March 16, 2021 Update

Good morning Members,
I hope everyone is doing well. Now that the outside world is opening up slowly, we are starting to get back to some kind of normalcy. With that being said I want to update you on what is going on.
Updates:
March 18: This Thursday will be another zoom presentation. Our speaker is Julia Jankowski from the Mystic Seaport. Her power point presentation is on 19th Century Gardening at Mystic Seaport. It will be at 1pm and last for about an hour. Ivy Plis is the club liaison for this event. You will find the link below to join the event.
April 15: The April speaker had to be changed. The new speaker is Majorie Winters and she will be speaking on the “Connecticut’s Story”. Brief summary of it’s content: Geologically, Connecticut was once the center of the world. With mountains higher than the Himalayas and was once located just off the coast of Africa. Unravel the stories of Connecticut’s exciting geological past that are told by the rocks around us.
May20: Our scheduled speaker is Trish Manfredi. Pam is still working on making sure if she will be able to present her presentation through zoom. We will still have a presenter, even if Trish can’t do it.. 
June Luncheon:  I talked to Richard Bucklin the other day. Rich said Jane and  himself have been discussing it. They will have a better idea in the beginning of April if they will host the luncheon at their home. We throw some ideas around. The big issue is to keep everyone safe and healthy. I think most , if not all, of us will have had the vaccination.
Thank you Sue Bellefleur and her committee for doing an awesome job in obtaining speakers.
Plant Sale May 8: We will be holding our annual plant sale as the Waterford Town Hall has reserved the date for us. We will be able to use the indoor area as we have before. There is a blood drive on Friday, so it will be setting up on the day of the sale. Maria and Claudia are working with their committee now. If you have any ideas or anything you would like to share, please call either one of them. They would love to hear from you.
Josie Esposito: A tree is planned to honor Josie’s memory. At this point, we are still working out the details. Vonice Carr is working with several groups that are planning to  plant trees by Lawrence and Memorial Hospital. We would donate one and the other groups are going to plant and maintain them.
Beebe Garden: Jan Theiler and her committee have been busy maintaining the ground and by the Waterford  sign. In the fall they dug up and replanted plants around the sign, as well as planted many spring bulbs, We should be seeing signs of the bulb coming up soon. They also decorated for the holiday season making wreaths and boughs.
Thank you Everyone for your patience through this last year of lockdown. The future’s looking brighter as the cases  of the Covid virus are lowering.   

Regards,
Elaine LombardiPresidentThames River Garden Club

Wreath Making Workshop

offered by Thames River Garden Club and the Waterford Historical Society, Inc.

WHERE: Goshen Fire Department, 2nd floor meeting room, 63 Goshen Road, Waterford, CT 06385
WHEN: Saturday, November 14, 2020

Workshop A: 8:30 a.m. – 10 a.m.

Workshop B: 10:30 a.m. – 12 noon

• Create a beautiful wreath from a variety of live evergreens on a reusable metal frame. All materials will be provided.
• Learn wreath-making tips from experienced gardeners.
• Learn the history of decorative holiday wreaths.
• COST: $30 general public; $25 members of Waterford Historical Society, Inc. or Thames River Garden Club
• RESERVATIONS REQUIRED by Thursday, November 12: *call 860-389-7529 to provide information requested below
  *e-mail the information requested below to waterfordcthistoricalsociety@gmail.com
  *snail mail the information below to Waterford Historical Society, Inc., P.O. Box 117, Waterford, CT 06385 NAME:
  Address:
  E-mail:
  Telephone:
  Please reserve a seat for me in Workshop A (8:30AM) / B (10:30AM). (Circle A or B.) Check payable to “Waterford Historical Society, Inc.”

Garden beauty to brighten your day!

Pam Atkins Summer garden 2020

 

 

Ivy Plis’ summer garden 2020

 

TRGC September 2020 meeting at Harkness

TRGC September 2020 meeting at Harkness State Park

TRGC meeting September 24 (rain date September 25)

Reminder:

Date: Thursday September 24, 2020

Rain Date: Friday September 25, 2020

Time: 11:30 am

Place: Harkness State Park

Please contact Vonice Carr (860-444-1785) or email her if you plan to attend as we will be providing all attendees with a box lunch from Ivy’s consisting of a chicken salad sandwich, chips and a bottle of water.

