“PHS LandCare: Transforming Vacant Lots into Community Assets" Samir Dalal, the planning manager of the LandCare program, run by the Pennsylvania Horticulture Society, will share with us how more than 12,000 empty lots in low and moderate income neighborhoods in Philadelphia were transformed into green spaces. These transformed lots have become community assets, benefiting the local ecology as well as the health of those living nearby, and have spurred economic growth in these neighborhoods. A truly inspiring story!

Lauren Calenda and Deb Hirsch are co-chairing this year’s Autumn Plant Sale which begins this coming Thursday evening, September 9th and continues through Sunday afternoon. Looks like we are in for a span of beautiful weather for the event. However, we are in desperate need of volunteers! If you have any time available beginning Thursday evening (members only event) through late Sunday afternoon, we would be most appreciative if you would volunteer your time for a shift or two. Click here for the sign-up form. The Van Vleck fundraising events would not be possible if it weren’t for our wonderful volunteers. Thank you very much!

This month's schedule: Postings are closed. Dahlia — 1 cut stem, disbudded, a minimum of 1 set of leaves Rosa — A single, disbudded flower OR spray with at least 2 open blooms and several buds in various stages of development with a minimum of 2 sets of 5-leaflet leaves Flowering Annual — 1 cut stem if large, 3 if small.

Welcome to the new Garden Club of Montclair website. It would not have been possible without the glorious photos taken by members, especially Claire Stepleton, Michele Tomasik, Susan Yu, Barbara Baletti, Sandy Sorkin, and many others. Read Florence's welcome to 2021-2022, check out the calendar, find a member in the new lookup directory, or click on the green navigation bar to wander through all the pages on "What We Do" and "Who We Are." Don't forget to visit the slideshow of the May annual meeting, under "Galleries." This is a work in progress, so email Sue Young with suggestions and corrections.

On August 4, at the end of a hot day's work in Avis Campbell Gardens, members gathered to say goodbye to Jacklyn Kling who — alas for us — is moving to California. Deborah Hirsch told us all what a quiet and constant force Jackie has been to the Club over the years — more than 40 of them as a bed captain in the garden. In 2017 she was awarded the Bauer Horticulture Award in recognition of her achievements, both as chair of the horticultural committee and for all the knowledge she has shared over the years with members, old and new. Good luck in your new life, Jackie! You will be sorely missed.

If you have been reading your Potpourris, you know that we have been involved in a project at Watchung School to create an outdoor classroom, “The Connected Courtyard." A number of members have helped with the plan and Cynthia Corhan-Aiken spent a good deal of time on it and drew the final plan. The school received a $10,000 grant in March from Sustainable Jersey for Schools for the project, but to realize their full vision, they need to raise another $15,000. Please consider donating to this project (feel free to contribute at any time, even though there is a closing date on the site.) And watch the video, below, to learn more.

The Crane House and Historic YWCA landed in 4th place in 2020 USA Today’s 10 Best Historic Home Tours, because of the decorating efforts of the Garden Club of Montclair. Thank you to everyone involved in keeping this beloved tradition alive. What an amazing way to end such a challenging year. Read the article in the Montclair Local and watch the YouTube video, below, for a virtual holiday tour.

For the first time in over a year, members got together at Avis Campbell, vaccinated, maskless, sporting a multitude of hats against the hot sun, and really not very socially distanced at all. It was wonderful. See pictures of the event.