Business Meeting Minutes
July 15, 2025
9:30 – 10 am Social Time – Meet, Greet & Eat.
Hosting Today – Janet Rasher, Mary Lou Epperson, Sandy Alquist, Katherene Kerner
ATTENDEES: Sandy Ahlquist, Karen Burmester, Mike Burmester, Jennifer Buss, Elizabeth Cathey, Barb Decious, Gail Ely, Mary Lou Epperson, Sheila Greer, Mary Horton, Katherene Kerner, Julie Lund, Pat Marshall, Leona McDonald, Roberta Mehta, Bob Mell, Helen Nolen, Sandy Platz, Ray Platz, Janet Rasher, Mike Rasher, Claudia Taylor, Patti Taylor, Leta Wyler, Wendy Young
10:00 am Welcome to Guest Mary Davis of the Milwaukie Garden club.
Inspiration from Mike Burmester (an anecdote via social media rather than a poem this month):
“26 June 2025
Today while walking on the beach I came across a Snowy Plover nest. Snowy Plovers are an endangered species. There are several areas of the beach that are off limits to people so the birds can nest. The nest I found was a mile from the closest restricted area.
The mother Snowy Plover started flopping around to attract my attention and draw me away from the nest. I was trying to take her picture, and she was successful in getting me away from the nest. She then made a wide circle and went right back to the nest.
I flagged down the state park rangers and showed them where the nest was. Within 2 hours the area was marked off and restricted from human access!
It was a very exciting experience. I hope the eggs hatch and the Snowy Plovers continue to thrive in the dunes of Tillamook County.”
Speaker: Aaron Anderson of the Xerces Society (www.xerces.org) spoke about pollinator protection from insecticides in residential gardens. There has been a 40% decrease in invertebrate pollinators, and residential gardens can be oases of food sources for pollinators as the agriculture industry focuses on “the greater good” of produce yields rather than the long-term survival of our food sources. The website is full of resources related to native plants and specific pesticides. Aaron invited members to email him with questions: aaron.anderson@xerces.org, and pesticides@xerces.org. He also referenced www.bugguide.net so that bugs can be identified to determine their effect on plants.
11 – 11:15 am Horticulture: Yvonne and John Kochanowski sent peperomia and Christmas cactus plants, which were given to this month’s birthday folks.
Business Meeting Agenda
- Treasurer’s Report: Sandy Platz reported that as of June 25th, cash on hand was $4,069.42.
- Minutes of the April Meeting: A final draft of the minutes was emailed and stands approved.
- Garden Club Updates and Info to share: Julie Lund reported that she attended the State Convention in June. Approximately 100 Garden Club members were in attendance. Becky Cook of the Neskowin club is the new President. A by-laws change for collecting dues yearly, with an October deadline, was instituted, and HVGC’s by-laws will be changed accordingly. “Posey Pickers” club (Oregon City) has been disbanded.
- Budget approval: The 2025-2026 proposed budget was distributedand discussed. Speakers’ fees have been increased and a line item for the website has been added. Patti Taylor moved that a vote be taken to accept the proposed budget. Wendy Young seconded the motion, vote was taken and the motion was passed.
- Website: Julie asked for volunteers to learn how to administer the website to back up Yvonne. Mike Burmester volunteered. The website is happyvalleygardenclub.org. Password for members is Crocus57%. Yvonne has asked for photos of members’ gardens, and pets in their gardens for inclusion on the website.
- Sunshine Correspondent: Sandy Alquist has agreed to continue in this role.
- Reminders:
- Happy Birthday to our July Birthdays – 1st – Rena Ackley, 9th – Patti Gage, 15th – Sue Gilbert, 29th – Leona McDonald, 29th – Tami Gaston, 30th – John Kochanowski, 31st – Ray Platz
- Next Coffee Chat on July 29 will be a field trip to The Garden Corner, 21550 SW 108th Avenue, Tualatin, OR. Gather at the parking lot across from Leona’s at 10 a.m. to carpool. Bring snacks or lunch. Coffee may be purchased at the site. Bring a pot if purchasing plants and the Garden Corner vendor will pot them.
- Adjournment: meeting was adjourned at 11:30 a.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Lou Epperson