A park bench was placed and a Korean Mountain Ash was planted in her memory. More than 30 friends and fellow gardeners attended the tribute. WAGC President Eileen Avia welcomed and thanked everyone for their donations toward the purchase of the bench and tree. Janet Schulz told of Sally and her husband Bob’s journey from England to the U.S., their love of gardening, and the friends she made along the way. Bob thanked everyone for attending and told a story about a hummingbird that appeared and hovered at the window of their home the day following his wife’s death. The tiny flittering birds were always found in Sally’s English inspired garden, but none had ever flown so close to the picture window. A sure sign, perhaps, that Sally’s spirit is still tending the garden!

The dedication ended with all singing one of Sally’s favorite songs, In an English Country Garden. Refreshments followed.

The next time you visit the “wildlife center” be sure to walk the path near the picnic benches. Walk about fifty feet east to find Sally’s bench, sit for a spell, and look for hummingbirds. Ahhh, lovely.

WAGC President Eileen Avia welcoming the attendees.

WAGC Member Janet Schulz paying tribute to her friend Sally Ditton. Click to read it: Sally’s Train

Bob Ditton sharing his hummingbird story.

The Korean Mountain Ash and park bench dedicated to Sally Ditton’s love of life and gardening.

Photos of Sally displayed on her bench. Photo credit: Lauren Faustini

The bench plaque reads simply, “lovely.”

Friend and fellow gardeners singing one of Sally’s favorite songs, “In an English Country Garden.”
Photo credit: Linda Vreeland

Click on image above to view lyrics.

Click HERE to listen to the melody.

Thank you to the McFaul Environmental Center for planting the tree and placing the bench.

Mountain Ash Thrives at Environmental Center

In 2018, an American Ash was planted at the McFaul Environmental Center in honor of Sally Ditton, a beloved Member of the Wyckoff Area Garden Club and lover of nature and the great outdoors. A bench was also placed near the tree with a plaque inscribed with her name and Lovely, a word Sally used many times to describe one’s garden or just one flower or plant. Below are photos of the tree as it appears three years later.

The next time you are walking in the Center, look for Sally’s tree and bench and sit a spell. The word, lovely will surely come to mind. The McFaul Environmental Center is located at 150 Crescent Avenue, Wyckoff. It opens for visitors at 8:30 a.m.

American Mountain Ash

Commonly called Rowan tree, the Mountain Ash grows well in USDA Hardiness Zones 3-6. It typically thrives in full sun and has a 24 – 36 inches growth rate per year. Once full grown they can reach a height of 20 – 40 feet and 8 – 20 feet in spread. The Mountain Ash does well or is tolerant in well-drained clay and loamy, sandy soil. In fall, expect to see the leaves transition to a beautiful hue of yellow, orange and red. With proper conditions they will produce fruits that are edible to humans. Be ready to see a variety of wildlife drawn to the Mountain Ash as they can attract songbirds, deer and small mammals. Once in bloom the flowers will be white in color.

Sally’s Bench

Mountain Ash

Sally’s Tree and Bench

2021 Sally Ditton Scholarship Application

Alex Morrill is the 2019 recipient of the Sally Ditton Memorial Scholarship. Alex is a Junior at William Paterson University and is studying Environmental Science. Alex will graduate with a Bachelor of Science degree. He is also a member of the Horticulture Society.

Congratulations, Alex!

Read more about the Scholarship here.

Alex Morrill, 2019 recipient of the Sally Ditton Memorial Scholarship

ARTICLE I 

SECTION I

The President shall preside at all meetings of the Club and the Executive Committee, and shall be, ex-officio, a member of all committees except the Nominating Committee. 

The President shall be keeper of the Seal of the Wyckoff Area Garden Club and shall have custody of all official papers and records. 

SECTION II

The Vice-President shall assume all duties of the President in the absence or disability of the President. The Vice-President is a member of the Program Committee and the Fund-raising Committee.

SECTION III 

a)  The Recording/Corresponding Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the Club.

SECTION IV 

a)  The Treasurer shall collect, hold and pay out the funds of the Club.

b)  Shall keep accurate books of accounts which shall at all times be open to Inspection.

c)  Shall submit a monthly report in writing.

d)  The Treasurer shall collect dues.

e)  Club checks may be signed by the Treasurer or the President. 

ARTICLE II

SECTION I

a. The President may appoint the following committees:

Butterflies, Birds, & Bugs
Community Service Programs
Environmental Conservation
Historian/Archivist
Horticulture
Hospitality
Membership
Publicity
Trips & Tours
Website & Yearbook

b. The Executive Board will consist of the elected officers and the chairmen of the committees. It shall meet at the discretion of the President – not fewer than two times per year. Any matter requir- ing action between Board meetings may be approved by a vote of the elected officers. 

c. The President shall appoint any other special committee as the need arises. 

d. The President shall appoint delegates to organizations as required.

SECTION II 

a)  A three (3) Member Nominating Committee consisting of the previous Nominating Chairman, one member elected by the membership at the February meeting preceding the election, and one member appointed by the President, shall prepare a list of candidates whose names shall be read at the April meeting and further nominations shall be in order from the floor. 

b) Elections: Elections shall be held every other year at the annual meeting in May. If there is more than one candidate for the same office, election shall be by ballot, and a majority vote shall elect. If there is only one candidate for each office, it will be in order to move that the Secretary cast the vote of the membership for the election of the Officers. 

c) Terms of Office: The term of office shall be for two years. Any vacancy of the elected officers will be filled by a vote of the Executive Board. 

