
Standing Committees
Civic Beautification Committee - Chair: Sheryl Vos
This committee oversees the preparing, planting, watering, fertilization and weeding of town gardens. All Civic Beautification participants are requested to help with Spring/Fall cleanup. Scheduling, designing and purchasing plant material is done by each garden Site Chair. Garden assignments, approving billing and overseeing all gardens is coordinated by the Beautification Chairwoman. No participant limit.
Corporation Beach Dory
Site Chair: Patricia Koehler
Dorothy Craft
Joanne Mockler
Mary Raycraft
Chamber of Commerce
Site Chair: Marie Susen
Elizabeth Ching
Bethany Gaita
Mary Ann Politi
Dennis Memorial Library
Site Chair: Barbara Norman
Marlea Hoelzer
Laura Luke
Dennis Port Public Library
Site Chairs:
Nancy J. Wilson
Colleen Baldelli
Jan Kervick
Dennis Port Pocket Park
Site Chair: Colleen Baldelli
Melanie Carlson
Susan Carnathan
Mary Karen Noonan
Kathy Ozella
Patti Sakellis
Peg Sheridan
Nancy J. Wilson
Jacob Sears Library
Site Chair: Bev Petti
Lynn Carlson
Barbara Fitzpatrick
Connie Maney
Karen Smith
Josiah Dennis Manse Interpretive Garden
Site Co-Chair: Mary Raycraft
Jan Ward
Dennis Village Post Office
Site Chair: Mary Rahal
Donna Christensen
Marsha Fredericks
Jean Forte
Mayflower Beach Dory
Site Chair: Nadine Bradshaw
Mary Raycraft
Nancy Torrente
Nobscussett Park
Site Chair: Peggy Lahey
Mary Raycraft
Sheryl Vos
Jan Ward
AWARDS - Chair: Nancy Jamieson
The Chairperson of Awards researches the awards available for the Club from GCFM, New England Regional and National Garden Clubs Inc., and any other applicable sources. This information is shared with our VGCD Committee Chairs who may wish to apply for an award or grant.
DESIGN STUDY - Chairs: Nancy Jamieson & Priscilla Hutchinson
The Design Study Committee holds club workshops to teach members good Floral Design using the Elements and Principles of Design as put forth by the National Garden Club, Inc. The committee will share techniques used to achieve good designs for Home and Shows.
ENVIRONMENT - Chair: Elizabeth Ching
The Environment Committee keeps members informed about significant conservation and environmental issues as well as local,
state and national legislation on environmental concerns. The use of the Grapevine, announcements at General Meetings, as well
as email notifications of upcoming Internet programs, allow a variety of ways of keeping the membership informed.
Committee Members: Mary Karen Noonan
GARDEN THERAPY - Chair: Phyllis Villemaire
Garden Therapy spends time monthly with the residents of South Dennis Health Care creating crafts or garden related projects.
Each committee member is responsible for sourcing craft ideas and projects for a specific month which are preapproved by the Chairperson. At the end of the year committee members plant a garden for the residents.
Committee Members: Susan Carnathan, Patricia Koehler
GRAPEVINE - Chair: Candy Loiselle
The Grapevine is the VGCD newsletter sent to all VGCD members informing them of scheduled activities and noteworthy information pertaining to gardening, nature, all aspects of VGCD and GCFM information and activities.
HORTICULTURE - Chairs: Nancy J. Wilson & Colleen Baldelli
The Horticulture committee, in conjunction with relevant committees is responsible for the planning and organizing of field trips, flower shows, December wreath decorating, horticultural minutes, providing center pieces for the December luncheon and Annual Meeting.
Committee Members: Nancy Jamieson, Barbara Lockhart, Betty Morse, Kathy Ozella, Mary Raycraft
HOSPITALITY - Chair: Phyllis Villemaire
This committee organizes the monthly meeting luncheon refreshments for VGCD members and guests to enjoy. The committee is responsible for proper cleanup and storage of materials.
MEMBERSHIP - Chair: Joanne Mockler
The Membership Committee coordinates the record keeping for the body of all VGCD members. This includes the creation of new and renewal applications. Members will interface with any new applicants regarding their interests and skills following which applicant names will be presented to the Board for approval. Members of the committee will work with the Vice President (who is a de-facto member of the committee) to assign a mentor to each new member. The committee will take attendance at meetings and maintain records in print and electronic spreadsheet form showing all current members and their status. This information will be used by the committee to manage renewals and in conjunction with the Tech Team, make current membership lists available on the VGCD website under the secure section for other committees and club members to utilize. The committee along with the Vice-President, may take on other activities during the year such as a welcome event for new members, training for mentors or membership promotion events as needed.
Committee Members: Melanie Carlson, Lisa Griffin, Maryann Politi
PHOTOGRAPHER - Chair: Sheryl Vos
This VGCD member takes photographs at all VGCD events and works with the website editor to display and archive all photos on the VGCD website.
