9:15 – 10 am Social Time – Meet, Greet & Eat.
Hosting Today – Donna Endicott, Mary Lou Epperson, Sue Gilbert and Donna Simonson
ATTENDEES: Sandy Ahlquist, Pat Allen, Lona Azar, Diane Bryant, Karen Burmester, Mike Burmester, Barb Decious, Donna Endicott, Mary Lou Epperson, Jan Ferguson-Bresee, Sue Gilbert, Mary Horton, Katherene Kerner, Yvonne Kochanowski, John Kochanowski, Julie Lund, Leona McDonald, Margie McDonald, Cheryl Mixson, Carol Mohr, Helen Nolen, Sandy Platz, Ray Platz, Janet Rasher, Mike Rasher, Kathie Reinhart, Priscilla Robinson, Carrie Shanahan, Donna Simonson, Claudia Taylor, Marlee Underhill, Wendy Young
Guests: Cheyenne and Ken Fisk, Judy Tester, Katie Young (Wendy’s daughter), Ted Decious, Carrie Shanahan (who became a member!)
Inspiration from Mike Burmester:
What do old ladies have that sets them apart? I think it’s fierce hope. They look at problems, all problems, and they say: I can handle this. They look at their families or at the country and ask: What can be made better? I have seen men grow sullen and depressed in old age. I have never known a woman who was sorry for herself.
Behold them, will you, as they glow in the dark. The hair gone white. The careful step. The archipelago of age spots. The blue veins in the hands. The folds in the neck. The crack in the voice. Takes your breath away.
- Roger Rosenblatt, from “My wife is 85. She takes my breath away.”
Speaker: Carole Hardy, from the Master Gardener program, spoke on Garden Futures and how climate change can affect the decisions we make for our landscape and garden plans. Oregon State University’s Extension Master Gardener™ program educates Oregonians about the art and science of growing and caring for plants. Carole is one of the Master Gardeners from Clackamas County who provides data about science-based, sustainable gardening techniques. She described how the increase in carbon dioxide absorbs the sun’s heat into our atmosphere and warms the temperature, necessitating plant and animal adaptation so that, hopefully, mass extinction does not become inevitable. There have been five mass extinctions in the past. Human contributions to climate change include the use of fossil fuels and agricultural, meat production, construction and mining practices. As backyard gardeners, we can help mitigate plant, pollinator and animal loss with practices that keep soil healthy and create diversification by using native and “near native” plants in our gardens. Her presentation materials will be available on our website.
Business Meeting
- Treasurer’s Report: Sandy Platz reported that we have $1844.00 on hand. Sandy also indicates that she is sending a $93 check for our club’s donation to Plant-A-Tree. This is an accumulation of 4 months’ worth of member donations.
Dues are payable now and are needed by the end of June. Dues are $50 per person, with an additional $5 for a spouse or partner to become a member. Checks may be mailed to HVGC, PO Box 1204, Clackamas OR 97015.
- Minutes of the April Meeting: A copy of the minutes was emailed, stands approved, and was submitted for posting to the HVGC website.
- Updates:
- The State Convention this year is a one day, mini Convention on Saturday, June 27th, from 9:00am until 5:30pm. Location: The Shedd Institute, 285 E Broadway, Eugene, OR 97401. All OSFGC officers, members and their guests are encouraged to attend. Registration can be done on-line. More information is available at www.oregongardenclubs.org/event/osfgc-annual-convention/
- Gold Star Marker Dedication: The District has changed the date to September 27 at Willamette National Cemetery.Priscilla Robinson, Katherene Kerner and Sandy and Ray Platz will also be decorating the three Blue Star memorials in our area for Memorial Day.
- Budget Committee: Julie asked for volunteers to help with the budgeting process, and Katherene Kerner, Yvonne Kochanowski, Priscilla Robinson volunteered to work alongside Sandy Platz.
- Spring Garden Fair: The Fair took place on May 2-3. Volunteers who worked on the District’s Information Booth were Sheila Greer, Janet and Michael Rasher, Wendy Young, Katherene Kerner, Cheryl Mixson and Julie Lund. Sheila printed the brochures and Priscilla made wild flower bookmarks for the table. Garden club members from Estacada and West Lin also staffed the booth. Priscilla Robinson indicated that we have been invited to have a presence at next year’s fair.
- Christmas Party: Julie asked for volunteers to begin planning for this event. Kathy Reinhart, Cheryl Mixson and Jan Ferguson-Bresee volunteered.
- Sustainability Committee: Priscilla Robinson suggested that we check with the city to see if we can have an information table at the Happy Valley Concert somewhere near the food carts, rather than producing the kids’ art functions that we have had in the past, so that we can better inform our target audience (prospective members).
- Announcements:
- COFFEE CHAT: May 26, will be a field trip to Rogerson Clematis Garden, Luscher Farm Park, 125 Rosemont Rd, West Linn. There will be a carpool leaving at 9:30 from “Leona’s parking lot” across the street from her home (9988 SE 145th.) RSVP Claudia Taylor at 503-961-4507. There is no entry or parking fee.
- Elsie Skinner Floral Design Guild: A workshop will be conducted by Debbie Spiller from Olympia. It will take place on May 18, 10:30 a.m. at Savage Memorial Presbyterian Church, 1740 SE 139th Ave, Portland. Contact JoAnn Pullen at 971-331-1381 for more information.
- Reminders:
- Next month’s coffee hosts are Sheila Greer, Katherene Kerner, and Mike and Karen Burmester.
- Sue Gilbert reported that our club has contributed more than $60 to the Plant-a-Tree project so far this year. She also shared a reminder from her daughter about the bird migration currently passing through Oregon. About 7 million birds use this migration route, and nighttime outdoor lighting at homes and in gardens can disorient them and interfere with their safe passage.
- Horticulture: Donna Endicott brought two Peony bouquets. Barb Decious brought tomato starts to share.
- Happy Birthday to our May Birthdays: 15th – Carol Mohr, 15th –Philip Lund, 18th – Sheila Greer, 18th – Ann Blair, 23rd – Mary Lou Epperson, 30th – Diana Colvin
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 11:50 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Lou Epperson
