2017 Spring Annual Meeting: Rappahannock Valley

May 20, 2024

The Ninety-seventh Annual Meeting of the Garden Club of Virginia was hosted by the Rappahannock Valley Garden Club on May 16-18, 2017, in Fredericksburg, co-chaired by Tricia Garner and Tricia McDaniel.

President Nina Mustard called the GCV Board of Directors to order on Tuesday, May 16, 2017. She welcomed members and thanked Jeanette Cadwallender for the lovely luncheon at her historic Fredericksburg home.  She also thanked Tricia McDaniel and Tricia Garner for coordinating the 97th Annual Meeting for the Rappahannock Valley Garden Club, and expressed her appreciation to members for their hard work throughout the year.

Executive Director Lynn McCashin updated the Board on the goal of offering more meetings via teleconference with the announcement that the GCV will be signing up for GoToMeeting.com. Lynn commended Wendy Vaughn for using Google Drive to store Conservation Committee information, which will be useful as leadership transitions next year.

Treasurer Betsy Worthington reviewed financial reports, noting that the GCV is on target for income and expenses for this time of year.

Betsy then reviewed the proposed FY2017-2018 budget in detail. She described the new process used to create the budget, which resulted in better communication between all parties involved and a more accurate budget. A motion to approve the proposed budget passed.

First Vice President Jean Gilpin unveiled the fall Symposium website and discussed the wonderful events occurring September 26-27 in Richmond.

Second Vice President Susan Robertson reported on the Centennial for Anne Cross. Many ideas have come to the Centennial Committee, and members are beginning to narrow them down. Director of Development Lexie Haglund has created a spreadsheet for the grant proposals submitted and is tracking deadlines. A gala is planned, which will be a ticketed event and which should pay for itself. Brent Heath has been to Holland and should have the GCV Centennial Daffodil soon.

Restoration Committee Chairman Dianne Spence reviewed the policies, procedures, and responsibilities of the Restoration Committee. Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library has withdrawn its recent restoration application while its board reevaluates the WWPL mission. Point of Honor and the GCV are still negotiating an agreement. The relationships between the GCV and these two sites remain positive and strong.

Dianne then directed everyone’s attention to the section of her written report concerning the 2010 gift of $5,000 to the Capitol Square Preservation Council, which was to be used to underwrite some of the costs of printing a book on the history of the landscaping of Capitol Square. The book was never written, and the GCV Executive Director recently received a letter requesting permission to redirect the funds to Sustainability, The Women’s Monument, Voices from the Garden, the Indian Tribute, Mantle; Education Program and Exhibit for the Capitol and Capitol Square. Dianne Spence moved that the Capitol Square Preservation Council be asked to return the gift in the amount of $5,000 to the Garden Club of Virginia, as the proposed uses do not meet the intent of the Restoration Committee. The motion carried unanimously.

Parliamentarian Ann Gordon Evans commended Pam Combs and Lynn McCashin for their work on the Employee Handbook, noting this was an excellent beginning for the GCV Policies and Procedures Manual. Board members will be asked to provide input for performance appraisals.

Conservation and Beautification Committee Chairman Wendy Vaughn reported that there are six applications for the next Conservation and Environmental Studies Fellowship. These will be reviewed during the next week, and a decision will be made by the end of the month. Wendy commended Ann Heller’s efforts with this process. She announced that committee member Lisa Mountcastle will be the manager of the fellowship.

Flower Shows Chairman Susan Wight expressed appreciation for The Huntington Garden Club’s work on the recent Daffodil Show. The show was extraordinary — the largest Daffodil Show in the country in terms of the number of stems (1713) and exhibitors (109). However, the host club reported higher expenses and lower attendance than expected.

Historic Garden Week Committee Chairman Meg Clement announced preliminary figures for Historic Garden Week 2017. Currently, two of the clubs have not sent in their reports. Both attendance and projected income will be slightly down from last year. The Guidebook had eight fewer pages and a bit less in advertising revenue.  The HGW State Committee approved requests from Blue Ridge and Augusta, and from Danville, Chatham and Gabriella to merge their individual tours in 2017. The resulting tours did not show significant changes in the numbers of tourists or the revenue raised, but the clubs did find the partnerships beneficial in terms of manpower, homes/gardens, and delegating of responsibilities. The committee will continue to look at such things as community events surrounding HGW, ticket prices, problems with shuttles and lines, opening/closing at different times, and ways to highlight the restorations more.

