Founder's Day Fun

Our last meeting was our Founder's Day Banquet.   Our Derby Garden Club is 54 years old!   We celebrated by having a delicious meal together at China Bell in Grove City.   Pat and Barb set a beautiful spring table for us and we each received a pretty pansy in a spring-colored tumbler decorated with Easter grass.

Glenn Watson of Grove City was our guest speaker and presented a very informative and interesting program all about purple martins.   He had a nice handout for us and we learned all about their habits and habitats.   

He also gave away some gourds to a few of us lucky winners.

We have lots of important dates coming up.   We are having a fundraiser on May 13; we will be selling perennial starts and divisions at Pat S.'s house during the big spring garage sale days in Clarks Lake.    Also that same weekend, we are having our annual coupon fundraiser at Ehmann's greenhouse on Lambert Rd., May 14 and 15.   All you do is present our coupon when you check out and a portion of your sales go directly to the garden club; it's that easy!    If you need a coupon, please email me: rparzych@columbus.rr.com.

We had a lot of fun at our Founders Day Banquet and we have two new members!   Thanks to Pat Jeffries and Freda McPherson for joining us!   (Freda for the 2nd time! yeah!)    Please see the sidebar for our next meeting info. and other important dates.
See you next time!

March Meeting Fun

Well, we are back from our winter break and boy, was it a long winter!!   We were all small group tonight but hopefully by next month, everyone will be back in the swing of things; we really missed those of you who couldn't make it!

Martha Jo surprised us with a pop-quiz on cardinals!  How dare she!   But it was all in good fun and we even learned a few little tidbits about the beautiful cardinal we didn't know before.

We then proceeded to make fun birdfeeders using all kinds of natural elements: apples, cranberries, pinecones, seed.   It became quite messy but everyone had fun.

(I would have taken more pictures but my fingers were covered in peanut butter and bird seed; not a good combination with a digital camera! ha)

Our next meeting is our Founder's Day Celebration.   We meet at a nice restaurant or place and enjoy a nice meal together and celebrate the fact that our garden club is 54 years old!  A short program will also be presented.  (I cannot find my program book to check it for next month but when Vickie emails the meeting minutes, I'll update this blog with more-detailed information.)

Well, hope to see everyone next month!  The weather is warming up and will be time to get those flower beds cleaned up soon!

Holiday Fun!

Our Christmas Get-Together was a lot of fun last month!  Pat S. was quite the hostess!   She put together a beautiful table setting and had the room decorated to the hilt.   It felt like we were in the cutest tea room!



(maybe I should have told everyone to say "Cheese"! Looks like a serious moment!)

 The food was all so delicious too!

Our gift exchange was a lot of fun; normally we draw numbers and pick the present with that number on it; however this year, Melba thought she'd shake things up a bit.

We stood in a circle, holding the gift we brought.   Melba then recited a funny Christmas story and every time she said the word 'right' or 'left', that's how you passed the gift to the next person.   It was very funny because of course the story was about a family call "The Wright's"! 

Barb H. was a complete doll and brought everyone a beautiful Christmas tea-cup filled with delicious fudge!   Thanks Barb!    (Of course my fudge is gone now but maybe I'll turn the tea-cup into a birdfeeder!)

The whole evening was very enjoyable!  

(Next year, I'll remember to get a pix of the whole group!)

Remember, we take January AND February off (no meetings) and our next meeting is the second Monday in March, 7:00 pm at the Derby UM Church.   Bring any material you have on hand for making natural birdfeeders!   (apples, oranges, nuts, dried fruits, pinecones, etc.)   I had the prettiest woodpecker at my feeder the other morning; was quite a site, him drilling away at it!

Herb Program at Nov.'s Open Meeting

At our open meeting last week with two other clubs, the Ashville Herb Club presented us with a lovely program all about herbs and their club.   We learned that when you first plant herbs, you need to be patient.   Remember, the first year, they "sleep", the second year, they "creep", and the third year, they "leap".   (sleep, creep and leap).   That made me feel better because I thought maybe I was killing them.

They had a big display table with all kinds of uses for herbs.   First, they make all kinds of hypotufa (sp?) containers, from small soap dishes to larger pots and sell these at their annual fundraiser the first Sat. in May, known as Herb Day at a greenhouse near Ashville.  (I can't remember the name right now but we will remind everyone next spring; sounds like a fun group trip.)

Then they make all kinds of food with herbs!   Several dips were on hand for us to sample; very yummy!  (Some people are dessert people; I'm a dip person!)  One thing they put together was a small layered spice kit that makes cute ornaments and stocking stuffers.

Have you ever tried a lavender cookie??   Very yummy!   I could taste the lavender right away.  

Everyone had a good time and lots of fun; lots of nice door prizes were handed out as well as three big raffle items.  

Our next meeting is actually our Christmas Get-Together at Pat S's house (see program for actual address and check your email).
Each member is asked to bring a small $5.00 garden-related gift, a hot or cold food dish to share (this is a potluck) and canned goods to donate to a local food pantry.   This get-together is always a lot of fun.  Hope everyone can make it!

