This month's program was all about rose gardening. Dr. Andrew Plasz, a world-renowned rosarian and winner of the American Rose Society's Joseph & Marion Kilma Medal for rose education, explained the characteristics of various roses and how he judges them. He has been a member of the American Rose Society since 1976. He is one of 30 Master Rosarians in Illinois-Indiana District. He maintains a garden of more than 87 roses of all types and is an avid exhibitor
Executive table
Our June potluck meeting is the kickoff to summer for our club. We awarded the Nancy Zitkus Scholarship to this year's recipient, Javier Sanchez. Congratulation to Javier!
We also inducted our newest member Trina Z. Welcome Trina, we are excited to have you!
Our program this month was presented by Antioch Garden Club member Stacy Vogt. She demonstrated how to utilize flowers, herbs and fruits in making a sweet treat. We learned how to make jams and jellies, and how to take the intimidation factor out of this rewarding process. A variety of items were offered for sampling and purchasing.
Our potluck luncheon never disappoints. In addition to savory foods, we had a dessert table filled with sweet treats that were almost too beautiful to eat.
Hostess chair Sharon P helping with setup
We had a fantastic kickoff to our new fiscal year after a fun-filled summer break! Our first meeting featured a wonderful presentation by Alyse Berman from Wildbird Shack, who shared her knowledge (and enthusiasm!) about owls. The room was filled with “oohs” and “aahs” as we discovered fascinating owl facts—did you know their eye color can tell you whether they hunt during the day or at night?
After the talk, we gathered around a tasty potluck buffet and enjoyed catching up on everyone’s summer gardening and activities. It was such a great way to reconnect and start the year together!
Membership committee welcoming members and guests
Tabletops and Tablescapes, by Kathi Rose
How to create a tablescape that reflects your event and personality. Learn how to use a combination of components: china, glassware, and floral accents.
We had another very successful wreath-decorating event to kick off the holiday season! Organizers Mary Yott and Nancy Colby did a superb job coordinating every detail, from ordering supplies to having everything delivered and the workspace set up well ahead of time. Their thoughtful planning made the day run seamlessly.
Joan Vitello added a special touch by creating beautiful bows that perfectly complemented each wreath. We were also delighted by a visit from Mayor Scott Gardner, who stopped by to show his support and generously delivered coffee and donuts from Dunkin’ Donuts.
In total, 20 dedicated gardeners worked diligently to create more than 30 beautiful wreaths and swags. These festive creations are now hanging throughout the Village of Antioch, spreading holiday cheer and showcasing what we truly mean by Cultivating a Nicer Community.
Thank you to all of our gardeners who donated their time and talent to make this year’s event both fun and memorable.