2016 Fall BOG: Princess Anne

May 10, 2024

The 97th Garden Club of Virginia Board of Governors meeting was held October 18-20, 2016, at the Hilton Virginia Beach Oceanfront, hosted by the Princess Anne Garden Club.

The Board of Directors gathered on Tuesday, October 18, for lunch and meeting at the hotel. President Nina Mustard called the meeting to order and thanked attendees for their support in attending and chairing meetings, directing workshops, participating in Flower Arranging School and the recent Rose Show — all while handling individual responsibilities. She then welcomed any ideas for how she could better serve the GCV and its members.

Treasurer Betsy Worthington reported a significant savings in audit costs, the result of having a hired a GCV Bookkeeper. Finance Committee Chairman Vicky Alexander described efforts in place to create detailed paper trails for Centennial projects. The Centennial Committee is working with the Development Committee on plans for funding the VMHC exhibit.

Upon the recommendation of Horticulture Committee Chairman Catherine Madden, the Board agreed that no boxwood will be allowed at any GCV-sponsored event due to the potential spread of boxwood blight.

The new Human Resources Manual was presented to the Board, having previously been endorsed by the Executive Committee. Board members praised Pam Combs and Lynn McCashin for their work on the manual, noting its professionalism and tone. The GCV Parliamentarian will serve as the Human Resources liaison between the Executive Committee and any staff member who cannot resolve an issue through the Executive Director.

The Flower Shows Committee will morph into a “festival” committee after the 2017 GCV Lily Show. The newly defined committee will begin planning a 2018 event in Richmond that will include symposium-like elements and an ADS-accredited daffodil show.

Restoration Committee Chairman Dianne Spence reported that when a Restoration property is released by the GCV, the recommendation comes from the Restoration Committee and must be approved by the GCV Board of Directors. The committee has revised its agreement with properties going forward to minimize investment losses when properties must be released. It was noted again that efforts should be made to publicize the GCV’s restoration work.

A planning session for the upcoming BOG roundtable logistics followed and the meeting was adjourned.

BOG Photos

Horticulture Exhibit Photos

BOG attendees boarded buses Tuesday evening for cocktails at Princess Anne Country Club on Breakers Boulevard, a gorgeous outdoor setting, followed by Dutch treat dinner in the club’s main dining room. Guests were entertained with an engaging program, “Frank Sings Frank,” presented by a Frank Sinatra “impersonator.”

Wednesday morning began early with two tour options – First Landing State Park or the Brock Center. Attendees boarded buses and were welcomed at their destinations with coffee and brief talks. First Landing visitors were offered self-guided tours of exhibits and gardens. The First Landing State Park Chesapeake Bay Lab Project and the bayside camper check-in have been transformed with funds from the 2013 GCV Common Wealth Award, PAGC Party in the Park and Friends of First Landing. The PAGC’s First Landing State Park Native Plant Landscape Project at the trail center continues to be a showpiece for coastal Virginia natives and entices visitors to grow these same pollinators and nectar plants in their own yards.

The Brock Center is LEEDS Platinum certified and a Living Building, the most advanced measure of sustainable building. The center’s greywater rain garden greets visitors, supports the center’s zero runoff and waste goals, and contributes to the “beauty” criteria for Living Building Challenge certification.

Following morning visits, attendees gathered at the Brock Center for a seated, Dutch treat luncheon.

Back at the Hilton, Nina called the BOG meeting to order Wednesday afternoon in the Peacock Room, welcoming attendees before introducing Princess Anne Garden Club President Pat Proctor. Pat shared, “You cannot imagine how relieved we are that during your visit, you will have some beautiful fall weather instead of the torrential rain we experienced 10 days ago. Although the city has not been able to completely remove all the fallen trees and debris, I hope that has not detracted from the attractiveness of our city. If you have time, please do go for a stroll on our boardwalk right outside the hotel.”

