LAGC Meeting Notes - March 24, 2026

President Nancy Madeoy welcomed LACG members to the March meeting with the question of what’s blooming in our gardens. Members answered with spring flowers of daffodils, hellebores, hyacinths and forsythia.

Nancy reminded members that LAGC will need all new officers for next year. Please consider becoming the president, vice-president, treasurer or recording secretary. We thank Dianne Machesney for agreeing to fill the position of Publicity Chair which Claudia is vacating.

Our president, Nancy Madeoy, speaking at March meeting

We continue to have issues with the projector that Northmont provides for our programs. A suggestion was made that LAGC should purchase our own projector. Dianne researched some options for us to purchase within the $300 to 600 price range. After a discussion of the issues and options, the club took a vote and agreed that a new projector should be purchased. Evan will order a new projector within the researched amount. All agreed that the projector should be brought to each meeting and taken home after the meeting. It will not be stored at the church.

Dianne Machesney posing for a photo while members arrive

The Penn State 30th Annual Garden and Landscape Symposium and Garden Marketplace will be held on Saturday, April 25th at the Hampton Community Center. LAGC member and PSMG Bill Goff will be the 1st speaker at the event. This year it’s free to attend the speaker presentations. As usual there will be plenty of vendors selling a variety of plants and gardening supplies. Please see your e-mail from Claudia for the flyer with all the details.

Mary Anne Kurtz talked about the upcoming tour of Waste Management and lunch at Carmody’s Grille. She is collecting RSVP’s. Let her know if you want to attend the tour. She will send an e-mail with all the details once the date and time have been confirmed.

The 2026 LAGC Perennial Plant Sale is scheduled for May 16th. Our Plant Sale Coordinator, Mary Anne Kurtz talked about the plant sale.

• Plant sale tags were available for members to take. Please be sure to mark the top of the tag with the symbol of the light requirements for your plants and follow the handout which was compiled by Mary Anne and Andrea. We identified a few changes to the handout. Mary Anne will e-mail a revised copy with those changes.
• Asian Jumping Worms are still a concern, so it’s suggested that plants be potted in potting soil instead of garden soil.
• Publicity is important for a successful sale. Paper reminders were distributed to all members to hand to family and friends. When you see the post on Facebook, please share it with your friends.
• The signup sheet was circulated for members to volunteer for specific jobs at the plant sale. Please sign up at the April meeting if you didn’t already get the chance.
• Please bring as many plants as you can. The more plants we have then the more we have available to sell.
• Wear your blue T-shirt.
• Bring your gently used plant and garden items for the FREE table.
• You may bring your plants to Northmont on Friday night before the sale at 7:30pm.
• We will have specialty bearded irises available for sale. Larry Grundler offered them to LAGC at $1.00 per rhizome. Denny and Linda purchased about 100 plants and potted them up with the help of Claudia. We’re going to place these specialty irises in a special section with a sign to identify them as being unique.
• New for 2026 is that at 11:30am we’re going to have a Buy One, Get One free sale instead of everything is half off.
• Members discussed giving customers an annual plant (red, white or blue) in celebration of McCandless Township’s 175th anniversary. Diana Berendowski is going to reach out to a couple of garden centers to find out what flowers would potentially be available on the day of the plant sale and if we can get a discount on the plants. Members will decide next month if we want to give out the annuals.
• We’ve identified a few organizations that are willing to take any plants that don’t sell: Northmont Church, Bradford Woods Conservancy and Memorial Park Church

Diana Berendowski invited members to attend the Bradford Woods Conservancy Earth Day event on Saturday, April 25th. There will be many activities, speakers and free lunch.

A warm LAGC welcome to our 3 new members who joined this month: Greg and Lori Wilson and Cathy Rose. We’re glad you joined the garden club!

Hostesses

We enjoyed eating delicious Lemon Crinkle Cookies and Banana Cake with Malted Chocolate Icing from Karen Barczak. Rose Mary Highman reminded us that Spring has arrived with her arrangement of purple hyacinths, daffodils and hellebores. Thank you!

