Past Program Calendar
SEPTEMBER 2023 through May 2024
Christine Sunda, First Vice President and Program Chair
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Meeting and Program Agenda - all dates are Tuesdays unless otherwise specified
Social time with a light repast 9:30 - 10:00 | General Meeting 10:00 - 10:45 | Program Presentation 11:00 – 12:00ish
September 12, 2023 | Karen Brace | Awesome Possumz
“We change perceptions. One possum at a time,” Karen Brace.
Our presentation does include Oliver the live possum.
Karen Brace has been a licensed wildlife rehabilitator in Virginia since 2012. Meet a live possum ‘ambassador.’ We’ll learn how possums help you in the garden. She will include information such as what they eat, where they live, and how they help the environment and us gardeners.
Ms. Brace started by working with squirrels and groundhogs. But in 2016, she was brought a box containing 11 little opossum joeys. It was love at first sight. Karen is on a mission to rid the world of the misconceptions about the only native and adorable marsupial in the U.S. and Canada. For more information visit www.awesomepossumz.com
SPECIAL NOTE: Membership will be distributing your current yearbook pages with a surprise inside.
Hostesses: Peggy, ELSIE D, Robin, Jane H, Emily
Food Pantry: flour, sugar, salt, pepper, masa flour, and cash donations
See the gallery here
October 10, 2023 | 9:30 am – 2 pm
The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm | OFFSITE
Once again, we look forward to celebrating Virginia Wine Month. We will revisit the wonderful Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm. Nestled on Lake Manassas in Gainesville, the Farm is the only local winery with a breathtaking lakefront view. The locally grown grapes and variety of wines offer something for every wine enthusiast. Their delicious craft beverages also include cider and beer.
We’ll start with our business meeting and then enjoy a short presentation on wine, beer, and growing hops. Savor a glass of wine, cider, or beer as you enjoy the beautiful setting and a light lunch provided by the hostess committee.
Fees for tasting and lunch: Club members are free, and guests are $20. We have a limit of 40 people total, members and guests. RSVP to Sally Hudson at sgh1150@gmail.com by October 1st, so we may RESERVE YOUR SPOT.
Hostesses: Norma, Kathy E, SALLY H, Joyce, Kathleen, Ginsy
Food Pantry: peanut butter and jelly or cash donation
See the gallery here
November 14, 2023 | Natali Walker | Invasive Plants
Presenter Natali Walker, Invasive Plant Specialist for Blue Ridge Prism, identifies the invasive plants that club members may accidentally buy from local garden centers or have in their gardens. She will show images and detail the characteristics that make these plants so successful.
Blue Ridge PRISM’s mission is to reduce the impact of invasive plants on the ecosystems of the northern Blue Ridge Mountains and surrounding areas through regional and statewide advocacy, landowner support, implementing control measures, and public education. Natali provides technical assistance to individuals or groups, helping them to understand what invasive plants are present and management strategies that should be considered.
Hostesses: Bunny, Kathy B, Addie, BEV K, Judy T
Food Pantry: potatoes, gravy, rice, stuffing, sweet potatoes, or cash donation
More Info and Links for Blue Ridge Prism, iNaturalist SEEK, and Plant NOVA Natives are on the gallery page.
See the gallery here
December 12, 2023 | Ruth Johnston | Wreath Workshop
Our own Ruth Johnston will guide us while we make our own holiday wreaths using evergreens. The club will provide the materials for making the wreaths (though extra greens from home will be appreciated). Included will be enough ribbon to make your own bows. Bring clippers and any decor you would like to use to adorn your wreath.
After we’ve made our wreaths, we will enjoy a Holiday Potluck Lunch provided by our Hostess Committee. Don’t forget your favorite Holiday Attire.
December Hostesses: Judy Becilia, Danielle, Debbie, Barbara, JANET M, Bev, Anna, Cathy P
Food Pantry: potatoes, gravy, rice, stuffing, sweet potatoes, spaghetti sauce, pasta, flour, sugar, salt, & pepper or cash
See the gallery here
January 9, 2024 | Louis Ratchford | Houseplant FIELD TRIP | OFFSITE
NOTE: Our original speaker Louis Ratchford, was unable to attend.
In his place was: Orchid fan and Merrifield Plant Specialist, Paul Knight.
This month we will meet at Merrifield Garden Center for our regular business meeting and a class on houseplants. Our instructor will be Louis Ratchford, a Merrifield Plant Specialist. In addition to being on the tree and shrub team, Louis has extensive knowledge of African Violets.
