_edited_edited.jpg)
_edited.jpg)
Bristol, Rhode Island
Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc.
Table of Contents
Click on the item to jump to that page.
​
Standing Committees and Chairs
Bristol Garden Club Past Presidents
Programs
May 2026 - Annual Spring Luncheon
New & Continuing Club Projects
​
Club Information - June 2025 - June 2026
​
Bristol Garden Club, Inc.
PO Box 484
Bristol, RI 02809
​
Password: ocean
Library Lock Code: 9902
Mrs. Perry Code: 9902
​
Membership - 41 Active
Organized: July 1928
Federated: July 1930
Incorporated: December 2001
​
Member of National Garden Clubs, Inc.
Member of New England Garden Clubs, Inc.
Member of RI Federation of Garden Clubs, Inc.
​
Affiliated Organizations
​
National Garden Club - www.gardenclub.org
President - Donna Donnelly
​
Go *Green* Plant America
​
New England Garden Club - www.newenglandgc.org
Director: Sue Miner
​
Rhode Island Federation of Garden Clubs - www.rigardenclubs.org
President: Kathleen Damiani
​
"Cultivate Your Strengths...Share Your Knowledge"
​
​Club Officers
​
President: Mary-Francis Snow, 202-746-5569
Vice President: Diana Campbell, 508-241-2928
Recording Secretary: Maggie Rezendes, 508-361-9065
Corresponding Secretary: Dodie Tschirch, 845-542-4516
Treasurer: Carol Botelho, 401-345-6290
​
Executive Committee meetings are held at 9:30 am at Bristol Highlands Community House unless noted below.
​
Date/Host(s)
​
6/9/25 - Terri Hubbard/Maggie Rezendes
July - No Meeting
8/11/25 - Kathleen Howe
9/8/25 - Carol Glanville, at Carol's home
10/13/25 - Robyn Borges
11/10/25 - Gail Burmeister
12/8/25 - Hospitality Team
January - No Meeting
2/9/26 - Diana Campbell
3/9/26 - Rick Anderson
4/6/26 - Mary-Francis Snow
5/11/26 - Vera Bowen
6/8/26 - Maggie Rezendes
​
Standing Committees and Chairs
​
​Awards Vera Bowen
Environment Rick Anderson
Terri Hubbard
Civic Beautification Hope Avery
Daffodil Project Hope Avery
Education Gail Burmeister
Grant Writer Pam Delaney
Carol Botelho
Diana Campbell
Historian Vera Bowen
Horticulture Carol Glanville
Hospitality Dodie Tschirch
Karen Aveson
Membership Kathleen Howe
Photography Celeste Bernadino
Plant Sale Diana Campbell
Publicity Bethany Francis
Social Media Bethany Francis
Programs Dodie Tschirch
Karen Aveson
Ways & Means Diana Campbell
​
Active Members
​
ANDERSON, Rick
1147 Hope St, Bristol RI 02809
401-595-1206
Email: rickanderson28031@yahoo.com
Member since (Dec 2022)
ARCHIBALD, Jan
10 Stonegate Rd, Warren RI 02885
202-365-5435
Email: jansarchibald@gmail.com
Member since (Dec 2022)
AVERY, Hope
19 Garfield St, Bristol RI 02809
805-701-2536
Email: Hopeavery@usa.net
Member since (May 2021)
AVESON, Karen
41 Constitution St, Bristol RI 02809
508-446-3198
Email: kwhitla@gmail.com
Member since (May 2019)
​
BERNADINO, Celeste
8 Leila Jean Dr, Bristol RI 02809
413-687-5840
Email: Shama60@aol.com
Member since (May 2021)
BORGES, Robyn
16 Stillman St, Dartmouth, MA 02748
508-993-6141 508-961-9876(cell)
Email: RLborges@comcast.net
Member since (Oct 2019)
BOTELHO, Carol
69 Oliver St, Bristol RI 02809
401-345-6290
Email: c.n.j@cox.net
Member since (Jun 2021)
BOWEN, Vera
11 Dolly Dr, Bristol RI 02809
401-225-9680
Email: verabowen9092@gmail.com
Member since (Oct 1996)
BURMEISTER, Gail
99 State St, Bristol RI 02809
508-335-9803
Email: burmchatham@cs.com
Member since (Nov 2017)
CAMPBELL, Diana
22 Fesser Ave, Bristol RI 02809
508-241-2928
Email: dbcamp2010@gmail.com
Member since (Dec 2020)
CLERKIN, Lucy
98 State St, Bristol RI 02809
857-272-0274
Email: Lclerkin@gmail.com
Member since (Apr 2023)
​
COSTA, Ann
95 Stephen Dr, Bristol RI 02809
401-254-0582
Email: adhome1@outlook.com
Member since (Mar 2025)
CURTIS, Barbara
53 Baggy Wrinkle Cove, Warren RI 02885
508-423-7668
Email: barbara13@me.com
Member since (Jun 2020)
CURTIS, Laurel A.
