9:30 – 10 am Social Time – Meet, Greet & Eat.
Hosting Today – Elizabeth Cathey/Katherene Kerner/Helen Nolen/Lona Azar
ATTENDEES: Pat Allen, Lona Azar, Diane Bryant, Karen Burmester, Mike Burmester, Jennifer Buss, Elizabeth Cathey, Barb Decious, Donna Endicott, Mary Lou Epperson, Shelley Fenton, Jan Ferguson-Bresee, Sue Gilbert, Sheila Greer, Katherene Kerner, Yvonne Kochanowski, John Kochanowski, Julie Lund, Pat Marshall, Leona McDonald, Roberta Mehta, Helen Nolen, Sandy Platz, Ray Platz, Mike Rasher, Priscilla Robinson, Donna Simonson, Claudia Taylor, Patti Taylor, Leta Wyler, Wendy Young
10:00 am Welcome Guests and any New Members to our meeting: Anita Seeley attended today’s meeting.
10:00 – 11:00 Leslie Gover, Happy Valley City Arborist
Leslie was inspired to learn about plants as a sixth grader at Outdoor School, and went on to earn a BS Degree in Horticulture from OSU, and has worked in ornamental horticulture throughout her career. She is a contract arborist for the City of Happy Valley. She referred us to www.greatplantpicks.org, an education program of the Elizabeth C. Miller Botanical Garden in Seattle. The website is a source of information for plants growing in Oregon and Washington west of the Cascades.
Leslie indicated that the City Planning Department is responsible for both permitting and planning of tree removal and planting on parking strips. Happy Valley’s list of street trees is not as detailed as the City of Portland, which provides tree species options based on the width of a parking strip.
Acer Rubrum, the Red Maple frequently planted as street trees, is not a great choice for parking strips, as the shallow root structure and wide root flare can eventually raise sidewalks. The Bradford Pear is likewise a generally inappropriate candidate.
Leslie described a recent opportunity the city had to plant new trees to replace those removed for the recent Library expansion, and to support the remaining trees. Native Western Red Cedars, because of their declining condition due to climate change and a soil fungus, were replaced with Incense Cedar, Coastal Redwood and Giant Sequoia. These species were chosen for their ability to withstand current and future weather changes. Conservation partners that have assisted in identifying trees that can be planted to support and eventually replace the Western Red Cedar have included Friends of Trees and Mosaic Ecology.
11 – 11:15 am Horticulture:
Donna Endicott brought in a branch of Daphne “Edgeworthia papyrifera,” which has unusual yellow flowers. Barb Decious brought in several ranunculus starts in pots to share. Several house plants donated by Gabriella Lu went home with club members. Maps from the Oregon Association of Nurseries were also available.
Business Meeting Agenda
Treasurer’s Report: Sheila Greer reported that we have $2,604.83 on hand, and we recently purchased a new projector and screen to be used for meetings.
DUES NEED TO BE PAID BY MAY 1st!!! $50 per member, or $55 per household. Please pay by check, which may be mailed to: HVGC, PO Box 1204, Clackamas OR 97015.
- Minutes of the February Meeting: Mary Lou’s final draft of the minutes was emailed and approved.
- Committee Reports / Project Updates:
- Membership updates: Wendy Young reported that there were no new members, so current members number 43.
- Nominating Committee to present filled positions for 2025-2027: Shelley Fenton announced nominees:
- President: Julie Lund
- VP 1 – Wendy Young – coordinates and arranges program/speakers for monthly meetings.
- VP 2 – Claudia Taylor and Roberta Mehta– coordinates Field Trips and Coffee Chats.
- Treasurer – Sandy Platz
- Secretary – Marylou Epperson
- Hospitality Coordinator – Katherene Kerner – coordinates the hostesses each month for club meetings and brings coffee, tea, dishcloths, etc. every month.
- Membership coordinator was still an unfilled post, requiring computer skills, keeps current roster of membership, brings name tags every month. Yvonne Kochanowski volunteered!
- New officers will be voted on in the April regular meeting and installed in May.
- Garden Club Updates and Info to share — Jennifer Buss:
- Clackamas district Lunch to be April 3rd at the Elks Lodge in Milwaukie. Chad Harris of Mt. Pleasant Iris Farm will be guest speaker. A centerpiece is needed, featuring purple or yellow irises, but will not be raffled off. Yvonne suggested it be donated to City Hall after the event. Details will also be on our website. To attend, a check for $20 is needed ASAP.
Attending will be Sheila Greer, Jennifer Buss, Sandy Platz, Julie Lund, Katherene Kerner, Wendy Young, Sue Gilbert and Donna Endicott.
- New District officer nominees include Jennifer Buss for President (along with Sue Piper from the West Linn club), and Sheila Greer for Treasurer.
- Gardens of Enchantment workday is scheduled for April 5th 10-2pm.
- Annual Hull Foundation Tea – May 31st 1-4
- Sarah Hite Garden: Priscilla Robinson reported that a workshop will be held in June for those interested in pruning and deadheading information.
- Master Gardener Organization: Priscilla reported that there will be a Garden Discovery Day this Saturday March 15, 9 a.m. to noon at the Milwaukie Community Center. Includes free pH soil testing. See https://clackamascountymastergardeners.org/garden-discovery-day/ for more information.
- HVGC website: Yvonne Kochanowski reported that she has updated the website to provide more information for prospective members, but password protection for pages that include financials or member’s personal information. Please email information or updates to be posted to the website to Yvonne at Yvonne.kochanowski@gmail.com
- Reminders:
- Happy Birthday to our March Birthdays – 4th – Mike Burmester, 8th – Elizabeth Cathey, 11th – Barb Decious, 13th – Sandy Platz, 15th – Helen Nolen, 30th – Janet Rasher
- Next Coffee Chat at Elka Bee’s on Tuesday March 25 at 9 a.m.
Adjournment: meeting was adjourned at 11:55.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Lou Epperson