Martha Valdes is a relatively new member, having joined the Temple Terrace Garden Club in 2022.  She has quickly become active yet quietly participated in numerous activities/ projects of the club without fanfare and always wearing a smile.   She has attended many of the field trips and this year was instrumental in planning and arranging our October field trip to Vista Gardens, a Community Garden.  Prior to joining the Garden Club, she participated in her first ever Floral Design Class while still a visitor to our group.  Since that initial class she became a member of the Temple Terrace Garden Club and chose to participate in yet another Floral Design class. She was interested in expanding her knowledge and to have new experiences with our club.  Martha continues to incorporate what she has learned with her love of creating floral designs as well as tablescape displays for Spring Market, DDD and even most recently has become an integral committee member on Hospitality.   She enjoys sharing all about her  personal interest in gardening of flowers, horticulture, vegetables and herbs in her home backyard.  Congratulations to Martha as we recognize her as our October  Member of the Month.

Our January Member of the Month is a relatively new member that has  quickly become involved in a variety of Garden Club committees,  activities and events.  She has participated in Community Outreach activities, helped with Operations tasks and Parks and Gardens opportunities to name a few.   
She has been described by fellow club members as:

    * Being ”wonderful at organizing and pitching in. “

After making Christmas wreaths for Hospice House, she helped with poinsettia deliveries from Woodmont for our annual Poinsettia Fundraiser.

      * “Jumps right in to get the job done.”     

      * “ Detail- oriented, having a positive attitude and a problem solver and works through ideas of how to move forward”,  as she helped organize the hundreds of Garden Club photos (10 years worth)!  No easy task!

.     * “ One to ‘step up’ when and where needed.” Seeing a need while walking around Temple Terrace that help was needed in one of our gardens, went home, got tools and returned to get the job done.

         * She readily continues to reach out to committee chairs to find out how she can contribute.

Congratulations to our January  Member of the Month,  Ginger Bishop.