Sue Kalish & Sue Miller: May 2019-May 2021

Known as Sue2   we began our term welcoming back 365 members that included an enthusiastic new group of 22.   We chose  “It takes a Village” as our theme and little did we realize how prophetic our choice turned out to be. Initially, Sue Miller received a cancer diagnosis that required a leave of absence  during treatment and then in early 2020 the dreaded Covid Pandemic made its debut ending our ability to meet in person.  

 Thanks to the strong support, inspiration, and programing of both our Executive and Governing Boards we were able to finish out 2019 through February 2020 with sold out workshops thanks to the imagination of Maureen McMahon and Mary Ruyle, Bouquet of Thanks Committee delivery of 153 pumpkins to our veterans at the VA hospital, a successful Holiday Pantry thanks to the talents of Linda Beinhoff & Leslie Dupree followed by beautifully by our  traditional Holiday Luncheon at the Marine Room chaired by Roz Bradley and Carolyn LaPierre.

 Little did we know in February that the imaginative  programming of Susan Harris and Sheryl Lester  would close out the last open meeting of our term. Our Speaker Emma Manners, The Duchess of Rutland, held us all enthralled from the moment she made her grand entrance into the sanctuary. With humor, grace, and charm, she shared the history, current status, and plans for the future of Belvoir Castle.

 The Pandemic forced us to shift our focus to maintaining our membership in order to sustain the viability of the Club during this unprecedented time. 

·      A weekly e-newsletter was sent to the from April – August featuring past photos, pictures and articles from our members, and other gardening news and information.

·      Fortunately, we had already initiated a closed Facebook page in the fall that members could access.

·      By September, we were all introduced to Zoom general, executive and committee meetings.  We even had a Zoom holiday party.

·      Yearbooks were distributed via “drive by” at Congregation Beth Israel.

·      In order to support our civic projects, we held two “Treasures” sales outside.

·      A small committee continued to tend the Healing Garden at the Moores Cancer Center. Holiday Cards for the VA were signed at this time that were delivered along with poinsettias to the patients and staff at the VA.

In spite of her pancreatic cancer diagnosis, Sue Miller continued as co-president with extraordinary attention to detail, humor and fortitude. Her commitment to  honoring the past, while ensuring the future are a tribute to both Sue and the rich history of the Village Garden Club of La Jolla. 

Roz Bradley and Susan Harris: May 2021-May 2023

As we reflect on our joint presidency over the two-year span from 2021-2023, our recollections are all
about transitions. We began in the Fall of 2021 aiming to jump-start the club out of the hibernation that
was forced on us by the pandemic. We were thrilled to make the transition from online Zoom meetings
to live meetings albeit separated from one another by the required six feet and wearing masks. Initially
the meetings were a little austere as were could not enjoy refreshments and beverages and the
wonderful social hours our club loves. While fewer members than usual attended in person, we were
able to capitalize on the technology of Beth Israel to broadcast our programs on our own YouTube
channel. This was particularly meaningful to our members who were uncomfortable attending in person
or were living out of town.

Jean Collins and Kim Devoe entertained and educated the club with outstanding monthly programs that
hit all of the highlights of floral artistry, landscaping, conservation, historical gardens, and gardening for
personal pleasure. Jeanne Smith and Elaine Butz coordinated wonderful workshops that allowed
individual members to learn new skills using floral materials—often with a holiday theme.

Some of our annual events—Meet the Masters and the Members Garden Tour—could not be scheduled
as the guidelines for meetings still fluctuated as the county guidelines related to COVID levels changed.
Janet Evans and her committee modified Expressions in Art and Flowers for us by selecting several
members to interpret beautiful art works from members in a format that could be easily transmitted by
YouTube. By the second year, Janet and her committee were able to return to the original format in the
social hall—a sign of our progress in reblooming. We were finally able to hold luncheons again and
Diana Lombrozo and Mary Ann Driscoll created a spring garden in the social hall as we enjoyed a lovely
May Luncheon. Margaret Dudas and Ann Hill spearheaded the December Luncheon with traditional
holiday décor and a buffet luncheon. Last but not least, Maureen McMahon and Marilyn Dronenburg
set the bar at a very high level when they brought back a never to be forgotten Members Garden Tour in
Rancho Santa Fe in the second year.

Some of our monthly meeting activities were also curtailed by pandemic guidelines. Our Marketplace
returned after a year-long hiatus with Susan Oliver and Leah Higgins bringing in wonderful vendors. Our
Holiday Pantry was initially held outdoors with Betsy Mitchell and Linda Morse and our members
braving the weather, but returned indoors in full force the following year with Linda Morse and Wendy
Nash pushing us to bring in our best examples of holiday cheer. Gradually the other committee tables
reappeared thanks to Clara Blenis (Gardeners’ Exchange Table), Sheryl Lester (Horticulture) and Karen
White, B. J. Boland, and Heather Hazen (Master Gardeners). We especially welcomed the return of the
Master Gardeners contributions to the newsletter and the very popular garden tool sharpening event.

Our Field Trips returned thanks to individual members volunteering to organize special events. Susan
Starr coordinated a field trip to the San Diego Botanical Garden; Penelope West took us to a local
mushroom farm.

The club did a stellar job of maintaining all our civic projects despite the challenges of the pandemic.
Penny Pines and Wreaths Across America were successful in collecting funds to support these important
activities. Debi Nichols coordinated the Moores Cancer Center Garden. The Bouquet of Thanks
committee honored the Veterans at the local medical center with our traditional pumpkins, poinsettias,
tillandsias, and Memorial Day arrangements. The Commemorative Tree Planting committee actively
managed their donations to local parks and new landscaping projects. Their reception for donors and
honorees returned our second year at Wisteria Cottage. In keeping with our “new shoots” theme, Susan
Vandendriess coordinated a project to plant roses at Mount Soledad Memorial Park. Leigh Hartman,
Mary Lippman, Annette Gomez, and Susan Vandendriesse coordinated the various components of the
Schoolyard Gardening Grants committee to support local school gardening programs.

