2024 Woods Garden Club Meeting Schedule
Our club has regular meetings on the 3rd Wednesday of month. March – October. All regular meetings begin at 1:00 pm unless otherwise stated; note this change from prior years. Monthly meetings feature an expert speaker and, at times, special food and prize drawings.
The club also sponsors community events, generally on a weekend, which are also open to the community and private club events which are not wide open to the community and not openly publicized.
Finally, the club sponsors an annual bus trip which is open to the public by paid admission.
SPECIAL WINTER WORKSHOP
Sunday, December 8 – Winter Sowing Workshop – 2:00 - 3:30 pm – Hedges Chapel
Learn the secret for turning the snowy and rainy days of winter into the creation of
wonderful pollinator plants for spring planting. This event has been specially created
for kids ages 3+, their parents and grandparents, as well as members and other adults.
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Speaker: Judy Snyder, Pres., Woods Garden Club
Before retiring, Judy was a trainer for faculty and staff at the Community College of Baltimore County. She enjoys researching topics and putting together presentations and is pleased to be able to tailor it for kids as well.
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MONTHLY MEETINGS AND SPECIAL EVENTS
March 20 – Swap-Fest!
Swap useful garden strategies, nature craft ideas, and fun projects in an
informal format.
“Swappers:” Becky Proctor, fairy gardens; Laura and Rick Powell, deer repellents and raised bed gardening; Judy Snyder, cold stratification and other seed germination tricks with paper towels
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Features: Bring A Friend for Free; Dessert Buffet; free stratified milkweed seeds from our own Monarch Waystation Garden and other door prizes
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April 17 – Planting for Pollinators
We can help to reduce the threat to our native insects and birds with the choices we make starting in our own backyard. We do not have to choose between creating inviting spaces for pollinators versus people. With a bit of planning, beautiful gardens can easily accommodate the needs of both. It’s time to rethink our urban and suburban garden design to create space for all.
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Speaker: Peggy Bowers, horticulturist and native garden designer, co-owner of Sundogs Bed and Breakfast
Peggy Bowers turned her love of plants and nature into a rewarding career in the field of horticulture, managing and working in several well-known public gardens and estates including Mount Vernon. For the past four years, Peggy and David have been dedicated to restoring their woodlands and meadows and creating beautiful pollinator-friendly gardens at their B&B in Shepherdstown.
Features: door prize raffle, seed swap, recognition of Monarch Garden Guardians
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May 15 -- Kokedama Ball Demonstration
Translated, Kokedama means “Moss Ball." Learn more about this centuries-old Japanese garden form, a type of bonsai, that thrives indoors and makes a great hanging accent. Our speaker will make some of these using peat moss, Bonsai soil, a houseplant, and moss on the outside.
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Speaker: Dusty Graham, Master Gardener
Dusty, a Master Gardener since 2011, returns to us from Washington County, MD. Before becoming a Master Gardener, she was a Family and Consumer Science teacher (Home Economics).
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June 18-20 – Trip to Wild and Wonderful West Virginia
Quite a few iconic places and aspects of West Virginia life are packed into this fun three day trip. Group rates will help us keep the cost as low as possible. The trip is open to members and non-members ages 21 or older. More information will be available on our website. There is no regular club meeting in June due to the trip.
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Saturday in July – Woods Home and Garden Tour
This activity is our annual club fundraiser. In recent years this popular day-long event has been held on the date of the community fireworks. It features a variety of fascinating homes and/ or gardens with inspiration at every turn. More information will be given out at our May meeting and in the club newsletter. Members sell tickets to friends and trusted individuals in the nearby community or treat guests coming for the holiday weekend.
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July 17 -- Stiltgrass, Lanternflies, Ailanthus, Oh My!
This session will provide an overview of common invasive species, both those with roots and others with legs, found in our area. Learn about their ideal conditions and recommended control measures.
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Speaker: Emily Morrow, WVU Extension Agent for Jefferson County
Emily Morrow, an Agriculture and Natural Resources Agent, handles all things agriculture in Jefferson Co. and is currently filling in for the retired agent in Berkely Co. Her favorite things to do are youth programs and teaching about soil! She thinks the best work days are those spent outside.
Features: Introduction to the Snowman Project
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August 21 – Creating Vinegar Infusions
Learn some simple tricks with infusions to get the most of your garden or farmers market purchases by storing some of its bounty for later use.
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Speaker: Melissa Mastrangelo, Highbush Farm owner
Melissa Mastrangelo enjoys picking blueberries in the sun, harvesting them for our community and preserving her bountiful harvest for her family. She participates in the weekly Berkeley Springs Farmers Market and the Hedgesville Farmers Market in our own back yard where she concentrates upon her other value-added products.
Features: Potluck Picnic to precede mtg, starting at noon.
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​September 18 -- Becoming More Adventuresome with Herbs
The presentation will include many samples and will cover medicinal uses, cooking, preserving, and propagating herbs.
Speakers: Jaanine Glascock and Danielle Shuey, both Morgan County Master Gardeners.
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Saturday, October 5, Monarch Mania! – kid’s and adult’s simple crafts at the garden and native tree planting demonstration by Cacapon Instiitute.
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October 16 – At The Movies with Doug Tallamy: “Nature’s Best Hope”
Wildlife populations are in decline because the native plants they depend on are fast disappearing. His solution is practical, effective, and easy—you will come away with specific suggestions you can incorporate into your own yard. If you’re concerned about doing something good for the environment, Nature’s Best Hope is the blueprint you need.
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Presenter via video production: Dr. Doug Tallamy
Doug is an American entomologist, ecologist and conservationist. He is a professor in the Department of Entomology and Wildlife Ecology at the University of Delaware and has a Ph.D. in Entomology from the University of Maryland. He has written and co-authored several books, as well as many papers.
Features: Bring A Friend for Free; Popcorn; Tallamy book door prize
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