizum 'Bevan's Variety' Vivid magenta-pink flowers above mounds of large, scented foliage in spring and early summer, and an excellent deer-resistant, spreading groundcover for full to part sun areas, with the added benefit of lovely red-tinted foliage in the fall, will be added to the nooks.

Photos courtesy of Janet McCabe

Pollinator PathwaysJune 22-28, 2020 has been designated National Pollinator Week! National Pollinator Week is a time to celebrate pollinators and spread the word about what you can do to protect them.

Pollinator Pathways Stamford will have daily posts on Facebook and Instagram. Follow at: Facebook: Pollinator-Pathway-Stamford-114709873408616 Instagram: pollinatorpathwaystamford

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May/June 2020

Community ServiceSPGC Sponsored Meals at Stamford Hospital Due to the many generous donations of club members and Nolini Barretto’s leadership, we sponsored five meals for our first responder friends and neighbors at Stamford Hospital. David’s Soundview Catering delivered delicious and nutritious greens and grain bowls on Saturday, April 25th for a team of 50 healthcare professionals, 150 chicken paillard meals were delivered to the ICU staff on Sunday, April 26th, and a flavorful Tikka Chicken Masala was delivered for 100 workers on April 27th. There were two additional SPGC-sponsored meals provided to the Stamford Hospital team during the week of April 27th.

Kevin asked me to thank the Shippan Point Club for their generosity providing lunch for Stamford Hospital health care workers on Sunday. The ICU staff and his residents all agreed that it was the best meal they had had for a long time. Everyone was so grateful to enjoy a yummy meal it was a welcomed break to their long day. I personally am so proud to belong to such a thoughtful loving group of women and men.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts, Love Dianna and Kevin Dwyer

Photos courtesy of David’s Soundview Catering

St. Camillus Health Care Facility Since the Coronavirus outbreak, St. Camillus will not allow visitors or volunteers on site. As such we are unable to do monthly activities, plant the outdoor garden, or send the residents food or gifts of any kind. This policy is expected to continue in effect for the foreseeable future. Since we are not permitted to do anything for the residents, the SPGC executive team suggested that the club provide a luncheon to thank the health care workers for their hard work and dedication to the patients during this epidemic.

The nursing home administrator was thrilled with that proposal and suggested a pizza luncheon for the 30-40 staff members. Since funds for this activity is not included in the current budget, Cathy Bertasso and Noel Kondub are hoping that the club members would be willing to make a

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May/June 2020

small contribution by June 10th for a June 12th luncheon date. Cathy will leave a basket on her front porch at 76 Rockledge Drive. Cash or check made out the Shippan Point Garden Club would be great. If there is extra money we will have a second luncheon! So appreciated!

Mini May Market and Proposed Fall Market

Mini May Market May 27-29th by appointment at Maureen Carson’sMaureen Carson secured a small order of annuals, herbs, veggies, and hanging baskets from the grower and raised $500 from SPGC members and several non-members over the course of four days! Half of the profit was generated by non-members.

Geraniums, handle baskets of impatiens, and sun-loving impatiens

Hanging geraniums and fuschias

Photos courtesy of Maureen CarsonMarigolds, dusty miller, veggies, and

herbs

Fall Market September 2020 - TBDCindy Lannon will be leading the May Market Committee in planning a proposed fall plant sale, including pre-order of bulbs and fall plants, such as chrysanthemums, asters, kales, and perennials from members’ gardens.

SPGC Shopping BagsWe have sturdy and environmentally friendly SPGC shopping bags available for purchase. Bags are $4 each. Everyone could do with a few spare bags in their cars! Please contact Jackie Connolly at jconnolly34@optonline.net and Ulli Delmar at ullidelmar@gmail.com if you would like to purchase any bags.

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May/June 2020

What’s Growing in Your Garden?For the next two months, we will be taking virtual tours of members gardens.

Azaleas

White Azaleas (Erna Szekeres) Pink Azaleas (Diane White)

White Azaleas (Erna Szekeres)Azaeleas, Lilac and Rhododendron (Patti Watkins)

Irises

Bearded Iris ‘Immortality’ (Birlie Lau) Bearded Irises (Anne Cheng)

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May/June 2020

Bearded Iris (Diane Deegan) Bearded Iris ‘Medici Prince’ (Maureen Carson)

Siberian Irises (Rusty Ruth)

Trees and Vines

Japanese Wisteria (Diane White) Cherry Blossom Tree (Nolini Barretto)

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May/June 2020

Peonies

Red Peony ‘Warrior’ Anemone (Diane White) Red Peony (Diane Deegan)

Tree Peony (Patti Watkins) Red Peonies (Nolini Barretto) Red Peonies (Nolini Barretto)

what peonies!one poem per flower

will not do~ Ryumin

Dusk on the flowerOf the white peony,

That embraces the moon.~ Gyodai

About to bloom,And exhale a rainbow,

The peony!~ Buson

a beestaggers outof the peony

~Basho

the peony flower:it’s a woman with plenty

of meat on her bones~ Hakuo

The peonies have fallen,We parted

Without regret.~ Hokushi

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May/June 2020

Peony purchased at May Market from stock from former member,

Gerda Jensen (d. 2014) (Maureen Carson)

Heirloom Peony brought from Maureen’s mother-in-law’s Ohio garden in 2003. She

has had it since the 1960s and got from her neighbor who had grown it since the 1940s!

