Town and Country
Garden Club of Ipswich
Our Mission... to promote service to our community and to encourage learning about conservation and good gardening practices.
Fact Sheet Organized: 1965
Federated: 1966
Membership: 90
State Flower:Arbutus
State Bird:Chickadee
State Tree: Elm
Member of National Council Of State Garden Clubs, Inc.
and The Garden Club Federation Of Massachusetts
How We Began: On April 1, 1965 six women were brought together by Nancie Godwin to explore the possibility of forming a second garden club in Ipswich. She was convinced that Ipswich would benefit from a garden club with open membership which could provide community service as well as a place for experienced gardeners to share knowledge and best practices. Six months later they had expanded to thirteen to discuss the name, define the purpose and needs, and explore federation membership. Within a year by laws were written, membership had increased to thirty one and 54 years later with a membership of over 70, we are happily planting, sharing and learning in Ipswich. We meet from September through June and schedule program activities and events which include hands on workshops, lectures, conservation efforts, community planting and Ipswich High School scholarship support. Membership applications are accepted every spring for the upcoming gardening year. We hope you will join us.
Membership Info
We warmly welcome new members!
Membership for Town and Country Garden Club is open to all residents of Ipswich and the surrounding communities. If you have any questions about membership or would like to join our club, please contact our membership chairperson Patricia Bodenstab at 978-771-3325 or ph.bodenstab@gmail.com
Get In Touch!
We're happy to answer your questions.
Photos
Announcements & News
Garden Club Gathering 2025
End of Season annual dinner
Community Service 2024
Community Service activity, cleaning up and illuminating the urns on Riverwalk for Ipswich Illuminations.
Community Service 2023
Community service helps in many places of our beautiful Ipswich town all year long. We are busy at the Riverwalk, Library, Ipswich Museum and the DPW entrance area. Our activities range from spring and fall cleanup, planting, watering flowers and shrubs to decorating for the holidays. We encourage every member of our club to join us when they can to contribute to our town.
Scholarship
Town & Country Garden Club of Ipswich (TCGC)
Annual Scholarship
Since 1976, the TCGC has given a scholarship to a graduating high school senior who resides in Ipswich. Each applicant should be interested in pursuing a career in one of the fields of Horticulture: agriculture, botany, landscape design, conservation, forestry, city planning, environmental studies or environmental engineering. In January, the Committee Chairman sends out notices and application forms to all local high schools where Ipswich Seniors may attend. In April, the applications are returned to the schools’ guidance counselors and are forwarded to the TCGC Scholarship Committee. Another responsibility of the Scholarship Committee is the handling of the Ruth Burns’ Memorial Fund. This is an internal club scholarship set up in memory of a former member, Ruth Burns, by her husband, to further club members’ education in flower arranging and related subjects. Any member in good standing can request monies for this purpose through the Scholarship Committee Chairman subject to the approval of the Board.
Schedule
WHEN: Wednesday, February 11, 2026 at 7:00 PM
PROGRAM: Birds of Essex County with Author and Ornithologist, Jim Berry
LOCATION: Ipswich Town Hall, Meeting Room C, Upper Level
Jim will lead us through a fascinating exploration of the rich ornithological history
of Essex County. Jim will share his passion for birds and conservation, and we will
gain insights into the breeding biology of the species that breed in the county. We’ll
learn about taxonomy, songs and calls and behavioral characteristics of various
species. This program is derived from Jim’s comprehensive two volume guide that
documents the natural history of over 450 species of birds identified through 2022.
Jim generously donates all proceeds from his books to Greenbelt.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 7 PM
PROGRAM: Lawns and Lawn Alternatives
LOCATION: Ipswich Town Hall, Meeting Room C, Upper Level
Gretel Anspach, both a trustee of the Massachusetts Horticultural Society and a
Lifetime Master Gardener with Mass Master Gardener Assoc. will be our speaker.
Gretel is a retired systems engineer and brings an engineer’s precision to every
horticultural endeavor. Lawns are imported garden fixtures for places with cool,
wet summers. Here a “perfect” lawn is a major drain on water, pesticides, and lots
of labor. We will look at options for tailoring your lawn and lawn care to fit your
needs, potentially eliminating hours of labor and expensive treatment each year.
Talk will discuss alternatives to the traditional grass lawn.
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WHEN: Wednesday, April 8, 2026 at 10:00 AM (Please Note time)
PROGRAM: The Pruning Decision Workshop
LOCATION: TCGC Member, Kelly Conboy’s home, 4 Intervale Way, Ipswich
Most avid gardeners enjoy pruning their plants and believe in their methods, the
question is, how do you know what’s right? Pruning should be more than just
removing branches. Before you prune ornamental trees and shrubs you need to ask
a few important question and form a specific plan. Arborist Dave Anderson from
Mayer Tree Service will guide us through taking the guess work out of pruning.
Learning these concepts will give you the ability to develop your knowledge,
confidence and skill.
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WHEN: Wednesday, May 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM (Note Date change)
PROGRAM: The Making of a Teacup Floral Arrangement
LOCATION: Ipswich Town Hall, COA Cafeteria, Basement Level
Do you struggle with making a floral teacup for our annual teacup sale? Join us for
a hands-on workshop in celebration of Mother’s Day! Diana Stump will lead us in
inspiration and help us create some masterpieces. We will be creating beautiful
teacup arrangements for our Mother’s Day sale on Saturday May 10 outside the Post
Office. All proceeds from this sale benefit a scholarship for an Ipswich graduate
from the class of 2026. This is always a great fundraising event, and we hope you
enthusiastically participate!
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WHEN: Wednesday, June 10, 2026 at 6:00 PM (Note time change)
PROGRAM: Annual Meeting and Dinner
LOCATION: The Ipswich Inn, Two East Street, Ipswich
COST: To be announced
This year’s end of the year meeting and dinner celebrations will take place at the
Ipswich Inn. As you know, the Inn is a gem in our town and a perfect place to
gather. We are thrilled to be having our celebration at the Inn this year. We will
enjoy cocktails and hors d’oeuvres on the outdoor deck and a buffet dinner in the
dining room. The food will be provided by the restaurant owners, Steve Kuchar
and Lisa Thomas and they have something very special planned! More information
and costs will follow! We look forward to celebrating our year with the club and the
friendships and fun we have shared throughout the year.
Club Officers 2025 - 2026
Co-Presidents: Rose Brown & Heather Campbell
Co-Vice Presidents: Vacant
Recording Secretary: Deb Markos
Treasurer: Donna Maggio
Communication Manager: Marianne Olmstead