TRGC Meeting Minutes, October 19, 2023
Meeting was brought to order at 12:00 p.m. by Karen Neilan (President)
Attendance: 36 active members, 13 excused members, 3 privileged members, 13 guests
Karen Neilan, President
- Karen welcomed our members and guests to Member plus One Day
- Karen honored Susan Bellefleur and paid tribute to her memory. She passed away on September 4, after a long and courageous battle with Parkinson’s disease. She was a well respected nurse at Lawrence and Memorial hospital for many years. She received the Florence Nightingale award for excellence. This award is given to nurses who have superior nursing skills, and give outstanding service and compassion to their patients and colleagues. A brick in memory of Susan will be placed in the healing garden at Lawrence and Memorial hospital, a fitting tribute to Susan. She was a Master gardener and a co-chair, along with Pam Atkins, on the Program Committee. She was very instrumental in putting today’s event in motion. Susan was a beautiful human being with a beautiful smile. Karen asked for a moment of silence. Susan was very inspirational and we will miss her.
- Karen talked about the 70th anniversary luncheon in June. Karen talked about the commitment of the members of the club. We have stayed committed to our mission. We continue to be dedicated to planning and performance of educational and charitable projects with an emphasis of horticultural, conservation, civic planning, floral and landscape design 70 years. May we always continue to be inspired by our mission.
- Karen thanked and acknowledged our hospitality team:Jill Johnson, Maria Zalegowski, Claudia Kenyon, Shoshanna Weiss, Kayla Mullen, Peggy Schepp, Sheila Elliott and Laurie Markowicz. She thanked everyone who put the event together. Pam Atkins for planning the event. Brenda Kramer, Elaine Lombardi, Shoshanna Weiss, Becky Starrett, Kathy Pavelcak, all members of our Program Committee. She thanked Val Haagensen, our Membership Chair and Vice-President for all she does to keep us on track. She thanked Audio Visual committee, Rod Atkins and Rich Bucklin. The Prison Therapy committee is chaired by Sheila Elliott and Mary Ellen Hagen. Peggy Schepp, Lauren Schepp, Vonice Carr and Phyllis Cushing are also on this committee. They have brought houseplants from the prison for our members to purchase.
Upcoming Events
The 94th FGCCT Awards luncheon is on October 25. We have 8 award recipients from our club. We have a nice turnout from our club.
Workshop is coming up on October 26 at the home of Brenda Kramer. She and her committee, Ruth Hammill and Barbara Mingo always have a fun and informative workshop. The pumpkin arrangements will be donated to Beechwood nursing home.
December 8, the Thames River Garden Club Holiday luncheon will be at the Lighthouse Inn.
Saturday, March 23rd we have a fundraiser event at the Lighthouse Inn. Set For You is the title event and we will talk more about this at a future meeting.
On June 20, we have our Annual Luncheon and 70th Anniversary celebration at Enders Island.
Meeting Adjourned 1:00
Respectfully submitted
Pamela Atkins
Meeting adjourned 1:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Atkins, Recording Secretary