Saint Paul Garden Club

Crafting Day for the Tea Dance
2025-10-17 09:30 - 11:30 (America/Chicago)
We will be creating decorative tea cups for the Tea Dance.
Location: Rose Mille, 215 William St N, Stillwater, MN 55082. Phone: (651)351-0775.
To sign up, contact: Carol Kolb – carolkolb306@gmail.com / (612)720-5114 OR Deb Venker – dvenker@comcast.net / (612)730-5068

SPGC Membership Meeting
2025-10-15 09:30 - 13:00
Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, Snyder Auditorium, 3675 Arboretum Drive, Chaska, MN 55318
Program: Speaker Matt Clark, Arboretum Director of Research, will share groundbreaking U of MN research on cold climate fruit production and new landscape cultivars. Enjoy learning about the arboretum’s horticulture research center’s new developments while taking in the fall color.
To sign up & for more information, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-59039084-spgc

Crafting Day for the Tea Dance
2025-10-10 13:00 - 15:00
We will be creating decorative mushrooms for Tea Dance.
Location: Carol Kolb’s home, 998 Goodrich Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105.
Event is full. If you are interested, contact Carol or Deb (contact info below). They may be able to get you signed up.
To sign up, contact: Carol Kolb – carolkolb306@gmail.com / (612)720-5114 OR Deb Venker – dvenker@comcast.net / (612)730-5068.

SPGC Board Meeting
2025-10-08 09:30 - 12:00
9:30 AM Social / 10:00 AM Meeting

Location: Unity Church – Unitarian, 733 Portland Avenue, Saint Paul, MN 55104

SUG SPGC PowerPoint Workshop
2025-10-07 10:00 - 12:00
Come with your laptop or smartphone and be ready to laugh and breathe as you take up new skills.

Location: Birchwood City Hall, 207 Birchwood Avenue, Birchwood Village, MN 55110

For more information, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-58537311-sugspgc

Crafting Day for the Tea Dance
2025-10-03 09:30 - 11:30
We will be creating decorative jingle jangles for the Tea Dance.
Location: Deb Venker’s house, 1280 Hillcrest Ave., St. Paul, MN 55116.
To sign up, contact: Carol Kolb – carolkolb306@gmail.com / (612)720-5114 OR Deb Venker – dvenker@comcast.net / (612)730-5068.
Event is full. If you are interested, contact Carol or Deb. They may be able to get you signed up.

Photography
2025-10-01 12:00 - 15:00
Leaf Glory.
Our own Ellen Maas Pratt will share her photography expertise to create stunning fall leaf images.
Time: 12-1 PM / Lunch 1-3 PM Workshop.
Location: Birchwood City Hall, 207 Birchwood Avenue, Birchwood Village, MN 55110.
More information to follow…

Reminder...Sign up for Rice Park Weekly Maintenance
2025-10-01, 2025-08-01, 2025-06-01 | Rice Park, 109 4th Street W, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, United States
Please sign up to help with maintenance once – or better yet – twice a season! It’s easy, fun, a great way to connect with fellow SPGC members, and can spark a renewed sense of civic pride. You can go any day of the week for your volunteer slot.
Weekly Maintenance SUG: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084DABAF23A6F85-rice10#/
We usually work in pairs. If you don’t have a partner, no worries. Either someone will sign up to join you or please contact one of our committee members and we’ll be sure you don’t go alone.
Below is information about what to do, where to go AND parking options. Attached to this sign-up (scroll to the bottom) is also a document you may print to bring with you if that is more helpful.
During the growing season, and early fall, you and a partner can expect to spend 1 to 3 hours in the park per week each time you sign up.

Tasks include picking up any obvious litter and gardening, deadheading, trimming, and tidying all 10 urns plus the garden spaces along the south side of the park, which consist of the two corner entrance points and the sun garden that runs alongside the road with the J.J. Hill and Public libraries.

Suggested tools to bring are gardening gloves, clippers, a trowel, rake, broom, garbage bags, a stool to reach the urns, and anything else you usually use at home. If you are able, please also bring some jugs of water. While the city is contracted to water three times a week, we sometimes have issues. Our autumn urns will be thirsty especialy when the city’s watering program ends in October. The urns will thank you for your efforts.

In the chilly months, your team should typically expect to spend an hour or less in the park per time you sign up.

