2019-2020
Monthly
Meetings
The JBGC meets on the third (3rd)
Wednesday of each
month from October through April at the
*Vincent Bocchino Community Center,
2369 NE Dixie Hwy, Jensen Beach *(unless otherwise noted on
Meetings’ pages)
Sign-in: 10:30
Business Meeting: 11:00 AM
Refreshment Break
Program: 12:15 PM
October 16th,
The Violets of Peacock
Cottage
Guest Speaker: Laura Perdomo is
the owner of The Peacock Cottage, a plant shop where you can find unusual
house plants, in Ocala, FL. After growing and selling African violets for
over a decade, Laura decided to leave her teaching position (that she liked
very much!) to leap into the world of plants full time. Vending at garden
shows on the weekend eventually expanded into opening the brick and mortar
shop in Ocala, going into their 5th year of business in January. With
African violets as her main passion, Laura enjoys their wider gesneriad
family as well! What a great plant family for Florida! After serving as
President of the African Violet Council of Florida and her local Ocala club,
Laura has the knowledge and understanding of the wants from the general
public, to the hobby grower, to the serious plant expert.
Topic: Laura is excited to
bring this informative and entertaining presentation about African violets
and their relatives to the group. She will also have some plants and
supplies for sale.

November 20th
Dazzling Seasonal Flair
Guest Speakers: Betsy Doyle,
owner of Hydrangea Flowers and Coffee located at 10439 SE Federal Highway in
Hobe Sound. Betsy, a former window display freelancer, said the coffee
shop/wine bar plans to host sessions like paint and sip, wreath making, and
build your own flower arrangements. After
Topic: Just in time for
your holiday table, Betsy will be showing us how to make beautiful
arrangements with seasonal plants for the holidays.

December 13 th
“Oh What Fun”
Club Holiday Gala
Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House
Friday December 13th,
12:00 Noon
1401 NE Indian River Drive
Jensen Beach, FL
This year we return to the Dolphin Bar for our
Holiday Party. What better way to kick-off the Holiday season than to spend
a Friday afternoon rejoicing with old friends. There will be food, fun and
lots of games with prizes. Cost and menu details will be announced as soon
as we have them.
Please see Linda Biagioni for reservations.

January 15th
Heavenly Herbs
Guest Speaker: Ann Marie
Gray of Pinder’s Nursery
Ann Marie was born and raised
in Wisconsin for 24 years, moved through Virginia, and New York before
settling in Florida. She began her dream job 9 years ago with Pinders
and has moved up the ranks from Sales Associate to Retail Shop Manager.
She is a FNGLA member and is a Florida Certified Horticulture Professional.
Pinder’s Nursery in Palm City has been a mainstay for gardeners for the past
30 years.
Topic: Ann Marie returns
to the garden club to demonstrate the growing and uses for herbs.

February 19th
Orchids, Bromeliads and
Succulents
Guest Speaker: Mercedes Pardo,
supervisor of Blooming Freedom, 3993 SW Leighton Farms Ave in Palm City.
Blooming Freedom, a family run business, was started by Mercedes’ aunt,
Cristina Pardo in 1997 as a wholesale delivery service which specialized in
Orchids & Bromeliads. In early 2000, Cristina decided to expand her business
and purchased a 5 acre property in the heart of Palm City. Fast forward to
today, Blooming Freedom has grown into a well known oasis where wholesalers
and retail customers alike get to experience a garden center like no other.
If you have never been to it put it on your list of must visits.
Topic:
Basic care of orchids, bromeliads and succulents including propagation,
repotting, water needs, fertilization, planting or attaching the to trees.
Mercedes will also discuss the different species.

March 18 th
Mango Mania
Guest
Speaker: Alexander Salazar, owner of Tropical Acres Farms
in West Palm Beach.
Topic: Alex will give us a
history of this legendary farm and introduce us to his passion, the mango!

