The Village Garden Club of La Jolla
Thank you for visiting The Village Garden Club of La Jolla website, our online home to help keep members informed of current events of the club. Check back often to see what is happening each month, to learn of special garden tours and to see new photos.
This Month’s Program
april 25, 2024
(OPEN TO GUESTS)
LOCATION: Good Samaritan Episcopal Church, 4321 Eastgate Mall, La Jolla
9:30 a.m.--Hospitality Hour
10:30 a.m.--Meeting and Speaker
“Everything Is Coming Up Roses!”
Speaker: Danielle Dall’Armi Hahn of Rose Story Farm
LANDSCAPE
Last year was the 25th anniversary of Rose Story Farm in Carpinteria, California. Danielle Dall'Armi Hahn's mission from the first day was to produce beautiful, fragrant, romantic roses in exquisite shapes and colors. She now produces the highest quality roses and grows over 40,000 rose bushes, with over 160 varieties.
Danielle‘s first book, The Color of Roses, was produced in April. Shortly thereafter, Martha Stewart asked her to help design a new rose garden on her property in Bedford, New York. She was then featured on the television series, Martha’s Gardens, as well as numerous garden publications.
Please join us as Danielle will generously share her love and expert knowledge of roses, as well as some of her beautiful roses she will be bringing to our meeting. Her book, The Color of Roses, will be available after her talk.
VGCLJ Events
2024-2025 Membership Applications
mEMBERSHIP rENEWAL INFORMATION AND LINK
NEW MEMBER APPLICATION INFORMATION AND LINK
*Deadline to Renew or Apply for Membership is May 1, 2024*
50th Anniversary Memories
Our 50th anniversary will be celebrated at a luncheon on May 9. Below are some of the highlights reflecting the impact of our Club’s primary founder, Adrienne Green, growth of membership, and evolution of programs and projects. These leaders, with the support of members, are why we can now mark this impressive milestone.
Please join us on May 9 to honor our past and celebrate our future. There will not be a program. Brief remarks will be made by Dr. Ari Novy, CEO of San Diego Botanic Garden.
Donna Derrick, now deceased, (1995-1997) was encouraged to join to help with the Jacaranda Tree Project (now known as Commemorative Tree Planting). She attributed Club growth of 101 members to successful recruitment; good programs offering diversity; member garden tours and her secret weapon, Club founder/advisor Adrienne Green.
Betty Vale (1997-1999) was persuaded to join by someone impossible to say "no" to, Adrienne Green. Membership grew because of her outreach and belief that low dues and more members would allow the Club to afford great speakers.
Pat Miller's term (1999-2001) began with 260 members and a theme “Ready, Set, Grow into the 21st Century." The membership was capped at 260. Club activities included a new event suggested by founder Adrienne Green for an “In House Flower Show." She offered a design workshop with basics and practice techniques. Participants in this non-judged show had entries critiqued with low key evaluations and suggestions for improvement by Adrienne and Elma Garcia. An outgrowth of our Jacaranda Tree Planting Project, Past President Pat Garrick proposed to the City of San Diego that the jacaranda tree be named the official tree of the city. Presented to the City Council, the proposal was unanimously approved.
Sandy McCreight (2001-2003) recounts a favorite memory of a floral design workshop in her garage by dear Adrienne Green. These became the precursor to our Expressions in Art events. At the end of her term the Club had 323 members.
Ann Zahner (2003-2005) saw growth to 385 members at a time when clubs across the nation were just trying to stay afloat. The Schoolyard Garden Project was adopted in her term.
Connie Brown (2005-2007) took Adrienne Green's advice on the importance of good speakers. "She told me if I found exceptional speakers, she would find a way to pay for them. She felt our Club was distinguished by the diversity of our programs and quality of our projects." Connie's term added post-meeting hands-on workshops, the Speakers Fund and secured 501(c)(3) non-profit status.
