Coconut Grove Garden Club History

 

The following is just a sample of some of the Club’s

significant work, projects and awards.

 

2024-2025    A stellar year with record number of members under the guidance of new president, Thea Oberlander. We once again are indebted to the Kampong and the International Center for Tropical Botany as well as the Montgomery Foundation for all their support and good works. Thanks to Laura Robbins we had a calendar of excellent speakers on matters including growing staghorn, native plants, vertical gardening, birds of Florida, pollination and an impromptu introduction from the staff of the Kampong and ICTB. The year was dotted with wonderful get togethers under the auspices of gardening at some fascinating properties of our Inquisitive Gardeners. A group of members got organized to go to Morikami Japanese garden. Carla Blanco, once again, hosted a cooking event for a great get-together for the more culinary interested parties.  Sandra Elliot's plant exchange and luncheon was on the most perfect of days with a great turnout and many happy swaps. Margaret Hoeveler encouraged us to bee-utify our gardens with natures pollinators. Add a plethora of happy hours which are aptly named and great appreciation to those hosts and food preparers for many very successful and enjoyable events.  Our Holiday party was held at the Coral Reef Yacht Club and our luncheon at the Kampong with some beautiful table arrangements and the introduction of several new members. Credit to Mark Ingmire for his record of  this year’s events.

 

2023-2024: Laura Robbins, our Program Chair for this year, provided us with a wonderful variety of subjects.  We started the year with an imaginary trip to the Chelsea Garden Flower Show.  A few of the Club’s members had actually attended the show in London but were further inspired by the lecture presented.  Always trying to learn more about our own area of South Florida we were presented with a lecture relating to the Fruits of Miami and a lecture about the developing Commodore Trail.  Through our Inquisitive Gardener program and with several master gardeners in our midst, the members of the Club get more knowledge about their plants and learn the skills of gardening.  Our Annual Christmas party was a huge success with a large turnout of members and their spouses. As usual, throughout the year the members of the Club were served delicious foods with new recipes from the monthly hosts.  The time socializing with good friends and good food is always a pleasant way to begin our gathering at the Montgomery Botanical Center or at the International Center for Tropical Botany at the Kampong. We always like to thank our Committee Chairs and their committee who maintain the Club as a functioning organization that provides us all with joy. Our current President, Louise Petrine-Stansell completed her well guided two-year term with a very successful end of the year meeting and gathering at the Kampong.

 

 

2021-2023: Our club emerged from two years of Covid with a full membership and more active than ever.  We were happy to be back to in-person meetings.  Karen Rombough planned a wonderful array of programs.  In September we enjoyed a slide show put together by Andrea Clement featuring member’s photos of gardens they had visited over the summer.  Other programs featured Joanna Lombard on landscaping, John Nordt with an entertaining history of Coconut Grove and Key Biscayne, Armando Droulers on garden art from Impressionism to Early Modernism and a tour of the new FIU International Center for Tropical Botany at the Kampong.

Polly Edwards coordinated our volunteer efforts at The Montgomery Botanical Center as well as our popular Happy Hours.  Andrea Clement organized our Inquisitive Gardner get-togethers.  Sandra Elliott again hosted the Member Plant Exchange.

 

Isabelle Andrews and Alba Biondi pulled together a joyous holiday party at the home of Francoise and George Ibars.  We ended the year with our annual luncheon at The Kampong chaired by Thea Oberlander, Bethany Millard and Ana Rosa Phillips.

 

 

 

2020-2021: This year saw the Club having to “meet” in a new way due to the ongoing Covid pandemic.  Members Laura Robbins, Sandra Farwell, Pippa Milne, and Michael Enns opened their gardens to us for virtual tours.  The Gardens of Naples and Miami Beach provided us with links to virtual tours of their beautiful gardens.  Through member Paulette Johnson we toured Miami Fruit and Spice Park and member Kirstine Hines virtually taught us how to photograph plants with our smart phones.

