Meeting Notes January 23, 2024

President Nancy Madeoy welcomed members to the first meeting of 2024. We had one guest attend the meeting who is a friend of Amy Foreman. The 2024 program directories were distributed. Andrea Maire reminded everyone to please check their contact information and notify Andrea and Linda Brown if there are updates. Looking to 2025, members have the option of receiving a digital copy of the book instead of a paper copy. A sign-up sheet was circulated to note your preference for next year. If you did not attend the meeting or did not note your preference on the sign-up sheet then, Andrea will contact you by e-mail to get your choice for 2025. Thank you to Andrea for all the hard work! The directory looks great! 

 Nancy reminded members that LAGC will meet two times in June of 2024. Our annual picnic will be on June 4th at Bill Goff’s we’ll meet again for a tour of a private garden on June 25th. The address of the garden will be disclosed closer to the date. Program Coordinator, Mary Ann Kurtz was commended for doing a fantastic job on the program arrangements for 2024. All 10 months are filled with programs. We have a terrific schedule of programs to look forward to this year. 

 Treasurer, Denny reviewed the proposed budget for 2024, noting that we have approximately $5,000 in our account. The budget will be similar to last year’s budget. It was proposed to add a line item for planning for the 2025 anniversary celebration, but that suggestion was vetoed. A vote was taken to approve the budget which was unanimously approved by club members. We have two new Community Service co-chairs this year. Mary Jo Benedetti and Lynn Betz have volunteered to assume the role. Thank you! 

 Jane our Hostess Chair reminded members that if you are unable to bring the dessert or arrangement when you are scheduled then it is your responsibility to find a replacement. Please try to find a member to switch months with you and contact Jane when you have made the change. Jane will contact Claudia, our online communicator with updates. 

 Rose Mary Highman was recognized with applause for all the great work she does on the LAGC blog. Thank you, Rosemary. We appreciate it! 

 

Claudia proposed that the club purchase a microphone system to be used by our program speakers and club members who are speaking from the podium. Members are in favor of the idea to purchase a microphone system, but more research needs to be done to decide what type we want to purchase. After discussion it was determined that Diane and Diana have good experience with 2 different types of microphones and that they will do some research into brand and type and bring the information back to the club. The 75th anniversary of LAGC occurs in 2025. Claudia proposed some ideas to celebrate such as having a luncheon, planting 75 trees, creating and distributing flower arrangements to nursing homes or other group, seed packet giveaway at our plant sale and nominating distinguished gardens in the community. Claudia will chair the committee whose purpose is to decide what activities we will do to celebrate the club’s anniversary. The following members volunteered to be on the committee: Mary Anne, Jane, Amy, Mary Jo Clayton and Diana. Please contact Claudia if you would like to join the committee or if you have any suggestions or ideas. Thank you to Claudia for initiating the plans for what’s sure to be a fun-filled celebratory 2025! 

 The mother and daughter team of Linda Keiser and Amy Foreman provided the beautiful flower arrangement and delicious cherry nut cake and caramel chocolate pretzel treats.  

Program --- Winter Birds by North Park Rangers, Elise Cupps and Max Bader 

 

North Park Rangers, Elise Cupps and Max Bader gave a very interesting talk about which birds we may see during the winter months in Western PA. In addition to a slide presentation, they brought a collection of stuffed birds and played bird sounds to help us identify the birds. Speaker, Elise Cupps explained that while there are over 436 species of birds that travel thru Pennsylvania, only 285 actually stay in Pennsylvania and live here. This information is collected by what is known as “citizen science” or bird counting. There were 302 species of birds counted in Allegheny County in 2023. The rangers encouraged members to take part in the winter bird counting project next December. 

 We learned that the reason birds fly south is not due to the weather or temperature but, due to the lack of food and access to water. When the environment doesn’t have enough food such as insects, seeds, sap and nectar, then birds need to travel to find these essential items. The birds who stay in our area year-round are the American Robin, Blue Jay, Northern Cardinal, Mourning Dove and Killdeer. Of particular interest is the Northern Cardinal which is the state bird of 7 states. An interesting fact is that it gets its red feathers by processing the carotenoids in red berries. North Park Ranger 

Max talked about the concept of the “mixed flock” of birds that we may see in the winter at our birdfeeders. This is when a variety of birds who wouldn’t normally be seen together will band together when food is scarce. This grouping of different birds is beneficial because the birds take turns looking out for predators while the other birds eat. Also, different species will forage for food in different areas so others can learn where to find food. The Tufted Titmouse is usually the leader of the mixed flock.

There are 2 species of woodpeckers that we may see in our winter gardens. The Downy woodpecker is the smallest one in Pennsylvania and eats beetles and other insects from wood using its long tongue. We may also see the Pileated Woodpecker, who is the largest and eats carpenter ants. Our speaker explained that this woodpecker spends a lot of time high in the trees and is often killed by lightning. 

 Lastly, we might see a Snowy Owl in Western PA, but the owl will only come to our area if it’s cold enough and there is a lack of food in other areas. Overall, the North Park Rangers gave a very informative talk about the winter birds that we may see in our own gardens or in North Park. If you are interested in learning/hearing more bird calls, then the rangers recommend the following FREE apps: Audubon Bird Guide and Merlin Bird ID.