Beautiful arrangement provided by Rose Mary Highman

Lemon Crinkle Cookies by Karen Barczak

Banana Cake with Malted Chocolate Icing by Karen Barczak

Rose Mary performing Hostess duties for March with a beautiful smile!

Program -  Gardening Thyme: Avoid Aches and Pains While Gardening presented by Taylor Docherty, UPMC Rehab Institute Physical Therapist

This month’s program couldn’t have come at a better time as we are all eagerly waiting to get back outside to begin another gardening season after we were snuggled inside for a long, cold winter. Our speaker, Taylor Docherty talked about the correct techniques and the best tools to use for garden and outdoor chores. She demonstrated ways to lessen the stress and pain on our joints and muscles so that we can enjoy gardening for a lifetime.

Our speaker said that “prehab is better than rehab”. Which means that it’s better to be proactive and prepare the body for activity and strengthen the areas that are prone to injury rather than doing rehab after the damage is done. She suggests keeping fit during the winter by walking, doing cardio, and balance and core strengthening exercises.

Before you start your garden or outdoor chores remember to warm up the muscles and joints by doing arm circles, wrist stretches, squats for the hip flexors and back stretches.

It’s important to keep the body in a comfortable state rather than stresses so remember to dress for the weather, wear a visor, apply sunscreen and stay hydrated.

Here are a few reminders while you are in the middle of garden work:

• Set goals – break up the project into smaller jobs
• Work for short periods of time and take breaks
• Make sure to change body positions frequently
• Garden in the morning when it’s cooler
• Use good body mechanics - remember to carry the weight of heavy items close to your body and avoid twisting your spine or knees when lifting
• Use slower gentle movements rather than quick movements
• Listen to your body – If you have an ache then, take a break

Use the right tool for the job. Long handles make jobs easier so you don’t have to bend in awkward positions or reach up high over your head. Look for ergonomic tools which are specifically engineered to make tasks easier. Consider ratchet pruners for arthritic hands. Use a garden or wheelbarrow to avoid carrying heavy pots or bags of soil. Use knee pads. Plant in elevated containers

75th Anniversary Dinner Celebration, October 28, 2025

 On October 28, 2025, LAGC members and guests gathered at Northmont United Presbyterian Church for LAGC’s 75^th Anniversary Dinner. Last month we celebrated the history of LAGC and this month we celebrated with current members and looked to the future. It was so nice to see so many members attend the event, as well as four guests from the Ingomar Garden who embraced the 50’s theme and wore their poodle skirts.

Claudia was an engaging emcee for the evening.  She encouraged members to socialize with her treasure hunt game where we had to get signatures from members once we identified the clue of an interesting fact about them. The game was a wonderful way to get to know fellow members. 

Bev Steiger with her daughter and grand-daughter.

Chris Kerin and Colleen Fingal trying to identify member trivia.

A tiny portion of the dessert table.

Fellowship Hall was beautifully decorated by the committee with fall leaves, mums, and pumpkins. A few members volunteered to make live pumpkins filled with flowers as centerpieces, which were later given to guests through a name drawing.

The delicious dinner menu was comprised of both catered items and homemade dishes from club members and did not disappoint. We began the evening with delicious citrus punch made by Helen and a variety of appetizers ranging from veggies and dip, cheese and crackers, stuffed mushrooms, and shrimp hors d’oeuvres. For the dinner we enjoyed ham, chicken marsala, green beans, potatoes, potato soup along with pasta salad, oriental noodle salad, green salad, Jello, and many other dishes.

Guests were delighted to receive a memento of the celebration. Every attendee received a couple of Willard and May large cup daffodil bulbs. A few lucky guests won a ceramic coffee mug with the Longvue Acres Garden logo on it. The guest with the nearest birth date to October 28^th got to take home the potted mum plant on their table.

Nancy Madeoy welcomes members and guests to the 75th Anniversary Celebration Dinner.

 Members thanked Claudia Hickly with a bouquet and gift certificate.

One of display tables near the entrance.