In any club, there are behind-the-scenes members who keep the enterprise functioning. Mercedes
Bartolomei Penner and Kate Engler created the beautiful yearbooks that guide members through the
year and Donna Koziol assisted with collecting photos of our new members. Susan DiMaggio and Alida
Bracker coordinated the set-up and take-down of the social hall. Paula McGraime and Donna Queen
coordinated refreshments. Louise Hill and Ann Hill coordinated the beautiful flower arrangements for
the refreshments table. Marge Palmer and Dianne Holmes photographed most of our events and
published their photos online. Sara Carpenter served as our webmaster and our jill-of-all-trades related
to technology. Susan Starr and Mary Lippmann took over as editors of the newsletter in the second
year. Alice Harmon continued to provide beautiful graphic design services to the club.
Gaynor Pates and May Bull took on the task for welcoming several classes of new members who entered
during the pandemic year. Together, they mentored those members and created social gatherings to
make them feel welcome and encourage their participation in the club.

On our amazing Executive Committee, Jean Thomas, Susan Starr, and Linda Shaw recorded the ‘ multiple
activities in the minutes. Leslie Dupree wrote notes and letters to our members. Cindy Lococo kept
track of our finances and advised the club on staying afloat. Sandy McCreight and Suzanne Ward served
as parliamentarians and advised the club on its By-Laws and Standing Rules. Pam Palisoul and Sheryl
Lester coordinated the important work of the annual membership process. Throughout the two years,
Devonna Hall, Susan Miller, Sue Kalish, and Sheryl Lester served as advisors to the Committee. In
addition, Gaynor Pates was always available to answer our questions and give suggestions.

It is a monumental responsibility to assume the leadership of a club such as ours that has a long history
and many traditions. We feel it was a privilege to service and guide the club through this difficult time as
its co-presidents.

Roz Bradley and Susan Harris

Bonnie Sipe and Penelope West: May 2017 – May 2019

Penelope and Bonnie were the first Co-Presidents of the Village Garden Club of La Jolla (VGCLJ).  Although not required in the ByLaws, Co-Presidency has proved to be popular.  The club had grown so large and had continued to add committees and projects.  It had become difficult for one president to stay on top of everything.  In addition, we found that, during the two-year period, there were times when we could travel and still have one president easily available.

 There were several changes in the Bylaws. The membership cap of 400 was re-established as a more workable number for our Club; the date for membership applications and renewals was brought forward from the May meeting to May 1, to allow the processing of data to be completed earlier; and it was clarified that all officer positions, with the exception of Treasurer, could be co positions.

 During this time, the club moved towards the use of the computer for membership sign up and online payment of dues, as well as the use of signup genius for committees.

 By 2017, insufficient parking in the parking structure became a serious problem. Nearby UTC parking was no longer available and carpooling was not seen as an acceptable option.  However, the situation was significantly improved in 2018 with the use of valet parking to squeeze more spaces within the garage and in the adjoining parking lot. 

 The Sanctuary, with its comfortable seating, had been the primary space for our programs, but after Congregation Beth Israel’s insurance no longer permitted covering of the major Sanctuary windows, the excessive light from windows and skylight became an insurmountable problem for viewing speakers’ slides.    We therefore decided to hold our programs, except those for floral designers, in the Social Hall which could be darkened, although the space was tight.

 Several interesting local field trips were held, but disappointingly a popular 4-day trip to the Sonoma wine country had to be cancelled due to California fires.  The amount of work organizing such travel trips led to the policy decision that allowed a member in the travel business to organize future travel without it being seen as promoting a member’s business.

 We were delighted to have Alice Waters, owner of Chez Panisse, to speak at a Meet the Masters event in Balboa Park.  Alice started the national movement to create gardens within schools. Our proceeds were given to our own Schoolyard Gardens Committee for distribution to schools within San Diego County.

 New programs during this period were the production of a new cookbook, Our Favorite Things.   Also, we participated in the nationwide program - Wreaths Across America where volunteers placed wreaths on Veterans graves in all 50 states.  For each wreath our members purchased, our Club benefitted with a percentage returned.

 We chose to share the responsibilities of the presidency by splitting the oversight of the committees between us.  We found this made for an enjoyable and rewarding two years as co-presidents.

Devonna Hall: May 2015 – May 2017

After being sworn in at the May 2015 meeting, I arranged a meeting with the Torrey Pines Christian Church, to discuss the lease renewal. Surprisingly, at the meeting we were told our rent was going to more than double. We requested a meeting with the board and a back and forth began which lasted until July. We tried to work this out, but alas, it was not to be, and we were forced to find a new venue. We visited about 25 venues, but none was large enough to accommodate our 425 members. Finally, we visited Congregation Beth Israel, and were welcomed. They offered the same rent and we’d found a new home. When Charles Fishman spoke to our club about his book, “The Big Thirst” he said he thought this was the finest venue he’d spoken in, including the United Nations. After a few months, construction began at University Towne Center, and parking became a challenge.

 My Executive Board was wonderful, and I honestly enjoyed every moment with them. Bonnie Sipe presented some wonderful programs, and Vickie Lugo with Linda Morse and Judy MacKenzie presented workshops that were so terrific, they were always sold out. My advisors, Lucy Borsenberger, Ann Craig, and Nan Kaufman kept me on track, and I called on them often. Tammy Schwab was my solid Treasurer my first year, and Cindy Lococo thankfully stepped in to serve the second year. The Recording Secretaries were Sue Miller and Linda Shaw and Sue Kalish and they were efficient and reliable. Dodie Williams was a wonderful Membership chair. I relied on Sandy McCreight as Parliamentarian and she never let me down. As Corresponding Secretary, Libby Levine’s beautiful notes were often so great, she’d get thank you notes back. They were smart and dedicated and we also had a wonderful Governing Board. This was a well-oiled machine with so many talented and dependable women and a few men, so it was an honor to serve. I always say I got back so much more than I gave.

I have fond memories of The New Member Receptions were so enjoyable that everyone wanted to score an invitation. The first year Annette Richie Buis hosted, and the second year Diane Farr was the generous host. It was always such a pleasure to welcome our new members.

In late August 2015, Mary Anne Brown and I went to take a yearbook to founder, Adrienne Green who was 95. I remember Adrienne emphasizing the importance of good speakers. Sadly, just a couple of weeks later Adrienne died on September 12, 2015. Adrienne’s son lived in New Mexico and asked me to plan her Celebration of Life. Gleneva Belice and Mary Anne Brown were wonderful friends and planners and on October 9th, friends and family gathered to celebrate Adrienne’s life at the San Diego Botanic Gardens. We dedicated the year to her memory and before each meeting, I showed a slideshow of photos of her and her garden. She was such an inspiration to so many people, so it was a big loss.

