Minutes from the May 2, 2005 Meeting

President Susan R called the meeting to order at 7:00pm

Susan passed around sign-up sheets for the Willow River trip, board/officers volunteers and 2006 speaker suggestions.

Susan reminded members that the Eloise ButlercWildflower Garden trip is on Sunday, July 31 and to sign up for the May 21 Plant Sale volunteer jobs.

Susan brought more soil test kits and instructions for members.  Diana Alfuth will be speaking about soil health in November.  The soil test results will be discussed during this presentation.

As there were no addition or corrections to the April 2005 minutes as printed in the May 2005 newsletter, a motion was made by Anne K to accept the minutes as printed, seconded by Susan G.  Motion passed.

Treasurer’s Report

Total net worth as of today is $6,397.78

This consists of the following accounts:

Activity since the last report on April 4 was as follows:

Net decrease of $555:

Income of $37:

Expenses of $592:

Year-to-date 2005 vs. Prior Year:

Income: Below last year by $69 due to lower interest ($21) and fewer memberships.

Expenses: Lower than 2004 by $1363. $800 of this is due to not having yet paid the scholarships for 2005. Tree maintenance was $325 less. Miscellaneous expenses are $194 less because last year we purchased 2 large smokestack bricks. Plant sale costs so far are $167 less primarily because last year we purchased a large quantity of white plastic plant sticks. Speaker fees are $125 less than last year. Offsetting this was the Share-the-Bounty envelope printing expense of $150 that was paid earlier than last year.

As part of the $1000 Civic Improvement funds, there was a suggestion to give $300 of that fund to the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust (KRLT) for their Rain Garden project.  KRLT will coordinate the project.  A motion was made by Michelle B to give $300 to KRLT, seconded by Ursula P.   Motion passed.

New Business

Flower Shows

Member Anne K announced that there are many flower shows in the local area this season. 

Preceding the Artful Garden Tour (July 16-17) is a display of flower arrangements at the River Falls Public Library which will be June 20-July 24.  Flowers are arranged in locally made pottery.  Four teams of two people are need to volunteer for this display.  Each tem will be responsible for a week.  Not all the pots on display need to be filled with flowers.  Whatever happens to be in your garden can be displayed for your week.

Katie Chaffee of the River Falls Public Library is organizing a display of flowers during River Falls Days (July 7-10).  There is an overlap with the Artful Gardens display so the two events will need to be coordinated.  More information will be available at the June meeting.  (Editor’s note – After talking to Katie, the second library display is postponed until August.)

The First National Bank of River Falls has revived it annual flower show in August and would like members to participate.

To learn about flower arranging, the next St. Croix Valley Master Gardener meeting on Thursday, August 26 at the library meeting room will feature a presentation about the Japanese art of flower arranging at 7:30.  Everyone is welcome.

Share the Bounty

Member Margaret S discussed the Share the Bounty project, which is sponsored by the club.  Seeds are available at the River Falls Public Library, libraries in Pierce and St. Croix counties, and at St. Bridgette’s Church.  There are enough seeds to plant a ten foot row.  Gardeners are asked to donate at least half of the produce to food shelves, nursing homes and other people who need fresh produce.  Drop off sites for produce are printed on the back of seed packets.  Please participate by growing a little extra this year.

River Falls Garden Club and Kinnickinnic River Land Trust Partnership

Member Margaret S would like the club to assist the Kinnickinnic River Land Trust with a stewardship project.  The projects involves having a stewardship tip on the local radio station.  This will give good publicity to both the club and KRLT.  If you have a tip, please forward the tip to either Margaret or Susan R.

Final Plant Sale Discussion

Susan Reese led a discussion about the upcoming plant sale.  Points discussed included: