Minutes
District X Meeting
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Approved on ________________________
PRESENT: Judy Bergstrom, Co-President, Community GC of Liberty; Lorraine Booth, Historian; Carol Comando,
Recording Secretary; Heidi Buchholz, District Treasurer; Michele Farr, Membership Chair; Linda Fay, President, Warwick
Valley Gardeners; Marian Fries, Co-President, Community GC of Liberty; Elaine Heinsman, Youth Chair; Melanie Lanc, CoPresident, Garden Lovers’ GC; Ellie Loughlin, Co-Director; Jane Madis, Assistant Director; Sally Mattausch, Internet Chair;
Ann Muller, Finance Chair; Jeanne T. Nelson, Bylaws & Parliamentarian; Mary Pohlman, Garden Therapy Chair; Cheryl
Porada, Co-President, Garden Lovers’ GC; Patricia Reineke, Hospitality & Protocol Chair; Alberta Rosiak, Life
Membership; Diane Schliphack, Co-Director; Faye Schuerholz, Corresponding Secretary; Margaret Vatter, President,
Cornwall GC; Gretel Walker, Horticulture Chair
ABSENT: Ann Bloom, Awards Chair; Barbara Bonforte, Co-President, Roscoe-Rockland GC, Dodie Bracken, Co-President,
Ramapo Valley GC; Helen Delargy, President, Clarkstown GC; Mary Jane Gisselbrecht, Judges Council and National
Gardener Chair; Kathy Gorman, Co-President, Ramapo Valley GC; Andrea Hamburger, Publicity Chair; Cynthia Redden,
President, Artful Gardeners GC
GUESTS: Marge Zinger, Roscoe-Rockland GC; Mary Johnston Austin, Roscoe-Rockland GC
CALL TO ORDER – at 10:01 AM by Co-Director Ellie Loughlin, in the Kosuga Classroom at Orange County Arboretum. Ellie
welcomed board members and guests in attendance and wished everyone a happy New Year and a good year for
everyone and their clubs. Ellie also thanked the Roscoe-Rockland GC for today’s coffee, tea and pastries.
RECORDING SECRETARY’S REPORT – Carol Comando reported that copies of the minutes of the October meeting were
emailed to members and also mailed to 3 members without email. Motion by Cheryl Porada, seconded by Patricia
Reineke, to accept the minutes subject to correcting the attendance and the treasurer’s report, was approved.
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY’S REPORT – Faye Scheurholz reported that a think you note was sent to the Warwick
Valley Gardeners for the fall luncheon. One get well card was sent and a note of sympathy was written to the family of
Alice Wojdat during this past quarter. Notices of this meeting were mailed to all members. A thank you was received
from the Wojdat family for the district’s generous donation.
TREASURER’S REPORT – A corrected Treasurer’s Report was submitted by Heidi Buchholz for the period July 1, 2011September 30, 2011 showing disbursements of $1,759.20, leaving a balance of $4,194.30 in checking, $5,362.94 in
savings, a CD due 1/14/12 for $5,270.10, for operating funds totaling $14,827.34. The Flower Show School Scholarship
CD due 2/5/12 had $1,297.95. The minutes of October 12, 2011, will be revised to show these corrections, and the
report will be filed for audit.
Receipts for the quarter 10/1/11-12/31/11 were $90 and disbursements were $231.92, leaving a balance of $4,052.38 in
checking, $5,366.32 in savings, a CD due 1/14/12 for $5,270.10, for operating funds totaling $14,688.80. The Flower
Show School Scholarship CD due 2/5/12 has $1,300.54. Report by Heidi Buchholz. Motion by Jane Madis/Alberta Rosiak
to file the report for audit was approved.
CLUB PRESIDENTS’ QUARTERLY REPORTS:
1. Artful Gardeners – 21 members - Report prepared by Cynthia Redden and read by Ellie Loughlin. In October, many
members learned more about extending the harvest along with a host of other gardening tips while attending the
District X Fall Luncheon. Our monthly meeting was brief as anticipation swelled for our free program on Natural Dyes.
Kathleen Sandt of the National Park Service presented a wonderful lesson on making and using dyes. The program was
two-fold. First Kathleen reviewed the materials collected in nature and how they are prepared in order to dye wool and
other natural materials. She has wonderful slide presentation accompanied by sample materials for the group to see,
touch and smell. Did you know that the vibrant color red is made from a tiny little bug named Cochineal (Dactylopius
coccus) which spends its entire life cycle on one plant, the prickly pear? This was followed by our business meeting, in
order that Kathleen might prepare for the next part of her presentation. Part two was a demonstration of the dye
process. Several samples of yarns and items made with the dyed material were provided, as well as resources.
