2018 Fall BOG: Hunting Creek

September 12, 2024

The Hunting Creek Garden Club hosted the 2018 Board of Governors, “The Potomac: Our History – Our Future,” on Monday, October 15 – Wednesday, October 17, 2018, at the Hilton Alexandria Old Town, co-chaired by Vicky Alexander and Laura Francis. View photos

Board members gathered for lunch at the Hilton in Old Town Alexandria on Monday, October 15, prior to the afternoon board meeting. President Jean Gilpin called the Board of Directors meeting to order and welcomed attendees.

Reports included: Centennial plans by Centennial Steering Committee Chairman Missy Buckingham; 2018 Fall Symposium follow-up by Symposium Chairman Jennifer Kelley;

Restoration Committee Chairman Anne Baldwin reported good attendance at the Fellowship presentation at Fort Pocahontas in August. Attendees heard presentations by Mary Fesak, who had worked at Sherwood Forest Plantation, and Penelope Cottrell-Crawford, who had worked at Shirley Plantation. After lunch, attendees enjoyed a visit to both sites. Anne provided property updates from the committee’s September visits to Bacon’s Castle, the Rolfe-Warren House at Smith’s Fort Plantation, the new garden site at William & Mary, and Bruton Parish Church. In addition to these larger projects, the committee continues to review each of GCV’s restoration properties at each meeting and to assess the needs of each. The committee voted on the following projects at its September meeting:

Belmont: Maintaining boxwood in good condition is going to be an ongoing issue for all of our properties. There are four triangular beds here, and the boxwoods need to be replaced. The committee voted to do this with a variety that has been suggested by the Saunders Bros. Nursery as disease resistant.

Kent-Valentine House: The committee voted to plant a new dogwood in honor of our dear Margaret Bemiss, who has done so much to support us. In addition, Will and Jody Branch looked over the entire KVH landscape, with a goal of making our GCV headquarters look sparkling for a year of Centennial celebration.

In addition to these, the committee voted for Will to visit Hollins, Ker Place, Monticello, and the Moses Myers House to address concerns from our liaisons and our properties.

Plans continue to come together for our Maintenance Workshop that will be held at the Kent-Valentine House on January 10, 2019. Dan Grelen from Grelen Nursery, Peggy Cornett from Monticello and Peter Deahl will speak about pruning.

The Research Fellowship Subcommittee, chaired by Judy Perry, visited Farmington in Charlottesville on August 28 and Belle Isle, Mount Airy, and Menokin on the Northern Neck on October 3.

Reports from the six Directors at Large followed before the meeting was adjourned for the day.

BOG attendees were invited Monday evening to the lovely home of Ashley and George Wilson for cocktails and were then led by a bagpiper to the Old Dominion Boat Club for a Dutch treat dinner.

Tuesday morning, attendees were offered optional tours that included George Washington’s Mount Vernon Estate or the Pope-Leighey House/Woodlawn.

Following a buffet luncheon, President Jean Gilpin called the 99th meeting of the GCV Board of Governors to order Tuesday afternoon. Hunting Creek Garden Club President Gugi Hooff offered greetings and praised co-chairmen Vicky Alexander and Laura Francis. Jean added her thanks to Gugi, chairmen, club members, and the Wilsons.

Treasurer Vicky Alexander presented the GCV financial reports, and Finance Committee Chairman Tricia McDaniel provided an overview of committee responsibilities, including the budget, investments, and insurance matters.

First Vice President and Chairman of the Centennial Steering Committee Missy Buckingham gave an update on plans underway. The board has approved the official “kickoff date” for the Centennial to be at the 99th GCV Annual Meeting in May 2019, culminating with Founders Day events and festivities to be held in Richmond on May 13 – 14, 2020. Club historians have been asked to collect items for the exhibit at the Virginia Museum of History & Culture, for the time capsule, and for the humorous recollections project.

Second Vice President Catherine Madden encouraged members to join GCV friends for a trip to Paris and the Loire Valley on June 12-20, 2019. “Jardins of Ile de France and the Loire” will be hosted by Chip Callaway.

Director of HGW and Special Programs Karen Ellsworth reported on the Symposium for Chairman Jennifer Kelley. There were more exhibits this year with horticulture, artistic design, and photographic divisions. The programs were engaging and educational. Chip Callaway’s presentation was extremely popular with about 200 in attendance. Karen reviewed the additional speakers and programs and also noted Holly Heider Chapple’s Advanced Flower Arranging Workshop sold out with 40 people in attendance. The artistic division had more than 30 entries, the photography division filled all classes, and the horticulture division had 24 club entries. The venue was a huge hit and the budget was met. Karen thanked Jennifer for her efforts and conveyed Jennifer’s gratitude for the tireless volunteers who made this wonderful event possible.

Daffodil Day 2019 was announced for March 26, 2019, at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden and will include a class for the best bloom of the GCV Centennial Daffodil ‘Green Arrow.’

Conservation Awards Chairman Heidi James announced the recipient of the Conservation Educator Award, Nancy Newman of Charlottesville, and the recipient of the Elizabeth Cabell Dugdale Award, Piedmont Environmental Council. Both awards will be presented at the GCV Conservation Forum in Charlottesville on October 25, 2018. Bettie Guthrie, The Petersburg Garden Club, provided an update of the 2017 Bessie Bocock Carter Conservation Award recipient “Lee Park Wild Flower and Restoration Project.”

