Seeking Design Assistants to lend a hand to Flower Designers on competition days. There's always a bit of chaos getting ready for competition and this is your chance to be part of the action behind the scenes! Job duties include: helping designers place their arrangements offering information needed for entry cards providing designers with items from our toolbox so they can do last minute touch ups If you are interested and available from 8-9am on competition days, choose a date and email Barbara Baletti or Floss O'Sullivan so we can be in touch.  Competitions will occur: 10/21/24 11/18/24 1/13/25 2/20/25 3/10/25 4/21/25 Your willingness to help is most appreciated! Thanks, Barb Baletti, Chair and Floss O'Sullivan, Vice Chair

The Native Plant Society of New Jersey invites us all to see a native garden in Summer bloom! This Thursday, July 18, 5-8 p.m. Heavy rain cancels 20 Hillcrest Road, Glen Ridge Light refreshments Like many established home gardens, this one is in transition, with traditional ornamental plants but more and more natives. See how the owner balances traditional aesthetics with native plants, resulting in large numbers of fewer species, which creates large beds of greenery and color. Garden hosts will be stationed throughout the garden to answer questions.

We are members of the CAR-SCG (Central Atlantic Region of State Garden Clubs) made up of garden clubs in Delaware, Maryland, National Capital Area, New Jersey, New York, Ohio and Pennsylvania, sharing opportunities to plant, protect, create, learn, and network with others who share our interests. This year, New Jersey is hosting the annual conference in Basking Ridge, and it looks like a lot of fun. There are many exciting events planned, including a presentation called "From Flowers to Fragrance" by ― you may recognize the name ― Bruno Leyssène, as well as programs on the wonderful world of bats, the Billion Oyster project, workshops on creating topiaries and paper quilling, bird-watching trips, and the truth about the Jersey Devil. Many of our members have devoted their talents to the organization of this event. The conference runs for a few days but attendees have the option to attend just part of the conference. The good news is, if you sign up by July 15 you get an early bird special price. Click here for the application form. As we get closer to the date we will organize car pools for those who'd like to share the driving.

NOpen (non-member) Garden of Patty Sullivan THIS Wednesday and Thursday, July 10 and 11, 2024 Hours: 6:00 to 9:00 Address Wildwood is more than the name of a street. It embodies the character of Patty Sullivan’s microcosm where you will experience vibrant beauty as you pass her cottage, pond, and patio.  A rustic arbor stands at the entrance to a cooler and wilder woodland. Several years of collaboration with designer Chuck Baum have resulted in another amazing upgrade with lush plantings, exquisite landscaping and new mood lighting for that Moon Garden.  Rescued and reclaimed vintage furniture will provide seating for those who wish to watch the garden light up at 8:20. Our generous friend also welcomed us in 2022 and 2023. Third time’s a charm, they say. In this case, third time is far beyond charming. Friends are welcome. Contact Marilyn if you want to host an Open Garden (marzaret@comcast.net)

There are a number of gardening, horticulture reference, and floral design books that we are cleaning out of our Garden Club Library and are offering to the membership for the taking! Come on Tuesday, July 2, 10:00-12:00 or Tuesday, July 9, 10:00-2:00 and pick up a few books for your summer reading. Lower level Club room at 60 S. Fullerton. Look for Celia Radek in the garden and she will point you in the right direction. Bring a bag to bring home your books! If you are unable to come at those times, please let Sheila Curry Oakes know and we will try to work out a time for you to come and look at the books before July 10.

We know she's a terrific Hort teacher ... now everyone in the state and country will too! Heidi Muschick is now a National Garden Club Horticulture Instructor for Flower Show School.  Heidi can be invited to teach Flower Show School Horticulture anywhere in the United States. This is a huge achievement for Heidi and a great asset for NJGC and the Garden Club of Montclair. Being certified was no easy task...our garden caps go off to Heidi!  Congratulations!

Don't forget. Please join us in thanking Maureen and welcoming Ana tomorrow, June 25! Place:   Avis Campbell Gardens, 60 South Fullerton Avenue Date:  Tuesday, June 25 Time: 3.00pm to 4.00pm help us Clip! 4.00pm to 7.00pm help us Dip and Sip! Please feel free to bring a friend to enjoy the garden and the wonderful roses in bloom.  If you wish, please bring a folding chair to sit, and a snack to share!

