Bittersweet Garden Tour
There will not be a garden tour this year, but the tour will return June 2025.
Sign up below to receive advance notice of upcoming tour information.
Sign up below to receive advance notice of upcoming tour information.
2024 Programs and ActivitiesThe 2024 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. |
UPCOMING EVENTSGuests are welcome to visit a monthly meeting, but other activities are
member-only functions unless otherwise specified. June Bittersweet MeetingThursday, June 20
Location: Center for Soy Innovation · 734 S Country Club Drive Social: 6:00 PM, Program: 6:30 p.m. Program: “Growing Vegetables in Tight Places” Presenter: Carl OlsonCarl Olson, President of Show Me Iris Society, has shared his love and extensive knowledge of iris with Bittersweet in the past. This program will explore another of his passions, Grow Boxes. Carl will share what he has learned over the past 10 years to maximize production of a wide variety of vegetables even in situations where you have limited space. Host: Niki Schulte Co-Hosts: Karen Basel, Rita Christgen, Barb Crader, Jane Davis, Jeanette de la Torre, Rita Esterly, Sherry Fitzpatrick, Cathy Hall, Alice Hansen, Sandy Hiatte, Merrilee Holzhauser, Tracy Leonberger, Rosella Reinkemeyer, Kristi Rhoads, Sheila Scott, Ronda Thompson, Cris West, Marcia Willing, Marsha Wilson July Bittersweet MeetingThursday, July 18
Location: Center for Soy Innovation · 734 S Country Club Drive Social: 6:00 PM, Program: 6:30 p.m. Program: “Ask an Expert” Presenter: Gail Cummins, Alice Hansen, Kris Leech, and Jan Schwaller Bittersweet members, Gail, Alice, Kris, and Jan have a combined wealth of gardening information to share. Members will have an opportunity to submit questions to this expert panel of gardeners for advice, tips and encouragement on tackling our most pressing garden questions. Host: Cathy Hall Co-Hosts: Karen Basel, Linda Bledsoe, Barbara Brennaman, Lee Bunch, Sharon Burnett, Jeanette de la Torre, Rita Esterly, Jacki Johnson, Millie Jones, Nancy Kaiser, Tracy Leonberger, Linda Oligschlaeger, Sharon Pennington, Kristi Rhoads, Jatha Sadowski, Evelyn Samson, Linda Samson, Jan Schwaller, Jenelle Schwieterman, Claire West Hostas on the Bluff -- Fairview Heights, ILThursday, July 25
We will board a bus for a day trip to visit “Hostas on the Bluff” in Fairview Heights, where we will tour the display garden and farm, and enjoy a short talk about hostas. From there we will take a short drive to Eckert’s Orchard in Belleville. The orchards consist of apple and peach trees, strawberries, blackberries and other fresh fruit and vegetables. Lunch will be on your own at Eckert’s. Choose the store, cider shed, bakery, deli, restaurant or a doughnut/custard shop. Amazing Graze Charcuterie Board Demo at Bone'sThursday, August 8
While enjoying a glass of wine or other favorite drink at Bones Restaurant and Lounge, Amazing Graze, a local catering company, will be demonstrating the art of creating an elegant charcuterie board fit for any party. When finished, we will enjoy samplings from the board just created while have a Q & A with them. August Bittersweet MeetingThursday, August 15
Location: Center for Soy Innovation · 734 S Country Club Drive Social: 6:00 PM, Program: 6:30 p.m. Program: “Going Native...Lessons Learned” Presenter: Jane Haslag 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. As Jane and her husband worked to restore their property to its native state, her research and personal observations were both enlightening and alarming. Join in Jane’s journey as she shares data on the state of our ecosystem, see examples of changes made to their yard, what natives have the most impact and how adding native plants to your yard can bring it to life! Host: Marge Talken Co-Hosts: Mari-Anne Antweiler, Cass Bates, Linda Block, Marla Clark, Gail Cummins, Marilyn Curtit, Jane Davis, Sandy Hiatte, Thalia Irvin, Kris Leech, Alice Longfellow, Barb Miltenberger, Naydene Quisling, Pat Roberts, Judy Schepers, Jan Schwaller, Grace Tipton, Sue Tipton, Cris West, Marcia Willing September Bittersweet MeetingThursday, September 19
Location: Center for Soy Innovation · 734 S Country Club Drive Social: 6:00 PM, Program: 6:30 p.m. Program: “Flower Arranging” Presenter: Jeanne Schwaller Jeanne was an accredited Flower Show Judge. She holds a Ph. D. in horticulture and has taught flower shop management. She will explain and demonstrate methods of crafting floral designs exclusively from the plant materials in your garden. The program will emphasize the mechanics of design and the difference between a bouquet from a floral shop and a sophisticated design as required by flower shows. Host: Linda Bledsoe Co-Hosts: Debbie Boyce, Barbara Brennaman, Lee Bunch, Marla Clark, Sherry Fitzpatrick, Ginni Griffen, Merrilee Holzhauser, Jacki Johnson, Stacy Landwehr, Ann Lane, Kathy Laur, Tracy Leonberger, Linda Oligschlaeger, Naydene Quisling, Niki Schulte, Sue Scott, Evie Starr, Claire West Crystal Bridges--Bentonville, ArkansasThursday-Friday, September 26-27
