CASTLE PINES VILLAGE GARDEN CLUB
Summary of the Opening Luncheon, September 14, 2018
Written by Grace Gehret
On a beautiful warm sunny day, approximately 58 members of the Castle Pines Village Garden Club gathered at the Country Club to celebrate our new season of inspiring programs and social activities. Although the meeting officially began at 10:30 AM the Board arrived early to have group and individual pictures taken by the professional photographer, Shannon Harp.
The welcome table was decorated with vases of purple dahlias, donated by the club. There was also a gorgeous bouquet, created by Liz Clarke, duplicating the flowers used as the theme picture on the invitation, menu, favors, and place cards. Yellow and purple flower buds decorated the name tags for members. Guests choosing vegetarian lunches were given purple place cards made by Mary Sharon Balakas and Judy Manchester who also fashioned the party favors.
Adjoining the dining room was a tent to which the group adjourned after the social hour. Upon entering the tent one could watch the slide show that our historian and photographer, Carol Kingsley, had set up. The show featured our members as they participated in events of the past year.
t 11:00 AM President Janice Wright introduced herself and welcomed the guests. Stressing that our club, of 151 members, is focused on a “strong foundation” she introduced the Executive Board as well as committee chairs. Janice talked about all of our activities including WITG, field trips, educational programs, special events, our charities and the gardens that we maintain. The chairs of our two gardens were introduced and we were all encouraged to spend some time at each.
New members were introduced and were reminded to RSVP to the New Member Tea, October 15, at the home of Terri Sundermann. Janice noted also, that there were handouts at the welcome table. These included a list of committee chairs and descriptions of committee functions as well as the Speaker Forum for this year and information about our charities. Janice explained that we will sell door prize tickets and gift cards at future meetings.
The last item of business was the issue of communications. Stressing that members need to read eblasts and RSVP within deadlines Janice explained that reservations must be given on a first come, first serve basis. At this point Janice introduced Kim Watson, Chair of Communications. Kim explained that she and Mary Kay Henry are working on our Website. Kim had placed a questionnaire at each table and asked each member to fill it out. This form asked our members how often they used the website and whether or not they read the eblasts and newsletters. The goal is to find the best and most effective method to communicate with our members.
Following the business meeting Terri Sundermann and Nancy Kirschke honored Sue Navaro who is stepping down from her Board position as Chair of Serenity Garden. Sue has been on the Board for over 9 years and was instrumental in creating the garden. She has graciously opened her home for club events and has volunteered in other areas as well. She was presented with a beautiful orchid plant as well as a CPVGC tote bag.
Before closing the meeting, Janice recognized Michele Volkl and Darcey DeRose, as well as their committee, for the hard work that they put into planning this lovely event. She also thanked Carol Kingsley for the slide show, enjoyed by everyone, and the annual year book that Carol creates.
Michele thanked members of her committee for their help. She explained that Velvet Hannig, events person at the club, had been a pleasure to work with and very helpful in planning this event.
The luncheon was then served. Velvet had decorated the tables with purple dahlias and matching purple napkins. At each place there were beautiful menus printed in yellow and white on purple paper that included the picture of the themed flowers. The First Course included pan seared salmon, saffron orzo pasta, arugula, cherry tomatoes, grilled broccolini, lemon vinaigrette, and citrus salsa. Mushroom ravioli with spring vegetable primavera, house-made marinara with zucchini, yellow squash, cherry tomatoes, and braised Cipollini onions was the vegetarian option. The dessert course was chocolate and blackberry mousse bomb with blackberry sauce, violet sugar and chocolate flowers.
Guests did not walk away empty handed. At each place was a garden tool that was decorated with tulle and purple ribbon. Each favor had a card that read “Friendship Blooms in Garden Club.” This is how Garden Club members felt as they left this very enjoyable affair.
We thank Michele and Darcey who always work so hard to create these special events for our garden club.
Summary of the Opening Luncheon, September 14, 2018
Written by Grace Gehret
On a beautiful warm sunny day, approximately 58 members of the Castle Pines Village Garden Club gathered at the Country Club to celebrate our new season of inspiring programs and social activities. Although the meeting officially began at 10:30 AM the Board arrived early to have group and individual pictures taken by the professional photographer, Shannon Harp.
The welcome table was decorated with vases of purple dahlias, donated by the club. There was also a gorgeous bouquet, created by Liz Clarke, duplicating the flowers used as the theme picture on the invitation, menu, favors, and place cards. Yellow and purple flower buds decorated the name tags for members. Guests choosing vegetarian lunches were given purple place cards made by Mary Sharon Balakas and Judy Manchester who also fashioned the party favors.
Adjoining the dining room was a tent to which the group adjourned after the social hour. Upon entering the tent one could watch the slide show that our historian and photographer, Carol Kingsley, had set up. The show featured our members as they participated in events of the past year.
t 11:00 AM President Janice Wright introduced herself and welcomed the guests. Stressing that our club, of 151 members, is focused on a “strong foundation” she introduced the Executive Board as well as committee chairs. Janice talked about all of our activities including WITG, field trips, educational programs, special events, our charities and the gardens that we maintain. The chairs of our two gardens were introduced and we were all encouraged to spend some time at each.
New members were introduced and were reminded to RSVP to the New Member Tea, October 15, at the home of Terri Sundermann. Janice noted also, that there were handouts at the welcome table. These included a list of committee chairs and descriptions of committee functions as well as the Speaker Forum for this year and information about our charities. Janice explained that we will sell door prize tickets and gift cards at future meetings.
The last item of business was the issue of communications. Stressing that members need to read eblasts and RSVP within deadlines Janice explained that reservations must be given on a first come, first serve basis. At this point Janice introduced Kim Watson, Chair of Communications. Kim explained that she and Mary Kay Henry are working on our Website. Kim had placed a questionnaire at each table and asked each member to fill it out. This form asked our members how often they used the website and whether or not they read the eblasts and newsletters. The goal is to find the best and most effective method to communicate with our members.
Following the business meeting Terri Sundermann and Nancy Kirschke honored Sue Navaro who is stepping down from her Board position as Chair of Serenity Garden. Sue has been on the Board for over 9 years and was instrumental in creating the garden. She has graciously opened her home for club events and has volunteered in other areas as well. She was presented with a beautiful orchid plant as well as a CPVGC tote bag.
Before closing the meeting, Janice recognized Michele Volkl and Darcey DeRose, as well as their committee, for the hard work that they put into planning this lovely event. She also thanked Carol Kingsley for the slide show, enjoyed by everyone, and the annual year book that Carol creates.
Michele thanked members of her committee for their help. She explained that Velvet Hannig, events person at the club, had been a pleasure to work with and very helpful in planning this event.
The luncheon was then served. Velvet had decorated the tables with purple dahlias and matching purple napkins. At each place there were beautiful menus printed in yellow and white on purple paper that included the picture of the themed flowers. The First Course included pan seared salmon, saffron orzo pasta, arugula, cherry tomatoes, grilled broccolini, lemon vinaigrette, and citrus salsa. Mushroom ravioli with spring vegetable primavera, house-made marinara with zucchini, yellow squash, cherry tomatoes, and braised Cipollini onions was the vegetarian option. The dessert course was chocolate and blackberry mousse bomb with blackberry sauce, violet sugar and chocolate flowers.
Guests did not walk away empty handed. At each place was a garden tool that was decorated with tulle and purple ribbon. Each favor had a card that read “Friendship Blooms in Garden Club.” This is how Garden Club members felt as they left this very enjoyable affair.
We thank Michele and Darcey who always work so hard to create these special events for our garden club.
