The Garden Club of the Eastern Shore is pleased to present a program by the New York Times best selling author and renowned gardener Marta McDowell, who is well known for her books which follow “the relationship between the pen and the trowel.” She will share her love of horticulture and garden history with a look into her newest book, Unearthing the Secret Garden.

Marta explores the inspiration of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s much-loved book The Secret Garden published in 1910. The Secret Garden follows the story of Mary, Dickon and Colin inside the locked doors of the Secret Garden at Misselthwaite Manor. Marta will help us see how these gardens evolved and were influenced by her book before, during and after its publication.

Marta’s best known books include Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life, which shows how Ms. Potter’s love of flowers and gardening appears in her work in the beloved The Tale of Peter Rabbit and Emily Dickinson’s Garden Life, which explores the influence of Emily Dickinson’s gardens on her poetry.

Marta currently teaches landscape history and horticulture at the New York Botanical Gardens. She has been a featured speaker at the Chicago Botanic Garden, Smithsonian Institution and Beatrix Potter Society’s Linder Lecture at the Sloane Club in London. Marta is the 2019 recipient of the Garden Club of America’s Sarah Chapman Francis Medal for outstanding literary achievement. Her garden is included in the Smithsonian’s Archive of American Gardens.

Join the Garden Club of the Eastern Shore and Marta for her lecture with tea and scones followed by a light boxed lunch. In addition to a complimentary copy of Unearthing the Secret Garden, attendees will also have the opportunity to participate in a silent auction, including several “Eastern Shore Adventures” such as an “Elegant Tea for Twenty” at an Oxford waterside home and a “Flower Design Class for Eight” led by Samantha McCall.

All proceeds from the event will benefit the college scholarship program and community projects of the Garden Club of the Eastern Shore. Each year, the Talbot County-based club awards a college scholarship to a deserving high school senior in the county whose scholastic accomplishments, community work and chosen field of study are consistent with the club’s objectives. The club has awarded 19 scholarships since the inception of their Scholarship Program.

Marta’s presentation will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 8 at the Oxford Community Center in Oxford. To make a reservation to see Marta McDowell, send your check for $100 with contact information payable to GCES to P.O. Box 1924, Easton MD 21601. Your ticket includes a complimentary copy of Unearthing the Secret Garden, lunch, a chance to win all four of Marta’s books personalized by the author and a silent auction including several Eastern Shore Adventures. Proof of COVID vaccination and booster required.

Founded in 1963, the Garden Club of the Eastern Shore is committed to stimulating knowledge of horticulture, aiding in the protection of trees, shrubs, wildflowers and birds and encouraging all conservation practices.

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.

Each year, the Garden Club of the Eastern Shore (GCES) awards a merit-based scholarship of up to $5,.000.00 to a graduating senior who attends high school in Talbot County and expects to major in horticulture, landscape architecture or design, botany, environmental science, agriculture or a related field. Scholarship applications are available from guidance counselors in all Talbot County high schools and may also be obtained by calling Dorothy Whitcomb at 443-385-0486.

The GCES Scholarship is entirely merit based.  Outstanding academic achievement along with volunteer or work experience, which shows a strong work ethic and a commitment to excellence, will be considered when evaluating applications.

GCES President Nance duPont says: “The Garden Club of the Eastern Shore has awarded 18 scholarships to Talbot County students since 1999.  The club is committed to supporting motivated students who have shown an interest in pursuing studies in ecology, horticulture, landscape design or related fields.  Previous recipients have become successful teachers, landscape architects, designers, and environmental researchers, both here on the Eastern Shore and around the country.”

The GCES is focused on promoting environmentally sound landscape practices and providing educational programs for the community that explore conservation practices and environmental issues.  In addition to awarding its scholarship for the past 18 years, the GCES spearheaded the restoration of Easton’s Thompson Park and continues to maintain it. The club also contributes to various community services projects in Talbot County.

For information about GCES programs or to make a contribution to the scholarship fund, please call Dorothy Whitcomb at 443-385-0486.

The Garden Club of the Eastern Shore will be hosting an upscale resale event called the “She Shed” on Friday, November 5 and Saturday, November 6 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. in the old News Center location in Easton’s Talbot Town Shopping Center.

This indoor sale of upscale items will benefit the Club’s Scholarship Fund, which is a merit-based scholarship granted to a graduating senior who attends high school in Talbot County and plans to major in horticulture, landscape architecture or design, botany, environmental science, agriculture or a related field.

Garden Club members have been gathering all kinds of interesting and unique items to be sold, including Byers’ Choice Carolers, Limoges china, Italian pottery, Sur La Table, vases, yard art, furniture, beautiful glassware, decorative baskets, attractive flower pots, rugs, women’s accessories, collectable birdhouses and much more!  Mark your calendar now to attend this wonderful sale and go home with irresistible treasures at amazing prices!

Cooler temperatures and trees changing color signal the fall season and so does the Harvest Fair at the Talbot Agriculture and Education Center on October 24 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the Ag Center, 10659 Hiners Lane.

The free event offers 4-H youth another opportunity to enter exhibits such as farm crops and baked goods, but also welcomes the community to participate in numerous games, and activities to celebrate the fall season.

“We are excited be able to have another opportunity for families to come together after successfully holding an in-person Talbot County Fair in July,” said Amanda Clougherty, fair co-chair and an organizer of the event. “At the Harvest Fair, there’s going to be great games, food and learning activities for people of any age.”

Activities include pumpkin painting, bounce balls, a petting zoo, fall-themed carnival games, crafts, cake wheel, live and silent auction. A 50/50 raffle, sponsored by the Talbot County Farm Bureau, will be offered throughout the event.

A classic car cruise-in is also part of the day with local car owners proudly displaying their unique automobiles. Harvest Fair organizers invite anyone interested in displaying their classic car to come.

Craft vendors will be on hand, and food during the fair will be sold by Eternal Life Ministries. The event will close with a benefit pork dinner for $10 each, that will coincide with the live auction, featuring baked goods made by 4-H youth and handmade artisan baskets filled with goodies by local organizations.

Proceeds from the Oct. 24 Harvest Fair go toward keeping the Ag Center open and active in continuing its mission of supporting and promoting agriculture in Talbot County.

The Talbot Ag Center is a volunteer-based, non-profit entity operated by Easton Lions Club, Easton Ruritan Club, Talbot County 4-H Clubs, Talbot County Farm Bureau, Tri County Ruritan and the Easton FFA Chapter​.

It’s main sources of revenue — facility rentals and fundraising events —took major hits in the COVID-19 pandemic and organizers said community support is vital as the Ag Center and groups like it work to stay open.

For more information, visit https://www.talbotagcenter.org/events.