Book Talk: The Trees are Speaking
2025-09-25 18:30 - 20:30 (America/New_York) | Acton Town Hall, Room 204, 472 Main St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Book Talk: The Trees are Speaking

Acton Town Hall, Room 204
The Acton Garden Club is pleased to announce The Shirley Towle lecture will take place on Thursday evening Sept 25th at Acton Town Hall, Room 204 from 6:30pm-8:30pm
Lynda Mapes, journalist, nature writer, and author based in Seattle, will discuss topics from her new book, “The Trees Are Speaking”. Lynda is the author of six books of natural and cultural history of the Pacific Northwest. She has been awarded the Washington State Book Award, the National Outdoor Book Award, and twice been honored with the international Kavli Gold Award for Science Writing by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, one of the world’s most prestigious science writing awards. In 2025, Lynda was named a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in local reporting with a team of journalists at the Seattle Times, where she has specialized in covering environmental news, nature and Native cultures and governments for 27 years.
Schedule:
6:30pm Refreshments/Book Signing
7pm Presentation
There will be door prizes after the presentation.
This lecture is sponsored by the Acton Garden Club in its third year of collaboration with Acton Conservation Trust and Energize Acton. Silver Unicorn Bookstore in Acton is also a co-sponsor.
if you would like to read the book prior to the event, it is available at the The Silver Unicorn Bookstore Lynda will be happy to sign books purchased in advance. Books will also be available for purchase at the event.
Please register if you plan to attend. A zoom link will be emailed to people who register and would like to attend virtually. Register here: Book Talk: The Trees are Speaking

Oktoberfest
2025-09-27 10:00 - 15:00 | Gardner Playground, acton, ma, Gardner field, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
The Club will have an exhibit and will sell spring flowering bulbs.
Location: Gardner Playground, West Acton

Board Meeting
2025-09-30 09:00 - 12:00
Location: Home of Jodi MacDonald
Refreshments: Eileen Ryan

All About Cranberries with Deb Kanady, Cranberry Tour Guide
2025-10-07 10:30 - 12:00 | Acton Town Hall, Room 204, 472 Main St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
We won’t travel to Cape Cod for a tour, but this is the next best thing. How are cranberries grown and harvested? What makes them such a special New England crop?
Deb Kanady is a retired cancer center mental health counselor and researcher who moved to South Plymouth and lives in the cranberry bogs. She is a trained cranberry tour guide for Cape Cod Cranberry Growers Association and several local farms and an avid birder and trekker. We look forward to learning about about cranberries!
October 7, 2025
Acton Town Hall, Room 204, and Zoom
Social Time 9:00 am
Acton’s Looking Good Winners 9:30 am
Business Meeting 9:45 am
Program 10:30 am
Light Refreshments • Bring your own beverage
Hostess
Kara Osselmann
Committee
Melissa Coucke • Susan Harrigan • Janet Irons • Mary Nadwairski

Horticulture Study Group
2025-10-14 09:00 - 12:00
Horticulture Study Group
Hypertufa Workshop
Program Leaders: Anne Sterling and Janet Irons
Location: Home of Susanne Fuller
Refreshments: Noreen Rowe

Business Meeting (Members Only)
2025-10-20 09:00 - 10:30 | St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 435 Central St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Hostess : Lora Maloney
Committee : Nancy Dickinson • Shalini Lobo • Joy Madden • Lori Weissberg
St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church (no Zoom)
Social Time 9:00 am
Business Meeting 9:30 am
Light Refreshments • Bring your own beverage

Floral Design Study Group
2025-10-21 09:00 - 12:00 | St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 435 Central St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Floral Design Study Group
“Envision” – Peaceful Underwater Design
Leaders: Cathy Fochtman and Thelma Shoneman
Location: St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church
We’ll imagine a leafy paradise by arranging manipulated foliage in an underwater design. Glass vase and plant material provided. Bring floral shears, wire cutters and tool box.
Cost $25.

