Awards Committee Reports Committees See also the full list of GCM awardees and other awards since 1980. 2022-2023 — Celia Radek, Chair Ribbons, rosettes, and silver. This was a very full awards year that included a Flower Show and competitions in Horticulture, Flower Design, and Botanical Arts at monthly meetings. The Club inaugurated a new award in the Botanical Arts Division, joining top point-scored honors in other categories. Thanks to Susan Straten for her gift of the silver bowl for this new award. ​ Silver bowl perpetual trophies earned at the Arts & Flowers : A Design Specialty Flower Show were among the Club awards and special tributes presented at the Annual Meeting in May. The President's Award for Horticulture —Sarah J. Olson The Amy Hatrak Herb Award —Denise Silverman The Barbara Meyer Rose Award —Denise Silverman The Estelle Leibrecht Horticulture Award —Debbie Moran The Bauer Horticulture Award —Maureen Sprong The President's Trophy for Flower Design, lntermed .—Sarah J. Olson The Garden Club Award for Flower Design, Adv .—Barbara Baletti The Kay Maclane Van Deusen Rose Award —Fran Ackerly The Betty B. Merriam Silver Bowl —Debbie Moran The Barbara Slockbower Schaeberle Award —Tova Narrett The Botanical Arts Award —Floss O'Sullivan The Till Beatty Allis Award —Fran Ackerly The Louise D. Mann Award —Deborah Hirsch Special Tributes —Susan Benner, Marilyn & Peter Zaret 2023 President's Special Recognition Award —Sue Young Congratulations to the Yearbook Committee and Editor Floss O'Sullivan for the Garden Club of New Jersey Certificate of Merit for Yearbook 2022-23. Many more GCNJ and NGC Awards are detailed in the report on Arts & Flowers : A Design Specialty Flower Show . With appreciation to the 2022-23 Awards Committee members: Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Florence Leyssène, Sarah J. Olson, Maureen Sprong, and Sarah Stransky, ex officio. 2021-2022 — Sarah Stransky, Chair The Awards Committee is to be applauded for their work on GCM Awards and active participation in National and State Award/Grant applications writing. Many thanks to Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Sarah Olson, Celia Radek, and Fran Wong. We also appreciated the guidance of the GCNJ Awards Chair, Peggy Morrissey, who helped facilitate our application process. We are delighted to announce the following GCNJ Awards: ​ Certificate of Merit with Gold Seal 1st Place YB-1 Yearbook 2021-22 (100-299 members). Award application by Editor, Claire Stepleton. Score 100%. ​ Hanover Garden Club Trophy for outstanding innovative project: Website 2021-22. Award application by Sue Young, 1st Vice President and Website Webmaster, and Sarah Stransky. ​ GCNJ Special Award/Large Club for Triangle Gardens (a Civic Beautification project since 1952). Award application by Susan Yu, Triangle Gardens Chair, and Sarah Olson. ​ The Garden Club of Montclair Awards were given at the Annual Meeting held at Avis Campbell Gardens on May 25, 2022, with the help of the Properties Chair, Nancy Stroud, Membership Chairs, Deborah Hirsch and Cheryl Slutzky, the Awards Committee, and Marilyn and Peter Zaret, who set up and dismantled chairs and tables for the event. The venue location was revised to be outdoors because of a recent outbreak of COVID-19. Emeritus Award 2022 - Brenda Bingham. Dedication to GCM, GCNJ, and NGC through focus on flower design since 1975. ​ Tribute 2022 - Sue Young . Webmaster/renovator of current website. ​ The Till Beatty Allis Award 2022 – Floss O’Sullivan . Flower Design Education through the creation of virtual workshops and exhibitions. ​ The Louise D. Mann Award 2022 - Sarah Olson . Garden Therapy development and expansion of programs involving many more Members and reaching out to more people facing personal challenges in our communities. 