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Sault Area Garden Club
Minutes
April 20, 2009

The meeting was called to order by Co-President Phyllis Bigelow. Phyllis and Cindy Lewis will be sharing the President’s duties this year. There were 34 in attendance, with many new faces. Past President, Nancy Fenlon, enthusiastically passed the official trowel gavel to Phyllis.

The first few minutes of the meeting were spent by everyone getting to know the person next to them and then we went around the room, introducing that person and telling the group a little bit about them. Phyllis warmly welcomed everyone and read the list of officers for 2009.

Joan Clark, the SAGC Treasurer for the past 5 years, who was busily taking in dues, gave the report that we had $1,282.78 in our account. A motion was made and passed to accept the Treasurer’s report.

Cris Roll talked about a program she is involved in with the Karen refugee people at the LaFrance Motel. They are going to take the old swimming pool and convert it into a sunken vegetable garden and are in need of funds. A motion was made by Bev Youngs and seconded by Diane McDonald to donate $100 to their efforts. The motion passed.

Jeanne Smith and Marcy Misner gave information about the new community gardens that are in the process of being established in the city. Bev Youngs relayed the request from that group that the SAGC might take over management of those gardens next year. Jeanne Smith made a motion to wait awhile and see how much is involved before making that decision, as we have quite a few ongoing commitments already. The motion was seconded and passed.

Further discussion on this project resulted in a motion by Megan Smith, seconded by Susan Harries, that the SAGC rent 10 plots this year (at a cost of $15/plot) and offer them free to the community. The motion passed. Megan will write a press release for the Evening News.

Selden Collins reported on the St. James Spring Tea scheduled for May 9th, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. This is the 3rd year and attendance is growing. Neil Moran and the prison gardeners will once again be providing many varieties of plants for sale at the Tea.

Kate Marshall, Program Co-Chair, gave us information on our next meeting, May 18th at 6 p.m. at the Country Road Greenhouse on M129. Bring a one or two gallon pot and Mr. Schultz will provide soil and planting tips and will have plants available for purchase.

Phyllis thanked Diane McDonald, Kristen McDonald, Leann Ufer and Bev Youngs for the refreshments. The raffle prizes were provided by Cris Roll, Diane McDonald, Kristen McDonald and Selden Collins who donated some unique “nesting bags” for the birds filled with wool, cow hair and other natural nesting materials. She got the idea when she saw a crow land on one of her cows, peck out a tuft of hair, and happily carry it off.

Bev Youngs, Recording Secretary