22 February 2022
Opening Luncheon
After another several months without meetings, the Chesapeake Bay Garden Club (CBGC) finally convened its first 'normal' general meeting with lunch and a program on February 22nd at Festival Halle in Reedville. Head Hostess Karen Luzuriaga and team (Maryalyce Johnson, Susan Titus, Cindy Boyce, Pam VanScoy, Teresa Neil and Vicky Bowen) organized an "over the top" pizza luncheon with a variety of pizza toppings, antipasto/charcuterie platters, salads, and italian deserts all served on tables covered with red check table clothes, red roses and balloons. This may become a recurring February event!
Announcements
The family of Jan Shriver had donated her floral design items that they wanted our members to enjoy. Members were encouraged to select items today and make a donation to the club if they liked.
The Piedmont District Spring Meeting is being held on March 21st at Double Tree by Hilton Richmond Midlothian at a cost of $35. Registration deadline is March 10th.
VFGA Convention will be held in Richmond May 1st – 3rd at the Richmond Hilton in Short Pump. Information is in the "Old Dominion Gardener."
Corresponding Secretary, Debbie Gwaltney reported on correspondence sent through February 8, 2022
Old Business
Only 7 members have express interest in the Longwood Gardens trip and a minimum of 15 is required. Let Kathie Truxall know by March 31st, if you plan to go.
Carol Cole and Sharon Stieber are coordinating a CBGC event at the Transportation Building in Heathsville on May 21 that will showcase floral designs, horticulture and educational displays from the club. It will not be a judged flower show, so participants are free to express their own creativity.
Commitee Reports
Membership - Club membership for this year is now at 47, per Sandra Ehlert with the addition of two new members: Cathy Sarmento and Annette Jewell. The meeting attendance was 29.
Birds, Butterflies and Bees - Susan Brandli announced that the Avian bird disease has dissipated a great deal but we are still encouraged to keep bird feeders clean. If we do find a dead bird, we should wear gloves, wrap it up and dispose of it in the trash.
A sign up schedule for monitoring the two Blue Bird Trails was passed around at the meeting. One trail is in Lottsburg by Ace Hardware and the other at the Courthouse in Heathsville.
Horticulture
Committee member Nancy Stogowski presented several award ribbons for 17 horticulture specimens submitted by 7 members:
Wonda Allain - received 4 Blues and Best in Show
Anne Haynie – received 4 Blues
Debbie Gwaltney – received 2 Blues and 2 Reds
Sharon Lemke – received 1 Blue
Jerry Jenkins – received 1 Blue
Debby Tupper- received 2 Blues
Sarita Lentz – received 1 Blue
Floral Design
Kathie Truxall presented award ribbons for the mono-botanic design exhibits themed "A Family of Friends:"
Carol Cole – Blue
Kathie Truxall – Red
Debbie Gwaltney – Blue
Jerry Jenkins - Blue
Sharon Lemke – Blue and Best in Show
Kathie Truxall explained that the Flower Design for our March meeting is a double sided design. One design on front and one on the back (all in one container). Points will be awarded for each side of the design.
Don’t forget to sign up to participate in Rappahannock Art League, “Art & Flower Show” that will be held April 1st and 2nd. You can choose your artwork on Wednesday, March 2nd.
Program: "Growing Gorgeous Roses and Their Different Types"
After the luncheon, Peggy Singlemann, Director of Maymont’s Park Operations and Horticulture and Host of Virginia Home Grown Show on PBS TV shared her experience and wisdom on growing one of CBGC's favorite flowers: The Rose. Peggy has designed, planted, and maintained historic and specialty gardens on the 100-acre Maymont estate for over thirty years.
Peggy began with pictures of the historic gardens of Maymont. Then she focused on the roses of the estate. The dominant colors are pink and blue. Peggy has worked hard to keep the gardens historically correct. Next Peggy provided a description of the different types of roses and explained the difference between a rambler and a climber. When trimming your roses, cut above the leaf. Start feeding your roses in April and continue feeding them once a month throughout the growing season.
Finally, be aware of Rose Rosette, a virus that only affects roses. Infected rose bushes must be destroyed otherwise the virus will spread to other rose plants. Do not place the garden waste into the recycle bin or mulch pile. The Internet provides pictures and explanations of this deadly rose virus.
Peggy’s informative and enthusiastic presentation has encouraged many members to plan a visit to the Maymont Estate in Richmond this spring. Wandering the beautiful estate provides a great outdoor experience for people of all ages. The Victorian house is open to the public as well.
Upcoming Activities
In March, members of CBGC will help with the cleanup of Reedville Fishermen’s Museum grounds. Members of the museum and the garden club will meet on March 19th from 9 to 1 to clean-up the grounds. The next meeting will be on March 22nd at Festival Hall in Reedville. It will begin at noon and the program will be about the bats of Virginia.
Article contributed by Karen Luzuriaza, Tricia Mrzyglod and Vicky Bowen. Photos by Vicky Bowen.