While we enjoyed a slice of delicious cake and other desserts, we listened to live music. The entertainment was provided by the North Allegheny Fiddlers Group, which is comprised of students in grades 6 through 12 of the North Allegheny School District. The musicians are taught in traditional aural style or “by ear” meaning that they learn without using written notes. The audience enjoyed the lively songs that they performed from a variety of styles such as Scottish, Irish, Cajun, and Old Timey.

The celebration dinner was the last event of a year-long list of activities to celebrate the longevity of the Longvue Acres Garden Club. We gathered to celebrate the past and to look to the future with friends and members who love gardening.

Our sincere thanks and appreciation to the 75^th Anniversary Committee for all the time they dedicated to preparing for the celebration: Claudia Hickly, Jane MacCredie, Amy Foreman, Diana Berendowski, Mary Anne Kurtz, Mary Jo Clayton, and Nancy Madeoy. 

Pictures by Bill Goff.

L to R: Claudia Hickly, Mary Ann Kurtz, Mary Jo Clayton, Nancy Madeoy, Diana Berendowski, and Jane MacCredie. Amy Foreman not pictured.

 

Spring tour or Summer Hill Gardens, May 20, 2025

Pictures by Mary Ann Kurtz.

Larry Grundler: plant breeder, avid grower of irises and hostas.

Plant Sale 2025 May 17

What a day for a plant sale! Chairperson Mary Ann Kurtz thanks all of us who participated and we in return thank her for her leadership of our only money making event. 

Here are a few of Bill Goff's pictures from the sale. 

Good crowd and great member participation.

In honor or LAGC's 75th anniversary, the first 75 buyers
were given either a seed packet or a small annual. 

Linda and Diane set up a section.

Linda B and Dianne begin pricing.

Denny admires the plants for sale.

The Powells, John & Kate, worked happily together.

Claudia is nearly airborne. 

Pricers began to price ~900 plants.

Cashiers are ready, L to R: Jane, Anita, Denny, Amy, Jean,
   Rose, and chairperson of the sale Mary Ann.

Time for a little fun with Peggy and Chris.

Bev Steiger is again devoted plant sale contributor.

LAGC Meeting Notes April 22, 2025

 Vice President Marlow Madeoy presided over the April 2025 meeting because President Nancy was under the weather.  We started the meeting with what's growing in our gardens: Epimedium, Grape Hyacinths, Bleeding Heart, Iris, Pulmonaria, Tulips, Daffodils, Hyacinths

 Marlow wished members a Happy Earth Day!  Earth Day is an annual event celebrated on April 22^nd to demonstrate support for environmental protection.  It was first celebrated in 1970. Arbor Day will be held on April 25^th and celebrates the importance of trees.

Kudos to Mary Jo Clayton for organizing our tree planting project! It was a huge success where LAGC members, family and friends gathered to plant 75 trees at the Horse Arena in North Park. The North Park Rangers and Jess with the Allegheny Parks Foundation did a fantastic job to make it a fun project. 

 

Mary Anne Kurtz, Plant Sale Coordinator, spoke about our upcoming annual Perennial Plant Sale which will be held on Saturday, May 17^th.  Please check the e-mail that was sent from Mary Anne for all the details.  Please bring as many plants as you can bring.  If you need more pots to pot up your plants then, contact Mary Anne. Please wear your NEW BLUE club T-shirt to the plant sale.  There is an option to bring your plants to Northmont Church on Friday night at 7:30 PM. This is helpful if you don't think you'll have enough room in your car on Saturday morning. Contact Mary Anne with any questions by e-mail, phone or text.

 

Our May program is a tour of Larry Grundler’s Garden. Larry suggests arriving earlier in the month to ensure we can see the irises in bloom. Club members agreed to move the tour to Tuesday, May 20th at 6:30 PM. There will not be a carpool from the church.

 

Larry Grundler will celebrate his 90th birthday in November 2025. The LAGC is planning to get a card for members to sign for him.

 

Treasurer Denny gave a quick report to say that he paid the few expenses from last month and we now have a balance of $2850. 