Please bring a chair and dress for the weather as it could be breezy by the water.

Hopefully we will see you there,

 

Elaine Lombardi

President

Thames River Garden Club 

Floral Design Workshops!

2020 Beyond Beginning Creative Floral Design Workshops  {these workshops sellout}

Registration  https://ctgardenclubs.org/education/bbdesignworkshops/

April 2           Intro to Angular Design, Litchfield

May 1             Underwater Designs, New Haven (CAES-CT Agric Experiment Station)

May 14          Intro to Creative Line Design, Litchfield

June 5             Floral Design meets Crafting, New Haven (CAES)

Sept 10           Unleashing your Inner Creativity, Old Saybrook

Oct 2              Low Profile Design, New Haven (CAES)

Nov 14           Intro to Color Theory and Traditional Line Mass Design, New Haven

 

zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

National Garden Club schools, register online at www.ctgardenclubs.org/education/schools/           { These classes usually fill up. }

March 24-25             Landscape Design School II of IV at CT Agricultural Experiment Station, New Haven (CAES)  FILLED

September 22-23     Environmental Study School III of IV, CAES New Haven

October 20-22          Flower Show School I of IV (prerequisite for FS classes II to IV) at Kellogg Environmental Center, Derby  (I expect this class to fill up early.)

No dates yet             Gardening School

TRGC Minutes – February 2020

  Thames River Garden Club Minutes

February 20, 2020

Attendance             Active: 27               Privileged: 0      Guests: 2            Excused: 15

President’s Report

President Elaine Lombardi called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m. and thanked our luncheon hostesses for today Vonice Carr, Ivy Plis, Phyllis Cushing and Pat Uguccioni.  Sign in sheets are on table please check yourself in, will not pass around sheets any longer so not to disrupt our meeting or speakers. Motion to waive reading of January minutes, Everett Munro/ Peggy Schepp motion passed. If you find errors in the minutes when emailed to you contact Pam Atkins for correction.

• • Elaine asked members to introduce their guests.  Joan Treadow guest is Nancy McDonald, recently retired nurse, Maria Zalelowski’s guest, Cathy Carboni, hopes for her to become new member.
  • Elaine announced the 91st Annual Meeting and Luncheon held on April 15, 2020 at the Aqua Turf Club in Plantsville.  Program speaker is Larry Weaner. The cost is $38 pp. Please notify Elaine is you would like to attend and give her choice of meal. Five people signed up so far.
  • Also education programs offered through the FGCT, our next one is Landscape Design School, Elaine and the Atkins’ have signed up in March.  This is held at the Connecticut Agricultural Experiment Station in NH. 

 

• All Committee chairs should report to Elaine regarding progress on committee and if they would like to be added to agenda for meeting. Each chair has to complete a form regarding their committee which must be turned into Elaine and submitted to Federated by April 1.  Please submit promptly so it is not last minute.

 

• There is a sign-up sheet for the host/hostesses to commit for a luncheon for the 2020/21 season. If you sign up for December or June the hostesses are responsible for where the luncheon takes place and arrange for food.

 

Vice-President – Membership- Active 53, Privileged 12, Total 66

 

• Vonice expressed how wonderful this year’s Hartford Flower Show is.

 

There were spectacular designs.

 

• April 2nd there is an Orchid show at the New York Botanical Gardens, going by train from Old Saybrook, to New Haven and then to Gardens. Train ride is $50 entrance to gardens is about $30; discounts may apply for seniors or AAA members. Can take train ride around gardens, weather permitting. She will put this together and send out in email. Email Vonice is you are interested in going.  She will not be at our March meeting, so you must notify her.

• There are four schools available to us.  See attachment from Vonice.

• Dorothy McCutcheon has been voted into privileged status.