Bring your houseplant questions, and look forward to being entertained. A true cheerleader for new and unique plants, Louis’ passion is infectious. He often has the entire nursery team excited about their latest additions.
We will meet at: Merrifield Garden Center, 6895 Wellington Road, Gainesville, VA 20155
If you have questions on the event day, call Christine Sunda at 703-801-3819.
Hostesses: Wanda, Linda, RACHEL F, Jeanann, Mitra, Bonnie
Food Pantry: peanut butter, jelly, diapers or cash donation
See the gallery here
February 13, 2024 | Kathy Jentz | Pesky Garden Mammals
Our speaker this month is Kathy Jentz, Editor/Publisher of the “Washington Gardener,” the garden magazine for the DC area. She is host of the GardenDC podcast and co-author of “The Urban Garden.”
Kathy’s new book release is “Ground cover Revolution.” She is currently the Green Media columnist for the Mid-Atlantic Grower’s newspaper. She also edits the quarterly “Water Garden Journal,” the official publication of the International Waterlily & Water Gardening Society. She visits dozens of public and private gardens annually.
Kathy’s presentation will focus on humane ways to deal with animals that can cause damage to our gardens. Her topics include deer-resistant plantings, as well as ways to deter deer, squirrels, groundhogs, and other pesky mammals from our plantings. Kathy is an engaging speaker and keeps the audience entertained while providing topical and valuable information.
Hostesses: Amy, Ruth, Ellen, Sally, Lisa, Peggy
Food Pantry: packaged servings of ramen, mac ‘n cheese, or cash donation
See the gallery here
March 12, 2024 | Judy Gallagher | Dragonfly Mysteries
Our March presenter, Judy Gallagher, Certified Master Naturalist, will speak to us about the wonderful dragon and damsel flies. Did you know we have over 200 species in our area alone or that dragonflies, being predators, eat lots of mosquitoes? Dragonflies need a clean source of drinking water, so they are a good indicator that the local water (river, stream, lake) is clean. In addition, they have many unique characteristics.
Judy has been an Audubon member for more than 25 years. She loves birding but is most passionate about documenting insects and spiders, their behavior, and their environment through macro photography. She is a charter member of the Prince William Wildflower Society and has a Certificate in Natural History Field Studies from the Audubon Naturalist Society.
Judy spends most of her free time roaming natural spaces in Northern Virginia, looking for bugs. She also participates in Christmas Bird Counts.
March Hostesses: Susan, Mary Ellen, Judy E, Sally, Hilary, KATHLEEN P
Food Pantry: flour, sugar, salt, pepper, masa flour, or cash donation
See the Gallery Here
April 9, 2024 | Andrew Bort & Caleb Stoltz | The Edible Forest Garden
Andrew Bort and Caleb Stoltz will teach us the basics of Permaculture and creating an edible forest garden. They will highlight different species that work well within a forest garden, such as native perennials and/or edibles.
Nightshade Culinary Landscapes is at the forefront of the DC-area green revolution: designing, installing, and maintaining customized gardens and edible landscapes. Bort states, “I am particularly driven to make the city a greener, healthier, and more ecologically sustainable place to live. I love the challenge that small, unconventional spaces present. I love empowering people to grow their own food. And I love the knowledge that the work I do impacts not just our clients but the community at large.”
April Hostesses: Lisa, CATHERINE B, Pam, Betty, Virginia
Food Pantry: tuna, ravioli, spaghetti, or cash donation
See the Gallery Here
May 14, 2024 | Tuesday | Check-in 11:00 - 11:30 am
Cinco de Mayo, An Installation Celebration Luncheon | OFFSITE
Dominion Valley Country Club,
15200 Arnold Palmer Drive, Haymarket, VA 20169 | MAP
Country Club phone: 571-222-6900
A Mexican themed buffet will be served at noon.
THE LUNCHEON IS OPEN TO MEMBERS AND THEIR GUESTS
Our year-end luncheons are always a fun way to relax and celebrate another year. We acknowledge those that have made special contributions to our club. This year we welcome a new executive board to carry us into 2026. We get in the swing of things with themed attire or simply an outstanding hat.
Photo ops, prizes, music, an Induction of our new Officers
by Barbara Kiker, President of NGAGC and more.
May Hostesses: Vernelle, Page, Kathleen, JANE R, Jerole, Christine
Food Pantry: cash donation