May General Meeting

Attendees:  Bonnie Buhl, Norma Chiaramonte, Joe and Wendy D’Virgilio, Debbie Haluch, Liz Hearn, Ellen and Mark Jones, Ian and Nicole McWilliam, Cathy Oland, Ann Sansbury, Dale Smothers

Meeting Highlights:

§       April 8, 2019 Meeting Minutes – a motion was made by Norma and seconded by Mark to dispense with reading of the minutes

§       Treasurer Report was given by Secretary/Treasurer, Bonnie Buhl       and approved by all

§         Jr. Gardener Event

§  Event Update – Special thanks to Liz and Lyn for their effort and leadership in making this a record-breaking event!  A summary of discussion regarding things that contributed to the events success included:  Addition of Vermi Composting station, welcoming greeters, fire truck, step by step sign prepared by Nicole, variety of beautiful plants, teaching opportunity for children to plant their own plant, note card station to create personal message, and artsy pot stickers.  Also, Pat Hudson, editor of Pinpoint Magazine was there to take pictures that will be included in the next Pinpoint publication.  There were 79 attendees, one more than last year!

§  Fire Department Donation – A motion was made to donate $250 to the Texas Volunteer Fire Fighters Relief Fund.  The approval was unanimous

§  Kyle Franklin – A motion was made and unanimously approved to give a $100 Appreciation Gift Card

§        Butterfly Garden II

§  Planting tentatively scheduled May 20 or 21 at the new garden on Brazos Sage

§        Yard of the Month – Now:  Yard of the Season (Spring, Summer and Fall)

§  New signs Larry Allen. – one sign for each Phase 1, 2, and 3  

§  Kara Roberts will select volunteers and judge late May – delay due to illness

§  Three members volunteered to help Kara with judging – Norma, Ann and Ian

§  Amended By-Laws Article XI – Garden Club Beautification Committee

§  Amended:  The Cypress Creek Lakes Garden Club will select 1 house in each of

Sections 1, 2 and 3 for Yard of the Season.  The judging will take place in late April,

June and September

§        Committee Chair Updates

§  Garden Club Bricks, Mike Owens: 10 bricks ordered, expected ship date is June 10.

§        Nomination and Election of Officers – Nomination Committee Larry Allen, Debbie Haluch and Mike Owens

§  Nomination for President 2019 – 2021 – Debbie Haluch was nominated and unanimously approved

Nomination for Secretary Treasurer 2019 – 2021 – Ann Sansbury was nominated and unanimously approved

With great appreciation and pleasure, the new officers were installed by Ellen Jones, outgoing President.

§        Planting Tips were provided by Bonnie Buhl

§  Remember to feed tropical flowering plants like Hibiscus and Bougainvillea with tropical plant foods, NOT bloom booster with higher middle numbers.

§  If you don’t already have Hibiscus, this is a great month to plant them and get instant results.  While they love our heat, if you can protect them from the late day sun, they will perform even better.

§        The business meeting was adjourned, and we enjoyed a break for refreshments, provided by Ian and Nicole.  

      

       Following the break, several members shared information including various types of succulents and how to grow and care for them; how to plant a succulent plant garden, orchid care and growing tips; growing salvia, an interesting black and lime green caladium type plant, growing sweet potatoes and information on growing and caring for a gardenia tree.  Many plants were brought to share with others.

 

                

The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 pm,

Bonnie and I thank you for our opportunity to serve and look forward to lending support to Debbie and Ann.  I know these women will be an asset to growing membership and advancing our goals.

Also, a heads up!  Watch for the next edition of Pinpoint Magazine.  The McWilliam family will be featured along with a mention of Nicole as our youngest and very involved Garden Club member.

Best regards, Ellen Jones and Bonnie Buhl