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January 12, 2026

Cambridge Spy

Nonpartisan and Education-based News for Cambridge

Food and Garden Notes

Early-Bird Tickets On Sale for Talbot County Garden Club’s Spring Symposium

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“Think Spring!” and secure early-bird tickets for the perfect gateway to the season… the Talbot County Garden Club’s Biennial Spring Symposium. Themed “CORKS, FORKS & FLOWERS,” this experiential occasion will captivate attendees from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm on Tuesday, April 25 in the event venue of Temple B’nai Israel on Tristan Drive in Easton.

The day’s delights will tickle all senses with spectacular floral displays, a delectable luncheon with wine tasting, exciting vendor boutiques, and three stellar speakers with demonstrations on garden-to-table topics:

CORKS – “Talking Terroir: The Challenges of Winemaking along the Chesapeake” offered by Patrick & Jacque O’Neil (UC-Davis-trained viticulturists/enologists and proprietors of Napa, California’s Jericho Ridge Vineyard) and the Spies Family (proprietors of Cordova, Maryland’s own Triple Creek Winery)

FORKS – “Culinary Gardens: The Life of a Locavore” served up by Chef Jordan Lloyd (Le Cordon Bleu-trained owner of Easton’s Hambleton House Events & Catering, formerly of famed LaGoulue, Per Se and Citronelle)

FLOWERS – “Seasonal Snipping: Planning, Planting and Harvesting for Cutting Gardens to Thrive on the Eastern Shore” shared by Ginny Rosenkranz (University of Maryland Cooperative Extension educator, Master Gardener and regular media contributor on gardening topics).

Early-bird tickets at $95pp are available through January at https://talbotcountygc.org or by reservation check payable to “Talbot County Garden Club,” PO Box 1524, Easton, MD 21601. Thereafter, regular-price tickets will be available until April 1 for $110pp.

Madeleine Cohen, Alden Firth and Sara Robins co-chair the event, which is the garden club’s major fundraiser for 2023. Proceeds benefit the club’s community “green” outreach, including beautification and maintenance of four parks in the Town of Easton; holiday decorations for public buildings; free gardening lectures open to the public; involvement with Young Gardeners, Meals on Wheels, Talbot Hospice and Talbot Interfaith Shelter; and support for the Town’s new Rail Trail Extension.

For questions, contact [email protected]

Speakers on the menu for Talbot County Garden Club’s Biennial Spring Symposium are:

Viticulturists Patrick & Jacque O’Neil

Chef Jordan Lloyd

 

University of Maryland Cooperative Extension educator Ginny Rosenkranz

 

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Historic Cabinetmakers Home Gets a Facelift

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From left, Talbot Historical Society principals, General Manager Peggy Morey and Vice President Al Silverstein, received a substantial check from TCGC President Carolyn Rugg at a ceremony in front of Joseph’s Cottage in the Society’s garden on July 8. Attending were TCGC Treasurer Fran Jenkins and Tour Chair Eleanor Denegre.

The Talbot County Garden Club (TCGC) recently donated $10,000 towards the restoration of Joseph’s Cottage, the home of Joseph Neall, an 18th century cabinetmaker, on the grounds of the Talbot County Historical Society in Easton.  Funds were made possible by the recent, successful Talbot County Tour of the Maryland Home & Garden Pilgrimage, which drew more than 1,000 visitors despite miserable weather.

TCGC began its association with the Historical Society in 1956 when it contributed funds to purchase the 1804 home of Joseph’s brother, James.  Both Nealls were Quakers and early Abolitionists.The two cottages are located in the rear of the Society’s pubic gardens.

“There is a lot of history connected to this property,” noted Al Silverstein, Talbot Historical Society’s vice president.

Joseph’s Cottage could take up to 18 months to restore.  When it’s finished, it will open it as a tour site and exhibition area.  That’s when TCGC begins to work its magic.

“We look forward to the day when the cottage restoration is complete,” said TCGC President Carolyn Rugg, “so we can begin planning for the gardens to grace it, to ensure the Historical Society Garden endures as a horticultural gem within the Town of Easton.”

Proceeds from the Talbot County Tour also help fund TCGC programs that include work in this and other Easton gardens and green spaces, free public lectures, children’s programs, holiday decorations, and floral donations to Meals on Wheels, Hospice, Talbot Interfaith Shelter, and more.

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Talbot County Garden Club Announces It Winter Lecture Series

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Jenny Rose Carey

The Talbot Count Garden Club is proud to announce a spectacular line-up of nationally renowned speakers beginning in January of 2022. The lectures are free and open to the public.

