Happy Valley Garden Club
Business Meeting Minutes
November 12, 2024
9-9:40 Social Time – Meet, Greet & Eat.
Hostesses – Thanks to Jan Ferguson-Bresee, Helen Nolen and Sheila Greer.
Special thanks to Donna Endicott, who opens up the room, turns on the heat and starts the coffee at every meeting before anyone else arrives.
ATTENDEES: Rena Ackley, Sandy Ahlquist, Karen Burmester, Mike Burmester, Elizabeth Cathey, Barb Decious, Donna Endicott, Mary Lou Epperson, Shelley Fenton, Jan Ferguson-Bresee, Sue Gilbert, Sheila Greer, Mary Horton, Katherene Kerner, Pat Marshall, Leona McDonald, Carol Mohr, Helen Nolen, Sandy Platz, Ray Platz, Janet Rasher, Mike Rasher, Priscilla Robinson, DeeAnn Scott, Claudia Taylor, Patti Taylor, Marilyn Thomas, Leta Wyler, Wendy Young
10:00 – 11:00 Speaker
Brad O’Neil, Undersheriff of Clackamas Sheriff’s Department talked about the structure, organization and services of the Department. There is a webpage that allows users to see what kinds of calls and crimes have occurred in our area and allows users to report crimes. Undersheriff O’Neil encouraged people to report crimes, because it allows the department to allocate resources to help prevent criminal activity in these neighborhoods.
The Non-emergency dispatch phone number is 503-655-8211.
The website is www.clackamas.us/sheriff , and police reports can be filed online with a click – see attachment.
In Jennifer Buss’ absence, Sandy Platz conducted today’s meeting.
Welcome New Guests and New Members: DeeAnn Stott was introduced by Sandy Platz, and Wendy introduced Elena Pennington, who has a National Wildlife Federation Certification because of her work in her garden to provide a corridor for birds and mammals living in and migrating through our area.
Business Meeting Minutes
- Treasurer’s Report: Sheila Greer reported that as of 10/24/24 we had $2878.21 on hand, with the newest influx of cash from the Christmas party participation. We donated $50 to the Sarah Hite Rose Garden to help replace roses lost to vandalism.
- Minutes of the October Meeting – The secretary’s final draft of the minutes was emailed and approved.
- Committee Reports / Project Updates:
- Membership updates – Wendy Young: DeeAnn Scott and Ray Platz have joined the club, bringing the roster to 43 members from 39 households.
- Programs/coffee chat updates: Shelley Fenton distributed the speaker’s schedule and coffee chat locations for January through June of 2025. January has no planned meeting or coffee chat due to weather concerns.
- Plant-A-Tree: Sue Gilbert passed around the Pennies for Pines jar and reported that another new tree has been purchased by the club because of our donations. The Pennies for Pines name has been changed to “Plant-A-Tree.” Our certificate for the latest tree is attached.
- Garden Club Updates and Info to share:
- Christmas party (December 10th) Update: Priscilla Robinson reported that the party, to be held at the Mediterranean Grill will not include a gift exchange. Please RSVP to Priscilla by December 2nd. Checks for the $30 party can be sent to HVGC, PO Box 1204, Clackamas OR 97015.
- Sara Hite Garden update: Priscilla Robinson reported that she, Wendy Young, Shelly Fenton, Mary Horton, and Patti Taylor assisted Harry Landers with rose trimming. Priscilla also explained that the donation the club made to the Sarah Hite Garden was to help defer the cost of replacing a number of roses that were intentionally destroyed by someone who applied a powerful pesticide at the site.
- Veterans day memorial decorations: Yvonne Kochanowski, Sandy and Ray Platz, Jan Bresee-Ferguson decorated the Blue Star Memorial at Camp Withycombe and Williamette National Cemetery.
- Jennifer Buss is healing well from recent surgery.
- Bob Mell has been hospitalized at Providence Portland with a leg infection. Sandy Alquist has sent him a card from the club.
- Horticulture, Floral Arrangements, Garden Talk, Plant Specimens: Donna Endicott brought persimmons from her tree to share, and some sample sweet potatoes and starts that she has successfully experimented with. Patti Taylor brought in a Thanksgiving cactus and explained the difference between Thanksgiving, Christmas and Easter cacti. A photo of the leaf distinctions is attached.
- November Birthdays: Mary Horton 7th, Connie Evans 15th (Sandy Alquist sent a card from the club to Connie).
- Coffee Chat: November 26, 9 a.m., at Biscuit Café, 9201 SE 91st Ave and Johnson Creek Blvd.
- Christmas Party: December 10, starting at noon at the Mediterranean Grill, Happy Valley Town Center near New Seasons, next to Peet’s Coffee. (Festive attire encouraged.)
- Raffle: Diane Bryant was unable to attend today’s meeting, but sent pruning gloves and accessories, which were won by Katherene Kerner. Katherene will bring the next raffle item after January.
- Adjournment: the meeting was adjourned at Noon.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Lou Epperson