Services

PROGRAMS

Theme: “Embracing Our Environment”

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings will be held at the

East Side Congregational, U.C.C., 284 Robinson St., Binghamton NY (607) 722-1017. Note: Please use the driveway entrance between the church and parsonage. Also at this entrance is an automatic stair chair and handicap ramp. Please park on Robinson St. Doing our part to be environmentally conscious, please bring, if you are able, your own mug for coffee or tea to all meetings.

Binghamton Garden Club programs include learning the latest techniques in gardening, the versatility on growing herbs, Camellia’s and wildflowers. Learn more about the disappearance of our pollinators, all you every wanted to know about dragonflies and damselflies. The importance of how climate change is affecting our state, and what impact a gas pipe line would have on our environment. To top it off, discover how “Silvia’s Kids”, our college graduates, are protecting the environment in America and feeding the hungry in Africa.

April 7 - Thursday-Spring LuncheonTime: 10:30 am Board Meeting - 12 noon Luncheon and Program

Place: The P.S. Restaurant, 100 Rano Blvd., Vestal, NY (607) 770-0056

Speaker: Sandra Cardone is an amateur gardener, and Camellia enthusiast. Topic: “Camellias: Flowers in Winter”

Reports: Yearbooks, Audit, World Gardening, Arbor Day

May 5 Thursday - Time: 10:30 am Board Meeting - 1:00 pm General Meeting

Speaker: Mary Ann Cuff - Topic: Becoming a Wildflower Enthusiast

Mary Ann will discuss her love of wildflowers, and through the use of digital slides, she will show how she encourages others to become wildflower enthusiasts.

Reports: Civic Beautification, Drupa Scholarship

June 2 Thursday - Time: 10:30 am Board Meeting - 1:00 pm General Meeting

Topic:“A Drupa Scholarship Winners Meet & Greet”

Join us as we welcome “Silvia’s Kids”, our Drupa Scholarship winners past and present, and hear what exciting work they are involved in.

Reports: Healing Gardens, Garden Therapy, Binghamton Zoo,

July 7 Thursday - Location: Otsiningo Park - Time: 12:00 pm

Topic: Come and enjoy the camaraderie of your fellow garden clubbers at our annual picnic. Binghamton Garden Club member, Carl Letson, will offer a brief talk on the proposed Constitution natural gas line installation, and its impact on the local environment. The Constitution has become a major battle for environmental groups that oppose natural gas infrastructure, and who see the project as a way to increase New York’s dependence on fossil fuels at a time when more renewable energy sources are being encouraged.

Please bring a dish to pass and your own table service. Drinks provided.

Reports: Civic Beautification, Seasonal Creations

Aug. 4 Thursday - Summer Luncheon -Time: 10:30 a.m. Board Meeting - 12:00 noon Luncheon

Place: Afton River Club 1 Maple St., Afton, NY (607) 639-3060 - Speaker: Ed Kuhlman President of Tioga Gardens, Inc. Topic: “Disappearing Pollinators”

Through the use of digital slides, Ed will talk about the quickly disappearing pollinators in our gardens.

Reports: New York State Fair, Finch Hollow

Sept. 1 Thursday - Time: 10:30 am Board Meeting - 1:00 pm General Meeting

Speaker: Elaine Gregory; Master Gardener, and Cutler Botanic Herb Garden leader. Topic: “The Versatile Herb Garden”

Elaine will talk and demonstrate the versatility of the herbs we can grow in our gardens or in containers. She makes many of her own herbal products.

Reports: Nature Conservancy, Waterman Center

Oct. 6 Thursday - Time: 10:30 am Board Meeting - 1:00 pm General Meeting

Speaker: Thomas (Nick) Donnelly. A retired SUNY Professor of Geology, with extensive travel in Central & S. America

Topic: “Dragonflies & Damselflies – Lighting up Fresh Waters”. Talk with Power Point presentation.

Reports: Nominating, Budget

Nov. 3 Thursday - Time: 10:30am Board Meeting - 1:00pm General Meeting

Speaker: Anthony (Tony) Antes, Master Gardener - Topic “Climate Change in New York State” Tony will present an update on his presentation in 2014. What is

happening to our climate? What, or who, is causing it? What can we or have we done about it? What will a garden look like in 2050? These questions and more

will be addressed in this thoroughly researched presentation.

Reports: Presentation of the Slate of Officers, Budget Roberson Tree Decorating

Dec. 1 Thursday – Holiday Luncheon - Time: 10:30am Board Meeting (Upper Atrium) - 12:00 noon Luncheon and Program - Place: Holiday Inn Binghamton, 2-8 Hawley St., Binghamton, NY (607) 722-1212

NOTE:

Program: Installation of 2017 Officers

For the 2016 - 2018 Year, the Study Chairs are:

HORTICULTURE STUDY Chair, Elaine Gregory 775-0952

NATURE STUDY Chair - Frank Kirk -

SEASONAL CREATIONS Co-Chairs - Rosalie Spencer - 729-2329 & Dianna Dudar - 722-8375

Unless otherwise noted, all meetings will be held at the East Side Congregational, U.C.C., 284 Robinson St., Binghamton NY (607) 722-1017. Note: Please use the driveway entrance between the church and parsonage. Also at this entrance is an automatic stair chair and handicap ramp. Please park on Robinson St. Doing our part to be environmentally conscious, please bring, if you are able, your own mug for coffee or tea to all meetings.