All lectures will be at the firehouse at 315 Aurora Park Drive in Easton.

Tuesday, January 25, 2022, at 11 a.m.

Jenny Rose Carey, former director, Pennsylvania Horticultural Society’s Meadowbrook Farm.

Jenny Rose Carey is an avid hands-on gardener, brought up in England by a family of gardeners and botanists. Jenny will take guests on a visual tour of her gardens of “Northview” in Amber, PA.

Tuesday, February 22, 2022, at 11 a.m.

Claire Jones, Certified Professional Horticulturalist, Landscape Consultant and Floral Designer.

Celebrate the coming of Spring! Claire will go over different tips and tricks for working with various spring plant materials and cut florals. She will demonstrate three floral arrangements using different techniques that will be raffled off at the conclusion of the program.

Wednesday, March 23, 2022, at 11 a.m.

Neil Sanders, Author

As the spouse of an avid gardener with no “real” responsibilities other than to dig holes and move rocks, Neal has had lots of time to observe gardeners and their foibles. “Gardening is Murder” is a humorous talk that addresses gardening from a spouse’s view.

About the Talbot County Garden Club

The Talbot County Garden Club was established in 1917 to enrich the natural beauty of the environment by sharing knowledge of gardening, fostering the art of flower arranging, maintaining civic projects, supporting projects that benefit Talbot County and encouraging the conservation of natural resources.  Noteworthy projects include maintaining the grounds of the Talbot Historical Society, Talbot Library, the fountain and childrens’ gardens at Idlewild Park, and numerous other gardens and activities.  There are currently just over 100 active, associate and honorary members.

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The Talbot County Garden Club Hosts Kathleen Biggins and a Discussion on Climate Change

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Kathleen Biggins

The Talbot County Garden Club will hold a free online lecture featuring the founder and president of C-Change, Kathleen Biggins, on Wednesday, March 24, at 11 a.m. This is the last in the club’s winter speaker series

C-Change Conversations is a nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting productive, non-partisan discussions about the science and effects of climate change.

The organization, comprised of volunteers who span the political spectrum, sponsors the C-Change Conversations Lecture Series. Kathleen also developed the C-Change Primer with input from Climate Central and the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication.

Team members have presented the Primer to nearly 10,000 people in 29 states, and it is widely hailed as an intelligent, dispassionate introduction to and illumination of climate change. The Primer has been endorsed by business, political and social leaders, and enthusiastically received by many conservative audiences across the country. Learn more at www.c-changeconversations.org

To register for this free event, go to www.talbotcountygc.org or https://bit.ly/3r9VUXG

About the Talbot County Garden Club

The Talbot County Garden Club was established in 1917 to enrich the natural beauty of the environment by sharing knowledge of gardening, fostering the art of flower arranging, maintaining civic projects, supporting projects that benefit Talbot County and encouraging the conservation of natural resources.  Noteworthy projects include maintaining the grounds of the Talbot Historical Society, Talbot Courthouse, Talbot Library, the fountain and childrens gardens at Idlewild Park and numerous other gardens and activities.  There are currently a total of 109 active, associate and honorary members.

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The Talbot County Garden Club Winter Lecture Series to Feature Eric Groft

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Photo courtesy of Eric Groft

Eric Groft, principal with Oehme, van Sweeden Landscape Architecture and a Fellow of American Society of Landscape Architects will present a lecture on the New American Garden Style on the Eastern Shore on Tuesday, February 23 at 11 a.m. via Zoom

The event is sponsored by the Talbot County Garden Club as part of its winter lecture series and is free and open to the public.

Groft will showcase how his work embodies sustainable and ecological practices while focusing on human connectivity and beauty. His design solutions optimize ecological sensitivity and manage life-cycle costs with features such as living roofs and walls, and stormwater capture and re-use.

To register, go to talbotcountygc.org or through Eventbrite at https://bit.ly/3avjMhj.

The third and final lecture in the series is scheduled for March 24 and will feature a speaker from C-Change. 

About the Talbot County Garden Club

The Talbot County Garden Club was established in 1917 to enrich the natural beauty of the environment by sharing knowledge of gardening, fostering the art of flower arranging, maintaining civic projects, supporting projects that benefit Talbot County and encouraging the conservation of natural resources.  Noteworthy projects include maintaining the grounds of the Talbot Historical Society, Talbot Courthouse, Talbot Library, the fountain and children’s gardens at Idlewild Park and numerous other gardens and activities.  There are currently a total of 109 active, associate and honorary members.

The Spy Newspapers may periodically employ the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance the clarity and accuracy of our content.