Thames River Garden Club Minutes – May 19, 2016
Attendance: Active: 39 Privileged: 1 Excused: 17
President Everett Munro called the meeting to order at 12:15 PM.
Everett thanked our hostesses Judy Gibbs, Vonice Carr, Kathy Amrein, & Mary Ellen Michalowski for the lovely nautical-themed luncheon.
Members were reminded to please sign the attendance sheet .
Manly Church introduced his two guests from Habitat for Humanity: Nell Bourgoin, Director of Resource Development and Terri O’Rourke, Executive Director / CEO.
Jerry Theiler made a motion to waive the reading of the April 2016 minutes. The motion passed and the minutes were accepted without corrections.
Officers Reports:
President’s Report: President Everett Munro reminded members to please notify Vice-president Brenda Kramer or Recording Secretary Mary Ellen Hagen if you will be absent from a club meeting. Also, anyone who needs help with transportation to monthly meetings can contact Everett.
Important dates:
1) May 27 10 AM – Noon, Christ Lutheran Church, Society Rd. East Lyme. Alice Luster will hold a workshop “How to Design a Simple Winning Floral Arrangement”. Alice is a flower show judge and a member of the Country Gardeners of Glastonbury.
2) June 9, 10, 11 – Farmington Garden Club – “Outdoor Celebrations” Garden Tour
3) August 15: 10 AM – Noon –Planning Meeting for Officers and Committee Chairs
Vice President’s Report: Brenda Kramer said that we have 30 members signed up for the June 16th luncheon at Ender’s Island
Treasurer’s Report: 2016 – 2017 Budget Proposal – a motion was made by Brenda Kramer and seconded by Jan Theiler, to accept the TRGC budget as presented at the April 2016 meeting. The motion passed; the 2016-2017 budget was approved.
Corresponding Secretary: Linda Chapman shared with members that Roslyn Rubinstein, Director of the Waterford Public Library thanked us for our donation and also for all that the Club does in the community.
Connecticut College also thanked us for our donation to the Arboretum and offered to schedule a private guided tour by an arboretum docent for interested club members.
East Lyme Library sent a thank you for the Club’s donation to that facility.
Committee Reports:
Civic Committee: Jan Theiler said the Beebe Phillips Spring cleanup went well with club members being joined by members of the Waterford Historical Society. Some left over Plant Sale plants were also in the gardens.
Plant Sale: Phyllis Cushing indicated that in the first post-sale meeting lots of good ideas were shared.
Conservation: Lorraine Santangelo talked about the unnecessary tree cutting which is continuing and asked members to be vigilant and aware of this problem.
Workshops: at Barbara Mingo’s Mother’s Day Workshop in May, 26 floral arrangements were created for the sale. There were only 7 leftovers that were taken to the convalescent home for residents to enjoy.
Garden Therapy: Sheila Elliott thanked Mary Ellen Hagen for continuing the Prison Garden Therapy program, with help from member Peggy Schepp, through the winter following Carol Hanby’s move to Hawaii and Shelia’s wintertime relocation to South Carolina. Mary Ellen is VERY happy to have Sheila back with the program!
Meeting was adjourned at 12:50 PM.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ellen Hagen, Recording Secretary
Following the club meeting there was a brief information session presented by Terri O’Rourke, executive director of Habitat for Humanity: Habitat builds decent, affordable homes in partnership with qualified families who contribute at least 200 hours of sweat equity to the project. Families participate in educational workshops covering topics such as credit scores, wills, insurance, and they also attend financial classes. Habitat for Humanity strives to serve the families that need them the most and set them up for successful home ownership. The program builds strength, stability and self-reliance. Garden Club members are invited to attend any Habitat for Humanity home dedication (one is coming up soon in Plainfield). Volunteers are always welcomed!
Thames River Garden Club 