MINUTES: February 6, 2024 The San Juan Island Garden Club met at Mullis Center February 6, 2024. There were 19 in attendance. Kim Hildreth provided treats, coffee and tea. Garden Club Vice President Vonnie Harold called the meeting to order at 1:05 pm. Vonnie shared a notebook given us from Linda Cobos of the Land and Sea Garden in thanks for our donation to their organization. It contains materials about plants, their experiences with planting, and resources such as nurseries and garden supply stores. The Minutes of the January 9, 2024 meeting by Secretary Linda Barnhart were Approved. There was no Treasurer’s Report available for review. New Business. Arbor Day is April 26th. Barbara Fagan had suggested the Garden Club plant a tree for the occasion. She has contacted the town about this and Marilyn Gresseth has talked to Linda Cobos about planting a tree for the Land and Sea Garden. The group endorsed the latter. Vonnie suggested a $100 maximum cost. This was Approved. Paige Whelen has contacted Erin Shackleford of Camas Designs who has agreed to speak on Starting a Cutting Garden at our March 12 meeting. Vonnie suggested re-visiting the Meerkerk Rhododendron Garden on Whidbey while pointing out the difficulty in arranging transportation for off-island trips. Paige confirmed that Cynthia Todd has arranged for the club to tour Christianson’s Nursery on Best Road west of Mt. Vernon on October 1st. We discussed how we might travel there but need to revisit this question later. Barbara Fagan recommends that members sign up for Christianson’s newsletters (www.christiansonsnursery.com). Ali Smith gave an update of her communication with the San Juan Historical Museum where we expect to set up a new garden. Ali will put together a list of needs and there will be more discussion and planning at our next meeting. Kim Hildreth spoke for the committee planning our May 11 Plant Sale. She agreed to send out an update of what we should be doing next. The business meeting was closed at 1:30 Melissa Pinnow of the Biodiversity Nursery (www.biodiversitynursery.com) was introduced and spoke to the group about Native Plants giving us a fascinating big picture view.
Our next meeting is March 12 at 1 pm at Mullis with the program Starting a Cutting Garden by Erin Shackleford. Respectfully submitted, Linda Barnhart, Secretary
MINUTES: January 9, 2024 The San Juan Island Garden Club met at Mullis Center January 9, 2024. There were 12 in attendance. Two members provided seeds for exchange. Barbara Fagan and Marilyn Gresseth provided cookies, coffee and tea. Garden Club President Marilyn Gresseth called the meeting to order at 1:20 pm. The Minutes of the December 5, 2023 meeting by Karol McLuen were Approved. The Treasurer’s Report for July through December 2023 by Treasurer Karol McLuen were passed around and Approved. The Treasurer’s report shows: Balance of Heritage Bank Account as of 12/310/23 = $4895.94. The rest of the meeting was an informal exchange of ideas for future programs and activities. Arbor Day is April 26th. There is interest in the club planting a tree somewhere in the community. The Land and Sea Garden run by Linda Cobos, which we visited in October, may have need of a fruit tree. This will be discussed again at the February meeting. Julie Weaver suggested getting a speaker on Cutting Flower Gardens. Paige Whelen agreed to contact Erin Shackleford of Camas Designs to see if she would do this. There were several other ideas expressed a follows. Learning about Ikebana as there is an expert on Orcas. Visiting the Rhododendron Garden on Whidbey. A speaker on Native Plants. Revisiting New Hannah Farms run by Zach Chan. Karol McLuen will check on this. A class on natural dyes by Karol McLuen in the fall. With regard to Christianson’s Nursery, a time to visit will be worked out by Barbara Fagan, Cynthia Todd and Paige Whelan. Janet Wright suggested visiting Colleen Howe’s rose garden and deer garden. Lucretia Devine asked for a chance to hear members talk about what they are doing with their gardens now so there was a brief time of sharing. Marilyn will try to include a sharing time on future agendas. The meeting was closed at 2:30. Our next meeting is February 6 at 1 pm at Mullis. We will have a speaker on Native Plants.
Respectfully submitted, Linda Barnhart, Secretary MINUTES: SEPTEMBER 5, 2023 Kristy Briggs and Sandra Brame, Superintendents of FLOWERS at the SJ County Fair, reported on our experience this year. There were 357 entries - more than last year. Each entry adds to the fair's support dollars from the State. 97 entries were Dahlias. There were few perennials and less than the usual number of roses possibly due to the hot weather we were experiencing around intake. They thanked all the Garden Club volunteers who made the event so successful. Sandra and Kristy described both advantages and problems with the on-line entry system being initiated this year. Next year we will try for an even greater turnout of volunteers to help during the week. (This will take an update to our phone list.)