SECTION I: NAME

The name of the club shall be the Wyckoff Area Garden Club, Inc.

SECTION II: OBJECTIVES

To encourage interest in all phases of home gardening and promote better horticultural practices, civic beauty and the conservation of natural resources.

SECTION III: OFFICERS

a) The officers of the club shall be a President, Vice President,  Secretary, and Treasurer.

b) The Executive Committee shall consist of elected officers, chairmen of standing committees appointed by the President and the immediate past President.

SECTION IV: DUES

a) The dues of this club are $35 annually, payable April 1.

b) Members whose dues are unpaid after June 1st will be dropped from membership.

c) New members accepted after January 1st will pay $15 for the remainder of the year.

SECTION V: MEETINGS

a) Regular meetings shall be held monthly on the second Wednesday of each month unless otherwise stated.

b) Workshop meetings shall be held as scheduled and announced in the yearbook, website, and Facebook.

c) Special meetings may be called by the President.

d) Biennial meeting for the election of officers shall be held in May at which time all Committee Chairmen shall submit a written report.

e) One third (1/3) of the total membership shall constitute a quorum for the transaction of business.

SECTION VI: MEMBERSHIP

Membership in WAGC is open to all regardless of gender, age, race, ethnicity or religious affiliation.

The qualification for membership shall be an active interest in gardening in any form. There are four classes of membership: Active, Sustaining, Associate and Honorary.

1) Active Membership: Each active member is encouraged to attend as many regular meetings as possible, to serve on at least one committee and to serve once as hostess during the year. Each active member is expected to participate in the WAGC fundraiser. The dues for an active member is $35 annually.

2) Sustaining Membership: Any active member of fifteen years who has dutifully fulfilled all membership requirements may apply for sustaining membership. The request must be submitted in writing to the Executive Board and the Board will vote on each request individually. The dues of a sustaining member are $10 annually. All privileges of membership remain the same, with the exception that the sustaining member cannot vote. If a sustaining member desires reinstatement as an active member, she/he will have priority over those waiting to join.

3) Honorary Membership: The Executive Committee may vote to make a person an Honorary Member. Honorary Members have all privileges of full membership but do not pay dues.

4) Associate Membership: Any active or former active member who has/had been a member in good standing for five years but does not feel that she/ he is able to maintain active membership status may apply for associate membership. The request must be submitted in writing to the Executive Board. The Board will vote on each membership request individually. The dues for associate membership are $30 annually. Associate members are entitled to all privileges of full membership, but have no vote. No more than 1/10 of the membership may be considered associate members. If an associate member desires reinstatement as an active member, she/he shall have priority over those waiting to join.

SECTION VII: AMENDMENTS

This constitution may be amended at any meeting provided notice of intention to amend shall have been mailed to each member at least one week prior to such meeting.

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One of our WAGC members’ friends recently took a photo a caterpillar that she found in her garden. Not knowing what it was, she contacted Rutgers University and they unfortunately mis-identified it as a Black Swallowtail caterpillar (photo 1). WAGC member (and butterfly breeder) Joan Rottkamp saw the photo and immediately knew what it was – a Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar (photo 3). The two are not very similar in appearance as caterpillars, but are quite similar as butterflies (photos 2 and 4). The Black Swallowtail feeds on parsley and dill host plants and the Spicebush variety hang out on sassafras and what else – spicebush plants.

Thanks to Joan for correctly identifying the caterpillar!

Look for these striking caterpillars in your own gardens, especially if you grow their host plants!

Photo 1: Black Swallowtail caterpillar

Photo 2: Black Swallowtail butterfly discovered in Joan’s garden

Photo 3: Spicebush Swallowtail caterpillar

Photo 4: Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly

Three members of WAGC attended “What’s All The Buzz About?” at Westfield Garden State Plaza on Friday, March 24, 2017. Dr. Jackie Ehlert, a founder The Havemeyer Edible Garden at Ramapo College, and John Gaut, 2nd V.P. of the Northeast N.J. Beekeepers Association spoke to an audience of about 30 attendees about the importance of the pollinators, particularly the honey bee to the environment. Information included how to start a bee hive, how to gather honey, and general upkeep of the hives. A cocktail reception followed. To learn more about the Edible Garden or to become a founder to help the bees, visit www.ramapo.edu/garden/. To learn more about the NNJBA visit www.nnjbees.org.

Flowers that attract pollinators and butterflies:

Bee Balm attracts honey bees and butterflies to your garden. Bees feast on bee balm, cosmos, echinacea, snapdragons foxglove, and hosta in the summer.

Dr. Jackie Ehlert with John Gaut speaking about the importance of bee hives, how to start one and how to maintain it in your own backyard.

Sample of a bee hive from The Havemeyer Edible Garden

WAGC President Eileen Avia, Salma Goldstein, founding member of The Havemeyer Edible Garden at Ramapo College (and WAGC member) and WAGC Publicity Chair Linda Vreeland