A Great Speaker Series Awaits Members
Happy Valentine’s Day Dear Members,
I love Valentine’s Day! My husband of 34 years has never missed a year of gifting me with flowers or in more recent years a beautiful plant or two. We go out to dinner and celebrate each other. I love the wonderful tradition our garden club has of members creating beautiful planters and then donating them to be auctioned to all members present at our February meeting to raise funds for our philanthropic activities. One of those February meetings was my first introduction to Laguna Beach Garden Club, and that fun and excitement is what enticed me to become a member. February 2020 was our last in-person meeting before the pandemic. Truly, your smiling faces and laughter are sorely missed. I am optimistic and hopeful we’ll be making planters to share in February next year. So much is happening in our club right now. We have wonderful speakers coming up in the final four months of our meeting year.
First in February, is a former LBGC member Ashley King. Ashley is in school studying to become a horticulturist and employed at Roger’s Gardens. In March, a club favorite Debra Lee Baldwin will return. In April renowned botanical artist Deborah Shaw will present and the final speaker of the year in May is Topher Delaney. I mention this to you for a couple reasons. First, so you will be sure to put our meeting dates on your calendar, second to remind you to invite your friends everywhere to sign up for end of year membership. The cost is only $30 by check and $35 on our website. Any one of these speakers would cost $35 individually to see. Roger’s Gardens often has online presentations for $40 or more.
Susan Denton is Director of the Gate and Garden Tour this year. The date is set for May 1, 2021. While we are optimistic about the tour being in-person on this date, we do have a contingency plan, so buy your tickets with confidence.
We are working with Laguna Presbyterian Church to set up a date where our members may “Drive-thru“ and purchase tour tickets via check or cash to avoid the online handling fee. Usually we sell tickets to members at the February meeting so we want to give you the opportunity to do so this year as well. We will also collect for Penny Pines, collect food to donate to the Laguna Food Pantry, and Nancy Englund will be on hand to sell Laguna Beach Garden Club swag. I hope to have the details to share with at the Zoom General Meeting on Friday, February 12, 2021.
-Mariann Keenan