Sherwood Forest Garden Club Meeting - October 15, 2002

Meeting Notes:

• Laurie Schwarz led off the meeting with introduction of a new member -- Ann Foster Marriner.

• Sandra Collins provided the inspiration which focused on two favorite fall flowers, chrysanthemums and pansies. Chrysanthemum comes from a Greek word for gold. Pansy is taken from the French word, pense, which means thought. The pansy supposedly caused Titania to fall in love in the Midsummer's night dream. Pansies can also help to insure the love of your sweetheart.

• Dru Fender supplied the following gardening tips which were read by Carroll Charlesworth:
  • Good news - This is probably the last time you will need to cut the grass for the winter. Now is a good time to have your lawn mower and all other power tools services.
  • Remove annuals and begin planting spring bulbs (tulips, hyacinths, crocus, daffodil, etc.)
  • Rake leaves and add to compost pile or use as mulch around tender plants.
  • After the leaves have dropped off of the trees (is this going to happen this year?), it is a good time to transplant or plant trees and shrubs.

• Carroll Charlesworth then provided suggestions for gardening books to read on a rainy day:
  • Mrs. Green Thumb's - How I Turned a Boring Yard into a Glorious Garden and How You Can Too by Cassandra Danz
  • Passalong Plants by Steve Bender and Felder Rushing
  • The Natural Shade Garden by Ken Druse
  You can save money by buying these books used through www.amazon.com.

• Helen Wright asked everyone to sign the Thanksgiving cards if they had not already done so.

• Grace Quinn read the minutes and they were accepted.

• Grace Quinn provided an update on the recent Home and Garden Tour. There were 292 tickets sold and the net profit was $2,860 which was donated to the Sherwood Forest Foundation. Cindy Jeness summarized the process for funding projects. According to Mike Smith, the Foundation accepts funds and holds the money until funding is requested by the Civic Association. To date, no projects have been submitted for funding. So, technically speaking, there is no "Island Fund". There was a feeling that not using the money to improve the islands would be inappropriate. Therefore, it was agreed that Cindy Jeness would propose the following motion at the next Civic Association meeting:

  "The money raised by the Home and Garden Tour 2002 will be used for the beautification of existing islands in Sherwood Forest."

  The vote on this motion to bring a motion was unanimous.

  Will there be another Home and Garden Tour? The recommendation from the current board is that the next Home and Garden Tour be conducted in Spring, 2004.

• Helen Wright explained the procedure with regard to the Thanksgiving baskets. The baskets will be put together at the next meeting at Leslie Gonyea's house. Bring several pieces of fruit or packets of cider mix. In addition to the baskets for the shut-ins, there will be a large basket constructed for our Fire Department (176 10th Street). This basket will be decorated with American flags. Helen also discussed some issue with absentee ballots and the high cost of postage ($.83). Everyone should try to vote.

• Because the only monetary change in the treasury was the addition of $1.96 interest, there was no treasurer's report.

• Laurie Schwarz then brought up the following new business:
  • The next meeting of the Fulton Federation of Garden Clubs will be 10:00 AM on November 11 at Hastings. This meeting focuses on Holiday decorations.
  • On November 3, Trees Atlanta is sponsoring a "Walk with Erica Glasner".
  • The Atlanta Botannical Garden has several educational programs and a scarecrow festival.

• Marylou Foley announced that the Bag Envy group will be back again on Thursday, November 14 from 5:30 to 9:00 PM at the Foley house. Come and join the party.

• Door prizes were awarded.

• Susan Dallen introduced those who provided flower arrangements for the meeting:
  • Anza Robinson - Showed wreaths made with both il'agnes and grape vines. She also showed a beautiful rose arrangement.

  • Sharon Pauli's theme was "Outdoor Living". She arranged the following outdoor plants in a bucket:
    • Silver and Gold Plant
    • Holy Flax
    • Red Giant Mustard
    • Red Russian Kale
    • Swiss Chard
    • Plantato - Poke Salad Weed

  • Susan Dallen showed the 2 arrangements provided by Leslie Gonyea who was unable to attend. This included an interesting Chrysanthemum arrangement.

  • Laurie Schwarz had the "Favorite Container" theme. She used a crystal bowl which was an anniversary present and multiple rose color napkins,

  • Carroll Charlesworth had the "Greenery" theme.

  • Marylou Foley presented her "5 Minute Arrangement".

  • Susan Dallen demonstrated how to build a pumpkin centerpiece.

• The hostesses for this meeting were:
  • Fritzi Herring
  • Sandra Collins
  • Val Hurt
  • Elaine Kolodkin
  • Anne Richardson
  • Laurie Schwarz
  • Joan Griffin
  • Myrtle Garey