Ann Craig (2007-2009) saw membership reach 400. When Adrienne hired Remco Van Vliet, the Metropolitan Museum's floral designer for $6,000, she appointed a committee to create a community-wide event, Meet the Masters. It was an overwhelming success. She feels her term was a great honor and the most rewarding volunteer position she ever had.
Nan Kaufman (2009-2011) celebrated Adrienne Green’s 90th birthday, honoring her with a collection of $1,600 donated to the San Diego Botanic Garden in her name. Preview night receptions were added to precede Meet the Masters during her term.
Lucy Borsenberger (2011-2013) became President at the persuasion of Adrienne and Lucy now calls it one of the best decisions she ever made. New endeavors included a cookbook, the Moores Cancer Center Healing Garden and Bouquet of Thanks projects, along with a farmers market to support all projects.
Susan Oliver (2013-2015) attended her first meeting at the insistence of Adrienne. There was no doubt in Susan's mind our Club was not only founded, but made to thrive, under her guidance. When she accepted this role, the membership was 423 with a wait list. Her term marked the Club's 40th anniversary.
Devonna Hall (2015-2017) was challenged with finding a new meeting site for our growing group. She and Mary Anne Brown visited the bedside of Adrienne, then 95, and she was still emphasizing “speakers are what make the Club strong." Just weeks after their visit Devonna helped organize a celebration of Adrienne's life at San Diego Botanic Garden.
Bonnie Sipe and Penelope West (2017-2019) served as the first Co-Presidents. Under their guidance, membership was capped at 400, the Club transitioned from the analog world to digital, and “Wreaths Across America” was added.
Sue Kalish and Sue Miller, now deceased, (2019-2021) welcomed back 365 members during a term challenged by the illness of Sue Miller and the COVID pandemic. Yet together they sustained Club visibility with Zoom meetings and outdoor “treasures” sales to support Club projects.
Roz Bradley's and Susan Harris' term (2021-2023) managed pandemic isolation via a combination of YouTube broadcasts and county-permitted activities while maintaining all civic projects. A new rose garden was organized and planted at Mt. Soledad National Veterans Memorial.
Marilyn Dronenburg and Maureen McMahon (2023-2024) began their term with 297 members, a theme of “50 Years and Still Going Strong," relocation to a new meeting site and return to a Meet the Masters event
Full reports may be viewed on Club website “Memories of my Time as President”.
An Exciting Opportunity!
Sterling Garden Tours invites you to join them for a wonderful trip to…
Chelsea and Gardens of the Cotswolds, Sussex, and Kent
May 12-23, 2024
VGCLJ Committee Updates
THE COMMEMORATIVE TREE PLANTING PROGRAM
Kathy and I give a big thank you to members who have become regular donors of trees.
Last year there were 118 donations for trees, with many members donating several times. We also had many donations from non-Club members, who appreciated the opportunity to remember someone in this way. This year's tree donations have already added $6,000 to our existing funds!
It was particularly gratifying to hear Marta McDowell, our February speaker, mention the many trees that past Presidents and First Ladies have ceremoniously planted in The White House gardens--whether it was honoring a groundskeeper's 50 years of service, a French president making a diplomatic gesture of friendship, or a First Lady marking Arbor Day or other occasions. The planting of a commemorative tree is a time-honored tradition, and our Club is in excellent company!
Our committee is set to plant more trees in a community park in South San Diego, working with the San Diego Parks Foundation. They had expected to plant this spring, but the rainstorm damage has paused the planting. We may have to wait until the fall.
However, we will hold our Dedication Ceremony on May 10. We now hold the event every two years. This year Elaine Butz has graciously opened her garden for the ceremony, and we are most grateful to her. Donors and relatives from the last two years will receive an invitation to the event. April 1 is the cut-off date for inclusion in this year's ceremony, so there is still time to donate a tree should you want to be included!
Kathy McKee & Penelope West, Co-Chairs