PROGRAM COMMITTEE REPORT 2012-2013
Frances Trafton Chairman
September 25, 2012, 11 am: The Peony Farm, Little Compton, followed by a business meeting and lunch at Trina Sherer’s Little Compton home. A small group of Perennial Planters gathered at the home of Jane Roberts, a Little Compton GCA Garden Club member and owner of The Peony Farm. Jane gave a very informative presentation on the history of the peony, named for Peon, a Greek herbalist, and developed by the Chinese into the lovely blooming plants we enjoy today. New varieties continue to be developed, and many of these, though beautiful, are without fragrance. Jane provided detailed instructions on the planting and care of new plants, the division of established ones, and tips on cutting and storage of blossoms. Jane offered established plants for sale at a discount and also had a basket of smaller divided plants as gifts to those in attendance. We were privileged to enjoy the farm, purchase plants, and learn so much from a professional, especially as Jane is closing the business. The group travelled the short distance to Trina’s lovely home with a view of the Sakonnet River, where we enjoyed our “bag” lunches supplemented with beverage and dessert while President Robin Gross officiated at our first meeting of the new season.
October 16, 2013, 11:30 am Clem Desjardins of Kinder Brothers Landscape Construction (Bristol, RI) met with our group in the Fireplace Room of Central Congregational Church, addressing common challenges we face in trees and shrubs typically found in our gardens: various insect invaders as well as powdery mildew, leaf spot, fungi, and girdling root issues due to typical nursery propagation procedures. Clem’s power point presentation provided clear examples of many of these problems, and he offered up various solutions. The first line of defense he recommended is to buy very healthy plants, avoid using plants that require chemical treatments, or use resistant species, or, finally, learn to be more tolerant and accept certain predictable conditions. Special attention was given to the Asian Longhorn Beetle and the Emerald Ash Borer, both very serious threats to New England hardwoods, along with the wooly adelgid, already affecting our hemlocks. Beverages and dessert were served to accompany “bag” lunches. The Horticulture Committee displayed (and returned to growers/arrangers) the Zone II meeting flower show plants submitted by Perennial Planters, many of which earned ribbons!
November 13, 2012, 11:30 am. Anna Browder and Mary Dennis of the Blackstone Park Conservancy presented their ongoing project of removing invasives and planting native species in the Blackstone Park along the Seekonk River, practically next door to the home of our hostess, Conservation Chair, Jill Brody. Informative slides supplemented the oral presentation and helped to demonstrate other challenges to the park’s understory, such as the excessive dog population, as the area is a very popular destination for dogs (most off leash) and their owners. Perennial Planters will be assisting the Blackstone Park Conservancy in their efforts to restore the understory as our new Partners for Plants project. Anna and Mary described the many different ways our club can assist in their work, from propagating plants to pulling invasives to planting natives.
December 11, 2012, 9 am. Perennial Planters yet again provided piles of wonderful greens for our Christmas Greens Workshop at St. Mary’s Home for Children. Arranged in piles on the floor of the gymnasium, the greens attracted the children to choose a variety for the basket or two they created, plus the addition of irresistible baubles. Despite low numbers of children this year, over 40 baskets were completed, “signed”, and later delivered to three nursing homes and a women’s shelter in the immediate Providence area, while leaving a few for St. Mary’s to enjoy. Each student “potted up” a narcissus bulb in gravel to take back to the classroom to watch its growth and bloom. Many Planters contribute to this satisfying effort, from cutting greens, sharing oases, baskets and baubles, to delivering the baskets themselves. A highlight of the year!
January 23, 2013, 6 pm, Hope Club, Providence: President’s Dinner. This dinner is our primary fund-raising event, to raise monies for registration and some travel expenses for members to attend Zone II meetings, National GCA Annual meetings, as well as horticulture and conservation/NAL meetings held in various parts of the country. The theme this year was “RI Wines” and we were fortunate to have Susan Samson as speaker, presenting wines from Sakonnet Vineyard (Little Compton, RI), which she and her husband Earl recently sold. Calling this her “swan song”, Susan gave a brief history of their 25+ years of gardening (yes, planting, pruning, etc.), harvesting, winemaking, and marketing their wines. Following a visit to the Vineyard, Chef Jay Hollen had created a menu to match wines which Susan described as each course was served. A raffle of donated wine-related items helped boost the bottom line, and a good time was had by members, spouses and guests. Thanks to all who supported this event.
