Growing Friendships and Community
Dear Members,
Another month has flown by, Halloween is behind us, and we’re looking forward to Thanksgiving. It is my sincere hope that this message finds you and your loved ones well and happy.
“A garden is a grand teacher. It teaches patience and careful watchfulness. It teaches industry and thrift; above all it teaches entire trust.” – Gertrude Jekyll, British horticulturalist.
This statement may never have been truer than today during the COVID pandemic. As we hunker down at home, spend more time in our gardens, and grow more of our own food, our gardens have become sanctuaries. My garden is my happy place.
So too, our public gardens throughout Laguna Beach are serene sanctuaries. I am so proud of our club’s commitment to local public gardens: Sister Cities Garden in Heisler Park, Garden By The Sea at Main Beach, and Pocket Park on Forest Avenue. Thanks to our volunteers who give their time to maintain these beautiful spaces.
Our club had a busy month in October. Most of you received your 2020-2021 Membership Book by picking it up at the fun drive-by event on October 12 at Tankersley Hall, or by drop off or by US mail. If you don’t yet have your copy, please let me know at mariann@lagunabeachgardenclub.org, and we’ll make sure you receive one.
That same day, we collected money for Penny Pines, the reforestation program in the Cleveland National Forest. We also held a food drive for the Laguna Food Pantry, and Nancy Englund was on hand to sell Laguna Beach Garden Club swag. It is my pleasure to report that all these efforts were a success thanks to your generous participation.
On October 16, Susan Denton hosted our first Green Thumb Craft Workshop of the year — rock painting. Everyone who participated had great fun and reported it was a lovely, entertaining morning event. Many members are planning to share their rocks with neighbors.
I sincerely hope that you are getting more comfortable with our monthly meetings and presenters on Zoom. Our speakers so far this year have been Master Gardeners Kay Havens and Teena Spindler and botany professor Dr. Matt Ritter. Based on feedback, we would have them back — no doubt about it.
On Friday, November 13, our monthly Zoom meeting will start at 10 am, and the guest speaker will be Susie Vanderlip, an expert on Monarch butterflies. Please join us on Zoom to learn everything about this iconic and beautiful butterfly and to get all your questions answered.
The Tuesday before the meeting, members will receive an email with the Zoom link from Melissa Rapp. To decrease the chances of her message going to spam or junk mail, I encourage you to add her email address to your contact list: reedjandm@cox.net.
I wish you well in your gardening ventures. Autumn is the perfect time to trim back and plant new things.
As Thanksgiving fast approaches, my family and I wish you and your family a happy and safe holiday. Meanwhile, I hope to see you at our next Zoom meeting on November 13!
Your fellow gardener and club President,
Mariann Keenan