Club Events
HWGC provides year-round programs exclusively for members, as well as events that are open the public.
Wednesday, September 17th, 6:30 pm
Wenham Museum, Burnham Hall, 132 Main Street | Members Only
ANNUAL WELCOME BACK CELEBRATION AND POTLUCK
All members - new, and not so new - are welcome at our Annual Potluck Celebration. It’s a time to share our summer stories along with looking forward to the 2025-2026 club year! Meet old friends and make some new ones as we gather at Burnham Hall to share a wonderful meal.
Potluck Dish – Exciting news! We are trying a new system for the potluck, where YOU get to choose what you’d like to bring! We will still ask for Appetizer, Main Dish, Salad or Cold Plate, and Dessert, utilizing a program called “Perfect Potluck”. We hope this is the start of a great new tradition! Check your email and the newsletter for all the details!
Please note: All dishes must be ready to serve. Beverages will be provided. Please bring your own dinnerware, glass, and utensils - make it fun and show off your style.
Wednesday, October 15th, 7 pm
Miles River Middle School | Open to the Public
PAINT NIGHT
Cost: $20 for non-members; $10 for members
Enjoy an evening of hands-on fun, whether you are an accomplished artist or beginner! Instructor Lisa Doucett will provide step-by-step instructions along with an image to guide each artist. Individual easels, 11” x 14” canvas and a variety of paints and brushes will be provided. Take home your finished masterpiece! Lisa has been formally trained in drawing, painting, ceramics and enameling. As a recent retiree, she loves bringing the joy of painting to others.
Wednesday, November 19th, 7 pm
Miles River Middle School | Open to the Public, $10 Donation Suggested
THE MONARCH GARDENER
Katie Banks Hone, aka The Monarch Gardener, runs a small native plant nursery and farm stand in the spring and summer. Year-round Katie brings her knowledge and wonder of the monarch butterfly to community groups in the form of lectures and classes. Katie will present "Sustaining the Monarch, One Yard at a Time," covering monarch biology, conservation and gardening for pollinators. After the lecture we will have the opportunity to make seed balls. Seed balls are hardened clay and compost embedded with native milkweed and perennial seeds. Members are encouraged to bring their children, grandchildren, or any other friends or family who may enjoy this presentation and activity.
Wednesday, December 10th, 7 pm
Miles River Middle School | Members Only
SEASONAL GREENS WORKSHOP
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! This is an event you won’t want to miss. Join us for an evening of decorating wreaths, boxwood trees and beautiful centerpieces. The greens, containers, ribbons and a variety of decorative ornaments will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own as well. We suggest bringing clippers and gloves. This program requires advance sign-up on Eventbrite.com and pre-payment, so keep an eye on the November/December newsletter for more details.
Wednesday, January 28th, 7 pm
via Zoom | Members & guests please register in advance on Eventbrite.com
Open to the Public
SEED SAVING
Gretel Anspach is a Trustee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, a Lifetime Master Gardener with the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association. During her presentation she will talk about the reasons for saving your own seeds and learn some of the basic techniques for ensuring genetic purity. She will include discussions about the home garden plants from which seeds can be easily saved and stored for future use.
February
Time, Date, & Location TBD | Members Only
Check the newsletter and Facebook pages for more information.
COMPOST HAPPENS
Todd Breitenstein is passionate about inspiring and educating on the connections between plants and the microorganisms and fungi present in soil that lead to healthier, more robust plants. In his lecture, "Compost Happens" Todd will cover the essentials of home composting including designing composting set ups, using worms, compost tea, troubleshooting and a few tips and tricks to make your efforts efficient and rewarding.
Wednesday, March 18th, 7 pm
Miles River Middle School | Open to the Public, $10 Donation Suggested
INTRO TO HERBALISM
Artemisia Botanicals, a leading herb retailer in Salem, MA, will explore the basic fundamentals of herbalism and how to incorporate healing herbs into your daily life. Participants learn how to choose/store medicinal plants and discover the art of creating simple teas, extracts, oils and balms while sampling various herbal products. Come and learn what the plants can do for you and how fun, easy and economical creating home remedies can be! Participants will take home a handout and an herbal remedy made in class.
