Club Minutes
Thank you to club secretary Joan Miles for keeping our minutes, and to Wendy Ross for providing backup.
Randolph Area Garden Club
Potluck Season Kick Off
May 9, 2023, noon, St. John’s Parish
Attendees: Marty Allen, Carol Bando, Karen Bird, Jenny Cook, Marda Donner, Paula Duprat, Morgan Easton, Susan Haney, Kit Hood, Mimi Kevan, Joan Miles, Linda Nagy, Lori Peirce, Wendy Ross, Ken Stevens, Kathleen Sullivan-Goyette, Alice Wakefield
It was so wonderful to see everyone at our annual garden club potluck. As always, the food was spectacular. We also discussed several issues and felt the energy of new members with a momentum to move forward.
It was decided not to hold a plant sale this year. The deciding issues were the invasive jumping worm and the lateness of the season to start seedlings. Some ideas for next year were to possibly hold it in the fall with bulbs and houseplants, limiting the plant sale to only seedlings and house plants, focus on Mother’s Day scheduling, and maybe add baked goods to the fundraiser.
Lori discussed our scholarship to horticultural students at VTC. Our club gives two different scholarships to VTC. One is from our funds which usually comes from the plant sale. The other is from the income generated from an endowment fund in our club’s name but not under our control. From this fund we will be giving away $5,000 this year, with $1,600 already distributed and the remaining funds in the process of being awarded. With the decision to not hold a plant sale we needed to vote on whether to still give club funds for a scholarship. Wendy made a motion and Linda seconded, to give $1,000 from club funds to a VTC scholarship. The club voted unanimously to allocate the funds.
There was a lengthy discussion about bringing back the baskets to decorate the main street in town. Morgan Easton has recently been hired by Parks and Rec and is willing to act as a liaison between the town and the garden club to explore if this is a possibility. There is information we need to gather to decide whether to move forward.
1. What is the estimated time for watering the baskets? Ken will talk to Zina Dana who previously did this task to gather more information.
2. How many baskets are there? Morgan will determine the number.
3. Morgan has a contact, Jenny, that has offered us the opportunity to use her Claussen’s wholesale account to purchase the plants for the baskets.
The Blue Star Memorial Garden was also discussed. It was decided to plant three whiskey barrels with annuals to give the area color while still being manageable for the club.
1. Jenny offered to pursue the option of getting the whiskey barrels donated.
2. The plants for the whiskey barrels can be purchased at the same time as the hanging baskets.
3. There was interest in planting the barrels and baskets at the same time. There was enthusiasm for a planting party!
4. The barrels could be watered by the same person/group doing the baskets.
Marda will update our membership list in the next several weeks. All dues paying members ($10 per year) will be included on the list. Marda will ask if Sam might be willing to print a small booklet with the updated information.
Wendy Ross told us about an upcoming event focusing on the current struggle pollinators are facing and ways to help. Dave Haberl, will be speaking at Bethany Church on May 12, from 5:30pm-7:30pm.
The Federated Garden Club of VT is having their annual meeting at Philo Ridge Farm in Charlotte, on Tuesday, June 6 at 9:30am. To register please go to www.vermontfgcv.com.
Kathleen is planning to drive so if you want to carpool, please contact her at 728-3672, cell – 802-299-7102, or katesownmail@gmail.com.
1. Some tools that the club received thanks to a grant applied for by Lori Peirce will be used as a gift to the Federated Garden Club. We plan to donate a trowel and a hose.
a. The other tools will be donated to another group to be determined.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 13 at noon to visit Ken Steven’s gardens. He has over 250 hostas to show us. Please bring your lunch, a drink, and a chair or blanket to sit on. Ken’s home is at 415 Simpson Road in Randolph.
Thanks for reading,
Joan
--
Joan Miles
Potluck Season Kick Off
May 9, 2023, noon, St. John’s Parish
Attendees: Marty Allen, Carol Bando, Karen Bird, Jenny Cook, Marda Donner, Paula Duprat, Morgan Easton, Susan Haney, Kit Hood, Mimi Kevan, Joan Miles, Linda Nagy, Lori Peirce, Wendy Ross, Ken Stevens, Kathleen Sullivan-Goyette, Alice Wakefield
It was so wonderful to see everyone at our annual garden club potluck. As always, the food was spectacular. We also discussed several issues and felt the energy of new members with a momentum to move forward.
