Board Members
President: Aaron Van Y
Aaron joined the Irvington Garden Club shortly after moving to Irvington in 2015. He initially became interested in gardening in high school when he joined a horticulture program at Warren Central. He learned how to grow plants using hydroponics and aquaponics and supplied the restaurant at Warren's Walker Career Center with a steady supply of fresh tomatoes and spinach. He was president of the Warren Chapter of the FFA two years in a row. He went on to study Forestry & Natural Resources at Purdue where he worked on NASA research working to send fish and plants to space! Now as a Science Teacher at Raymond Park Middle School, he loves to get students excited about nature and plants.
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Vice President: Gail Bennett
Gail moved to Irvington in 2014 and began participating regularly in the garden club after being on the garden tour in 2019. Gail has loved flowers since her childhood in California where she fell in love with sweet peas, roses, and camellias. Later, while she and her family lived for a few years in Scotland, she learned how to develop perennial gardens. She has put those principles to work in her flower gardens at her home in Irvington. Gail is an Indiana Master Naturalist and wants to add more native plants to her perennial mixes. She loves being part of the garden club and especially enjoys serving with the Irvington Garden Tour committee. Gail appreciates all she learns from the meetings of the Garden Club. She hopes to encourage other gardeners through her role as Vice President.
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Secretary: Marti Icenogle
As a child, Marti loved helping her grandparents with their huge vegetable garden and the roses and all the other flowers surrounding their home. As an adult she became interested in herb gardening and always had a few herb plants growing. In 1997 Marti bought a home in Little Flower and started expanding her gardening interest to include not just herbs, but also vegetables and native plants. She often attended the Irvington Garden tours finding them a great source of inspiration and ideas for her garden. Then, in 2022, Marti joined the Irvington Garden Club. She really enjoys being a part of this community of dedicated gardeners and being part of the team that plans and organizes the Irvington Garden Tour.
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Treasurer, Market Master: Nancy Boettner
Nancy has lived in Irvington since 1989 and joined the Irvington Garden Club after being asked to be on the garden tour in 2008. She served as President for several years and is now serving as Treasurer and the vendor contact for the Irvington Farmers Market. Nancy always dabbled in gardening, starting with helping her grandmother with her large garden, but became more serious after completing the Master Gardener program in 2007. The Garden Club offers Nancy many opportunities to serve the community and she enjoys spending time with its members.
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Market Logistics Coordinator: Melany Belluci
Melany has lived in Irvington since 1984 and has always loved it! Melany was asked to be on the Irvington Garden Tour in 2002 and joined the club soon after. She became active with the tour the following year and now serves as the tour chair. She also began volunteering at the farmers market and eventually took over the role of logistics coordinator. She enjoys gardening but just as much enjoys the community aspect of being involved with the club. Melany loves the beautification projects and meeting and talking with the club members.
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Webmaster: Jennifer Martin
Jennifer joined the Irvington Garden Club shortly after moving to Irvington in 2009. She became interested in gardening when she bought her first home in Indianapolis, which had been nicely landscaped by previous owners. At first she was afraid to touch anything out of fear she would kill it, but eventually she began asking questions, doing research, and learning as she went. Jennifer volunteers at most farmers markets and garden tours and has served as the club’s webmaster for several years. Previously, she served as programs coordinator.
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Programs Coordinator: Heather Stinson
Heather has attended nearly every annual Irvington garden tour since moving to the neighborhood in 2009, but she didn’t join the club until 2021. Seeking to expand her knowledge and meet and learn from others with similar interests, Heather was excited to find just that when she finally became a member. She is particularly interested in preserving native plant life, battling invasives, feeding and enjoying wildlife, and growing vegetables. In addition to assisting with club initiatives, she also volunteers for Keep Indianapolis Beautiful and The Indiana Native Plant Society.