Members of the LOW Garden Club support the natural resources of Lake of the Woods in Locust Grove, VA.  They share an interest in furthering scientific knowledge of gardening and horticulture and many want to learn
the artistry of flower design!

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Calendar of Events

Monday, June 23rd--9 AM Field Trip!  A field trip tour of the Rappahannock Education Farm (REF) is scheduled for LOW Garden Club members.  Meet at the lower Clubhouse parking lot to receive directions or carpool.  For more information, read the related article on this page. FYI this is the NEW date for this event as it had to be postponed from the 16th because of all the mud and puddling from recent rains.

Monday, July 14th--7 PM Tea Workshop hosted by Donna Chernowetz.  Community Center $15 per person.  Come learn about different types of tea, brewing and tasting!

Monday, August 11th--The Club's Annual Potluck Picnic.  Be sure to sign up.  Details to follow.

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General meetings are held at 1 PM on the second Monday of each month in the clubhouse unless noted otherwise.
Board meetings are held on the fourth Monday of each month unless noted otherwise.

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Katherine Slagle (L) and LOW Garden Club President, Jeanne Allen at OCHS Scholarship Night

LOW Garden Club Awards Its Annual Scholarship

By Jeanne Allen
On May 14, the Garden Club participated in the annual Scholarship Night at Orange County High School and presented a $1,000 scholarship to a graduating senior who are continuing their education in a horticulture-related field. 

The deserving student chosen this year is Katherine (Kate) Slagle.  Kate is currently Vice President of the National Honor Society and also a member of Future Farmers of America (FFA).  She is attending Virginia Tech University in the fall with a major in Wildlife Conservation to study ecology and population dynamics to help find solutions to a healthy ecosystem.  She hopes to work as a national park ranger or as a biologist in Virginia’s waterways.  

She is also planning a July mission trip to Abington, VA, to participate in the Hurricane Helene response by helping rebuild structures and distribute food and has also actively participated in establishing food and clothing drives for the homeless.

Kate represents the future of horticulture in a changing world, and we are delighted to have a small part in her education.  We hope that she can join us for a future Garden Club meeting and tell us more about her studies and her plans.  It is always gratifying to acknowledge the achievements of Orange County’s young people, confident that our future is in capable hands.  We wish Kate only the best on her journey.

Next General Membership  Meeting:

Monday, August 11th
Potluck Picnic!

Food Pantry Items to Bring:
salt, pepper and spices

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NEW DATE!!
~Growing And Giving~
A Field Trip That Will Teach
How We Can Do Both

A field trip tour of the Rappahannock Education Farm (REF) has been re-scheduled for LOW Garden Club members .  It will now take place on Monday, June 23rd, leaving from the lower Clubhouse parking lot at 9 AM.  This event was postponed due to the puddling and mud caused by all the recent rain.

Richard Larochelle will be presenting information about REF and its mission and provide instruction for growing a successful produce garden!

REF is a volunteer based, non-profit Fredericksburg-area farm committed to reducing food insecurity by donating what they grow to the Food Bank and local food pantries.  

REF volunteers grow fresh produce for the benefit of lower income residents, provide agricultural education, and encourage volunteers throughout the community to join in their mission.  All interested in seeing this wonderful farm should meet at the lower level parking lot by 9:00 a.m. on Monday, June 16, to receive directions and/or carpool with others.

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Garden Tour Spotlights Spectacular LOW Gardens!

The LOW Garden Club held its 2025 Garden Tour on Saturday, June 7th and enjoyed both outstanding weather and attendance netting the Club over $1900 on this important fundraiser. 

Many thanks to each of the homeowners who so graciously opened their gardens to our members and the public for this event.  We deeply appreciate all the time and effort you put into making your garden look so lovely and we truly appreciate it. 

Photos by Mariana Choncha

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LOW Garden Club
2025-2027 Officers

President - Jeanne Allen
Vice President - Christine Bregar
Programs -Janet Stockman, Renee Hochenberger and Susan Petty-Bailer
Recording Secretary - Deborah Baird
Corresponding Secretary -
                         Shellee Williams
Treasurer - Rita Bowles
Assistant Treasurer - Judy Flynn            
Parliamentarian - Jan Davis
Nominating Committee -Gaylen Smoak
Ex-Officio President - Debbie Hein
                     
The Board meets on the 4th Monday at 10 am in the Community Center.  All members are welcome to attend.

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LOW Garden Club Installs New
Officers for 2025-2027 Term

Val Story, installs new LOW Garden Club President, Jeanne Allen at the May 12, 2025 installation.

Shelley Williams presents Debbie Hein with flowers from the Club in appreciation for her three years service as our president.

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The LOW Garden Club is a member of the National Garden Clubs, Inc., South Atlantic Region and
The Virginia Federation of Garden Clubs, Shenandoah District