Tasks include picking up any obvious litter and tidying all 10 urns plus casting an eye over the garden spaces along the south side of the park, which consist of the two corner entrance points and the sun garden that runs alongside the road with the J.J. Hill and Public libraries.

Suggested tools include gloves, clippers, garbage bags and a stool to reach into the urns. Please bring some water before winter really sets in to help hold the displays upright until they freeze solid. In the winter we do more “zhuzhing” and less gardening, straightening twigs and clipping broken branches.

Winter, Spring, Summer or Fall, when your shift is complete, please contact Kris Rose with your observations: Kris.Rose@outlook.com or 651-246-0201 If you see graffiti, please send a picture and description of the location too.
Location: 109 West 4th Street Saint Paul, MN 55102 – Rice Park is located downtown between the Saint Paul Hotel and the Ordway Theatre.
Parking is available in metered spots on the street around Rice Park, at the Lawson or other nearby ramps. If you just can’t find a spot it’s okay to pull up into the park area itself. All four corners have curb cuts that allow access to the paved walkways that are wide enough for cars.
Your help is greatly appreciated!
Sincerely,
Kris Rose
SPGC Rice Park Committee Chair

Rice Park Fall Planting - all members are encouraged to participate.
2025-09-24 10:00 - 12:30 | Rice Park, 109 4th Street W, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, United States
Join garden club friends as we create autumnal beauty in Rice Park, SPGC’s signature public showcase garden since our inception in 1927, a 98 year old tradition. If you’re able, please attend all four annual plantings and sign up for maintenance once or twice each season.
Bring your gardening gear, a stool, a few jugs of water, and your own sunshine.
Hosts: The Rice Park Committee: Kris Rose, Tina Allison Mary Cullen, Sheila McCarr, Christine McGinnis, Joan Palm, Missy Pfeiffer, Deb Venker, Robyn Wefel
Questions: contact Kris 651-246-0201 or Tina 319-899-4196
Parking: Please consider carpooling. If no on-street metered parking is available, pull into the park at one of the four corners, leaving space for others to pass. Feel free to flag down or call one of the Rice Park committee members for help pulling in.
SUG: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-55832255-rice
Don’t forget to also sign up for weekly maintenance.
Rice Park Maintenance SUG (ongoing):
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084DABAF23A6F85-rice10

Crafting Day for the Tea Dance
2025-09-19 09:30 - 23:30
We will be making decorations for the Tea Dance.
Location: Carol Kolb’s home, 998 Goodrich Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105.

Shirley Meniece Horticulture Conference - VIRTUAL
2025-09-18
All GCA club members are invited at no cost to attend the Shirley Meneice Horticulture Conference, Connected by Plants, on Thurdsday, September 18, 2025.
This online event has been programmed to appeal to novice and experienced individuals. Whether this will be your first time, or you are a seasoned attendee, we very much welcome you to join us!
For more information and to sign up, go to https://www.gcamerica.org/members:calendar/ereventdetails/id/581

SPGC Membership Meeting
2025-09-17 09:30 - 13:00
North Oaks Golf Club, 54 East Oaks Road, North Oaks, MN 55127

Program: Garden History & Design
Gail Hudson, distinguished horticulturist, was awarded the University of Minnesota’s Distinguished Alumni Award in Horticulture. She is an award-winning writer, photographer and Emmy award winning video producer.
For more information and to sign up, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-58173366-spgc

Tea Dance Planning Meeting
2025-09-12 13:30 - 15:00
Location: Margaret Ford’s home (5 Birchwood Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55110)
All are welcome!

Allocations Tour
2025-09-11 09:30 - 13:00
Every year, our Allocations and New Membership Chair team visits a few of our wonderful grant recipients. Usually, it’s a special trip for provisional members only—but this year we’re opening the gates to all members!
This is your chance to:

See firsthand how our grant dollars are helping amazing non-profits
Meet inspiring people doing great work in our community
Enjoy a fun day of gardens, learning, and connection

When: Thursday, September 11
Carpooling: Highly encouraged (it’s part of the fun!)
For more information and to sign up, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-58058580-allocations

SPGC New Member Orientation Meeting & Grant Recipients' Tour
2025-09-11
Visit one or two SPGC Allocations grant recipients and meet with their directors to learn more about their projects and how the grant money is used, followed by lunch.. Specifics about meeting location, date and time will be announced.
Time and Location TBD

