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.