April 15th
Making a Difference for
our Local Youth
Guest Speaker: Marilyn Gavitt,
Administrator of the Environmental Studies Center, Jensen Beach
Topic: Each year we provide scholarships for
local students to attend several different summer camps. The Environmental
Studies Center Summer Camp is one of the organizations to which we give.
Today we will learn how that money is used. Marilyn will tell us about what
it is that happens after we sign those checks. The Environmental Studies
Center is operated by the Martin County Public School System. Students in
kindergarten through seventh grade and high school marine biology and
environmental science classes visit the Center each year to participate in
hands-on field investigations. Students explore the St. Lucie Estuary,
Indian River Lagoon, Hutchinson Island’s beaches, mangrove swamps and
freshwater ponds and wetlands. The Center is home to a wide variety of fish
and reptiles, including a loggerhead sea turtle and an alligator named Joey!

Previous Years Meetings
Bocchino Community Center
2369 NE Dixie Hwy, Jensen Beach
Meetings start at 11:00 AM
October 17, 2018
Sign-in & Help Desk: 10:30
Business Meeting: 11:00 AM
Refreshment Break
Program: 12:15 PM
Treasure Coast
Environmental
Update Part 2
Guest Speaker: Paul Laura,
Environmentalist
Paul provides research project support for the
Florida Oceanographic Society and Smithsonian Marine Station to restore our
Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River.
Topic: Paul will return to
update us on the current status of work to reduce the Lake Okeechobee
discharges and will discuss environmental initiatives on fracking, liquid
natural gas and solar energy in Florida.
Bocchino Community Center
2369 NE Dixie Hwy,
Jensen Beach, Florida

November 14, 2018**
**Note the scheduled date change due to holiday plans.
Sign-in & Help Desk: 10:30
Program: 11:00 AM
Refreshment Break
Business Meeting: 12:15 PM
Make & Take
Your Own "FAB" Flower Pot
Guest Speakers: Gail Rounds &
Laurie Hoot-Capon, Master Gardeners
Topic: Gail And Laurie
will teach us how to create a fabric pot using cement and fabric/terry
cloth.
*This is a "dress down" meeting...
Bring your "inner child" and prepare to get a bit messy.
What to bring: This project is
a bit messy so wear an old shirt or apron to cover your clothes, a small
cloth towel for clean-up, Scissors, and old shoes. Lastly, please bring a
box to take your pot home in (about a 12" x 12" with low sides (2-4") high).
The club will supply everything else.
*To allow for drying time, this project will
start at 11:00 AM with the business meeting starting at 12:15 PM.
Bocchino Community Center
2369 NE Dixie Hwy,
Jensen Beach, Florida

December 5, 2018
Our "FUN"raiser Event at
Eagle Marsh Country Club
12 Noon – 4:00PM
Appetizer Buffet & Cash Bar
This year the garden club will be bringing you
something new and different in the form of a fundraiser. It will be a
Vendor Event just in time for your last minute holiday shopping.
Bring your friends and family to enjoy this
event. Browse our numerous vendors. Shop for holiday gifts or a find
something special for yourself. Bring your lucky charms to win a raffle. A
delectable appetizer buffet to enjoy on the veranda at your leisure is
included with the price of your ticket. Watch for further details.
Program: Light Up Your
Holidays
Times: 2:00 PM
A representative from
Heathcote Botanical Gardens will be demonstrating some of their secrets used
in creating their spectacular Garden of Lights Holiday Show.
Eagle’s Nest Restaurant
3869 NW Royal Oak Drive
Jensen Beach, FL 3495
Funds raised go to promote
the Jensen Beach Garden Club
and Youth Scholarships.

