Board Members
President's Message
I joined the Frisco Garden Club in October 2020 and assumed the position of Membership Chair in June of 2021. It has been a great pleasure to work alongside so many wonderful men and women gardeners and form such fulfilling relationships both within our club and with our civic partners.
As a California native and long-time resident, I was always inspired by working in my garden and watching it flourish so beautifully. Since moving to Texas, I still enjoy digging in the dirt but admit that it has been a challenge given the Texas soil and the impact that extreme temperatures have on our Texas gardens. The Frisco Garden Club has provided a wealth of information and education about how to deal with these challenges.
My goals for The Frisco Garden Club are to provide a non-profit, philanthropic and educational association for our members. We can meet these goals through education, resources and the beautification of our local gardens as well as by supporting our members’ love of gardening as they invest in the future of Frisco.
It is with great pride that we can say that we are the oldest civic organization in Frisco and that we have taken responsibility for beautifying and tending to our gardens, projects and civic responsibilities.
Bonnie kenan
President
We moved to Frisco, Texas in October 2020. I began my interest in gardening as a young girl helping my father plant his rose garden. It was this pride and joy and he had several different varieties. He taught me how to plant, fertilize and water each rose bush. I've mastered growing roses and decided to try my hand at succulents. So far, I've been successful and love to purchase different varieties from different online and in-person nurseries. My goal is to see them thrive in containers on my patio and see how they react to the Texas heat and cold weather. It's been a pleasure to be part of the Frisco Garden Club. I love meeting new people and I have enjoyed many new friendships within the Club as Membership Chairperson.
Earlene Caldwell
1st VP Programs
As a child, I spent a lot of time with my grandmother who was always cultivating new bulbs, roses and other plants that she loved. That led to my interest in gardening and especially to discovering new perennials. I moved to Frisco from Corpus Christi in 2010 and immediately began to notice the lush variety of shrubs and plants in the area. Not long after we moved, I realized that I knew a few FGC members from my association in other organizations, which were fun connections to make… so I joined FGC too!
I enjoy being a member because of the education, friendships and the opportunity to become more engaged in different areas of our community through their partnerships with the Frisco Garden Club.
Krista Johnston
2nd VP Membership
The gardening gene runs through my family in various ways. Growing up in London, Ontario, we had a large cash crop farm with a vegetable garden and many ornamental beds. One sister wrote a garden book and articles for various Canadian gardening magazines, another sister just retired as a landscaper in Calgary Alberta, with Canada’s Prime Minister being one of her clients, and my brothers owned a garden center in London.
I learned to garden in Zone 6 during my childhood in Canada, and zone 5, having spent my corporate years in Illinois. Conifers, grasses, roses and a variety of perennials were featured in my Illinois garden. The conifers were the star!
When my husband and I moved to Frisco in 2021, my gardening journey began all over again. The extended growing season, the relentless heat, the temperature swings, and the soil were all new challenges to tackle. Conifers are no longer the show, but they do make a few appearances along with Hollies and River Birch to anchor the garden. Through trial, error, and trying again, the results have been worth the work. Join the Frisco Garden Club to help you make your garden into your own Texas oasis.
Kathy Glover
Recording Secretary
We moved to Frisco in August 2020. After growing up in Montreal where our gardening months are short, then living in Boca Raton where I had a wonderful, lush garden that could be maintained all year round, I suddenly found myself dealing with the Texas heat and clay soil. I knew I would need some help in cultivating my garden.
I joined the Frisco Garden Club in 2021 and became part of the Membership team. Right away I knew that this was a great fit. There's a wealth of knowledge in this group and with the information that I've learned, I now have gardens that attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.
karen vernon
Treasurer
I was born, raised, and have lived in the Collin County area most of my life. My love for growing plants began early as I used to ride with my Father to the Dallas Farmer's Market and other local farms to purchase produce for my Parent's grocery store in downtown Plano. My happy place is still visiting farmer's markets and farms around the area.
I am moved to grow vegetables, but I also enjoy landscaping and floral design. My other love is growing herbs in my Aerogarden Hydroponics System that sits right in my kitchen. On the horizon I am hoping to start growing microgreens; and I'm toying with the thought of gaining my Master Gardner's Certification.
I have been a member of the Frisco Garden Club for a year now and I have most enjoyed the Club's gardening programs, field trips and the educational opportunities that I can practice in my own garden.
Kathy Grieser
Reservation Secretary
"Trying to keep my plants alive, especially in the Texas heat" is Kathy's garden passion. Her Garden Nemesis: "I have so many rabbits and trying to find plants that they do not like to eat is a problem. Her Garden Cannot Do Without: "I love my palm trees."What Keeps Her in the Club: " I’m from Ohio and I have enjoyed learning about the Texas soil. I have enjoyed making new friends and the ladies are great."
Amy Deatherage
Historian
I started my garden club membership as a youth in the Day Heights Junior Garden Club of Milford, Ohio. I have been a Texas Resident since 2003, and a Frisco Garden Club member since 2008. The five years in between was spent cursing the dirt! I am honored to be the Historian for Frisco's oldest active civic organization. Ninety years and counting, we are adding to our rich history every new day!
-Amy, Club President 2013-2016
Daphne Arnold
Member Advisor
Daphne Arnold has been with the Frisco Garden Club through many presidents and projects and has more than paid her dues (but thankfully, still does annually). Her home garden has been awarded "Best Yard" in her Lone Star neighborhood more times than she can remember. With a talent for entertaining, as well as for gardening, she has been an integral member of many meetings and an impeccable tablescapes designer at all of our Wildflower Luncheons!
bette baer
Member-at-Large
​Moving here in 2019 from California (where gardening is easy), I am slowly learning the elements of Texas life...
100 degree heat, bad soil, hail, snow and below 30 degree temps! Having said all that, I am so happy to be here
in Texas near my family. Fortunately, I was introduced to FGC and I look forward to many years of working together with these great gardeners.
One thing I have learned is that Raised Bed Herb Gardens on wheels can be moved all around my patio for all weather conditions!
bonnie Sajjadi
Parliamentarian
I moved to Frisco 10 years ago, and am married with three children and 2 grandkids. I came to Texas from New Jersey for nursing school at TWU. Now retired, I love container planting! I have clematis vines that I adore, as well as, zinnias, fruit trees and basil.
I'm looking forward to making connections with the people of the FGC and learning new information from the various speakers that the Club has procured for their monthly meetings. So far, I'm jumping right in to my role as an officer.