• Our Flower show has been cancelled.  Only about 38% of members were interested.

• Please remember to notify Vonice if you are unable to come to meetings

 

Treasurer’s Report. Joan Treadow

•   Paid dues to Federated, $6 pp. 

Corresponding Report – Laurie Markowitz

No report submitted.

 

                                                      Committee Reports

 

Audio/Visual- Rod Atkins and Richard Bucklin

All running smoothly

Program – Sue Bellefleur

Pam Atkins reported that we will start our Program committee meetings in March. Asked membership for suggestions or ideas regarding our speakers.

Historian- Brenda Kramer-Will be hosting our March meeting at her home 336 Great Neck Rd, Waterford.  She is storing all of our memorabilia and she is going to bring this out to review and look over.  It will be a trip down the TRGC memory lane. She hopes we have many members come to share stories.

Plant Sale –Claudia Kenyon, Marie Zalegowski

There will be a Plant Sale Meeting at Maria’s home, 286 Noank Rd, Mystic, Ct. (860-334-2419) March 12 at 10:00 a.m. Will discuss date for dig at Judy’s.

There is a sign-up sheet for having a sign on your street to advertise the plant sale. 

Claudia has gone around today to be sure everyone has signed up for a spot for the plant sale.  If you have not spoken with her, please contact her. 

Set up will be 12:00 on Friday before the sale. 

Mary Ellen Hagen could use help with info about growing plants in greenhouse.

Discussion went on about the purchase of wholesale plants.  Elaine has spoken with the Treasurer of Federated of CT. she was told that as long as the club charges the member as little of .25. and that would make it legal.  

Maria suggested offering 1 plant such as the allium to take orders from the members.  It would be very difficult to take orders for different plants.

It was also discussed that we should not buy plants and have money go through the treasury of the club.  Elaine is going to check again with the auditor and Federated’s treausurer to be sure we are in compliance. She will report the results at our next meeting.

We agreed we all want this cleared up and decided from the experts to go forward.

Garden Therapy- Prison,  Peggy Schepp, Mary Ellen Hagen

This committee would like more volunteers for the Prison.  Time is from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday. They go weekly, but they are looking for someone to even come once a month. You would need to apply to the State for Training.  They go all year round, winter in the greenhouse, summer in the gardens. It’s very safe and they are very appreciative. 

Garden Therapy – Phyllis Teeson, Pat Hancock, Sandy Kelly

There was a nice turn out- report from Pat.

Hostess – Patty Hancock

Looking for hostesses for our lunches for next year.  Need four people for each month. We are supposed to find our own replacement if you are not able to come.  Contact Patty with any changes.

Juniors – Suzie Young

  A Girl Scout troop wants to help with Beebe House cleanup in spring.

Ways & Means- Pat Uguccioni

She has a new wine bottle bag made our of old ties for $10 and regular bags $5

Suzie Young reminded membership to check out the horticultural exhibits that were judged by Rod, Richard and Bugie.

It was also brought up again about calling off the Flower show, Claudia felt badly that Vonice had gone through this work and it was called off.  It was brought up to have a flower show and plant sale alternate years. It was then brought up that we should not do our plant sale alternate years, people will go elsewhere.  

Motion to adjourn was made by Patty Hancock/Mary Ann Richards

Motion was made to adjourn and seconded at 1:05 p.m.

Submitted by Pam Atkins, Recording Secretary

TRGC Minutes – January 2020

 Thames River Garden Club Minutes – January 16, 2020

Attendance             Active: 36               Privileged: 1                    Excused: 6