2020-2021 — Sarah Stransky, Chair Many thanks to the 2020-21 Awards Committee including Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Karen Kadus, Kate Khachaturian, Michele Tomasik, and Fran Wong for their Zoom input, and collection and cleaning of the silver awards. Special thanks to Michele Tomasik for her assistance writing and editing several of the Emeritus and Tribute Awards. We also appreciate the support of GCNJ Awards Chair, Peggy Morrissey, whose guidance facilitated our state and national award application processes. We are thrilled to announce these GCNJ and NGC Awards received in June 2021 for outstanding achievements in 2020 during the pandemic: Yearbook 2020-21 — Award application by Celia Radek, Editor. Score 100%. Certificate of Commendation First Place YB-1 Yearbooks (100-299 members) awarded by National Garden Clubs, Inc. Certificate of Merit with Gold Seal YB-1 Yearbooks (100-299 members) awarded by Garden Club of New Jersey. Virtual Flower Design Education 2021 — Award application by Workshop Chair, Floss O'Sullivan, Florence Leyssène, and Sarah Stransky. Certificate of Merit First Place and Overall Winner Award FD-2 (Aiv) Floral Design Program/Single Club awarded by National Garden Clubs, Inc. ​ Garden Therapy 2021 — Award application by Garden Therapy Chair, Sarah Olson, and Sarah Stransky. Myra Brooks Garden Therapy Trophy #15a Renovated Garden Therapy Program awarded by the Garden Club of New Jersey. ​ The Garden Club of Montclair Awards were given at the 2020-21 Annual Meeting held in Avis Campbell Gardens on May 26 with the help of the Hospitality, Properties, Membership, and Avis Campbell Gardens Committees. A celebration for Connie Young’s 100 birthday was an important part of the agenda! The Bauer Horticulture Award 2021 — Debbie Moran The Louise D. Mann Award 2021 — Floss O’Sullivan The Till Beatty Allis Award 2021 — Florence Leyssène Tributes — Cynthia Corhan-Aitken, Sandy Sorkin, Karen Whitehaus, Fran Wong Emeritus Award Members 2021 — Bonni Babson, Betty Ann Cannell, Chris Cowles, Firth Fabend, Joan Larkin, Mary McGeown, Fritzi Mills, C.Y. Treene. 2019-2020 — Sarah Stransky, Chair T he 2019-2020 Awards Program, held annually in May, was postponed until fall of 2020. Because we have chosen to honor the recipients in a timely fashion, it is with great pleasure that we announce the following 2019-2020 awards: ​ The President's Award for Horticulture — Denise Silverman The Amy Hatrak Herb Award — Denise Silverman The Bauer Horticulture Award — Maureen Sprong The Elsie Bristol Novice Award — Ginny Demoreuille The Garden Club Award for Flower Design, Advanced — Fran Ackerly The Kay Maclane Van Deusen Rose Award — Sarah J. Olson The Louise D. Mann Award — Claire Stepleton Special Tributes — Sarah J. Olson and Floss O'Sullivan ​ All Awards will be presented at the Awards Program in the fall of 2020. The Awards Committee congratulates the above listed, and all our members, as you further our purposes of Education, Beautification, and Fellowship! And a big Thank You to the 2019-2020 members of the Awards Committee: Fran Ackerly, Karen Kadus, Kate Khachaturian, and Michele Tomasik.