 A delightful and memorable tradition is the annual Holiday Luncheon at the Marine Room where Chef Bernard prepared a delicious and beautiful lunch and it’s come to signify the beginning of the holiday season for me and many members.

 December Nights is another traditional way we support the San Diego Floral Association. For both years of my presidency, we decorated a tree and then donated it to the Girls Rehabilitation Facility. The first year Joyce Von Graven made a fabulous Dr. Suess tree and the second year Ray Conser and Kate Engler did a tree on the San Diego Zoo theme. The girls were so thrilled to have a live tree and kept the ornaments in their rooms year-round.

 In February 2016, we continued the tradition of Meet the Masters, hosting Carolyn Roehm at The Prado at Balboa Park. The sponsor evening was held at Karen Taylor’s beautiful home and Carolyn was an entertaining guest. Susie Dentt and Kathy Rains were masterful in chairing this and dealt with a change of venue because Sherwood Auditorium was under construction. They chose Balboa Park which was fabulous. It was successful on all levels, and key to our ability to give money to service committees, Bouquets of Thanks, Jacaranda Tree Planting, Moores Healing Garden, and the School Garden Committee. The event also provided seed money for subsequent Meet the Masters events.

Tammy Schwab and Libby Levine also chaired Field Trips, and took us to some amazing places, including a trip to San Francisco where we visited Filoli, The Ruth Bancroft Garden, Stefani Bittner’s garden, and Chappelet Winery, as well as Alcatraz. We had a wonderful time visiting local places also, such as Temecula. My second year, Gail Eales and Karen Novak took us to the Guadalupe Valley on a wine tour, and to Point Loma Farms in Valley Center. We learned from these trips and made forever friends with other members.

I wanted to improve the yearbook by moving the photos from the back of the book, so the photo was beside the name. Mercedes Bartolomei Penner and Kate Engler were determined to deliver this. It took many hours, but we were able to accomplish this, and our yearbook received the 1st place national award. Kitty Spence used her creative talents to submit the awards. We also received honors for the Jacaranda Project, the Moores Healing Garden and Bouquet of Thanks. We actively participated with the Palomar District and attended their quarterly meetings.

 The Hort Table was consistently a highlight of our meetings. What fabulous displays Mary Anne Brown, Helen Dawson, Joyce Fox, Eva Richman, Lani Freymiller, Leisa Wilson, Sara Carpenter,  and Bonnie Manion brought. One of the challenges of being president was that I couldn’t spend enough time at that table enjoying the beauty, and learning about new plants. I also have to mention the fabulous articles that Arthur Dawson contributed every month to the Spindrifter. What a valuable resource the Dawsons are!

 I relied on Diane Bell, Lynn Jewell and Lynn Jahn to publish a newsletter every single month the first year and they did this admirably. Nancy Palmtag and Donna McClay joined the second year, and Kate Engler sent creative eblasts. The second year I also asked Kate to send virtual birthday cards to each member. She used MailChimp and many members told me they loved getting that card.

 I can’t say enough about Sara Carpenter’s wonderful talents with the website, as well as her always sunny disposition. When I wanted to make it easier to renew our membership online, Sara never paused. She said, “Definitely!” and made it happen quickly with no muss and no fuss. Of course, all members didn’t renew online, but many did and it continued to evolve.

 The Member Garden Tours were also a highlight. Pam Filley and Sue Miller chaired the first year and featured gardens in La Jolla, such as Celia Henley’s, Claudia Johnson’s, Flo Kennedy’s and Dawn DuCharme’s. We always got wonderful ideas and Lynn Sauer and Celia’s food was displayed so beautifully and was delicious. I was overwhelmed with the talent in our Club at almost every event. The second year Susan Starr chaired and we were fortunate to see gardens in East County, such as Kathy Rains’, Susie Dentt’s, Carol Brewer’s, and Linda Morse’s gardens.

 The May luncheons were the grand finale for our year, and I was so lucky to have chairs, Kathy Peterson, and Margaret Anne Lozuk chair the first year and Nancy Tagwerker contributed the fabulous flowers. The second year Priscilla Moxley chose the theme of an English Tea and every detail was perfection. A perfect end to the year.

 I have so many wonderful memories, but I most fondly recall the wonderful dinners or lunches with our speakers. I was often starstruck meeting the speakers, but in the warm embrace of VGCLJ members, the speakers became our friends. Another treasured memory is the sumptuous spreads Lois Stanton and Cynthia Wilson provided for our Governing Board meetings. These meetings were so enjoyable and special, members really wanted to serve.

Susan Oliver: June 2013 – June 2015

The first meeting of VGCLJ that I attended and then joined was in 1992 at the absolute insistence of Adrienne Green. There is not a doubt in my mind that this club was not only founded by Adrienne but kept alive and made to thrive under her persistent guidance. No club can survive and grow without fresh ideas and enthusiastic members and Adrienne used her community connections to invite every woman she thought would help her fulfill her legacy.  What I had first observed was a small group of lovely seasoned ladies quietly meeting in the hall at La Jolla Methodist Church and by the time I became President we were a thriving group of 425 members strong with yearly waiting lists meeting in the hall at Torrey Pines Christian Church.

 With the help of many women working together our VGCLJ garnered praise for our great speakers and new programs were added constantly. I personally had held a variety of positions before taking the gavel. I had always exhibited floral designs, had taught classes in interpreting art and flowers with Alice Harmon, had chaired the first two Meet the Masters programs, been first VP in charge of speakers, and my biggest challenge was taking all the pictures for the yearbook. This had been a goal but one that never had happened due to the cost, but I considered it a challenge and was glad I had done it because by the time I became President I could put a name and face together for nearly all 400+ members. Computerizing and getting names and pictures correct was another feat since the SD cards and lists of names were mixed up but this made me really spend time getting each picture correctly labeled. Another benefit was that with pictures and a first-class job of compiling and editing all the information by Diane Bell, we won first place among California Garden Clubs with our 2013-2014 yearbook.

 The challenges of being President start in the spring after the election because it is then that one must find people willing to take on all the positions on the board and committees. Some of the spots take arm twisting and lots of willing friends…like set up/take down. And I was truly lucky to have a wonderfully talented, capable, and knowledgable friend, Gleneva Belice, who was the 1st  VP. She had arranged for marvelous speakers for the two years and then in the early fall of 2013 the Treasurer suddenly decided she couldn’t do the job and who stepped up to take over but Gleneva. I could not have done the job without her constant support!

