Arlington Heights Garden Club
2023 - 2024 Programs
September 25, 2023
Landscaping with Natives: The why & how of landscaping with Native Plants
Presented by: Pete Landwehr
Pete has been a Master Gardener since 2014 and has been raising vegetable for over 30 years. He has been involved in the University of Illinois Conservation@Home program since its introduction in 2016. He started the weekly summer Master Gardener answer desk at the Arlington Heights Farmers Market where he and fellow Master Gardeners volunteer answering gardening and landscaping questions. He started the Catholic Charities vegetable garden in Des Plaines to raise fresh vegetables for their food pantry. Retired from a 40 year accounting career, he now devotes his time to helping others learn and enjoy gardening.
Pete will discuss the reasons why natives are so important to the ecosystem, what they provide to other plants, insects and wildlife, and the differences between natives and cultivars. He will also give details of some of his favorites and how to use them to develop a cohesive landscape design.
October 23, 2023
Japanese Gardens
Presented by: Ken Benson
Ken Benson has a master’s and a bachelor’s in horticulture from the University of Illinois, Champaign. He is a landscape architect and was the host of cable TV’s Landscaping with Ken Benson 1992 – 2000. He was a board member of the Chicago Flower and Garden Show 1998 -2008 and a founding board member of MELA (Midwest Ecological Landscapers Association). Ken is a past member of the Men’s Garden Club of Villa Park and has been giving programs since 1972 to garden clubs throughout the area.
Let’s explore Japanese gardens! In this presentation we’re going to look at the history behind Japanese gardens, the meanings behind characteristics of the Japanese garden and various garden styles. Ken will also expand on one of his favorite aspects of the Japanese garden – the use of sand, which is applied and raked in a specific direction with the purpose and meaning of serenity. Learn about the spiritual purpose and benefits of the Japanese style garden.
November 27, 2023
The New Invasives: Jumping Worms, Stink Bugs, Viburnum Leaf Beetles, etc
Presented by: Nanette Kalscheur
Nanette will bring our club up to date on our newest garden challenges!
Jumping Worms, Viburnum Leaf Beetles & Brown Marmorated Stink Bugs. She will provide an explantation of these invasives, their ecological impact and how to prevent their spread. Come and be an INFORMED GARDENER!
Nanette has a Master’s Degree in Natural Resources & Environmental Science from the University of Illinois. She is retired from the Department of Agriculture as a Plant & Pesticide Specialist where she conducted diagnostic inspections of commercially grown nursery & greenhouse stock. She continues to share her knowledge of plants, horticultural pests and disease as a guest speaker at conferences, garden clubs and as a course instructor at colleges.
December 2023
Garden Club Holiday Party
January 22, 2024
Literary Gardens (In partnership with the Arlington Heights Memorial Library)
*This will be a virtual meeting*
Presented by: Cindy Crosby
Cindy Crosby is the author, compiler, or contributor to more than 20 books, none self-published. Recently published is “Chasing Dragonflies: A Natural, Cultural, and Personal History” (Northwestern University Press) with 16 full-color images by Peggy Macnamara, artist-in-residence at the Field Museum of Chicago. Cindy gives natural history programs for The Morton Arboretum, Wild Ones Native Landscape groups, Sierra Club, The Illinois Extension, Illinois Garden Clubs, and other organizations. She also regularly speaks to conservation groups, natural areas conferences, book groups, and gardening clubs. Cindy graduated from University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in 2014 with her master's degree in natural resources, with a focus on environmental interpretation. She is a Master Gardener and teaches in the Master Naturalist program.
Join master gardener and natural history writer Cindy Crosby for a fun look at gardens in literature and poetry. From Agatha Christie’s mystery series, to Brother Cadfael’s medieval herb garden, to Michael Pollan’s garden in “Second Nature,” to the “secret garden” beloved of children’s literature, there are so many gardens that helped shape the books we love to read. Discover how gardens and garden imagery figure in the works of Mary Oliver, Henry Mitchell, Barbara Kingsolver, Lewis Carroll, and many more. See your garden with new eyes – and come away with a list of books you can’t wait to explore!
February 26, 2024
Roses: How many do you have in your yard?
Presented by: Jackie Kosbab
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Jackie has worked at Cantigny for 14 years. She is responsible for designing and maintaining a number of areas of the garden as well as annuals in the golf course.
She has been the Rose Garden Curator for three years and is ALWAYS learning something new.
Many gardeners think having roses in their garden can be a little intimating as well as time consuming. With a little know how, roses can thrive and be a wonderful addition to your garden! Come and hear how to make this happen!
March 25, 2024
Lady Bird Johnson (In partnership with the Arlington Heights Memorial Library)
*This will be offered both as a virtual and live event (at the library)*
Presented by: Leslie Goddard
Leslie Goddard, Ph.D., is an award-winning historian, author, actress and lecturer who has been presenting on topics in American history and women’s history for twenty years. She holds an interdisciplinary Ph.D. from Northwestern University as well as master’s degrees in both museum studies and in theater. A former museum director, she currently works full-time as a public speaker and author. Her presentations have been seen by audiences in more than thirty states, including scores of universities, museums, libraries, festivals, and civic organizations. She has written three books on Chicago history and has been presenting programs on topics in history for more than fifteen years.
It is 1969 and Lady Bird Johnson has just returned to Texas at the end of her
husband’s presidency. As she welcomes visitors her home, she reminisces about
her years in Washington, the life changing experiences that brought her
to the White House, and how she forged her own path as first lady as an advocate
for the environment, civil rights and her beloved husband. In this humorous,
poignant and insightful historical portrayal, actress and historian Leslie
Goddard brings the gracious Lady Bird to life.
April 22, 2024
Birding in Barrington and Beyond!
Presented by: Luke Dahlburg & Terri Passolt
Luke Dahlburg has a degree in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Platteville and has been in the horticultural field for over a decade. He has been involved with Citizens for Conservation for twenty years and has spent an equal amount of time 'birding'!! Come and share his bird enthusiasm and the knowledge he has gained with our garden club.
Spring has sprung! Join local 'birder' Luke Dahlburg while he explores the many beautiful birds that live in and around the Barrington area. Barrington is rich in natural woodland areas, and privately protected sites, which host a variety of bird species. We also have our Crabtree, River Trails and Busse Woods Forest Preserves to provide us with an environment to enjoy birding. Luke will discuss bird species and where, when, and how to find them not only in Barrington but in OUR own backyard.
May 20, 2024
TBD
