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| OHCC LIVING | MAY 2026 | 29 It's time for all of us— our members — to begin preparing our garden for the return of the Monarchs. As you plan your garden, it's important to think about what you hope to accomplish. One plant may only support one or two caterpillars, and it will likely be eaten quickly, leaving little opportunity for continued growth or additional Monarchs to thrive. A more eective approach is to plant a small "patch" of milkweed. For example, four to six healthy Narrowleaf Milkweed plants can typically support three to four caterpillars. As the season progresses, you can add more plants, allowing earlier one's time to recover and regrow. is creates a sustainable cycle of nourishment throughout the Monarch season. Even better, when the plants are cut back at the end of the season, they will return the following year, making this both an environmentally and economically-wise investment. We understand that creating and maintaining a Monarch habitat is a meaningful commitment. We sincerely appreciate those of you who choose to take part in this important eort. If planting milkweed isn't possible, you can still make a valuable contribution by adding nectar plants to your garden. ese provide essential food for adult butteries. Many owering plants work beautifully, including lantana (especially orange and yellow varieties), zinnias, cosmos, verbena (particularly tall purple types), and salvia in range of colors. For those interested in native options, the following plants are especially benecial in our region: California Buckwheat-one of the very best nectar sources for Monarchs and other pollinators. Coyote Mint: fragrant and highly attractive to butteries Ceanothus (California Lilac): an excellent early season nectar plant Goldenrod: a critical late season food source Narrowleaf Milkweed (Asclepias Fascicularis): both a host plant and nectar source. Every plant makes a dierence. Together, our collective eorts create a network of safe, nourishing spaces that help sustain the Monarch population. Save e Date: June 25, 3 to 5 pm for our Buttery Tea Party! Note: Our Monarch Sanctuary will be featured on the Garden Club's Annual House Tour on June 6. Come down and see our beautiful garden. Written by Rona Cole Save the monarch butterfly Have you noticed how quickly the months are passing? We are almost to summer, and it seems it was just New Year's Day. e Travel Club is busy planning day trips to parts of Southern California. Places we would like to visit and hope you will also. If there is a place you would like to visit or experience, please feel free to contact us (ohcctravelclub2025@gmail.com) with your suggestions. Here are our upcoming trips/events: May 7: Come hear our esteemed President Adele present "Walking with the Polar Bears." She will discuss her experiences at the Seal River Lodge on the Hudson Bay in Northern Canada. Doors open at 6:30 pm. June 18: Rescheduled from February due to rain. We will head to beautiful Balboa Park for a wonderful Architectural Tour focusing on the Spanish style buildings from the 1915-1917 Panama California Exposition. is will include the recently renovated Lily Pond and Botanical Garden. Following a lunch at Old Town Mexican Café, you may wander around Old Town checking out some of the many historical buildings. Seats are available. July 4: Celebrate America's 250th Birthday on the Hornblower Cruise to view the Spectacular Big Bay Boom on the San Diego Bay. is is also sold out and has no more waitlist. August 4: is is a Travel Club Favorite, Pageant of the Masters. e theme this year is e Greatest of All Time (G.O.A.T.). is trip is also sold out and has no more waitlist. In the Works: September – Whale Watching Oct. 1 – Our annual elections and program December – Holiday Lights at the Del Mar Fairgrounds Frequently people on a trip need to cancel. Many people on our wait lists actually have had the opportunity to go on our trips. To be placed on the waitlist or to register for any of our trips, leave a check made out to the OH Travel Club, in the Travel Club envelope at the Clubhouse front desk. Add $5 to the price if you are not a member of the Club. You will receive an email conrming your registration. We certainly hope you will join us on one of our trips! Your OH Travel Club Board, Adele, Lynn, Amy, Jeannine and Callie. Written by Amy Blount Travel Club Save the Date: Our Buttery Tea Party is June 25 from 3 to 5 pm. More information to follow