Et cetera : Vinton Garden Club discusses best trees during monthly meeting

The Vinton Garden Club member of National Garden Clubs, Inc., District II, and Central Region met 11:30am March 26, 2014 at Vinton Family Restaurant for lunch with Cam Wood as hostess.

After lunch we went to Cam’s home for the meeting and program on, “What are the best trees to plant?” by Jeff Schadle, Vinton Conservation Lead Person. Jeff spoke of the trees that were replaced due to disease or damage along with the amount of trees that his crew keeps trimmed along the right of ways. Jeff also spoke of some of the best trees that can be planted in this area noting which trees provide shade, beauty or habitat.

President Fran Stueck called the meeting to order at 2:20 pm. Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the Conservation Pledge. Ten members answered the roll call “What’s your Favorite Tree?”

Secretary, Kelly Kaut, read the minutes, they were approved as read. Treasurer, Joyce Bratton, gave the treasurer’s report. Cam Wood and Anne Dake audited the Treasurer’s Book and reported that everything was correct.

Correspondence - Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation invitation April 12th to volunteer at Quigley-Slattery Heritage Prairie in Winthrop from 9:00 am to 12:00 pm to help clean up prairie. Green Scene Plant Sale Saturday May 10th at Waterloo. Thank you from the family members of Nadine Wright, who passed away March 4th.

Committee Reports - Photography and publicity - news put in paper and on Vinton Today. Flower Show - members Kelly Kaut, Joyce Bratten, Fran Stueck, and members of Van Horne Floralia Garden Club, Winifred Nolan, Carla Albertsen, and Evelyn Petersen met at the home of Fran Stueck on March 12th and planned the Flower Show schedule for the Fair. The title of the show is “Summer Happenings”. Garden Therapy - at Cedar Valley Ranch Tuesday, April 8th at 9:00 am, planting seeds with the residents.

Unfinished business - The local Smokey Bear poster contest local winners were: First Grade - 1st Kira Jacobs, 2nd Kiley Fiser, 3rd Mia Jacobs. Second Grade - 1st Sophia Vasquez, 2nd Madison Miller, 3rd Aliza Brummer. Third Grade - 1st Toria Schoch, 2nd Lizzie Noe, 3rd Ashlie Meyer. Fourth Grade - 1st Emma Miller, 2nd Chase Rippel, 3rd Kinsley Kurth, Fifth Grade - 1st Chloe Tharp, 2nd Brynn Johnson, 3rd Aza Swayzer.

Two members Rita Glime and Fran Stueck attended the Garden Symposium in Waterloo March 1st. They had five interesting speakers on perennials and shrubs, shade gardening, curb appeal, ways to live with deer in your yard and Buck Roses.

President Fran Stueck reported on the tree for Arbor Day April 25th. The Parks can use any tree we want to give whether it’s a shade or flowering tree. Fran Stueck and Anne Dake will choose the tree from Frazier Nursery, Vinton.

Anne Dake thanked us all for the cards, they really brightened up her day.

New business - President Fran Stueck appointed Anne Dake Card Chairman. Judges workshop will meet April 21st at the Ray House. Bring ways and means. Fran reported on the Benton County Master Gardeners Extravaganza Saturday May 10th at Atkins School, costs $20 if you do the early registration, postmarked by May 2nd, this includes making a Vertical Succulent Garden. Brochures for the event were given to members.

Fran checked on a book to put in the library in Nadine Wright’s memory. The Library is in need of a Hosta book and Hostas were one of the flowers Nadine grew by her home.

In the Country at Quasqueton is having workshops on Saturdays the month of April.

Invitation to District II meeting in Monticello, Friday May 23rd. Members are asked to bring ways and means which goes to District II. Fran passed around a sign up sheet.

Be thinking of plants to dig for our 31st Annual Plant and Bake Sale, Friday May 16th at the Fairgrounds.

The next meeting will be April 30th at 12:00 pm at Luanna Hawkins home with Luanna Hawkins and Anne Dake as hostesses. Please remember to RSVP.

Fran thanked Cam Wood for being the hostess. Meeting adjourned.