 

Claudia gave an update about the 75th Anniversary Celebration. Arrangements have been made to hand out annual plants and seeds to customers at our May plant sale. There will be a new plaque displayed at the Chapel Garden which will be paid for by the Passavant Hospital Foundation. The base which holds the plaque will be refurbished. There’s a possibility of a rededication ceremony in the Fall.  Also, it was decided that the table arrangements for the Member dinner in October will be a live pumpkin arrangement.  LAGC will buy the pumpkins.  Seven members have volunteered to decorate one of the pumpkins and bring it for the tables. 

 

Mary Jo Benedetti gave an update about the Chapel Garden and stated that the garden looks good, but she thinks it could benefit from some annual flowers. She is seeking some suggestions so, please let her know if you have any ideas about which white flowers would suit the garden. There are still openings on the schedule to assist with maintaining the garden. Please consider volunteering to sign up for a week.

 

Bill Goff did a quick show and tell and circulated a spring blossom from the Korean Spice Viburnum which he retrieved from the Northmont Church landscape.  The light pink cluster of flowers has a beautiful floral scent. LAGC has one of these trees planted at the Chapel Garden. 

Bill also talked about the daffodils which he brought for tonight’s arrangement.  He bought the heavenly scented Sir Winston Churchhill daffodil bulbs after Doug Oster mentioned them in his talk that he gave to LAGC.  Bill agrees that the sweet-smelling daffodils are worth planting in the garden for being so heavily scented.

Diana Berendowski reminded LAGC members to attend the upcoming Earth Day Celebration sponsored by Bradford Woods Conservancy on Saturday, April 26th from 10:00am to 2:00pm at the Reserve in Bradford Woods.  Admission is free along with a free picnic lunch.  The highlight at 11:00am is a Birds of Prey Presentation. Enjoy the other programs and vendors. 

Hostesses:  The April table arrangement was another nod to Spring with Bill Goff’s sweet smelling Sir Winston Churchhill daffodils and purple hyacinths.  Chris Kerin’s delicious lemonpoppy seed scones, peanut butter cookies and pepperoni and cheese nibbles completed the lovely table. Thank you for presenting such a lovely table!

 

Program – The Importance of Native Plants in the Residential Garden by Kate Allen

Kate Allen is a Penn State Master Gardener with Butler County and a member of the Wild Ones, Western PA Area Chapter whose goal is to educate people on the importance of native plants. She came to our meeting tonight to explain the key benefits of native plants and why they should be included in our gardens. Native plants or those that naturally occur in a particular region and are well adapted to the local climate soil and wildlife native plants enhance both the environment and our suburban gardens.

 

Kate began her talk by explaining the definitions of 7 kinds of plants.

 

1.    Native – those that naturally occur within a specific geographic region

2.    Pollinator – a flowering plant that provides nectar and pollen for pollinators

3.    Cultivar – a plant that has been selected by humans for specific desirable traits; reproduced through cloning methods

4.    Nativar – a cultivar derived from native parents and bred for a particular trait

5.    Exotic – an introduced species; a plant that has been moved to an environment where it would not naturally occur; when people come to visit or settle, they bring seeds or cuttings with them

6.    Invasive – a non-native plant that establishes in a new area and can negatively affect the native ecosystem

7.    Noxious – a plant defined by a governing body or Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture that's injurious to public health, crops or livestock 

 

Kate spoke about the many benefits of why we should grow native plants:

 

·      Support native animals and insects

·      Water conservation

·      Reduced maintenance

·      Enhance biodiversity

·      Improve soil 

 

She encouraged the audience not to be afraid to plant native plants in our suburban gardens because they are beautiful, as well as beneficial to insects and the environment. 96% of young birds feed on insects. She said not to wait, but get started now.  It’s best to start small and consider the problem areas in your garden that would benefit from some assistance with new plants.

 

Native plants are more readily available in nurseries than ever before.  She recommended

Arcadia Nursery in Washington, PA, which specializes in natives and the Audubon Society at Beechwood Reserve.  The 2025 Wild Ones Native Plant Sale will be held on June 22, 2025, at the Allegheny River Trail Park in Aspinwall and will feature more than 45 species of plants. Lastly, she suggested prairiemoon.com as a good resource for native seeds.