Board Meeting
2025-10-28 09:00 - 12:00
Board Meeting
Location: Home of Janet Irons
Refreshments: Fran Hearn

Business Meeting (Members Only)
2025-11-04 09:00 - 10:30 | Acton Town Hall, Room 204, 472 Main St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Hostess
Dia Chigas
Committee
Kelly Clayton • Tanaz Hashemi • Mary Hurley-O’Neil • Diane Williams
November 4, 2025
Acton Town Hall, Room 204, and Zoom
Social Time 9:00 am
Business Meeting 9:30 am
Program 10:30 am
Light Refreshments • Bring your own beverage

Marvelous Mushrooms with Elizabeth Almeida
2025-11-04 10:30 - 12:00 | Acton Town Hall, Room 204, 472 Main St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Speaker Elizabeth Almeida, Fat Moon Farm founder

Topic Marvelous Mushrooms
Description Farmer Elizabeth will share her mycological expertise with us. In this program, we will learn more about this fascinating food and the important role it plays in our diet, our environment, and the economy.
Social Time 9:00 am
Business Meeting 9:30 am
Program 10:30 am
Light Refreshments • Bring your own beverage
Hostess: Dia Chigas
Committee:
Kelly Clayton • Tanaz Hashemi • Mary Hurley-O’Neil • Diane Williams

Horticulture Study Group
2025-11-11 09:00 - 12:00 | Public Safety Building, 371 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Horticulture Study Group
Plant Mutations
Program Leader: Derek Lowe
Refreshments: Anne Sterling

What is Horticulture?
Horticulture is the science and art of growing plants for human consumption or enjoyment. It can be divided into several sub-disciplines. Environmental horticulture deals with the production of plants for indoor and outdoor ornamental use. It can be further divided into:
Landscape horticulture – the design, installation, and maintenance of both outdoor and indoor environments.
Public horticulture – public gardens, parks, arboreta, and athletic facilities open to all.
Horticultural therapy – the use of plants to improve the condition of people with physical, intellectual or emotional disabilities.
Floriculture addresses field or greenhouse plants grown for their flowers or showy leaves.
Olericulture deals with growing vegetables and herbs.
Pomology is the branch of horticulture associated with fruit and tree nut production.
Home horticulture is gardening usually done by nonprofessionals. It is the most popular hobby in the United States with a commercial value of over $75 billion in 2023.

Board Meeting
2025-11-18 09:00 - 12:00
Location: Home of Heather Makris
Refreshments: Linda O’Neil

Members Only - Holiday Greens Workshop
2025-12-02 10:30 - 12:00 | St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 435 Central St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Holiday Greens Workshop
Candlestick or Swag
with Cathy Fochtman and Thelma Shoneman
Bring your favorite taper candle holder and we’ll provide an O’dapter to insert a small round of floral foam to elevate and arrange your greens.
Alternate option is a rectangular cage for a swag. Bring your pruners and a selection of greens. If you have extra greens, please bring them to share.
Cost $10.
sSocial Time 9:00 am
Business Meeting 10:00 am
Holiday Greens Workshop 10:30 am
Luncheon 12:00 pm
Hostesses
Light Lunch provided by the Executive Board

Business Meeting (Members Only)
2025-12-09 09:00 - 10:30 | St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 435 Central St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Social Time 9:00 am
Business Meeting 10:00 am
Holiday Greens Workshop 10:30 am
Luncheon 12:00 pm
Hostesses : Light Lunch provided by the Executive Board
Matthew’s United Methodist Church

Horticulture Study Group
2026-01-13 09:00 - 12:00 | Public Safety Building, 371 Main Street, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Annual Planning Meeting
Gardening Book and Magazine Swap
Leader: Susanne Fuller
Location: Public Safety Building
371 Main Sreet
Refreshments: Barbara Wissell

Floral Design Study Group
2026-01-20 09:00 - 12:00 | St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 435 Central St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
“Envision” – Horizontal Design
Leaders: Cathy Fochtman and Thelma Shoneman
Location: St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church
Let’s go WIDE with our study of traditional horizontal line design.
Bring pruners, wire cutters
and toolbox. Cost $25

