OHCC GARDEN CLUB
Garden Club 2023 - 2024
Front row, from left to right: Jan Vaccaro, Cindi DeWeese, Cynthia Knutson, Susan Hull-Patton, Donna Bearman, Terry Chamberlin
Back row, from left to right: Barbara Kenney, Lynn Bible, Colleen Moskal, Diane Bednarski, Linda Slayton, Carla Kent, Jacinta Brunkala
Not pictured: Janet Congel, Ralene Friend, Jeanne Brantman
In 2023, we welcomed Linda Slayton as our new President. Linda was well prepared to take over the presidency, having served as Vice President in charge of programs for the previous three years. She was assisted by Co-Vice Presidents Lynn Bible and Terry Chamberlin as well as a very competent Board who provided limitless support.
In 2023 we played garden trivia, listened to Fred Clark of the Carlsbad Flower Fields, watched a presentation about Monarch butterflies, and learned about raised bed vegetable gardening from Nan Sherman. In May we enjoyed the annual Garden Tour and Spring Luncheon. In June there was a seminar on Native Plants in conjunction with the SMB Club. July's speaker was Barbara Weiler, well-known floral designer and judge; and in August Mary Friestedt of San Diego Botanical Gardens spoke to us about herbs. September's speaker was Kesha Dorsey Spoor from Coastal Roots Farm in Encinitas. In October Mountain Meadow Mushroom Farms presented a program, and in November Dane Kuta spoke to us about The Art of Vine Growing (Viticulture). The finale of 2023 was a lovely Holiday Luncheon with entertainment by Harpist Amy Lynn Kanner.
Linda Slayton graciously agreed to stay on as President for 2024, assisted by Co-Vice Presidents Terry Chamberlin and Donna Bearman along with other returning Board members and Committee volunteers in supporting roles. In January, our speaker was Shital Parish, Master Gardener, who gave a very interesting talk about Bokashi Composting. Our February speaker was Betty Corvey, a Master Gardener and expert on roses. In March, Sharon Reeve, another Master Gardener, gave a fascinating talk about how to attract more pollinators to your yard. Our April speaker was Master Gardener Dawn Standke, who gave a talk about Horticultural Myth Busting.
In May we enjoyed another fabulous Spring Luncheon, followed by a very successful Garden Tour on June 1. At the June meeting, a speaker from Solutions for Change in Vista, CA gave an inspiring talk. Lucy Warren, a Master Gardener, gave a presentation about Balboa Park Gardens in July and in August, Lynne Austell-Slayter, Master Gardener, talked to us about Sustainable Landscapes. In September, Silvia Slemmer from Wild Birds Unlimited entertained us, and in October, Stephen Cantu, a paraplegic Master Gardener and athlete, spoke about accessibility in the garden. The final speaker of the year in November was Linda Stewart, another Master Gardener and retired nurse, who talked to us about how to have Happy Houseplants.
Many more interesting speakers and activities are already being planned for 2025!
The sun is shining bright on the future of the Garden Club. Come share our sunshine and congenial company.
