Co-Presidents’ Message “Two City Girls in the Country: Anyone Can Garden”
Donna Miller and Joan Mitchell
When we optimistically announced our theme last year, we had no idea of the challenges that loomed ahead of us personally and collectively. We both managed to miss the first general meeting due to a long-scheduled Pilates retreat in Italy and had to deputize our ace Vice President Denise Kramer to step in for us. Then Joan literally dropped out of action for a while with a fractured right patella. Later in the year, Donna’s local internet connection consistently failed her at inopportune moments during online club meetings. In short, one of us was always there to back up the other.
The second part of our theme was tied to the welcome and inclusion that our club offers to gardeners, and the skills, training, and knowledge that can be obtained through club activities. Due to the state health mandates related to the COVID-19 pandemic, our March, April, May, and June live meetings and luncheons were cancelled. We had to think of new ways to welcome members, stay connected, and share skills and knowledge without the benefit of face-to-face meetings and workshops. Enter Zoom, something most of us hadn’t even heard of before March and now can’t imagine living without. Our biweekly Zoom meetings throughout the spring kept club activities plus skills and knowledge sharing afloat.
As we write this message, it’s hard to say what shape the coming club year may take but we stand ready to continue embracing technology to further promote the inclusion part of “Anyone Can Garden.” When feasible, meetings and workshops will feature a view-at-home option for members. These “Two City Girls” are prepared for whatever comes our way!
Donna Miller and Joan Mitchell
When we optimistically announced our theme last year, we had no idea of the challenges that loomed ahead of us personally and collectively. We both managed to miss the first general meeting due to a long-scheduled Pilates retreat in Italy and had to deputize our ace Vice President Denise Kramer to step in for us. Then Joan literally dropped out of action for a while with a fractured right patella. Later in the year, Donna’s local internet connection consistently failed her at inopportune moments during online club meetings. In short, one of us was always there to back up the other.
The second part of our theme was tied to the welcome and inclusion that our club offers to gardeners, and the skills, training, and knowledge that can be obtained through club activities. Due to the state health mandates related to the COVID-19 pandemic, our March, April, May, and June live meetings and luncheons were cancelled. We had to think of new ways to welcome members, stay connected, and share skills and knowledge without the benefit of face-to-face meetings and workshops. Enter Zoom, something most of us hadn’t even heard of before March and now can’t imagine living without. Our biweekly Zoom meetings throughout the spring kept club activities plus skills and knowledge sharing afloat.
As we write this message, it’s hard to say what shape the coming club year may take but we stand ready to continue embracing technology to further promote the inclusion part of “Anyone Can Garden.” When feasible, meetings and workshops will feature a view-at-home option for members. These “Two City Girls” are prepared for whatever comes our way!