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. Meetings are held on the 4th Tuesday of each month, September through June, at Heathsville United Methodist Church (UMC) in Heathsville, Virginia. We begin each meeting with a complimentary buffet lunch at 12:00 p.m. (Noon) followed by an educational program and our business meeting. 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.
Rebecca Elston, CBGC President, 2025-2027
"The Chesapeake Bay Garden Club has been a part of my life since I joined in 1996 after my husband and I retired to the Northern Neck. I love to grow flowers and make floral designs so I decided to join a garden club to learn about what I loved to do. I encourage people to get involved, learn, and enjoy being a member of the CBGC."
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 2025-2027
President: Rebecca Elston
1st Vice President: Sharon Lemke
2nd Vice President: Alice Stieve
Recording Secretary: Peggy Rush
Assistant Recording Secretary: Katherine Truxall
Corresponding Secretary: Anne Haynie
Treasurer: Pam VanScoy
Assistant Treasurer: Vacant
Club Committee Chairs & Appointees 2025-2027
Committee Chairs
Awards: Darlene Nelson
Birds: Alice Stieve & Vivian Basl
Civic Development /Youth Projects: Joanne Gills & Vivian Basl
Conversation / Recycling: Vacant
Floral Exhibits: Sharon Stieber
Horticulture: Anne Haynie
Hospitality: Cathy Sarmento & Vivian Basl
Membership: Pam Plumb
Photography: All members submit pictures
Publicity: Pam VanScoy
Ways and Means: Pam VanScoy & Carol Medlin
Appointees
Chaplain : Cindy Boyce
Parliamentarian: Carol Cole
Webmaster: Cathy Sarmento
Club Membership
Active Members - 31
Including:
Landscape Design Consultants - 4
Master Gardeners - 2
Master Naturalists - 3
National Garden Club Credential Holders
Rebecca Elston Accredited Master Flower Show
Judge
Sharon Lemke Accredited Life Flower Show Judge
Carol Medlin Accredited Flower Show Judge
Darleen Nelson Accredited Master Flower Show
Judge
Piedmont District Office & Credential Holders
Rebecca Elston Representative - Flower Show Judges Symposium
Chairman - Protecting Aquatic Ecosystems
Carol Medlin Chairman - Natural Disasters
USA/World Gardening
Darleen Nelson Alternate Flower Show School State
Representative