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.
Sharon Lemke, CBGC President, 2021-2023
"Plants don't set limits on themselves... Plants allow their strengths to make them stronger... Plants turn toward the sun... Plants are adaptable... Plants add value to other peoples lives... Plants move at their own pace... I challenge you to not shy away from your uniqueness, but let it shine. Variety does make us stronger. Let us be thankful for plants and the lessons they teach us. So, let's move forward and together face the upcoming year."
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.
Club Officers 2021-23
President ....................... Sharon Lemke
1st Vice President ......... Sharon Stieber
2nd Vice President ....... Debbie Boze
Recording Secretary .... Trish Mrzyglod
Assistant Recording
Secretary .................. Anne Haynie
Corresponding
Secretary .................. Debbie Gwaltney
Treasurer ....................... Jacque Konzelman
Assistant Treasurer ....... Vicky Bowen
Club Committee Chairs & Appointees 2021-23
Committee Chairs
Awards ................................... Sarita Lentz
Birds, Butterflies & Bees ....... Susan Brandli
Civic Development /
Youth Projects ........................ Joanne Gills
Conversation / Recycling ...... Alice Stieve
Floral Exhibits ........................ Kathie Truxall
Horticulture ............................ Rebecca Elston
Hospitality .............................. Carol Cole, Elizabeth Cali
Landscape Design ................. Debbie Gillispie
Membership ........................... Sandra Ehlert, Pam Plumb
Photography .......................... Debbie Gwaltney
Publicity ....................................... Pam VanScoy
Ways and Means ......................... TBD
Special Interest Groups
Nitti-Gritti Garden Group ..... Wonda Allain
Beyond the Garden ............... Susan Brandli
Appointees
Chaplain ...................................... Cyndy Boyce
Parliamentarian ........................... Carol Cole
Webmaster ................................. Vicky Bowen
Club Membership
Current Membership
48 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