TRGC Minutes – March 2017

Thames River Garden Club Minutes
March 16, 2017

Attendance
Active: 27 Privileged: 0 Excused: 11

President Everett Munro called the meeting to order at 12:15 PM. Everett thanked hostesses Dottie Nauer, Mary Ann Richard, and Elaine Livingston for a wonderful luncheon.
Minutes: Pat Uguccioni made a motion (seconded by Juanita Toledo) to waive the reading of the February 2017 minutes; a motion was made by Brenda Kramer and seconded by Barbara Skinner to accept the February 2017 minutes; the motion passed.
Important upcoming dates:
March 21-22 2017: Landscape Design Study School, Course III
April 19, 2017: 88th Annual FGCCT meeting at Aqua Turf; $34/ person
April 28 – 30, 2017: 36th annual Fine Art and Flowers flower show to be held at the Wadsworth Atheneum
May 10, 2017 at 1PM: “How to read and be inspired by a flower show schedule”; Guilford Garden Club; St George Church Hall, 33 Whitfield, Guilford, CT, presented by Kathy Ritch
A carpool will be organized by email for those interested in attending.
If attending, please email Donne Boivin: boivind@comcast.net
May 13, 2017 : TRGC Plant Sale
May 18, 2017: TRGC meeting, Juanita Toledo will be the speaker; Horticultural exhibits will be judged.
September 26 – 28, 2017: FGCCT Study Courses – Gardening series 7 Course IV
Outdoor ID of plants – Specialized Styles of Gardening,
Techniques for Growing Woody Ornamentals – Techniques for Growing Fruit,
Techniques for Irrigation, & Lichens and Mosses
Officers Reports:
President’s Report: President Everett Munro announced that the FGCCT Annual Reports (Civic, Environmental, Garden Therapy, Horticulture) are due April 1st.
Members Book editor Barbara Skinner will receive all changes and corrections for the 2017-2018 TRGC member’s book and forward these to Linda Chapman for inclusion in the new booklet to be distributed in September. Please email any changes to Barbara Skinner.
Two more volunteers are needed to help proof read the draft of the member’s book. Please email Everett if interested!
Vice President’s Report: Brenda Kramer asked members to please let her know if you are still willing to continue with the same position (chairperson or committee member) on club committees for next year or you are interested in joining or chairing a new committee.
A suggestion was made to have TRGC meetings continue through the Summer months. These meetings would be informal, outdoors, and give the opportunity to enjoy gardens when they are in full bloom. These would be held on the third Thursday of both July and August possibly at members homes or other outdoor sites.
Vo
Phlianthropy – Vonice Carr: Barbara Mingo made a motion, seconded by Suzy Young, to accept the TRGC Philanthropy distributions for 2017 as proposed. The motion passed by unanimous vote.
Committee Reports:
Flower Show Committee: Pam Atkins thanked all Flower Show volunteers, committee chairs and members for their involvement in this project.
The following chairpersons are still needed for the flower show committee:
Art Coordinator Chair
Special Exhibits Chair
Please contact Pam if you are interested in these positions!

Sunshine Committee: Everett shared that Thames River Garden Club member Gertrude Ott recently passed away at age 100.

Workshop Committee: Juanita Toledo, Sandy Kelly, and Everett Munro will be the workshop presenters for the May 11 Flower Show workshop at Christ Lutheran Church on Society Road in Niantic.
The March terrarium workshop at Perennial Harmony was very successful; members brought in their creations to share with the club – beautiful!

Garden Therapy: Patty Hancock held a very successful Garden Therapy program at New London Rehabilitation and Care Center using beautiful flowers from George Fisher of Fisher Florist. The residents enjoyed it very much!

Announcements: On Saturday April 22 TRGC will plant a Swamp White Oak at Camp Harkness – time is TBD. Volunteers are needed: diggers, planters, and someone with a pickup truck to deliver the tree on Friday or Saturday. It is also Open House Day at Camp Harkness 10 AM to 2 PM

TRGC Aprill 20th meeting will be at Sue Bellefleur’s Home
Elaine Ackley reminded us to please carpool !

Meeting adjourned at 12:50 PM

Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ellen Hagen
Recording Secretary