Current Program Calendar

SEPTEMBER 2025 through May 2026

Sally Hudson, First Vice President and Program Chair
Lead Hostess in BOLD

September 9, 2025 | Native Plants | Yvonne Reid,
master Gardener, Prince William County

Ms. Reid’s presentation will focus on the naturally occurring native plants that have adapted to our Virginia environment. She will discuss the contributions for our ecosystem that create a sustainable, low-maintenance landscape that supports our wildlife while conserving resources. Yvonne received her Prince William County Master Gardener certification, in 2019.  Her activities also include preparing technical bulletins and sharing her expertise through the Cooperative Extension help desk. She is a team member for the drought-tolerant and woodland beds at the Teaching Garden and speaker on various garden topics for local outreach programs.

Hostesses: Lisa Osborne, Robin Hartle, Kristin Knodt, Sheila Niemela, Jen Taylor
Food Pantry: peanut butter and jelly or cash donation

October 14, 2025 | 9:30 am – 2 pm
The Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm | OFFSITE

Once again, we look forward to celebrating Virginia Wine Month. We will revisit the wonderful Winery at Sunshine Ridge Farm. We’ll begin with our club business meeting and then enjoy a short presentation about their products. Savor a glass of wine, cider, beer or a non-alcoholic beverage with a flavorful pizza lunch provided by the hostess committee. Wine maker, Ashton Lough, will entertain and enlighten us about the vineyards and their current environmental challenges. Nestled on Lake Manassas in Gainesville, the Farm is the only local winery with a breathtaking lakefront view. The locally grown grapes and variety of wines offer something for every wine enthusiast.

Fees for tasting and lunch: Club members are free, and guests are $20. We have a limit of 40 people total.
RSVP to Sally Hudson at sgh1150@gmail.com by October 5th, in order to RESERVE YOUR SPOT.

Hostesses: Lisa Fisher, Kathy Beckwith, Janet Molan, Cathy Pasanello, Ellen Percy Miller, Bonnie Snyder
Food Pantry: cereal, oatmeal, granola bars, boxed pasta and spaghetti sauce, tomato paste,
boxed/Pouch potatoes (all varieties), or cash donation

November 11, 2025 | Operation Holiday Shoppe

We will be working on various horticulture and wildlife items for the Holiday Shoppe.   
The Holiday Shoppe this year will be Friday, December 5th and Saturday December 6th. 
Mark your calendars.

Hostesses:
Catherine Bridgers, Norma Booth, Amy Hamilton, Ruth Johnston, Christine Sunda, Emily Kyriazi
Food Pantry: potatoes, gravy, rice, stuffing, sweet potatoes, or cash donation, condensed milk,
evaporated milk or cash donation

December 9, 2025 | President’s Special and Holiday Lunch

Hostesses: Jane Huckins, Elsie Davis, Addie Hoschek, Hilary Loder, Kara Marshall
Food Pantry: boxed/bagged white and brown rice (all varieties),
baking mixes, canned meat (spam, sardines, pink salmon, chicken, tuna), or cash donation 

january 13, 2026 | fiery run bee farm | Mike Blythe

In 2009, following his retirement from the Army, Mike Blythe began beekeeping. After 30 years as an Intelligence officer, he was in charge of a new team of disciplined workers. Over time, his sweet hobby grew as did the number of bee colonies. In 2014 the family purchased a former horse ranch in Linden, Virginia and turned it into a honeybee farm.  Mike also teaches classes for the Prince William Regional Beekeepers Association, Bee School. In addition to producing honey, the Fiery Run Bee Farm sells starter hives to new beekeepers.

Hostesses:
Paula Wilson, Barbara Boryschuk, John Boryschuk, Matthew Burrows, Ann Walters
Food Pantry: large can soup, bagged beans, baked beans (all varieties), or cash donation

February 10, 2026 | LEARN TO GROW & USE A DOZEN CULINARY HERBS |
Peggy Riccio

Our guest this month is Peggy Riccio. With a BS in horticulture from Virginia Tech, Peg has been at the forefront of horticultural communications for more than 30 years. Her articles have been published in Horticulture, The American Gardener, Chesapeake Home, Early American Life, Virginia Gardener, the National Gardener, Southern Living, and Birds and Blooms. She currently, serves as the Education Chair for the Herb Society of America (HSA).

Peg is also an avid writer for many other professional garden organizations including National Garden Clubs, Inc. As a horticulturist and garden communicator her website and newsletter are marvelous resources for gardeners in the DC metro area and beyond. Don’t miss her local gardening newsletter, Pegplant’s Post Gardening Newsletter. You are welcome to join her Facebook group, Culinary Herbs and Spices. Find much more at her website at pegplant.com.

Hostesses: Jane Razeghi, Linda Catir, Julia Crofford, Mitra Nelson, Jenn Richardson
Food Pantry: cereal and oatmeal, granola bars, boxed pasta & spaghetti sauce, tomato paste, boxed potatoes, or cash donation

March 10, 2026 | Rhythm in the Garden Flower Show Prep | Jane Huckins

Let’s get ready for our next Standard Flower Show on April 14, 2026. Rhythm in the Garden.

Jane will ease any anxiety over our next flower show. She will demonstrate examples of floral design and instruct us on the NGC (National Garden Club) flower show entry card.  Every club member is expected to have a horticulture or a design entry in the show. For the very new members, Jane can explain the differing types of entries, and how to prepare them.

Hostesses:
Kathleen Paton, Bunny Barrett, Larry Barrett, Susan Brown,
Mary Ellen Colandene, Joyce Miller

Food Pantry: lunch items, ravioli, spaghetti Os, chili, beef stew,
condiments (all varieties), or cash donation

If you are new to the club or flower shows, view highlights from our last show at the link below.

April 14, 2026 | Rhythm in the Garden Flower Show

All entries should be brought to the Community Center.

Details and times will be communicated at a later date.

Hostesses: Judy Tweel, Judy Becelia, Alexandra Elswick, Betty Reichert, Virginia Vaglia
Food Pantry: rice, flour, sugar, salt, and pepper or cash donation

May 9, 2026 | Tuesday | Check-in 11:00 - 11:30 am
the majestic sunflower | An Installation Celebration Luncheon

Dominion Valley Country Club | 15200 Arnold Palmer Drive | Haymarket, VA 20169 | MAP | Country Club phone: 571-222-6900

OFFICER INDUCTION 2026 - 2028

The image of a field of sunflowers standing tall together can represent strong, enduring bonds of friendship and community, much like those in a garden club. The theme for our 2026 Garden Club officer installation symbolizes loyalty, longevity, and the shared purpose of growing and thriving together.

As the sunflower always turns its face toward the sun, following the light for strength and nourishment, we look to our leaders to face the light and guide our club towards new growth.

Hostesses: Bev Krantz, Vernelle Boykin, Kathy Esslinger, Rachel Fenner, Sally Hudson, Page Murray
Food Pantry: peanut butter and jelly or cash donation