2000 Spring Annual Meeting: Harborfront

February 1, 2022

The 80th Annual Meeting of the Garden Club of Virginia was hosted by Harborfront Garden Club at the Norfolk Waterside Marriott on May 9-11, 2000, chaired by Robin Ingram and Gigi Miller.

The Board of Directors met at the Norfolk home of Nancy Huber on May 9, preceded by a luncheon hosted by Nancy and Marietta Gwathmey.

Bessie reviewed recent GCV events and was delighted to report a new atmosphere at the Kent-Valentine House since the arrival of Kathy Rolph. She felt progress had been made in reducing expenses and manpower requirements for Flower Shows but reported that many member club presidents and GCVmembers were questioning whether attendance justified the time and resources required, noting that more work needed to be done. She expressed tremendous gratitude and admiration for the collective and good-humored effectiveness of her board.

Personnel Chairman Mina Wood discussed recent efforts to “formalize” employment reviews and salary increases and suggested that Journal Editor Clarkie Eppes be included in the annual reviews. Parliamentarian Marty Whipple moved to accept changes to previously distributed bylaws, standing rules, policies and procedures. Motion seconded and passed.

Restoration Chairman Nancy Talley moved to adopt the stone wall at Blandy Experimental Farm and the grounds at Lee Hall as restoration projects. Motions seconded and passed. Finance Chairman Lucy Ellett presented a number of motions to review insurance needs, budgeting, staff expense accountability and investment policies. Dootsie Wilber reported disappointing sales for the Garden Club Pilgrimage to Virginia booklet, leading to a $5,367 shortfall. Printing had cost $11,754.66. And, finally, a recommendation to combine the Bambe Wilson bequest with existing assets in the General Maintenance Account to fund the Bambe Wilson Memorial Endowment was referred to the Finance Committee. Additional reports were to be given at the Annual Meeting.

Prior to adjournment, Board Members paid tribute to Bessie, the self-proclaimed “Weed Queen.”

The Tuesday evening Dutch Treat dinner was held at the elegant Town Point Club. Located in the World Trade Center in downtown Norfolk, the club overlooks the inner harbor of the busiest port on the East Coast.

Bessie called the 80th Annual Meeting of the Garden Club of Virginia to order and welcomed all on May 10, 2000, at the Waterside Marriott. Among the thanks, she recognized Frank Gwathmey (Marietta’s husband) for building the garden gate adorned with a lush flower box, setting the theme for the meeting, and then introduced Harborfront President Dottie Ballard who provided a fascinating history of the area. Norfolk was built on fill land at sea level (or below) with floodwalls that closed during storms. Five tunnels lead into Norfolk. Why not bridges? Norfolk is NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander Atlantic (SACLANT) headquarters and bridges would make easy targets to interrupt shipping in wartime. She added interesting quick facts: Moses Myers, a New York shipping merchant, built the first brick house in the area; the ice cream cone was invented at Doumar’s Drive-In where the original cone machine still stands; and the United States’ first in-vitro fertilization baby was born in Norfolk in 1981. Attendees then enjoyed “The History of Harborfront Garden Club in One Act,” a skit presented by Marietta Gwathmey (Mrs. Kent V. House III) and Robin Reeves (Mrs. Boxwood R. Hedges IV).

Bessie began her report with a suggested job description for GCV member club presidents.

Bessie continued with farewell remarks that received a standing ovation.

Mary Hart Darden reported with great excitement that www.gcvirginia.org was scheduled to go live June 1. She listed Public Page items and Members of the GCV Page, resembling much of what exists on today’s site, a credit to the foresight of Mary Hart Darden and her team.

The 2000-2001 GCV budget was approved and a detailed and informative investment report signifying changes to increase maximum equity allocation was presented. A dues increase to $25 per person, to take effect spring 2001 was approved. And Parliamentarian Marty Whipple moved to change the term for Directors at Large from three years to two, requiring Articles of Amendment. Motion seconded and passed.

Peggy Quayle reported that going forward, the Slides Committee would maintain the Best in Show presentation and the newly created Historic Garden Week presentation. All other slides were to be stored in the basement of the Kent-Valentine House.

Finalists for 2000 Common Wealth Awards were distributed for club votes prior to the September deadline.

Mary Frances Flowers read a tribute to Charlotte Massie (1917-2000), Tuckahoe Garden Club member and editor of the HGW Guidebook and the Executive Director of Historic Garden Week for 27 years. She was a stickler for precise descriptions and had a rule against living architects, decorators and landscape architects being mentioned in the Guidebook copy. For her dedication, she was awarded the Massie Medal in 1985.

Horticulture Chairman Elaine Burden announced 2000 Horticulture Award of Merit recipients: Ruth Matheson, Gloucester; Patricia Sauer, Tuckahoe; Sara Ann Lindsey, Hunting Creek; Genie Diller, Spotswood; Jean Knapp, Elizabeth River; Mildred Barkhouser, Danville.

After a short break, Robin Ingram introduced speaker Ray Gindroz of Urban Design Associates, Pittsburgh, hailed by Preservation Magazine as “the Michael Jordan of Urban Planning.” His topic was “The Community Organization’s Role in the New Urbanization for the 21^st Century” and included slides of larger cities abroad compared to Norfolk.

Clarkie Eppes was then called forward to receive a framed resolution in commemoration of her tenth anniversary as editor of publications.

Lunch in private homes was followed by a choice of afternoon activities: Flowers in Art, a docent led tour of the Chrysler Museum to explore the majesty of the botanical world as interpreted by artists through the ages; Demystifying Mass, a demonstration led by Lee Snyder through mechanics and techniques of creating a majestic arrangement in a deepwater container for a special event at the Chrysler; and “All Aboard, a Spring Train and Walking Tour of Norfolk Botanical Gardens” through azaleas, rose blooms and native plants, with an opportunity to learn about the garden’s history.

Helen Murphy moved to accept the following slate. Motion seconded and passed.

Bessie then introduced Mina Wood to attendees. Known among longtime friends as the “Dean” for her ability “to organize people so well that you don’t even know you are being organized.” She has been described as “inspiration” and is known for her “unerringly good judgement.” Bessie added “a cheerleader with people skills, a horticulturist with great organizational ability and sound judgement, is a prescription for an outstanding president. The GCV is very, very lucky to have Mina Wood as our leader.”

Diana Carter then offered a tribute to Harborfront Garden Club by singing to the tune of Gilligan’s Island.

Mina thanked Diana and then offered a tribute to Bessie listing a few of her accomplishments: bylaws changes, changes to Flower Shows, creation of the GCV website, bimonthly emails, restoration of the Charles Gillette garden at the Executive Mansion under new Landscape Architect Will Rieley, establishment of the GCV Executive Director position, record-breaking Historic Garden Week profits … attendees followed with a standing ovation.

Following a brief break, Nancy Talley presented Restoration Committee updates and moved to adopt restoration projects at Blandy Experimental Farm and Lee Hall Mansion. Motions seconded and passed.

After closing remarks, Mina adjourned the meeting and called on Dottie Ballard to introduce Susan Cofer of the Elizabeth River Project who gave a slide lecture presentation, “For the Love of a River Project,” showing how a grassroots organization is grappling with the daunting task of reclaiming a natural treasure.