On Tuesday, June 18, 2024, the Garden Club of New Jersey announced the following awards for our club. Barbara Meyer, shown above, received the PERENNIAL BLOOM AWARD given to a long-time member who, like the faithful perennials in our gardens, has made our club grow and bloom with her continuous support of our goals and objectives. Serving as an officer and chairman over the years, her love of gardening has planted many a seed for garden club programs and events, while her enthusiastic leadership has inspired members to nurture these seeds into successful bloom. In grateful appreciation for her years of support, a PERENNIAL BLOOM AWARD was presented to Barbara, and a tree or shrub is to be planted in her honor. Congratulations, Barbara Meyer! The ELIZABETH HOOD SILVER TROPHY was awarded to Avis Campbell Gardens.  A perpetual trophy held for one year. Presented to a member club whose Garden Education Center, in proportion to size, has contributed the greatest service to its community by furthering horticultural interest and providing educational information. Maureen Sprong and Wendy Stahl have led this committee, and their application was outstanding. Our Open Gardens program, under the leadership of Marilyn Zaret, won the HANOVER GARDEN CLUB TROPHY.  A perpetual trophy held for one year. (Presented in 1988 in honor of Helen Hait). Presented to a member club for a successful, innovative project of merit that does not apply for an award under any other category.   Congratulations, Marilyn, for shepherding this important and fun program so beautifully for seven years. NATIONAL GARDEN CLUB awarded our Website a Certificate of Appreciation Award for Sue Young’s application. We also received a CAR Award for last fall’s Specialty Flower Show with a check for $25.00. And, as announced at our Awards Annual Luncheon, our 2023-2024 Yearbook received a Certificate of Merit with a Gold Seal for Excellence.  The Yearbook was compiled and edited under the leadership of Floss O’Sullivan with her committee. Respectfully submitted, Deborah Hirsch, Awards Chair, 2023-2024

Due to the heat wave starting tomorrow we are rescheduling the "Clip, Dip and Sip" to next Tuesday, June 25th. Temperatures should cool off then into the 80s. Place:   Avis Campbell Garden, 60 South Fullerton Avenue Time: 3.00pm to 4.00pm help us Clip! 4.00pm to 7.00pm help us Dip and Sip! Looking forward to seeing you then!

Our year is over (sort of) and we would like to know what you thought about our end of year luncheon. Our goal is to make next year's event the best ever. CLICK HERE to fill out our questionnaire.

We welcome everyone to consider exhibiting in the Flower Show, but you MUST register early with the following people: Celia Radek - Register for Horticulture: All Classes Fran Ackerly - Register for Flower Design: Traditional or Creative Design Class Debbie Moran - Register for Flower Design: Petite Freedom of Style or Challenge Class Petite Florence Leyssène - Register for Botanical Arts: A Fascinator To read the full Flower Show schedule, CLICK HERE for Rules, Schedule Descriptions, and Awards.

The Avis Campbell Garden and Grounds Committee is pleased to invite you to our first “Clip, Dip and Sip” event of this season.  Our theme is “ The Changing of the Guard” as we will be toasting our outgoing Chair Maureen Sprong and welcoming our new Chair Ana Moore.  Wendy Stahl has kindly agreed to remain as Co-Chair and we are very grateful to her! We wish to extend our appreciation to Maureen for approximately five years of volunteer service in her role as Chair of Avis. She has been an invaluable leader and is much loved, appreciated and respected for her work ethic, friendship and wealth of horticultural knowledge! We are fortunate that Maureen will remain in the garden as Bed Captain and as friend.  Luckily this is not a goodbye! Place: Avis Campbell Garden, Date: Tuesday, June 18th Time:  3 - 4PM help us Clip! 4 - 7PM help us Dip and Sip! What can I bring? Please feel free to bring a friend to enjoy the garden and the wonderful roses in bloom.  If you wish, please bring a folding chair to sit, and a snack to share! Please join us in thanking Maureen and welcoming Ana next Tuesday, June 18th! Looking forward to seeing you next Tuesday!