Calendar

Flower Design Schedule See monthly schedule below. (As the months pass, they move to the bottom of the page.) See Flower Design Rules for 2023-2024 Check Workshops for assistance. Online NGC Handbook for Flower Shows No September, December, or January competitions. See Clerking Guidelines Need a refresher prior to GCM's monthly competitions? We have online videos to help, featuring Florence Leyssène and Debbie Moran, NGC accredited Master Flower Show Judges. April 2024 Schedule Monthly Theme: Dawn April 15, 2024 Register with Fran Ackerly by Thursday, April 11. All tables are covered with white tablecloths. "Designer's Choice" of plant material. ​ Provisional An American Traditional Horizontal Line Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70-71. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 24" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Novice A Petite Traditional Mass or Line-Mass Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70, 71, 73. Staged on a table 30" high. (Staging may be changed.) Allotted space 12" W x 12" D x 12" H. Underlay required. ​ Intermediate A Creative Design Exhibitor must identify type. See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 71-75. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 24" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Underlay required. Staging panel optional. ​ Advanced, Advanced + An Abstract Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 71-73. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 24" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Underlay and staging panel required. ​ T rial Run A Duo Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 71, 72, 78 Staged on a 42" high dark green pedestal with a 14" square dark green top. (Staging may be changed.) Underlay required. October 2023 Schedule Monthly Theme: Fire October 16 , 2023 See results of competition Designs may be eligible for the Kay Maclane Van Deusen Rose Award . All tables are covered with white tablecloths. All plant material used must be fresh . ​ Provisional An American Traditional Mass Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70-71. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 18" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Novice An American Traditional Mass Design in the Form of a Triangle See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70-71. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 24" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Underlay required. ​ Intermediate An American Traditional Vertical Line Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70-71. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 24" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Underlay required. Staging panel optional. ​ Advanced, Advanced + A Design, Freedom of Style and Type Exhibitor must identify style and type. See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70-75. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 24" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Underlay and staging panel required. ​ Invitational A Reflective Design Open to designers invited by the Flower Design Committee. Staged on a 42" high dark green pedestal with a 14" square dark green top. Designs are exhibited for educational purposes. ​ Click here to see full results and pictures of winners. November 2023 Schedule Monthly Theme: Earth November 13, 2023 See results of competition All tables are covered with white tablecloths. "Designer's Choice" of plant material. ​ Provisional An American Traditional Mass Design in the Form of a Triangle See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70-71. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 18" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Novice An American Traditional Vertical Line Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70-71. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 24" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Underlay required. ​ Intermediate An American Traditional Design in the Form of a Crescent See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70-71. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 24" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Underlay required. Staging panel optional. ​ Advanced, Advanced + A Petite Design, Freedom of Style and Type See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70-75. Staged on a table 30" high. (Staging may be changed.) Allotted space 12" W x 12" D x 12" H. Underlay and staging panel required. ​ Trial Run Open to all levels and critiqued only. Limited to 2 entries. A Functional Tray Design for One, "Picnic in the Park" See Handbook for Flower Shows , p. 76. Tray to be provided by exhibitor. Staging on a table 30" high. Allotted space 30" W x 20" D. ​ Invitational A Multi-Rhythmic Design Open to designers invited by the Flower Design Committee. Staged on a 42" high dark green pedestal with a 14" square dark green top. Designs are exhibited for educational purposes. ​ Click here to see full results and pictures of winners. February 2024 Schedule Monthly Theme: Ice Monday, February 12, 2024 See results of competition All tables are covered with white tablecloths. "Designer's Choice" of plant material. ​ Provisional An American Traditional Vertical Line Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70-71. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 18" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Novice An American Traditional Horizontal Line Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70-71. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 24" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Underlay required. ​ Intermediate A Design, Freedom of Style and Type Exhibitor must identify style and type. See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70-75. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 24" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Underlay required. Staging panel optional. ​ Advanced, Advanced + A Reflective Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 71, 72, 75. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 24" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Underlay and staging panel required. ​ Trial Run Open to all levels and critiqued only. Limited to 2 entries. An Exhibition Table, "Tasteful Take-Out" See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 76.-77 Staged on a table 30" high using a panel provided by the exhibitor. Panel not to exceed 24" W x 36" W. ​ Invitational An Abstract Design Open to designers invited by the Flower Design Committee. Staged on a 42" high dark green pedestal with a 14" square dark green top. Designs are exhibited for educational purposes. March 2024 Schedule Month's Theme: Wind March 25, 2024 Register with Fran Ackerly by Thursday, March 21. All tables are covered with white tablecloths. "Designer's Choice" of plant material. ​ Provisional An American Traditional Mass Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70-71. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 18" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Novice An American Traditional Crescent Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70-71. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 24" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Underlay required. ​ Intermediate A Petite Design, Freedom of Style and Type See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 70-75. Staged on a table 30" high. (Staging may be changed.) Allotted space 12" W x 12" D x 12" H. Underlay required. Staging panel optional. ​ Advanced, Advanced + A Multi-Rhythmic Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 71, 72, 75. Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 24" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Underlay and staging panel required. ​ Trial Run Open to all levels and critiqued only. Limited to 2 entries. An Abstract Design See Handbook for Flower Shows , pp. 71.-73 Staged on a table 30" high. Allotted space 24" W x 18" D; no height restriction. Underlay required. Staging panel optional. ​ Invitational A Duo Design Open to designers invited by the Flower Design Committee. Staged on a 42" high dark green pedestal with a 14" square dark green top. Designs are exhibited for educational purposes.

