LAGC Meeting Notes - April 28, 2026

President Nancy Madeoy welcomed LACG members to the April meeting with a quote from the Farmer’s Almanac about the wonders of weather.

 Last year LAGC donated to Northland Library to have our club’s name etched into a brick. Nancy announced that the paver was installed at Northland Library.

 LAGC now has our own projector. Last month members voted to purchase a projector. Evan Fingal purchased the projector on Amazon for $350. He will take it home and bring it back to the church each month.

                                                  

Our newest members introduced themselves at the meeting: Greg Wilson, Mark Nelson and Cathy Rose. Welcome to all of you.  We’re glad you joined LAGC!

The club has approved the purchase of a supply of 12 new LAGC T-shirts to keep in stock for any new members. We will recoup the money when new members purchase their T-shirts.

 Treasurer Denny was notified that The North Area Environmental Council (NAEC) is dissolving and that their funds will be moved to the Pine Creek Land Conservation Trust. Denny was contacted by the NAEC to ask if we would like to have our $250 donation returned to us or if it can be donated to the Pine Creek Land Conservation Trust.  Members voted to have our donation moved to the new group. The Pine Creek land Conservation Trust is a nonprofit conservation organization established in 1991 dedicated to the acquisition and protection of natural areas in the pine Creek watershed of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania and surrounding communities.

New Officers Needed!!

 Nancy reminded members that LAGC will need all new officers for next year. Please consider becoming the president, vice-president, treasurer or recording secretary. We need to fill these positions to keep LAGC going for many years. If you have any questions talk with Nancy or reach out to the current officers.

 Claudia addressed the club about the fact that McCandless Township is celebrating its 175^th Anniversary. Members approved a vote to purchase $100 worth of annuals which will be given away to our customers to celebrate this anniversary. We are hoping to be able to distribute red, white and blue flowers, if possible. Claudia has graciously donated small USA flags to be given away.

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 The 2026 LAGC Perennial Plant Sale is scheduled for Saturday, May 16^th. Here are some important notes which Mary Anne Kurtz, Plant Sale Coordinator discussed with members. You will receive an e-mail from Mary Anne about the plant sale. PLEASE BE SURE TO READ THE ENTIRE E-MAIL with the most up to date details. Thank you!

• Please note all irises at this year’s sale will be in a special section. This area will include the specialty irises from Larry Grundler’s Summerhill Garden, as well as the irises which members bring from their own gardens.
• Please be sure to mark the top of the plant tag with the symbol of the light requirements for your plants and follow the handout which was compiled by Mary Anne and Andrea. Please use the revised handout that was emailed to you in April.
• Asian Jumping Worms are still a concern, so it’s suggested that plants be potted in potting soil instead of garden soil.
• Publicity is important for a successful sale.  Paper reminders were distributed to all members to hand to family and friends.  When you see the post on Facebook, please share it with your friends.
• Please bring as many plants as you can. The more plants we have then the more we have available to sell.
• Wear your blue T-shirt.
• Bring your gently used plant and garden items for the FREE table. 
• You may bring your plants to Northmont on Friday night before the sale at 7:30pm.
• New for 2026 is that at 11:30am we’re going to have a Buy One, Get One free sale instead of everything is half off.
• We’ve identified a few organizations that are willing to take any plants that don’t sell: Northmont Church, Bradford Woods Conservancy and Memorial Park Church.
• A group photo will be taken at approximately 8:30am when everything is set up.
• Mary Anne will send an e-mail with all the details about the plant sale. She has requested that you please read the entire e-mail so that you know what to expect on the day of the plant sale.

Hostesses

Thank you to this month’s hostesses! Linda brown brought the arrangement which was a beautiful blooming orange begonia in a lovely ceramic pot. Dianne Machesney dazzled us with her baking skills and brought delicious cherry pie bars, raspberry almond shortbread cookies and gluten-free Italian coconut cookies.

Beautiful blooming orange begonia brought by Linda

Dianne's delicious cherry pie bars

Italian coconut & raspberry almond shortbread cookies made by Dianne... YUM!

 

Program - Frugal Gardening: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle presented by Pat Morgan, PSMG 

This month’s speaker was Pat Morgan who is a Penn State Master Gardener and graduate of the Horticulture Program at the Bidwell Training Center. She has expertise in growing vegetables and fruits, especially figs in her own urban garden. This evening she came to talk to LAGC about tips on how to save money, time and work by implementing the concepts of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in our gardens.

Here are some of the takeaway points:

• Start with a good plan so that you know what you currently have to work with and what you want to achieve.  What kind of plants do you want to grow, what tools do you already have and how much time do you have to dedicate to building the garden and maintaining it after it’s established are questions to consider.
• Buy good garden tools – they’ll save time by making the work easier and save money because they’ll last and you won’t have to buy new ones.
• Choose your plants wisely.  Purchase the healthiest plants, choose the right plant for the right place; select drought tolerant plants to save time and money on watering.
• Save money by starting your own seeds or propagating plants; share plants with friends and neighbors or purchase plants at a community plant sale.
• Plant in good soil.  Start with a soil test so you don’t waste money and time applying amendments that aren’t necessary. Make your own compost and be sure to add a layer of mulch to save money and time on watering and weeding.
• Plant in any container that has drainage holes.  Find unique vessels at flea markets, garage sales or your own recycling bin.
• Learn to preserve the harvest by educating yourself on proper canning, freezing and drying methods.