265 Hope St, Bristol RI 02809
401-253-5223
Email: ladnewport@yahoo.com
Member since (Nov 2007)
DAVIS, Wendy
33 Clifton Rd, Bristol RI 02809
401-396-5753
Email: wendybdavis@hotmail.com
Member since (May 2017)
​
DELANEY, Pam
328 High St, Bristol RI 02809
917-885-4889
Email: Pam@pamdelaney.com
Member since (Aug 2015)
EVANS, Bonnie
80 Aaron Ave, Bristol RI 02809
401-835-5624
Email: Bonnie.duffy.evans@gmail.com
Member since (Dec 2019)
FIELD, Audrey
5 Sheffield Ave, Bristol RI 02809
401-952-0545
Email: afield1776@gmail.com
Member since 2024
​
FRANCIS, Bethany
4 Stonebrook Ln, Bristol RI 02809
401-808-9626
Email: Bethany.mjfplumbing@gmail.com
Member since (Sep 2023)
GLANVILLE, Carol
45 Constitution St, Bristol RI 02809
401-258-2475
Email: sageanne123@mac.com
Member since (Dec 2012)
HOWE, Kathleen
101 High St, Bristol RI 02809
631-905-7627
Email: kathleenhowe55@gmail.com
Member since (Apr 2024)
​
HUBBARD, Terri
66 Ferry Rd, Bristol RI 02809
401-240-0218
Email: hubbardterri@hotmail.com
Member since (Mar 2024)
IANNUCCILLO, Vicki
1350 Hope St, Bristol RI 02809
401-253-4535 401-465-1160(cell)
Email: viannuccil@aol.com
Member since (Jun 1993)
​
KESTENBERG, Karen
33 Courageous Circle, Bristol RI 02809
401-253-2252
Email: kkestenberg@cox.net
Members since (Sep 2003)
LENARCIC, Alicia S.
155 Ferry Rd, Bristol RI 02809
401-396-9354
Email: rilenarcic@gmail.com
Member since (Nov 2009)
LOURIA, Agi
8 Mulberry Rd, POB 378, Bristol RI 02809
973-477-6960
Email: aplouria3@gmail.com
Member since (May 2024)
McLAUGHLIN, Margie
43 Oliver St, #3, Bristol RI 02809
202-815-8422
Email: margieinnewport@hotmail.com
Member since (Oct 2022)
O’KEEFE, Candace
4 Freeborn Rd, Bristol RI 02809
860-305-5847
Email: clokeefe40@gmail.com
Member since 2024
PETAJA, Marsha
21 Ledge Rd, Bristol RI 02809
401-396-6679
Email: marshapetaja@gmail.com
Member since (Dec 2016)
REZENDES, Maggie
44 Coggeshall Ave, Bristol RI 02809
508-361-9065
Email: Maggiekeene@yahoo.com
Member since (May 2022)
ST. GERMAIN, Sheri
416 Poppasquash Rd, Bristol RI 02809
401-297-0888 808-292-7701(cell)
Email: saintbun@gmail.com
Member since (Mar 2015)
​
SHEEHAN, Linda
33 Peckham Place, Bristol RI 02809
401-829-5111
Email: lindasheehan85@gmail.com
Member since (Jun 2018)
SNOW, Mary-Frances
16 Sunset Rd, Bristol RI 02809
202-746-5569
Email: mfsnow57@gmail.com
Member since (Dec 2019)
THOMAS, Kathleen
7 Leyland Ct, Bristol RI 02809
1200 Gulf Blvd Unit 904, Clearwater, FL 33767
508-935-9019
Email: kathymthomas@aol.com
Member since (Apr 2015)
​
THOMAS, Laura
16 Cooke St, Bristol RI 02809
281-216-5271
Email: bristolferrylighthouse@gmail.com
Member since (Dec 2023)
TSCHIRCH, Dodie
68 Burton St, Bristol RI 02809
845-542-4516
Email: dtschirc@gmail.com
Member since (Apr 2023)
​
Honorary Friends
​