 

 

2019-2020: The year was very unusual as we met in person only a few times due to the global Covid pandemic.  We still learned about growing a Kitchen Garden, Bee Keeping, the work of Connect to Protect, and Sea Level rise.  Our last in person meeting was at the historic Walton House.

 

2018-2019: This year saw us revisiting many of our favorite garden locations: Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden for a talk on growing fruit in pots by Dr. Noris Ledesma, the Montgomery Botanical Center for a talk by Dr. Griffith, who spoke about collecting previously unknown to the scientific community palm leaves and seeds from islands off South America and, of course, the Kampong for our end of year luncheon chaired by Sandra Farwell, Sean Reichert and Jeanne Wigg. Roger Hammer gave us an entertaining and enlightening talk on his quest to photograph Florida's orchids. Our incredible member Kirsten Hines continued to share her expertise on birds of South Florida and we added to that with a field trip to learn about using natives to attract birds and butterflies to our gardens. We continued our support of Slow Foods and Sean Reichert's amazing work with this very worthwhile organization. We saw the growth of our very well attended Happy Hours and showcased our members' art in our third annual Members Art Show. Our Holiday Party was successfully chaired by Margaret Hoeveler at the Venetian Pool. Mary Ann Gibbs steered the start of a revitalization project of the Coconut Grove Woman's Club in what will be an ongoing collaboration between the two clubs. 

 

 

2017-2018: This year started in an unusual way with our very first cancellation due to Hurricane Irma, which increased our support of the Kampong following the terrible devastation of the garden.  Our theme for the year was involvement and we saw Margaret Hoeveler restart the news letter, Andrea Clement take over as board liaison of the Inquisitive Gardeners and our continued support of school gardens through Sean Reichert and Slow Foods.  We also continued to learn more about many fascinating members via Gerry Smith and her member highlights. We had several fascinating talks: The History of the Depiction of Landscape Architecture by Architect and Author Steve Brooke, A Short History of Botanical Illustration by Professor and Illustrator Danna Torres, and The Role of Changing Sea Level and Stresses on Coastal Systems by Dr. Hal Wanless, to highlight a few.  Our Holiday Party was held at the beautiful home of Francoise and George Ibars, chaired by Heather Wulkan with flowers beautifully done by Robert Yankowski.  We added a Garden Club Happy Hour to our mix, and held the annual Wine Tasting at Carla Blanco's home.  The year ended with our Kampong luncheon chaired by Sean Reichert and continued with our Second annual members Art Show.

 

2016-2017: This year we learned from the Everglades Conservancy about the challenges the River of Grass faces, discovered an amazing oasis at Walton House and had the privilege of hearing Dr. Carl Lewis, Director of Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, tell us about how Fairchild and NASA are working together to learn more about growing food in space.  

The Inquisitive Gardeners' program continues to grow in numbers with many members giving their time, talents and gardens to help newer gardeners continue to learn how to grow in this climate.

 

This year we had the first every Coconut Grove Garden Club Art Show where many of our talented members were give the gallery at the Kampong to show us their works in different mediums. Also this year's president, AnaRosa Phillips, worked with Sean Reichert and Margaret Hoeveler on a community project creating a Labyrinth Garden at St. Stephens Church in Coconut Grove.  AnaRosa, Sean and Margaret were hands on from the beginning of the planning process to planting, where many of the club members volunteered their time, labor and knowledge to make the garden a success.

 

2015-2016: This year saw the creation of the "Inquisitive Gardeners" monthly sessions of newbie gardener workshops created by Lorelei Wagner to help those new to South Florida gardening get help and advice from many of our expert Gardeners. We also continued to support the excellent work of Slow Food Miami and the amazing dedication of our own Sean Reichert. Sandra Elliott continued as our

Horticulturist bringing us ideas for plants and their growing success in our gardens.

