Category: What’s Growing?

Hi all – You can find the 2026 hosting schedule as it stands as of this week under the Hospitality tab in our private area behind the password wall. If you would like to add your name to the blank slots in April or June, 2026, please contact Katherene Kerner. And if you need to change your assignment, please contact Katherene as well. Thanks!

The Portland Japanese Garden has a great event coming up this weekend!

https://japanesegarden.org/events/sogetsu-portland-fall-show-2025

Check out the upcoming schedule for the new year of 10 Minute University videos at this link.

Club Members, our district and state publications will now be posted to our website. They are behind our password wall, which you’ll need to enter to get access.

Visit Resources > Publications and click on either the Mahonia (statewide) publication you need (in PDF) or Clackamas Clippings (links to monthly newsletters).

Hi members!

    I am so sorry to bother you with another email, but wanted to share some things that came to my attention after sending out the last email…..

1. First, Harry Landers would love any help you have to offer on November 17th, from 9 am – noon, for the Autumn Rose Garden Pruning at Sara Hite Garden. (Adjacent to the Milwaukie Community Center) MARK YOUR CALENDAR! Come when you can, stay as long as you want!  Bring loppers, heavy gloves, a bucket (if you have one), and your water bottle. Bring any gardening friends who would like to join in the fun!  

2. Secondly, in case you didn’t receive the summer Mahonia (the Oregon State Federation of Garden Clubs newsletter), we wanted to be sure to send it out: ENJOY!The fall or winter issue should be coming in the near future.

3. Regarding our field trip on Dec 2, some of you have asked where “Leona’s parking lot” is…. it is the small parking lot across the street from Leona’s house.  It is just beyond the Happy Valley Preschool on the same side of the street.  The preschool is at 10151 SE 145th Ave.  The parking lot is just a bit beyond the preschool, on the same side of the street.  Call me if you need clearer directions. 209-321-1775 

4. Lastly, Tony’s Garden Center sent out this great reminder about our pollinator friends…. thought you would enjoy it, if you haven’t seen it….

Wendy

     Don’t you just love all the gorgeous foliage colors this time of year brings?  Absolutely breathtaking! 

     Well, ahead of our Nov 11^th meeting at the church, there are several important reminders for everyone, so i will try to be brief….

1. NOVEMBER MEETING, Nov 11^th SOCIAL TIME: 9:15 -10:00

2. HOSTS FOR NOV 11^TH MEETING: Priscilla Robinson, Donna Simonson, Donna Endicott, and Katherene Kerner.

3. OUR SPEAKER:  Audrey Sauble.  Audrey is the author of several children’s books about nature! She will be teaching us a little about journaling nature, and will also have some of her books with her, for sale.  These would make very special holiday or birthday gifts for any young children in your life!  Here are some of her titles:

4. CHRISTMAS PARTY:  Shelley Fenton and Sandy Platz have been working hard on our Christmas party! Sandy is also our treasurer, of course, and will be accepting your check for the Christmas party at our meeting,so please be sure to bring your check book! She will have the exact cost by then, but plan on somewhere between $30-35. The party is on December 9^th, at the Springs, starting at 11:30.  Details to follow soon.  If you haven’t signed up for the Christmas party, there’s still time! Sign up at our next meeting on Nov 11^th. 

5. Please consider making a donation to the GOLD STAR MARKER … (perhaps in remembrance for someone you or your family knew?)

The Willamette National Cemetery has recently approved a Gold Star Marker installation. A Gold Star Marker honors those who have lost their lives in the line of duty and has been a supported program of the National Garden Club for over 70 years. The Oregon Federation of Garden Clubs (OSFGC) has pledged seed money for this opportunity, and other garden clubs in the district and in the state have pledged up to $500.00.  The current cost of a marker is $3000.00, with prices set to rise after January 1, 2026. 

Sandy will also be accepting checks for the Gold Star Marker at our upcoming meeting. No donation is too small.  It all helps!

Please make checks out to OSFGC (This is necessary to receive credit for a tax-deductible donation, as the state is a non-profit organization).  

(Our budget committee approved up to $200 in matching funds towards this effort from our current budget!  The district would like to receive our total commitment by November 15, 2025.)

5. Upcoming Coffee Chat/ Field Trip: Al’s Garden & Home in Sherwood  Dec 2^nd.  They will give us a short talk on growing poinsettias, and then we can do a little Christmas shopping in their beautiful garden center and enjoy lunch together in their cafe. Probably best that we pack a sack lunch.  They do have a coffee/snack bar available though.  

     The cafe, interior plant area, and the gift store are all cement, so it’s great for wheelchairs, walkers, and canes.  The outer yard is gravel.

     We will meet up at Leona’s parking lot in the morning, plan to leave at 10 am and arrive at Al’s around 11 am.   If you are interested in joining us for this event, and haven’t already told Claudia or myself, please let us know so we have an accurate count.

Hope to see you Tuesday, November 11^th! 

Wendy 

PS: I know that is a lot of check writing, but payments are so much easier to track this way, so please remember to bring your checkbook for any of the following things you would like to participate in: 

             1. Audrey Sauble – children’s nature books

             2. Gold Star Marker donation

             3. Christmas party luncheon

Here’s a photo of some of our club members helping to clean up the Sara Hite Rose Garden at the Milwaukie Community Center. Thanks for volunteering your time and doing the hard work (l to r) Wendy, Priscilla, Julie, and Patti!

From Claudia, our field trip coordinator:

On Tuesday, December 2, we’ll have a an added field trip to Al’s Garden Center in Sherwood. Carpoolers, meet at Leona’s parking lot by 10 am. Our free time to wander and possible talk on caring for poinsettias begins at 11-ish am.

This flagship garden center is paved, with a cafe featuring beverages and snacks, and an extensive holiday gift center. Please remember to wear your garden club name badges.

Get your shopping done early!

Contact Claudia T with any questions.

Happy Rainy Morning Members!!

     First, I wanted to remind you that we have our coffee chat this coming Tuesday at ElkaBee’s on Sunnyside, from 9 am -11 ish.  Come when you can, stay as long as you would like.  It will be a great time to enjoy a warm latte with each other, especially since it will probably be raining outside!

     Second, and equally important….Claudia has checked with Al’s Garden & Home in Sherwood and they are very happy to have us come visit them on Dec 2nd.  They will give us a short talk on growing poinsettias, and then we can do a little Christmas shopping in their beautiful garden center and enjoy lunch together in their cafe. Probably best that we pack a sack lunch.  They do have a coffee/snack bar available though.       The cafe, interior plant area, and the gift store are all cement, so it’s great for wheelchairs, walkers, and canes.  The outer yard is gravel.

     We will meet up at Leona’s parking lot at 9:30, and arrive at Al’s around 11 or before.  Right now, we need a head count of how many members would be interested in attending this event, so…..please email me to let me know, so I can get the number back to Claudia.

    Enjoy your day! I look forward to seeing you on Tuesday!

   Wendy