The Enduring Appeal of Antique Botanicals

Minutes of Evergreen Garden Club

October 21, 2025



Attending: Connie Anderson, Kathryn Baker, Jean Barquin, Julia Bellinger, Susan Bluhm, Winkie Crigler, Jane Dana, Jane DeCell, Doris Dixon, Catherine Farrell, Helen Garrett, Lynn Keith, Mary Frances Koltes, Diana Luka-Hobson, Claire Marshall, Sally Marshall, Janet Nassim, Lynne Pickard, Ann Reid, Donna Roberts, Lauren Sherlock, Susie Taylor, Ellen Thrasher, Christie Thorley, Fran Usher, Susan Vilms, Rosa Wallach, Ann Williams.

Program:  Treasurer Winkie Crigler introduced  Christina Mickey owner of Taylor Carlisle Gallery in Potomac. She spoke about her passion for collecting antique botanicals, displaying and discussing exquisite examples including rare copper plate engravings and unique prints. . Christiana explained how antiques are mainly held to be those produced before the Second World War, with the earliest dating from the 1600s. She described the techniques used in their production and how the first were primarily for scientific and academic reference, before becoming works of art valued in of themselves. Originals can be distinguished from prints in that they have texture, and a ‘plate mark’.   Engravings encompass many subjects, and their value is based on size, use of color and personal choice. handout explained  terminology and markings.

Business Meeting:  President Ellen Thrasher called the meeting to order and thanked Jane Dana for hosting the meeting in her home and Winkie Crigler and Lauren Sherlock for providing hospitality.  Ellen introduced the leadership team for the year: Officers Donna Roberts, Ann Reid, Julia Bellinger, Jane Nassim and Winkie Crigler; member chair Rosa Wallach and philanthropy committee members Jane Dana, Mary Jane Glass and Fran Usher. The minutes for the October 21, 2025, meeting were reviewed, discussed and approved unanimously with Colet Mitchell making the Motion to Approve and Lauren Sherlock seconding.  

 Programs Report:  Donna Roberts gave an overview of the upcoming year’s programs, noting there will be no December meeting as usual. (For the full program please go to: www.evergreengc.org).   The next meeting on November 18, 2025 we will be making a holiday table decoration, members are to RSVP to Ann Reid by November 7. The cost of the flowers and workshop will be $25 each, but attendees can also audit the program at no cost. Those making decorations should bring clippers and containers and a check payable to Evergreen Garden Club.

Membership Report:  Chair, Rosa Wallach told the meeting currently there was one vacancy for club membership.  Nominations will be in 2026. She also noted that all members have received the new membership directory via email and online in the members only section of the EGC website.

Treasurer’s Report: Winkie distributed the budget, noting the balance was larger than usual as we are saving in order to make a large philanthropic donation to mark the club’s 75th Anniversary in 2028.  Motions on the budget were duly made and seconded. The budget was passed unanimously.

Members are encouraged to make use of the website, which is a one stop shop for all things Evergreen Garden Club. Jane Dana and Cathy Farrell were thanked for constructing such a well designed website, which has been submitted to the National Capitol Area Garden Club  competition for an Electronic Media award. 

Tregaron Work Day: Members are encouraged to support our ongoing philanthropy project at Tregaron which asks for about 5 members to work for half a morning in Fall and Spring. It is a fun morning which is important in supporting our mission of community service.

Respectfully submitted,

Jane Nassim

Recording Secretary