March 4, 2002
River Falls Garden Club minutes

President Anne K. called the meeting to order at 7:08pm.

Anne asked for corrections or additions to the minutes. It was noted that Joan R. and Jennifer J. both brought the treats rather than just one of them as in the newsletter. Ursula P. made a motion to accept the minutes, seconded by Joan R. Motion passed.

Treasures report was made by Treasurer Mae W. The net worth of the club is $5838 with $55 in checking, $2331 in saving and the rest in the CD. The CD was renewed with higher interest. Income included $219 from member fees, $20 in interest, $7 in guest fees, and $42 other. Expenses included $800 for the 2 - $400 scholarships, $200 for liability insurance, $15 for postage, $15 for printing, and $50 for guest fees.

Old Business
The plant sale. Trudy O. passed around a sign up sheet. The UWRF sale will be on May 9 with the left over plants going to the garden club. Start thinking about getting plants potted for the sale. As in the past, if you sell a plant in the plant sale, 50% goes to the club and 50% goes to the club member. Houseplants can be sold in the sale. Next month, bring containers to distribute for the plant sale among members.

New Business
Ursula P. discussed SOS (Save Our Smokestack) which has been adopted by the Westside School and the Historic Preservation Committee. As a fundraiser, bricks with an inscription can be purchased. The bricks will be used in a walkway near the smokestack. Small bricks are $35 and large bricks are $135. Ursula distributed order forms to the members with examples of what could be inscribed on a brick. Ursula discussed the historic significance of the smokestack to River Falls.

Carolyn B. discussed Garden U. It has changed its format from Veggie U and includes 3 speakers. The fee is $20 which can be collected at the door.

Trudy O. discussed the door prizes. She bought a nice selection of books as door prizes. She also suggested other possible ways of drawing the door prize rather than using name tags.

Mary L. asked for help identifying growth on her dogwood plant.

A member suggested that someone should bring in an example of buckthorn so other members can identify if needed. Members discussed by buckthorn is bad - it is invasive, thorny, blocks out other native hardwoods.

A member asked how to get or grow Buckman's Pipe (?). It was suggested the nursery in Stockholm may have it.

President Anne K. asked if there was any other business to discuss. None was added.

Jennifer J. made a motion to end the meeting. Mae W. seconded. The motion passed.