SPGC Annual Membership Meeting
2025-07-16 10:00 - 12:00 (America/Chicago) | 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

Reminder...Sign up for Rice Park Weekly Maintenance
2025-06-01, 2025-04-01 | 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 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

SPGC Membership Meeting
2025-04-16 10:00 - 12:00 | Town & Country Club, 300 N Mississippi River Blvd, St. Paul, MN, 55104, United States
Program: Horticulture Committee
Show Us Your Pots
Presentation and slideshow featuring Saint Paul Garden Club Members’ “Garden and Patio Pots”.
Members will share tips for designing and caring for their pots from spring and summer of 2024
along with their favorite plants and garden supply stores.
(July-August, 2024 members submit photos of their pots for April program)
Presented by 2023-24 Hort Chairs, Kris Johnston & Jeanine Jesmer, Assisted by Michelle
Riedel
Lead host: Becky Diekmann
Hosts: Teresa Moe, Michelle Mero Riedel, Tina Allison

SPGC Board Meeting
2025-04-09 10:00 - 12:00 | Unity Church – Arthur Foote Room, 732 Holly Avenue, Saint Paul, MN, United States
9:30 am Coffee
10:00 am Business Meeting
Location: Unity Church—Unitarian
733 Portland Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Hosts: Melissa Pfeiffer, Kris Rose

Botanical Arts - Crop Art Workshop
2025-03-26 10:00 - 13:00
Liz Schreiber, illustrator, and artist will conduct a hands-on workshop using the crop art
technique. This award-winning artist will share her MN State Fair ribbon winning pieces and
conduct a three-hour class, including all supplies to finish a 7 ½ X 7 ½ personal crop art
creation. What a chance in a lifetime! Designs will be worked out beforehand with Nancy.
Location: Liz’s home
3000 Polk Street NE, Minneapolis, MN 55418
Host: Nancy Apfelbacher
SignUpGenius link coming mid February.

Spring Flower Show at Como Conservatory
2025-03-21 - 2025-04-27 | Como Park Conservatory, 1225 ESTABROOK DRIVE MN, SAINT. PAUL, MN, 55103, United States
Stop by the Como Conservatory and check out the results of our planning
and planting!

Garden History & Design Committee. Plant for Como Spring Sunken Garden Show
2025-03-18 - 2025-03-19 | Como Park Conservatory, 1225 ESTABROOK DRIVE MN, SAINT. PAUL, MN, 55103, United States
Plant for Como Spring Sunken Garden Show
All club members are invited to take part in the assembly and planting of the Spring 2025
Sunken Garden display. Choose from a morning or afternoon time slot and participate in the
magic happening!
Tuesday, March 18, 2025. 9:30 AM-Noon and 1-3:30 PM,
Wednesday, March 19, 2025. 9:30 AM-Noon and 1-3:30 PM,

SPGC Rice Park Weekly Maintenance
2025-03-16, 2025-03-09 - 2025-03-10, 2025-03-02 | Rice Park, 109 4th Street W, Saint Paul, MN, 55102, United States
https://www.signupgenius.com/go/30E084DABAF23A6F85-rice10#/
Please consider signing 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, it does not have to be on Monday.
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

SPGC Membership Meeting
2025-02-19 10:00 - 12:00 | North Oaks Golf Club, 54 East North Oaks Road
General Meeting Agenda
9:30 AM Coffee
10:00 AM Business Meeting
11:00 AM Program
12:00 Lunch
Program: Photography & Floral Design Committees
The Transformative Power of Dailiness,
MJ Hoffman
Every day for over a decade, Mary Jo Hoffman has made a photograph of found nature — no
subject is too small or too ordinary. For Hoffman, a former aeronautical engineer, this daily
ritual cracked open profound revelations about the connectedness of all things, the importance
of place, and her own life.
Lead host: Tracy Stutz
Hosts: Sheila McCarr, Amy Murphy

SPGC Board Meeting
2025-02-12 10:00 - 12:00
9:30 am Coffee
10:00 am Business Meeting
Location: Unity Church—Unitarian
733 Portland Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55104
Hosts: Betsy Cobb, Rojean Rada