Enjoy SW Missouri and NW Arkansas’s natural beauty, compelling history, world-class museums, local shopping and more! We’ll travel to Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, where members may choose from various tours. Then we’re off to Bentonville Square where we can choose between Walton Museum, the 21c Hotel Museum or Compton Gardens, before checking into the hotel and having dinner. On the way home we will stop at George Washington Carver National Museum and lunch in Springfield, with shopping at Wickman Gardens. October Bittersweet MeetingThursday, October 17
Location: Center for Soy Innovation · 734 S Country Club Drive Social: 6:00 PM, Program: 6:30 p.m. Program: “Junkyard Trash to Garden Treasure” Presenter: Brenda Jones Brenda Jones is a Columbia, Missouri gardener who graduated from the MU Extension Master Gardener program. Brenda will share pictures of her garden with a focus on the multiple hardscape features she has made, recycled and repurposed to create an eclectic, creative and pleasing garden space. 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. Host: Sandy Hiatte Co-Hosts: Heather Brown, Rita Christgen, Marla Clark, Alice Hansen, Jacqueline Huhman, Millie Jones, Stacy Landwehr, Ann Lane, Kathy Laur, Kris Leech, Nelly McKay, Naydene Quisling, Rosella Reinkemeyer, Jan Schwaller, Jeanne Schwaller, Sue Scott, Susan Stork, Marge Talken, Claire West Missouri State Penitentiary Tour & Prison Brews LunchThursday, October 24
Tour one of Missouri’s most visited and interesting attractions. And it’s right in our own city! We will be going on a 2-hour history tour of the Missouri State Penitentiary. We’ll learn about the history of the prison itself as well as unique and fascinating historical facts. After our tour, we’ll travel just a few blocks away for lunch at….. You guessed it, Prison Brews. We will enjoy a yummy lunch and discuss all we learned on our “tour of the prison” while being thankful we are on the “outside.” November Bittersweet MeetingThursday, November 21
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. Rewards Night: This month, members will turn in their Bittersweet Rewards sheets and we’ll enjoy a catered Rewards Dinner to celebrate a productive Bittersweet year. Following dinner, drawings for prizes, based on the number of rewards the member has earned, will be awarded. Host: Linda Block Co-Hosts: Mari-Anne Antweiler, Cass Bates, Lee Bunch, April Burger, Sharon Burnett, Barb Crader, Marilyn Curtit, Brenda Hancock, Jacqueline Huhman, Kathy Laur, Nelly McKay, Barb Miltenberger, Marcia Willing The Neil Diamond Musical at the Fabulous Fox TheaterSaturday, November 2
Join us as we take a full-day bus trip to visit the Fabulous Fox Theatre in St. Louis to see, A Beautiful Noise, The Neil Diamond Musical.Be prepared to hear songs that will transport us back to some fond memories of “Yesterday’s Songs” and learn of the life of Neil Diamond, i.e., Cracklin’ Rose, Forever in Blue Jeans, Song Sung Blue, Love on the Rocks, Sweet Caroline….the list goes on. Our day will include a private tour of the Fox theater, a buffet lunch in a private dining room, and of course the Neil Diamond mulical. On the way home we will stop at The Olive Tree Christmas Store for a short holiday shopping experience. Independence MissouriThursday, December 5This one-day bus trip to Independence begins with a guided tour of the Truman Library, viewing its extensive renovation completed in April 2022. Indulge in an amazing lunch at Vivilore Restaurant, where whimsical charm welcomes you in the vibrant dining area adorned with antiques and artwork. Enjoy shopping the upper floors, discovering everything from home décor to jewelry. Weather permitting, consider a leisurely stroll through the nearby Englewood Art District. On our last stop, we will continue to embrace the joy of the season at the Vaille Mansion—a Victorian home with 31 stately rooms, built in 1881. During a one-hour+ guided tour, we’ll enjoy 15 rooms decorated for the holidays by local florists. Our bus will have ample space for all your shopping treasures as we share some Christmas cheer on the way home.
December Bittersweet MeetingThursday, December 19
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 with a New Twist Presenter: Linda Oligschlaeger Linda, 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! Shared Meal: Members whose last names begin with L-Z are asked to bring a dish to contribute to a shared holiday meal. Host: Tina Spillers Co-Hosts: Stacy Landwehr, Alice Longfellow, Nelly McKay, Linda Oligschlaeger, Pat Roberts, Sonya Ross, Sue Scott, Evie Starr, Ronda Thompson |
Bittersweet Garden Club - Jefferson City, Missouri