It was decided not to hold a plant sale this year. The deciding issues were the invasive jumping worm and the lateness of the season to start seedlings. Some ideas for next year were to possibly hold it in the fall with bulbs and houseplants, limiting the plant sale to only seedlings and house plants, focus on Mother’s Day scheduling, and maybe add baked goods to the fundraiser.
Lori discussed our scholarship to horticultural students at VTC. Our club gives two different scholarships to VTC. One is from our funds which usually comes from the plant sale. The other is from the income generated from an endowment fund in our club’s name but not under our control. From this fund we will be giving away $5,000 this year, with $1,600 already distributed and the remaining funds in the process of being awarded. With the decision to not hold a plant sale we needed to vote on whether to still give club funds for a scholarship. Wendy made a motion and Linda seconded, to give $1,000 from club funds to a VTC scholarship. The club voted unanimously to allocate the funds.
There was a lengthy discussion about bringing back the baskets to decorate the main street in town. Morgan Easton has recently been hired by Parks and Rec and is willing to act as a liaison between the town and the garden club to explore if this is a possibility. There is information we need to gather to decide whether to move forward.
1. What is the estimated time for watering the baskets? Ken will talk to Zina Dana who previously did this task to gather more information.
2. How many baskets are there? Morgan will determine the number.
3. Morgan has a contact, Jenny, that has offered us the opportunity to use her Claussen’s wholesale account to purchase the plants for the baskets.
The Blue Star Memorial Garden was also discussed. It was decided to plant three whiskey barrels with annuals to give the area color while still being manageable for the club.
1. Jenny offered to pursue the option of getting the whiskey barrels donated.
2. The plants for the whiskey barrels can be purchased at the same time as the hanging baskets.
3. There was interest in planting the barrels and baskets at the same time. There was enthusiasm for a planting party!
4. The barrels could be watered by the same person/group doing the baskets.
Marda will update our membership list in the next several weeks. All dues paying members ($10 per year) will be included on the list. Marda will ask if Sam might be willing to print a small booklet with the updated information.
Wendy Ross told us about an upcoming event focusing on the current struggle pollinators are facing and ways to help. Dave Haberl, will be speaking at Bethany Church on May 12, from 5:30pm-7:30pm.
The Federated Garden Club of VT is having their annual meeting at Philo Ridge Farm in Charlotte, on Tuesday, June 6 at 9:30am. To register please go to www.vermontfgcv.com.
Kathleen is planning to drive so if you want to carpool, please contact her at 728-3672, cell – 802-299-7102, or katesownmail@gmail.com.
1. Some tools that the club received thanks to a grant applied for by Lori Peirce will be used as a gift to the Federated Garden Club. We plan to donate a trowel and a hose.
a. The other tools will be donated to another group to be determined.
Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, June 13 at noon to visit Ken Steven’s gardens. He has over 250 hostas to show us. Please bring your lunch, a drink, and a chair or blanket to sit on. Ken’s home is at 415 Simpson Road in Randolph.
Thanks for reading,
Joan
--
Joan Miles
Randolph Area Garden Club - July 21, 2022
New Members Always Welcomed
New Membership Contact – mardadonner@hotmail.com
Garden Club Meeting – June 21 – 1pm – Judy Osojnicki’s garden
Attendees: Marty Allen, Karen Bird, Millie Chase, Gary Dir, Paula Duprat, Suzanne Dworsky, Sam Florance,
Joan Miles, Judy Osojnicki, Nancy Nicholas, Lori Peirce, Ellen Shepheard, Alice Wakefield
The meeting was called to order by Lori Peirce. Joan Miles read the minutes from the previous meeting and
gave the Treasurer’s report due to Marda Donner’s absence.
