Et cetera : Vinton Garden Club members tour Waterloo Arboretum

The Vinton Garden Club, member of National Garden Clubs, Inc., District II, and Central Region met at 8:15 am August 27th, 2014 to tour the Cedar Valley Arboretum in Waterloo, with Sharen Stueck as hostess. After our tour we held the meeting in the Welcome Center at the Arboretum then went for lunch at Lone Star Steak House. It turned out to be a nice day to take the tour.

President Fran Stueck called the meeting to order at 10:40 am. Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the conservation pledge. Six members answered the roll call “what did you like in the gardens?”

The secretary read the minutes and they were approved as read. Treasurer’s report was given. Bills were presented and approved.

Correspondence - Thank you from Dave Glime for our memorial hosta book put in library. Thank you from Duane Randall of Vinton Parks and Recreation for all the plantings we do around town.

Committee reports - Photography and Publicity - news put in paper and on Vinton Today. Membership - Susie Hansen. Garden Therapy - Sharen Stueck and Kelly Kaut July therapy.

Unfinished business - Therapy at the Lutheran Home July 8th. Members brought buckets of various flowers for the residents to use. The lilies seem to be hit when residents started making their designs. There were 20 residents that came out and made 45 designs so all the residents had one for their room. It was a very rewarding afternoon hearing them talk about flowers they used to grow some of the varieties that had been brought that day by members. Members helping were Cam Wood, Fran Stueck, Sharen Stueck, Joyce Bratten, Kelly Kaut, Dawn Kaut, Allie and Wyatt Kaut.

The flower show was again a big success. The horticulture tables were overflowing with specimens. Fran thanked everyone that helped and exhibited. It takes everyone to make the show a success.

Fran will be attending the Central Region meeting in Minneapolis, MN October 9th to 11th.

Frazier Nursery of Vinton replanted the tree about a month ago and it has new leaves.

New business - On August 14th Kelly, Joyce, Sharen, Anne and Fran weeded, deadheaded and tied up sedum at Schrebring’s garden, Blue Star marker and perennial bed at Tilford Outdoor Classroom. We also dug up iris and separated them to get rid of the dandelions, then replanted the bigger rhizomes. Fran thanked the 5 members for staying on the job until everything was done.

Fran appointed Joyce, Sharen and Kelly on the nominating committee.

Therapy at Windsor Manor Tuesday, September 16th. Members are to bring garden flowers and greens for the residents to make designs for each room.

Fran reminded members to be thinking of programs or tours they would like to hear or see next year. Luanna Hawkins volunteered to be co-chairman of the Flower Show in 2015.

Fran will take the Smokey Bear and Woodsy Owl contest rules to grade schools soon.

The next meeting will be September 24th. Fran will be the hostess and program on the “Migration of the Monarch” by Karen Phelps.

Anyone interested in joining the Vinton Garden Club please contact Fran Stueck at 472-3032.