BISHOP, Pamela
648 Olde Mill Dr, Westerville, OH 43082
513-478-2918
Email: bishoppam31@gmail.com
Member since (Dec 2011)
CARREIRO, Mary
4 Overlook Dr, Bristol, RI 02809
401-253-5571
Member since (May 1981)
DELEO, Ann
2 High St, Bristol, RI 02809
401-253-6730
Member since (Aug 1968)
MILLARD, Mary
620 Hope St, Bristol RI 02809
401-253-7412
Email: merisea46@aol.com
Member since (May 1976)
​
Treasured Friends
​
BLOSSOM, Barbara
210 Hamlet Hills Dr, Bldg. 8 Apt 95 Chagrin Falls, OH, 44022
401-497 2673
Email: bblos6644@aol.com
SINCLAIR, Deborah
8 Ambrose Dr, Bristol, RI 02809
401-253-1541(cell) 352-753-4575
Email: dsin204192@yahoo.com
Member since (Sep 1998)
​
​Club Member Affiliations
​
NGC Judges: Ann DeLeo, Master Judge Emeritus
Kathy Thomas, Judge Emeritus
Vicki Iannuccillo, Accredited Master
Judge Vera Bowen, Accredited Master Judge
NEGC Executive Board: Vera Bowen, Kathy Thomas,
Former Directors Vera Bowen Awards
NGC Committee Chair: Vera Bowen, Flower Show Achievement
RIFGC Committee Chair: Vera Bowen, Education Day, Awards
RIFGC Past State President: Ann DeLeo 1987 - 1989
Vera Bowen 2009 – 2011
RIFGC Life Member Group: Vera Bowen, Karen Kestenberg,
Ann DeLeo, Barbara Blossom,
Chris Browne, Carol Glanville
URI Master Gardeners: Laurel Curtis, Karen Kestenberg,
Marilyn Chadwick
Bayberry Garden Club: Vera Bowen
Vicki Iannuccillo
​
Bristol Garden Club Past Presidents​
​
1928–Mrs. William Perry 1985-Mrs.Brenda Geremia
1947–Mrs. J. Howard Paul 1987–Mrs. Jane Seccombe
1950–Mrs. Arthur Eastman 1989–Mrs. Louise Hunter
1952–Mrs. Samuel Wardwell 1991–Mrs. Carol Wardwell
1953–Mrs. Ruth Lumb 1993–Mrs. Mary Carreiro
1955–Mrs. Louise Adams 1995–Mrs. Linnea Kinder
1957–Mrs. Millie House 1997–Mrs. Annabelle Caffry
1959–Mrs. Sebastian Bernard 1999–Mrs. Vicki Iannuccillo
1961–Mrs. Riley E. Lamson 2001–Mrs. Vera Bowen
1963–Mrs. Leona Johnson 2003–Mrs. Jane Perkins
1965–Mrs. George L. Green 2005–Mr. Gary Watros
1967–Mrs. Maryellen Mefford 2007–Mrs. Pierrette Farley
1969–Mrs. Alfred R. Meyer, Jr. 2009–Mrs. B.J. Stephens
1971-Mrs. Ruth Leslie 2011–Mrs. Karen Kestenberg
1973–Mrs. Marie Newton 2013–Mrs. Connie Witcher
1975–Mrs. F. Demopulos 2014–Mrs. Pamela Bishop
1976–Mrs. Ruth Leslie 2015–Mrs. Julie Christina
1977–Mrs. Ann DeLeo 2017–Mrs. Carol Glanville
1979–Mrs. Rebecca Buma 2019–Mrs. Pam Delany
1981–Mrs. Phyllis Freeman 2024–Mrs. Gail Burmeister
1983–Mrs. Alicia Speaker
​
​June 2025 - June 2026 Programs
​
Hostess Schedule for General Meetings
​​
August Kathleen Howe/Terri Hubbard
September Ann Costa/Linda Sheehan
October Diana Campbell/Laura Thomas
November Celeste Bernadino/Maggie Rezendes
December Mary-Fran Snow/Dodie Tschirch
February Bonnie Evans/Gail Burmeister
March Barbara Curtis/ Dodie Tschirch
April Robyn Borges/Hope Avery