President’s Report

• President Elaine Lombardi called the meeting to order at 12:17 p.m. and thanked hosts, from Guest Day, all who were involved with lunch and flowers and a special thank you to Sue Bellefleur, she contacted all members to ask if they were attending and if they were bringing guests.  We had 49 members, 80 guests. Very successful. Also thanks to Regina and Bill Kowenhoven for hosting Christmas Party; great food from Pasta Vita.  Ruth Hammell, Barbara Mingo and Barbara Skinner were hostesses. Also, thank you to today’s hostesses, Ruth Hammell, Barbara Mingo, Betty Ann Coviello, Suzie Young, Phyllis Teeson, Val Haagensen. Sign in sheets are on table, will not pass around sheets any longer so not to disrupt. Everett Munro brought a guest, Christine Stuetzel, from Mystic. Will not read minutes at meeting, read through email.  If there are any errors, contact Pam. Motion to waive reading of minutes, Vonice/Everett, motion passed.
• Elaine thanked Jan Theiler and her committee, made Christmas wreaths and put on buildings. Put gardens to bed at Beebe gardens. Good job.
• All Committee chairs should report to Elaine regarding progress on committee and if they would like to be added to agenda for meeting.

 

Vice-President – Membership- Active 54, Privileged 11, Total 66

 

• Norma Fleishell and Loraine Rizzo have resigned and moved.   Vonice has their contact information if you would like to contact them.

• Vonice is encouraging members to enter the horticultural portion of the flower show.  She is willing to help anyone who is interested. Deadline is February 14. 

• Vonice has a Design workshop scheduled on February 4. .

• April 2nd there is an Orchid show at the New York Botanical Gardens, going by train from Old Saybrook, to New Haven and then to Gardens. Train ride is $50 entrance to gardens is about $30; discounts may apply for seniors or AAA members. Can take train ride around gardens, weather permitting. She will put this together and send out in email.

• Vonice proposed that TRGC have a small standard flower show, third or fourth week in August at Harkness Mansion.  It will be free to public, no fee for Mansion unless we pay the $5500 to Harkness. She has a verbal OK from Harkness to have this show.  She has to send a formal request to DEEP. There will be 12 Designs, 19 horticultural entries. Examples can be Cut flowers, Plants in pots, can also include a veg class, depends on committee. . Need to know if members are willing to take part, needs full participation.   22 members raised their hands. Many members were not in attendance. Vonice will send email to all membership soon to get a definite total and response. There was a question regarding costs. We will have to rent tablecloths, publishing costs. No concession stand, will not give out any refreshments. There will be availability to get refreshments on the Harkness site, nothing to do with us. Everett Munro felt it was a wonderful opportunity to give the public an idea of what we are doing and what we are about. It may cost the club 1 – 2 thousand dollars.  We are hoping to avoid cleaning fee; we will be involved in set up. 12 Designs could be ambitious, if we do not have enough participation from our club, we will ask other clubs to enter. We can have a table with our own information available to the public. 

 

Vonice has the flower show schedule 85% done and she would like 6 volunteers for a steering committee once she has all approved.

Treasurer’s Report. Joan Treadow

•   A full report is attached to members email.   
• Concern about name tags, please try not to forget your tags.  If you do, buy something from Ways and Means, she will not track this. Use honor system.

Corresponding Secretary’s Report – Laurie Markowicz

• Laurie read heartwarming letter from Loraine Rizzo, resigning.   Letter on file with Laurie

 Committee Reports

Jerry Theiler thanked everyone for the cards and well wishes while he was ill.

Plant Sale –Claudia Kenyon

They are going to order Plant Sale signs, asked for show of hands.  

Planning on featuring some new things this year, such as Container Gardening.  Need volunteers to pick out plants, and set aside at the wholesaler. Try to keep purchase of plants local; still need volunteers for transportation.

Garden Therapy – Sandy Kelly, Phyllis Teeson

Dates have changed for February, will not be on Wednesday will be on Feb 14. 

In January: Made 35 arrangements, Fisher Florist supplied flowers, members brought greens. Patients had a great time and thanked us, can’t wait until next time.

Horticulture – Judy Graziano

Reminded everyone to get tetanus shot.

Hostess – Patty Hancock

Looking for hostesses for our lunches.  Need four people for each month. Members are supposed to find their own replacement if not able to come.  Contact Patty if you can’t make it.  

