Happenings

Julie Edmonds, PhD.  - "Sex in the World's Largest Garden" ~ March 7 , 2023 

Technicolor talk on the scientific investigation of how coral polyps reproduce. The images made clear that none of us have seen such a fabulous garden, unless we’ve been able to visit Australia’s Great Barrier Reef.  Julie had a prominent role in the addition to our knowledge of coral reef biology. Not long after several researchers discovered that sexual, not asexual, reproduction is how most coral polyps multiply, she became the first researcher in the world to isolate coral polyp DNA. 

Elizabeth Miller's Abstract Creative Design Presentation ~ July 6, 2023

Elizabeth Miller has been a member of the Purcellville Garden Club for 20 years.  She has been a Flower Show Judge for 5 years.  As she works in the medical field in a "high stress" job she finds that working with flowers helps to relieve any anxieties that she has.

Purcellville Garden Club 

Frank Filipy's River Keeper Presentation ~ August 1, 2023

Frank, and his equally dedicated wife, Lisa, live in Luray, VA.   Frank a key participant and coordinator for Shenandoah Riverkeeper’s Trash Free Shenandoah campaign, and has been on the Host Committee and Sponsor for our Annual Gala. 

https://www.potomacriverkeepernetwork.org/profile/frank-filipy/

Bill Bynum our guest speaker ~  November , 2023

Bill Bynum an amateur mycologist, lives in Rappahannock County now, since 2016.  He first became interested in fungi in 2005 when curiosity about an intriguing mushroom growing in his yard led him to join the Connecticut Valley Mycological Society(CVMS).  Attending the CVMS club’s weekly forays, he began to learn about all sorts of fungi that were collected and discussed by experts.  Bill was CVMS President for several years before moving to Rappahannock.  Bill and his partner Madlyn have enjoyed walks in the Virginia woods and have been surprised and happy to find morels in much greater numbers than ever found in Connecticut.

Bill has presented Introduction to Mycology programs for many public mushroom events, garden clubs, libraries, and Virginia Master Naturalist training classes.

Some of Bill's photographs and the meeting attendees are attached, below.

Annual Holiday Party at Linda's ~ December 20th, 2023

Maureen Wilcox, the Shenandoah District President, also attended.

Chantel Pence and Karl Rand from The Natural Garden ~ Natives

The Natural Garden Inc ,  Karl Shank, owner, Harrisonburg, VA 22802

In 30 years of working in the Shenandoah Valley and Piedmont area, we know what native plants work!  The Natural Garden is an ecological design-build company that offers a wide selection of regionally grown natives that we use to create a living landscape for our clients.   For those who would love to support their local pollinators and other beneficial organisms, we offer habitat packs – a collection of 5-7 different species that are known to play well with each other.  Our nursery supplies high quality trees, shrubs, and perennial herbs to our local retail markets as well as to our landscaping and habitat restoration clients. The Natural Garden believes in creating spaces that will stand the test of time using old world stonework to complement thenative plant gardens and meadows.

Areas we cover include Albemarle, Greene and Nelson County’s and the Shenandoah Valley.                  https://www.thenaturalgarden.net/

Gretchen Mulligan - Master Judge and Designer,  October 2024
Presentation of Petite Designs 3" - 12"  .  Gretchen brought six designs ranging from 3 inches to 12 inches to demonstrate how one should choose their plant materials and containers to fit the space allowed.

Gretchen Mulligan is a Master Judge, which is the highest level in the Nation for Flower Judging.  Gretchen has been a designer for about 30 years.  She learned mostly around the National Capitol Garden Clubs before moving to Luray.  She is a member of the Luray Garden Club and is a founder of the Shenandoah Designer's Guild for Advanced Designers.  

Isabel Graves - HVGC Member's Power Point Presentation on Herbariums,  November, 12, 2024.

Isabel's childhood and love for gardens was influenced by the wildflowers that grew along the roadsides in her neighborhood.  Many of those wildflowers are no longer growing there.   Isabel's presentation on the history, preparation, and storage of Herbariums reflects her lifelong love for creating Herbariums for many uses both historical and for fun.

Lesley Mack - HVGC Member's Power Point Presentation and Workshop on
                                Kokedama, Moss Balls.  February, 4, 2025.

Lesley's presentation included a power point on the history and evolution of Pen-Sai, Bonsai, Kokedama, and other Companion plants.   Lesley also discussed the materials and steps needed to create a Kokedama.  After the power point presentation, HVGC members created their own Kokedama to take home.