After the report on the Fair, we turned to ECO PRINTING led by Karol Mcluen who generously provided all the equipment and materials for the activity. She demonstrated how she did some printing and showed results using roses, coreopsis and marigold for example. Members brought flowers and leaves to try printing. There were 2 mordants - aluminum acetate and iron, 5 minute and 30-minute steams and a bit of blue dye was used with a 30-minute steam for a special effect. The group enjoyed this activity very much.
Marilyn Gresseth called the meeting back into order at 2:32.
The Minutes of the June 6, 2023 meeting by Barbara Fagan and the Treasurer's Report by Vonnie Harold were presented. Ali Smith and Joann Lally moved and seconded. And the Minutes and Treasurer's Report were Approved.
The Treasurer's report shows: Balance of Heritage Bank Account as of 9/01 /23 = $3135.14.
Marilyn reviewed our other summer activities including a tour of New Hanna Farms, visits to the splendid gardens of Chet Genther and Robin Bleeker, and contribution to the 4th of July parade by Robin driving a car bedecked with flowers.
MINUTES: JUNE 6, 2023 Meeting was held at the San Juan Historical Museum and included a group picnic. Club Pres. Marilyn Gresseth welcomed 17 members + Bo Bo at 12:45 PM. May 2, 2023 minutes had no corrections. Karol McLuen made motion to approve, seconded by Marie Skuffeda. Motion carried. Treasury Balance 5/30/2023 is $3960.83
General Business & Event Discussions: 1. First time Plant Sale -May 13 at Mullis Center. Chet Genther declared it a great success with $1475 taken in. General consensus to repeat event. Comments: set up day before with no plants, have a greeter with cashier, more signage, color code plants for prices, Master Gardeners offered to promote event, best sellers were herbs, cherry tomatoes, no for raspberries, start tomatoes in March & feed Rhody food. Julie Weaver suggested arrangements like succulents in old baking pans. 2. County Fair-August 16-19, set up August 14,15. Kristy Briggs passed around sign-up sheet with various jobs and times needed. 3. New Hanna Farm Tour is Thursday June 15 @ 1PM located at 3148 Bailer Hill Rd. 4. SJ Historical Museum Garden project. Chair Ali Smith will develop plan that will begin after fair. Area to begin could be old (1891) school house grounds with plants that are identified with signs. Main house plants next with Museum staff suggestions. 5. Club Garden Tour is July 18, time 11-2. Vonnie Harold, Robin Bleeker, Karol McLuen, Julie Weaver and Chet Genther volunteered their gardens. 6. July 4th Parade. Robin Bleeker is happily offering her Mini-convertible that will be adorned with lots of flowers. We will need garden club signage. 7. Lasagna Pot Class will be held Saturday October 28, cost $40-45 with 15-25 members, bring containers. Need to purchase 600+ bulbs, cost $420. Ali Smith made motion to hold event and Robin Bleeker seconded. Motion carried. Election of officers approved for 2023-24
President: Marilyn Gresseth Vice President: Vonnie Harold Treasurer: Karol McLuen Secretary: Linda Barnhart Speakers: Barb Fagan Respectfully submitted, Barbara Fagan
MINUTES: MAY 2, 2023 The San Juan Island Garden Club met at Mullis Center at 1 pm May 2nd. 23 persons attended including guests. Coffee and tea and cookies were provided.
Alice Deane of the Master Gardeners organization was a guest. She described a new program of the Master Gardeners called Share our Bounty encouraging home gardeners to dedicate some of their garden space to growing produce they can donate to the Food Bank. Some examples of food in demand were spinach, cherry tomatoes, strawberries, and head lettuce. Alice invited everyone to visit their Demonstration Garden just south of Mullis Center between 11 and 1 on Wednesdays.
The Minutes of the April 4 meeting from Linda Barnhart were made available on line. Minutes were Approved by the membership. The Treasurer’s report from Vonnie Harold, also available on line, was approved by the membership. Balance of the Heritage Bank account as of 4/30/2023: $2506.34
President Marilyn Gresseth announced that Kim Hildreth has agreed to pick up the job of Refreshments chair in lieu of Carole Conran who recently moved off island.
A Chairperson for Speakers/Events is needed. Speak to Marilyn if you are interested and willing.
Events ahead:
June 6th meeting will be at 12 noon on the San Juan Historical Museum grounds. Bring your own picnic lunch. Officers for the coming year will be elected at that meeting.
June 15th the Garden Club will tour New Hannah Farm, 3148 Bailer Hill Road.