The Treasurer’s report is as follows:
Treasurer’s Report June 2022
Beginning Balance $7858
Deposit: $494 from plant sale
Expenses:$100 VTC garden design prize
$120 Website
$110 Plant sale Ad in Herald
$250 Brookfield Pollinator talk sponsorship
$68 sign garden annuals
Current Balance $7704
After the official business was dispensed with, Suzanne Dworsky kindly offered to have the club visit
her garden on August 9, at 1pm. Suzanne’s information is as follows:
229 Kelsey Mountain Road, Randolph Center 05061
srdworsky@gmail.com 728-5723
Nancy Nicholas recommended a nursery in East Hardwick, Summersweet Gardens Nursery at Perennial
Pleasures. The address is 63 Brickhouse Road. Here is a link to their site:
https://summersweetgardens.com/
Karen Bird also recommended a nursery in North Pomfret, Harringtons Greenhouse. The address is
8644 Pomfret Rd, West Hartford, VT, 802-457-1354. They do not have a website but they do have a
Facebook page.
The club noted with deep sadness the death of Kit’s husband, Allen Hood. There will be a celebration
of life service at Bethany Church at 1pm.
o Karen Bird made the motion, Joan Miles seconded, and it was unanimously agreed to donate
$100 to the Allen E. Hood Memorial Scholarship, a fund being established for MSW students at
the University of Vermont.
Millie Chase and Lori Peirce gave a report of their attendance at the Federated Garden Clubs of
Vermont Annual Meeting on June 7 at the Castle in Ludlow. It was our clubs turn to make the table
displays and gift. Tremendous thanks to Lori and Millie for stepping up to this responsibility and
making fern displays and giving the gift of a garden gnome. About 45 people attended and other clubs
New Members Always Welcomed
New Membership Contact – mardadonner@hotmail.com
Garden Club Meeting – June 21 – 1pm – Judy Osojnicki’s garden
Attendees: Marty Allen, Karen Bird, Millie Chase, Gary Dir, Paula Duprat, Suzanne Dworsky, Sam Florance,
Joan Miles, Judy Osojnicki, Nancy Nicholas, Lori Peirce, Ellen Shepheard, Alice Wakefield
The meeting was called to order by Lori Peirce. Joan Miles read the minutes from the previous meeting and
gave the Treasurer’s report due to Marda Donner’s absence.
The Treasurer’s report is as follows:
Treasurer’s Report June 2022
Beginning Balance $7858
Deposit: $494 from plant sale
Expenses:$100 VTC garden design prize
$120 Website
$110 Plant sale Ad in Herald
$250 Brookfield Pollinator talk sponsorship
$68 sign garden annuals
Current Balance $7704
After the official business was dispensed with, Suzanne Dworsky kindly offered to have the club visit
her garden on August 9, at 1pm. Suzanne’s information is as follows:
229 Kelsey Mountain Road, Randolph Center 05061
srdworsky@gmail.com 728-5723
Nancy Nicholas recommended a nursery in East Hardwick, Summersweet Gardens Nursery at Perennial
Pleasures. The address is 63 Brickhouse Road. Here is a link to their site:
https://summersweetgardens.com/
Karen Bird also recommended a nursery in North Pomfret, Harringtons Greenhouse. The address is
8644 Pomfret Rd, West Hartford, VT, 802-457-1354. They do not have a website but they do have a
Facebook page.
The club noted with deep sadness the death of Kit’s husband, Allen Hood. There will be a celebration
of life service at Bethany Church at 1pm.
o Karen Bird made the motion, Joan Miles seconded, and it was unanimously agreed to donate
$100 to the Allen E. Hood Memorial Scholarship, a fund being established for MSW students at
the University of Vermont.
Millie Chase and Lori Peirce gave a report of their attendance at the Federated Garden Clubs of
Vermont Annual Meeting on June 7 at the Castle in Ludlow. It was our clubs turn to make the table
displays and gift. Tremendous thanks to Lori and Millie for stepping up to this responsibility and
making fern displays and giving the gift of a garden gnome. About 45 people attended and other clubs
Randolph Area Garden Club
New Members Always Welcomed
New Membership Contact – mardadonner@hotmail.com
Executive Meeting – May 3, 2022 - noon – Chef’s Market
Attendees: Marda Donner, Mimi Kevan, Joan Miles, Lori Peirce, Wendy Ross, Alice Wakefield
v The meeting was called to order by Lori Peirce.
v The first order of business was to discuss the Blue Star Memorial Garden.