Susan Wight, co-chairman of the meeting, presented a Proclamation from the City of Virginia Beach proclaiming October 19, 2016, as Garden Club of Virginia Day.

Mina Wood, former GCV President and a member of The Lynchburg Garden Club, gave a tribute in memory of Elizabeth Perkins Varner, GCV President 1974 – 1976, who died August 10 in Charlottesville.

Nina asked attendees to join her in thanking PAGC members for the lovely pre-meeting activities — luncheon for Board of Directors, cocktails and dinner at Princess Anne Country Club, tours of First Landing State Park and tours and lunch at the Brock Center, adding that the tours illustrated the tremendous influence we can have on a community, with very little impact on the environment.

She also thanked attendees, knowing the meetings can be stressful by saying, “If you are anything like me, you have fretted for days about what to wear, the weather forecast, how much time to allow for traffic, and who is going to take care of the dog.” She continued, “My hope for this meeting is that you leave tomorrow with new friends, filled with ideas for your club and for your community and feel more connected than ever to the Garden Club of Virginia.”

Boo Green of The Charlottesville Garden Club and Liz Carter of Rivanna Garden Club reported that the garden at 2015 Common Wealth Award recipient, Blue Ridge Juvenile Detention Center, was reaching residents in unique and important ways, allowing them to master skills, to learn to stay with a project from beginning to completion and to gain opportunities for personal growth through gardening.

Common Wealth Award Committee Chairman Candy Carden presented the nomination for the 2016 Common Wealth Award, a collaboration between Hillside Garden Club and the Academy Center of the Arts in Lynchburg. The Academy Center of the Arts has undertaken a large restoration and reconstruction project to make the building more accessible, attractive and available — the place to hold events in downtown Lynchburg.

The Academy Center of the Arts Tree Garden project is an excellent example of a garden club collaborating with a local organization while meeting all the criteria for the Common Wealth Award — conservation, beautification, horticulture, preservation and education are all touched upon in this plan. This project will enrich the Commonwealth of Virginia by preserving a landmark building for future generations to enjoy.

Built in 1905, the historic theater at the Academy Center of the Arts in Lynchburg is one of the only surviving theaters of the turn-of-the-century period in Virginia. Saved from destruction by leaders of the Lynchburg community, including members of Hillside Garden Club, the theater was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1969. Since that time, while the adjacent Academy Center serves as a performance and art class space, the historic theater itself has been quiet. This jewel of Lynchburg is now undergoing a transformation. Upon completion, the historic theater will reopen, once again able to welcome performances from local, regional and national programs.

The Garden Club of Virginia and the Common Wealth Award Committee applaud and congratulate the Academy Center of the Arts Tree Project and Hillside Garden Club for their inspiring and worthy project. Delegates voted to award the 2016 Common Wealth Award, in the amount of $8,000, to Hillside Garden Club in Lynchburg for the Academy of Arts Tree Garden project.

Roundtable discussions followed. Former GCV Presidents met to receive updates on Historic Garden Week, the Strategic Plan, the Centennial celebration and Restoration projects, facilitated by Second Vice President Susan Robertson, Restoration Committee Chairman Dianne Spence and GCV landscape architect Will Rieley.  Current club presidents met by districts to discuss the topics of Showing and Growing, Arranging and Judging, Membership and Communication. Their groups were facilitated by the Directors at Large, and ideas generated from these meetings were posted around the conference room as an “Idea Park” and were later transcribed and sent to all attendees. The Board of Directors and Committee Chairmen were led by First Vice President Jean Gilpin and discussed communication, events and awards.

Nina reconvened the meeting at 3:30 p.m. and called on Dianne Spence and Will Rieley who presented, “What Makes an Ideal Restoration?” A potential restoration property is evaluated for statewide significance, the capacity of the property to care for the work done, a commitment to the high standards of the GCV and geographical and thematic diversity. Attendees were encouraged to view the documents produced by Restoration Fellows.