Meeting Notes by Colleen Fingal, Pictures by Dianne Machesney

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picnic & Tour of Bill Goff's gardens, June 4, 2024

We had a terrific turnout and the perfect weather for this year’s annual club picnic which was hosted by Bill Goff.  A great big thank you to Bill and his wife Diane for welcoming us to their home and garden.  The variety of salads, appetizers, mini-sandwiches and desserts was enjoyed by everyone.  Water and Paducah Iced tea quenched our thirst.  The iced tea has a citrus ingredient, pineapple juice and was delicious.  We’ll have to get the recipe from Bill!

Although we were hoping to see the peonies in

Bill Goff

bloom, Bill explained that most of the peonies had bloomed early this year so there were only a few pink blossoms for the picnic. We enjoyed strolling through Bill’s mature garden which sits on a double lot. He has been creating and working on his gardens for more than 30 years. Deer and rabbits can be a problem for Bill so he uses Liquid Fence and Milorganite with some success.

Beautiful peony blossom

Dawn redwood

The property in the backyard is divided into 2 distinct areas separated by a fence. The first area is a shady spot which surrounds a lovely patio with eating area and fountain. This garden bed is full of hostas of varied colors, sizes, and different shaped leaves.  Sprinkled among the hosta are a few reddish lilies which piqued members’ curiosity.  It’s called a Martagon Lily, also known as Turk’s Cap Lily. This lily thrives and blooms well in part shade where other types of lilies prefer full sun.  This lily is unique because of its downward facing blooms and many blooms on a single stem.

Martagon Lily

The shade in this area is created by Bill’s Dawn Redwood Tree.  Bill planted this amazing tree many years ago.  It’s a cousin of the Sequoia and loses its needles in the Fall.  It’s architecturally unique because of its vase-like trunk.

On the other side of the fence is the second area where there is a large perennial border filled with mature plants such as: Mountain Mint, Crocosmia Lucifer, Culvers Root, Feverfew, Lambs Ear, Verbena Bonariensis, Catmint, Bachelor’s Buttons, Solidago Golden Rod and a variety of Peonies.  I’m sure there are many more plants which I didn’t recognize!  This area also has a large swath of greenery which promises to display a large variety of daylily blooms in a few more weeks.  Tucked in amongst the plants are perfectly placed decorations such as a concrete statue of St. Francis, a bird bath, sundial and a special metal sign which says “Pap Pap’s Flower Garden”.

We thank Bill for allowing us to tour his garden. From what I can see it’s the perfect place to enjoy your other hobby, photography.  The variety of mature plants and landscaping really makes a relaxing space and I hope you get to enjoy it with your friends and family.

Meeting Notes

We took a group photo in front of the perennial bed.

President Nancy shared a thank you note with members from the Penn State Master Garden Symposium. This year we made a donation to become a Friend of the Symposium and have our club’s name listed in the garden symposium directory.

Nancy will reach out to board members and committee chairs to confirm who would like to continue in their current position in 2025.

Mary Ann Kurtz, Plant Sale Coordinator talked about the success of the 2024 plant sale.  Great job to our members!  Many thanks to Mary Ann for coordinating our efforts!!!  Our profit is $3344. We had 690 plants brought to sell with 92% participation of our club members. 

Three of the plant sale signs were stolen so we might have to budget for more next year.

No changes need to be made in terms of publicity or pricing.

It was determined that we could use 2 more tables for the plant sale setup. Members are asked to bring as many tables as you can.

We discussed whether we should sell plants which are listed on the PA Invasive species list. We’ll get a copy of the list and discuss in the future.

Ideas and uses for an LAGC logo were discussed. Sample ideas for the logo were circulated. Club members were asked what we should purchase to print the logo on such as a t-shirt, apron, ball cap or button. No decision was made and this topic will be discussed at another meeting.

Notes by Colleen Finegal, pictures by Bill Goff and Rose Mary Highman