Will Daniels - HVGC Member's Power Point Presentation and Workshop on
                              Ikebana with Dried Flowers.   March, 4, 2025

Will's presentation discussed the history of Ikebana and how it has transcended into today's version; and how the freest style of ikebana arose in the 1920’s. It is often interpreted as a “you do you” style, highlighting the designer’s feelings about the elements in the arrangement more than the flowers themselves. At the core of this style of ikebana is still about appreciating nature and highlighting seasonal elements. It still prioritizes negative space and asymmetry.  

Pamela Lamborne - Glen Burnie Garden Club member and Floral NGC Design Judge.

Pam is a 45 year member of Glen Burnie Garden Club in Winchester, Virginia and has served twice as president.  Her presentation included ideas about the Principles of Design.  Pam took some time to comment on the Angular Designs that club members brought.
Pam holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture from Virginia Tech and an MBA from Shenandoah University.  Pam is also an accredited NGC judge and enjoys anything pertaining to flowers.  In addition to working at Shenandoah University, Pam also has a part-time interior landscaping business, Pam’s Petals. Pam lives in Winchester, Virginia with her husband, Roger, and two "All American" pups. 

Kate Wofford and Chris Anderson from the Alliance of the Shenandoah

The Alliance envisions a Shenandoah Valley sustained by farms and forests, clean streams and rivers, and thriving communities.   Alliance for the Shenandoah Valley works to ensure the Valley’s rural character, scenic beauty, clean water and vibrant communities are protected by providing accurate and timely information to community members and decision makers.  They believe that, together, we can preserve what is important to community members and grow in ways that are sensitive to the extraordinary natural and cultural resources that distinguish our region. 

Megan Gordon, director of PACA, Page Alliance for Community Action -
PACA is a non-profit community based coalition with a mission to promote the drug-free, healthy and positive development of youth and families through community collaboration and prevention based initiatives in Page County.

Adam K. Downing, extension agent, Forestry & Natural Resources - Northwest District
Since 2001 Adam has worked as the Forestry and Natural Resources Extension Agent serving VA Cooperative Ext.'s NW  district, a 20-county area spanning the Shenandoah Valley and the Northern Piedmont.    His professional expertise is in providing informal education regarding forestry and natural resources to address current issues in rural, urban, areas to home and landowners.   On August 5, 2025, Adam spoke to the  club at their annual salad luncheon at Wisteria Vineyard.  Adam's power point presentation  was on  Invasive Species of trees, shrubs, vines, grasses , and forbs in our area.  Adam generously gave field guides to all who wanted one.  "Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas", an excellent guide.

Rose Ann Smythe, Accredited NGC Flower Show Judge

Rose Ann has resided in Page County, VA for 23 years. She is a member and past president of the Luray Garden Club, and will soon be an Accredited Flower Show judge. 

Rose Ann had a 25-year career as a special educator. She served as Executive Director of the Child Care and Learning Center in Rappahannock County.

She has been a leader in many civic groups, including the Shenandoah National Park Association, the Blue Ridge Heritage Project, and the Greenhill Cemetery Association. Through her work and that of another association member, Greenhill Cemetery was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2024.

Rose Ann maintains beautiful terraced gardens on the rocky slopes behind her 1812 home in Luray. 

Grace Morris , A Master Flower Show Judge

(From Old Dominion Gardener, 2021)  Grace was the Third Vice President of the Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs.    Living in Waynesboro, VA., with husband, Harold, and 2 cats.  They have four children and three grand children.  Retired as Associate Director of UVA Medical Alumni Assoc/Medical School Foundation.    She is a member of four garden clubs, and Ikebana of Richmond.    

Grace has served as Symposium Chair, VFGC Convention Chair, Shen. Dist. President, and VFGC Recording Secretary.  She is President of both Shenandoah Designers Guild, and VFGC Judges Council.

Grace presented a ''Low Profile'' Design to club members, allowing members to add on to her beginning design and take the designs home.

2025 -  Annual Holiday Luncheon at the American Legion - December 16th.

Lots of room at the Legion Hall for all the frivolities the club decided on:  Feuerzangenbowle - a traditional German hot wine and sugar drink made by Mike and Adelhide.  We needed an extra table for the desserts and for the Naughty Santa gifts - everyone was so generous!  Those that were willing, wore or brought a memory that they shared about themselves - heartfelt and funny stories!  The Naughty Santa exchange was filled with excitement as the Orchid, Magnolia Wreath, and Ron's HVGC box created quite the "heated" and laugh filled exchange.  Putter played Carols, and folks sang along.   'Twas a wonderful celebration!  Here are some photos to show that.