§ Marda Donner reported the town is not able to help with work to renovate the garden
¨ Reasoning is lack of staff
§ We are still waiting to hear about the status of water access
§ Nancy Nichols reported VTC landscape design students are doing a re-design of the garden. The presentation of the plan will be Monday, May 9 at 5pm in Conant Hall at VTC
¨ Nancy requested $100 from the club to award a prize for the winning design
§ Marda made a motion to grant this request, Joan seconded, and it was agreed to unanimously
§ At this point we have two paths forward – a full renovation removing the large junipers or a partial renovation digging out smaller plants where the vetch has been the most persistent.
¨ Lori will draft the two proposals to present to the club at our next meeting
¨ Whichever path we choose, the immediate need is to place black plastic on the entire garden for several seasons. The plastic will need to be covered with mulch.
¨ The next priority will be to purchase and plant several very large pots or barrels to have the area be aesthetically pleasing until planted.
v The second order of business discussed was banking
§ Marda has found the process of transferring the accounts to be more complicated than anticipated
§ Her next step is to transfer the account to Northfield Savings Bank
§ We may need to get the Federated Garden Club involved to complete the process
v Finally the third item covered was the plant sale
§ Wendy Ross advised the date of the sale will be Saturday, May 28
§ She will be using the same poster as last year with a change of date
§ At this point, we are considering leaving leftover plants at the Blue Star Memorial Garden for the public.
¨ A notice will be put in the Front Porch Forum to alert the community to this offer
§ Wendy will get a permit from the town
§ Wendy made a motion for the club to pay for advertising the plant sale, Joan seconded and the motion was agreed to unanimously
v The meeting was adjourned.
New Members Always Welcomed
New Membership Contact – mardadonner@hotmail.com
Executive Meeting – May 3, 2022 - noon – Chef’s Market
Attendees: Marda Donner, Mimi Kevan, Joan Miles, Lori Peirce, Wendy Ross, Alice Wakefield
v The meeting was called to order by Lori Peirce.
v The first order of business was to discuss the Blue Star Memorial Garden.
§ Marda Donner reported the town is not able to help with work to renovate the garden
¨ Reasoning is lack of staff
§ We are still waiting to hear about the status of water access
§ Nancy Nichols reported VTC landscape design students are doing a re-design of the garden. The presentation of the plan will be Monday, May 9 at 5pm in Conant Hall at VTC
¨ Nancy requested $100 from the club to award a prize for the winning design
§ Marda made a motion to grant this request, Joan seconded, and it was agreed to unanimously
§ At this point we have two paths forward – a full renovation removing the large junipers or a partial renovation digging out smaller plants where the vetch has been the most persistent.
¨ Lori will draft the two proposals to present to the club at our next meeting
¨ Whichever path we choose, the immediate need is to place black plastic on the entire garden for several seasons. The plastic will need to be covered with mulch.
¨ The next priority will be to purchase and plant several very large pots or barrels to have the area be aesthetically pleasing until planted.
v The second order of business discussed was banking
§ Marda has found the process of transferring the accounts to be more complicated than anticipated
§ Her next step is to transfer the account to Northfield Savings Bank
§ We may need to get the Federated Garden Club involved to complete the process
v Finally the third item covered was the plant sale
§ Wendy Ross advised the date of the sale will be Saturday, May 28
§ She will be using the same poster as last year with a change of date
§ At this point, we are considering leaving leftover plants at the Blue Star Memorial Garden for the public.
¨ A notice will be put in the Front Porch Forum to alert the community to this offer
§ Wendy will get a permit from the town
§ Wendy made a motion for the club to pay for advertising the plant sale, Joan seconded and the motion was agreed to unanimously
v The meeting was adjourned.
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