See the list below for this year's award winners, or click here to see all winners of all awards back to 1980. Susan Straten was added to our list of Members of 35 years or more, and Suzy, Gretchen Prater, and Barbara Meyer were honored with the title of Emeritus. And see below the winners of our new Bloomies awards. Their names will also be immortalized on our Awards page. Bloomies Award shows are famous for recognizing individual accomplishments and we anticipate guessing who will win the coveted top prize. But what about all the other people in the room who also make important contributions that we sometimes forget to celebrate? This was the thinking behind our first inaugural BLOOMIES Awards Presentation and we hope you join us in celebrating not only the silver trophy winners, but everyone who helped make this year amazing for The Garden Club of Montclair. Mission Impossible Award There was a large homeless family with a long list of needs and low budget looking for a home: large entertaining space, a prep kitchen for hosting parties, space to display their extensive art collection that changed over monthly, and seating for 60, furniture included.  Impossible you say?  Not for Cheryl Slutzky.  Thanks to her persuasive efforts, she found our Club a place to call home at Bnai Keshet that met all our wants and needs and for this we are all truly grateful. It gives us great pleasure to award Cheryl the Mission Impossible Award. Guardian of the Garden “Two things cannot be in one place. Where you tend a rose, a thistle cannot grow.” This quote from The Secret Garden describes one of our members from the Avis Campbell crew. You don’t often see this individual at our meetings, workshops, or competitions, but looking out the back windows of 60 S. Fullerton, you’ll often see her quietly tending to the beds, expecting no fanfare, but consistently nurturing our garden. For this reason, we want to award Maggie Rothman the Guardian of the Garden Award. Paparazzi Award She may not have a long lens or be hiding in the shrubbery waiting to accost you, but when it comes to candid photos at all our garden club events, Sue Yu is our gentle paparazza. She has a knack for capturing the spirit of our events, making sure everyone has a cameo, and somehow getting our “best sides” so we all look beautiful.  She offers us her talent with humility and grace and for this we award Sue Yu the Paparazzi Award. Helping Hand Award A well-known line from Bill Withers’ Lean on Me song goes: “You just call on me [sister] when you need a hand/We all need somebody to lean on” and it could not describe Nancy Stroud more perfectly. If any event required a volunteer, Nancy volunteered. She offered to help us distribute yearbooks last year but didn’t let us put her name on the committee. She is cheerful and an asset to all which is why we’re excited to award Nancy Stroud the Helping Hand Award. Party of the Year Award Walking into Avis Campbell Gardens for the Mad Hatter party, I felt just like Alice who exclaimed: “When I used to read fairy tales, I fancied that kind of thing never happened, and now here I am in the middle of one.” The theme, the décor, the food, the hats, the whole production felt magical and came from the inspired imagination of Lauren Zodel. She persevered through three weather-related postponements to host what can only be called a Fairy Tale Fantasia. For this reason, we award Lauren Zodel the Party of the Year Award. Innovator Award A cartoon depicting the Garden of Innovation by Tom Fishburne of Skydeckcartoons.com illustrates a woman with a single rose bush to plant surrounded by a crowd wielding clippers and cutters. Our budget meetings often focused on cost-cutting measures, but the Boutique figured out how to grow and turn a profit. Susan Benner and her team rose to the challenge of a moveable boutique that popped up at programs, workshops, and social gatherings introducing new merchandise – something we’ve all come to appreciate and enjoy. Therefore, Susan Benner is the winner of the Innovator Award. Painter’s Palette Award Danny Kaye once said, “Life is a great big canvas. Throw all the paint on it you can.” Who embodies this more than Karen DeLuca? From the Club’s branding, logos, and stationery, to flower show merchandise and watercolor painting with youth, her gentle artistic influence has woven itself through so many of our Club’s undertakings. Not only is Karen prolific, she is generous and joyful in sharing her art.  For this reason we are thrilled to award her the Painter’s Palette Award. “Rat Pack” Award “The big lesson in life, baby, is never be scared of anyone or anything.” So said Frank Sinatra, leader of the Rat Pack. But it could also be said of our intrepid Betty Murphy. She and her Triangle Gardens team replanted Church Street with gusto, never backing down even with the infamous “rat problem in town.” Furthermore, she helped galvanize an overhaul for the Church Street plantings in partnership with Cynthia Corhan-Aitken and the Business Improvement District. With great appreciation, we award Betty Murphy the Rat Pack Award. First Responders Award “Whenever you call me, I’ll be there” is the famous lyric sung by The Spinners in I’ll Be Around.  Whenever there was an emergency, Barbara Meyer, Maureen Sprong, and Karen Whitehaus were the first to respond. They assessed and notified appropriate parties, and worked on quick solutions.  For getting the cracked fountain repaired, for handling the tree that went down in Avis Campbell Gardens, and for working to replace the vandalized Memorial Garden bench, we thank these women by awarding them the First Responders Award. Bright Ideas Award Like a breath of fresh air, Karen Fricke joined our Club and quickly got involved with projects the Garden Club had undertaken for years. Under her leadership and creativity, we won the Scarecrows in the Garden contest with Amanda Van Vleck and historically reimagined the yellow parlor in The Crane House with amazing and innovative period detail. For demonstrating how far you can take your designs and imagination, we award Karen Fricke the Bright Ideas Award. Unsung Hero Award “I think a hero is an ordinary individual who finds strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles.” So said Christopher Reeve. When it came to reviewing and revising the Club’s ByLaws and Standing Rules (multiple times), a job few have ever undertaken due to its complexity, we have Fran Wong to thank for stepping into the breach. Our own Superwoman, Fran Wong has rightfully earned the Unsung Hero Award. Call-to-Action Award From Nike’s slogan “Just Do It” to Tom’s Shoes “Pay It Forward” our President, Sarah Olson sounded a new call to action: Think of the Environment. She worked tirelessly to help the Club embrace an environmental focus and challenged each committee to find ways to plant natives, reduce waste, or choose environmentally friendly oasis substitutes. With Sarah’s vision, our Environmental/Civic Beautification committee is undertaking new projects and educating us along the way. For this we award Sarah Olson the Call-to-Action Award. The Rookie Award Each year the sports world holds drafts, excited to recruit the best rookies for their team. How lucky were we when Pam Turre and Melody Brown walked into our club and joined last year? Between their outstanding participation in Club events, to their enthusiasm for flower design, to now joining the Board of Trustees, we are thrilled to honor them with Rookies of the Year Awards. The Artists’ Muse Award As designers and gardeners, we look for inspiration everywhere. All of our artistic souls benefit from a little nurturing when our endeavors fail or we feel defeated by the rigors of the artistic process.  Enter Tova Narrett. An artist in her own right, she makes it a point to be an encourager of others, a muse defined as a “personified force who is the source of inspiration for a creative artist.” Her enthusiasm and genuine joy in the abilities of others are qualities we wish to celebrate by giving her The Artists’ Muse Award. Where's Waldo Award In the popular “Where’s Waldo” children’s book series, the goal is to find Waldo in the midst of crowded people scenes in different destinations. You could play the same game looking for Bob Chapman, our beloved Treasurer and one and only gentleman in the midst of a 142-member Club.  Additionally, he and Florence Sinofsky are always traveling the world, so the first question for him is always "Where have you been and where are you going?" What would we do without our intrepid “Numbers Guy?” Therefore, we award Bob Chapman the Where’s Waldo Award. Guidepost to Compost Award The Garden Club of Montclair welcomed a new baby to our ranks this year, that’s right our Composter!  Hearing Wendy Stahl introduce our new little genius with a huge smile made all of us proud.  Perhaps the best way we embraced our environmental goals this year, we congratulate Wendy on working to turn Avis Campbell Gardens refuse into life-giving compost and hereby award her the Guidepost to Compost Award. Poet Laureate Award There once was a woman named Marilyn Encouraged everyone to join in her shenanigans Persuaded gardens to open Celebrated members with poems Is anyone in need of a mannequin? Where would we be without our theatrical genius, Marilyn Zaret? She has brought us her talents as art teacher, play director, garden guide, scarecrow maker, and Crane House kitchen designer. She generously offers her own garden for cuttings, her pool for summer refreshment, and welcomes every new member with attentive curiosity. For all the unique and wonderful qualities she brings to our lives, we award Marilyn the Poet Laureate Award.