 Friends stepped up to take on a variety of jobs…thank goodness for friends! Member Garden Tours was aptly taken care of and enjoyed by all thanks to Burry Vincent. And one of my favorite events, Expressions in Art and Flowers, was chaired by Leah Higgins and Margie Smith Haas. This was a challenge because I had long wanted this wonderful time to be enjoyed by more people and especially to have a time when our husbands and family could better appreciate what we had been going on about. Also, having been a floral designer I knew how much effort, time, and expense went into creating these interpretations and it seemed so unjust to have them only displayed for a few hours. It was a fantastic evening event complete with food, drink, music, silent auction, and many guests. It was again chaired by the same friends my second year and was again a roaring success but a bit more complicated having to use a caterer due to health codes. I loved this event and am so sorry that after a third year it was dropped supposedly due to no one wanting to chair it….need those friends!

 Because our members are great supporters of so many programs and also love to shop it seemed natural to be able to take credit cards for our purchases and on-line business…so, I arranged for us to have a “Square Account” which simplified so many things. We were truly getting up to date! Hearing women groan about being asked to support our many projects Tammy Schwab did an extensive study of our finances and I decided to ask for a vote to raise the dues. I thought I was being creative to show that for the same cost as a bottle of sparkling water and a loaf of bread added to the dues per month the need for constantly being “nickeled and dimed” for programs would be alleviated. It was a very close vote but didn’t happen until a year later.

 The idea of trying to get more people truly more actively involved and serving on committees had always vexed me and I tried to set up a more centralized way of being sure all were getting the benefit of serving in one way or another. With the help of Annette Ritchie-Buis and tracking the committee lists from several years it became evident who was doing what. It was our hope  especially to get the new members onto committees and meeting new people. You hate to upset something that is working, but also you need for the chairs of these committees to be willing to let new people join their committee’s effort and not become cliquish. Even though we had Annette as a central figure to keep everyone happy and busy, the saying “old dogs, new tricks” prevailed and we couldn’t get this effort off the ground.

 On March 6, 2014 we had another wonderful Meet the Masters program with Eddie Zaratsian giving the demonstration and lecture. All of this was done thanks to Susie Spanos, who had chaired the first two such events with me. Due to the museum being unavailable Susie found The Scripps Research Institute Auditorium to fill the need. And as they had always been, this event was a great success for both our members and the community at large.

 We started the new the Avant Garde Member Award recognizing a member who had gone above and beyond to make something possible for VGCLJ. It was celebrated with a picture of said member in the yearbook and a special announcement at a meeting. I believe this only lasted for two years which is a shame as there are many positions held in the club that wouldn’t happen without much added time and attention.

 The Jacaranda Project got special coverage and recognition in the SD Union and this gave a real boost to our finances from many people not connected directly to the club. We planted trees at the Port of SD, the new cemetery at Miramar as well as many in La Jolla on Pearl Ave   and other SD locations. And we received a National Garden Clubs of America and California State Award for Civic Beautification.

 Being President was a wonderful experience and I thoroughly enjoyed it. How incredible that we celebrated our 40th Anniversary in 2014. I hope I was able to direct the club in positive ways and perhaps my lasting effort was suggesting to Devonna Hall that this position and others should be co-chaired by two members who could support one another during trying times and also divide the demand for constant attention of many matters such as monthly newsletters ( Alice Harmon was my proofreader), keeping everybody happy, and furthering the legacy that was passed on to us and this was enacted by 2017. This club will survive many changes and hard times because of the multitude of members that are happy to be part of a group that all mutually love nature and constantly want to know more about how we can keep enjoying it together.

Lucy Borsenberger: June 2011 – June 2013

I became the President of The Village Garden Club very hesitantly in June 2011, only after much persuasion from one of our founders, Adrienne Green.  But it turned out to be one of the best decisions I ever made.  I had a very supportive and hard-working Executive Board and Governing Board who came up with many exciting and wonderful programs, trips and workshops. My First Vice-President, Devonna Hall, was an organized and fun “partner in crime” who always helped me and arranged for outstanding speakers and programs.

One of the memories I will treasure from my term in office was watching how Hashinger Hall at Torrey Pines Church came alive on the morning of the meeting.  The set-up crew arrived about 7:00 a.m.  - starting the coffee and arranging chairs and tables.  Then the committee chairs came in and set up their respective areas.  The refreshment chairs artfully put out the “homemade” savory and sweet treats along with fresh fruit and beverages around a seasonal floral centerpiece at the center of the table.  Other tables around the room were filled with flower arrangements created by members, education exhibits from the Master Gardeners, Conservation and Horticulture Committees, the Penny Pines Project, The Torrey Pines State Reserve Native Plant Restoration Project (aka “Flintkote”), the Jacaranda Committee and the Schoolyard Gardening Grants Committee.  There were tables with sign-up boards for garden tours, workshops, field trips, luncheons and civic garden enhancement project.  The social hall came to life with bustling members creating wonderful displays.  From 9:00 to 10:00 a.m., members socialized and visited all the various tables. It was a magical time!

During my time in office, the Club had some new ideas “blossom” including a VGCLJ Cookbook, the Moore’s Cancer Center Healing Garden, and a Bouquet of Thanks, which donated plants and bouquets to the patients of the Veteran’s Hospital in La Jolla.

One of my very special memories was the delightful field trip in April 2012 attended by twenty Club members to Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home in Virginia. Our Field Trip Chairpersons, Leigh Hartman and Pat Lester, made the arrangements with the assistance of Pat’s goddaughter, Leslie Grave Bowman, the Executive Director of the Jefferson Foundation.  We enjoyed private tours of Monticello, private estates and gardens, the University of Virginia, and so much more.

Another new feature the Club sprouted was a Garden Market. Members brought in their flowers, fruits and vegetables, freshly baked goodies, garden décor, plants and seeds, with the proceeds from the sales supporting our philanthropic projects.  It was our very own Farmer’s Market!

Equally special were the two “Meet the Masters” programs.  In 2012 the Club held the 5th Annual “Meet the Masters” featuring Shane Connolly.  Shane had recently created the stunning floral displays for the wedding of Kate Middleton and Prince William.  Shane charmed us all with a floral arranging presentation at Sherwood Hall in the Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego, La Jolla.  The next day donors met with Shane in Lani Freymiller’s garden for a personal luncheon and more flower arranging. We all felt very regal after meeting Shane!

