KINGSTON GARDEN CLUB

MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 19, 2007

Diann K. called our meeting to order at the Redeemer United Methodist Church at 9:40 a.m.

 Members Present:                     24 members and 2 guests.

 Pledge of Allegiance:

 Hospitality:                               George Y., Alex V.

 Hostesses:                                Linda M., Kris T.

 Minutes:                                   Minutes were distributed by e-mail and approved by the members.

 Treasurer’s Report:                   Alice M. reported our bank balance as $6,121.29. 

 Sunshine Committee:                 It was reported that Virginia T. has recently undergone surgery and is doing well.  Members are encouraged to send get-well cards.

 Ways and Means:                     Pam W. brought in very ripe plums, ready for jam making.  Pam also asked members to bring in items for the ways and means table.

 Unfinished Business:                  Blanche Gray report - Laura N. was asked for a general overview of the Blanche Gray program.  This year the event was held on September 12^th/13^th at the Gordon Elementary School and September 19^th/20^th at the Wolfle Elementary School.  More details coming after events are completed.

May Plant Sale – The date for the plant sale is May 3, 2008.  Linda M. said that now would be a good time to start dividing and repotting plants. Linda has also graciously allowed us to take our potted plants to her house for the winter BUT they MUST be labeled.  If plants are unknown there are a number of resources, such as other KGC members, the local nursery or Master Gardeners at the Kingston Farmers Market on Saturdays.  Members can also repot at Linda’s house, there are pots and soil for anyone to use.  Linda’s husband has also built a table that can be used to make the job easier.  If you need help in dividing and/or repotting please let us know at the next meeting.  Sandie will be asked to contact Heidi for donations of plants.

New Business:                          Aloha Wright Grant – Nancy M. was requested to write an article for the local newspaper, informing readers that money is available for gardening related grants.

                                                Announcement – Diann K. announced that she will be away for approximately six months.  Her company has relocated and asked Diann to help them settle into their new quarters in W. Virginia.  For the time that she will be away the following members have stepped forward to stand in for her:

                                                            November        -           Pam W.

                                                            December        -           Nancy M.        

                                                            January            -           Wendy T.

                                                            February          -           Mary

                                                Cook Book – Kris T. has taken on the task of collecting recipes for the Kingston Garden Club Cook Book.  Members are encouraged to bring in recipes for food brought in for the meeting social time as well as other favorites.  Other items that can be included in the cookbook are how to get rid of insects.  If anyone would like to volunteer on the creation of the book contact Kris T.

                                                Monthly Meetings – Pam W. reported that volunteers are needed to act as hostesses, the Design of the Day and for door prizes. 

 Design of the Day:                    Nancy M. brought in a beautiful bouquet of the “last of her garden flowers” consisting of a sun flower, hydrangeas, dahlias, miniature grapes, apples on skewers and the seed pods of the Echinacea.

 Show and Tell:                          Noel L. brought in a pretty white Japanese Anemone.

 Door Prizes:                             Linda L., Kris T., Pam W.

 Announcements:                       Wolfle Elementary School is undertaking a project to install a Story Pole.  KGC was contacted to help with the design, purchase of plants and material as well as the labor for planting area around the pole.  Carol A. announced that her Church group is undertaking this task.

                                                Mary said that an article in the Seattle Times stated that fruit grown in people’s backyards may be donated to local food banks.  If KGC would like to take this task on, Nancy M. could write an article for our local newspaper.

Tip(s) of the Day:                      Toxic Plants – Diann donned an eye patch on her right eye and relayed her trip to the emergency hospital on July 4 caused by wiping her eyes with her gloves while pruning her Euphorbia.  After rinsing her eyes with running water her eyes remained irritated to the point where she needed medical help.  At Diann’s request, her husband searched the net for euphorbia and their medical symptoms only to find out IT IS VERY BAD.  The tips of the day - take information with you when you seek medical help, this will speed up diagnosis AND avoid touching sensitive areas of your body, especially the eyes and mouth while gardening.  Diann handed out a list of poisonous plants highlighting the toxic part of the plant and the resultant symptoms.

 Next Meeting:                           October 17, 2007.  Topic - Mason Bees and Gardening - Lisa Novich, owner of Knox Cellars will give a talk on mason bees and how they can help in gardening.

 The meeting adjourned at:         10:20 a.m.

Respectfully submitted,             Dawn V., Secretary

c2007 Kingston Garden Club