Avis Campbell Gardens Committee Reports Committees 2022-2023 — Maureen Sprong, Chair; Wendy Stahl, Vice Chair We celebrated seventy years at our Avis Campbell Gardens this year with a party on site in September. Many thanks to talented artist and Provisional Karen DeLuca for creating our 70th Anniversary logo which we wear with pride on ACG t-shirts! Arts & Flowers : A Design and Specialty Flower Show at Van Vleck House & Gardens gave us a chance to share ACG history and highlight the volunteers who tend 'Montclair's Secret Garden.' Homestead Sprinklers will continue to fine-tune areas that were not addressed by the revamp of our sprinkler system. Bartlett Tree returned to treat our twin Japanese Snowbell trees, under attack since fall 2021, with a systemic treatment to combat Spotted Lanternfly. Fingers crossed as the season progresses! Two ad-hoc committees were formed to address the brick paths and our compost system. We are grateful to Donna Karanja's grandson Mateo for helping bring the compost area back to full use. 2021-2022 — Maureen Sprong, Chair; Wendy Stahl, Vice Chair The Garden Club of Montclair was approached in spring of 2021 by lrritech Training, an irrigation company based in Virginia that specializes in training and providing continuing education to members of the industry. Part of its business model is to renovate sprinkler systems free of charge to historical gardens, in exchange for the use of the property as a teaching location. ​ In November 2021, lrritech arrived at Avis Campbell Gardens with instructors and attendees who worked together during the day-long session. New sprinkler lines were laid and easily adjustable heads were attached, drip hoses were placed in four of the beds, and a state-of-the-art controller and rain gauge were wired into the electrical system in our shed. We are currently working with our own provider, Homestead Sprinklers, to finish the task and add two lines along the west wall. ​ Early in spring 2022, we treated our Japanese Snowbell Trees with a systemic pesticide to protect them from Spotted Lanternflies. We first called on Bartlett Tree to come in late fall of 2021, after spotting and killing many on these same trees. Luckily, treatments already in use on our roses are effective against this pest. Hopefully, these measures will reduce the impact on the other beds at Avis Campbell Gardens, but we are learning as we go. ​ Once again, we were pleased and honored to host The Garden Club of Montclair's annual meeting in May. With many of our new Provisionals in attendance, we welcomed the chance to be together again face-to-face to honor award recipients, as well as our outgoing President, Florence Leyssène. Thank you, Florence, for your boundless support and love of the gardens during your tenure! ​ We are delighted to celebrate the 70th Anniversary of Avis Campbell Gardens this year. Our Bed Captains and committee members work tirelessly to fulfill our mission of beautifying Montclair. We welcome everyone to our celebration taking place September 30, 2022. 2020-2021 — Maureen Sprong, Chair; Wendy Stahl, Vice Chair Many visitors came to the gardens to seek solace and beauty as well as a friendly face during the pandemic. We are grateful to Floss O’Sullivan and Sarah Olson, leaders of GCM Garden Therapy, who gave us very satisfying opportunities to help cheer people. Blossoms from both ACG and home were harvested for the clients at Toni’s Kitchen in fall of 2020. In addition, for Thanksgiving these ladies organized a massive effort to create dried flower arrangements for holiday clients. The breathtaking bouquets donated to the residents inspired uplifting moments. Wendy Stahl, member of the 2020 Provisional class, has agreed to lend her considerable energy and creative spirit to the garden as ACG&G Vice Chair. Wendy is a great addition to our team and her efforts in the garden are most welcome. The challenges of Spring 2021 included, for the first time ever, the incursion of hungry deer to ACG. Luckily, we were able to use a variety of tools to protect the trademark tulip display for which we are celebrated. Barbara Meyer called in experts to begin monthly spraying to protect the gardens long term from the unprecedented deer population. Deer were not the only unwanted creatures, however, for we had to request signs for the many dog walkers who frequent ACG. In May 2021, the volunteers at ACG were proud to host the Club’s Award event, the first large gathering since lock down. We are a tight-knit group: sharing plants, seeds, the latest online sources, and the liveliest garden centers. Our group was lucky to work in-person and to share the victories and milestones in our lives as well as the sorrows that are inevitable. All Avis Campbell volunteers will deeply miss Larry Whitehaus. A calm presence and knowledgeable problem-solver, Larry was always willing to lend a hand in the garden and bridge the gap for us when necessary. 2019-2020 — Maureen Sprong, Chair; Lori Vik, Vice Chair 2020 has been an unprecedented year at ACG. The long-awaited construction at the United Way Building required us to share aspects of the entire outdoor area and its quirks, recommend native plants, protect our gardeners from any safety issues, detail our essential water sources and most recently, uproot Bed Captain Jackie Kling's lovely bed to make way for a new accessible walkway and parking. Jackie has been gracious and creative regarding the disruption. My husband and garden partner, Garry, helped to move the 15-foot Hosta 'Krossa Regal' colony born from a single plant Jackie selected years ago. As the start date for UW work comes near we are still managing the small to large bumps, from the ongoing threat of lily beetles to the expensive replacement of the pump powering our beloved fountain. Kudos to our Rose Diva, Barbara Meyer, for keeping this centerpiece of our garden in working order. Several ACG&G Committee members did double duty this year by conducting the complicated and labor-intensive prep of our Club room for the construction. This huge task was gracefully conducted by Karen Whitehaus, Susan Straten, Deborah Hirsch, Florence Leyssène, and Celia Radek. Thank you, ladies! My Vice Chair and good friend, Lori Vik, decamped to Texas. Always cheerful, funny and undaunted, Lori will be missed. Every volunteer was crucial this season because the Covid-19 pandemic and its multiple uncertainties understandably kept a lot of people home. I am incredibly proud of our bed captains and volunteers who shopped for plants and supplies and came to keep ACG in shape. Gardening while masked is hot work. The closure of local parks due to the pandemic brought new admirers and some challenges. I sent a letter to local media outlets early on asking visitors to wear masks and social distance while respecting the plantings. Our favorite garden centers and nurseries rose to the challenge and kept people safe, even closing early during the busiest and hottest weekend hours out of concern for staff. Our bed captains have kept faith and managed well. Avis Campbell Gardens is having a gorgeous season — thank you all!

Donate Thank you for choosing to support the Garden Club of Montclair. Please use the form below to contribute to our general fund, or specifically to Avis Campbell Gardens, funded and maintained by the Club. You can also choose to make your donation in honor of, or in memory of, someone dear to you. ​ If you prefer to send a check directly to our Treasurer, Bob Chapman, please email him directly for instructions.. You can also talk to Bob at 973-746-0965 about other types of giving, such a a gift of stock or a legacy. Donor Name Phone Email Address Address Line 1 Address Line 2 Donate in the name of: Please apply my donation to: General support for the Club Specific assistance for the Avis Campbell Gardens Anyting more you would like to tell us? Please enter below. DONATE

Botanical Arts Division Rules 2023-2024 Back to main Botanical Arts Schedule page. See also the online NGC Handbook for Flower Shows See Clerking Guidelines ​ Members and Provisionals are encouraged to enter Botanical Arts entries at monthly Botanical Arts Competitions. Points accumulate across all sections of BA towards The Garden Club of Montclair's Botanical Arts Award . The Botanical Arts Chair and Vice Chair are available to consult. GENERAL INFORMATION ​ Botanical Arts is a division in a Standard Flower Show or Specialty Show that allows for additional types of Horticulture, Design, and other art-like exhibits such as Artistic Crafts and Photography. All Botanical Arts Horticulture, Design, and Artistic Crafts must contain some plant material. No artificial, endangered, or locally invasive plant material is permitted in any exhibit. Exhibitors must pre-register with the Botanical Arts Chair at florenceleyssene@gmail.com the Thursday prior to monthly competition. Registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Drop off is between 8:15 and 9:15am on the day of the competition. Judging will begin promptly at 10am. Entries arriving late will not be judged. Designs must be picked up no later than 30 minutes after the end of the Program meeting, approximately 3:00pm. All exhibits are staged on a table 30" high. Exhibitor can only submit 1 entry per Section per month . ​ BOTANICAL ARTS HORTICULTURE RULES Judged by the Horticulture Scale of Points. See Handbook for Flower Shows p. 129. All exhibits must be correctly named by the binomial or currently accepted scientific designation. Refer to Botanical Arts General Information (above) and Handbook for Flower Shows