Juniors – Suzie Young

Did a cognitive garden for children through a program at UCONN at Avery point campus, brought painted rocks, and did not work out well.  Ages of children were 4, 7 and 9. The garden contains a Meadow Section, Moss garden, amphitheater theater and other areas for the children to work and play, helping to  develop their cognitive skills.  A Girl Scout troop wants to help with Beebe House cleanup in spring.

Motion to adjourn was made by Patty Hancock/Everett Munro

Motion was made to adjourn and seconded at 1:00 p.m.

Submitted by Pam Atkins, Recording Secretary

 

TRGC Minutes – October 2019

Thames River Garden Club Minutes – October 17, 2019

Attendance             Active: 30               Privileged: 3                    Excused: 7

President’s Report

President Elaine Lombardi called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m. and thanked hosts, Manly Church, Jan Theiler, Mary Ellen Hagen,  for a delicious lunch. Everett Munro brought a guest, Christine Stuetzel. It was agreed to waive the reading of the minutes from the September meeting. Minutes approved, however, Phyllis Teeson wanted them read.  We did not read the minutes, since no one was prepared to read them. We will consider reading them next month, however, it was discussed that it will take time out of our meeting. Will discuss this at the next Executive Meeting. Minutes were approved.

• Elaine thanked Jan Theiler and her committee for an outstanding job weeding and cleaning up Beebe Garden.
• Dig at Judy Grazino’s was successful. The committee was able to dig 150+ plants. Thanks to Jane Bucklin who provided sandwiches and water.
• Guest Day will be November 21.  Flyers are available and have been emailed to area Presidents and our membership. Please distribute to friends via hard copy or email. Elaine requested that all members RSVP so hostesses have a count.
• The Holiday Party will be held on Friday, December 13 at the home of Regina Kowenhoven.  Thank you, Regina, for your hospitality.
• The FGCCT-Awards Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, October 30.  Elaine asked all to attend to support the voting of tablescapes submitted by our members, Brenda Kramer and Pam Atkins.  The theme is Connecticut Authors, The theme our designers chose was “Sex and the City.”  The price is $36 per person taking place at the Aqua Turf. Please send a check to Elaine with a Luncheon choice of Beef, Chicken, Salmon or Vegetarian.Elaine saw the FGCCT President at a recent President’s meetings and they shortned the presentation for awards this year.

• Elaine has requested that All Committee Chairs are required to make a report to the member once per year.  Please notify Elaine so the report can be added to the agenda.  
• The Executive Committee voted to do away with Stainless flatware and use Bamboo.  This was oppossed by a few members, will be addressed again in January. Bamboo will be used for guest day.
• Everett Munro referred an email to Elaine regarding a request from Fairview Nursing Home in Groton requesting a local Garden Club to run a “Garden Program.”  Elaine will pass on to Federated and give them suggested clubs in the Groton area.

 

Vice-President – Membership- Active 56, Privileged 12, Total 68

• Reminder from Vonice that she is the contact if you are not able to attend a meeting. She is attending a Garden/Design Judging course today.
• Brenda has revised pages for Membership Book whom already have theirs
• Vonice is giving a talk about preliminary info on the Flower Show entries on November 14 at 11:00 a.m. in the Waterford Library conference room downstairs.  Please RSVP if attending. The CT flower show is February 20-23 at the CT Convention Center in Hartford. Check on line for info Connecticut Garden Club.org/flowershow.
• Details on the December 3rd wreath workshop will be available at the November meeting.
• There is a wreath making workshop November 16, in conjunction with the Waterford Historical Society held at ATRIA Crossroads Place,1 Beechwood Dr., Waterford. The Great Room, Floor 3  About 15 people, materials will be provided. 

$30 to general public, $25 for TRGC members and ATRIA residents. Reservations required by November 9.  Call 860-389-7529.

Treasurer’s Report. 

•   A full report will be emailed to members.

 

Corresponding Report

• Laurie Markowicz read an email from the Mystic Garden Club in response to the Guest day email. President, Joanne Lukaszewicz replied she will send to her membership, but some of the club members would be busy with their Greens Sale preparations.