 

 

 

2014-2015: This year the CGGC continued with its support of Slow Food Miami by funding three new school gardens and the continued maintenance of the gardens at both Vizcaya and The Barnacle. Kim

Davison and Ghislaine Greene worked with Pinecrest Gardens on a memorial for our late member Terrie Newman. They have organized the planting of a powderpuff tree (Terrie's favorite) on the north side to

the lake in the garden. Their garden horticulturist Craig Morell feels the spot he has chosen “will allow the tree to grow to its likely dimensions of 20 x 20 feet”. Sandra Elliott took on the roll of Horticulturist giving us new ideas of plants for our gardens and their care and maintenance.   Jeanne Wigg started a monthly feature of interviewing new members to highlight the interesting people who make up this great club.

 

2013-2014: In addition to our usual donations, we included $1,000 to Save American Family Farms From Extinction (SAFFFE). In February we visited Teena's Pride farm in the Redlands, which supports efforts to protect local farmers and educate children and their families through the creation and development of the Children's Mission where we donated our check. In April we had a 'first' at the home of Paulette

Bilsky, a Dame d'Escoffier, to cook local vegetables and fruits and to eat our efforts! In September, under the direction of Sean Reichert, the CGGC and Slow Food Miami partnered again in creating a huge

vegetable and herb garden at the Vizcaya Village with over 150 children and adults participating in our efforts. SFM provided an outdoor classroom and taught everyone present about gardening. This

is the first time in over 80 years that food is being grown again at Vizcaya. Whole Foods provided beverages, a wonderful organic lunch and lots of support. About a dozen CGGC members were present and continue to maintain the gardens as volunteers on a monthly basis. In November, CGGC and SFM collaborated in planting an herb garden at The Barnacle Historical State Park in Coconut Grove. This garden is used as visible support to the community and represents many of the original plantings when the Munroe Family lived on the property. It too is maintained by members of the Garden Club.

 

 

2012-13: Sean Reichert continued our involvement with Slow Food Miami’s planting and maintenance of vegetable gardens at schools around Miami. This year the club donated $1000 to Slow Food Miami

and the money was earmarked for the gardens at the Barnacle. Many of our members also helped tend the gardens there during the year. In June Terrie Newman coordinated volunteers from the club for plantings along US1 with Treemendous. Six Club members donated their time and energy to assist Treemendous with planting native trees and shrubs along US1 in Coconut Grove as part of the beautification program. 

 

2011:-2012  Twelve Club members assisted Sean Reichert with the Slow Food Miami program in planting vegetable gardens in 94 schools in Miami-Dade County. During the year Club members, in conjunction with Slow Food Miami, worked at the following local schools to assist with designing and planting vegetable gardens: Tucker Elementary School, St.Stephens Episcopal Day School, and Coral Gables Congregational Church Pre-School. Sean Reichert organized a renovation of Aunt Dotie’s original vegetable garden at The Barnacle. Vegetables planted were eggplant, squash, tomatoes, heirloom tomatoes, lettuces, radishes, carrots, kale, turnip, mustard greens, beans, peppers, broccoli, parsley and cabbage replicating the original design. The Club donated the beautiful 60th Anniversary

ceramic commemorative bench, made by Club members headed by Martha Larmier, to the Coconut Grove Women’s Club. Members celebrated the anniversary at the historic Club with appetizers and

drinks.  For the past decade the Club has participated in the Deering Estate Holiday Decorating. Our Chair, Martha Larmier, has had the pleasure to head a committee of wonderful members. The Club has been in charge of decorating the library. Each year, she tries to come up with a different theme. Through numerous workshops, we have been able to create ceramic art and unique designs for the tablescape at Deering Estate.  The first video of the year's happenings, put together by Carla Blanco,  was shown at the Kampong luncheon.

 

2010-2011 Tree Chairperson Jeanne Wigg organized a clean up project at the Biscayne Nature Center where members worked to help preserve the dunes.

