O&D February 2026 Meeting Follow-up

Visit and bookmark the O&D Garden Club Website, Correspondence Page, to see emails regarding meetings (including this one) in one place. This page will be updated as emails are sent. The website is: www.ODGardenClub.org. The password, if you need it, is “RedRoses2025”.

Follow-up items this month:

From Jeannette Redden:

STORM KING DECISION, a proposed large earthwork sculpture installation in the shape of Storm King Mountain, will be planted with native plants. The installation will celebrate 60 years of environmental stewardship and the birth of the environmental movement in Cornwall.

 O&D Members are invited to join us in late April to plant the native plugs.

More info to follow.

From Paula Giblin Sink and the Visiting Gardens Committee:

click here to download the PDF brochure: 

Lori Adams, Corresponding Secretary

O&D February 2026 Meeting

When: 10:30 am, Tuesday, February 17, 2026

Where:  Calvary Presbyterian Church, 120 South Street, Newburgh, NY

Program:  “Jane Colden’s Botanic Manuscript

The Legacy of America’s First Woman Botanist”

a presentation by Fenella Greig Heckscher about her new book

Jane Colden (1724–1760) was America’s first woman botanist, yet her contributions to the field of early American botany remain little-known and her writings are mostly unpublished. This full account of her life and work comes from her writing, her father’s correspondence, and botanic sources of the 18th century. 

Hostess: Sarah Peacock (Hostess-Lite) for coffee, drinks and snacks

You-all: Bring Your Own Lunch (BYOL)

Please RSVP by Thursday, February 12 to Sarah Peacock- Speacock519@aol.com 

Please indicate any food allergies/dietary restrictions

Exhibits:

Conservation:

“Exhibit 4: Rain Garden Plants/Water Conservation”

Exhibit 4. Does a rain garden make sense for your location or town? (2) Research three native plants that would do well in the wet conditions of a rain garden. Or: develop a plan to make some changes to your property/garden that would reduce the amount of water used.

Questions? Terryanne Gmelch - tmaenzag@gmail.com

Horticulture: “Seeds to Share”

The Horticulture Committee will have seeds to share for sowing on your own.

Questions? Linda Onofry - lindajonofry@gmail.com

Floral: “Underwater Design”

Underwater Design – A contemporary design style where all or part of the design is visible under water. Not to exceed 15 inches in any direction. (Note: you can access water at the church if need be).

Questions? Colleen Fogarty - jcmfogarty@aol.com

 Dates to Note (all before the 2/17 meeting):

February 3, 1 pm:

The Winter Focus Photography Contest, "America Sings”
Registration/submission begins Tuesday, February 3 at 1:00 pm. Limited entries accepted. Plan now.

February 3:

February 5, 11 am - 5 pm:

"Mobile Magic", GCA’s Virtual 2026 Photography Conference.

Registration deadline is Tuesday, February 3.

Conference is Thursday, February 5, 11 am - 5 pm.

February 9:

February 10, 11 am - 4 pm:

"Blooms & Beyond", GCA's Virtual Floral Design Conference

A showcase of artistry and techniques for botanical arts. 

Registration deadline is Monday, February 9.

Conference is February 10, 11 am - 4 pm.

February 16:

New Member Application Deadline

Please contact Beth Stradar Santiago, estradar@nsglaw.com, Membership Chair, for application forms and information.



 Compiled from the Program, Floral, Horticulture & Conservation Committees. The image in the banner above is of inadvertent seed starting — an ignored sink after melon seeds had not completely washed down the drain.

Lori Adams, Corresponding Secretary

Greetings! January 12, 2026

I hope your new year is off to a good start. I am resending the email that Lori sent December 27, with some updates and additional information. There are several interesting things to do in January and February - please note deadlines for registrations! (Please let me know if you have any trouble with the links or registrations.)

Attached are Minutes and Committee reports from the December meeting at the Powelton Club, with thanks to Carrie. Enjoy reading what the Committees are busy doing and planning for 2026.