The next year Meet the Masters 2013 brought Remco Van Vliet back to the Club and Sherwood Hall. Remco had been our first Meet the Masters speaker. Remco presented a Power Point presentation of his grand event designs followed by the creation of unique floral arrangements. The donors had a very special luncheon with Remco at The Athenaeum where he arranged a large-scale museum quality design similar to those he makes for the Museum of Contemporary Art in New York City.

My favorite meetings were always in March and April when our Club presented Expressions in Art and Flowers. This was held in both 2012 and 2013. At the March meeting, Club members bring in their art pieces for display before the meeting. At the April meeting, the floral interpreter and the artist present their works together. I was in awe of the creativity of the artists and the talent of the floral arrangers.

A poignant memory occurred in 2013 when Barbara Berman, our Yearbook and Spindrifter Newsletter Chairman for 18 years, was unable to continue these projects due to her health.  We frequently received top awards from both the California and National Garden Clubs for Barbara’s outstanding yearbooks and newsletters. I was most grateful to Diane Bell who came to the rescue and took over both our newsletter and Yearbook. In recognition to Barbara’s many years of dedication and devotion we dedicated the 2013 Yearbook to Barbara Berman, a very special lady.

Looking back on my time in office brings back fond memories of my fellow members and our times spent together. Although I can’t share all the memories with you, those recollections will remain with me forever as a result of the beautiful Memory Book that was created with Marge Palmer’s beautiful pictures and Alice Harmon’s creative design. Thanks for the memories!

Nan Kaufman: May 2009 - May 2011

It is a joy to reminisce about the years of my presidency, from 2009-11. As I look through the Yearbooks and a few saved Spindrifters, I am flooded with memories of some truly remarkable lectures, field trips and special events. Beyond that, I am warmed by the memory of so many people who pulled together to make each meeting and event happen. I will never forget the sense of joy I had as I looked out at the sea of smiling, happy, expectant faces, an audience who always made guests and speakers feel so welcome. Our meetings had the festive feel of a country fair. I am eternally grateful to Ann Craig, who was my mentor and guide as I learned the traditions of how things were done in the club. She had a wonderful shoulder to lean on. The theme of my presidency was “In the love of gardens, friendships bloom”. I especially loved it when a lecture led to an opportunity to put to practice as a group what we had learned. One of our first speakers was Heather Lenkin, a noted landscape designed from Pasadena. After being inspired by her words, we were invited to visit her home and garden to see firsthand the masterpiece she had sculpted and painted with plants. Later in the year, noted photographer Allan Mandell’s lecture was followed by an all-day workshop on landscape photography in a beautiful Fallbrook garden, where all the participants had a chance to learn from each other’s efforts.

We were honored to celebrate our founding member, Adrienne Greene’s 90th Birthday at our November 2009 meeting. In honor of Adrienne, the club raised over $1600, which was donated to the San Diego Botanic Garden. Julian Duval gave a lovely tribute to Adrienne and we all celebrated with chocolate truffles.

The Garden Club highlighted the artistry of floral design with many noted speakers, from Rene van Rems to James Nieh, Ron Morgan and Suzy Bales. Suzy linked flower gardening to floral design. We undertook a series of floral design workshops taught by Beverly Ireland to provide an ongoing course over 2 years. The eighth and ninth Expressions in Art and Flowers, chaired by Ann Crag and Bonnie Sipe were joyful events showcasing the talents of so many of our members. These were some of our happiest meetings as we mingled, chatted and enjoyed the artistry and the delicious goodies.

Perhaps my fondest memories are of the two Meet the Masters Teas. The first was with Nancy Clarke who was the chief floral designer for the White House for 25 years. She delighted us with her imaginative floral demonstrations and her stories of the 6 Presidents and First Ladies she worked with and the events she organized over the years, from the White House Holidays to State Dinners. The second was with Paula Pryke of the Flower School in London. These events were inspired by Adrienne Greene as a gift to our greater community as well as our members. We added a lovely evening reception for underwriters. These greatly loved events raised money for our School Yard Gardens Program.

 Over the two years, considerable attention was given to conservation and sustainability, with lectures by Bill Toone from the Ecolife Fondation on the migration of the Monarch Butterfly and by James Nieh from UCSD on the Secret Life of Bees. We had workshops on Backyard Orchards, Beekeeping, Growing Mushrooms and Building Owl Boxes. We had a tour of the demonstration garden at Olivewood, complete with a lunch of foods harvested from the garden. The Horticulture Committee treated us to beautiful displays of fruits, vegetables and flowers from members’ gardens, as well as special presentations on growing Hellebores, Salvias, Clematis and winter vegetables. Arthur Dawson’s monthly essays on Growing Edibles on the Coast were always beautifully researched and packed with practical hints. Finally, our Members’ Garden Tours and field trips to Filoli and the Barona Rose Garden were truly special and memorable.

One of my most rewarding tasks as President was writing a monthly note, something I grew to enjoy immensely. I will close with something I ran across in my notes. The garden is where we rejoice, we restore, we seek solace, we create beauty and remind ourselves of the spirit of creation, renewal and connection to something greater than ourselves, remembering that we are all stewards.

The Garden Club was like a garden to me. It was beautiful when I inherited it and I was grateful to be its steward for two years.

Ann Craig: May 2007 - May 2009

The first meeting over which I presided will remain with me always. There were so many details - setting up the room, refreshments, coffee, display tables, program and on and on. I was so nervous about all these details and how it would come together. When I arrived at the meeting space, people were already organizing the room. There was nothing for me to do. I just marveled at how everyone who agreed to do a job did it — and even did it better than expected. I knew from that moment forward that I could totally rely on this marvelous membership of women, plus a few men. Our total membership was 400, with over 200 hundred attending the meetings.

My second meeting also had its stress. In October there were huge fires in the East County burning land, forests and homes. Organizations across San Diego County were canceling their meetings. I decided to move forward with ours feeling that in this time of peril we needed the fellowship of each other and the positive nature of our program. As a lover of poetry, and feeling that poems often spoke to the soul when nothing else did, I decided to open the meeting reading a poem by Mary Oliver with her focus on nature and precision of language. I was thanked for this by so many people, that I began opening the meetings each month with a poem. In addition to speaking to many of us, it also quieted the room for the business portion of the morning to begin.