Connnie DuHamel died on February 6, 2024, just two weeks shy of her 95th birthday. Connie's remarkable faith in God sustained her to the end, and her family is comforted to know that she returned into God's arms, joining her husband, Young, her daughter, Kate and two brothers James M.C. Ritchie and F. Somers Ritchie. Connie's charismatic enthusiasm, indomitable love of life, and unquenchable delight in her family and friends were an inspiration to those around her. The daughter of Constance Curran Ritchie Skinner and Frederic Somers Ritchie, Connie was born in Montclair, New Jersey, where she lived and raised her family. Her years in Montclair were particularly happy ones. She was a gifted student at The Kimberly School, and an active member of the Montclair Junior League, Montclair Golf Club, Montclair Historical Society, Montclair Art Museum, and Montclair Garden Club. The Immaculate Conception Church sustained her throughout her life. When choosing a college, she selected Smith, following in her mother's footsteps. After graduation, she hit the ground running at House Beautiful magazine in New York City, to which she commuted daily in her carpool of fellows who admired her spirit and encouraged her to marry Young, an equal match in athletics, humor, intellect and faith. The rest is history. As six daughters followed, Young would often say ""I'm simply perfecting what I do best."" Encouraged by longstanding friends from Montclair, Connie and Young arrived in Little Compton, Rhode Island, in 1962, where they became lifelong members of the Sakonnet Golf Club and St. Catherine of Siena Church. Connie will always be remembered as a formidable opponent on the tennis courts. She took up golf later in life and played a relaxed game; she was often up for playing three holes with her family during summer afternoons close to sunset. Sunday evening pilgrimages to the picnic on the rocks with her family and friends were one of her and Young's favorite traditions. Connie leaves behind her brother Robert M. Skinner (Elizabeth), daughters, Stancy (Carolyn), Lucie, Betsy, Emily (Monty) and Charlotte (Greg), her grandchildren: Katherine DuHamel, Grace Williams-DuHamel (Jackson), Anna Kirk and Young Kirk(Michelle), Kenny Ryan, Gabriel Brower, Gregory and Sacha Licholai and great grandson Oakland Kirk. They all appreciated her fun loving, patient and thoughtful nature, her curious mind and captivating tales, her love of history and the arts, and her capacity to recall and answer questions about events in her long and well lived time on earth. She was passionate about the outdoors, and refilled her bird feeders with diligence. Connie's surviving daughters and their families are grateful for her dedicated caregivers who became her close friends. The family is indebted to the caring staff at Brookdale Sakonnet Bay who made it possible for Connie to continue to enjoy her life and remain engaged until the end.