 

2008-2009 Jeanne Wigg organized Club volunteers for the planting of mangrove seedlings at the Virginia Key Beach Restoration Project and also spearheaded the Arbor Day Planting at the Virginia Key Beach Restoration Project. The Club approved a change in the By-laws and withdrew from the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs. Website address: http://www.ffgc.com. The Coconut Grove Garden Club website was created by Carla Blanco.

 

2006-2007 In observance of Arbor Day, the Club held a tree planting and memorial at St. Stephens Church in honor of long-time CGGC member Jo Lee who passed away.  Volunteers planted two acacia sennas (delicate yellow-flowering trees) in the garden area next to the school.  Martha Larmier designed and made the décor for the Deering Estate Holiday Decorating Event. In 2006 Mrs. Deering’s room was decorated and in 2007 the Library was decorated.

 

2004-2005: The CGGC received awards from the Council of Garden Clubs for its Habitat for Humanity project headed by member Maggy de Lespinasse. Habitat For Humanity continues to be an

ongoing project of the Club.  To celebrate Arbor Day, the Club planted a Senna polyphylla tree

at the Coconut Grove Woman’s Club in honor of Athena Theophilos. Also to celebrate Arbor Day, the Coconut Grove Garden Club, together with Kathryn Hanafourde’s sons, created the Kathryn Hanafourde

Memorial Garden at St. Stephens Church.

 

2001-2004  The Club assisted in the holiday decorating of the Deering Estate. The Club’s first project was a small sitting room. By 2004, CGGC had taken on the responsibility of the Grand Ballroom. Joanne

Butler and Nancy Lowry spearheaded the team of volunteers from District XII who coordinate the decorations of the entire estate during the holiday season of 2004. The results were spectacular.

 

1998-1999 The Club worked in conjunction with Tim Anderson of the Palm Hammock Orchid Estate in the restoration and planting of the pond garden at 4115 Kiaora Street. The Garden Club was honored by receiving a second place for this project by the Council of Garden Club Presidents. The Butterfly Garden project at Tucker Elementary School was completed. President of the Club Valerie Klevan and

member Kathryn Davila worked to bring the project to fruition. The Club’s membership flourished under First Vice President Valerie Klevan. Valerie was recognized as “the pied piper of new

members” at the District XII meeting held at the Rusty Pelican.

 

1992-1994 the Club’s vision of creating a small park at Ensenada, La Playa and Ventura resulted in an extensive planting project. The Kampong and Merrick House assisted the Club with donations of trees

and shrubs and money was raised by local children for the benches. Toni Lawson, a long-time member of the Club, worked to maintain the area and was instrumental in getting the City of Miami to name this the Amy Billig Memorial Park.   Helen Correll was cited with the Individual Award for Horticulture by the FFCG. Our Yearbook, prepared by Mary Glenn (a long-time CGGC member), received a President’s Council

Award.  Helen Correll was cited with the Individual Award for Horticulture by the FFCG. Our Yearbook, prepared by Mary Glenn (a long-time CGGC member), received a President’s Council Award.  The Club staged a standard flower show, “Love Potion Number One,” at the Women’s Club of Coconut Grove. The

Florida Federation of Garden Clubs entered our flower show for the National Council of State Garden Club’s Award #5-2 (Purple Rosette) and awarded the Club a certificate at the State Convention held on

August 6, 1993.  The  Club held its “Coconut Grove Re-Leaf” at the Coconut Grove Woman’s Club and raised

$2,500 in an effort to restore trees and shrubs lost during Hurricane Andrew in 1992. The funds were disbursed to the Barnacle, Coconut Grove Elementary School, and The Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Mini

Park.

