October 2015 Meeting Notes

Business Meeting

October 27, 2015 

Mary Anne Kurtz welcomed all, including new member Patty Bumbaugh. 

·        2016 dues should be paid by now.  Update any changes to your contact information with Linda Brown for the 2016 handbook.

·        Phipps field trip is December 12.  Details from Claudia Hickly to follow.

·        Mary Anne reflected on our memorable 65^th Anniversary Party. She thanked the Anniversary Committee again, especially chairperson, Claudia Hickly; gave kudos to Jenna Noker and her committee for the favors; and congratulated Janine Zink, Chris Kerin, and their committee for the outstanding refreshments.

·        Mary Anne read a thank you note from Ross Township commissioners for our donation to their new community garden made in honor of Flo Ogden, Bev Steiger, Bill Goff, and Sharon Walston.  We received thank you notes from Terry Amelio, Sandy Zelienski, and Connie Brecht (Ingomar Garden Club) for the 65^th anniversary party.

·        Items from the anniversary party that many members did not see were on display: The McCandless Proclamation; Peggy and Helen’s Passavant Hospital Foundation Award; the commemorative pins (Sharon wore her’s); and the beautiful handmade Thank You cards given to our Honorees.

·        Treasurer, Denny Brown, reported an approximate year-end balance of $2,500; about $600 over budget. Club members discussed the possibility of making another $100 donation to Ross Township for the community garden and purchasing a memorial brick for Ross Township’s Evergreen Park. We could also increase our regular 2016 donations.  Anita will bring the brick purchasing information to the January meeting.

·        Members voted to follow through on an invitation from Glade Run Adventures in Zelienople to tour their therapy gardens in 2016. Glade Run is interested in volunteers for this program targeting emotionally troubled youth. Colleen will arrange the tour, and after learning more about their program, members can decide whether to volunteer or not.

·        Pittsburgh Botanic Garden has requested “Wow McCandless Garden” nominations for their 2016 garden tour.  Members with suggestions must contact Claudia ASAP.

·        Program Chair, Colleen Fingal, reviewed the results of the program survey and talked with members about 2016 program and field trip preferences.

·        Plant Sale Chair, Mary Anne, suggested we divide now or mark perennials for the sale.

·        Mary Anne thanked Colleen Fingal and Jenna Noker for the desserts and the arrangement respectively. Sarah Graham brought items to share.

·        Various books and decorative items were raffled off courtesy of Linda & Denny Brown, including a lovely mum donated by our speaker.

·        Happy Holidays! This is our last meeting of the year.

Program

Colleen introduced Kurt Malecki, manager of Best Feeds on Babcock Boulevard who

presented “Shade Gardening.” As a small child, Kurt loved helping his grandmother in the garden.  At the age of seven, he started a garden journal – and still maintains that habit! Kurt brought examples of some of shade growing plants from his own greenhouse in Saxonburg and from Best Feeds.

 Take home points:

·        Create a rhythm with foliage or flower color in the landscape. Go for visual interest throughout the year.

·        Consider what kind of shade you have. How deep? Are tree roots competing? Is area wet or dry?

·        Group plants but don’t do too much in any one area.

·        Think how the plants are seen, whether from a distance or up close.

·        If boulders are used as a feature, consider soil pockets on or near boulders.

·        First year is especially critical to establish plants.

·        Use deer scram to keep deer away from your garden.

References: What Plant Where, by Roy Lancaster. Making the Most of Shade, by Larry Hodgson

Next meetings:

December 12 – Phipps Tour & Rochester Inn Luncheon

January 26, 2016 – Regular meeting

 Submitted by: Rose Mary Highman