Business Meeting Minutes
September 8, 2026
Creator Lutheran Church
9:15 – 10 am Social Time – Meet, Greet & Eat.
Hosting Today – Sheila, Katherene, Claudia, Mike and Karen
ATTENDEES: Sandy A., Pat A., Lona A., Rita B., Diane B., Karen B., Mike B., Jennifer B., Elizabeth C., Laurie C., Barb D., Ted D., Gayle E., Donna E., Mary Lou E., Cheyenne F., Ken F., Sue G., Pete G., Sheila G., Mary H., Katherene K., John K., Yvonne K., Julie L., Joel M., Rebecca M., Leona M., Margie M., Bob M., Carol M., Helen N., Ray P., Sandy P., Janet R., Mike R., Kathie R., Priscilla R., Carrie S., Donna S., Diane S., Claudia T., Patti T., Marlee U., Wendy Y.
GUESTS: Elaine D., Janet and Michael’s son, Carson, and Sue’s daughter, Carolyn.
Inspiration from Mike B.:
Two Miles South
We did not leave the city behind,
we only traded one street for another,
moving our chairs from the northern view
to a porch that looks toward the southern border.
The grocery store has a different sign,
the sidewalk cracks follow different lines,
but the same old river runs right through,
tethering the old life to the new.
It is a strange kind of migration,
to pack your roots but keep the same soil,
to rewrite the map of your daily walk
without ever leaving your home behind.
—Author Unknown
Speaker: 10 – 10:45 am: Margaret Parks from Evergreen Growers Supply spoke about “The Bugs That Eat the Bugs That Bug Us.” Evergreen Growers Supply is a distributor of bio-control products for commercial growers and home gardeners. These products help manage pests with beneficial insects, and natural fungicides and insecticides. Margaret’s main message is when you see a pest infestation, wait two weeks before trying eradication measures. Bugs that feed on plants frequently attract the bugs that eat them, and the problem often resolves itself naturally. Also don’t over-fertilize (pests are often feasting on the nitrogen we may be over-applying), work on making the plants healthier, and include plants that host insects that prey on pests. Questions about pest management can be emailed to order@evergreengrowers.com. Another on-line information source is solvepestproblems.oregonstate.edu.
Business Meeting
11:00 a.m.
- Budget: The proposed budget was distributed and Julie L. asked for a vote to approve. Patti T. moved to approve the budget. The item described as “deficit” was discussed. Sandy P. and Sheila G. explained that an actual deficit does not exist, as this is a plan only, and fund allocation can be adjusted if a shortage is predicted. Yvonne K. seconded the motion, and the motion was carried by unanimous vote.
Julie also reported that donations were decided upon by the Executive Committee as follows: $175 allocated to Leach Botanical Gardens, $175 to Clackamas Community College Horticulture program’s scholarship fund, $175 allocated to Clackamas Community College Organic Gardening program’s scholarship fund, and $175 was allocated to OSU’s Garden Ecology Lab.
- Treasurer’s Report: Sandy P. reported that there is currently a balance of $3493.57 in the treasury.
- Updates:
- Clackamas Garden Club District Meeting is on October 1st, 9:30 –noon. There will be a brunch costing $25. Members were encouraged to bring a guest. Checks should be made out to HVGC and given to Sandy P. The speaker will be Sam Hubert from One Green World. A sign-up sheet for attendance was distributed.
Silent Auction: We need to provide an item valued at more than $50. Sandy P. offered a large gift basket to be filled with new items by members. This will be a “Backyard Bird Basket,” and that members are encouraged to contribute anything “bird related.” Contact Sandy to make contributions.
“Wish to Win” Raffle: This year there will be a raffle for prizes valued at less than $50. Prize items can be forwarded to Sandy. (Sandy has a large glass terrarium that could be used as one possible raffle item, and it would be nice if it contained a couple of plants if members would like to add to it.) Other prize items are also encouraged.
Sales table: This table is for small garage sale-type items. Members can contribute items and price them (not less than $1, in dollar increments).
Registration Table: Julie asked for volunteers to help. Donna E., Julie, and Claudia T volunteered.
- Gold Star Marker Dedication: Sunday, September 27 at noon. Location: Willamette National Cemetery, 11800 SE Mt Scott Blvd, Happy Valley. A sign-up sheet was circulated to get an idea of how many people might attend.
- Kelso Garden Club Guest Day: Sheila G. said this event will be on Friday, September 25, 2026, starting at 10:30 a.m. Events include a raffle, plants, silent auction, and lunch. Guest Speaker will be Marianne Binetti. Location: Calvary Community Church, 2655 38th Avenue Longview, WA. A sign-up sheet was circulated to coordinate carpooling.
- Flower Bouquet Sales Table at The Springs at Sunnyside (previously Morningstar): Saturday, September 19th, noon to 3:00. Julie asked for 4 people for 1 1⁄2 hours each shift, to help tie flowers together with a bow for visitors to purchase at this “Farmers’ Market” debut. (All materials will be provided.) Janet R., Mary H., Julie and Claudia T. volunteered.
- Garden Club Memorial: Julie reported that the memorial to members who have passed on was installed at Happy Valley Park several years ago but was heavily damaged by a fire in an adjacent park building. Diane B. salvaged the stone and damaged nameplates, and Michael R. is cleaning up the stone. Diane will dispose of the nameplates respectfully. Yvonne K. volunteered to add a “Memorial Page” to the website.
- New rules for hosting our meetings: Katherene K. went over the requirements associated with our new meeting venue. Members are asked to bring their own coffee cup. Decaf will not be available, so we should bring our own. Because the room is configured differently, set-up and break-down of some tables and chairs will be required by the hosting members. Katherene said that there may be a separate set-up and break-down committee in the future.
- February hosts needed: Katherene needs hosts for February’s meeting.
- Reminders:
- Coffee Chats: Wendy Y. and Claudia T. suggested options for locations and asked members to stay tuned for more information. Next coffee chat will be at ElkaBee’s on September 22 at 9 a.m.
- Horticulture: Cheyenne and Ken Fisk brought Crocosmia seeds, Comfrey and a Sunset Maple to share. Sue Gilbert brought Lion’s Mane to share.
- Happy Birthday to our September Birthdays: 11th – Rita B., 12th – Diane S., 13th – Pat A., 14th – Joel M.
- Adjournment: The meeting was adjourned at 11:55 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Lou E.