Page 1
“Life begins the day you start your garden” - Club Motto
GARDEN CLUB OFFICERS 2019
President - Elaine Billeter
Secretary - Linda Shubin
Treasurer - open
Membership - Carolyn
Whitmore and Linda Cruz
Programs - Ruby Wagstaff
Parliamentarian - Judy Bates
Club meetings are on the 2nd
Wednesday of the month at Diamond
Terrace Retirement Living
Community, 6401 Center Street,
Clayton, CA
www.claytonvalleygardenclub.org/
(925) 276-2299
CVGC AUGUST 14, 2019
MEETING
Although we know about honeybees,
most people are unaware there are
1,600 species of native bees in
California. Our native plant expert,
Nancy Niemeyer will tell us about
native bee
evolution,
their
behavior,
and why
they do what
they do.
VOLUME 22 ISSUE 7
IN THIS ISSUE PAGE
President’s Message 2
Museum Garden Update 2
CGCI and DFD Awards 3
DFD Meeting 3
Fourth of July Parade 4
Penny Pines Update 4
Fall Plant Sale/Penny Pines Booth 4
CVGC Member BBQ 5
Hoop House Project 6
Plant of the Month 6
Special CVGC Meeting 6
Calendar of Events August/September 7
CGCI Discounts 10
CVGC Officer & Chair Contact Info. 10
Nancy Niemeyer, Editor
CVGC Newsletter August 2019 1
MEETING SPEAKERS & TREATS
August 14: Nancy Niemeyer will talk about
native bee behavior. Treats - Betty
Armes. Drinks - Jan Nelson.
September 11: William Welch will talk about
planting and growing bulbs. Treats - Toni
Hegemier. Drinks - Patty Remoy.
MEMBERSHIP BBQ
Our annual Membership BBQ will be on
Saturday, August 17 (see page 5). This is an
event you won’t want to miss.
Page 2
CVGC Newsletter August 2019 2
CVCG President’s Message August 2019
Here's an old riddle, just for fun: What has many eyes, yet none of
them can see? The answer: A potato.
While I was visiting family in Idaho in July, we traveled to a hot
springs resort on the far eastern edge of the state. The summer
scenery across the flatlands of the Snake River plain gave way to
broad rolling hills covered in vivid green fields of alfalfa and potato plants, along with bright
yellow fields of safflowers in bloom. I noticed stacked commercial honeybee hive boxes near
the highway. My son-in-law said that the bees were there to pollinate crop flowers.
So when you sit down to a breakfast of hash-brown potatoes fried in safflower oil along with
toast spread with "clover honey" (probably produced from those vast fields of alfalfa), think
about the role of bees in food production. They pollinate many more crops than just the tree
fruits and nuts we grow so well in California. And it's not only European honeybees that
pollinate our commercial crops, many kinds of native bees do too. This month's program will
MUSEUM GARDEN UPDATE - submitted by Chair Steve Lane
On Saturday June 29, Sharon Osteen, Ingela Nielsen, Carin Kaplan, Diane Selmer, and
Steve Lane tidied-up the Museum Garden a few days before the Clayton 4th of July Parade.
We maintained our theme of red, white and blue annuals in
the Main Street-fronting Cottage Garden bed by planting
blue Lobelias (generously donated by Nicole Hackett and
R&M Patio, Pool & Gardens). We also pulled up numerous
oak tree seedlings.
We received many thank yous, compliments, and questions
about our work, and about the Museum Garden’s plants
from passersby. Thank you to our volunteers and especially
to Diane for getting Hollyhock support poles from the Hoop
House. Our next Museum Garden work party is tentatively
scheduled for Saturday September 28th at 8:30 a.m.
be presented by our own Nancy Niemeyer, showing us
the wide range of bees native to our area and their role in
our gardens and fields. It should "bee" exciting!
Here’s a saying that is very appropriate for our CVGC
members and anyone else who volunteers their time in
community service. "Volunteers are unpaid, not because
they are worthless, but because they are priceless."
Page 3
CVGC Newsletter August 2019 3
DFD MEETING - submitted by Linda Cruz
At the Diablo Foothills District (DFD) meeting, Steven Brown and his students Adam and
Armando demonstrated some unique floral arrangements. One tip that they gave was to dip
your flower stems into "allium" (garlic powder will do) before placing
them in water. Apparently allium acts as an antiseptic and enables
better absorption of water into the flower’s stem.
CVGC has four members that currently serve as officers and chairs
in DFD. Elaine Billeter is Assistant Director, Linda Cruz is Recording
Secretary, Judy Bates is the Parliamentarian and Chair of the
Yearbook/Directory, and Steve Lane is Chair of Financial Review.