Floral Design
2025-09-10 10:00 - 12:00
Make a Flower Press
Clare Holte will lead us in the program. She will show us how to assemble our presses. We will collect flowers from the garden for pressing.
Gibbs Farm, 2097 Larpenteur Avenue West, Falcon Heights, MN 55113
More information to follow and to sign up, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-58024963-make

Pig's Eye Sewage Treatment Tour
2025-09-03 09:00 - 11:00
Think you’ve seen it all? Think again. Join us for a behind-the-scenes look at one of Minnesota’s unsung heroes of clean water — the Metropolitan Council’s Pig’s Eye Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Perched along the Mississippi River in Saint Paul, this engineering giant has been keeping our waterways cleaner since 1938. Today, it’s among the largest plants in the nation, treating an astonishing 172 million gallons of wastewater every day. You’ll learn how science, technology, and a whole lot of pipes transform “what goes down the drain” into something safe for our environment.
Note: After the tour, we can visit Pig’s Eye Park (81 Fish Hatchery Road, St. Paul, MN 55106), part of the Great River Passage Conservancy. Walk the trails of this former landfill, now transformed into a 500-acre natural area and flyway.
Come for the science, stay for the scenery — and maybe check “sewage plant tour” off your bucket list.
Date: September 3
Time: 9:00 AM
Location:
2400 Childs Road St. Paul MN 55106
Host: Diane Duvall, Betsy Cobb
Registration will close on Friday, August 29
For sign up, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-57971705-pigs

SPGC New Member Orientation Meeting
2025-08-27 10:00 - 12:00
Meet at 10:00 am for coffee, light refreshments and orientation to Saint Paul Garden Club and The Garden Club of America. Please bring your SPGC Directory with you. Several committee chairs will attend to discuss club functions and answer questions.
Location TBD

Visiting Gardens - Progressive Brunch & St. Paul Garden Tour
2025-08-20 10:00 - 13:30
Progressive Brunch and St. Paul Garden Tour
Celebrate the bounty of summer in three of our members’ beautiful gardens. Stroll through the yard, then enjoy coffee, brunch and conversation between garden club friends amongst the flowers. We will be signing up in carpool groups, with different groups joining together at each garden. Please enjoy this time together and make a special effort to sit with someone for brunch that you are just getting to know.
This event is free. Lead host: Gretchen Cudak
Start Time: 10:00 AM
For more more information, go to https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-57581971-visiting

SPGC Annual Membership Meeting
2025-07-16 10:00 - 12:00 | White Bear Lake Yacht Club, 56 Dellwood Avenue, White Bear Lake, MN, 55110, United States
SUG: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-57434129-hats/26585022#/
RSVP by July 7 via SignUpGenius or to Catherine Nicholson 651-3255377.
Festive Garden Hats Requested!
Meeting Agenda
9:30 AM Coffee
10:00 AM Business Meeting
Program – Introduction of new active members and provisional members. Members’ Service Award. Medals & Awards Committee Awards. Pass the gavel to new President(s)
12:00 Lunch
Coffee and Luncheon $55. Payable by separate check either at the meeting or via Zelle: spgctreasurer@gmail.com
$300 Annual Dues. Payable at the meeting by check, or via Zelle: spgctreasurer@gmail.com
Lead host: Catherine Nicholson
Hosts: Amy Murphy, Mary Parenteau

SPGC Membership Meeting
2025-06-18 10:00 - 12:00 | Boatworks Commons, 4495 Lake Ave S, White Bear Lake, MN, 55110, United States
General Meeting Agenda
9:30 AM Coffee
10:00 AM Business Meeting
11:00 AM Program
12:00 Lunch
Program
White Bear Lake Social
Dress in your nautical wear for a boat ride and history tour of White Bear Lake following our
June meeting/brunch.
Lead host: Penny Rendall
Hosts: Ellen Maas Pratt, Ann Tessler, Christine McGinnis

SPGC Board Meeting
2025-06-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Tracy Stutz’s Home, 82 Dellwood Avenue, Dellwood, MN, 55110, United States
9:30 AM Social – coffee / 10:00 AM Meeting.
Location: Tracy Stutz’s home, 82 Dellwood Avenue Dellwood 55110.
Hosts: Debra Womack

