WILLIAMSTOWN GARDEN CLUB
APRIL 10, 2018 GENERAL MEETING
1:00 P.M. – SWEETWOOD AUDITORIUM
CALL MEETING TO ORDER: President Karen Pellegrini called the meeting to order at 1:15 pm. The minutes from the last regular meeting from November and the draft minutes from the annual meeting December will be posted on the website.
WELCOME/GOALS/MONTHLY MEETING PROGRAMS: Karen welcomed all members to this first general meeting of 2018. Karen introduced herself to the membership as the new president and asked that everyone take a chance to meet her as she would like to get to know all members. No guests or new members were present.
INTRODUCTION OF NEW BOARD FOR 2018: The 2018 officers were introduced:
President: Karen Pellegrini
Vice President: Maria Siskind
Treasurer: Robin Clutz
Recording Secretary: Susan Montiel
Corresponding Secretary: Anne Tiffany
Civic Improvement: Sue Metzner who will be returning to Williamstown in mid-May, and Elaine Neely
Membership: Marilyn Faulkner, who did a great job getting 8 new members last year
Hospitality: Betty Iannitelli and Jeanne Roy (both new members)
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Karen spoke about the exciting programs planned for this year including speakers and field trips; please look at your booklet. Karen spoke of her vision for this year, primarily to increase visibility and recognition for the Club, and to increase participation by the members.
ACTIVITIES/SIGN-UP SHEETS: members were directed to the signup sheets in the back of the room and all members are asked to sign up for events throughout the year.
Major Fund Raisers – Spring and Fall Plant Sales (more info will be provided at the May meeting.) Maria Siskind spoke about the Spring plant sale, May 26; start looking in your garden now to see what you want to move and donate. Last year there were some unmarked donations so Maria asked that markers be used to identify plant and colors; markers are being distributed at today’s meeting. The following are not preferred: black eyed Susan, orange day lilies. Two weeks before the sale, plants can be delivered to Maria’s house at 40 Whitman Street; please leave the plants by the barn.
Elaine Neely said she has a large collection of plastic pots for the spring plant sale; ask her for pots if needed. Maria also has extra pots at her barn. Elaine recommends use of new potting soil for the transplanted pots. Members are asked to bring 10 plants each or a comparable donation to the bake sale. The sooner you can transplant into the pots, the more vigorous they will be for the sale. If you cannot dig but have items to be subdivided, call Elaine and her volunteers will come and do it for you. Elaine encouraged people to look at town sites from the daffodil project in Williamstown, Elaine has noticed that some spots have lost their quantity and quality; she asks that members let her know of such locations for future club consideration.
For bake sale, please label your items, and nothing with cream; this will be discussed further by email and at the May meeting.
Member Recruitment – Farmers’ Market: Club has decided to try to set a table at the Farmer’s Market with information about the Club; Karen suggests we table early in the season; please see the signup sheet. A raffle is also being considered and/or giveaways for children (possibly seeds).
Other Community Projects: volunteers are needed for all these:
Holiday Greens Workshop/Harper Center: a coordinator is needed for this event; please consider volunteering. Elaine reported that she has a pair of red handled clippers left behind at the workshop in 201
Penny Social – Holiday Walk: this generated new members and interest in 2017; it will be held on December 1, 2018.
Civic Beautification: this is a key focus of the club; please sign up via the clipboards or at future meetings.
Field Park Gardens
Bridge Boxes
Planters
COMMUNICATIONS: Sue Pike and Kathy McKnight: tremendous thanks to Sue, Kathy and Stephanie Johnson for putting the membership book together; it is beautiful. Sue gave her personal thanks to Stephanie for all her photos; the cover is new this year and is the first time we have featured the South Williamstown bridge.
Sue and Kathy reviewed the WGC website, williamstowngardenclub.org; to access the member site, user name is wgc, password is roses. Please also note that the PO box has changed this year; new box number is on the 2018 booklet. Sue walked the members through access to the website on their smart phones as well.
TREASURER’S REPORT: Robin Clutz reported that the club has sufficient funds but that the busy spending time is coming upon us, so please support the fundraisers. The club also received a gift of $200 for the Sally Tenney Osborne garden (from the Sara Tenney Osborne Trust). It was suggested by a member that our funds be used to hire Countryside to clean up this garden; Karen reported that the STO garden will be a focus of attention by the Club in 2018; intention is to use the dedicated funds to clean and freshen the garden with assistance from Countryside and a tree trimmer and member volunteers. Joan Wright and Karen will be working on a grant application with the Garden Federation of Massachusetts for this purpose.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY’S REPORT: Anne Tiffany shared letters received by the club from Sherelle Mills and Mary Lou Galusha. Another member shared that Associate Member Barbara Craig is in the hospital and correspondence (if desired) should be sent to her PO Box.
NEW BUSINESS:
Assistant Treasurer Search: Robin Clutz has agreed to compete this year as Treasurer, but it would be a great idea to have an upcoming member work with Robin this year; consideration is also being given to implementing software to facilitate the treasurer duties. Please consider assisting the Club in this way.
Library Garden Renovation (discussed in conjunction with Treasurer’s report)
COMMENTS AND QUESTIONS: discussion of upcoming field trip to Berkshire Botanical Garden and whether the Club, as a member, is entitled to free admissions. A member suggested some topics for future presentations, focusing more on the gardener rather than the garden; for example, exercise and meditation. Group discussion held about importance of stretching and tick prevention as we ready for the intense gardening season, including off-season garden tasks. It was suggested that this information be added to the Club website.
NEXT MEETING DATE: Tuesday, May 8 at the Milne Library, 1 pm, Pollinating Your Garden is the topic with a guest speaker.
ADJOURNMENT: The formal meeting was adjourned at 2:15 pm and refreshments enjoyed.
Respectfully submitted,
Susan Montiel
Recording Secretary