PLANT SALE - Chair: Marsha Fredericks
The Plant Sale Committee coordinates one of our biggest fundraisers of the year, the annual plant sale. The committee is
responsible for all aspects of the sale including purchasing plants from nurseries, gathering members plants, locating a sale site, obtaining town permits, building a team, assigning tasks, works with various committees (as needed) such as the finance team, treasurer, tech team and publicity to coordinate funding and advertising. Additionally, leads the effort to collect plant accessories and vintage items offered for sale. They are responsible for building a team for the final cleanup and disposal of all site materials at the end of the sale. Lastly, provides the final reporting to include finances and balances of accounts within 30 days of the event.
Committee Members: Colleen Baldelli, Nadine Bradshaw, Lynn Carlson, Dorothy Craft, Enid Crowell, Nancy Jamieson, Jan Kervick, Laura Luke, Joanne Mockler, Mary Karen Noonan, Barbara Norman, Lynda Stamboni, Sheryl Vos, Nancy J Wilson
PROGRAM - Chair: Marjorie Dienhart
This Committee researches and arranges monthly programs for the club. The program may include speakers and other gardening, nature, and environmentally related subjects, along with focuses that support our club mission and budgets. Additionally, committee members review speaker’s presentations and equipment needs either in person or via technology before engaging on behalf of the club. This includes being a liaison with the speaker, coordinating contracts, submitting requests for payment, introducing the speaker/subject at each monthly meeting. Prior to meeting day, all equipment requirements, plus equipment set up plan is in place to ensure high quality programs. Also, collaborates with other VGCD Committees members to assist in planning the December Member Luncheon, VGCD special events (anniversary celebrations) and providing updates to the Grapevine Editor and Tech Team representatives.
Committee Members: Denise Bienfang, Judie DeCarolis, Barbara Drowne, Elaine Fialky, Marlea Hoelzer, Karen Smith
PUBLICITY - Chair: Marie Susen
The Publicity Committee is responsible for managing communications and publicity for notable club events and activities while staying within budget. This includes all forms of written or electronic messaging, internet solutions and/or other avenues of affordable media for promotional purposes. Publicity works with the club photographer and various committees to achieve effective publicity awareness.
Committee Members: Donna Garrabrant, Candy Loiselle, Mary Karen Noonan
SCHOLARSHIP / COMMUNITY OUTREACH - Chair: Mary Rahal
This committee works with local schools and organizations to provide scholarships, tool-ships and grants to residents living on Cape Cod. Working with high school guidance counselors, the committee identifies students who plan to pursue careers in fields that support the mission of the VGCD such as horticulture, landscaping design, environmental science, botany, forestry and other related fields. The committee will meet to review applications and award college scholarships and tool-ships to students to help them meet their career goals. In addition, this group may offer grants and advice to Cape Cod schools and other community organizations to help these organizations create and promote gardens and greens spaces in our town.
Committee Members: Donna Christensen, Laura Luke
TECHNOLOGY - Chairs: Candy Loiselle & Jan Ward
This Committee is responsible for audio and video setup at each monthly meeting in conjunction with the Program Committee. Committee members manage and update the VGCD Facebook Page and website. Club laptop administration, including software updates, antivirus and hardware support, are managed by this team. This committee also works on creating media for all VGCD events such as the plant sale, open meeting and other special events in conjunction with the publicity team.
YEARBOOK - Chair: Elizabeth Ching
Based on current input from all committees, the yearbook committee creates the yearly VGCD yearbook, coordinates printing with detail to cost and distribution. Committee chairs must submit edits or new material to the yearbook Chair as scheduled to guarantee on-time publication. Yearbook draft(s) must be proofread by committee Chairs before going to print. In addition, committee Chairs must provide these changes to the Technology and Publicity teams to ensure all media is in synch.


Hospitality Schedule

Co-Chairs: Phyllis Villemaire
September Chair - TBD
Tea Table— TBD
Susan Carnathan, Elizabeth Ching, Priscilla Cronin, Barbara Drowne, Mary Karen Noonon, Patti Sakellis, Peg Sheridan, Sheryl Vos
October Chair - TBD
Tea Table— TBD
Dorothy Craft, Elaine Fialky, Jean Forte, Jan Kervick, Peggy Lahey, Candy Loiselle, Connie Maney, Mary Rahal
November Chairs - TBD
Tea Table—TBD
Barbara Fitzpatrick, Marlea Hoelzer, Marion Marino, Mary Karen Noonan, Beverly Petti, Maryann Politi, Nancy Wilson
January Chairs - TBD
Tea Table - TBD
Melanie Carlson, Marjorie Dienhart, Priscilla Hutchinson, Barbara Norman, Kathy Ozella, Marie Susen, Jan Ward
February Chairs - TBD
Tea Table - TBD
Lisa Griffin, Lynn Carlson, Teedy Farrell, Joanne Mockler, Lynda Stamboni
March Chair - TBD
Tea Table— TBD
Judie DeCarolis, Nancy Jamieson, Betty Morse, Mary Raycraft
April Chair - TBD
Tea Table - TBD
Nadine Bradshaw, Enid Crowell, Susan Foley, Marsha Fredericks, Pat Koehler, Barbara Lockhart
May Chairs - TBD
Tea Table— TBD
Colleen Baldelli, Denise Bienfang, Laura Luke, Karen Smith
