News : Vinton Garden Club January 28, 2015

The Vinton Garden Club member of National Garden Clubs, Inc., District II and Central Region met at 1:00 pm. January 28, 2015 at the home of Dawn Kaut. The program was on environmental clean air from the nuclear energy plant at Palo, IA. The speaker was John Karrick.

After the program, the president Fran Stueck called the club meeting to order at 1:50 pm. Members recited the Pledge of Allegiance and the Conservation Pledge.

The new secretary, treasurer and vice president were assigned their new duties

Twelve members and one guest answered roll call by telling what was their favorite plant that they were enjoying through the winter months.

Secretary Joyce Bratten read the minutes from the December meeting. Treasurer Sharen Stueck gave the treasurers report. Fran had a bill for Smokey Bear/Woods Owl contest. Sharen then wrote a check for the clubs state dues, for Horticulture Scholarship, and for Landscape Design Scholarship.

Susie Hansen made the motion to pay the bills and it was seconded by LuAnna Hawkins. It was approved. There was no more questions on treasurers report so it will be filed for audit.

The treasurers books are audited each year and at the end of 2014 Sharen Stueck and LuAnna Hawkins had them audited. Books were AOK.

Fran had received the transcript and spring 2014 class schedule for our scholarship winner, Emily Cashman,

Fran received a letter from Vinton Shellsburg High School about the scholarship that we give each spring to see if we needed to make any changes on it. She confirmed our commitment.

Cards: Anne Daket no cards were sent out last month.

Garden Therapy committee reported on the garden therapy at the Virginia Gay Annex on Dec 3, 2014. We had a good turnout of residents who made 36 small flower arrangements with evergreens and red carnations, which were put in all their rooms.

For Christmas in December club members had a potluck meal and each member brought articles of winter clothing for the children in the schools, etc hats, mittens scarves, sweatpants. The schools really appreciate them. Fran and Dawn delivered them to the schools.

Fran told the club members to keep these dates open for the State Meeting for garden clubs of Iowa will be held June 18-19, 2015 at the Sheraton (downtown) Iowa City, IA.

The Central Region Meeting for all the garden clubs will be October 3-5, 2015 in Kirkwood Hotel in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We are to help at the meeting.

Fran reported on Buchanan County Master Gardener Symposium, it will be held February 28, 2015 from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm at the First Presbyterian Church in Independence, IA. Preregistration is $30.00 due Feb. 1st or $35.00 at the door.

Fran reported on the Benton County Master Gardeners Extravaganza will be held April 18, 2015 at the Skating Rink in Vinton, IA. From 8:15 am-3:00pm. Cost will be $35.00. Speakers will be Mark Pigenot, Wanda Lunn, Scott Hansen, keynote speakers will be Rita Minard on clematis and Aaron Stiel on buck roses and other hardy roses for Iowa.

Fran said the clubs new yearbooks will be done and handed out at our February 25th meeting which will be held at Sharen Stueck home.

The new guest JoEllen Krug decided to join the club. Welcome JoEllen.

Fran thanked Dawn for the dessert and for being the hostess.

Meeting was adjourned

Respectfully

Secretary Joyce Bratten