January 16, 2019
Sign-in & Help Desk: 10:30
Business Meeting: 11:00 AM
Refreshment Break
Program: 12:15 PM
Meet Your Nature
Neighbors
(Who is Out There?)
Guest Speaker: Tim Brown,
Director of Education for the Treasure Coast Wildlife Center.
Topic: Learn about the variety
of wildlife found in Florida’s unique and diverse natural habitats,
including representative living birds of prey, and reptiles. This is an
opportunity to see some of our wildlife up close and personal.
Bocchino Community Center
2369 NE Dixie Hwy,
Jensen Beach, Florida

February 20, 2019
Sign-in & Help Desk: 10:30
Business Meeting: 11:00 AM
Refreshment Break
Program: 12:15 PM
Hidden Enchantment
*NOTE* Location Change
Guest Speaker: Joleen King,
Master Gardener, President of the Friends of PSL Botanical Gardens Board of
Directors and President of Rio Lindo Garden Club of Port St. Lucie.
Topic: We will meet at
the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens to discover the secret garden in our
own backyard. Joleen will tell us about its creation and history. You will
have an opportunity to tour the gardens and be amazed by the many different
plants and garden themes they have created. Return on Saturday for their
plant sale. This 20-acre gem, adjacent to the St Lucie River North Fork on
Westmoreland Boulevard, is near Port St. Lucie Blvd. PS: They have a
very nice gift shop!
Port
St. Lucie Botanical Gardens
2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd
Port St. Lucie, Florida

March 20, 2019
Sign-in & Help Desk: 10:30
Business Meeting: 11:00 AM
Refreshment Break
Program: 12:15 PM
Spring Sprouts
Guest Speaker: Ann Nyhuis
of A Garden's Glory, was recently recognized as the first Certified
Naturally Grown Producer in eastern Florida for her takeaway, fresh plates
of micro greens!
Topic: Enjoy listening to
Ann share her story about their trademarked "Microgreens-Piatto Frescos". We
will take part in this interactive demonstration on how to grow indoors
live, vibrant, tasty, and healthy super foods known as Microgreens. Everyone
will have an opportunity to create and take home his or her own Micro-Green
Grower Kit.
This is your chance to grow your own “Superfood”!
Bocchino Community Center
2369 NE Dixie Hwy,
Jensen Beach, Florida

***Fundraising Event***
April 7,
2019
Ninth Annual Plant Sale
9:00AM - 2:00PM
1717 NE Indian River Drive
Jensen Beach, Florida
The garden club will hold its 9th
Annual Plant Sale at the Indian Riverside Park. Last year’s sale was our
most successful, so far. Please get your plants started early, to continue
that success. This year the club will have a help desk at each meeting and
programs to help you along the way with your plants.
This is one of our major
fundraising events and all members are asked to be involved in some way.
Dotty Brinkman and the Plant Sale committee are always in need of many
helping hands. Please contact them to volunteer in some way for this huge
event.
*Funds raised go to promote
the Jensen Beach Garden Club
and Youth Scholarships.

April 17, 2019
Sign-in & Help Desk: 10:30
Business Meeting: 11:00 AM
Refreshment Break
Program: 12:15 PM
Succulent Joy
Guest Speaker: Ann Marie
Gray
Ann Marie was born and raised
in Wisconsin for 24 years, moved through Virginia, and New York before
settling in Florida. She is mother to three wonderful children who are
now a nurse, an army medic and a college student. She began her dream
job 9 years ago with Pinders and has moved up the ranks from Sales Associate
to Retail Shop Manager. She is a FNGLA member and is FCHP certified.
She loves all her plants at the nursery, but succulents are plants she
enjoys the most.
Topic: Ann Marie will
give us a demonstration on how to create a charming container of succulents.
She will discuss how to create your own mini-garden of succulents and she
will discuss how to grow, refresh, propagate, and take care of succulents.
Easy to care for and drought-tolerant, succulents come in all kinds of
interesting forms, textures, and colors. She will also have succulents
available for us to purchase.
October 18, 2017
Propagation: Make and Take
Guest Speaker: Gail Rounds and Laurie
Hoot-Capon
Master Gardeners, Co-President JBGC and 2nd
Vice President
Topic: Our own
resident experts will teach us how to propagate. As a special treat, we will
be starting a new plant to take home!
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November 15, 2017
Environmental Issues Impacting Martin County and
Florida
Guest Speaker:
Paul Laura,
Environmentalist.
Paul provides research project support for the
Florida Oceanographic Society and Smithsonian Marine Station to restore the
Indian River Lagoon and St. Lucie River.
Topic: Paul will update us on
the current status of work to reduce the Lake Okeechobee discharges and will
discuss environmental initiatives on solar energy, fracking and liquid
natural gas in Florida.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
December 7, 2017
 
