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.
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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!!
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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.
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.
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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.
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 2021-23
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 Sarmentoi
Landscape Design ................. Debbie Gillispie
Membership ........................... Sandra Ehlert, Pam Plumb
Photography .......................... Jacqui Penney
Publicity ................................. . Pam VanScoy
Ways and Means ................... TBD
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Appointees
Chaplain ...................................... Cyndy Boyce​
Parliamentarian ........................... Carol Cole
Webmaster ................................. Vicky Bowen
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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
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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
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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