WELCOME TO BITTERSWEET GARDEN CLUB

Jefferson City, Missouri

Growing Flowers and Friendships

2019 Programs and Activities

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The 2019 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 through this link: 
2019 Programs & Activities.
See also the​ "Calendar Tab" above and the "Upcoming Events" column on the right.
Another Successful Garden Tour!
​THANK YOU to the homeowners who graciously
shared their gardens with other garden-lovers during the 2018 tour.
Rick & Marsha Hartman ·  Gary & Sheila Scott
Jerry & Jeanne Sills · Don & Katie Whitener
Ronda Thompson & Bill Heatherly
Do you know of a garden we should consider for future tours? 
Tell us about it!

Mark your calendars for the

2019 Bittersweet Garden Tour

Sunday, June 30

2018 Scholarship Winners

​The 2018 Bittersweet Garden Club $500 Scholarship recipients are:
  • Chase Forck - Blair Oaks H.S.; his goal is to become a Stream Biologist
  • Cameron Ian Gehlert - Linn H.S.; his goal is to work on the President’s Council of Environmental Quality
  • Mackenzie Loesch - Russellville H.S.; her goal is Agriculture Education
Congratulations Chase, Cameron, & Mackenzie! 
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Interested in connecting with gardening friends?
​Contact Us to learn more about Bittersweet Garden Club.

Upcoming Events

Bittersweet Coffee

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Second Wednesday Every Month,
​unless otherwise specified​
Location: Hy-Vee
Time: 9:00 AM
Every month members gather on the second Wednesday (usually at Hy-Vee) to meet old friends and make ones. It's a fun time of sharing and visiting in a relaxed atmosphere. Come join us for a cup of coffee, soft drink, or just a visit.

January Bittersweet Meeting
Thursday, January 17

Social 6:00 PM · Program 6:30 PM
Location: St. Martins Knights of Columbus Hall
                   537 State Highway T · Jefferson City
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​​Program: “Low-Maintenance Practices in the Garden"
Presenter: Alice Longfellow 
Alice will share secrets of the trade that demonstrate low-maintenance practices in all aspects of gardening. Alice, fellow Bittersweet member, and her husband, Bob, own Longfellow's Garden Center in Centertown, Missouri. www.Longfellowsgarden.com  

Host: Linda Phelps
​Co-Hosts: Betsy Bax, Rita Christgen, Jane Epperson, Ginni Griffen, Merrilee Holzhauser, Jacquie Huhman, Stacey Landwehr, Beth Michitsch, Marcia Reed, Jenelle Schwieterman, Sue Scott, Susan Stork

Kansas City Gangster Tour & WWI Museum
 Saturday, February 16

     The Gangster Tour puts you hot on the trail of KC’s most famous Goodfellas. You’ll be immersed in a melodramatic look at mob homes, hangouts, and infamous crimes scenes. Enjoy lunch at a local KC restaurant before touring the WWI Museum and Memorial, America’s only museum dedicated to sharing the stories of WWI through the eyes of those who lived it—voted America’s 5th best museum by Yelp. ​

February Bittersweet Meeting

Thursday, February 21

Social 6:00 PM · ​Program 6:30 PM
Location: Hawthorn Bank Community Room
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​​Program: “Monarch Butterflies"
Presenter:  Elizabeth Huber 
Elizabeth, an engineer by profession, has had a long-time interest in butterflies. She will share her experiences with developing a habitat for Monarch Butterflies on her property.
 
Host:  Jeannine Brickey
Co-Hosts: Linda Bledsoe, Debbie Boyce, Heather Brown, Lee Bunch, Barb Crader, Marsha Graham, Alice Hansen, Sandy Hiatte, Jacki Johnson, Rosella Reinkemeyer, Niki Schulte, Marge Talken, Marsha Wilson

March Bittersweet Meeting

Thursday, March 21

Social 6:00 PM · ​Program 6:30 PM
Location: Hawthorn Bank Community Room
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​​Program: “How My Garden Feeds My Soul"
Presenter:  Alice Hansen and Barb Crader 
Alice and Barb, two seasoned Bittersweeties, will share their best experiences in their gardens.
 
Host:  Barb Miltenberger
Co-Hosts: Cassandra Bates, Linda Bledsoe, Gail Cummins, Ginni Griffen, Kathy Kolb, Johnnie Kramer, Linda Phelps, Naydene Quisling, Pat Roberts, Judy Schneider, Jenelle Schwieterman, Sue Scott, Tina Spillers

Exploring Nearby Oddities

March - Date to be Determined
     We'll tour the Curly Eye Alpaca Farm, a small, family farm in Columbia. We'll meet and greet their alpacas and babies, feel their soft coats and shop their store. Alpaca is three times warmer than wool but lighter and hypoallergenic. We'll follow that visit by a fabulous meal at one of Columbia's great restaurants then head to Helmi's Garden Center before heading home. If you haven't visited Helmi's you're in for a treat. It has unusual plants and gift items.  

April Bittersweet Meeting

Thursday, April 18

Social 6:00 PM · ​Program 6:30 PM
Location: Hawthorn Bank Community Room
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​​Program: “Raising Heirloom Apple Trees: a Family Experience"
Presenter: David and Jennifer Urich 
     David and Jennifer planted a commercial size fruit-tree orchard in 1980, primarily with heirloom varieties not usually planted in modern orchards. The Urichs will share their 39 years of apple-growing experience, describe the unique challenges presented by heirloom varieties, and discuss their recommendations for managing fruit trees in the central Missouri climate. Jennifer is also a Bittersweet member.  
 
Host:  Susan Scovill
Co-Hosts: Linda Bledsoe, Debbie Boyce, Marilyn Curtit, Jane Epperson, Alice Hansen, Merlene Hockman, Marcia Reed, Rosella Reinkemeyer, Judy Schneider, Donna Stokes, Ronda Thompson,
Jennifer Urich, Marsha Wilson

Kimmswick, Missouri

Thursday, April 25
     Kimmswick is the perfect place for a day trip, just a short distance south of St. Louis. We have the opportunity to participate in a 3-hour cooking class (including lunch) with Mary Hostetter, renowned owner of the famous Blue Owl Restaurant. Included is a visit to Fredmar Farms, the stately 95-year old Anheuser Estate and its beautiful 23-acre park-like setting. There will still be time to browse 20 unique shops, many housed in original buildings dating from 1859, before heading home. 
Bittersweet Garden Club - Jefferson City, Missouri