The meeting was adjourned at 4 p.m. for the day.

Wednesday night activities began with cocktails at the stunning home and garden of PAGC member Pat Creech and her husband, Scot, where guests were overwhelmed with the beauty of the waterfront gardens and flower arrangements. The evening continued when guests traveled back to the Hilton for the awards banquet, another flower-filled venue.

The meeting resumed on Thursday morning, October 20.

Lynn McCashin, GCV Executive Director, entertained attendees with, “Who Ya Gonna Call?” based on the Ghostbusters movie, to introduce GCV staff and their responsibilities.

Virginia State Parks Committee Chairman Jeanette Cadwallender described exciting grant opportunities for state parks — exhibits, playgrounds, trail improvements, gardens, native plant exhibits, programs and more. She encouraged GCV member clubs to collaborate with a state park to discuss its needs and then submit a grant application.

Jeanette then introduced guest speaker Molly Joseph Ward, Virginia Secretary of National Resources, who spoke with enthusiasm and appreciation for the GCV and its work, and for the ongoing partnership between the state and the GCV. She personally invited everyone to visit a state park in the near future, noting that Governor McAuliffe and his family have already enjoyed at least one night in each of 30 of the 37 state parks, with a goal of visiting all of them. She outlined some areas in which members of the GCV can assist the Department of Conservation and Recreation with state parks — make citizens aware of invasive species, be the eyes and ears for general aesthetics and beauty around the state, and build interest in state parks by visiting and taking friends and family with you.

Centennial Committee Chairman Anne Cross presented “New Old News,” bits of GCV trivia.

Meg Clement, Chairman of the Historic Garden Week Committee, announced that the relationship between the GCV and VDOT is being renewed and will greatly assist transportation efforts during the week. She also revealed the HGW Guidebook cover, Oatlands Historic House and Gardens in Leesburg, and the featured HGW flower, Iris ‘Nofa Sapphire.’

Conservation and Beautification Committee Chairman Wendy Vaughn announced that the 2016 Garden Club of Virginia Conservation and Environmental Studies Fellow is Paul M. Lacy, a graduate student in Integrated Science and Technology at James Madison University, who will research “Native and Invasive Aquatic Plant Species in Virginia Trout Water.” She reminded attendees about the Conservation Forum, to be held November 3 at the Paramount Theater in Charlottesville. The topic will be “Clean Energy: Exploring Wind and Solar,” with a panel discussion to follow. The Elizabeth Cabell Dugdale Award and the Conservation Educator Award will be presented. Legislative Day will be in January with a preview of upcoming legislation presented by VCN on December 3, for anyone who would like to participate. Attendees viewed the video, the Majestic Plastic Bag.

Janet Frantz of Mill Mountain Garden Club reported on their project, “Scoop the Poop,” the 2015 Bessie Bocock Carter Conservation Award recipient.

Susan Wight, Flower Shows Committee Chairman, conveyed her enthusiasm for the new flower “festival” that will include the ADS-accredited Daffodil Show and symposium-like events. Daffodil Committee Chairman Janet Hickman announced that the 2016 GCV Daffodil Show was the second largest in the country! She informed the group that the 2017 show will include a photography class. Rose Committee Chairman Lea Shuba thanked The Hampton Roads Garden Club for a beautiful show this fall and announced that this year’s rose collection features plants which require no pesticides or extra watering.

Tricia Garner of The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club issued an invitation to the Annual Meeting in Fredericksburg, May 16-18, 2017. Barbara Luton, Beth Coleman and Catherine Harcus of The Blue Ridge Garden Club issued an invitation to the Board of Governors meeting in Lexington in October 2017.

Nina closed the meeting with gratitude to Nancy Baillio, Susan Wight and members of The Princess Anne Garden Club for their hard work and gracious hospitality. She also thanked attendees for their participation in the meeting, noting that the different format yielded enthusiasm and new ideas for the future of the GCV.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 11:20 am.