PROGRAMS 2024

Theme: “Oh, The Places We Will Grow”

If meeting at the Nimmonsburg United Methodist Church, 918 Upper Front St., Binghamton NY, please park in the parking lot behind the church and use the parking entrance to the church. All Board Meetings will be held at the church, except when tied to a luncheon or otherwise noted.

FOCUS GROUPS 2024-2025

Cheryl Miller – Co-Chair 607-759-1112 and Joanne Arnold – Co-Chair 607-723-2799

In addition to the programs presented at our regular meetings (First Thursdays) , Focus Groups are held once monthly, year-round, to further explore various topics of interest to gardeners, nature lovers, and those curious to learn more. NOTE: Sign-ups will go out in advance of each. Carpooling will be available for field trips and all carpool drivers will be subsidized for fuel if desired.

Sept. 5 Thursday

Time: 10:30 pm Board Meeting

1:00 pm General Meeting

Speaker: Colleen Wolpert from the Naturalist’s Club of Broome County.

Topic: Caterpillar Gardening

Butterflies and moths are beautiful pollinators that can’t exist unless the caterpillars reach adulthood. Learn what plants they require and how to help them survive all life stages. Most are living in your neighborhood in one of those life stages throughout the year. Learn how to tell caterpillars from other larva that might be less favorable for gardeners. Learn which gardening practices are more beneficial to insects including butterflies and fireflies.

Sept 19 Thursday

Time: 1:00 pm

Where: At the church

Topic: Houseplants

Nurturing a variety of houseplants can be a challenge. Master Gardener, Anthony Antes will share his expertise and give us pointers on what it takes to have healthy indoor greenery and flowers.

Oct. 3 Thursday

Time: 10:30 am Board Meeting at the church

1:00 pm General Meeting

Speaker: Carol Bayles, President of Southern Tier Orchid Society

Topic: “Orchids”

What a beautiful and exotic flower the orchid is! Does it intimidate you? Carol Bayles will teach us how to grow these tropical beauties in our own homes. There are so many varieties. You will be amazed! Did you know orchids can be pollinators also?

Oct 17 Thursday

Time: 1:00 pm

Where: At the church

Topic: Recycling in Broome County

Come learn all about the reality of where your recycling goes when it leaves your house. Cornell Cooperative Extension Recycling/Composting Educator, Kira Hawes will give us the dirt on recycling in our Broome County area.

Nov. 7 Thursday

Time: 10:30 am Board Meeting

1:00 pm General Meeting

Speakers: Sarah Hodder, President of the NYS Bluebird Society

Topic “Bluebirds”

Sarah Hodder, President of the NYS Bluebird Society and a Master Gardener through the Broome County Cornell Cooperative Extension, will give us a fascinating presentation on our NYS bird, the Eastern Bluebird. Learn all there is to know about this beautiful bird, and how to help protect them.

Nov 21 Thursday

Time: 1:00 pm

Where: At the church

Topic: New Leaf Cider Company

Broome County’s first and only hard cidery, located in near-by Port Crane, will share its history and operations as a New York State Farm Cidery. Enjoy free samples along with cider to-go purchase if you wish. Refreshments served.

Website: www.newleafcider.com

Dec. 4 Wednesday

Time: 1:00 pm

Where: At the church

Topic: Flower Arrangement

Come and learn to create a holiday table arrangement from Sue Cerrentani. Sue is a graduate of Cobleskill College and has worked in local flower shops. Arrangements will be used for our holiday luncheon on December 5th, but you can make your own arrangement if you wish at cost.

Dec. 5 Thursday – Holiday Luncheon

Time: 10:30 am Board Meeting at restaurant

12:00 noon Luncheon

Program: Installation of 2025 Officers.

Place: Little Venice Restaurant, 111 Chenango St., Binghamton, NY. (reservation form on pg. 51)

NOTE: All folders and year-end reports are to be returned to the President.

Starting this year, the Focus Groups are scheduling events in January, February, and March of 2025. Please see below.

Jan. 16 Thursday

Time: 1:00 pm

Where: At the church

Topic: Linen Production from Flax to Slacks

Amy Cook is a member of the Lamb to Loom Fiber Guild and owns her own flock of Finn Sheep. She is skilled in all stages of wool production from shearing to dyeing, spinning, knitting and weaving. She will take us through the process of producing linen from the flax plant.

Feb. 13 Thursday

Time: 1:00 pm

Where: At the church

Topic: Valentine’s Cards

We will be making valentines cards for our loved ones in time for Valentine’s Day. Extra cards will be delivered to our shut-in members, along with sweet treats!

Mar. 20 Thursday

Time: 1:00 pm

Where: At the church

Topic: Hot Chocolate, Cookies and Podcast

Enjoy hot chocolate and cookies while we watch the extraordinary podcast “Natures Best Hope” with renowned ecologist and best-selling author Douglas Tallamy, PhD Discussion will follow. Douglas is an American entomologist, ecologist and conservationist. He is a professor at the University of Delaware. Douglas speaks nationwide about his concerns that the approach to gardening must change. He contends the widespread planting of ornamental plants, native to other parts of the world, is creating ecosystem-wide problems.