"Sowing the Seeds of Harmony through Nature"
Garden Club Members were treated to a lecture and demonstration about the hidden meaning of flowers presented by Leesa Wimmer and Lisa Walton at the March meeting.
During the reign of Queen Victoria, the art of floriography flourished. Victorians used flowers and flower arrangements to send coded messages. The presenters spoke on a brief history of floriography and demonstrated how to create floral arrangements and small bouquets called tussie mussies. These were awared to the lucky raffle winners at the meeting.
Leesa Wimmer is a graduate of Longwood Gardens Certificate Program in Floral Design. Lisa Walton is a graduate of Bucks County Community College Floral Design program and an AFID Certified Designer.
Joan Balla, Bonnie Keller, Helen Lehr, Deb Barhight and Evelyn Broad were the hosts for the evening. They arranged a beautiful Shamrock and Easter themed hospiality table for all to enjoy.
**Christmas Banquet is held in place of the regular monthly meeting**
The annual Holiday Banquet for the Parkland Garden Club was held on December 10th at Madeline's in Fogelsville. Members and their guests congregated in a beautifully decorated private room on the second floor of the restaurant. Everyone enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner of appetizers, 2 main dish choices and dessert. Entertainment was provided by the Olde Towne Carolers. Vice president Kendra Copely presented Laurel Awards to Cynthia, Claire, Deb B. and Karly. The evening concluded with the traditional holiday raffle. It was a wonderful night of fun and friendship!
The hospitality team this month prepared delicious a Thanksgiving table of treats. Thank you to Kendra Copley, Marlene Blose, Lorraine Kunkel, Dorothy McLaughlin and Arlan Dietrich (not pictured).
A fascinating and educational talk on carnivorous plants of Pennsylvania and other parts of North America was presented by Brandon Everett, a horticulturist at Edge of the Woods Native Plant Nursery. Brandon spoke about the evolution of carnivores, life history of several species and how to grow them at home. After the talk members and guests were able to see and purchase the plants.
A presentation on hard-shelled gourds was given by Terry Kloiber at the October meeting. Terry presented information about different types of hard-shell gourds, how they are grown, and what works of art they can become. She showed a variety of gourds both, unfinished samples and some that she has crafted into beautiful finished pieces. Terry demonstrated some of the tools used and explained how finishing touches are applied.
Terry has entered her gourds in numerous competitions and art shows. She teaches classes and holds workshops for beginners through advanced level. Terry is also a fiber artist and an avid gardener with an emphasis on herbs.
Drowning in Plastic is an overview of plastic and microplastic pollution in waterways presented by Daniel Hart.. The program covered its history, its effects on humans and the environment, and how efforts are being made to manage the issue on various levels.
Daniel Hart is a volunteer Penn State Master Watershed Steward who enjoys the outdoors and lives in Center Valley, PA.
Thank you to Wilma, Barbara, Patti, Nancy and Donna for presenting a beautiful Autumn,and Sunflower themed table of refreshments!
Randy Wenhold is a past president of the Parkland Garden Club and a collector of antique American glassware with a specific interest in the impact of glassware in the Victorian era on the popular culture of the late 19th and early 20th century American home.
Randy delivered a presentation on types of American glassware production concentrating on Early American Pattern Glass, American Brilliant Period Glass, and Carnival Glass along with the development and importance of American glass making in the industrialization of America and the role of glassware in the middle class family. He brought a portion of his extensive glassware collection including tableware and floral vases.
The 2024 PGC Scholarship Award was given to the winner Eric Jin.
For details on this award, click here: Scholarships
The hospitality team presented a beautiful table of "Back to School" themed refreshments. Thank you to Irene, Sherry, Ardith, Evelyn and Ann!
Scholarship winner Eric Jin
**July Picnic replaces the regular monthly club meeting**
Members and guests attended the annual picnic and plant exchange on Monday July 8th at East Texas Park. Everyone enjoyed a wonderful assortment of food and cool drinks on a very hot day. Members brought along plants from their gardens to swap with each other. Brenda presented many awards that were earned by members and committees for various club activities. It was a relaxing evening of fun and friendship!
The hospitality team for the new member tea was Deb Pinto, Brenda Aubert, Nancy Smith, Chloe Urland, Marsha Chowdhury and Naser Chowdhury. Thank you for the beautifully presented table!
A demonstration and talk about tinctures was presented at the June meeting by Toni "Itsy" Sweeney, Founder of New Morning Holistic Health Services.
Tinctures are concentrated liquid herbal extracts made from plants and used as herbal medicine. They are taken orally (and sometimes topically) to relieve a wide range of health issues, or as a proactive way to support specific elements of your wellbeing, (as in adaptogens). Itsy spoke about the healing properties of many plants and herbs and demonstrated how to make tinctures.
New members were acknowledged at this meeting with a new-member tea. Additional info here: Member News
Speaker Linc Coffin presented an informative and entertaining talk about hummingbirds at the regular May meeting. Members and guests learned many facts about these beautiful little birds that many like to see hovering in their gardens.
The new slate of officers for the 2024-26 club term were installed by District II/III Director Jane Kruse. Member News
The hospitality team presented a beautiful table of refreshments. Thank you to Christine, Maria, Joan and Cedella!
The evening's beautiful hospitality table was presented by Mary Stanley, Nancy Smith, Nikki Gutgold and Patti Molitoris. Thank you!
Yoga Instructor Prabha Sinha conducted a chair yoga workshop for members at the regular monthly meeting in April. Participants were guided into gentle yoga positions designed for the strength and flexibility that are needed for working in the garden. Poses included side bends, twists, leg raises and standing balance poses using the chair for support. In addition to the physical practice, members were coached on deep breathing, mindfulness and finding gratitude.
Prabha Sinha completed her 200 hour yoga teacher training and has been an instructor for 5 years at West End Yoga Center in Allentown. She is the founder of Mindful Child Initiative - theMCI.org - whose goal is to provide high-quality mindfulness programs promoting the mental and emotional health of children, and the adults who support them, across the Lehigh Valley. Prabha founded the Pratyush Sinha Foundation over 10 years ago in memory of her son, Pratyush, who's name means 'ray of light'.
Janet Vibbert from Longwood Gardens presented a talk and demonstration at the February 12th PGC meeting on how to take care of flowers from the time you pick them up through making an arrangement. She shared many ideas for keeping flowers creations fresh, beautiful and vibrant as well as offering many artistic tricks and tips that she has learned throughout her extensive career. She made several arrangements which were then raffled off to the group. The hospitality team did a wonderful job with a Valentine-themed table of refreshments for everyone to enjoy.
At this meeting the Trash to Treasure entries were voted on by all members with the winner selected to represent our club at the District II/III meeting in April. Also the winners of the photography contest for 2023 were announced.
Thank you to the evening's hospitality team of Deb Pinto, Deb Barr, Nancy Schrader, Claire Kukeilka and Darlene Wenhold for the beautiful and delicious Valentine table of treats!