Our Meetings and activities
Who we are
Arlington Garden Club (AGC) is a meeting place where like-minded people join together and share their love of all things gardening and the great outdoors.
Our meetings
As outlined on our home page, we hold meetings once a month at Gleneagle Family Restaurant. We have a program fee of $15 per person, which includes a buffet luncheon, or for special diets, you may call ahead and order a meal. The buffet includes the main course, beverage, and dessert.
Guests are welcome
The public and guests of members are always welcome at our meetings. The two exceptions to this are the December Holiday Meeting and the June Fling, our last meeting of the year, where you must be a member to attend. Program fees apply to members as well as guests
Social time and raffle
Once you arrive at a meeting, it's social time. This is a good time to welcome newer members as well as meet up with our garden club friends. During this time you can purchase optional raffle tickets for a chance to win items donated by members. We also have a free book exchange table.
Business report
At monthly meetings, a report is given on activities of the board and committees as well as upcoming events. This portion of the meeting is open to discussion and questions.
Program
AGC is proud to offer an excellent and varied array of programs presented by gardening experts and entertaining speakers from around the Puget Sound area. Topics range from all things gardening and the greater environment. Handouts are frequently provided. Presentations are generally one hour in length and include the opportunity to have questions answered.
Sharing and last words
Members are encouraged to bring items from their garden for 'show and tell'. These can range from simple cuttings placed in a vase to more elaborate arrangements. Feel free to bring one or more. These will be placed on tables as centerpieces at the meetings for members to enjoy. You will also be given the opportunity to describe and name the flora and foliage in your arrangement.
Field trips and fun things to do
Throughout the year our activities committee presents ideas for field trips and fun activities. Beyond the walls of our monthly meetings, we've found that getting together provides not only a way to explore areas of interest, gardens and engage in activities but also as a great way to get to know one another. Sign-up sheets are usually floated around at meetings.
A little bit about what we do
June Fling Celebration
June Fling Celebration
June Fling Celebration
Our last club meeting of the year is a grand celebration. Tables are lavishly decorated by members to coordinate with a theme. We all look forward to a silent auction with items donated by members. Our annual scholarship(s) and Roberta Lothian awards are presented as well as the installation of officers for the upcoming garden club year. A special luncheon is also served.
Scholarships
June Fling Celebration
June Fling Celebration
Each year our club presents one or more scholarships to area high school graduating seniors for their future studies in horticulture or the environment.
Zach Martian of Arlington was the 2020 winner of a $2,500 scholarship. He will be attending Washington State University and studying construction management and agriculture then plans a career in the area of sustainable development.
Roberta Lothian Award
June Fling Celebration
Craft Day & Summer Events
In 2010 our board established the Roberta Lothian Award to honor a club member for contributions made to the club and/or community. The award is presented annually at the June Fling. The 2019 award winner is Karen Ricketts, shown above right, presented by Judy Ness.
Craft Day & Summer Events
Maintaining Supported Public Gardens
Craft Day & Summer Events
Each year in July, members look forward to Craft Day, held at the home of Karen Ricketts. Projects typically have a garden theme and are unveiled a few evenings later at a fun potluck shared with spouses and friends. Other activities during the summer may include garden tours and visits to nurseries.
Potting Day at Sunnyside Nursery
Maintaining Supported Public Gardens
Maintaining Supported Public Gardens
Once a year in May we join forces with Sunnyside Nursery in Marysville to assemble colorful planters. Their customers choose plants, sometimes with the help of our club members, and we plant them in a pot they have purchased from the nursery or brought from home. The soil is generously donated by Sunnyside Nursery.
Maintaining Supported Public Gardens
Maintaining Supported Public Gardens
Maintaining Supported Public Gardens
The Mayor's Garden, located in front of Arlington City Hall on Olympic Avenue, is one of the gardens planted and maintained by AGC members. We also look after Lebanon Park, located at 105 N Lebanon Ave. near Les Schwab Tires, and have maintained the grounds around trees and shrubs we've planted along Centennial Trail over the years.