In a county that relies on volunteerism, the Talbot County Garden Club plays an essential role. TCGC voluntarily supplies community-enhancing “green” works – beautification and maintenance of four parks in the Town of Easton; holiday decorations for public buildings; free horticulture lectures open to the public; engagement with Young Gardeners, Meals on Wheels, the Talbot Hospice and Interfaith Shelter; and a partnership with financial support to develop the Town’s new Rail Trail Extension.
Each year, the garden club raises funds to help support such ventures. In 2022, the club’s Talbot County Tour of the Maryland House & Garden Pilgrimage provided a $10,000 donation toward restoration of Joseph’s Cottage at the Talbot Historical Society. On April 25, 2023, the club will hold the coming year’s major fundraiser, a Spring Symposium focused on “CORKS, FORKS & FLOWERS.”
TCGC’s Symposium Planning Committee is designing an exciting, experiential garden-to-table educational event – with generous scoops of fun – for April 25, 2023.
This Symposium is envisioned as a serious garden-to-table learning experience, peppered with fun. It will cover the science of growing and savoring flowers, herbs and grapes, with experts covering all three areas:
Ginny Rosenkranz (University of Maryland Cooperative Extension educator and TV personality known for her lively segments on plant care and gardening): “Seasonal Snipping: Planning, Planting and Harvesting Flowers for Cutting Gardens to Thrive on the Eastern Shore.”
Jacque and Patrick O’Neil (UC-Davis-trained viticulturists/enologists, proprietors of Napa, California’s Jericho Ridge Vineyard and Tilghman Island residents) and The Spies Family (proprietors of Cordova, Maryland’s Triple Creek Winery): “Talking Terroir: The Challenges of Winemaking along the Chesapeake.”
Jordan Lloyd (Le Cordon Bleu Pittsburgh-trained owner/chef at Easton’s Hambleton House Events & Catering, formerly of the Wylder Hotel, Bartlett Pear Inn, La Goulue, Per Se and Citronelle and Easton native): “Culinary Gardens: The Life of a Locavore.”
For fun, the Symposium will include a “welcome” coffee service, plated luncheon, fabulous floral displays, exclusive vendor boutiques, a silent auction, cooking demo and wine tasting – presented along with fresh ideas for entertaining.
At a recent TCGC meeting, Sara Robins, Alden Firth and Madeleine Cohen, co-chairs of the club’s biennial Symposium, shared plans for a delectable spring 2023 event.
Leading the TCGC Symposium Planning Committee are co-chairs Madeleine Cohen, Alden Firth and Sara Robins. Serving on the committee are Ingrid Blanton, Laura Carney, Mary Helen Cobb, Paige Connelly, Eleanor Denegre, Colleen Doremus, Kim Eckert, Rebecca Gaffney, Myra Gons, Carol Harrison, Fran Jenkins, Anne Jelich, Pam Keeton, Nancy Laplante, Hatsie Long, Anna Maria Malin, Camille Massie, Rita Mhley, Paula Murcott, Karen Parker, Cindy Pease, Chloe Pitard, Virginia Sappington, Lucy Spiegel, and Nancy Thompson.
The event will take place at Temple B’nai Israel’s venue space in Easton. For details and special advance-sale tickets, visit talbotcountygc.org/events/tcgc-symposium/. To support the Symposium and the good work that TCGC does in the community, contact the committee chairs at [email protected].
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