CGCI AND DFD AWARDS
CVGC and three of its members just received awards for entries
submitted in 2018. If you would like to submit a CGCI award
entry in 2019, go to: californiagardenclubs.com/awards to view
the Awards Manual and submission forms.
Diablo Foothills District (DFD) gave Carolyn Whitmore their
“Propagator of the Year” Award.
The California Garden Clubs, Inc. (CGCI) gave Nancy
Niemeyer First Place for “Photography, Own Garden”
for a photo of her native plant front garden.
CGCI gave Nicole Hackett Second Place for “Published
Article - Any Plant” for an article by an individual.
CGCI gave CVGC Second Place for "Club Activities -
Club Touring" (fieldtrips). Thank you to Robin Willis, our
2018 Program Chair.
Note: CGCI is made up of 28
Districts and our District, DFD,
has 7 garden clubs. Two of the
other clubs in DFD also
received CGCI awards. The
Livermore-Amador Valley
Garden Club got First Place for
“Penny Pines - Most
Purchased”. The Discovery Bay
Garden Club received First
Place for “Club Programs”.
Page 4
CVGC Newsletter August 2019 4
FOURTH OF JULY PARADE - submitted by Chair Nicole Hackett
We had 17 CVGC members come to the Poppy Seed Packing Party at R&M Pool, Patio, and
Gardens and our 4th of July Parade group was even larger. We had great fun at both events.
Our R&M truck parade float was especially beautiful this year. While passing out CVGC
poppy seed packets to the Fourth of July Parade crowd, Linda Cruz met the National Garden
Club Horticulture Chair, Bud Qualk, who was visiting from Tennessee.
PENNY PINES UPDATE - submitted by Chair Patty Remoy
This month CVGC is honoring Melanie Cooper-Alarcon, a long time member of CVGC and
one of the owners of R&M Pool, Patio and Gardens. Before we were able to propagate our
own plants, Melanie provided the plants for our annual fundraising plant sales. Melanie also
allowed R&M (via Nicole) to provide plants as raffle
prizes at every CVGC general meeting. Melanie
and her husband Roy graciously offered their
beautiful home and garden for the annual club BBQ
and provided their truck and plants as CVGC’s
Fourth of July parade float. We sincerely appreciate
and will be forever grateful for all of Melanie’s
support, talent, and generosity over the years. She
will be greatly missed.
FALL PLANT SALE/PENNY PINES BOOTHS - submitted by Linda Cruz
On September 7th from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., CVGC will have small Fall Plant
Sale and Penny Pines information booths at the downtown Clayton Farmers
Market near Main St. If you would like to volunteer, there will be a sign up
sheet at the August meeting. Plant Sale co-Chairs Toni Hegemier and
Linda Cruz will lead the Plant Sale and Penny Pines Chair Patty Remoy will
lead the Penny Pines information booth.
Page 5
CVGC MEMBER BBQ
Everyone is invited to attend the CVGC BBQ on August 17 at the home of the Callaghan
family. All of the details are in the flier below. If you would like to attend, please RSVP as
soon as possible. You can either sign up at the August 14 meeting or contact Linda Cruz or
Chris Callaghan. We also need volunteers to help set up before the BBQ.
CVGC Newsletter August 2019 5
Page 6
CVGC Newsletter August 2019 6
HOOP HOUSE PROJECT - submitted by co-Chair Linda Cruz
Thank you to Judy Disbrow and our new member Wil Jordan for dividing and potting up
sections from the Clivia mother plant donated to CVGC by
member Dorothy Bradt. The last time we had Clivia plants at the
annual plant sale, we sold out. Thank you to Sharon and David
Osteen for their donations of pots and shelving units which let us
put more plants in the shade and up off the ground.
Please consider volunteering at the Hoop House this
summer. We can always use help with watering, deadheading,
weed pulling, repotting, and dividing. If you would like to
volunteer, there will be a sign up sheet at the CVGC meeting.
PLANT OF THE MONTH - submitted by Linda Cruz
Our plant this month is Lewisia, an evergreen perennial that
grows in rocky, quick draining soils in western North America.
Lewisia flowers come in a wide variety of colors and will
continue to bloom from spring to mid-summer if they are
deadheaded. Member Dennis Kaump says that his Lewisia
spreads like a succulent. Water and fertilize Lewisia sparingly
and protect them from winter moisture to prevent rot. Lewisia is
named after Meriwether Lewis of the Lewis & Clark expedition.