February 13, 2013, 6 pm Catherine Taylor warmly opened her home on a cold wintry evening as members gathered to enjoy dinner and a presentation by Nicole Pollock, the legislative liaison for the RI Department of Environmental Management, on RI farm policy and issues. The entrée was prepared and provided by Mary Hughes of Savory Fare, while the rest of the meal and beverages were provided pot-luck by members in attendance. Due to space constraints, this meeting was open to members only, and we made full use of Catherine’s generous dining room table!
March 13, 2013, 5:30 pm Perennial Planters hosted its first movie night, graciously hosted by President Robin Gross at her home in Rumford, complete with popcorn! Members of College Hill Garden Club joined us and provided additional hors d’oeuvres. With some seated on the floor, we watched Ocean Frontiers, a film about four different areas of the U.S. where groups with often conflicting stakes come together to address ocean and coastal management issues to the benefit of all.
April 19, 2013, 11:30 : Annual Four Club Luncheon (the four GCA garden clubs in RI), hosted by South County Garden Club at the South Kingstown Land Trust Barn in Matunuck, RI. With the support of the Susan B. Wilson Fund, South County has arranged to have Tom Wessels as the guest speaker, whose topic, “Reading the Forested Landscape” is sure to engage all in attendance.
April 29, 2013, 10 am Field Trip to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to view the “Art in Bloom” exhibit in which works of art serve as inspiration and complement to flower arrangements.
May 14, 2013, 11:30 am Perennial Planters will hold its Annual Meeting at the home of Jennifer Jencks in Seekonk, MA. Lunch will be served.
Financial Report on Programs
September no expense
October $50 donation to Tree Research & Education Endowment Fund
November no expense
December supplies $ 130.82
January funds raised: $1503.78
February $147.96 (catered entrée)
March no expense
April members’ personal expense
May N/A
2012-2013 Program Committee Expense = $328.78
Funds Raised (President’s Account) = $1503.78
Despite a variety of the days and times of meetings, most meetings garnered 12-15 Perennial Planters in attendance. Programs for 2013-2014 are being planned now and program suggestions are welcome, especially if such will foster higher attendance numbers. Thank you!
With thanks to my co-chair, Trina Sherer,
Respectfully submitted,
Frances Trafton, Program Co-Chair
April, 2013
September 25, 2012, 11 am: The Peony Farm, Little Compton, followed by a business meeting and lunch at Trina Sherer’s Little Compton home. A small group of Perennial Planters gathered at the home of Jane Roberts, a Little Compton GCA Garden Club member and owner of The Peony Farm. Jane gave a very informative presentation on the history of the peony, named for Peon, a Greek herbalist, and developed by the Chinese into the lovely blooming plants we enjoy today. New varieties continue to be developed, and many of these, though beautiful, are without fragrance. Jane provided detailed instructions on the planting and care of new plants, the division of established ones, and tips on cutting and storage of blossoms. Jane offered established plants for sale at a discount and also had a basket of smaller divided plants as gifts to those in attendance. We were privileged to enjoy the farm, purchase plants, and learn so much from a professional, especially as Jane is closing the business. The group travelled the short distance to Trina’s lovely home with a view of the Sakonnet River, where we enjoyed our “bag” lunches supplemented with beverage and dessert while President Robin Gross officiated at our first meeting of the new season.
October 16, 2013, 11:30 am Clem Desjardins of Kinder Brothers Landscape Construction (Bristol, RI) met with our group in the Fireplace Room of Central Congregational Church, addressing common challenges we face in trees and shrubs typically found in our gardens: various insect invaders as well as powdery mildew, leaf spot, fungi, and girdling root issues due to typical nursery propagation procedures. Clem’s power point presentation provided clear examples of many of these problems, and he offered up various solutions. The first line of defense he recommended is to buy very healthy plants, avoid using plants that require chemical treatments, or use resistant species, or, finally, learn to be more tolerant and accept certain predictable conditions. Special attention was given to the Asian Longhorn Beetle and the Emerald Ash Borer, both very serious threats to New England hardwoods, along with the wooly adelgid, already affecting our hemlocks. Beverages and dessert were served to accompany “bag” lunches. The Horticulture Committee displayed (and returned to growers/arrangers) the Zone II meeting flower show plants submitted by Perennial Planters, many of which earned ribbons!