Before adjourning the meeting, Nina recognized those members rotating off the board with sincere appreciation and a gift of a Waterford crystal bowl. These ladies are DAL District 2 Emily Reed, DAL District 5 Kate Williams, DAL District 6 Pam Combs, HGW Chairman Meg Clement, and Immediate Past President Jeanette Cadwallender.

Annual Meeting attendees enjoyed a special Dutch treat dinner at Belmont, the home and studio of American Impressionist painter Gari Melchers (1860-1932) and his wife, Corinne.  Cocktails were served during a private studio tour before dinner in the home.

Attendees were offered optional tours on Wednesday morning that included Fredericksburg’s GCV restoration sites, a presentation by Friends of the Rappahannock, or a walking tour of the historic downtown area. Attendees then enjoyed lunch at the Old Silk Mill.

President Nina Mustard called the 97th Annual Meeting of the Garden Club of Virginia to order on Wednesday afternoon, May 17, 2017, at the Fredericksburg Country Club.

Rappahannock Valley Garden Club President Patsy Thompson welcomed everyone to Fredericksburg and relayed greetings from the Mayor of Fredericksburg.

“On behalf of the members of the Rappahannock Valley Garden Club, I welcome you to Fredericksburg. We’ve been planning for your visit for over two years and are happy that our time together is finally here!

“It was said of our club, “this group put on a flower show first and then became a garden club!” We were invited to join the Garden Club of Virginia in 1933. And did you know that during World War II, our members held horse shows at Snowden, an area historic site, to raise money for war bonds? And with those bonds, we purchased a Navy Trainer Plane, with our garden club’s name on the side, which flew during the war.

“The idea of the Rappahannock Valley Garden Club was first begun in 1924 by twelve strong women and men (yes, there were five in the beginning!) who were enthusiastic about gardening, conservation, flower arranging, and community service. By 1929, the club had officially organized. Some charter members led the charge to save Kenmore from being razed or subdivided. Others built on that and developed strong ties to the Garden Club of Virginia, working on the first Historic Garden Week. RVGC’s Kate Doggett Boggs became the first chair of the Restoration Committee. In later and more recent years, Rappahannock Valley members led the charge to save the Ferry Farm site from being turned into a Walmart, and one in particular said it would be “over her dead body!” It is in the spirit of these strong women that we continue nurturing and planting our roots in this area to continue the mission of the Garden Club of Virginia: to celebrate the beauty of the land, to conserve the gifts of nature, and to challenge future generations to build on this heritage.”

Click Here to read greetings from Fredericksburg Mayor Mary Katherine Greenlaw.

Nina welcomed everyone to the 97th Annual Meeting and thanked the members of The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club for hosting the event, including the lovely Dutch treat cocktails and dinner at Belmont. She noted that the GCV’s accomplishments at the state level follow the strategic plan and are designed to reduce the time and financial burdens for the 47 member clubs. She affirmed the importance of the flower shows and other traditions and stated that new ways of doing things are proving to be exciting.

Nina then called forward the six district Directors at Large and, with a video presentation, highlighted the accomplishments of the individual clubs. She remarked that she is continually inspired by all that the club members are doing in their communities and for the GCV.

Treasurer Betsy Worthington presented the summarized budget, noting that the budget is based on funds received as well as those slated to be carried forward, which include Historic Garden Week, the Annual Fund, and dues. She also reviewed the GCV’s investment accounts with IMVA and Darryl & King and the Annual Fund. Attendees approved the budget.

Betsy then addressed the current confusion resulting from a letter sent by the Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) to each member club. The letter states that each club must fill out a form relating to its charitable status to determine if it is exempt or must annually register and pay a fee to VDACS. As each club operates independently of the GCV in terms of soliciting funds, and operates differently from its sister clubs, Betsy is advising each to consult a professional for advice. The website for VADACS is www.vdacs.virginia.gov. and the forms in question are Form 100 and Form 102. She noted that the Treasurer’s Manual, available to all club treasurers through the GCV website, will be updated to reflect this situation.