Our established committees worked wonderfully, our programs, led by Penelope West, spoke to us over a scope of garden, floral and environmental topics. The Club moved forward with energy and enthusiasm as always.

 A challenging moment came in the late fall when I had a phone call for our founder and advisor, Adrienne Green. Her former garden club in New England had a program presented by the floral designer at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City, Remco Van Vliet. She informed me that she had hired him for a yet to be decided date for $6000. I gulped!!! The programs were already established, and we didn’t have that amount of money to spare. With consultation with other leaders in the Club, it was decided to open this program to the community at large. I talked with the leadership of the Museum of Contemporary Art of San Diego, located in La Jolla, and rented the Sherwood Hall auditorium for a date in the spring. We decided to charge a substantial entrance fee which included a luncheon at the Woman’s Club of La Jolla across the street. We began advertising. Not too surprisingly, we had an excellent turn out. Remco was as amazing a designer as expected. And, we had a very successful raffle of his floral designs at the end of the meeting. The whole event was so successful that we moved forward to include it as an annual part of our projects. We decided to call it Meet the Masters.

Two other new projects during my presidency were the short-term Athenaeum Re-landscaping Project led by Connie Mullin Branscomb and the La Jolla Historic Society’s Wisteria Cottage Renovation Project led by Betty Vale.

Being President of the Village Garden Club of La Jolla was a great honor and the most rewarding volunteer position I ever held. I am so thankful to have had this opportunity to direct and embrace this amazing membership in fulfilling their talents.

Connie Brown: May 2005 - May 2007

My presidency began in 2005 and went through 2007. It was two years of joy with friends. We worked, but it was a pleasure, and we played with purpose. We met the most interesting, accomplished people, we traveled together, we gardened together, we had the most fun making floral arrangements together, we dined together, and we celebrated together.

 The Village Garden Club’s purpose is to educate. The horticultural table is key to this effort. Adrienne Green conveyed to me the importance of good speakers. She said for me to get the speakers and not to worry about fees! So, if there was an opportunity to get an exceptional speaker, she would find a friend to cover the fee. With that, a great friendship was born! Good speakers put people in the seats, and we had 400 members to fill seats!

What distinguishes VGCLJ from other garden clubs is not only our size, but that we are inclusive, not exclusive, plus the diversity of our projects, and the quality of our programs.

 At the beginning of each meeting there is a social period. VCGLJ was a really social group and there weren't extended opportunities to get to know each other. I was Ann Zahner’s vice president and program chair. Pat Miller was chairing the Jacaranda Committee. It was almost May and to celebrate the jacaranda trees being in bloom, we came up with a Jacaranda Festival and member luncheon to end the year. That was also the incoming officer’s installation. We extended invitations to all the former living presidents to join us.

Donna Derrick, Dorothy Carroll and Phyllis Sheldon (Julia Sheldon’s mother) came.

The following year, we held an end of the year luncheon and celebrated mother and daughter members, too, There were about 10/12 pairs of mothers and daughters. There is now an annual end of the year luncheon.

 The first thing I did as the new President was revamp the existing Yearbook from basically an address book with a taped binder to a book with extended information sections and a more useable spiral binding. Barbara Berman and I literally spent all of July and August getting the details exact for over 400 members. Barbara was a fantastic editor. The following year included a great addition - member photos - thanks to the Herculean effort of Susan Oliver and her sister.

 Having a special speaker warranted extending some La Jolla hospitality. We always had the speaker arrive a day early just to make sure they did arrive (your worst nightmare was a no-show speaker).  We put them up at the La Jolla Beach & Tennis Club (usually courtesy of one of our members was also a LJBT Club member). Alice Harmon would greet them if they came by air and transport the speaker for their visit. Often they would get a garden tour to a member’s garden. That afternoon or evening the guest would meet with Rudy Vaca, our audio/visual tech and test the set up. Afterward, there would be a fabulous dinner at a member’s home. Lois Stanton would prepare the dinner and you really wanted to be included! Generally, this was a nice reward for hardworking board members. This was always a really special evening.

After the general meeting, we took the speaker and invited guests to the Marine Room for a (no host) lunch to unwind.

Members wanted a “hands on” experiences so following the General Meetings we added afternoon workshops. We had lunches delivered! Usually, these were limited to about 25 members related to the meeting topic.

 I realized in order to have members show up for meetings and not tell you they have a dentist appointment, or a tennis lesson or that was their golf morning, you had to give them a job- a responsibility- you want them to make the Garden Club their priority! With such a large membership there needed to be lots of jobs!  We expanded all the committees and set up a governing board with two meetings a year so everyone didn’t duplicate the jobs and committee agendas. Our ladies - and a few gentlemen - were not only social, but they also LOVED to shop! To augment the ways and means effort, Celia Henley and Lynn Sauer set up their “garden shop” for every meeting and paid the Club a percentage of the sales. The most fabulous thing about the VGCLJ was the talent and capability of the members. Whenever you asked to have anything done, members exceeded your expectations. Everyone always said “yes.”

 To give extra financial support to the Committees, in the summer of 2006, Lucy Borsenberger filed papers with the State of California for VGCLJ to become a non-profit organization. We could now accept tax-deductible donations. This was a big step for the Club.

 Ann Craig was my vice-president, which was pretty fabulous and lucky. She lives in ones of La Jolla’s great historic homes, which she generously lent to VGCLJ on many occasions. It pretty much was the “home” of the Garden Club for other than the general meetings.

 I was lucky to be president of VCGLJ when California still had water to maintain grand gardens like Agatha Youngblood’s, Cally Crow’s, and Lani Freymiller’s, and Encinitas was still the flower growing capitol and rose gardens still existed. ️

Ann Zahner: May 2003 - May 2005

I was President of the Village Garden Club of La Jolla (“VGCLJ”) from May 2003 through May 2005, when the next President, my VP-Programs, Connie Brown, would be installed. The Club year starts with its September meeting and ends with its May meeting. Prior to becoming President, from 2001-2003, I was the Club’s Recording Secretary and a member of the Executive Board, which gave me a full understanding of the Club’s activity flow. In this brief history, I will chiefly describe the innovations and new projects undertaken by the Club from May 2003 through May 2005.

