TRGC Meeting Minutes, April 25, 2024
Meeting was brought to order at 12:00 p.m. by Karen Neilan, President
Attendance: 38 active members, 15 excused members, 1 guests 1 lifetime
Officer’s Reports
President – Karen Neilan
- Karen thanked our audio and visual committee members: Rod Atkins and Richard Bucklin.
- Karen thanked our hospitality team: Margie Sydney, Joanna Woodward, Brenda Kramer, Mary Ellen Hagen, Sara Petrini, Jill Johnson and Everett Munro.
- Karen welcomed our guest, Kristin Widham’s daughter, Evelyn.
- The March 2024 meeting minutes were approved with no corrections.
- Karen asked for a motion to change the start time of our monthly meetings to 11:30 am, effective September 2024, per request of the healing therapy committee. The present time interferes with the committee members attending the monthly meeting due to the prison schedule. A motion was made by Ruth Hammill and seconded by Rod Atkins. The motion passed unanimously.
- Karen announced the First Selectman of Waterford, Rob Bruel, will present a proclamation to honor our 70th Anniversary at the May Meeting.
- Penny Pines is at 82% of our goal. Karen is confident we will attain our goal of $500.
Vice-President – Val Haagensen – Absent (Elaine Lombardi presented in her absence)
- Elaine presented a membership application for Meghan Brown. A motion was made to approve the application by Bugi Reiff and seconded by Richard Bucklin. Motion carried.
Treasurer- Elaine Lombardi
- Report was distributed via email
Corresponding Secretary – Laurie Markowicz – Absent (Pam Atkins presented in her absence)
- We received a thank you note from Rosina Longo’s daughter, Linda. She and her family were very appreciative of our tribute to honor Rosina’s 100th birthday
Standing Committee Reports
Environmental – Manly Church
- Manly reported the benefits and characteristics of Rain Gardens. Please see attachment.
Civic – Joan Treadow
- Joan will schedule spring clean-up and mulching at the Bebee garden in mid-May.
Healing Therapy- York Prison – Peggy Schepp
- Peggy read a thank you note from one of the girls.
- She invited our members to sign up for this committee.
Plant Sale Committee– Claudia Kenyon and Maria Zalegowski
- Claudia sent her clipboard around. She thanked members for stepping up and asked them to sign up for the bake sale. She announced labels for plants were available if anyone needs them. Manly Church put out signs. If anyone wants a sign, see him. All signs should be put out on May 5.
- There are 10 members signed up for transportation.
- Claudia has tablecloths and labels for all the sections including annuals, perennials, herbs, etc. so people will know where to put them.
- Five cashier boxes are needed to include raffle, white elephant, bake sale and cashiers. Manly will collect the money outside for Plant Lot items sold. The club will receive 25% of the proceeds. Everett Munro has volunteered to assist Manly.
- Claudia did a blueprint of the set up. She needs 3 more people on annuals and perennials.
- Mother’s Day table -Please bring greens or flowers to use for the table.
- Bake Sale – Please wrap all items individually.
- Raffle items – There are many great items. Val Haagensen, Jane Bucklin, and Elaine Lombardi, made baskets for the raffle.
- Send out the garden club flyer to friends and post on Facebook.
- Claudia thanked Jill Johnson for bringing her lovely cards to sell.
- There is a post meeting to be held on May 14 at 1 p.m. at the home of Maria Zalegowski.
- Set up is scheduled for noon on Friday, May 10 at 1 pm.
Vonice Carr reported on perennials – no soaking wet pot, very heavy- neatly potted, no mud.
Nominating – Elaine Lombardi
- We have candidates for President, Vice-President, Corresponding Secretary, and Assistant Treasurer. We still need a Treasurer and a Recording Secretary in order for the club to go forward. We cannot have a club without these positions filled.
Hospitality – Jill Johnson
- One more person is needed for September, October, November and March, two people for December, and three people for June.
Social Media – Margie Sydney
- Margie announced we now have over 100 followers. She is reaching out to other gardening organizations.
Website – Joanna Woodward and Liz Paganetti
- Encouraged members to view and use the website.
- Karen reviewed the bulletin board, highlighting members and committees.
Upcoming Events:
- Our last workshop will be making posies on May 23.
- TRGC Plant Sale, May 11, 2024
- Post Plant Sale Meeting, Tuesday, May 14 at 1 pm at Maria Zalegowski’s home.
- TRGC Annual Meeting, Installation of Officers, and 70th Anniversary Celebration at Enders Island
June 20, 2024 – RSVP no later than June 7.
Meeting adjourned 1:00 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Pamela Atkins, Recording Secretary