SPGC Membership Meeting
2025-01-15 18:30 - 20:00
General Meeting Agenda: Zoom Evening Meeting
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/82282804213?pwd=[REDACTED]
Program: Horticulture Committee
All About Martagons and Then Some
Rose Martinson, lily grower, judge and SPGC member will discuss her expertise and love of
Martagon Lilies. Rose grows and distributes many different and beautiful lily varieties. She will
focus on Martagons and maybe slip a few other lily favorites into her presentation.
Assisted by Michelle Riedel
Zoom host: Sarah Meek

SPGC 39th Annual Holiday Tea Dance
2024-12-15 16:00 - 20:00 | Intercontinental Hotel, St Paul Riverfront, 11 Kellogg Boulevard, St Paul, MN, 55101, United States
Celebrate the season with our 39th Holiday Tea Dance. Bring your friends and family for an event filled with holiday cheer, good friends, delicious food, cocktails, crafting, and dancing at the InterContinental Saint Paul Riverfront. Invitations will be mailed approximately 5 weeks before the party.

Create and Decorate for the Holiday Tea Dance. Session Six - It's a Wrap
2024-12-15 10:00 - 13:00 | Intercontinental Hotel. 11 Kellogg Boulevard, St. Paul, MN
The last craft moment will be held at the Intercontinental Hotel, Kellogg Street, Saint Paul on Sunday, December 15th, the day of decoration placement and of the Tea Dance, 10:00 am.

Create and Decorate for the Holiday Tea Dance. Session Five
2024-12-14 10:00 - 14:00 | Birchwood Village City Hall. 207 Birchwood Avenue in Birchwood, MN 55110.
We will be making wreathes, paper bag stars, Froebel stars, and small fairy gardenesque felted wool objects, including hedgehogs, mushrooms, gnomes, little birds, etc. Plus pine cone garlands, pop up paper spheres and dried grass stars, among other things.
SUG: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-52470713-hygge#/

Create and Decorate for the Holiday Tea Dance. Session Four
2024-12-11 13:00 - 16:00 | Birchwood Village City Hall. 207 Birchwood Avenue in Birchwood, MN 55110.

SPGC Board Meeting
2024-12-11 10:00 - 12:00 | Carol Kolb’s Home, 998 Goodrich Avenue, St. Paul, Minnesota, 55105
9:30 am Coffee
10:00 am Business Meeting
Location: Carol Kolb’s Home
998 Goodrich Avenue, St. Paul, MN 55105
Hosts: Betsy Cobb, Sarah Meek

Create and Decorate for the Holiday Tea Dance. Session Three
2024-12-04 10:00 - 13:00 | Birchwood Village City Hall. 207 Birchwood Avenue in Birchwood, MN 55110.
We will be making wreathes, paper bag stars, Froebel stars, and small fairy gardenesque felted wool objects, including hedgehogs, mushrooms, gnomes, little birds, etc. Plus pine cone garlands, pop up paper spheres and dried grass stars, among other things. Lunch is included for this session.
SUG: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-52470713-hygge#/

Holiday Woodland Floral Design Workshop
2024-11-20 13:00 - 15:00 | North Oaks Golf Club, 54 East North Oaks Road
SUG: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/409044BABA72BA0F58-53021457-spgc#/
An Optional Floral Design Workshop will follow the November 20 meeting at North Oaks from 1:00pm-3:00pm. Class size is limited to 25 members. Choose either a Woodland Pave Centerpiece or a Woodland Sphere Centerpiece for the holidays.
Supplies will be included, but you may bring any additional foraged materials.
Please bring design tools such as floral knives or snippers along with an apron. Both arrangements maybe somewhat different due to availability of supplies. Cost is $100.00
Send $100 fee via Zelle or to Ann Tessier.

SPGC Membership Meeting
2024-11-20 10:00 - 12:00 | North Oaks Golf Club, 54 East North Oaks Road
General Meeting Agenda
9:30 AM Coffee
10:00 AM Business Meeting
11:00 AM Program
12:00 Lunch
Program: Floral Design Committee
Floral Design with Color Theory
Dee Dee Hoffman—November Workshop same day
Owner and Designer of Botany Creative Works, Dee Dee will be discussing Color Theory with
us. She is highly knowledgeable working with color in floral design. She will demonstrate color
theory through her floral creations and help us get a fresh focus on color combinations for the
holidays and evermore.