In November, members cleared garden beds and installed various greens for a wonderful winter display. Our annual
Holiday Wreath Making Workshop that followed our business meeting was a terrific success.
No meeting was held in December, but members took a field trip to Sky Top Lodge in Skytop, PA, delighting in the
imaginative holiday displays including a life size gingerbread house and a myriad of themed Christmas trees. Following
our tour, members enjoyed lunch in one of the hotel’s three dining rooms.
2. Clarkstown Garden Club – 31 Active, 3 Associate members – Report prepared by Helen Delargy and read by Ellie
Loughlin. The October meeting was held at our new meeting location, the Street Community Center, and a local florist,
Brian Dratch of The Flower Shoppe, demonstrated and gave us guidelines for creating our own autumn table top
arrangements. Finished products were raffled.
Our November meeting was held at the New City Library and is one that is always open to the public. Tome and Elyse
Fuller from the Audubon Society explained how to attract bluebirds to our gardens, along with a slideshow of the
increase of bluebirds in the Hudson Valley due to their efforts providing nesting houses.
December was our annual Holiday Brunch held at a new local restaurant, Aqua Terra Grille in Pearl River. Our January
meeting is our election of officers and a planning meeting for the upcoming year. We look forward to an exciting and
successful year.
3.– Community Garden Club of Liberty - 34 Active, 6 Associate, 2 Honorary members – Report by Judy Bergstrom. In
October, Marianna Quartararo, Horticulture Educator from Cornell Cooperative Extension, presented a program about
Winter Gardens. We learned what plants are attractive, even in winter. Our annual Bake and Plant Sale features plants
that are as popular as our cookies and we now offer plant advice to our repeat customers at the hospital. Members did
a lot of work in Woodland Wildings Gardens. A 4-H group helped us mulch and edge and dead-head. Daffodil and
hyacinth bulbs were planted as a memorial Spring Garden for Barbara Hahn’s broth, Richard Lott.
In November, a craft workshop was held at the president’s home to make silver leaves for our annual Christmas tree
celebrating the Sullivan County Museum’s 25th Anniversary. We visited the home and apiaries of beekeeper Charles
Baker and were intrigued by the challenges of keeping bees and their unique lives. Decorating our tree at the museum
certainly put us in a holiday mood. Visitors always look forward to seeing our tree since it is always different. Many
trees gave good tribute to the 25th anniversary.
In December, we held our Garden Therapy Day at the Adult Day Care Center at Catskill Regional Medical Center. We
made orange pomander balls and one gentleman wanted one for “homework”. Our holiday luncheon at Buena Fortuna
was a nice day with 30 members attending. Our monetary holiday gift this year went to WJFF, our local “hydropowered” public radio station that has been so kind to us with advertising.
4. Community Garden Club of Pine Bush – Diane Schliphack reported orally on behalf of club president Renee Steele,
who is in the process of moving out of the district. Ellie Loughlin asked that the corresponding secretary send a card to
Renee thanking her for her service and wishing her well. Diane went on to report that club members enjoyed a design
program in October, learned about terrariums in November, and in December, held a holiday party at a farmhouse,
which is the home of a member.
5. Cornwall Garden Club – 45 Active, 10 Associate, 2 Honorary members – Report by club president Margaret Vatter.
October’s program, “Tabletop Gardens”, was presented by club member Barbara Wexler-Hall, who showed members
how to create indoor dish gardens with moss and small figurines. Many of the creations were donated to Garden
Therapy for the seniors in the community.
“Nature’s Harvest” in November was led by club member Mary Jane Gisselbrecht, who was available for guidance as the
members created arrangements with dried plants supplied by the club and harvested from their own gardens. Members
worked independently or in groups.
December’s ever-popular gathering was at Mountainville Manor for “Snowy Landscapes and Holiday Festivities”,
although the only hint of snow may have been in some of the table arrangements. Members were treated to a video
made for the occasion entitled “Garden Club Spectacular”, showing that some members had a chance to mingle with
some actors including George Clooney and Helen Mirren.
