2003 Fall BOG: Eastern Shore

April 11, 2022

The eighty-fourth Annual Meeting of the Garden Club of Virginia was hosted by the Garden Club of the Eastern Shore on October 21-23, 2003, chaired by Carolyn Jones.

The Board of Directors met at Kendall Grove Point, the home of Katty Mears, where they enjoyed a delicious lunch prior to the board meeting.

Mary Hart opened the board meeting with, “Today you will be asked to consider several mildly radical changes in the operation of the GCV. Some suggestions will need our consideration and decision during this meeting. Others will need you to mull over and arrive at the January board meeting ready to offer your views and begin the process needed to make bylaw changes at the May Board of Directors meeting in 2004.”

Financial topics included a decision to pay for a speaker for the upcoming Board of Governors to replace the roundtable discussions; a decision to make a $500 donation to the Williamsburg Garden Club to offset the financial loss of the green offering at the canceled Rose Show; a recommendation by GCV auditor to consider eliminating the position of Journal treasurer and transferring those duties to the GCV Treasurer; a discussion on proposed changes to policies and procedures to reduce costs; and the ongoing interviews for a technical expert to assist with database implementation.

Conservation and Beautification Chairman Mary Bruce Glaize questioned the wisdom of having the Conservation Forum in October, an exceptionally busy month for GCV members, offering November as a better choice.  Other comments from board members questioned location advantages and the idea of offering one day forums in alternate years. Discussion was to follow at the January board meeting.

A Speakers Series discussion brought up some questions: How speakers were selected? Should the event be moved around the state? Should the committee be placed under the Horticulture Committee? Discussion was to follow at theJanuary board meeting.

Bessie Carter moved that the Nominations Chairman be invited to attend any board meetings that the President deems appropriate. Motion carried.

The Dutch treat dinner was held at the Turner Sculpture Gallery in Olney, where attendees enjoyed “gazing and grazing.”

Mary Hart called the eighty-fourth meeting of the Board of Governors to order on October 22 at the Accomac County Courthouse and introduced club president Claiborne Dickinson who welcomed the crowd adding, “Yes, Virginia, there is an Eastern Shore!” Claiborne then introduced club historian Queekie Gladden.

Queekie reported an amazing history of the club, beginning with a 2003 membership of 70 that ranged in age from 33 to 90, including 11 who had been active for 48+ years. The club had initiated conservation projects like Camp Osprey for children and Project Wild for teachers; civic plantings of crape myrtles, trees and daffodils; and the removal of hundreds of unsightly, abandoned cars to name just a few. She named individual members and properties that had earned legendary status among GCV members — Eyre Hall and Furlong Baldwin; Ker Place; Amine Kellam; Port Isobel and Central Park; Vena Walker; Dot Kellam; and Katty Mears.

Lee Cochran followed with a tribute to Hunter Hankins Savage, former GCV President 1976-1978, and referred to a beautifully written Journal article by Nancy Talley where she recounted Hunter’s many offices in the GCV and her Massie Medal award in 1994. She described Hunter’s characteristic modesty and generosity when, at the conclusion of the Moses Myers landscape presentation ceremony in May, she quietly gave the Garden Club of Virginia a check to cover the expenses of the occasion. Lee quoted from Nancy’s tribute, “An administrative dynamo who moved in an almost palpable aura of fun, Hunter Savage wore the highest heels and the brightest clothes, and turned the latest fashion from trendy to style.”

Mary Hart began her report by describing the “lighter side” of her experiences, allowing committee chairmen to report the business. She described fossil hunting in the rain on the Nansemond River in a 14’ aluminum boat and a train trip to northern Virginia where she realized, almost too late, conductors no longer call out station stops!

Annabel Josephs, Page Sullenberger and Maggie King reported that problems continued with database, described as “a wealth of information but, at present, it is unwieldy.” Annabel asked each club president to provide a hard copy backup. Page Sullenberger reported on trying to find a database consultant “for the monster” and a new hosting service for the website. She reported optimistically on the successful website calendar.

Member Handbooks, Follow the Green Arrow II and Gardens and Landscape of Virginia were offered for sale at the meeting.

Virginia Savage, the Garden Club of the Eastern Shore, provided an update on the club’s 2002 Common Wealth Award, “Cape Charles Central Park.”

The meeting was adjourned for the day.

Attendees were invited to lunch at member homes Windingdale and Woodlands. “Martha Stewart in her heyday could not have planned more beautiful settings.” Attendees then traveled to the Barrier Islands Museum, housed in an old alms house, getting a glimpse into the rugged maritime history that has shaped the Eastern Shore. Next was a trip to Eyre Hall where attendees were delighted to be shown around by the owner, Furlong Baldwin, and his sister, whose family have lived there for fourteen generations. The day was crowned with cocktails at Ker Place, followed by the awards banquet in a heated tent where musicians played. Guests were “intrigued by the table decorations which used split peas to secure the lush, bright flowers, and convinced that the Garden Club of the Eastern Shore will be eating lots of soup this winter!”

The 2003 Common Wealth Award was presented to the Spotswood Garden Club for “Healing Gardens at Camp Still Meadows.”

The meeting was reconvened Thursday morning at Cobb Island Coast Guard Station. Because the facility was not amenable for the usual roundtable discussions, speakers were invited to the meeting. Mary Hart introduced Steve Parker of the Nature Conservancy. Deedy then introduced Jennifer Kibler, corporate sales trainer and consultant, who presented “Stay Positive and Be More Effective.” Finally, Katty introduced H. Furlong Baldwin, Chairman of the Board, NASDAQ Stock Market, Inc. and retired CEO of Mercantile Bankshares Corporation, who spoke on leadership.

The meeting wrapped up with remaining business reports, and Annabel Josephs offered a tribute to the Eastern Show Garden Club before the meeting was adjourned.