pp. 91-92. BOTANICAL ARTS DESIGN RULES Judged by the Design Scale of Points. See Handbook for Flower Shows p. 130. All General Rules for Design apply. Each exhibit must include an index card listing plant material. Refer to Botanical Arts General Information (above) and Handbook for Flower Shows pp. 93-94. ​ BOTANICAL ARTS ARTISTIC CRAFTS RULES Judged by the Artistic Crafts Scale of Points. See Handbook for Flower Shows p. 131. Objects must have a function , i.e. ready to wear or use. Each exhibit must include an index key card listing all plant material used, with an acompanying sample glued to the card for identification (within the exhibit). Refer to Botanical Arts General Information (above) and Handbook for Flower Shows pp. 94-95. ​ BOTANICAL ARTS PHOTOGRAPHY RULES Judged by the Photography Scale of Points. See Handbook for Flower Shows p. 131. All exhibits must relate to horticulture, gardening, or design. All photographs must be 8" x 10", matted in white, with a maximum size of 11" x 14" including the mat provided by the exhibitor. No frames allowed. All photographs must be labeled on the back with the exhibitor's name, phone number, and an arrow indicating the top of the photo (i.e. landscape or portrait orientation). Photographs will be staged on a footed black metal grid provided by the committee. Hanging mechanism will be supplied by the committee. Refer to Botanical Arts General Information (above) and Handbook for Flower Shows pp. 95-96. ​

Visit more of our projects: Art in Bloom Avis Campbell Gardens Boutique Civic Beautification Crane House Garden Therapy Open Gardens Social Events Triangle Gardens Trips and Outings Youth Projects Art in Bloom Art in Bloom is a biennial exhibition that brings spring to life at the Montclair Art Museum. Club members create unique, harmonious, and thought-provoking floral designs to complement their assigned work of art. See some of the exquisite past designs on the MAM website , and see the 2022 glories .

Visit more of our projects: Art in Bloom Avis Campbell Gardens Boutique Civic Beautification Crane House Garden Therapy Open Gardens Social Events Triangle Gardens Trips and Outings Youth Projects Civic Beautification Watch a slideshow of dozens of efforts by Montclair business owners to win a coveted Garden Club award in 2019 for their efforts to beautify the streets of our town. We hope to bring back this project in 2022.

Current President's Letter Sarah J. Olson, President The Garden Club of Montclair See also outgoing President's letter Dear Fellow Garden Club Members and Provisionals, ​ I am honored to become President for the next two years after a successful year led by Sarah Stransky. As Chair of Garden Therapy, I attained my personal goal of giving back to our community. I challenged committees to focus on "giving back" as they planned their season's programs and events. They have done just that, and I encourage each of you to get involved in Club activities that fulfill your personal growth goals and feed your soul. Our first program this fall highlights what each committee does so that you can decide which activities to dive into. Climate change and the environment are foremost on many of our minds. Our Club is poised to be a leader for these causes in our community; therefore, we are re-energizing our Environment Committee to lead the charge in educating our members and the public. They will find ways to create "Acts of Restorative Kindness" to our earth within our community, intersecting with other Club committees as they pursue this mission. I look forward to seeing committee chairs interpret this concept of restoration for the areas they lead and how each of you do your part to make changes that benefit our planet. The talent and creativity in this Club abounds, making me excited and confident for us all to meet the challenge. ​ The Committee Reports give you a good picture of what our Club has offered to the community this past year. We were ACTIVE! Our challenge this year will be to integrate the Garden Club and its environmental mission with the community at large in a bigger way. Whether it be more outreach to our schools, other non-profits, business districts, our parks, or the township, our goal is to build synergistic relationships between people of vision working toward a common good. Accomplishing this elevates the profile of our Club, creating more awareness of the benefits the Garden Club provides the community. ​ On these pages or on our fabulous website, watch for news of our exceptional social gatherings such as Open Gardens , events at Avis Campbell Gardens , various field trips , our educational Programs and Workshops , and philanthropic activities you can join. They are all fun and rewarding ... we always learn something new and continue to build enduring