Wednesday, April 15th, 7 pm
Burnham Hall, Wenham Museum | Members Plus One (Ages 10+)
Cost: $10 per member; $15 per non-member
DIY BOUQUET BAR
Join us for a relaxed, social-style gathering where attendees can create their own bouquets using a variety of blooms and greenery. The focus will be on creative exploration and enjoyment, and we hope it will appeal to both seasoned designers and those who just like to have a little pop of floral beauty around the house. Flowers and greens will be provided. We will have a limited selection of mason jar containers to use, or you can bring your own. We suggest bringing clippers and gloves. Club member and master designer Nancy Donaldson, along with Abby Sarabia, will present Floral Toolbox: A Designer’s Guide to Tools, Storage, and Organization. In addition, several of our club’s accredited designers will share their favorite tips and tricks to elevate your floral design skills. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from some of our most talented members! This program requires advance sign-up on Eventbrite.com and pre-payment, so watch out for the March/April newsletter for more details.
Saturday, May 9, 8am-12pm, (Rain or Shine)
Hamilton COA | Open to the Public
PLANT SALE
299 Bay Road, Hamilton, MA
This is the Garden Club's annual fundraiser which supports many of the programs we offer
throughout the year
Wednesday, May 20th, 7 pm
Miles River Middle School | Members Only
ANNUAL MEETING AND PLANT, SEED & CONTAINER SWAP
The President will provide a yearly recap and the Treasurer will review the Club’s fiscal health. Bring one, take one! You are welcome to bring a plants, seeds or containers to share. Anything leftover will be available to all for the taking.
Wednesday, June 17th 6:30 pm
Location TBD | Members Only
JUNE CELEBRATION
This is the celebration when awards are given to some of our members for their participation in the Club’s Design and Horticulture competitions and also to some of those members who participated in outside standard flower shows (such as the Topsfield Flower Show). You will also hear about potential in-house garden tours. This has proven to be a special evening for fun conversation and a delicious meal. Watch for details and sign-up information in the May/June newsletter.
Wenham Museum, Burnham Hall, 132 Main Street | Members Only
ANNUAL WELCOME BACK CELEBRATION AND POTLUCK
All members - new, and not so new - are welcome at our Annual Potluck Celebration. It’s a time to share our summer stories along with looking forward to the 2025-2026 club year! Meet old friends and make some new ones as we gather at Burnham Hall to share a wonderful meal.
Potluck Dish – Exciting news! We are trying a new system for the potluck, where YOU get to choose what you’d like to bring! We will still ask for Appetizer, Main Dish, Salad or Cold Plate, and Dessert, utilizing a program called “Perfect Potluck”. We hope this is the start of a great new tradition! Check your email and the newsletter for all the details!
Please note: All dishes must be ready to serve. Beverages will be provided. Please bring your own dinnerware, glass, and utensils - make it fun and show off your style.
Wednesday, October 15th, 7 pm
Miles River Middle School | Open to the Public
PAINT NIGHT
Cost: $20 for non-members; $10 for members
Enjoy an evening of hands-on fun, whether you are an accomplished artist or beginner! Instructor Lisa Doucett will provide step-by-step instructions along with an image to guide each artist. Individual easels, 11” x 14” canvas and a variety of paints and brushes will be provided. Take home your finished masterpiece! Lisa has been formally trained in drawing, painting, ceramics and enameling. As a recent retiree, she loves bringing the joy of painting to others.
Wednesday, November 19th, 7 pm
Miles River Middle School | Open to the Public, $10 Donation Suggested
THE MONARCH GARDENER
Katie Banks Hone, aka The Monarch Gardener, runs a small native plant nursery and farm stand in the spring and summer. Year-round Katie brings her knowledge and wonder of the monarch butterfly to community groups in the form of lectures and classes. Katie will present "Sustaining the Monarch, One Yard at a Time," covering monarch biology, conservation and gardening for pollinators. After the lecture we will have the opportunity to make seed balls. Seed balls are hardened clay and compost embedded with native milkweed and perennial seeds. Members are encouraged to bring their children, grandchildren, or any other friends or family who may enjoy this presentation and activity.