Horticulture Committee Field Trip to Swenson Gardens Peony Farm
2025-06-04 | Swenson Gardens, 10958 70th Street SW, Howard Lake, MN, 55349, United States
Swenson Gardens is a 40 acre Peony Farm near Howard Lake, MN. It is the largest chemical
free peony grower. Members will enjoy a presentation which includes peony planting, peony
care and learning about attributes of the different peony varieties. We will end the day with a
walk through the fields.
Location: Swenson Gardens
10958 70th Street SW, Howard Lake, MN 55349
Host: Jeanine Jesmer

Rice Park Summer Planting
2025-05-22 10:00 - 12:30 | Rice Park, 109 4th Street W, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, United States
Be a part of beautifying Saint Paul’s premier park, a SPGC tradition spanning 98 years. Many hands make light work as we transition the urns and gardens from springtime bulbs to lush summer flowers. If you’re able, please attend all four plantings and sign up for maintenance once or twice each season. Lucky us, our partner in the park, the Saint Paul Parks Conservancy will kindly provide us with a delicious movable feast. Cheers to summer!
Summer Planting SUG: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-55213373-rice/26585022#/
What to bring. your gardening gear, a stool, a few jugs of water, and your own sunshine.
Note. Parking can sometimes be difficult near Rice Park, especially if an event is happening. We’d love everyone to be able to participate in the fun, so please consider carpooling. If no on-street metered parking is available, pull into the park itself at one of the four corners, leaving space for others to pass. Feel free to flag down or call one of the Rice Park committee members for help pulling in.
*Please also sign up for Rice Park weekly maintenance. You can go any day of the week for your volunteer slot, it does not have to be on Monday.
Weekly Maintenance SUG: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-55213358-rice#/
Questions regarding Summer Planting or Weekly Maintenance? Contact Kris Rose: 651-246-0201, or any of the other RP committee members – Tina Allison, Mary Cullen, Sheila McCarr, Christine McGinnis, Joan Palm, Missy Pfeiffer, Deb Venker, and Robyn Wefel

SPGC Membership Meeting
2025-05-21 10:00 - 12:00 | Town & Country Club, 300 N Mississippi River Blvd, St. Paul, MN, 55104, United States
General Meeting Agenda
9:30 AM Coffee
10:00 AM Business Meeting
11:00 AM Program
12:00 Lunch
Program: Conservation Committee
Biodiversity
Ann Mulholland is the Chapter Director of The Nature Conservancy, Minnesota, North and
South Dakota. Ann leads a team of scientists, conservation practitioners and policy experts who
are tackling some of the greatest challenges facing people and nature. She is passionate about
protecting water resources and bringing climate solutions to scale to mitigate climate change.
Ann will talk about biodiversity.
Lead host: Kris Johnston
Hosts: Debra Venker, Betsy Cobb, Mary Cullen

Afternoon Tea and Garden Tour. 2 - 4:30 PM
2025-04-30 | The Saint Paul Hotel, 350 Market Street, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, United States
Join your garden club friends and wear your best hat, for an afternoon tea at the historic St. Paul Hotel. This special tea is just for us, and promises to be a memorable occasion. Afterward we will take a peek and see what is coming up in Robyn’s garden outside the grand entrance.
Time: 2 – 4:30 PM
Location: The Saint Paul Hotel
350 Market Street, Saint Paul, MN 55102
Hosts: Robyn Wefel, Gretchen Cudak, Mary Parenteau

SPGC Provisional Members' Wrap Up Dinner
2025-04-23 18:00 | Mary Parenteau’s Home, 4574 Lake Ave., White Bear Lake, MN, 55110, United States

Rice Park Spring Planting
2025-04-17 10:00 - 12:30 | Rice Park, 109 4th Street W, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, United States
Spring is in the air…A lovely reminder of how beautiful change can truly be. Please join us as we transition Rice Park from tired winter to spectacular spring.
SignUpGenius; https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-55213358-rice#/
What to bring: garden gloves, step stool, garden towel, jugs of water, and your own sunshine.
Note: Parking can sometimes be difficult near Rice Park especially if an event is happening. We’d love everyone to be able to participate in the fun, so please consider carpooling. If you are unable to find a parking spot, don’t leave but pull into the park itself at one of the four corners. Feel free to flag down or call one of the Rice Park committee members, and we will help you pull in.

*Please also sign up for Rice Park maintenance. You can go any day of the week for your volunteer slot, it does not have to be on Monday.
SignUpGenius: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-55213358-rice#/
Questions regarding Spring Planting or Weekly Maintenance? Contact Kris Rose: 651-246-0201 or Joan Palm: 651-260-2895