Committee Reports

Bylaws – Mary Ann Hauser presented proposed changes in the Bylaws.  A motion was made to accept them as presented, first and seconded by Maria Zalegowski and Laurie Markowicz respectively, discussion began with concerns about the change in Privileged membership going from 20 to 15 years.  Ten years was proposed and several members came forward to object to the change or endorse. Some members felt privilged members should still be somewhat active. After much discussion, the motion was not passed. Mary Ann asked membership to email or contact the bylaws committee to put their concerns in writing so the committee can be aware and making further proposals.  Elaine suggested we revisit in January for a vote.

Workshops- Vonice reports that she has a mission to have all our members submit an entry to the Hartford Flower Show this year.  She has scheduled meetings, which are listed in the book, to help give us knowledge and confidence.  The horticulture section of the show is open without limits, unlike the design section. Please check the book to put the workshops on your calendar.  She had a special category she thought Suzy Young would like, “Home for Feathered Friends,” under the Botanical Arts division.

No other Committees were able to present due to time constraints.

Motion was made to adjourn and seconded at 1:18 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Pam Atkins, recording secretary

 

 

 

TRGC Minutes – September 2019

Thames River Garden Club Minutes- September 19, 2019

Attendance             Active: 34                  Privileged: 3                    Excused: 7

President’s Report

• President Elaine Lombardi called the meeting to order at 12:15 p.m. and thanked hosts,Joan Treadow, Everett Munro, Patricia Hancock and Barbara Skinner for a delicious lunch. There were no guests present at today’s meeting. It was agreed to waive the reading of the minutes from the June 20 meeting approve the minutes. Pat Uguccioni moved to waive and approve, seconded by Mary Ann Richards, minutes were approved., 
• Elaine welcomed everyone back from the summer break.  She thanked the members who worked on the Membership Book, Barbara Skinner and Brenda Kramer with help from Susan Bellefluer and Pam Atkins for submission of the program information. A thank you to Quality Printers for the printing job. Vonice Carr has agreed to take over the responsibility of the Membership Book. The new books have been printed and were available for pick up.  Elaine reminded everyone to take their copy to avoid mailing costs. 
• Elaine also thanks the Civic Committee for cleaning up Beebe Garden.
• She asked membership to take a look at the Photo Book, which was brought in by Brenda Kramer, keeping a history of the events of our club.
• Guest Day will be November 21, when the flyer is available, please send to friends via hard copy or email.
• The Holiday Party will be held on Friday, December 13 at the home of Regina Kowenhoven.  Thank you, Regina, for your hospitality.
• The FGCCT-Awards Luncheon will be held on Wednesday, October 30.  She asked all to attend to support the voting of tablescapes submitted by our members, Brenda Kramer and Pam Atkins.  The theme is Connecticut Authors, The theme our designers chose was “Sex and the City.”  The price is $36 per person taking place at the Aqua Turf. Please send a check to Elaine with a Luncheon choice of Beef, Chicken, Salmon or Vegetarian.
• Elaine reported that we will no longer pass around clipboards with sign up sheets in the future since it disrupts the meeting.  Please check the table as you enter to sign up for all events and membership assignments.  Host/Hostess commitments, Plant Sale Digs, Annual Luncheon, Guest Day and all other events.
• Elaine has requested that All Committee Chairs are required to make a report to the membership once per year.  Please notify Elaine so the report can be added to the agenda.  
• Vice President: Vonice Carr reported –  If you are unable to attend a  meeting, you only need to contact Vonice by calling or texting her. She will then advise hostess. She has provided us with a business card with her contact information.  Vonice introduced our newest member Bugi Reiff

Treasurer’s Report. 

• Joan Treadow reported that a new laptop was needed to use Quickbook for our finances.  A full report is attached.

Corresponding Report

• Laurie Markowicz read thank you notes from our funding contributions from

           Camp Harkness, Pequotsepos Nature Society, Waterford Public Library, Federated Garden Clubs

Committee Reports:

Audio/Visual – Rod Atkins and Richard Bucklin have volunteered to store and deliver our equipment to meetings. 

