You are Invited to a Dance Concert

Ann Hobson's Memorial Service

 from Janet:

On behalf of all of Ann's friends at the Ipswich Garden Club, I want to express our heartfelt condolences to all of Ann's family.


Ann joined the Club just a few years ago.  But in that short time, we all enjoyed her companionship, her gardening expertise and all the energy she brought to our various projects - the Greens Meeting, making holiday decorations for the town's buildings, offering a helping hand with the spring clean up at the Town Wharf, and participating in our Annual Plant Sale fundraiser.


Many of us did not realize that Ann's illness had progressed so quickly.  It feels like a sudden and enormous loss.  It is difficult to image Ipswich without Ann here contributing her many talents and always sharing her gentle and generous spirit.  She was a good friend and we will all miss her very much.

Biography and Services

Ann Peyton Hobson, 64, of High Street, Ipswich, died peacefully on February 11, 2012 in the Kaplan Family Hospice House in Danvers following her brief illness.
Born March 29, 1947 in Louisville, Kentucky, she was the daughter of the late Robert Cochran Hobson and Elizabeth Crews Senter.  She received her undergraduate degree from Boston University and her Nurse Practitioner degree from Simmons College. Ann was a naturalist and athlete.  Her eye for art and love, unsurpassed.  She owned and operated Hobson's Gallery in Ipswich.  Many years ago she cooked and share owned Alfalfa Restaurant in Lexington Kentucky.  Many more years ago, Ann traveled and exhibited her black and white photography. Most recently she was employed by Boston Healthcare for the Homeless.  

She is survived by her siblings,  Liz Hobson of Lexington, KY, Jane Hobson Marcus of Long Grove, IL, and Bo Hobson of Asheville, NC, and best friend, Lea Nation formerly of Ipswich. She also leaves behind her nephews Sam Hobson, Elijah Martin, and Jesse and Peyton Marcus, godsons Graham and Alexander Schmidt, and her faithful feline companion Pearl. 

Her family expresses appreciation and admiration to Ann's many friends for sharing in her life.
A memorial service celebrating Ann's life will be held on February 18 at Ascension Memorial Church, 31 County Street, Ipswich at 5:00 pm. Family and friends are respectfully welcomed. Arrangements are by the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name may be made to Hospice of the North Shore and Greater Boston, 75 Sylvan Street, Suite B-102, Danvers, MA. 01923.V

Valentines Day Garden Tour ♥♥

by Therese Armstrong

The slide projector was set up, the treat table groaning as IGC members streamed in to take a tour of  ‘The Small Gardens of Europe’ with Fred Rice.

For the next hour we were transported across borders and planting zones to examine many small gardens Mr. Rice has seen in places he has been. From the bright Caribbean and Mediterranean to misty moist England, we saw an infinite variety in which people use plants in small spaces to affirm their affinity to nature. The bold bougainvillea of St. Kitts held hands with the abundant pink petunias of Monaco while the hollyhocks and foxgloves of Rye in Kent reached across the pond to Fred’s own gardens in Manchester-by-the-Sea and Rome, NY.
We saw herb gardens and container gardens, climber gardens and trellis gardens, water gardens and rock gardens. All, to illustrate design points about texture, color and scale. We saw gardens in spectacular settings with ‘borrowed views’ of  medieval monasteries, ruined castles and the ocean extending in the background.

All this information was delivered in Fred Rice’s inimitable witty conversational style, which made us all want to stay and quiz him on the many aspects of his travels and projects touched upon in the talk. You can visit Fred’s website here:   http://frederickrice.com
                                           Once again our program planners did us proud!
                                           Thanks to Alicia Hills Moore and Laurie McAleer.

And thanks to the same Laurie and Maureen for the fruit, cake, hearts and flowers that made this a special Valentines IGC meeting!

Plastics And Our Oceans

"Just, one word..."
A performace/lecture by Karen Ristuben

This is an informative and engaging presentation on our use, over-use, and disposal of PLASTICS, their toxicity, and their effects on our public health.

Karen is a Rockport resident, singer/songwriter and educator in the Hamilton-Wenham school system. She has studied marine debris and plastics in the environment.

"A must-see for coastal communities!"


Ipswich Performing Arts Center

Wednesday, February 15, 7PM

All are welcome to this free, family friendly presentation.

This event is brought to you by Ipswich Citizens for Renewable Energy, Ipswich River Watershed Association, and the Town of Ipswich Recycling Advisory Committee.

February 14th - IGC Meeting and Lecture

Don't miss the opportunity to be inspired by another thought-provoking IGC presentation...
this month by Fred Rice, noted garden and floral designer and dynamic horticultural lecturer. Mr. Rice travels to audiences throughout the northeast and Europe. He is a native of Manchester-by-the-Sea, and recently moved to Rome, New York where he continues to lecture on horticultural topics and consult on garden design projects while renovating his home and building an extensive botanical garden. Mr. Rice has also lived in the United Kingdom and St. Kitts in the British West Indies. He has lectured for nearly 30 years. Next Tuesday, Feb.14th, he will focus on the exquisite small gardens he has found living and traveling in Europe.

English Cottage Garden

Fred Rice in his garden

Meet at the Collins Room of the Ipswich Library. A brief Club meeting will preface the  presentation. Maureen Leonard and Laurie McAleer are the evening's hostesses. Let's have a large member turnout!

Thanks to Alicia Moore who continues to plan
and schedule a captivating array of speakers for our  monthly meetings.