Minutes – Williamstown Garden Club Meeting – Carol Paul’s August 4, 2014
We convened at noon at Carol Paul’s stunning home and gardens.
The potluck picnic lunch, contributed by attendees, was awesome as usual. Anne Tantalo, Katie Lanoue and Carol Paul provided the beverages and extras.
The meeting was called to order by the president, Sue Metzner, at 1:00.
Sue thanked Carol Paul for her hospitality and welcomed several visitors.
The minutes from the July meeting were approved.
The annual financial report from Robin Clutz is reported on the WGC’s website on the members’ section. The report goes from July 2013 through June 30, 2014.
Anne Tiffany, the Recording Secretary reported that she had sent thank you notes to the 2 non-member owners of the gardens which were included on the garden tour – Ginny Sheldon’s and Hugh Glover’s.
Dianne Glick reported that Civic Beautification was going well. Elaine Neely was not present but Dianne reported that Field Park is looking wonderful. Dianne thanked Sue Hyde for her efforts with the zinnias at the Post Office, and asked for volunteers who might want to overwinter some of the begonias.
Cathy Yamamoto and Sarah Foehl, and the volunteers who helped them, were thanked for their efforts in reconstituting the ST Osborne garden at the Milne Library. There are still some plants to be delivered and planted but they may not arrive until spring. The library is taking charge of watering three times per week.
Sue Metzner announced that there were 2 openings in the WGC leadership – one for someone to coordinate (keep track of) WGC-owned supplies, and another person to take over Bunny Smith’s role as club historian. Bunny will be leaving Williamstown and will be greatly missed by the Club.
Kathy McKnight has volunteered to take over planning for the fall plant sale, assisted by Eja Heekin. Kathy distributed sign-up sheets and information about what we will need. The potting party will be on Monday, August 18 from 10 – 12 at Licia Conforti’s – 1382 Main Street, and the sale will be Friday, Sept. 5 from 10 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Paresky Center on the Williams campus. Cars delivering plants can drive right up to the steps of Paresky – we have special permission from Campus Police.
A visit to Millerton was tabled because Francoise Connors was indisposed, but it might be a wonderful members’ trip to consider for next year.
Barbara Craig introduced our speaker, Jean Anderson, who spoke to us about container gardening.
Jean says that she picks up lots of her most interesting containers at yard sales. She made the following suggestions:
Use coconut fiber to line planters so the soil won’t leak out.
Use lots of sedums and succulents which don’t need a lot of care or water.
She said most plants do well with only 4 to 6 inches of soil in containers, but cautioned about using Polymers ( which retain water) on edibles.
She said that one doesn’t need to plant – but can put already potted plants in a container, and cover the surface with dried moss, etc.
Red/Cayenne pepper in a mixture of soapy water will repel rabbits and deer.
She suggested “Neptune’s Harvest” a fertilizer made from fish parts as a great organic fertilizer for crops and plants.
Barbara Craig thanked Jean for her presentation.
The meeting was adjourned.
Respectively submitted,
Joan Wright, Recording Secretary