Pumpkin Carving Fun!

We learned the art of 'shallow' pumpkin carving at last Monday nights meeting; that is where you don't cut completely through the pumpkin; only the surface.   Ruth and Martha Jo put together a beautiful fall display for us, complete with some samples of shallow carving.



Concentrate Girls!!!



Ruth Fields caught on quick and is going to town with her pumpkin.



Here's Letha carving away with her leaf design; that's Janet holding up her little guy for the camera.

All that concentration paid off for Pat; her leaf is so pretty!



We had a lot of fun and wish you could have joined us.  Give shallow carving a try.



Harvest Market Fundraiser

We had a great time selling our wares at the Grove City Harvest Market on Saturday and did quite well too!   Plus the weather was just beautiful (quite a change from last year!).  

Thanks to everyone that came out that morning and thanks to all who made a purchase!

Sept. Meeting Minutes

Attendance: Virginia Brokamp, Martha Buller, Sandy Day, Ruth Fields, Melba Fraley, Pat Hanrahan, Barb Hollingshead, Vickie Lamb, Debbie Paige, Debbie Parzych, Pat Sarosi, Theresa Smith, Judy Sparks, Lee Wardell, Ruth Wolery, Linda Wright.
Devotions were read by Judy Sparks who offered a prayer and meditation reminding us to share the bounty of our harvest with others.
Refreshments were prepared by Vickie Lamb and Sandy Day.
Minutes from the July meeting were approved on a motion from Debbie Paige and seconded by Martha Buller.
Treasurer Sandy Day reported a balance of $577.83 and asked for members' dues to be paid by Oct. 1.The report was approved after a motion from Barb Hollingshead and a second by Debbie Parzych.
Old Business: President Pat Hanrahan announced that we finally have our EIN# which is required by the government. Thanks to Ruth Wolery who found the procedure to get it, and Pat who completed the application.
For the fall Region 9 Meeting we are required to bring a seasonal wreath (any size/any season) for the sales table. Ruth Wolery volunteered to make one for our club.
The previous request for program ideas to be sent to Regional Director Karen Middleton was discussed. After reviewing Karen's list of ideas received, we found we had nothing new to offer.
One of our yearly club projects is to donate a garden-related book to a local library. Martha Buller donated 5 new children's books to be given to the Westfall Elementary School Library. She was reimbursed $20 for the books which are to be delivered by Debbie Paige.
New Business: Linda Wright explained research on web site formation for the garden club. Requirements for domain name, etc., total approximately $130 per year. She suggested Facebook as an alternative as it is free. Pat Hanrahan read information from Wilma Beerman about the Circleville Market Web site which also has fees. Debbie Parzych suggested creating a blog as a way to get out information about our club and then considering Facebook if we need it later. President Hanrahan asked for knowledgable volunteers to set up the blog and Debbie Parzych said she could have it ready in a week or two. A motion for the blog creation was made by Melba Fraley, seconded by Sandy Day and approved by members.
As a money raising project, the members decided to register for one booth(with electric outlet) at the Grove City Harvest Market Sat. Oct. 9 for $15.(Additional space would be available at $10 ea.) Sandy Day volunteered to chair the group preparing for the event. The tent will be supplied by Debbie Parzych. Sandy needs volunteers to help with garden-related/seasonal crafts and foods. (All food items must include a list of ingredients.) She also needs workers to put up the booth and work from 9 to 12.
Announcements: German Village Garden Club invites new members. If interested, get details from Pat Hanrahan or Melba Fraley.
The Zoological Park in Cincinnati offers tours for our consideration,
The Derby UMC Prayer Garden clean-up and planting Wed. Sept. 15 at 6:30.
Grove City Arts in the Allley is Sat. and Sun. Sept 18 and 19. Barb Hollingshead asked for more Garden Club brochures to hand out to interested gardeners at the event. Debbie Paige agreed to print them and get them to her.
The slate of new officers was presented and approved by members after a motion by Pat Sarosi and seconded by Barb Hollingshead.
New Officers are: President--Melba Fraley; Vice President--Debbie Parzych; Treasurer--Debbie Paige; Secretary--Vickie Lamb. Installation followed.
The business meeting was adjourned after a motion by Pat Sarosi, seconded by Pat Hanrahan.
Horticulture Tip: Debbie Parzych discussed common houseplant diseases(fungi, gray mold and powdery mildew) and cures (mainly cleanliness, good ventilation, sterilization of soil, or disposal of diseased plant!).
The Program was Making Modern Terrariums by Ruth Wolery. Ruth displayed several creations which demonstrate more modern versions. They may still be made of plastic or glass but shapes vary. They may hold plants but may also contain sculptures, figurines or candles.Choose nursery propagated plants. She also covered planting, watering, the use of gravel, charcoal, moss and planting mix. She stressed the importance of wearing gloves while working with the terrariums because the moss often contains fungi which can negatively affect your skin.
Respectfully submitted, Vickie Lamb, Secretary