In summer 2003, I asked Rudy Vaca, a friend who worked in SDSU’s Media Department, to meet at Hashinger Hall, the Club’s meeting venue, to evaluate the new microphones, cables and audio equipment that Betty Vale, Ways and Means Chair, had purchased for the Club. Rudy also evaluated the Club’s existing slide projector and carousel. After checking the Club’s equipment as well as Hashinger Hall’s sound equipment, Rudy saw the technological shortcomings the Club faced and offered to help while I was Club President. As a result of Rudy’s willingness to volunteer one day a month, the Club was able to adjust seamlessly to changing technology and pivot from slide presentations to Power Point; meet challenging interfaces with the Presenters’ different brands of laptops and software; and smooth out the vagaries of the sound system. Rudy invariably had the correct bulb to replace a projector bulb that burned out during a presentation, extra cables to accommodate last-minute requests and the experience to troubleshoot system shortcomings. The mammoth screen on stage and the intense light from Rudy’s professional-grade projector allowed our large membership to see and hear the meetings/programs no matter how far from the stage they were sitting. Thus, Rudy Vaca’s willingness to handle the technical side of the presentations was a tremendous leap forward! When my term ended in May 2005, my successor, Connie Brown, begged me to ask Rudy to continue to help VGCLJ during her administration, except with pay this time, not as an unpaid volunteer.

Adrienne Green, the Club’s founder and Advisor, initiated a new policy when she noted that about half of the Program Presenters travelled quite a distance to get to our meetings. Yet, after the meeting ended, members exited quickly and the post-meeting atmosphere was not as gracious and hospitable as Adrienne wanted it to be. So, in both 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 Club years, the Officers took the Program Presenters to lunch at some of our favorite restaurants and upped the hospitality level. We added “Speaker Hospitality” as a Standing Committee in 2004-2005, chaired by Fran Gillis and Susie Spanos to work with Connie Brown, VP-Programs in facilitating hotel/restaurant arrangements.

Ruth Barnett, Chair of the Conservation Committee for the two prior years, reinvented and revitalized her approach in 2003-2004. She filled her Conservation table with native plants in pots and handouts with planting information. Ruth handed everyone who visited her table a raffle ticket, promising one of the native plants to each raffle winner. When it was Ruth’s time to come to the podium during the business meeting, Ruth and her co-chair, Elizabeth Kingma, carried an assortment of native plants to the stage and briefly outlined their horticultural characteristics. She then drew a raffle ticket and let the winner choose one of the native plants. Ruth also instructed members about creating certified wildlife habitat using native plants, bird baths, feeders and shade. She instilled interest and excitement with her contagious enthusiasm and generous spirit. In 2003-2004, the once sleepy Conservation table became a “must see” beehive of activity. Autumn 2003 was a time of devastating wildfires in East County but Ruth, who lives in Ramona, unfailingly got up early, loaded her car with pots of native plants and drove the distance to La Jolla for the monthly VGCLJ meeting.

A less serendipitous change resulted from the Club’s rapid growth in membership. Every April-May, when membership applications were accepted, existing members became eager to sponsor their friends as new members. Sponsorship requires two active members for each new member which slows exponential growth somewhat. Concern mounted that membership growth in 2004 would surpass an unwieldy 400+ members.  After much discussion with the Standing Committee Chairs, the Executive Board proposed Standing Rule 14 for members to vote on in January 2004. Rule14 states that “New member applications will be accepted from April 1 through May 31, and for Club year 2004-2005, only 35 members will be accepted.” After discussion, members voted approval and Rule 14 was added to the Standing Rules in February 2004. Despite this precaution, membership grew from 385 in 2003-2004 to 414 in 2004-2005. A year later in February 2005, Rule 14 was amended to state “New member applications will be accepted from April 1 through May 31, except in Club year 2005-2006, when membership will be frozen at the current level; this policy will be reevaluated in January 2006.” At the time, most garden clubs in the country were trying to stem the loss of members and stay afloat. VGCLJ had the opposite problem.

Super creative Ruth Barnett, in her third year as Conservation Chair, had another innovation up her sleeve. Ruth had a dream project that she had been mentally developing for a long time. She proposed that the Club start a Schoolyard Gardening Grant Project, granting funds to applicant elementary schools in San Diego County that had attested to their principal’s, teachers’ and parents’ support and readiness to immediately use the grant money to start school gardens. The objective of the program would be to promote the creation of earth-friendly gardens/wildlife habitats to become the basis for a teaching curriculum focused on healthy gardening practices, local plant and wildlife study and nature appreciation. Ruth had already created a compelling logo for the program; devised a plan of action; written sample letters introducing the project to principals and teachers; created a sample grant application form; and drawn up a preliminary timeline for the schools to submit applications with adequate time for VGCLJ to review and select the winning schools. After talking it over with officers and others, Ruth introduced her idea to the Executive Board and Standing Committee Chairs. She had thought it through so thoroughly that her proposal received a very enthusiastic reception. In early 2004, at the next Club meeting, Ruth proposed her idea to the membership, explaining that she herself would raise the money for the project’s first year and recruit a committee to review grant submissions. Enthusiastic members voted in favor of adopting the Schoolyard Gardening Grant Project.

Sandy McCreight: May 2001-May 2003

I joined The Club in 1994 with some 50 plus members meeting at the La Jolla Methodist Church. When I became President in 2001, we had moved to a larger venue at the Torrey Pines Christian Church with 323 members. At the end of my tenure we had 352 members. Earlier I had served as Treasurer and continue to serve as Parliamentarian Chairman. I was so excited to be a part of such a vibrant and talented group. Our theme was “How Does Your Garden Grow?”

 Our first meeting in 2001 was following the horrific events of 9/11 and we had the most emotional beginning with a multimedia - program by National Park Ranger John Long entitled “Nature’s Garden- The Sierra Nevada in All Seasons.” You could have heard a pin drop! Ranger Long returned the following year with an equally beautiful program of “Sky Gardens, Wildflowers and Ice Caves. Our programs featured Bruce and Sharon Asakawa speaking about “San Diego Micro Climates.” Life in the Flower Fields” with Paul Ecke, “A Vision of San Dieguito River Valley Park,” “Camellias” with Tom Nuccio (followed by a field trip to his nursery), “European Flower Design” by our favorite Rene van Rems (followed by a workshop), “Comparison between Japanese and Chinese Gardens.”