May Luncheon
June Lisa Scanlon/Kathy Thomas
Hostess Schedule for Executive Board Meetings
August Kathleen Howe
September Maggie Rezendes
October Robyn Borges
November Gail Burmeister
December ???
February Diana Campbell
March Rick Anderson
April
May Vera Bowen
June Maggie Rezendes
​
Program Schedule
​
June 11, 2025
​
Private Tour of Sakonnet Gardens
Time: 12:00 - 3pm
Join us for a private tour of the amazing Sakonnet Gardens with owner Mikel Folcarelli.
“Sakonnet is a secret garden embedded within a native coastal landscape. At the diminutive scale of a cottage garden, it is conceived as an intimate place to explore, with multiple paths leading one onward to unexpected experiences. And Sakonnet began in the mid 1970’s as a small clearing deep within a natural tangle of Autumn Olives, Oriental Bittersweet and local Arrowwood Viburnums. Now larger than an acre, its labyrinth of spaces are carved organically out of the original thicket. Each outdoor room reflects the owner’s ongoing experiments with lighting, space, color mixing, collecting and growing wonderful plants.”
Where: Sakonnet Gardens
510 W Main Rd, Little Compton, RI 02837
Please meet up for carpooling at 11:30am at Bank Newport on Gooding Ave.
*** Note: Bring a bag lunch!
​
July 2025 - No Meeting
​
August 13, 2025
​
Brilliant Dahlia Farm
Time: 11 – 1pm
Please meet up for carpooling at 10:30am at Bank Newport on Gooding Ave.
*** This event begins earlier due to the summer heat!
Owner and lead designer, Sharon Hoskins, will give us a private tour of her lovely dahlia flower farm. After learning about the proper care and planting of dahlias, we will participate in making our own arrangement at her “flower bar”.
​
Where: Brilliant Dahlia Farm
14 Chestnut St.
Rehoboth, MA 02769
​
September 10, 2025
​
Annual September Tea Luncheon
Speaker: Jana Milboker
Time: 12 Noon
​
Join us for an inspiring presentation by the renowned Jana Milboker. Jana is known for her inspiring presentations on gardens throughout New England and beyond. She will give us an overview from her latest book, “The Garden Tourist: New England”.
Our business meeting will be held following lunch. Please feel free to invite your friends and neighbors.
Ticket price: $45 members, $55 for guests
​
Where: Blithewold Mansion, Gardens & Arboretum
101 Ferry Rd
Bristol, RI 02809
Meet in Education Center
​​
October 15, 2025
​
Ikebana Design with Carol Glanville
Time: 12 – 3pm
Rogers Free Library
Herreshoff Room
Following our business meeting, members will design their own Ikebana floral display. Our own Bristol Garden Club member, Carol, is thrilled to share her expertise in this ancient Japanese design tradition. She will explain the origins and design elements to create a serene display for your home.