friendships. I commend and thank the hard-working committees who make this all happen for The Garden of Montclair. Your efforts and support make this Club a joy to lead. ​ With Appreciation, Sarah outgoing Outgoing President's Letter Sarah Stransky , President The Garden Club of Montcla ir Dear Members and Provisionals, ​ What a year we had! I am truly awed by the accomplishments of this organization for 2022-23. We resiliently stepped forward from the pandemic years and willingly embraced uncharted and renewed paths. ​ The year opened with the final planning and presentation of the mid-September Arts & Flowers : A Design Standard Flower Show. This enormous body of work involving most of the Membership and attracting close to 700 in the community, was a spectacular achievement as recognized by the National Garden Clubs' Certificate of Merit with Rosette for a Design Specialty Flower Show, and The Garden Club of New Jersey's numerous awards for the finest judged flower show, for staging, for the schedule, and three individual design awards: Designer's Choice, Petite, and Tricolor. ​ Other committees were digging in, organizing for a full "in person" Club year. Avis and Triangle beds vibrantly smiled, due to the dedicated hours of many caring Members and Provisionals. Program topics from NYBG Orchids to the Gardens of Santa Fe, along with Flower Design, Horticulture, and Botanical Arts engaged over seventy-five members and the community at monthly meetings. And we just loved being together again, chatting over delicious savories and sweets, compliments of Hospitality. Often the conversations centered around posts on our stunning, intuitive website, the 24th year newsletter, Potpourri , or weekly e-blasts which featured the latest Club news including committee work like Garden Therapy bouquet sessions and many others. These occasions offered perfect opportunities to meet and engage our 20 new Provisionals. Timely Workshops with specific-to-topic Boutique items for sale prepared us for monthly competitions. We continued the fellowship at wonderfu l gatherings like 70 years of Avis Campbell Gardens and our Holiday Tea, as well as our May Annual Membership Meeting Luncheon. ​ With a Presidential goal to embrace and value our Membership, especially after a few years of not meeting in person, I found you, as a Club, eager to take the challenge with me! We met in a variety of locations and reached out to less mobile Members to offer transportation. Sadly, we acknowledged the loss of seven valued Members, especially 2022-23 Program Vice-Chair, Ginny Demoreuille. ​ It has been my honor and joy to serve our Club again for one year as President. Twenty years later, this organization is thriving. Thank you all for your outstanding leadership and commitment to our purposes. I also appreciate your kindness as we navigated together through those uncharted paths. I leave you in the very best of hands, with your quite capable 2023-25 President, Sarah Olson. I know Sarah will so enjoy this leadership opportunity, as have I. ​ Very fondly, Sarah Back to current President's Letter

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Finance Committee Reports Committees 2022-2023 — Bob Chapman, Treasurer and Chair The Finance Committee met three times this year by email and Zoom to discuss financial reporting, next year's budget, and investment decisions. ​ It was decided that with the higher interest rates now available in these inflationary times, we should be investing in either T-Bills or CDs. In May we chose CDs of 7-month and 13-month duration. ​ GCM is holding funds that have been donated in memory of several people. One of those amounts was dispensed this year, and we now have a better accounting as to the purpose of the others. ​ The 2023-2024 budget was presented to the Board in March, reviewed and modified through meetings in April and May, and approved at the June Board meeting. ​ We now have a better records-retention arrangement for financial information with solid offsite storage, and improvements in our non-financial records. 2021-2022 — Susan Straten, Treasurer and Chair The Finance Committee met three times this year to discuss the disposition of our savings/endowment, ideas for fund raising suggested by the Ways and Means Committee, and the preparation of the 2022-2023 budget. Our CD at Haven Savings Bank came due February 4th. It was decided not to roll it over and wait to invest the funds, pending improved interest rates. The funds were deposited into our Bank of America savings account. The Garden Club of Montclair was the recipient of many donations in memory of Larry Whitehaus, husband of member Karen Whitehaus, who passed away in May of 2021. The money has been earmarked for repairing the pathways in Avis Campbell Gardens. The Finance