6. Garden Lovers’ Club of Middletown - 71 Active, 6 Associate, 11 Honorary, 12 Lifetime Members – Report by club
president Melanie Lanc. In October, fall cleanup of gardens was undertaken by the following committees: Greenville
Park, Thrall Park and SUNY Orange Gardens. Artistic Crafts workshop topic was “Living Ornaments” where members
created tiny naturescape inside a glass ball which were then entered in the flower show. Garden Therapy was at
Southwinds Adult Day Care to assist residents in creating a pumpkin flower arrangement and a craft. At the club’s
Page 2
business meeting, Master Gardener James Thomas cooked with herbs. The field trip was a walk across the
Poughkeepsie Bridge.
In November, business meeting speaker was Gina Samarotto, National Council Judge and Master Gardener, who
lectured on horticulture and holiday design. At the artistic crafts workshop, members created boxwood trees. A small
standard flower show was held at SUNY Orange Morrison Hall.
In December, members met for the Garden Therapy Holiday Workshop to make wreaths and holiday arrangements for
senior facilities, civic buildings and shut-in members. All members were involved with holiday decorating of the five
rooms at Morrison Hall, SUNY Orange, where the Holiday Tea and business meeting were held.
7. Ramapo Valley Garden Club - Ellie Loughlin read the report prepared by Co-President Kathy Gorman, and reminded
the board that Ramapo is responsible for the spring luncheon which will be held on April 11.
In October, members attended the district fall luncheon hosted by Warwick Valley Gardeners.
In November, the club’s business meeting was followed by a gardening holiday project led by two members. A new
member was added at this time. The club’s Stone Barn excursion has been rescheduled to September 12, 2012. The
horticulture tip was given by Sigrid Koether who reported that athletes foot powder helps prevent bulb plants from
rotting. A floral arrangement created by Cathy Miller, the White House floral designer, was donated to the Suffern
Library to be enjoyed by all who visit. Holiday decorations were scheduled to be put in place at the Suffern Village Hall,
the Suffern Railroad Museum and the Montebello Village Hall. In addition, the civics committee reported that the plants
and rosebush at the municipal Suffern grounds were pruned and trimmed. Following the business meeting, members
adjourned to create their own terrariums.
In December, the holiday luncheon was held at the Tuxedo Country Club. Members were asked to bring non-perishable
goods for distribution by People to People (Past president Phyllis McPherson reported that the 173 lbs of goods were
collected). A brief business meeting was held wherein certificates of excellence were presented to members with 5
years of service: Lydia Caponigro, Linda Ludwig and Mary Ann Johnson; 15 years: Janet Burnet; 25 years: Marilyn
Gambardella; 40 years: Doris Sadowski; 45 years: Jean Gould; and 50 years: Pat Keating. Past president Helen Airo
proposed a future gardening project at the new hospice facility in New City.
8. Roscoe-Rockland Garden Club – 17 Active, 9 Associate members - Report prepared by club president Barbara
Bonforte was read by club member Mary Austin. The club theme for 2011 was “Gardening in Nature”. At each meeting,
information was presented on the NYS flower, fish, tree, bird, insect and fruit. Throughout the year the bylaws
committee worked on updating. Changes were presented twice and were accepted at the December meeting. The club
dedicated their program to a former member with 27 years of past service and contributions, and was also saddened to
lose their president, Alice Wodjat, after a long battle with illness. In October, members visited Sonoma Falls and
enjoyed a tour and observed the making of apple cider.
In November, under the direction of Hillside Florist, members created a Holiday Keepsake Bouquet. All brought canned
foods to donate to the food pantry.
In December, there was a business meeting with Christmas Wreath Fundraiser report and annual Christmas door judging
in Livingston Manor and Roscoe. Throughout the year, members worked on various gardens and community
beautification, conservation and garden therapy. They also maintained showcases displaying garden club projects and
preserved historical documents for visitors and community. 2012 is the 75th year for the club and they hope to
incorporate this theme into their program and spring luncheon.
Following the report, there was a brief discussion about utilizing media technology as part of district meetings.
9. Warwick Valley Gardeners – 65 Active, 2 Associate and 2 Lifetime members – Report by club president Linda Fay. In
October, the club hosted the District X Fall Luncheon at the Warwick Valley Country Club and was thrilled to welcome 78
guests who shared a delightful luncheon and program present by Gar Wang. Garden Therapy members met for fall
flower arranging with the residents at the Mt. Alverno Senior Center. Many members participated in and contributed to
Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk, which was held at Woodbury Commons. Our October program, “Putting
Your Garden to Bed”, was informative and entertaining, and was presented by Master Gardener James Alton Thomas.
