February, 2025

Dear Harpswell Garden Club: Happy New Year to All!

Our FIRST MEETING of the year will be a ZOOM MEETING AT 1:00 PM on Thursday, February 20^th, and the topic is “Sustainable Rose Gardening in New England”.  The Zoom invitation will be sent closer to the date.  PLEASE plan to attend this presentation as it will be a bright spot in the dog days of winter.

Our speaker is Mike Chute. He and his wife Angelina are co-founders of Rose Solutions, a landscape consulting company that specializes in roses.  They are both certified American Rose Society Master Rosarians, and Mike is an accredited ARS horticultural rose judge.

Mike and Angie have been growing roses for over 25 years.  They have authored two books on roses:  Roses for New England: A Guide to Sustainable Rose Gardening and Rose Gardening Season By Season: A Journal for Passionate Gardeners.  In addition to their books, the Chutes were recently Contributing Editors to the American Rose magazine.

Besides growing roses, talking about roses, and writing about roses, they both enjoy competing in rose shows throughout New England and Montreal—winning their fair share of awards!!!

If you want to learn more in advance of this amazing OPPORTUNITY, you can go their web site or their blog.

NOMINATIONS: The HGC Board will be meeting on February 11 at 4 pm at my house.  We will be putting together a nominating committee.  If you are interested in being on the Committee or serving in any of the positions, PLEASE reach out to me. 301/509-5641

The following positions need to be filled:

Vice President: Cindy Mudford will become President at the May Annual Meeting.

Assistant Treasurer: Margaret Broughall will succeed Treasurer Anne Mankiewich

Wedding and Events Flowers to work with Judy Stallworth and Cindy Mudford.  Cindy will need a backup when she becomes President, but she plans to continue

A Webmaster to work with Suzanne Bushnell as Becky is to be elected President, Garden Club Federation of ME.

Membership: Lauren Griffiths is retiring.

Two Co-Chairs to organize and manage the Fall Fest

THE STROUDWATER DISTRICT ANNUAL MEETING is scheduled for Friday, April 11, 2025, at the Purpoodock Club in Cape Elizabeth.  The Harpswell Garden Club and the Gorham Garden Clubs are co-hosting the meeting.  The invitation will be issued soon, and I hope many of our members will plan to attend.

Sincerely,

Tuckie Westfall
President