 Our club sponsored Garden Tours to The Chelsea Flower Show, Charleston and Savannah, Seattle, San Francisco, Hearst Castle and Santa Barbara, home and garden tours and many trips to area nurseries.  Quite a few of my favorite plants in my garden were brought back from those visits. We also held several club flower shows during the year. These served as a forerunner of our Expressions in Art and Flowers. One of my favorite memories is the day we held a workshop on floral design led by our dear Adrienne Green in my garage. We were active in The Schoolyard Gardening Program, Penny Pines, The Jacaranda Tree Civic Beautification Project and the Torrey Pines State Reserve Native Plant Restoration Project (which ended when we eradicated all the nonnative plants!) It is wonderful to see the addition of many new projects through the years. The Theme of my second term was “Take Time to Smell the Roses” to honor The Year of the Rose. I still have the sign that Betty Vale painted sitting at the entrance to my rose garden. In 2002-2003 We had more amazing speakers and added the annual December Luncheon at the Marine Room. Our member, Dianne Van de Noord was a gourmet cook and a friend of Chef Bernard Guillas. We approached him and asked if he would be willing to prepare a luncheon following our meetings in December. He was most enthusiastic and the luncheon at the Marine Room became an annual event.  We had to miss the 2020 celebration because of the Covid Pandemic, but we are on the books for December 2021!

 Some more 2003-4 meetings included Robert Smaus, the Garden Editor of the Los Angeles Times. Sisso Doyle and Beverly Ireland spoke about landscape and trends in floral designs. Ron Morgan, another favorite, spoke on floral design and his newest book. We had Rayford Redell, the author of The Rose Bible (My favorite!) and Scott Morrison of the Nature Conservancy gave an excellent talk about the “Conservation of San Diego County’s Biodiversity. We were always active and took part in The Palomar District programs.  We attended the California State Garden Convention and returned with many awards for The Club. I look forward to the years ahead and I know that our club will continue to be an important part of my life. Now I am off to plant my sweet peas hoping that by the time they bloom we may  be able to meet together again and create new memories.

Betty Vale: May 1997 – May 1999

When Pat Miller and I attended our first VGCLJ meeting in 1996, it was in Helen Dawson’s garden; there were approximately 30 people there and we noticed (as past Bishop’s PA members and leaders) there was no meeting agenda... yikes!!

 My ‘97-‘99 terms as president of the VGCLJ were so long ago!! I do remember that my involvement as president occurred because Adrienne Green called one day and asked if she could stop by and I vividly remember her sitting on the sofa in my living room and very efficiently explaining to me why I HAD to be the next president of the Club.  She said she had already received okays from several of my closest Bishop School Parents’ association board compadres to fill the following Garden Club board positions for the following year:

Pat Miller: Vice-President

Sandy McCreight: Recording Secretary

Lucy Borsenberger: Treasurer

(I think there were others whom I am forgetting right now and, as I do not have my Club directories from that time, cannot check.)

She then sweetly explained that they all accepted to serve only IF I would be President.  Typical Adrienne persuasive power in action!!

 Well, I was not that thrilled about taking on that responsibility at that time because I was still chairing Symphony at Salk and the Secret Garden Tour but... I accepted because it was next to impossible to say No to Adrienne.

 The main thing I remember doing was upgrading the meeting formats to resemble those at Bishop’s:  having actual meeting agendas and minutes and many more Board committees to spread out the workload.  I remember connecting the Club with Torrey Pines State Reserve for volunteering opportunities as I was a long-time docent there.  I also remember initiating the system of Immediate Past President/Current President/Incoming President, which required that those office holders agree to serve for two years to help pass along history to incoming office holders.

 The membership numbers increased during the period of my presidency thanks to Adrienne’s persuasive outreach.  She firmly believed it was important to keep the dues low and to increase the funds available to afford extremely great speakers for meetings by increasing membership numbers.

Donna Derrick: May 1995 – May 1996

I believe I joined the VGCLJ during the year of 1989 after I returned to San Diego from living several years in the Imperial Valley east of San Diego. My close family friend Sylvia Simpson Coleman was a member. The Club had adopted her idea of planting Jacaranda trees all over San Diego and holding a Jacaranda Festival each year when they bloomed. She encouraged me to join and help her with this project.  I am not sure how many members we had during this time, but we soon began to grow with a project all could get behind plus the popularity of growing your own food was in vogue during this time.

 We were meeting in the Fellowship Hall of the United Methodist Church - 6063 La Jolla Blvd. and it soon became apparent that we had outgrown that location. The Board found a new location which was accepted by the membership and our October 1995 meeting was held at our new location, Torrey Pines Christian Church – 8320 La Jolla Scenic Drive North where we remained for many years.

 Our meetings were always well attended and many of the display tables we still enjoy at today’s meetings were in place at that time.  We were participants at ‘Art Alive’ each spring, had interesting horticulture displays, and decorated a tree each year in participation of San Diego Florals room at what was then ‘Christmas on the Prado’ each December. In 1995 the theme was recycling, and we decorated with butterflies made from comic papers and icicles out of soft drink cans in keeping this theme. We were small enough to hold a member Pot-Luck at our December meeting and members brought greens from their gardens for other members to purchase and use in displays.  We had an annual Ways & Means Project of a Bake/No Bake Sale each December where members brought their favorite goody to be sold to others, or donated an appropriate amount of money they would have spent preparing something.  It was always a success.

 Our interesting monthly programs were followed with a light luncheon or dessert if a field trip was not planned. Several Jacaranda Tree dedications took place following meetings, and we began the campaign to have the Jacaranda Tree named the official tree of San Diego.  We were supported by City Beautiful and People for Trees, and they asked me to speak at the dedication of some of our Jacaranda trees planted at the bridge entering Balboa, our first foothold there.

We welcomed over 15 members that year, and while other garden clubs were closing and not growing, I was asked to address the President’s Breakfast at the CA State Convention regarding the secret of our success.  I attribute it to four reasons:  1) Members telling our story and extending invitations to others with like interests; 2) Good Programs!  Once you get them to attend, keep them coming back; 3) A diversified agenda – We offered both design and horticulture programs and home and garden tours; 4) Luncheons and Coffee Klatches on meeting days with time to converse with one another and a sense of comradery with other members.  And My Secret Weapon….Adrienne Green!  Adrienne was so knowledgeable and so well known in the world of floral design and horticulture, that everyone wanted to join VGCLJ and learn from her.  We closed our club year in 1996 with 101 members.