This program was open to the public and was followed by our regular meeting. In November, members created
beautiful boxwood kissing balls led by Amy Sliter from Corwin’s Greenhouse in Warwick. For two week during
November, the holiday project committee was hard at work planning, creating and decorating Railroad Green, an
outstanding visual display for the village to enjoy. Also in November, a tree lighting ceremony at the decorated Railroad
Green was followed by a Gardeners’ Gathering at a member’s historic village home.
Page 3
In December, club members and guests enjoyed a festive party together at the Warwick Valley Winery. Also in
December, club members met to decorate the planters for Christmas and share holiday cheer with residents at the Mt.
Alverno Senior Center.
At the conclusion of Club Presidents’ Reports, Ellie Loughlin asked that the presidents use the ideas contained in the
reports of other clubs, and share the programs, trips and resources with the members of their own clubs.
COMMITTEE REPORTS;
Awards – Jeanne Nelson reported on the CAR Perennial Bloom Award, wherein a shrub or tree is planted in honor of an
outstanding member of your club. Jeanne reported that this year’s winner was an 85 year old New Jersey club member.
Jeanne encouraged club presidents to apply for awards for the things they are already doing, and reminded all that a
scholarship for $3500 is awarded annually from FGCNYS.
Birds, Butterflies & Bees – No report.
Bylaws and Parlimentarian – No report.
Calendars – Heidi Buchholz reported that one standard size (5 1/2” x 8 1/2”) Vision of Beauty calendar was available this
year at $6.00 each to clubs. Twenty calendars were ordered at the district’s cost of $5.00 each for a total of $100, and
when all funds are collected from the clubs, a $20 profit will be realized for the district. Receipts to date are $90.
Finance – No report.
Garden Therapy – Mary Pohlman reported orally that she would like club presidents to let her know by email if they
have a garden therapy program. Mary reported that she would be happy to visit clubs to work with them to start a
program. The Garden Therapy Chair can be reached at mvp@sbmsinc.com, (845)258-4958-H, or (845)987-0002-cell.
Historian – Lorraine Booth reported orally that she needs to hear from club presidents about publicity for their events.
Horticulture - Gretel Walker reported that there are only 4 seasons of gardening: 1. Planning the garden, 2. Preparing
the garden, 3. Gardening and 4. Preparing and planning for the next year’s garden. Since we are now in season 4 and
most of the seed catalogs have arrived with all of their eye candy, Gretel advised that it’s time to relax and plan. It pays
to order seeds early to jumpstart the season. The seed packets will have all the information necessary so that you will
know when to start each one. Look at the average number of days for germination and days till transplant time and for
crops that are planted every year. Gretel consults her journal to make sure that her growing conditions in the past have
given similar results. This is one reason why keeping a journal is so important. Ordering from seed catalogs allows you
to grow a far greater variety of plants and at a much lower cost than buying transplants in the early summer. When
reading the seed catalogs, be aware of the terms “self-sowing”, “fast-spreading”, and “tolerates poor soil”. It may be
tempting to use some of these plants for a fast landscape, however, not all of our garden plants behave themselves and
some of these plants can become invasive. One plant, in particular, recently seen in several catalogs, is Bishop’s weed or
Aegopodium polagraria. Supposedly this is a more cultivated variety of Queen Anne’s lace. If you see this plant in a
catalog or nursery, run, don’t walk, away from it. Gretel has had direct experience with this plant and none of it has
been good.
Gretel further advised that since now is also the time to prepare for next year’s garden, it might be fun to start some
perennials. In a recent article in Garden Gate Magazine, there were instructions on how to start perennials in gallon
milk jugs. Cut around the jug about 4 inches from the bottom leaving a couple of inches just under the handle, thus
forming a hinge. Punch several drain holes in the bottom. Fill the jug with moist, not wet, sterile soil to within one inch
of the opening. Plant your seed to the correct depth according to the package directions. Next tape the jug back
together with duct or packaging tape. Make sure that the cap is not on the jug. Place the jug outside where it will get
some sun and rain, and some snow can enter the jug. The alternate freeze-thaw cycles will help break down the seed
coats and allow germination in the spring. After your seeds germinate, the jugs will have to be more closely monitored
by venting them on sunny days. Gretel plans to try and start several varieties of thyme in this way, since most of her
crop was lost last year due to not gardening. Thyme is a very important crop since it supports so many types of
pollinators. Gretel will also try this with annuals such as summer savory, larkspur and annual clary which usually easily
self -sows. When planning the garden, Gretel recommends trying some new combinations. Sylphid celosia, a 3 ft.