Lewisia, also called Bitterroot, is Montana's state flower. Native
Americans used the roots for food and to treat sore throats.
CVGC sold this adorable little plant at the 2019 plant sale and they were very popular. Our
Lewisia were potted up in little clay pots that were hand made and donated by member
Debbie Eistetter. If you have a Lewisia plant, please save some seeds for us to grow for
future CVGC plant sales. The seeds look like black poppy seeds. To propagate Lewisia
vegetatively, remove and plant the offsets in early summer.
Members are welcome to submit Plant of the Month articles and suggestions to our
newsletter editor.
SPECIAL CVGC MEETING - submitted by Linda Cruz
On June 25th, thirteen CVGC members attended a special meeting at Diamond Terrace to
discuss ideas to improve our club. The final edit of the ideas was discussed at the July 9
Board meeting and the Board has been working on them. Thank you to all that attended. If
you have more suggestions to share, please inform one of the Board members.
Page 7
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
*** Tuesdays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 12 noon CVGC Hoop House Project work
parties at Gloria Utley’s property in Clayton.
Saturdays from 9 a.m to 1 p.m. at Main St. in Clayton: Clayton Farmers’ Market. For
more information, go to: www.pcfma.org/
Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at North Wiget Lane and Mitchell Drive in Walnut
Creek: Diablo Valley Farmers’ Market. For more information, go to:
www.cafarmersmkts.com/diablo-valley-farmers-market
August 3 at 11 a.m., Saturday, at Annie’s Annuals in Richmond: Aaron Dillon will give a
free class on dwarf citrus. For more information, go to: blog.anniesannuals.com/2019-
talks/
August 7 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, at North Wiget Lane and Shadelands Drive
in Walnut Creek: The Master Gardeners will give a free talk on saving seeds. For
more information, go to: ccmg.ucanr.edu/?calendar=yes
August 8 from 5:30 to 7 p.m., Thursday, at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut Creek:
Brian Kemble and Walker Young will talk about the succulents of Ethiopia. The
workshop is $20 for members and $25 for nonmembers. For more information and to
register, go to: www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/event/travels-with-brian-walker/
August 10 from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, at Orchard Nursery in Lafayette: Shawna
Anderson will give a workshop on creating an herb container garden. The workshop
costs $55. For more information, go to: www.orchardnursery.com/events/
August 10 at 10 a.m., Saturday, at Sloat Nursery in Concord: Dustin Strobel will give a
workshop on how to make a succulent arrangement. The workshop is $10 for Sloat
Rewards Members (membership is free) and $20 for nonmembers. For more
information and to register, go to: www.sloatgardens.com/whats-happening/seminars-
events/
August 10 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, at the Ruth Bancroft Garden in Walnut
Creek: A free festival celebrating pollinators. For more information and to register, go
to: www.ruthbancroftgarden.org/event/pollinator-friends-day/
August 14 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, at North Wiget Lane and Shadelands
Drive in Walnut Creek: Patrizia Guccione and Alice Burns will give a free talk on
composting using worms. For more information, go to: ccmg.ucanr.edu/?calendar=yes
(continued on next page)
CVGC Newsletter August 2019 7
Page 8
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
(continued)
***August 14 from 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, in Clayton: CGVC meeting. See page 1.
August 15 from 10 to 11 a.m., Thursday, at Orchard Nursery in Lafayette: Anna will give
a free workshop on repotting orchids. For more information, go to:
www.orchardnursery.com/events/
August 17 at 11 a.m., Saturday, at Annie’s Annuals in Richmond: Sarah Sutton will give
a free class on transforming your front yard into a wildlife attracting, water-wise, and
easy to manage paradise. For more information, go to: blog.anniesannuals.com/2019
-talks/
***August 17 from 7 to 9 p.m., Saturday, in Clayton: CGVC membership BBQ. See page
5.
August 21 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, at North Wiget Lane and Shadelands
Drive in Walnut Creek: Janet Miller will give a free talk on cool weather gardening.
For more information, go to: ccmg.ucanr.edu/?calendar=yes
August 28 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, at North Wiget Lane and Shadelands
Drive in Walnut Creek: Bonnie Dwyer will give a free talk on peppers. For more
information, go to: ccmg.ucanr.edu/?calendar=yes
August 31 at 11 a.m., Saturday, at Annie’s Annuals in Richmond: Ellyn Shea will give a
free class on gardening on slopes. For more information, go to:
blog.anniesannuals.com/2019-talks/
September 4 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, at North Wiget Lane and Shadelands
Drive in Walnut Creek: Stacey Sonnenshein will give a free talk on making your
garden pet safe. For more information, go to: ccmg.ucanr.edu/?calendar=yes
***September 7 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Saturday, in Clayton: Fall Plant Sale and Penny
Pines Information booths at the Clayton Farmers Market. See page 4.