From Wednesday, May 15 though Saturday, May 18, 31 members of the Garden Club of Montclair as well as other exhibitors interpreted works of art at the Montclair Art Museum, as they do every two years. CLICK HERE to view a document detailing the astonishing designs of our members and, in their own words, the creative process that led to their creation. It's better to look at this PDF on a computer to see the full glory of the art and the designs, and to read the words describing how they got there.

Tour the Watchung Connected Courtyard, designed by Cynthia Corhan-Aitken (she never stops!) on Saturday, June 8 from 10-11:30AM, with an introduction at 10AM. The Watchung School is located at 14 Garden Street in Montclair. As Sarah said in her remarks at the luncheon, our Club continues to reach out to the community. Rain date: Sunday, June 9.

Open Garden of Susan and Roland Straten Address Tomorrow Sunday, May 26, 2024 5:00 to 7:00 The Queen of Erwin Park. That’s how the real estate agent described Suzy’s home years ago.  Fortunately for her (and for us) she decided not to sell. Those of you who stayed in town are welcome to gather around the pool tomorrow and share a lovely casual Open Garden in the heart of Erwin Park. Friends are welcome. Marilyn (marzaret@comcast.net)

Write the date in your calendars! Now the tulip bulbs have been pulled (thank you Janet Oscar's Triangle crew and see pictures below!) the new gardens will be planted with native shrubs and flowers according to Cynthia Corhan-Aitken's design on June 5. This means that the planting for May 20 has been CANCELLED.

Click HERE to pay online, or click HERE for full information about where to send a check. We need to know THIS WEEK how many will be attending so we can let the Glen Ridge Country Club know.

Brigitte Padgett's Open Garden tomorrow Sunday, May 5 is still on from 3:00 - 7:00 PM in spite of the awful weather forecast, but we have added another day for those who have no umbrellas or who don't like the chance of getting wet. As well as Sunday, you may visit her garden on Monday, May 6 from 3:00 - 6:00 PM (one hour earlier than Sunday). Whichever day you choose, don't miss your chance to see this amazing garden. Click here for her address.