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About Us

The Chesapeake Bay Garden Club, Inc. (CBGC), is a 501(C)3 not-for-profit volunteer community organization that promotes the love of gardening, floral design, civic and environmental responsibility.  We are a member of the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc. (VFGC), and the National Garden Clubs, Inc. (NGC), the largest volunteer gardening organization in the world.  NGC provides education, resources and national networking opportunities for its members to promote the love of gardening, floral design, and civic and environmental responsibility.

Our club was organized in 1953 by Addie Smith Roberts, who served as our first club president and was active in local, district, state and National Garden Clubs. Our home base is the historic Chesapeake Bay fishing community of Reedville, Virginia. Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of each month, September through June, at Bethany United Methodist Church (UMC) in Reedville. (November and December are dedicated to our annual fundraiser of holiday wreath and tree making.) We begin each meeting with a light lunch at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) followed by a business meeting and educational program. Horticulture specimens and floral designs are exhibited and judged at each meeting. It is a great opportunity to learn new skills, share "tricks-of-the-trade", make new friends, and maintain ties to the community. In addition to the monthly meetings, there are special interest projects and workshops, field trips, and educational programs that offer opportunities for involvement in a variety of interests.

 
Contact us at info@chesbaygc.org for more information. Guests are always welcome to attend a meeting. Come Join Us!!   

Addie Roberts, founder and first club president [1953], left a legacy of beauty and service to our club, the Piedmont District, her church and community, and to the many people who crossed her path.

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Darleen Nelson, CBGC President, 2023 - 2025

"CBGC is a grand lady with a proud history of superior achievements over the years and many memories of good times, good friendships, and good works. May this streak continue as we march into the next 70 years.

Thanks to members who have recruited friends and neighbors into our club. I encourage you all to participate in projects that interest you. Your participation ensures the club’s vitality. It will be only as good as the efforts you put into it".

Our Mission

Working together to share our love and knowledge of gardening and to make our world a better place through conservation, beautification and environmental protection.

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Our Mission
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Club Officers 2023-25

President  .......................  Darleen Nelson

1st Vice President  .........  Rebecca Elston

2nd Vice President  .......  Debbie Gwaltney

Recording Secretary  ....  Alice Stieve

​Assistant Recording

     Secretary  ..................  Susan Titus

Corresponding

     Secretary  ..................  Anne Haynie

Treasurer  .......................  Jacque Konzelman

Assistant Treasurer  .......  Sharon Stieber

Club Committee Chairs & Appointees 2023-25

Committee Chairs

Awards  ...................................  Debbie Boze

Birds ........................................  Alice Stieve, Vivian Basl

Civic Development /

Youth Projects  ........................  Joanne Gills

Conversation / Recycling  ......  Alice Stieve

Floral Exhibits​  ........................  Kathie Truxall

Horticulture  ............................  Anne Haynie

Hospitality  ..............................  Carol Cole, Cathy Sarmento

Landscape Design  .................  TBD

Membership  ...........................  Sharon Lemke, Pam Plumb

Photography  ..........................  Jacqui Penney

Publicity  ..................................  Pam VanScoy

Ways and Means  ....................  Pam VanScoy

Appointees

Chaplain  ......................................  Cyndy Boyce​

Parliamentarian  ...........................  Carol Cole

Webmaster  .................................   Vicky Bowen

Club Membership

Current Membership

45 active members (including eight Landscape Design Consultants, five CBGC Flower Show Judges, seven Master Gardeners, three Master Naturalists)

 

Accredited Master Flower Show Judge

Rebecca Elston

Accredited Flower Show Judges

Dody Douglas, Sharon Lemke, Carol Medlin, Darleen Nelson

Members Holding ...

State Offices (VFGC) 

Darleen Nelson    Second Vice President, VFGC Judges

                              Council

Rebecca Elston    Chairman, Credentials

District Offices (Piedmont)

Rebecca Elston    Representative, Flower Show School

Darleen Nelson    President, Judges Council; Chair,

                               Plant Together Community Gardens​

Sharon Lemke       Secretary, Judges Council

Carol Medlin         Chairman, Natural Disasters; USA/World

                               Gardening

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