Common Wealth Award Chairman Karla MacKimmie listed the five award finalists, stating the recipient would be announced that evening at the awards banquet: Project Dogwood: A Hundred Year Journey, The Augusta Garden Club; Urban Garden Invites Youth to “Dream a Different Future,” The Elizabeth River Garden Club; Paw Path Pollinator Garden at Smith River Sports Complex, The Martinsville Garden Club and The Garden Study Club; Strengthening Our Roots – Improving Access to a Native Garden, Mill Mountain Garden Club; and Save the Rain, Roanoke Valley Garden Club.

Christine Perdue Smith, Fauquier and Loudoun Garden Club, then gave an update on the Common Wealth Award winning project, “The Healing Grove at Boulder Crest Retreat.” Boulder Crest provides free retreats for combat veterans and first responders. A walled healing garden and a nature walk have been developed.

Following a short break, attendees were divided into three groups to participate in three breakout sessions led by Conservation and Beautification Chairman Carrie Dorsey; Artistic Design Committee Chairman Tory Willis and Horticulture Committee Chairman Wendy Walker; and Centennial Steering Committee Chairman Missy Buckingham and Centennial Steering Committee Member Club Liaison Kris Carbone.

Restoration Committee Chairman Anne Baldwin reported that the two 2018 GCV Restoration Fellows, Mary Fesak who researched Sherwood Forest and Penelope Cottrell-Crawford who studied Shirley Plantation, presented their work in August.

Anne then introduced GCV Landscape Architect Will Rieley who presented an update on the current restorations at the College of William & Mary and Poplar Forest. He announced a Cornus ‘Venus’ will be planted at the Kent-Valentine House in honor of Margaret Bemiss (1933–2018.)

Cocktails and the awards banquet were held Tuesday evening in the hotel’s grand foyer and ballroom.

President Gilpin began the Wednesday morning meeting by thanking The Hunting Creek Garden Club members for a wonderful evening and congratulating award winners. The 2018 Common Wealth Award recipients were The Elizabeth River Garden Club for Urban Garden Invites Youth to “Dream a Different Future” ($10,000) and The Augusta Garden Club for Project Dogwood – A Hundred Year Journey ($6,000). Read project descriptions. 2018 Common Wealth Award Recipients.

Kent-Valentine House. GCV Executive Director Lynn McCashin presented a slide show of dedicated GCV staff and reported on their responsibilities. She then provided updates to Kent-Valentine House refurbishments, roof repairs, and landscaping.

The Directors at Large presented a short skit, “The 6 Dwarfs at Large,” with Jean Gilpin as Snow White, to provide insight into the role of Directors at Large.

Reports followed from Corresponding Secretary Janet Rosser, Journal Editorial Board Chairman Julie Grover, Journal Advertising Chairman Lea Shuba, and GCV Historian and Custodian of Records Judy Perry. Judy reminded attendees to submit humorous stories.

2018 Board of Governors co-chairman Laura Francis introduced the guest speaker, Phillip Musegaas, Vice President of Programs and Litigation, Potomac Riverkeeper Network, who gave a very informative presentation on “Restoring the Nation’s River.” Co-chairman Vicky Alexander thanked Mr. Musegaas and presented him with a gift.

Membership Committee Chairman Diane Wilkinson reported that Three Rivers Garden Club remains active in the community, is working hard to develop the club, and remains eager to join the GCV. New Member Orientation will be held at Daffodil Day in March 2019.

Historic Garden Week Committee Chairman Stephie Broadwater announced HGW 2018 was the most successful tour year ever, and preparations are underway for the 86th Historic Garden Week in 2019. Thirty-one tours, including the James River plantations are being planned. Stephie then presented HGW Myth Busters:

• Local clubs choose the number of homes and events offered on their tour.
• GCV does not require club members to buy HGW tickets, but please promote ticket
  sales.
• There is not a $25 limit per house for flowers, but please use what you have locally and buy flowers judiciously.

Stephie followed with an informative Historic Garden Week report, stating the goal of the state office is to help tours, to protect and build the GCV brand, and to save money with statewide buying power. The ideas of a procurement committee and a new way to think about building a tour were presented at Boot Camp, explaining that clubs should consider the number of hostesses, flower arrangers, and other resources available when determining the number of properties open on each tour. Tour chairmen receive a copy of the Insider’s Guide, a 12-year financial history of their tour, and information on state-level sponsor benefits to help them coordinate HGW. Director of Historic Garden Week and Special Programs Karen Ellsworth is responsible for the statewide efforts of marketing and coordinating national media coverage. Karen also is responsible for the development of the Guidebook, the state brochure, posters, itineraries, the website, and social media. Beth Marchant continues to create the watercolors for the Guidebook. Each homeowner receives $1050 in gifts, including a statewide pass for two years and a new coffee table book Natural Virginia. Author Ben Greenburg signs each book for the homeowner. The GCV liability policy covers all tours. The 2019 HGW Guidebook cover will feature Waverly Hill in Staunton, and the owners’ Portuguese Water Dog, Tucker, will be pictured on the state brochure. The 2019 HGW flower will be the bluebell.

Development Committee Chairman Sue Rosser announced a $125,000 Annual Fund goal. She recognized The Ashland Garden Club for their donation of $2500 for the mirror campaign, and The Williamsburg Garden Club for their $5000 gift in honor of Nina Mustard. She also announced a $50,000 gift to the endowment.

Virginia State Parks Committee Chairman Nina Mustard reported the GCV is in year four of a five-year, $500,000 funding commitment to Virginia State Parks. She reported that attendance at Virginia State Parks had recently passed 10 million. Twenty-one member clubs have been involved in securing grants to 18 State Parks. Nina shared slides of projects that have been funded by the GCV. Parks can submit their own application, but Nina encouraged clubs to seek a partnership. She then presented the possibility of a Virginia State Parks license plate with all proceeds will benefit Virginia State Parks.

The meeting was then adjourned.