2023-2024 Committee Information
Expressions in Art and Flowers
(An ongoing art and floral design project)
In the years that we hold our Expressions in Art and Flowers event, it is always one of the most enjoyable! This exciting annual show has become a wonderful showcase for both experienced and beginning artists and floral designers to exhibit their creativity.
At the March meeting, members of the Club who have created art pieces in various media bring their art to display on tables and easels positioned throughout the room. Members interested in creating a floral design browse the wide array of pieces and choose just the right one as their inspiration.
At the April meeting, the art pieces are returned to the meeting room and the floral designers position their finished designs next to the artwork that inspired them.
During the Thursday meeting, a few of the artists and floral designers are interviewed to share the stories, inspiration, and creative process behind their works. Expressions in Art and Flowers is not a judged show. All members are encouraged to explore their creativity and participate.
Expressions in Art and Flowers will take a hiatus this year and be back for the 2024-2025 year.
Field Trips
Co-Chairs:
Alyce Ashcraft, Judy Oliphant & Christy Wilson
As of the yearbook deadline, not all field trips had been confirmed. Please refer to the VGCLJ website and the Spindrifter for updates regarding the trips, dates, signups, and cost.
May 12-23, 2024
Chelsea Flower Show and
Gardens of the Cotswolds, Sussex, and Kent
Come with us to discover the extraordinary gardens of the Cotswolds, Sussex, and Kent. We'll visit Broughton Grange, Hidcote Manor, Serge Hill, and the Barn before heading south to the area known as the "Garden of England" where our visits include a private opening at Great Dixter, Sissinghurst Castle, and the Royal Horticultural Society gardens at Wisley. The trip ends in London where we will attend the Chelsea Flower Show on "members only" day.
Trip Itinerary and Information
Reservation Form and 2024 Terms & Conditions
Gardeners' Exchange
Co-Chairs: Clara Blenis & Taunya Daley
The Gardeners’ Exchange Table is a great opportunity for our members to talk with each other, share the bounty from their gardens, and find lovely garden treasures for free. Members can bring extra garden items that are no longer being used or when they have an excess, including cuttings (with names/labels), seeds, seedlings, bulbs, and extra plants. Decorative items such as pots, baskets, vases, and other garden décor, as well as other gardening essentials (tools or other useful items) and nonessentials – bring anything you would like to share!
It is always helpful when plants and cuttings are labeled, so please attach labels for us. Also, please bring your contributions at the beginning of the social hour before the meeting so there is time for members to check things out and take what they like. We welcome your donations and really look forward to seeing all of you at our ever- changing, interesting Gardeners’ Exchange Table.
Happy gardening!
Holiday Pantry and Bake Sale
Co-Chairs: Wendy Nash &Linda Morse
It’s never too early to start planning for the annual Holiday Pantry Sale that takes place at the December meeting. Every year, our members generously donate their talents to provide a wide variety of beautifully packaged sweet and savory items for sale. Your generous support of this event has raised thousands of dollars to support our many programs. What is your specialty?
Horticulture
Co-Chairs: Vicki Lugo & Sandy Main
The Horticulture Committee promotes a finer understanding of plants and gardening by offering two display tables each month. We encourage all members to bring cuttings and plants from your garden to share in this collective experience.
Native plants will be an ongoing theme this year to encourage biodiversity, ecological balance, and wildlife in our gardens. In addition, ‘Special Exhibits’ will be narrowly focused on plant themes, useful gardening information, and/or may feature a local favorite nursery.
Biodiversity is what makes our tables so beautiful, and we look forward to seeing all of you!
Marketplace
Co-Chairs: Cynthia Bond & Ann Miller
Gardening, friendship, and shopping! The Market Place Committee presents a carefully selected collection of garden-related “must haves” for you or for a special gift. We hope to entice and surprise you each month with different vendors featuring members of our garden club and the community. And, back by popular demand, January will be “Vintage” month. Start saving your unused, unwanted, and unloved quality items for our second annual “Vintage” sale.
Watch for monthly updates in The Spindrift so you won't miss out on our unique shopping opportunities.
Master Gardener Table
Co Chairs:
BJ Boland
Karen White
Heather Hazen
Hundreds of Master Gardeners in San Diego County provide information about home, school, and community gardens. We share information about plants, pests, pruning, soil, sustainability, tools, trees, design, and more; all based in scientific protocols and established practice. We are part of the University of California Cooperative Extension (UCCE) and with more than a dozen Master Gardeners in VGCLJ, your access is especially easy.
Stop by our table for free handouts, answers about gardening questions, or advice about how we can help club activities. Learn how you can create and qualify an Earth-friendly Garden. Discover how to protect yourself, your home, and your garden from predators. Ask about sprucing up your front door or patio.
Take advantage of our free monthly newsletter to learn about our garden tours, plant sales, and what to do in your garden this month. Just call our Hotline or email any time with questions about gardening.
Master Gardener Hotline: M-F 9:00-3:00; (858) 822-6910
Sign-up for our newsletter and learn about special events, solving problems, earth-friendly gardens, and what to do in the garden this month.
If you prefer to call a familiar name, here are our certified members:
Gleneva Belice, BJ Boland, Jan Davis, Kate Engler, Devonna Hall, Heather Hazen, Libby Levine, Glee Logsdon, Vicki Lugo Karen Morse, Linda Morse, Jackie Seidman, Fran Spath, Karen White
Meet the Masters
Co-Chairs: Devonna Hall & Libby Levine
BACK BY POPULAR DEMAND!
Meet the Masters is presented to the community, and inspired by one of the founders of The Village Garden Club of La Jolla, Adrienne Green. The program highlights excellence in floral and garden design. Please look for information published in the Spindrifter or our website for more details.
Previous programs have featured Masters such as Remco Van Vliet, floral designer for the Metropolitan Museum of Art; Nancy K. Clarke, floral designer for the White House; Shane Connolly, florist for Prince William and Kate Middleton, and for the coronation of King Charles this year; Carolyn Roehm, style icon and lifestyle maven; and author, chef, and humanitarian, Alice Waters.
We hope you will attend and support this event, as it represents outreach to the San Diego community, and serves as a fundraiser for our important service projects, such as Schoolyard Garden Grants and Bouquet of Thanks for Veterans.
For this, is our 50th anniversary year, we will be featuring an outstanding Master and it will be a special event not to miss!
Member Garden Tours
Chair: Deborah Greenspan
Always a wonderful day of delight and inspiration!
In honor of our roots, the featured gardens will be in La Jolla. Gardens, locations, and dates to be announced. Watch for details in the Spindrifter and eblasts.
From the Treasurer:
FISCAL YEAR JULY 1, 20232 THRU JUNE 30, 2024
Your 2023-2024 Financial Team consists of:
Cindy Lococo, Treasurer
It is our hope that the Treasurer Packet consisting of written accounting procedures/guidelines along with applicable forms will ensure a timely matching of income and expenses to generate accurate reporting for committees and the Club. The Treasurer Packet can be found on-line at our website, VGCLJ.com, under the Treasurer link on our Member's Only web page. Please take a moment to download, review, and make necessary copies.
Thank you for your support! If you have any questions or concerns don’t hesitate to contact us.
VGCLJ Treasury Team,
Cindy Lococo, Treasurer