Williamstown Garden Club – General Membership Meeting – May 4, 2015
The meeting was held on Monday, May 4 at the Clark Art Institute’s Stone Hill Center. The business portion was called to order by President Sue Metzner. New member, Parvin Hajizadah, was introduced by Membership Chair, Susan Hyde.
ANNOUNCEMENTS: Anne Tiffany, Corresponding Secretary, read a note from Barbara and Jim Richardson, thanking the WGC for its flowers and updating the club on Barbara’s health. Kathy McKnight announced she had several WGC tee shirts for sale. Rita Watson noted for Hospitality that members providing meeting refreshments can be reimbursed for their expenses, and that the hospitality items owned by the club (pitchers, trays, paper goods, coffee maker) are now stored at Sigrid McWilliams’ home. Members have signed up to cover all general meetings and can arrange food and drink themselves or recruit others to assist. Bette Craig announced a program “Edible Gardening and Landscaping” to be held May 19 at 12:30 at the Harper Center. The program is free and open to the public, but those wishing lunch beforehand must call the Harper Center to reserve for the meal. The Berkshire District Regional Meeting and Potluck Lunch is 11 am, Wednesday, May 27 at the Berkshire Botanical Garden.
CIVIC BEAUTIFICATION: The date for planting Walley Bridge and the South Williamstown barrels is Tuesday, May 26, 9 am (raindate: May 27) at those locations. Members responsible for designated containers around town can pick up plants at the cemetery, top of the hill, during the week of May 25th. and plant at their convenience. Elaine Neely announced that both gardens of Field Park had undergone their spring cleaning. Cathy Yamamoto said that the sign “Reading Garden” to direct people to the Sally Tenney Osborne Garden is now in place at the Milne Library. Work days there will be every other Tuesday at 8:30 and a watering system is planned for the summer.
SPRING PLANT SALE: There was discussion regarding the planned sale date given the late spring but it was decided to stay with the original date, Saturday, May 16, 9 – 1, in the usual spot at the top of Water Street. Patricia and Maria Siskind are chairing this fund-raiser, and donations of perennials should be potted ahead and brought to the Siskind home at 40 Whitman Street by Friday, May 15. Various sized pots are available now at the Siskind’s or at Elaine Neely’s at 137 Woodcock Road. A bake sale will once again be part of the event and all baked items should be brought to the sale area by 9 am on the 16th. Phil Smith will be approached again for his generous donation of perennials (three car loads last year!).
FALL PLANT SALE: Eja Heekin, chair of the Fall Plant Sale, proposed a late May date for a “Propagation Party” at Joan Wright’s. The group felt it would be better to do this in mid-June when the weather was guaranteed to be warmer and club members could place their “adoptees” out of doors. She will consult with Joan regarding a June date.
PROGRAM: Meeting Chair, Bette Craig, introduced the speaker, Master Gardener Laura Dumouchel, who presented a well-received power point presentation on “Design a Cottage Garden,” offering some very helpful gardening hints and sharing beautiful photos of lovely cottage gardens. The program was followed by refreshments provided by Sue Pike and Kathy McKnight
NEXT MEETING: The next meeting “Grow It, Cut It, Arrange It” with Cheryl Monroe will be Monday, June 1 at Sarah Foehl’s, 753 Oblong Road.
Kathy McKnight, Recording Secretary