(Maureen Carson)

Itoh Peony (Rusty Ruth)

Various

Gerbera Daisy (Diane Deegan) Lily of the Valley (Birlie Lau)

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May/June 2020

Brunnera (Nolini Barretto) Creative Line Design (Nolini Barretto)

Hardy Lady Slipper Orchid (Maureen Carson) Herb Garden, Begonia, and Lemon Tree (Patti Watkins)

Photos courtesy of Nolini Barretto, Maureen Carson, Anne Cheng, Diane Deegan, Birlie Lau, Rusty Ruth, Erna Szekeres, Patti Watkins, Diane White

Federated Garden Clubs of CT (FGCCT) News

Please check The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc. (FGCCT) website at www.ctgardens.org for updates on activities in the coming months. All Beyond Beginnings floral design workshops have been cancelled for 2020 and will return in 2021.

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May/June 2020

Declare Victory over COVID-19 with a GardenLetter from Arlene Field, President of Federated Garden Clubs of CT, published by Connecticut Post, May 13, 2020 and the Danbury News Times, May 16, 2020

A Victory Garden is virtually unknown to a populace currently searching to fight back against the COVID-19 virus, the enemy of this generation. Commonly known as war gardens or food gardens for defense, Victory Gardens accounted for close to 40% of the fresh vegetables grown during World War II. Estimates vary on the number of Victory Gardens during that time ranging to upwards of 20 million. It was a call to action to join in a common bond to support the war effort by working the land and being self-sufficient. It was a shared experience during a time of hardship and uncertainty.

The parallels to then and now are stark. Fast forwarding 75 years to 2020, we find ourselves in a similar situation as many feel the need to grow their own food. It’s a way to be self-sufficient, mentally rewarded and fulfilled during trying times.

Gardeners have long appreciated the gifts that come from the ground, both for their valuable produce and cultivated beauty. This labor of love is amazingly rewarding and equally frustrating. You’re totally at the whim of nature. No growing season is ever the same as the last. You are always learning and adjusting on the fly to whatever is thrown at you by the weather, animals and insects. This love/hate relationship keeps gardeners endeavoring year in and year out.

The trend toward people getting dirt under their fingernails gardening is exploding. Burpee, a major online catalog and retail supplier, is reporting a double-digit increase in seed sales. Local nurseries and garden centers have increased stock considerably over previous years. Visits to these retail establishments over the past few weeks show a noticeable increase in customers that make weekdays look like weekends. There is an insatiable desire to purchase items to plant and grow, whether in a bed or a container.

What gardening newbies are going to learn is that once you get a “taste” of gardening, it usually sticks with you for life. Watching the amazing growth of plants that literally happens before your eyes. The explosion of colorful flowers in bloom. The dark green zucchini, brilliant red tomatoes and the bright yellow squash paint a palette of visual delight. Harvesting produce that goes straight from the garden to the table. Suddenly farm-to-table takes on a very different and personal meaning. One of accomplishment and pride knowing that you grew it yourself. It provides a sense of control in a world where much individual control has lately been lost.

Much about gardening is deeply personal, from selecting the plants that you grow to the time you put into taking care of them. There is a sense of tranquility that comes from being one with a garden. Troubles seem to melt away when you immerse with living things. It gives families a chance to share and learn together in a garden, both adults and children. There is sure to be an explosion of community gardens going forward, and with it the untold benefits of personal engagement in the pursuit of growing produce that comes from seeds planted in the soil.

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May/June 2020

The fruits of the labor are both seen and unseen. The produce that you harvest is a real bonus, but the physic income that is derived from being immersed with a garden can’t be calculated. You can experience the intoxicating fragrance of lavender and rosemary in an herb garden. The calming presence in the early morning with dew dripping off plants, or the sun reflecting off flowers in the late afternoon. This visual tapestry paints a mosaic that gardeners have long appreciated and valued.

The 2020 Victory Gardens create the opportunity to leave an imprint on many, not just this year but for many years to come. Victory Gardens used to be promoted through poster art in the 40’s; now it arrives in the form of Instagram posts. We’re feeding a family rather than a nation. What hasn’t changed is the ability to fight back against an enemy in our own very individual way.

Gardening nourishes the body as well as the soul. You get so much more out of it than you put in. Like in life, you’ll have many successes and failures along the way. It’s our collective opportunity to achieve personal growth during a very difficult time. Get outside today. Start a garden, however big or small. Experience the difference that gardening can make in your life and declare victory in a way that works for you.

Arlene FieldPresidentThe Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut, Inc.

Environmental School, Course 3 - Air and Related IssuesSeptember 22nd and 23rd, Kellogg Environmental Center, 500 Hawthorne Avenue, Derby, CT. Remote/Zoom school available if Covid-19 restrictions are still in place.The Living Earth Environmental School curriculum is divided into a series of four individual courses – The Living Earth, Land, Air and Water and Related Issues. Registration is now open for Course 3, Series 3, Air and Related Issues. Courses may be taken in any order. The school is open to garden club and non-garden club members. The program schedule is available here. You may select the full 2-day course or attend on one day only (Tuesday, Sept. 22nd, or Wednesday, September 23rd). Coffee, Tea and Snacks are provided. Online registration is available here.

Respectfully submitted by SPGC Corresponding Secretary, Birlie Lau

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