 

1990-1991 the CGGC began work on what is now The Marjorie Stoneman Douglas Mini Park. Up until that time, this property located on S.W. 22nd Avenue was an abandoned fire station and neighborhood threat. Jo Lee obtained permission from the Miami Parks and Recreation Department to commence work in conjunction with the North Grove Neighbors. Substantial funds were raised by the Club and the North Grove Neighbors which resulted in the purchase of playground equipment, trees and landscaping for the park. On Earth Day, April 22, 1990, the Club held its first tree planting which consisted of two coconut palms donated by Fairchild Tropical Garden and the Florida State Forestry Department. Among those in attendance were the Mayor of Miami and local TV stations. The Coconut Grove Garden Club was presented the H.A.N.D.S. Award by the Council of Garden Club Presidents for their efforts on behalf of the park. A second planting was held on Arbor Day, April 19, 1991. Ten flowering trees were purchased and the landscaping was dedicated to Marjorie Stoneman Douglas, who honored the Club by giving a speech on the importance of trees. The Club was presented with a certificate of appreciation signed by Mayor Xavier Suarez. A subsequent tree planting occurred on March 20, 1993, which was also attended by

Marjorie Stoneman Douglas. The Club had a long and rewarding relationship with Marjorie Stoneman Douglas. On Arbor Day 2000, the Club once gain planted a tree in honor of Marjorie. The tree was

generously donated by The Kampong and Larry Schokman (Director) aided in its planting.

 

 

1988-1989: the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs (FFGC) awarded the Garden Club with a “Runner-up” award for the work done on the Barnacle. Also,  Kathryn Hanafourde was named “Garden Clubber of the Year.”  Work performed by the CGGC at St. Stephen’s Church was recognized with a Beautification Award from the President’s Council.  The Club was presented a “Runner-Up” award by the Florida Federation of Garden Clubs for its work at The Barnacle.

 

 

1985: Ethel Dietrich won the Council of Garden Clubs Presidents

 

Award, “Garden Clubber of the Year.”

 

 

 

 1982: the CGGC assisted the Coconut Grove Woman’s Club with

 

improvements to their facility 

 

Past Presidents

1951-53 Mrs. Helen Cutten

1953-55 Mrs. Frank Longshore

1955-56 Mrs. John Nowell

1956-58 Mrs. Ronald Griffin

1958-59 (Fall) Mrs. M.M. Black 

1958-59 (Spring) Mrs. W.C. Gorman 

1959-61 Mrs. R.A. Justin

1961-63 Mrs. Sylvia Rose

1963-65 Mrs. James Buchanan

1965-67 Mrs. B.J. Beckman

1967-69 Mrs. Stephen Bellows

1969-71 Mrs. C.P. Dietrich

1971-73 Mrs. Sylvia Rose

1973-74 Mrs. R.A. Justin

1974-75 Mrs. H.H. Hill

1975-77 Mrs. C.P. Dietrich

1977-79 Mrs. Richard Dwyer

1979-81 Mrs. H.E. Riley

1981-83 Mrs. C.P. Dietrich

1983-84 Mrs. John Hanafourde

1984-87 Mrs. Herbert Virgin III

1987-89 Mrs. Joseph Sackett

1989-92 Mrs. Frank Zierer

1992-94 Mrs. Yvonne Cherry

1994-97 Mrs. Lynne Harcharik

1997-01 Ms. Jo Lee

2001-03 Mrs. Kathryn Davila

2003-04 Mrs. Valerie Klevan

2004-06 Mrs. Joni Stadler

2006-07 Isabelle Andrews

2007-08 Nelda Aguirre-Wong

2008-09 Sean Reichert

2009-10 Carla P. Blanco

2010-11 Jeanne Wigg

2011-12 Martha Larmier

2012-13 Sandra Farwell Elliott

2013-14 Suzi James

2014-15 Gerry Smith

2015-16 Marie Pappas

2016-17 Ana Rosa Phillips

2017-18 Jean Anne Davis

2018-20 Carla P Blanco

2020-22 Mary Ann Gibbs

2022-2024 Louise Petrine Stansell

2024-2026 Thea Oberlander