Finance Committee Chairman Vicky Alexander outlined the responsibilities of the committee, noting it is responsible for supervising all financial matters for the GCV. She followed with a detailed reporting of GCV accounts and projected draws on accounts.

Attendees expressed their appreciation to the Treasurer and Finance Committee with a round of applause.

Second Vice President Susan Robertson introduced Common Wealth Award Committee Chairman Candy Carden, who reported that in March the committee visited each of the sites nominated for the award. In April the committee met to discuss each nomination and approved six applications:

Historian Bettie Guthrie reminded everyone that each club has a page on the GCV website and encouraged everyone to post pictures, events, yearbooks, and histories on them. Journal Editorial Board Chairman Karla MacKimmie encouraged club presidents to solicit artwork from their members for the Journal cover, and Journal Advertising Chairman Penny Dart reported the addition of four advertisers and the loss of two. She asked attendees to thank advertisers at any opportunity.

Conservation and Beautification Committee Chairman Wendy Vaughn introduced Conservation Awards Chairman Leesie Leake, who reviewed the conservation awards and deadlines. She then introduced Liz Carter, daughter-in-law of former GCV President Bessie Carter and President of the Rivanna Garden Club, who presented a lovely tribute to Mrs. Carter. Leesie then awarded the Bessie Bocock Carter Conservation Award to The Petersburg Garden Club for their Lee Park Wildflower and Restoration Project. Click Here to read the Journal article.

Wendy introduced the Conservation and Environmental Studies Fellow, Paul Lacy, who presented his research and findings on “Native and Invasive Aquatic Plant Species in Virginia Trout Streams.” Mr. Lacy is a rising Senior at James Madison University and is the second Conservation and Environmental Studies Fellow. He concluded his presentation by expressing his appreciation for the opportunity given to him by the Garden Club of Virginia and the Conservation and Beautification Committee.

First Vice President Jean Gilpin unveiled, with great excitement, the Fall Symposium brochure, giving details of the many and varied opportunities available to “inspire, excite, engage, educate, and entertain” those attending. The Symposium will take place in Richmond on September 26-27, 2017. The website for the event is www.GCVSymposium.org. Jean noted that Fran Carden and Kim Cory will be hosting a horticulture workshop before the Annual Meeting reconvenes the following morning at 8:30 a.m. for those interested in learning more about grooming and presenting horticulture at the Fall Symposium.

Restoration Committee Chairman Dianne Spence announced that the William D. Rieley Fellowship at Westover Plantation was awarded to Krista Reimer, a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania in Landscape Design. The Rudy J. Favretti Fellowship at Berkeley Plantation was awarded to Kathleen Conti, who holds a Masters in Historic Preservation from the University of Texas and is pursuing a PhD in Architecture at UT. Dianne shared that the committee had made a site visit to Christ Church in Saluda, to assess damage to the wall donated by GCV in 1942. A tree is leaning on a portion of the wall, and the vestry would like to save the tree and repair the wall. Their budget is very small and cannot afford the approximately $5,000 repair. The Restoration Committee approved this project. Dianne noted that the Restoration Committee recently installed an arbor and new plants at the Mary Washington House.

Flower Shows Chairman Susan Wight explained the exciting new format for flower arranging and showing at the Fall Symposium, stating, “It’s not your mother’s flower show!” Restrictions have been lifted which will allow arrangers to “blossom artistically.”

The Annabel Josephs Inter Club Artistic Award was presented to the Lynchburg Garden Club. NOTE: Following adjournment of the Annual Meeting, a recount revealed the actual winner to be the Rappahannock Valley Garden Club. Both clubs were subsequently notified and arrangements were made to present the award to Rappahannock Valley.

Daffodil Chairman Janet Hickman commended the members of The Huntington Garden Club and noted the national impact the recent GCV Daffodil Show had, as it was the largest show in the country with 1713 stems, 811 horticulture exhibits, and 109 exhibitors. A photography class and a judges’ workshop were added, with all 12 people sitting for the judges’ exam passing.

GCV Landscape Architect William D. Rieley presented the history of the landscape restoration at Monticello.