We all know that gardening can be an expensive hobby because the garden centers have so many tempting, wonderful items for us to purchase from gadgets to plants! The trick is to employ some of these tips to reduce, reuse and recycle in your garden so that your garden can look expensive without draining your bank account. Many of Pat’s ideas also save time and work so you have more opportunities to enjoy spending time in your garden.

September 24, 2024, Meeting Notes

Dues of $15 were collected by Linda Brown at the membership desk. Members reviewed their phone number and e-mail address in the directory and made corrections when necessary..

President Nancy Madeoy welcomed members. 

What's blooming in the garden – asters, sunflowers, Jerusalem artichokes, dahlias, zinnias 

Claudia gave an update on the plans for the 75th anniversary celebration

• Seed packets will be given to customers at the LAGC plant sale instead of annual plants 
• The theme will be the 1950’s.  Members can dress in 1950’s attire and the menu choices are being discussed to reflect the theme
• A sample of a logo was displayed for members to vote on
• Claudia thanked all the Anniversary Celebration committee members for all the work they’ve done on this event.  A huge THANK YOU to Claudia for leading the committee! 

  Claudia gave an update on the plans for the 75th anniversary celebration

  • Seed packets will be given to customers at the LAGC plant sale instead of annual plants 
  • The theme will be the 1950’s.  Members can dress in 1950’s attire and the menu choices are being discussed to reflect the theme
  • A sample of a logo was displayed for members to vote on
  • Claudia thanked all the Anniversary Celebration committee members for all the work they’ve done on this event.  A huge THANK YOU to Claudia for leading the committee! 
  
  
  

Jane, the Hostess Coordinator circulated the sign-up sheet for 2025 for members to bring the dessert or flower arrangement to our meetings.  She explained that there are special duties for the months of September and October which coincide with the anniversary celebrations.  Members who didn’t have the opportunity to sign up can sign up in October or contact Jane with any questions.

Dianne Machesney announced that Sandy Csikari is redesigning her garden and is giving away her unwanted plants to other gardeners.  LAGC has visited Sandy’s amazing garden a couple of times so members are thrilled to be offered some of her plants.  Please check your e-mail for a list of what plants she has to offer and how to arrange a pickup with Sandy.

Last month members voted on the color of a new t-shirt.  Blue is the winning color.  Next month members will sign up with their t-shirt size.  

Northland Library is being remodeled and is having a fundraiser.  Club members voted YES to spend $250.00 for the purchase of a paver to be installed in the library with the club’s name on it.

Vice President Marlow Madeoy talked about all the details of the November Holiday Luncheon and tour on Saturday, November 16 and distributed a flyer to sign up and give the meal choice. Please return the flyer and your check made out to Marlow Madeoy at the October meeting.

Our hostesses, Claudia Hickly and Cindy Stewart created a lovely table with an arrangement filled with hydrangeas.  Members thoroughly enjoyed the delicious pumpkin roll and carrot cake roll. Thank you!

Ouhostesses, Claudia Hickly and Cindy Stewart created a lovely table with an arrangement filled with hydrangeas.  Members thoroughly enjoyed the delicious pumpkin roll and carrot cake roll. Thank you!

Program Chris Kubiak, Audubon Director of Education

 “Climate Change and Impact on Specific Plants in Western PA”

Chris Kubiak is a returning speaker who spoke to us earlier this year about the Bald Eagle. His talk this evening about climate change is a topic which is frequently in the news and is talked about by everyone from meteorologists to historians to politicians. He explained that many do not understand that climate is different from weather.  Climate is how atmosphere behaves long term whereas, weather reflects short term conditions in a specific area.

Chris likened our ecosystem to a spiderweb.  It’s all connected and can be damaged in one area and still exist but, if one important part disintegrates then, the whole thing will unravel.

There is no question that global warming is occurring because there is actual data to prove that it is happening. Our speaker Chris showed before and after photos of where he’s traveled which showed that a glacier had melted away where there was once snow and ice.  He also said that higher sea level, humidity, ocean temperature and decreased sea ice and snow ice are indicators of the warming atmosphere.

Chris explained that spring in Western PA has been warming up earlier and that since 1970 the temperature has been 7 degrees higher than in the past. This warming temperature has shifted the amount of precipitation we receive and all of this effects our plants. Some of these effects are:

• Roses, grapevines and apple trees can get more fungal diseases such as apple scab, late blight and black spot downy mildew
• Insects may not die off in the winter
• Ticks are around 12 months of the year now
• There is an increased cost to fight the diseases and insect damage
• Our native plants such as white trout lily, great spurred violet, horned bladderwort and white fringed orchid are endangered

Naturally, agricultural crops are also being impacted by climate change.  Chris talked about the effect on strawberries and cherries.  The rate of pollination is affected because of the decrease in the number of insects and pollinators. Concord grapes, sweet corn and apple varieties will have lower yields as temperature rises and the pressure of pests rises.  Some plants need a longer time in cold temps to be productive.

Our forests are changing also.  Climate changes are projected to decrease the number of trees such as Black Cherry, Sugar Maple and American Beech.  This will cause birds to lose their habitat.  We have birds from the south moving into Pennsylvania who could not have survived our climate before.  Now they can.  A decrease in the number of Sugar Maple trees would also cause a decline in the products that are created in the maple sugar industry.

Chris said that it is predicted that Hemlock trees could be gone by 2100.  The pest, Hemlock Wooly Adelgid is running rampant and it’s not being killed off because our winters are not getting cold enough. 

We are encouraged to participate in Project BudBurst where we can monitor our plants and note when the first bud of the plant appears.  For more information go to http://budburst.org

Chris finished his presentation with a quote from Rachel Carson.  “Man’s attitude toward nature today is critically important.”