Board Meeting
2026-01-27 09:00 - 12:00
Location: Home of Cathy Fochtman
Refreshments: Anne Sterling

Financial Reports Due
2026-01-31

Business Meeting (Members Only)
2026-02-03 09:00 - 10:30 | Acton Town Hall, Room 204, 472 Main St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Hostess
Sandra Mika
Committee
Rosie Latto • Marilyn Mudry • Eloise Newell • Sherry Ryder
Acton Town Hall, Room 204, and Zoom
Social Time 9:00 am
Business Meeting 9:30 am
Light Refreshments • Bring your own beverage

Invasive Plants: Techniques you don’t know + how to fight them with native plants
2026-02-03 10:30 - 12:00 | Acton Town Hall, Room 204, 472 Main St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Date Feb 3, 2026 10:30am
Location Acton Town Hall Room 204
Speaker Lisey Good, Wild Cohasset founder
Topic Invasive Plants: Techniques you don’t know + how to fight them with native plants
Description Lisey will discuss the major issue of invasive plant species in our area, how to identify them, and why and how we should combat them involving the restoration of appropriate native plant species.
Invasive plants range from a minor nuisance to a dire threat to endangered species and entire forests. How to tell the difference? And what are the best ways to identify and remove the plants that can do the greatest harm? This program will help gardeners identify common invasive plants in Massachusetts and will teach them how to deal with the very worst offenders. It will include new techniques developed abroad– and even some “passive” methods that use native plants to fight the battle.
Lisey Good is the founder of Massachusetts-based environmental group Wild Cohasset, which works to support the native plants of New England and to help all the wildlife that depend upon these plants for survival. A frequent lecturer on issues related to biodiversity and wildlife, Lisey was formerly the on-air interior designer for the Emmy Award winning television program This Old House. Today, she works in marketing, PR and fundraising for animal welfare organizations such as Second Chance Animal Services.
Lisey will discuss the major issue of invasive plant species in our area, how to identify them, and why and how we should combat them involving the restoration of appropriate native plant species.

Social Time 9:00 am
Business Meeting 9:30 am
Program 10:30 am
Light Refreshments • Bring your own beverage
Hostess : Sandra Mika
Committee: Rosie Latto • Marilyn Mudry • Eloise Newell • Sherry Ryder

Horticulture Study Group
2026-02-10 09:00 - 12:00
Spring Ephemerals
Program Leader: Cathy Fochtman
Location: Home of Heather Makris
Refreshments: Tanaz Hashemi

Board Meeting
2026-02-24 09:00 - 12:00
Location: Home of Susanne Fuller
Refreshments: Janet Irons

Annual Reports Due
2026-02-28
Annual Reports Due
Making Gardening Easier as We Age
Judy Dembsey shared strategies on how to ease gardening for our aging bodies. Those pesky knees and backs can make gardening a challenge, so tips to make it easier are greatly appreciated. C Cutting back on maintenance is the top priority. We all love our variety of flowers and plants, but they require a lot of work. Avoid digging, planting, or pruning for long periods of time. Take frequent breaks and hydrate while working. Weed the garden after a rainfall, as moist soil makes it easier to pull weeds. Scale back your gardening work with fewer flowering plants. Substitute bushes for flowers since they do not require deadheading or as much pruning. Perfection is not required. Learn to live with a few weeds or less than manicured bushes or lawn. When maintaining your garden gets overwhelming, hiring outside help might be the answer.

Business Meeting (Members Only)
2026-03-03 09:00 - 10:30
Hostess
Sunni Raney
Committee
Allison Bakow • Amy Leffler • Mary Martyak • Stephanie Reid
Acton Town Hall, Room 204 (no Zoom)
Social Time 9:00 am
Business Meeting 9:30 am
Light Refreshments • Bring your own beverage