September 11 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, at North Wiget Lane and Shadelands
Drive in Walnut Creek: Ed Laivo will give a free talk on growing citrus and other
fruits and berries. For more information, go to: ccmg.ucanr.edu/?calendar=yes
***September 11 from 7 to 9 p.m., Wednesday, in Clayton: CGVC meeting. See page 1.
(continued on next page)
CVGC Newsletter August 2019 8
Page 9
CALENDAR OF EVENTS - AUGUST/SEPTEMBER
(continued)
September 14 at 11 a.m., Saturday, at Annie’s Annuals in Richmond: Toni Gattone will
give a free class on gardening with physical limitations due to age or other factors.
For more information, go to: blog.anniesannuals.com/2019-talks/
September 18 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, at North Wiget Lane and Shadelands
Drive in Walnut Creek: Shawna Anderson will give a free talk on incorporating
perennials in your garden. For more information, go to: ccmg.ucanr.edu/?
calendar=yes
September 25 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., Wednesday, at North Wiget Lane and Shadelands
Drive in Walnut Creek: Jenny Papka will give a free talk on raptor birds. For more
information, go to: ccmg.ucanr.edu/?calendar=yes
September 26 from 6 to 8 p.m., Thursday, at Rodger’s Ranch Heritage Center in
Pleasant Hill: Anna Marie Beauchemin will give a workshop on growing and using
herbs. The workshop costs $25. For more information and to register, go to:
sustainablecoco.ning.com/events/growing-and-using-herbs-1
September 28 at 11 a.m., Saturday, at Annie’s Annuals in Richmond: Annie will show
you how to grow a spectacular spring garden. For more information, go to:
blog.anniesannuals.com/2019-talks/
September 29 at 11 a.m., Saturday, at Annie’s Annuals in Richmond: Ellyn Shea will
give a free class on pruning. For more information, go to:
blog.anniesannuals.com/2019-talks/
CVGC Newsletter August 2019 9
Page 10
CVGC Newsletter August 2019 10
CVGC OFFICER AND CHAIR CONTACT INFORMATION
Bates, Judy (Parliamentarian, Awards Chair): [email protected]
Billeter, Elaine (President): [email protected]
Callaghan, Chris (Mt. Diablo Elementary School co-Chair): [email protected]
Carvalho, Debra (Clayton Community Library co-Chair): [email protected]
Cline King, Laney (Mt. Diablo Elementary School co-Chair): [email protected]
Cruz, Linda (Membership co-Officer, Hoop House co-Chair, Plant Sale co-Chair):
[email protected] ), (925) 672-0503
Hackett, Nicole (Fourth of July Parade Chair): [email protected]
Hegemier, Toni (Plant Sale co-Chair, Hoop House co-Chair): [email protected]
Kaplan, Carin (Hospitality Chair): [email protected]
Karp, Linda (Blossoms for Barbara Chair): [email protected]
Lane, Steve (Clayton Historical Society Museum Educational Garden Chair):
[email protected]
Meriam, Ted (Clayton Valley Charter High School Chair): [email protected]
Niemeyer, Nancy (Newsletter Editor): [email protected]
Remoy, Patty (Penny Pines Chair, Olympic High School co-Chair): [email protected]
Richmond, Rory (CBCA Liaison, Plant Sale co-Chair): [email protected]
Rubiales, Jan (Olympic High School co-Chair): [email protected]
Selmer, Diane (Clayton Community Library co-Chair): [email protected]
Shubin, Linda (Secretary): [email protected]
Veal, Fran (Webmaster): [email protected]
Wagstaff, Ruby (Programs): [email protected]
Whitmore, Carolyn (Membership co-Officer): [email protected]
Vice President, Treasurer, Club Rep to the Diablo Foothills District, Diablo View Middle
School, and Publicity: Open
CGCI DISCOUNTS
Your CGCI Membership card can get you discounts from
California Garden Clubs, Inc (CGCI) participating
sponsors. Included in the list are R&M Pool, Patio and
Gardens in Clayton; Alden Lane in Livermore; Morningsun Herb
Farm in Vacaville; Sonoma Horticultural Nursery in Sebastopol;
and some other wonderful nurseries CVGC has visited on our
fieldtrips: For more information and to see the sponsor list, go
to: californiagardenclubs.com/sites/default/files/Projects/
ParticipatingSponsor%20090118.pdf