November 13, 2012, 11:30 am. Anna Browder and Mary Dennis of the Blackstone Park Conservancy presented their ongoing project of removing invasives and planting native species in the Blackstone Park along the Seekonk River, practically next door to the home of our hostess, Conservation Chair, Jill Brody. Informative slides supplemented the oral presentation and helped to demonstrate other challenges to the park’s understory, such as the excessive dog population, as the area is a very popular destination for dogs (most off leash) and their owners. Perennial Planters will be assisting the Blackstone Park Conservancy in their efforts to restore the understory as our new Partners for Plants project. Anna and Mary described the many different ways our club can assist in their work, from propagating plants to pulling invasives to planting natives.
December 11, 2012, 9 am. Perennial Planters yet again provided piles of wonderful greens for our Christmas Greens Workshop at St. Mary’s Home for Children. Arranged in piles on the floor of the gymnasium, the greens attracted the children to choose a variety for the basket or two they created, plus the addition of irresistible baubles. Despite low numbers of children this year, over 40 baskets were completed, “signed”, and later delivered to three nursing homes and a women’s shelter in the immediate Providence area, while leaving a few for St. Mary’s to enjoy. Each student “potted up” a narcissus bulb in gravel to take back to the classroom to watch its growth and bloom. Many Planters contribute to this satisfying effort, from cutting greens, sharing oases, baskets and baubles, to delivering the baskets themselves. A highlight of the year!
January 23, 2013, 6 pm, Hope Club, Providence: President’s Dinner. This dinner is our primary fund-raising event, to raise monies for registration and some travel expenses for members to attend Zone II meetings, National GCA Annual meetings, as well as horticulture and conservation/NAL meetings held in various parts of the country. The theme this year was “RI Wines” and we were fortunate to have Susan Samson as speaker, presenting wines from Sakonnet Vineyard (Little Compton, RI), which she and her husband Earl recently sold. Calling this her “swan song”, Susan gave a brief history of their 25+ years of gardening (yes, planting, pruning, etc.), harvesting, winemaking, and marketing their wines. Following a visit to the Vineyard, Chef Jay Hollen had created a menu to match wines which Susan described as each course was served. A raffle of donated wine-related items helped boost the bottom line, and a good time was had by members, spouses and guests. Thanks to all who supported this event.
February 13, 2013, 6 pm Catherine Taylor warmly opened her home on a cold wintry evening as members gathered to enjoy dinner and a presentation by Nicole Pollock, the legislative liaison for the RI Department of Environmental Management, on RI farm policy and issues. The entrée was prepared and provided by Mary Hughes of Savory Fare, while the rest of the meal and beverages were provided pot-luck by members in attendance. Due to space constraints, this meeting was open to members only, and we made full use of Catherine’s generous dining room table!
March 13, 2013, 5:30 pm Perennial Planters hosted its first movie night, graciously hosted by President Robin Gross at her home in Rumford, complete with popcorn! Members of College Hill Garden Club joined us and provided additional hors d’oeuvres. With some seated on the floor, we watched Ocean Frontiers, a film about four different areas of the U.S. where groups with often conflicting stakes come together to address ocean and coastal management issues to the benefit of all.
April 19, 2013, 11:30 : Annual Four Club Luncheon (the four GCA garden clubs in RI), hosted by South County Garden Club at the South Kingstown Land Trust Barn in Matunuck, RI. With the support of the Susan B. Wilson Fund, South County has arranged to have Tom Wessels as the guest speaker, whose topic, “Reading the Forested Landscape” is sure to engage all in attendance.
April 29, 2013, 10 am Field Trip to the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston to view the “Art in Bloom” exhibit in which works of art serve as inspiration and complement to flower arrangements.
May 14, 2013, 11:30 am Perennial Planters will hold its Annual Meeting at the home of Jennifer Jencks in Seekonk, MA. Lunch will be served.
Financial Report on Programs
September no expense
October $50 donation to Tree Research & Education Endowment Fund
November no expense
December supplies $ 130.82
January funds raised: $1503.78
February $147.96 (catered entrée)
March no expense
April members’ personal expense
May N/A
2012-2013 Program Committee Expense = $328.78
Funds Raised (President’s Account) = $1503.78
Despite a variety of the days and times of meetings, most meetings garnered 12-15 Perennial Planters in attendance. Programs for 2013-2014 are being planned now and program suggestions are welcome, especially if such will foster higher attendance numbers. Thank you!
With thanks to my co-chair, Trina Sherer,
Respectfully submitted,
Frances Trafton, Program Co-Chair
April, 2013