For our August meeting we welcomed Interfaith Minister and Advanced Master Gardener Donna Katsuranis who shared the Power Point presentation, “Color, Texture and More – Garden Design for Four Season Interest.”

Donna Katsutanis and Club Vice-President Jen Lombard

Donna has taught numerous Advanced Master Garden classes and has lectured throughout the Northeast to Garden Clubs and the Connecticut Flower and Garden Show.  She is also a principal for the Kiwanis Giving Garden in Brookfield, which grows vegetables for local food pantries.

Donna showed us how to look at our gardens during the spring, summer, autumn and winter and design the gardens to have interest in all the seasons.

Some of the plants shown were interesting in each season, pictured here are the Dogwood tree with showy white flowers in the spring and bright red leaves in the autumn, Pussy Willow in all the stages of its buds and Winterberry with its attractive red berries in the winter.

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On Thursday, August 6th Club President Lisa DiNardo along with club members Elizabeth Griffin, Joanne Brunnelle and Joan Mauri spent the day placing shrubs in planters at the Riverwalk and around downtown Shelton.

Pictured clockwise: Club President Lisa DiNardo, Elizabeth Griffin, Joanne Brunnelle and Joan Mauri

Two shrubs were placed at the Riverwalk and three were placed in downtown Shelton on Howe Avenue.

For our July meeting we welcomed George Trecina who gave the Power Point presentation, “Unraveling the Mysteries of Pruning.”

George Trecina and Club Vice-President Jen Lombard

George has a Bachelor of Science degree in Landscape Design and a Master of Landscape Architecture degree.  He owns and operates Land Design and Horticultural Sales in Meriden, CT doing residential and commercial landscape design, installation and aftercare.

His presentation, besides teaching us the best pruning techniques, showed us which pruning tools we should use to get the best results when pruning our trees and shrubs. Continue reading →

The United States will commemorate its Semiquincentennial on July 4, 2026, honoring the nation’s founding in 1776. The celebration is supported by federal, state, and local initiatives, as well as cultural institutions and community organizations

America’s 250th birthday represents a nationwide moment of reflection, celebration, and historical appreciation across all levels of society.

There are many ways to celebrate the 250th birthday of America including:

SAIL 250, A flotilla of tall ships and military vessels is making its way up the Atlantic coast as part of the summer-long Sail250.

GETTYSBURG REENACTMENT, A massive recreation of the battle (July 3-5) with hundreds of uniform-clad reenactors takes place every year at historic Daniel Lady Farm.  The reenactment complements various 250th anniversary events in Gettysburg like a “Revolutionary Reads” book club series that explores the people, conflicts and ideas that shaped the American Revolution (July 9 and August 13); “Voices of 1776: The Diverse Faces Behind America’s Founding” (July 16); and “1776, The Musical” (various dates in July and August).

TURNING POINT PARADE, The Turning Point Parade in Schuylerville, New York, on August 2, commemorates the American victory over the Redcoats at the 1777 Battles of Saratoga.

RECREATING WASHINGTON’S CROSSING OF THE DELAWARE, General George Washington and his troops cross the Delaware again. Twice this time! As costume-clad reenactors in this celebration spanning Pennsylvania and New Jersey will make their way across the river in replica wooden Durham boats from Pennsylvania’s Washington Crossing Historic Park.

To see the complete list visit https://www.cnn.com/2026/06/26/travel/unique-ways-to-celebrate-america-250

As we prepare to leave Spring behind and enter the Summer season, the Civic Gardens are coming alive with color.

Huntington Center Green

Shelton Community Center

Huntington Branch of the Shelton Post Office

Shelton City Hall

Shelton Police Department

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Olde Ripton Garden Club, a committee was formed to work on a cookbook.

The cover artwork was created by club member Jean Hirsch and is the City of Shelton flower, “Rudbeckia Fulgida.”

The “Favorite Recipes from the Olde Ripton Garden Club” cookbook is a collection of recipes from club members.

It is dedicated to Claire Norris who is one of the founding members of the Olde Ripton Garden Club.

The cookbook would not have been possible without the contribution of recipes by club members to whom this cookbook is also dedicated.

Committee members L to R: Diana Wehger, Jan Gallagher, DonnaKay Pensiero and Committee Chair Laurie Norris

Shelton city flower, “Rudbeckia Fuldiga” artwork was designed by club member Jean Hirsch.

On Monday, June 8th the Olde Ripton Garden Club celebrated 50 years with a delightful luncheon at Ritrovo Ristorante on River Road in Shelton.

Each table was adorned with an arrangement containing Rudbeckia flowers baked by club member Jean Hirsch.  The arrangement was designed by club members Jean Hirsch and Debby Garrow.

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Richard O. Belden Cultural Center

Huntington Center Green

Shelton Community Center

Huntington Fire Department

Huntington Branch of the Shelton Post Office

Shelton Historical Society

Shelton City Hall

Shelton High School

Shelton Police Department

On Saturday, May 16, 2026, Olde Ripton Garden Club held its annual Plant and Bake Sale.

Thanks to Co-Chairs Lisa DiNardo and Debby Garrow, along with the help of all the members of the garden club for making the plant sale a huge success.

Thanks also to the local businesses that donated gift cards to the Plant and Bake Sale. Continue reading →

Join us this Saturday, May16th for our Annual Plant and Bake Sale held at St. Paul’s Church parking lot from 9 AM to 1 PM, rain or shine.

Visit our 50th Anniversary Table with a Rain Barrel giveaway and Glove and Seed Giveaway.

“Growing Together for 50 Years” Olde Ripton Garden Club President Lisa DiNardo

There will be a large selection of perennials, annuals, herbs and tomato plants, many member-grown plants will be available.  We will also have a bake sale and once again our famous gift cards will be available.

A master gardener will be available to answer your gardening questions.

The proceeds from our non-profit organization event benefit community projects, scholarships, youth gardening, senior garden therapy and beautifying city gardens.

Plant and Bake sale information is available at (203) 209-6762 or Info@OldeRiptonGardenClub.org

Founded in 1976, the Olde Ripton Garden Club (ORGC) of Shelton, Connecticut is a community of garden enthusiasts committed to sharing the love of gardening and conservation.  We provide education in horticulture and assist in beautifying the grounds around public buildings.

Meetings are held March through December (no meetings in January and February.)  They are on the first Monday of the month (except for holidays) and start at 10 a.m.

Dues are $35 per year, guests are welcome to attend, there is a $5 Visitor Fee for non-members.

A sure sign that spring is here is this view from Hubbell Farm.

Linda Hooper found these Robin eggs in one of her flower pots that had been lined with hay.  The female Robin has been sitting on them so it will be wonderful to see them hatched and baby Robins being fed.

In case you haven’t put out your hummingbird feeders yet, hummingbirds have been spotted in Shelton.  They are arriving very hungry and will be looking for feeders that they visited last year.

For our May 4th meeting. club member Loretta Carrero led us in creating Rustic Floral Arrangements.

Members had a variety of colorful tulips, twigs and pussy willows to use.

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