Minutes April Meeting

Garden Club of New Haven

General Meeting

April 10, 2010

Meeting called to order by Carol Ross, president, at 12:40pm.

The minutes of the March 8 meeting which were posted on the blog and extra copies of the minutes and the notes on Sogetsu Ikebana are available at the back table.

The deadline for submissions to the newsletter is 4/18/10.

President’s Report (C. Ross)

Our Club has been in the news:

1. The GCA April/May Bulletin has an article on the return of Mark Catesby’s book, The Natural History of Carolina, Florida, and the Bahama Islands, which was repaired at Yale’s Conservation Studio. Louise Carter is pictured prominently.

2. The April Federated NEWS noted that Vicki Arkins had advanced to Level 1, Student Judge by meeting several challenging prerequisites.

3. Also in the Federated NEWS congratulations were given to all of the ‘Spice of Life’ winners: Nancy Ahlstrom, Vicki Arkins, Lisa Lovejoy, and Betsy Nininger.

The Club thanks Martha Alexander for hosting a very interesting meeting (and providing coffee and delicious biscuits cooked by Bea) on Saturday, April 10^th, on Tree Haven 10K, the planting of 10,000 trees in New Haven over the next 5 years to counteract the decline in our tree canopy. Colleen Murphy Dunning presented the group with a history of the project and with directions for becoming involved.

The Elm Tree 2013 Committee will be having a seedling potting event on April 23^rd at 10 am at Debbie Edwards’ house, preparing our little elms for their foster care homes. If you are able to attend and help out please call Debbie to let her know.

Carol Ross is in the process of forming a small committee to review the Bylaws and revise them, if necessary. If you are interested in working on this project, please let her know.

All members should pick up the annual dues and membership letter that is available on the back table. This will save the Club the cost of postage.

On a sad note, Carol reported the following:

a. Helen Liveten’s husband, Norman, passed away on March 22^nd. Norman was a long-time resident of New Haven and a collector of model trains and railroad memorabilia

b. Carrie Witt’s husband, Tom, died peacefully at home in Hamden on April 6^th after a courageous battle with cancer. A Memorial Service will be held for him on Saturday, April 24^th at 11 AM at Trinity Church on the Green.

Committee Reports:

Hospitality (R. Murphy)

Thanks to all who brought the food for today’s meeting.

Civic (J. Freudenburg)

Thanks for all who responded to the survey. Anyone who did not is encouraged to fill out a survey.

Next Tuesday there will be plantings done at Fellowship Place and anyone who wants to participate should sign up.

Conservation (M. Hirschoff)

An invitation to the May 11 program: “Everything Old is New: Sticks, Stones, Frogs and More for Flower Design" is available. The arrangements will be auctioned at the conclusion of the program. Anyone who wishes to attend should RSVP. Non-members are welcome.

Photography (A. Estabrook)

There will be a garden journaling workshop scheduled.

Wendy Sorrell, the zone 2 representative, encourages entries of photographs into the Newport Flower Show. The theme is “safari flowers and fauna.”

Scholarship (D. Moore for V. DiSesa)

There is an award know as the Elizabeth Abernathy Hull award for environmental education for young children. The GCA scholarship program gives a $1000 scholarship to the recipient. The deadline for proposed recipients is 2/1/11 and anyone can suggest candidates and/or join the committee.

Visiting Gardens (D. Zimmerman)

There will be a visit to the Long Wharf Nature Preserve on May 24. There is a sign up sheet for those interested in attending.

In July (the date tba) the Club will visit the Harkness Memorial Park in Waterford, CT. This is a public park.

In the fall the Club will host a visit to Maywood Gardens in Bridgewater, CT

Once again, the Club encourages members to open their gardens for viewing.

Ways and Means (V. Arkin)

There will be baseball caps and aprons for sale at the May meeting. The cost will be approximately $20.00.

Flower Design (L. Lovejoy)

There are many opportunities to attend flower shows in the area. These are listed in the newsletter. Information regarding a course by Sylvia Abbott for the novice arranger is in the newsletter.

Horticulture (S. Haller for C. Benoit)

There will be workshop at which we will make planters from cement, perlite and peat moss. This has not yet been scheduled but if you are interested, please sign up.

Garden History and Design (N. Duble for K. Evans)

This committee will document Phelps Triangle next year for the Smithsonian Project. Anyone with relevant material is asked to provide it to the committee.

Zone II Meeting Fund-raising (B. Hartmayer)

B. Hartmayer needs more recipes for the proposed cookbook.

Other

Treasurer’s Report (S. Holler)

This month’s income was $29.72 and expenses were $4111.46.

The meeting was adjourned at 1:03pm.

Katharine Goodbody