Committee presented the initial budget for 2022-2023 at the March Board meeting. Amendments were made then and after further discussions at the April and May Board meetings. The budget for 2022-2023 was approved by the new Board at its first meeting in June. 2020-2021 — Susan Straten, Treasurer and Chair Year-end actual expenses vs income came in $572 under budget due to the lack of activity of a number of Committees. The Finance Committee met several times to create the budget for 2021-2022. It became clear that dues income and random contributions would be insufficient in the future to support the needs of our expanding Committee activities. The Finance Committee recommended that the Ways and Means Committee explore fundraising opportunities which would bring in an additional $3,000-5,000 each year. Ted O'Dell, CPA, is reviewing our books for 2019-2020 and 2020-2021 and will prepare our 2019 and 2020 Tax returns which are due October 1, 2021. ​ We welcome Class of 2023 Bob Chapman and Maureen Michaud to the Finance Committee. 2019-2020 — Tessie Thomas, Treasurer and Chair When the COVID-19 crisis hit, I was amazed how quickly GCM went digital. When I created the ballot for virtual elections, I was thinking, "This was not in our plans!" Over two years in the Treasurer role (and the previous two as Editor of Potpourri), my mantra was automate and digitize. This pandemic just accelerated the whole plan. GCM continues to celebrate nature and make the world a more beautiful place for all. To me, GCM is a reminder of all that is normal and good in the world. There is a natural selflessness in what GCM does — a powerful reminder that collectively we can overcome anything, even a pandemic. As a mother of two teenagers with active sports and academic schedules, along with my work with other nonprofits, I am grateful for the support and inspiration from GCM Board and the Membership. In the work as Treasurer, we continued to build upon the themes of simplifying and digitizing. Nothing gave me more pleasure than instances where we were able to save many a lot of time and effort - even when it was a simple thing like taking a picture of a bill and emailing it to me rather than dropping the bill to my home or mailing it. We continued using Quicken accounting software and stuck to cash accounting. We filed taxes successfully and in a timely manner. We are on strong financial grounds. Despite all the sudden cancellations of plans and programs, we ended the year with $82,619.67: We made the budgeting process even more transparent with inputs over Zoom and buy-in from all the Committee Chairs before settling on the budget with the Finance Committee. After all that hard work, I handed over the keys to Susan Straten. Needless to say, the transition is straightforward as she has been my helpline and mentor! GCM remains fiscally strong. Account 2019 2020 CD $40,315.00 $41,403.98 Savings account $27,053.00 $25,112.87 Checking account $23,986.00 $16,102.82

Apply for Membership We are delighted that you are considering Membership in the Garden Club of Montclair. Please complete and submit this form to Cheryl Slutzky, our Membership VP. She will contact you, and answer any of your questions. ​ Scroll down below the form for more information. Did someone recommend that you consider Membership? Please let us know their name. Thanks for considering Membership! We will get back to you as quickly as possible. Submit Provisional Requirements and Information Requirements Note: If you have a friend in the Club, she/he will be your "mentor," that is, your guide through the first year. If you found us online, we will assign a Garden Club member as your mentor. Mentors join Provisionals at program meetings, competitions, the Annual Meeting and Awards Presentation in May, and social events, and keep track of their progress. You'll find that everyone is more than willing to help you through the year. ​ Provisional members are responsible for completing the following requirements to become Active members: 1 Program Meeting 3 Workshops 3 two-hour work sessions in Avis Campbell Gardens 1 two-hour work session in Triangle Mall Gardens 1 Garden Therapy visit 1 Flower Design entry (not judged) 1 Horticultural specimen (not judged) Clerk for one monthly competition (may substitute an additional Flower Design or Horticultural entry The above requirements are the minimum required. Provisionals are encouraged to attend all Program Meetings and Workshops and enter additional Flower Design/Horticulture competitions. See more details about the above requirements. ​ Provisional Dues: $100. Dues are payable after the Provisional Informational Coffee held in February. The official Provisional year begins on April 1, but applications are accepted throughout the year. ​ Cheryl Slutzky ​