Wednesday, December 10th, 7 pm
Miles River Middle School | Members Only
SEASONAL GREENS WORKSHOP
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! This is an event you won’t want to miss. Join us for an evening of decorating wreaths, boxwood trees and beautiful centerpieces. The greens, containers, ribbons and a variety of decorative ornaments will be provided, but please feel free to bring your own as well. We suggest bringing clippers and gloves. This program requires advance sign-up on Eventbrite.com and pre-payment, so keep an eye on the November/December newsletter for more details.
Wednesday, January 28th, 7 pm
via Zoom | Members & guests please register in advance on Eventbrite.com
Open to the Public
SEED SAVING
Gretel Anspach is a Trustee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society, a Lifetime Master Gardener with the Massachusetts Master Gardener Association. During her presentation she will talk about the reasons for saving your own seeds and learn some of the basic techniques for ensuring genetic purity. She will include discussions about the home garden plants from which seeds can be easily saved and stored for future use.
February
Time, Date, & Location TBD | Members Only
Check the newsletter and Facebook pages for more information.
COMPOST HAPPENS
Todd Breitenstein is passionate about inspiring and educating on the connections between plants and the microorganisms and fungi present in soil that lead to healthier, more robust plants. In his lecture, "Compost Happens" Todd will cover the essentials of home composting including designing composting set ups, using worms, compost tea, troubleshooting and a few tips and tricks to make your efforts efficient and rewarding.
Wednesday, March 18th, 7 pm
Miles River Middle School | Open to the Public, $10 Donation Suggested
INTRO TO HERBALISM
Artemisia Botanicals, a leading herb retailer in Salem, MA, will explore the basic fundamentals of herbalism and how to incorporate healing herbs into your daily life. Participants learn how to choose/store medicinal plants and discover the art of creating simple teas, extracts, oils and balms while sampling various herbal products. Come and learn what the plants can do for you and how fun, easy and economical creating home remedies can be! Participants will take home a handout and an herbal remedy made in class.
Wednesday, April 15th, 7 pm
Burnham Hall, Wenham Museum | Members Plus One (Ages 10+)
Cost: $10 per member; $15 per non-member
DIY BOUQUET BAR
Join us for a relaxed, social-style gathering where attendees can create their own bouquets using a variety of blooms and greenery. The focus will be on creative exploration and enjoyment, and we hope it will appeal to both seasoned designers and those who just like to have a little pop of floral beauty around the house. Flowers and greens will be provided. We will have a limited selection of mason jar containers to use, or you can bring your own. We suggest bringing clippers and gloves. Club member and master designer Nancy Donaldson, along with Abby Sarabia, will present Floral Toolbox: A Designer’s Guide to Tools, Storage, and Organization. In addition, several of our club’s accredited designers will share their favorite tips and tricks to elevate your floral design skills. Don’t miss this opportunity to learn from some of our most talented members! This program requires advance sign-up on Eventbrite.com and pre-payment, so watch out for the March/April newsletter for more details.
Saturday, May 9, 8am-12pm, (Rain or Shine)
Hamilton COA | Open to the Public
PLANT SALE
299 Bay Road, Hamilton, MA
This is the Garden Club's annual fundraiser which supports many of the programs we offer
throughout the year
Wednesday, May 20th, 7 pm
Miles River Middle School | Members Only
ANNUAL MEETING AND PLANT, SEED & CONTAINER SWAP
The President will provide a yearly recap and the Treasurer will review the Club’s fiscal health. Bring one, take one! You are welcome to bring a plants, seeds or containers to share. Anything leftover will be available to all for the taking.
Wednesday, June 17th 6:30 pm
Location TBD | Members Only
JUNE CELEBRATION
This is the celebration when awards are given to some of our members for their participation in the Club’s Design and Horticulture competitions and also to some of those members who participated in outside standard flower shows (such as the Topsfield Flower Show). You will also hear about potential in-house garden tours. This has proven to be a special evening for fun conversation and a delicious meal. Watch for details and sign-up information in the May/June newsletter.