Bylaws – Ethel Gerity reported that the Bylaws Committee met and we need to have a quorum of 28 active members, 50% plus 1 to pass the bylaws, so all active members are encouraged to attend the October meeting to get them passed. She distributed proposed bylaws to members to review and vote on in October. Highlights were reducing number of years for privileged members, and the amount of people needed for a quorum.

Civic – Jan Theiler reported the clean up of Beebe Phillips Garden took place on Wednesday, September 11.  The Garden was weeded and mums and asters were planted.  Sand needs to be replaced between the bricks in the walkway. Paul Grover, of Waterford Historical Society, will address the issue at the WHS’s next meeting and said he will replace the sand if members agree.  Members who attended the clean up were Suzy Young, Phyllis Grohocki, Barbara Allen, Jan Theiler and Paul Grover.   Next clean up will be in October, date TBA.

Environmental Studies/Conservation– Juanita Toledo reported,  The Environmental Committee aims to participate in the study and care of the plants and bird species at the William Niering preserve at Goshen cove at Harkness Beach.  We aim for 2 sessions in May/June and September/October session in the area.

Garden Therapy-Juanita reported that they have added Beechwood to the Garden Therapy schedule.  She showed a bouquet of flowers and greens she picked from her garden at this time of year.  Showing new types of greens such as ginger and instructed us to remove the hydrangea leaves before putting them in the arrangement.  

Garden Therapy Prison- Sheila Elliott is looking for a donation of two rock/garden racks to use at the prison. Laurie Markowicz donated one.

Historian – Brenda Kramer is bringing a photo album of our events to peruse at our meetings.

Horticulture – Judy Graziano reported that the Digging date is October 24 at 9:00.  She asked members to please come for digging, labeling, dividing or lunch.  The more people the better.  She would like to do a second date for Shrubs.

Hospitality- Patricia Hancock is on it.

Juniors – Suzy Young is working on painting birdhouses for plant sale.

Plant Sale—Claudia Kenyon reported that members should be potting their plants now for the plant sale, they will have time to poof during the winter. Marie Zalegowski, reported that there will be a sign up sheet in place prior to the trip to wholesaler, she also reported what great success she had with Allium in her garden. 

Plant Sale Diggers – Rod Atkins and Rich Bucklin passed the sign up sheet for the October 24 Dig.  Rod spoke to membership asking for volunteers.

Publicity – Elaine asked for a volunteer to fill this position, no response from membership.

Ways and Means – Pat Uguccioni announced that she is having bags made by her friend Eunice Taylor for us to sell for $5.  The bags are not for groceries, but for sundries or clothing.

Workshops- Vonice reports that she has a mission to have all our members submit an entry to the Hartford Flower Show this year.  She has scheduled meetings, which are listed in the book, to help give us knowledge and confidence.  The horticulture section of the show is open without limits, unlike the design section. Please check the book to put the workshops on your calendar.  She had a special category she thought Suzy Young would like, “Home for Feathered Friends,” under the Botanical Arts division.

Motion was made to adjourn and seconded at 1:07 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Pamela Atkins,  Recording Secretary


 

Suzy Young reported- We had a wonderfully successful kickoff for our Horticultural Specimens educational series with thanks to the numerous members who brought in cut flowers from their gardens. We had a total of 31 specimens!!
Awards were given as follows: First place to Marian Shilstone for her Dahlia ‘Hetear’; Second place to Phyllis Grohocki for her Dahlia ‘Thomas A. Edison’; Third place to Everett Munro for his Anethum gravolens (Dill);  Honorable mention to Vonice Carr for her Rudbeckia (Black-eyed Susan) and Honorable mention to Suzy Young for her Hydrangea macrophylla (lace-cap).purchased at the wholesaler. 

