FROGS Talk
by Aimee Martin, FROGS President
Aimee Martin, FROGS President
Hello, FROGS— There is a line in a seasonal carol about “the bleak mid-winter.” Yet, the gardens still offer much to see in winter interest. There’s also a lot going on inside: art shows, teas, winter lectures, and the wonderful display in the glass house. Be sure to check out the FROGS website for times and dates.
Last time I told you about a lot of the FROGS board members who help keep this effort going. This time I want to give a shout-out to those who lead our major fund-raisers, the Spring Garden Day and the combined Fall Festival/Silent Auction. There is also our Give-Back-to-the-Community Summer Concert. You probably know that these are all-hands-on-deck efforts that combine FROGS, Green Spring Gardens staff, and multiple volunteers. Planning takes months.
Susan Voss has managed the Silent Auction for many years. This task involves at least five months of meticulous organization, beginning with the first request for donations and not ending until the last item is picked up and the deposits made. This also includes scrupulous accounting, co-opting her basement, and a lot of intense work with business and individual donors, not to mention all her volunteer recruits.
The other event chairs rotate. Last year our newest board member, Steve Cooper, chaired Spring Garden Day, the most complex plant sale. A team of Marylou Wall, Linda Nordstrom, and others organized the Summer Concert and the Children’s Activities; and Jeff Zinn took on the Fall Festival for the second year in a row. He was rewarded for his efforts by the opportunity to stand in the rain all day. All of these relied on behind-the-scenes work by our Treasurer, Fred Blott, and all the Green Spring staff. As you can see, “it takes a village.”
We have elected new executive officers. Steve Cooper is the new Treasurer, and Kerry Mitchell is our new Secretary. Marylou Wall and I will continue one more year as Vice President and President. This will stagger the office terms so we don’t lose the whole executive officer team at the same time. We all look forward to our continued collaboration with you this coming year.
