WELCOME TO BITTERSWEET GARDEN CLUB

Jefferson City, Missouri

Celebrating 50 Years - 1973-2023

Growing Flowers and Friendships

2023 Programs and Activities

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The 2022 yearbooks were distributed at the December meeting. You can also access the listing of meetings, programs, activities, and committees by clicking the image at the left or clicking this link.
See also the​ "Calendar Tab" above and the "Upcoming Events" column on the right.

Thank you to our
​2023 Garden Tour Homeowners!

SIGN UP to receive notification each spring of upcoming garden tour details. Note: We ONLY send emails about our tour and we DO NOT share our mailing list with anyone...EVER.
Interested in connecting with gardening friends?
​Contact Us to learn more about Bittersweet Garden Club.

Upcoming Events

Guests are welcome to visit a monthly meeting,
but other activities are member-only functions
​unless otherwise specified.​
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Dueling Pianos at Canterbury Hills Winery

Saturday, September 16
​Location: Canterbury Hills Winery
                    1707 S Summit Dr, Holts Summit, MO
     Enjoy sipping your favorite beverage while surrounded by the inviting atmosphere and the fresh air at Canterbury Hills Winery. Dueling Pianos is always one of the favorite activities offered by this local venue. Listen to piano favorites requested by others or request one of yours by slipping some $$$$ into the tip jar.
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September Bittersweet Meeting

Thursday, September 21
​Location: Center for Soy Innovation
                    734 S Country Club Drive
Social: 6:00 PM, Program: 6:30 p.m.
Program: “Restoring Home:  A Story of Efforts to Restore Property Back to Natural Prairies”
Presenter: Jane Haslag
Jane continues to live near Taos on the property where she was raised. In retirement, she found her passion as she and her husband Allan work to restore their property to its native state. Jane completed the Master Pollinator Steward program through the University of Missouri Extension Center in 2021 and completed her Master Naturalist training in 2022. She is a member of the Missouri Prairie Foundation Board of Directors. Jane’s presentation shares the story of what they found on their property, their efforts to restore it, and the results they’ve seen so far. 
Inspirational Minute: Lee Bunch

Host: Judy Schneider
​Co-Hosts: Karen Basel, Jeannine Brickey, Lee Bunch, Marla Clark, Jill Dobbs, Shirley Gassen, Cathy Hall, Stacy Landwehr, Tracy Leonberger, Alice Longfellow, Linda Samson, Judy Schneider, Evie Starr, Grace Tipton, Sue Tipton
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KC West Bottoms, New Theater, and Overland Park Botanical Garden

October 6 & 7
Join us for a bus trip to Kansas City. Once home to the Livestock Exchange and Stockyards, the West Bottoms area has 22 warehouses with approximately 600 vendors. During First Friday Weekends of every month, all vendors have their doors open, making this the destination for interior decorators and collectors alike. Mid-afternoon we will head to our hotel in Overland Park. A dinner-show theater will be available for those who wish to go, or stay in and enjoy the Drury Inn Happy Hour.  Saturday, we will visit the Overland Park Arboretum and Botanical Garden. On our way home in the afternoon we will stop at the Arcadia Moon Winery to refresh our spirits and wrap up our latest adventure.

October Bittersweet Meeting

Thursday, October 19
​Location: Center for Soy Innovation
                    734 S Country Club Drive
Social: 6:00 PM, Program: 6:30 p.m.
Program: “Attracting Migrating Birds to Your Garden in the Fall”
Presenter: Steve and Regina Garr
    Steve & Regina Garr, owners of Birds-I-View, have co-founded two separate State Bluebird Societies and are President and Secretary, respectively, for the Missouri Bluebird Society. Fall is a terrific time of year for bird watching in your own backyard! Some birds are “leaving town” for the winter, while others are just arriving. The Garrs will cover timely bird identification and techniques to attract migrating, as well as year-round birds.
Food Bank Collection—Members are asked to bring non-perishable food items or monetary donations for the Samaritan Center Food Bank. Any checks should be made payable to the Samaritan Center.
Inspirational Minute: Nelly McKay
Host: Linda Block
​Co-Hosts: Linda Bledsoe, Carol Bowdoin, Rita Christgen, Marilyn Curtit, Jill Dobbs, Brenda Hancock, Jacqueline Huhman, Donna Lynch, Linda Oligschlaeger, Pat Roberts, Sonya Ross, Judy Schepers, Jenelle Schwieterman, Marge Talken, Claire West

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Make a Holiday Wreath

November -- Date TBD

Join us in making a wreath for the holidays. Greenery, wreath form, and wire will be provided, along with pine cones and lily pods. You may bring your own ribbon to fit your décor along with any other embellishments. If you have any extra ribbon or picks that you no longer want, bring them along to share. We are planning to make a wreath large enough for a door hanging.
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November Bittersweet Meeting

Thursday, November 16
​Location: Center for Soy Innovation
                    734 S Country Club Drive
Social: 6:00 PM, Program: 6:30 p.m.

Program: “Water Gardens and Dry Creek Beds in the Landscape”
Presenter: Alice Longfellow
Founder and previous owner of Longfellow’s Garden Center, fellow Bittersweetie Alice Longfellow’s love for gardening continues through her new ventures with garden writings, podcast and radio show, and garden tours. With years of experience solving landscape problems, Alice is no stranger to water gardens and creek beds. She will share her expertise in incorporating those features into existing landscape and choosing the best plants to use. 

Shared Meal: Members whose last names begin with A-K are asked to bring a dish to contribute to a shared holiday meal.

Inspirational Minute: Sharon Burnett

Host: Barb Miltenberger
Co-Hosts: Mari-Anne Antweiler, Cass Bates, Sharon Burnett, Ginni Griffen, Sandy Hiatte, Nelly McKay, Ronda Thompson, Cristine West
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Tour the Governor's Mansion

December -- Date TBD

Tours are not usually booked in December, but we are "penciled in" for a special tour of the Mansion, subject to the schedule of Missouri's first family. The Mansion will be beautifully decorated and clothed in splendor, with sparkling lights and lush greenery everywhere. Let's cross our fingers (and our toes!) and hope we can feast our eyes on the holiday elegance of the Governor's residence.​​
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December Bittersweet Meeting

Thursday, December 14
​Location: Center for Soy Innovation
                    734 S Country Club Drive
Social: 6:00 PM, Program: 6:30 p.m.

Program: “Merry Christmas!” Dinner & (optional) Gift Exchange

Presenter: Jeannine Brickey
​Jeannine, Bittersweet president, will facilitate an optional gift exchange. Members may bring a $20 gift and participate in an exchange game that is sure to elicit plenty of laughs and smiles! It’s always a festive event. Don’t miss out on the fun...even if you just want to watch!
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Shared Meal: Members whose last names begin with L-Z are asked to bring a dish to contribute to a shared holiday meal.

Host: Gail Cummins
Co-Hosts: Rita Christgen, Sherry Fitzpatrick, Sandy Hiatte, Sheila Scott, Tina Spillers, Evie Starr, Susan Stork, Marge Talken



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Bittersweet Garden Club - Jefferson City, Missouri