 

 

 

 

TRGC Minutes – June 2019

 

Thames River Garden Club Minutes – June 20, 2019

 

Attendance             Active: 42                  Privileged: 4                    Excused: 2

 

President Brenda Kramer called the meeting to order at 12:30 and thanked hosts Pam Atkins, Rod Atkins, and Everett Munro. Brenda introduced our guests, Dale Salmonsen and Jane Bucklin, wife of Richard Bucklin. Brenda directed our attention to the beautiful floral arrangements produced the day before at the Line Design Workshop under the expert tutelage of Juanita Toledo, workshop presenter. She asked members to review and make corrections to or update information being passed to ensure club information is accurate. The minutes from the May 16 meeting were presented; Jerry Theiler moved to approve the minutes, and Sandy Kelly seconded, and the minutes were approved.

Treasurer’s Report. In Phyllis Teeson’s absence, Brenda asked all present to carefully review the 2019-2020 budget attached to the agenda for today’s program. Discussion followed. Everett Munro moved to accept the budget for the upcoming club year, with Jan Theiler seconding. The proposed budget was approved by the membership.

Committee Reports.

Bylaws—Ethel Gerity said that the bylaws are ready for discussion when we meet in September.

Civic—Jan Theiler requested members of the committee sign up for a time during July to work on the Beebe Gardens as they need attention while Jan is away. In addition, she suggested that those members of the civic committee who are unable to work in the gardens may wish to sign up for a different committee that might be more comfortable for them. Jan will plan a committee workday the end of July.

Environmental Studies/Conservation—Juanita Toledo said that the June 5 cleanup day at Harkness State Park was very successful. Committee members cleaned areas of protected beach dunes where rare and threatened Piping Plover and Least Terns nest. Please consider joining this committee; new members are needed.

Garden Therapy—Juanita reported that the patients at Beechwood Rehabilitation and Nursing Center were very happy with the initial garden therapy group’s visit and that Beechwood will be added to the committee’s projects; because Beechwood will provide flowers for the therapy meetings, the club’s budget will not be affected. Sandy Kelly said that the committee welcomes new members to help with projects. Sandy was pleased that Barbara Mingo and her granddaughters spray painted cans to be used as pretty containers for arrangements at the rehabilitation centers.

Nominations—Everett Munro presented the revised slate of officers for program year 2019-2020:

     President—Elaine Lombardi

     Vice President—Vonice Carr

     Treasurer—Joan Treadow

     Assistant Treasurer—Betty Ann Coviello

     Recording Secretary—Pamela Atkins

     Corresponding Secretary—Dolores Markowicz

     Immediate Past President—Brenda Kramer

Plant Sale—Claudia Kenyon reported that the plant sale was a great success. Judy Graziano said only three showed up to dig plants for the sale, and many more attendees would be greatly appreciated next year when there will be a dig in the fall and one in the spring.

Program—Susan Bellefleur told the membership that the program is all set for next year. Susan provided everyone with a list of the speakers and topics.

The meeting was paused for lunch at 12:55.

President’s Remarks. Brenda resumed the meeting at 1:55 and thanked everyone for their support throughout her two-year tenure. She thanked Tara Mahn of Aroma Catering for the delicious luncheon we all enjoyed. Pam Atkins thanked everyone who took part in the Line Design Workshop. Today’s speaker, Trish Manfredi, is judging the thirteen designs, which were assembled at the workshop. Brenda welcomed Trish and then asked Everett Munro to present the revised slate of officers for program year 2019-2020:

     President—Elaine Lombardi

     Vice President—Vonice Carr

     Treasurer—Joan Treadow

     Assistant Treasurer—Betty Ann Coviello

     Recording Secretary—Pamela Atkins

     Corresponding Secretary—Dolores Markowicz

     Immediate Past President—Brenda Kramer

Ruth Hammell moved to rescind the previous proposed slate of officers and substitute the new slate listed above, and Barbara Mingo seconded. The motion was unanimously approved. Brenda thank the retiring officers for their service and then proceeded to install the new officers, who will serve for the next two years.

Joyce Beaudoin moved to adjourn the meeting at 2:30, and Barbara Skinner seconded; motion passed.

Respectfully submitted,

Barbara Skinner, Recording Secretary