Thames River Garden Club Minutes
September 15, 2016
Attendance
Active: 36 Privileged: 4 Excused: 6
President Everett Munro called the September 15, 2016 meeting of the Thames River Garden Club to order at 12:15PM. Everett announced the theme for the Garden Club this season is “Step Up and Get Ready” for our planned Flower Show.
A sign up sheet was circulated asking for volunteers who will water the tree which has been planted at the Waterford Historical Society in memory of Terry Pfiel.
Everett thanked September luncheon hostesses Ruth Hammell, Patty Hancock, Betty Ann Coviello, and Mary Ellen Hagen.
A motion was made by Ethel Gerity to wave the reading of the minutes from the June 2016 luncheon; seconded by Maria Zalegowski; the motion passed.
Everett announced that future meetings will feature a brief report from 1 committee as well as including any other committees that need to speak.
On August 15, 2016 a planning meeting was held for officers and committee chairs. The meeting was very productive with many good ideas exchanged for future TRGC planning.
Upcoming Important Dates
1) Environmental Studies School, Course II – September 28-30, 2016
2) 87th Annual FGCCT Awards Meeting and Luncheon – October 26, 2016
3) Flower Show School, Course IV – November 15-17, 2016
4) 2017 Connecticut Flower and Garden Show, “Woodland Enchantment” at the CT Convention Center, Hartford. February 23-26, 2017
5) Landscape Design Study School, Course III – March 21-22, 2017
Workshop Committee: Everett Munro announced the upcoming “October Bow Making Workshop” to be held at the home of Ethel Gerity on October 13 from 7 – 9 PM. The workshop will be led by George Fisher of Fisher Florist.
Horticulture Committee: Ivy Plis shared information on how to make your own Hydroponic Garden or “Lettuce Machine”. She has had great success with her home made vertical garden. This type of garden takes up little space, needs no weeding, no soil and has the advantage of quick germination with harvest within 30 days!
Plant Sale Committee: Phyllis Cushing requested that all members take their pots now for either Fall or Spring potting for the 2017 Plant Sale. Each member is given 6 pots (more if you wish). Members who do not have gardens with plants to share or who are unable to dig and pot 6 plants are asked to sign a sheet so that they may be contacted in the Spring with an alternate fun way to make their contribution to the sale. Phyllis also announced that there will be 2 digs this Fall at Judy Graziano’s home with dates and times TBA.
Hospitality Committee: Elaine Ackley asks that members please volunteer to hostess one monthly meeting each year with a goal of 4 hostesses per regular luncheon. Currently one more hostess is needed for the months of October, February, March, and May. Please contact Elaine to sign up.
Flower Show Committee: Pam Atkins has been working very hard planning for the Club’s Flower Show, scheduled for September 7, 2018 at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, 2 PM – 7:30 PM.
This year’s programs will be geared toward learning about flower shows, designs, horticulture, etc. in preparation for this event. Pam thanked the members of the Program Committee for putting together a great slate of speakers. Committee members include Brenda Kramer, Phyllis Teeson, Suzy Young, Ivy Plis, Kathleen Amrein, and Claudia Kenyon.
Pam made a motion to hold a fundraiser in addition to the Plant Sale during the 2016 – 2017 year with the income designated specifically towards for Flower Show expenses. Brenda Kramer seconded the motion. If anyone has ideas for possible fundraisers, please contact Pam.
Also, chairpersons and committee members are needed for the many committees required to successfully produce a Flower Show. Please let Pam know your area of interest, or if you have any questions regarding the Flower Show.
The meeting was adjourned at 1 PM by president Everett Munro.
Respectfully Submitted,
Mary Ellen Hagen
Recording Secretary
Thames River Garden Club 