​
Ikebana, meaning "giving life to flowers," is the Japanese art of flower arrangement that emphasizes harmony, minimalism, and the natural beauty of flowers and other natural materials.
​
November 12, 2025
​
Holiday Floral Design with Vera & Vicki
Time: 12 - 3pm
​
Rogers Free Library
Herreshoff Room
Following our business meeting, members will design their own holiday floral display.
Have you ever wanted to design an easy wreath or holiday centerpiece? Well, this is your chance to experiment. Our own Vera & Vicki will guide us on this creative journey, and we will each bring something wonderful home! Come be inspired at this festive time of the year.
​
December 10, 2025
Annual Holiday Luncheon
Time: 12 - 3pm
​
Where: TBD
​
Bring your favorite side dish, appetizer or dessert to share at our festive annual pot-luck get together. The club will provide the main course and beverages.
Please bring a $5 donation to defray luncheon costs as well as a $5 donation for the local women's shelter.
​
January 2026 - No Meeting
​
February 11, 2026
​
Speaker Karen Mendez -via Zoom
Time: 12 – 3pm
​
Rogers Free Library
Herreshoff Room
During this quiet time of the year, let’s start learning and planning our garden beds for success! We are fortunate to have a lecture via zoom, with Kerry Ann Mendez titled “Gardening Simplified: Plants and Design Solutions for Time-Pressed & Maturing Gardeners”. Kerry is a Nationally renowned lecturer, recipient of the MA Horticultural Society gold medal winner in 2014, author of 4 gardening books, and whose gardens have been featured in several magazines over the years. She has over 25 years of professional experience with gardening and landscape design.
Kerry will spend an hour with us teaching her low maintenance flower gardening and landscaping techniques, with enthusiasm, knowledge and humor!
​
March 11, 2026
​
Speaker Karen Asher
Time: 12 – 3pm
​
Rogers Free Library
Herreshoff Room
Karen Asher is native plant specialist and former President of the Rhode Island Wild Plant Society. Her presentation will focus on Eco-system gardening with RI native wild plants. We will learn how to turn our gardens into a bio-diverse refuge for plants, birds, pollinators and other animals that share our planet. Practical tips for successfully incorporating these plants into our home gardens will also be discussed.
Our monthly business meeting will take place after the presentation.
​
April 8, 2026
​
Living with our Native Bees, Wendy Davis
Time: 12 – 3pm
​
Rogers Free Library
Herreshoff Room
Our own garden club friend Wendy Davis is a Native Bee enthusiast. Wendy will share the importance of these essential pollinators in our biodiversity. Over 100 crops rely on bee pollination for their survival. With the declining native bee population, RI has instituted conservation and survey methods to protect and monitor these important pollinators.
​
May 13, 2026
​
Annual Spring Luncheon
12-3pm
​
Where: The Beach House
Join us for our annual spring luncheon to socialize with members and enjoy great food.
Ticket price: $ 45 members
Host: Hospitality Committee
There is no formal Program for this event…just food and fun!
​
June 10, 2026
Tour of The Blue Garden
12:30 - 2pm
​
Where: The Blue Garden
Newport, RI
​
Join us for a tour of the amazing Blue Garden of Newport. This wonderful garden has a long and interesting history, dating back to 1908. The original owners, Commodore Arthur Curtiss and Harriet Parsons James hired renowned landscape designer, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. to create this historic garden. Omstead used a collection of unique flowers and greenery to devise a garden room for the owners to hold parties and socialize. This garden has remained hidden from the public’s eye and is only open by reservation.
Please meet up for carpooling at 11:00am at Bank Newport on Gooding Ave.
​
​New and Continuing Club Projects
​
Members plant and maintain Mrs. Perry’s Garden in Thomas Park at Silver Creek on Hope Street, and the Remembrance Garden and planters at Rogers Free Library. Contributions from members and friends to the Remembrance Fund in memory of their loved ones help maintain the gardens.
The Club manages the Rainkeep at Mrs. Perry’s Garden with support and assistance from the town of Bristol. Bristol Parks and Recreation winterizes the Rainkeep in the fall and opens and fills it in early spring for the upcoming growing season and when rainfall is insufficient for filling the Rainkeep. The Club installed this functional sculpture in 2018 to collect water for use in the Garden.