Holiday Luncheon and Meeting
The Dolphin Bar and Shrimp House
1401 NE Indian River Drive, Jensen Beach
(details to be announced)
Join us to celebrate the season with an afternoon of fun, food
and friendship.
Program: Pamela Crawford’s
Container Gardening in Florida
Be inspired and enjoy this informative and fun DVD!
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January 17, 2018
White Fly: Oh my!!
Guest Speaker:
Cindy McKenzie, Ph.D.
Research Entomologist, U S Horticultural Research
Laboratory, ARS-USDA
Topic: Cindy
will discuss the history, importance, and current status of the sweet potato
whitefly as well as numerous exotic whitefly that have recently invaded the
state. Banker plant systems, a type of
biological control will be discussed as well as three other invasive species
of insects that have established in Florida over the past decade and are
causing billions of dollars’ worth of damage and major ecological
disruptions to native ecosystems.
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February
21
The Birds of Florida and How to Attract Them
Guest Speaker: John Nelson
President, Audubon of Martin County, Certified
Florida Master Naturalist
Topic: Florida
has a very diverse population of birds, especially during the late fall,
winter and early spring months. At
least 200 different bird species can be found on the Treasure Coast during
this time, and many of them can be attracted to a well-designed back-yard
bird habitat. Learn about our local
birds while also discovering how to create a backyard bird habitat that will
truly benefit our migrating birds.
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February
28, 2018 Fundraiser
*Blingo Fundraiser*
Jensen Beach Garden Club presents its
2nd Annual Bingo Luncheon and Fundraiser at the
Stuart-Jensen Elks Lodge #1870
1001 S. Kanner Hwy, Stuart, FL
Bring your spouses and friends for a fun-filled
event!
And don’t forget your “Bling”.
Proceeds benefit student scholarships
Tickets $30.00 Time: 10:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Includes lunch and 6 games of bingo with cash prizes!
There will be door prizes, a 50/50 drawing, Raffle Prizes and of course,
BINGO!!!
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March
21, 2018
Use of Caladiums by Homeowners
Guest Speaker:
James D. (Don) Bates
Bates Sons & Daughters,
Family Caladium Bulb Growers Since 1946
Topic:
Topic:
Don will discuss the history of the caladium industry,
caladium use and applications. He will
offer brochures, show samples of different bulb sizes, and will bring
several caladiums in pots.
Following Don’s presentation, we will have bulbs for
sale and instructions for planting at home.
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April
8, 2018
Fundraiser

8th Annual JBGC Plant Sale
1707 NE Indian
River Drive, Jensen Beach
Our annual plant sale will again be held at Indian
Riverside Park. This has become a very popular fundraiser in Jensen Beach.
We have many returning customers that depend on us for advice and a variety
of plants. To make this the best sale ever, please support your club and the
scholarships we provide by donating 6 plants that you lovingly raised for
scholarships for area students.
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April
18, 2018
Small Scale Urban Farming in South Florida
Guest Speaker: Michael Meier
Co-owner, Ground Floor Farm, Stuart FL
Topic: Mike will explore the role of
urban agriculture which can change the food we eat, and he will contrast
small scale farming with large agribusiness and its impact on the
environment. Ground Floor Farm grows vegetables, fruit, and herbs for sale
directly to our local community. Their
agriculture follows small-plot-intensive and permaculture techniques.
They adhere to organic and sustainable practices, focusing
on building rather than depleting soil. They prioritize heirloom, native and ecologically appropriate varieties
of crops.
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