Many thanks to Beth Stradar Santiago and Kathy Stradar for organizing and hosting our December event - and to the New Members for preparing the tray favor materials with leadership from Beth and Susan Christensen and O&D volunteers.

All my best,

Michele

January 12, 2026

O&D  December 2025  Minutes, Reports and   Important Dates Ahead

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, February 17at the Calvary Presbyterian Church in Newburgh. Until then, we wish you Happy New Year! 

Other Dates to Note:

Thursday, January 15 at 7:00 pm: Our Club is co-sponsoring - with other Zone III Clubs - a talk with Doug Tallamy. The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees will be held at the Cary Institute in Millbrook and live-streamed. Here is their linkto register by the January 14 deadline.

Wednesday, January 28 at 9:30 am: The New York Committee of the GCA will hold a fundraiser "Fireside Chat and Coffee" at the Colony Club in New York City, with a lecture by Page Knox on Garden Design. The proceeds will support significant horticulture projects in all five NYC boroughs. O&D was a founding Member of the Committee in 1977, which also supports Riverkeeper. Register at this link.

Tuesday, February 3: The Winter Focus contest, "America Sings"
Registration opens February 3 at 1:00 pm. There will be twelve classes based upon classic American songs to celebrate the semiquincentennial. Sounds like fun! 

Thursday, February 5, from 11:00 am - 5:00 pm: "Mobile Magic", GCA’s Virtual 
2026 Photography Conference.

Tuesday, February 10, from 11:am - 4:00 pm: "Blooms & Beyond", GCA's Virtual Floral Design Conferencewill showcase artistry and techniques for botanical arts.

Monday, February 16 is the deadline for New Member applications. Please contact Beth Stradar Santiago, estradar@nsglaw.com, Membership Chair, for application forms and information.

Tuesday, February 17: O&D Regular Monthly Meeting (see above.) More details to follow.

Tuesday, March 17: O&D Regular Monthly Meeting. Details to follow.

Looking Ahead to Spring:

Tuesday, May 12: O&D will hold its Bench Show. More info to come!

May 17 - 20 (Sunday - Wednesday): O&D Visiting Garden Tour of Mt. Vernon, the Smithsonian and other gardens in DC. Paul Brothe has circulated a survey to gauge Members' interest. Please let us know if you can join us by January 15!

June 2, but available to pre-order now: 

Fenella Heckscher’s book about Jane Colden.

Conservation report Dec 2025

December Photography Report

December VP report (1)

Downing Park Dec update

O&D December 2025 Minutes

Treasurer Report December 09 2025

O&D December 2025 Meeting Follow-up

Here is hoping this reaches everyone after a peaceful and loving Christmas Day, safe and enjoying the winter weather.

Our next meeting will be Tuesday, February 17 at the Calvary Presbyterian Church in Newburgh.

Until then, we wish you Happy New Year with friends and family!

Other Dates To Note:

Thursday, January 15: Our Club is co-sponsoring - with other Zone III Clubs - a talk with Doug Tallamy. The Nature of Oaks: The Rich Ecology of Our Most Essential Native Trees will be held at the Cary Institute in Millbrook and live streamed. Here is the link for more information and registration.

Thursday, January 29: The New York Committee of the GCA will hold a fundraiser at the Colony Club with a lecture by Page Knox on Garden Design. More information to follow.

Thursday, February 5:  Mobile Magic, GCA’s Virtual 2026 Photography Conference.

Sunday, February 15 is the deadline for New Member applications. Please contact Beth Stradar Santiago, estradar@nsglaw.com, Membership Chair, for application forms and information.

Tuesday, May 12: O&D will hold its Bench Show. More info to come!

May 17 - 20 (Sunday - Wednesday): O&D Visiting Garden Tour of Mt. Vernon, the Smithsonian and other gardens in DC. Paul Brothe will circulate a survey to gauge Members' interest. We hope you can join us!

June 2, but available to pre-order now: 

Fenella Heckscher’s book about Jane Colden.