The Club works with the Town of Bristol, businesses, residents, and nonprofit groups to plant daffodils along Bristol’s roadways on public land. Residential and commercial properties also participate by buying bulbs. Sales of daffodil bulbs, grants, donations and fundraising activities support these projects.
The Club holds a yearly plant sale. Proceeds help fund grants, donations and civic beautification projects.
The Club awards grants to local community groups, non-profit organizations and educational institutions to stimulate interest in and appreciation of plants, nature and the environment. Gardening programs benefiting youth are a priority. The Education Committee manages the Grants Fund.
The Club donates to charitable organizations that further the objectives of the Club including promoting knowledge about gardening, fostering the protection of the environment, and encouraging civic planting.
​
Club Committees
​
The standing committees carry out the Club’s mission to promote knowledge about gardening and flower arranging, foster the protection of the environment, and encourage civic planting. Committee chairs are appointed by the president for 2-year, renewable terms, and serve on the Executive Board.
Awards collects and compiles information, and submits applications to the State Federation, New England Region and National Garden Clubs, Inc.
Civic Beautification manages the beautification and maintenance of the Remembrance Garden and the planters at Rogers Free Library, and Mrs. Perry’s Garden. It evaluates suggestions and requests for new civic beautification projects.
Daffodil Project works with the Town of Bristol, businesses, residents, and nonprofit groups to plant daffodils along Bristol’s roadways, on public land, and in residential and commercial properties.
Environment follows relevant issues in the East Bay Area and reports to the membership on matters of interest including conservation and land preservation, wildlife and endangered species, and other issues affecting the ecosystem.
Education manages the Grants Fund. Applications are open to local community groups, non-profit organizations and educational institutions for programs that stimulate interest in and appreciation of plants, nature and the environment. Giving programs benefiting youth are priority. The club supports one or more programs each year at the discretion of the Education Committee. The Past President shall serve as Chairperson.
Historian maintains Club archives and reminds members of their Club anniversaries.
Horticulture reports on matters of interest including plant cultivation, propagation, gardening and agriculture. Each meeting will have time allotted for Q&A and exchange members personal experience and knowledge.
Hospitality schedules hosts for meetings, arranges the Annual Meeting and Lunch, and sends reminders of club meetings and activities
Membership takes attendance at meetings, brings/orders nametags and handles membership applications and changes in membership status.
Photography takes photos of club activities for social media creating a record of club events and activities.
Plant Sale organizes and oversees all activities related to the operation of a successful annual plant sale
Program plans and arranges meeting content including location, speakers and materials.
Publicity & Social Media disperses information to the club members and community.
​
By-Laws - link
​
Have a Plant Problem?
Ask a Master Gardener
A volunteer service of the URI Master Gardener
Association. Call the URI Cooperative Extension
Education Center Hotline: 1-800-448-1011
Mon. - Thurs. 9 A.M. to 2 P.M.
Visit our Club’s Facebook page for information
about our programs and projects.
bristolgardenclubri
Facebook Bristol Garden Club, RI
Share your photos of meetings and events.
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
​
Daffodils
I wandered lonely as a cloud
That floats on high o'er vales and hills,
When all at once I saw a crowd,
A host, of golden daffodils;
Beside the lake, beneath the trees,
Fluttering and dancing in the breeze.
Continuous as the stars that shine
And twinkle on the milky way,
They stretched in never-ending line
Along the margin of a bay:
Ten thousand saw I at a glance,
Tossing their heads in sprightly dance.
The waves beside them danced; but they
Outdid the sparkling waves in glee:
A poet could not but be gay,
In such a jocund company:
I gazed—and gazed—but little thought
What wealth the show to me had brought:
For oft, when on my couch I lie
In vacant or in pensive mood,
They flash upon that inward eye
Which is the bliss of solitude;
And then my heart with pleasure fills,
And dances with the daffodils.
William Wordsworth
