Williamstown Garden Club
General Membership Meeting – July 11,2015
The meeting was held on Saturday, July 11, 2015 at the Harper Center and was open to the public. The business portion was called to order by President Sue Metzner at 11:10 am. Guests were Robin Lenz, Hilary Alton, Ginny Sheldon and Rebecca Cook. Sue gave a short presentation about the Garden Club and what it does, expressing that the “heart of the organization” is its civic beautification efforts which are in evidence throughout the town. Guests were encouraged to consider membership.
CIVIC BEAUTIFICATION: Chair Dianne Glick has “visited” every container in town and staked the begonias. Everything is looking quite healthy and colorful. Rita Watson hoped that the group would cut back the overhanging tree branches at the cemetery end of Wally’s Bridge. Most containers are tended on Monday mornings at 9, while both sections of Field Park require more maintenance and are tended by two teams of members, Monday at 8:30 and Thursday at 10:30.
HONORARY MEMBER: Dianne Glick moved that Sherelle Mills be granted Honorary Membership and this was approved by the membership. Corresponding Secretary, Anne Tiffany will notify Sherelle.
FALL PLANT SALE: Eja Heekin is chairing this and sign-up sheets for the September 11 sale were circulated. Help is needed for a potting part (August 24 at Licia Conforti’s), transportation of plants to the sale, staffing the sale itself, and cleaning up afterwards.
SPECIAL EVENT: Rita Watson announced that a garden visit to John Hyland’s home in Millerton, NY is planned for Monday, July 20. Members should meet at 10 am in the lower level parking area behind the Williams’ Inn (with a full tank of gas!) and car pools will be arranged. There will be a stop in Millerton (1 ½ hours away) for lunch or shopping, with the garden visit at 1 pm.
AUGUST 3 MEETING: The meeting location has been moved to Patricia Siskind’s home. The format is the same, with 6 – 8 club members creating flower arrangements to coordinate with various rooms in Patricia’s house. These will be “gently critiqued” by Tony Tedesco so that members might become familiar with skills needed to participate in flower shows. Claudia Ellet is in charge.
50th ANNIVESARY: Sue Metzner circulated a certificate from the National Garden Club, commending the WGC on its 50th anniversary, though the club was founded several years prior to joining the national
WILLINET: The WGC’s participation in the July 4th parade can be viewed on Willinet. Perhaps next year we should decorate umbrellas instead of cars and bonnets! Two in a row…
The meeting was adjourned at 11:25.
PROGRAM: Bette Craig introduced Betsy Williams who spoke on “Fairies at the Bottom of your Garden.” She discussed fairy lore and legend in various cultures and times and shared many related books for children and adults. Some were picture books with beautiful drawings and paintings. Ginny Granger won the coveted fairy basket arrangement. The program ended at 12:30 followed by delicious refreshments presented by Rita Watson and Ginny Granger.
Kathy McKnight, Recording Secretary