Nina adjourned the Annual Meeting for the day at 4:39 p.m.

Mary Wynn and Charles McDaniel invited attendees for cocktails at the Sentry Box, their lovely, historic home on the Rappahannock River. The awards banquet followed at the University of Mary Washington’s Jepson Center. The Massie Medal, the GCV’s highest honor, was awarded to Deedy Bumgardner of The Augusta Garden Club and former GCV President, 2004-2006.  The de Lacy Gray Memorial Medal for Conservation was awarded to Heidi James of The Lynchburg Garden Club for her work in removing a derelict iron bridge from the James River.

The meeting resumed at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, May 18, 2017. Nina began the morning with announcements and congratulated award recipients.

Tricia Garner then introduced guest speaker, Kirk Brown, who portrayed John Bartram, botanist to the Founding Fathers. Mr. Bartram presented a delightfully engaging and inspirational program, incorporating the history of his botanical work in early America and the work of the Garden Club of Virginia.

GCV Executive Director Lynn McCashin reported that the KVH annual maintenance plan will be accelerated in preparation for upcoming events — Fall Symposium, Daffodil Show and Centennial. The easement architect from the Department of Historic Resources inspected the house in April and confirmed the house is in good condition. Kent-Valentine House Committee Chairman Alice Martin then detailed plans for interior refurbishments.

Historic Garden Week Chairman Meg Clement provided preliminary figures from the 2017 tours, noting more information will be available once figures are finalized. She gave a detailed report on trends in attendance, ad purchases in the Guidebook, and ideas for making Historic Garden Week even better. She noted the exciting publicity accomplishments this year, with an increase in the use of social media, an article in “The Washington Post” and information highlighting Lynchburg’s tour placed in Garden and Gun.

Development Committee Chairman Debbie Lewis unveiled the new development brochure, noting it was a collaboration between Director of Development Lexie Haglund, HGW Marketing Coordinator Tory Brock, and Communications Coordinator Ann Heller. She emphasized the need for contributions to the Annual Fund, noting the fund safeguards the hard work of the members, past and present, and safeguards the endowment. She then announced that Lexie had secured a $100,000 matching grant for capital improvements to the Kent-Valentine House from the Mary Morton Parsons Foundation.

Virginia State Parks Committee Chairman Jeanette Cadwallender highlighted the 2017 grant recipients whose projects covered education, habitats, plantings, landscape improvements, and summer youth programs.

Centennial Committee Chairman Anne Cross and VMHC Exhibits Subcommittee Chairman Joanna Catron provided updates that included a request for each club to submit a three-dimensional artifact for the exhibit with the assurance, “Nothing is too small, too large or too corny — please let the committee see it and decide if it will be helpful!”

Conservation and Beautification Committee Chairman Wendy Vaughn announced the 2017 Conservation Forum, “Fracking in Virginia — From All Perspectives,” will be held in Charlottesville on October 27. She was thrilled to announce there are six applicants for the next Conservation and Environmental Studies Fellowship, with the winner to be announced in the coming weeks.

Horticulture Committee Chairman Catherine Madden commended the clubs on their creative and imaginative horticulture “Roots of Restoration” displays. See photos. She then announced the four recipients of the 2017 Horticulture Awards of Merit.

Catherine reminded the group of Horticulture Field Day to be held May 31-June 1 in Gloucester, noting 170 people have already signed up.

Nominations Committee Chairman Anne Baldwin recognized the Directors at Large who completed their two-year terms: Pam Combs, Emily Reed, and Kate Williams. She announced the slate of incoming Directors at Large: District 2, Meg Laughon; District 5, Tuckie Westfall; and District 6, Ellen Upton. The slate was accepted as presented.

Nina introduced Cessie Howell, First Vice President of The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club, who thanked everyone for coming to Fredericksburg, saying she had learned a lot about the GCV and loved every minute of her time with everyone.

Nina then thanked Tricia Garner and Tricia McDaniel, co-chairmen, and the members of The Rappahannock Valley Garden Club for hosting the 97th Annual Meeting. With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 12:06 p.m.

2017 Annual Meeting Photos

2017 Annual Meeting Horticulture Exhibit Photos