In July volunteers will welcome members to their gardens. Kim Hildreth, Vonnie Harold, Robin Bleeker and Karol McLuen all agreed to consider hosting.
August is the San Juan County Fair when the Garden Club is responsible for the Flowers department. Kristy Brigg, Superintendent of Flowers, described the plan. Set Up is Monday August14th and Intake is Tuesday August 15th. Much help is needed from Garden Club members for both of these days. (Sandra Braeme is co-Superintendent with Kristy.)
Some crafts are planned for the fall: Ecoprinting with Karol McLuen September 5th; Making Hypertufa planters – possibly for October; Lasagna planters TBA
We closed with more discussion of the Garden Club Plant Sale scheduled for May 13 9am-1pm and chaired by Chet Genther. The sale will be on the south porch of Mullis Center. We hope to use the event as a fundraiser and a chance to expand the membership in the Garden Club. Meeting adjourned 2:40 pm. Respectfully submitted, Linda Barnhart
MINUTES: APRIL 4, 2023 The San Juan Island Garden Club met at Mullis Center at 1 pm April 4th. 22 persons attended including guests. Coffee and tea and cookies were provided. An Affle raffle was set up for a Backpack donated by Kathy Forsyth containing a complete Picnic Set: $5 / ticket.
Program. Professor Russel Barsh, Director of Kwiaht, Center for the Historical Ecology of the Salish Sea, was our speaker. He spoke about Pollinators of the San Juan Islands especially bees and shared his photography as well as many information sheets.
Marilyn Gresseth opened the Business Meeting at 2:50 pm. The Minutes of the March 7 meeting from Linda Barnhart were made available online. Minutes were Approved by the membership. The Treasurer’s report from Vonnie Harold, also available online, was Approved by the membership.
There was a discussion of the Garden Club Plant Sale scheduled for May 13 9am-1pm. This was led by Chet Genter. The sale will take place on the south porch of Mullis Center for which the Garden Club will pay rent $50. Chet circulated a sheet for volunteers to sign up to cover the full day in 3 shifts. Krispi Staude will loan some folding tables. Drop cloths will be needed to cover these. Barbara Dunn reported on the Garden Club’s involvement at the Historical Museum which is interested especially in Native Plants and would like to have information about these as well. Browne’s garden center has agreed to give Garden Club members a discount when buying plants for the Museum.
Marilyn announced that the anticipated April 11th Tulips Fields excursion was cancelled. The June 6th meeting will be a picnic with the location to be determined. Summer plans include a June 15 visit to New Hannah Farm on Bailer Hill Road. The Affle raffle was won by Virginia Schwedler.
Next meeting: May 2nd 1 pm at Mullis devoted to preparing for Plant Sale May 13th Meeting adjourned 3:15pm. Respectfully submitted by Linda Barnhart
MINUTES: MARCH 7, 2023 The San Juan Island Garden Club met at Mullis Center at 1 pm March 7th. 19 members attended. Coffee and tea and cookies were provided.
Karol McLuen demonstrated ECO PRINTING. She brought fabric and paper soaked in a mordant. Members brought leaves and flowers for printing. Our productions were then pressed and steamed by Karol for take home.
Marilyn Gresseth opened the Business Meeting at 1:50 pm.
Announcement: Janet Wright displayed a special Backpack donated by Kathy Forsyth and containing a complete Picnic set. This will be auctioned off at the April 4th meeting at $5 per ticket.
Old Business:
The Minutes of the February 7 meeting were made available on line. Minutes were Approved.
The Treasurer’s report, also available on line, was Approved by the membership.
Balance of Heritage Bank account as of 2/28/2023 : $2482.30
Marilyn Gresseth outlined the activities of the garden club and members involved.
Awful Raffle – Janet Wright
Cookie supply – Carol Conran
Plant Sale – Chet Genther
San Juan County Fair – Kristy Briggs
History Museum gardens – Ali Smith and Barbara Dunn
Excusions – Vonnie Harold and Barbara Fagan
Publicity/communications - Susan Sargis, Kim Hildreth
New Business:
Vonnie Harold is setting up an excursion April 11 to the Discovery Bay Garden in Mt. Vernon, LaConner for quilt show, art gallery ad lunch, and home through the Tulip Fields. Cost $60.
Next meeting April 4 1 pm at Mullis. Professor Russel Barse of Lopez will talk about Native Pollinators
May 2nd 1 pm meeting at Mullis. Preparing for Plant Sale May 13
Meeting adjourned 2:28 pm. Respectfully submitted, Linda Barnhart