Beauty on the Wing | Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly
2026-03-03 10:30 - 12:00 | Acton Town Hall, Room 204, 472 Main St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
Date Mar 3, 2026 10:30am
Location Acton Town Hall Room 204
Speaker Kim Smith, Documentary Filmmaker
Topic Beauty on the Wing | Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly
Description Experience the inspirational story of a magnificent species found in our own backyards! Kim will present her award-winning movie filmed along the shores of Cape Ann and in the heart of Mexico’s forested volcanic mountains. Every stage of the butterfly’s life cycle is experienced in vibrant close-up, from egg to caterpillar to adult and set to the background of sea and forest, sun and wind. Movie runtime is 56 minutes followed by Q&A.
Kim Smith is a documentary filmmaker, wildlife conservationist, lecturer, photojournalist, author, illustrator, and an award-winning landscape designer.
Kim’s first film in the threatened species film trilogy, Beauty on the Wing: Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly, is a narrated documentary that premiered in August 2020. Since its premier, Beauty on the Wing has received a number of honors and awards at environmental and children’s film festivals.
The Piping Plovers of Moonlight Bay, the second film in the trilogy, is a feature-length documentary that premiered in September 2024. At the time of this writing, the documentary has been accepted at twenty-two film festivals and received numerous awards.
One of the greatest hopes for our nature documentaries is that they are inspirational and educational to both adults and children and we are delighted that the films are finding their audiences.
Kim was recently interviewed by the BBC and PBS for her work in documenting the Monarch Butterflies. She worked with the show’s producers in writing and creating the story, providing film footage from her film Beauty on the Wing: Life Story of the Monarch Butterfly for the BBC produced show “Autumnwatch: New England.”
Acton Town Hall, Room 204 (no Zoom)
Social Time 9:00 am
Business Meeting 9:30 am
Program 10:30 am
Light Refreshments • Bring your own beverage
Hostess: Sunni Raney
Committee: Allison Bakow • Amy Leffler • Mary Martyak • Stephanie Reid

Horticulture Study Group
2026-03-10 09:00 - 17:00
Flowers and Seeds
Program Leader: Helen Webster
Location: Home of Helen Webster
Refreshments: Janet Irons

Large Horticulture Projects Undertaken by The Club for the Town
Over the years, the Club has undertaken several large horticulture projects. In 1938 the Club worked with the Town to improve the landscaping at the new High School (now apartments in the old
McCarthy Towne School). In the early 60s the Club was asked to revitalize Meeting House Hill with a garden plan and plantings. This was a twofold project involving a wildflower garden and the
beautification of the hill facing Main Street with trees and daffodils. In 1984 for the Club’s 50th anniversary, the Oval Garden was designed and installed in front of Town Hall. For our 90th anniversary last year, the Oval Garden was revitalized with a new design, a fountain and new plantings. Every year planters in West Acton, Acton Center and the fire/police station are filled with seasonal flowers to beautify the Town.

Floral Design Study Group
2026-03-17 09:00 - 12:00 | St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church, 435 Central St, Acton, MA, 01720, United States
“Envision” – Parallel Design
Leaders: Cathy Fochtman and Thelma Shoneman
Location: St. Matthew’s United Methodist Church
We’ll celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with a distinctive parallel design. Good things are worth repeating!
All components will be provided. Bring floral shears, wire cutters and toolbox. Cost $25.

Board Meeting
2026-03-31 09:00 - 12:00
Location: Home of Helen Webster
Refreshments: Karen Martin

Business Meeting (Members Only)
2026-04-07 09:00 - 10:00
Just a friendly reminder that tomorrow’s schedule starts at 9:30 @ Wedgwood Pines Country Club 215 Harvard Rd Stow.
Heather and Jessica

Hostesses
Jessica Chase and Heather Makris
April 7, 2026 – Wedgwood Pines Country Club 215 Harvard Rd Stow
Coffee and Conversation 9:30 am
Monthly Business Meeting 9:45 am

Members Only - The Annual Meeting and Luncheon
2026-04-07 10:00 - 12:00
April 7, 2026
Location to be announced
Coffee and Conversation 9:30 am
Monthly Business Meeting 9:45 am
followed by the Annual Meeting 10:00 am
Friendship Hour 11:00 am
Luncheon 12:00 noon
Hostesses
Jessica Chase and Heather Makris