chartreuse plume type (Johnny’s seeds) goes very well with Envy and White wedding zinnias (Burpee seeds) and Hulk
aster (available through numerous seed companies), a 2 ft. green aster with a gold center. A new gomphrena called
firewords (Burpee seeds) is a bright pink to fuchsia globe amaranth with gold tips, was very prolific, grew to about 2 ft.,
held up very well in water and also dried well. Combine this with fuchsia wheat celosia with dark burgundy leaves
(Cramer’s amazon), also a very prolific plant which had a long vase life, dried well and grew to about 5 ft.
Page 4
Hospitality & Protocol – Report by Pat Reineke. The hostess schedule for 2012 is as follows: January – Roscoe (coffee),
April 11 – Ramapo (coffee and luncheon), July 11 – Artful Gardeners (coffee)/Directors (luncheon) and October 10 –
Garden Lovers’ (coffee and luncheon).
Internet – Sally Mattausch reported that the following pages have been updated on the district website: District X
Committees: additions and corrections; District X Calendar: addition of 2012 items, removal of old items; District X
Minutes: addition of October 2011 minutes; and District X Album: addition of installation pictures. The website is
available through FGCNYS and is located at www.fgcnys.com. District X site is available from a link on its homepage.
FGCNYS pays for this site. The website is purchased from Intuit.com and powered by Intuit SiteBuilder. If any District X
garden club already has its own website, please submit the URL address to Sally Mattausch so that it can become an
active link on our “District X Clubs” page. If there are any other additions or corrections needed on our website, please
contact Sally at smattausch@aol.com or 845-534-5400. Website “address” stickers were available at this meeting.
Jeanne Nelson advised that she will provide information from FGCNYS password-protected pages.
Judges Council – No report.
Life Membership – Alberta Rosiak reported that there had been no activity during the last quarter.
Membership – Michele Farr reported that there are 352 Active, 38 Associate and 31 Honorary members in District X.
Michele passed out membership lists for each club and asked that the numbers be confirmed in order to get an accurate
report for the printing of the labels for the spring luncheon.
National Gardener –No report.
National Garden Week (June 3) – No report.
Program Consultant – Judy Bergstrom updated an old speaker’s list and distributed copies for each club president.
Publicity –No report.
Ways and Means – See New Business item #1.
World Gardening – Marian Fries reported that six clubs contributed to World Gardening in 2011 for a total of $275. The
DVD Water for Sudan is available for anyone who would like to borrow same.
Yearbooks – Ellie Loughlin reminded club presidents that 17 copies of their yearbooks are due at the April 11 meeting.
Youth – No report.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS –
1. Additional Information on Profit Distribution – In response to the board’s discussion at the October 2011
meeting concerning the types of projects which would be eligible for district funding as a result of the action
taken at the July 2011 district meeting that “District X provide the necessary financial means for programs or
workshops, including all related fees and expenses, for each club in an amount up to $500 during the 2011-2013
term and that programs or workshops are to be open to the public, be related to the purposes of NGC, and
publicity should include that funding is being provided by District X, FGCNYS, Inc.”, Jane Madis reported that she
had researched the distribution of funds by the district and learned that although money may be donated to a
charity as long as that organization meets the objectives of National Garden Clubs, Inc., no funds may inure to an
individual of the organization.
Jeanne Nelson further explained some of the IRS constraints under Section 501 c (3) of the IRS Code relating to
non-profits, as well as the protections offered by the state federation to member clubs.
2. Insurance – Discussion tabled until April meeting.
NEW BUSINESS –
1. Fundraiser for District Clubs – Jeanne Nelson proposed that the district host a fall fashion show, proceeds to be
divided among all district clubs. Each club would participate by assuming one of the responsibilities. Discussion
followed that if the fashion show were to be held in October at the fall luncheon, Garden Lovers’ Club could host
the luncheon portion and the district, the fashion show. Another suggestion was to have the fashion show on a
separate date.
Motion by Faye Schuerholz/Jane Madis that the District X Fall Meeting/Luncheon and Fashion Show be held
on the same day – October 10, 2012 – was approved 18/3/1.
Page 5
Diane Schliphack and Ellie Loughlin will oversee the fashion show portion. Jeanne Nelson advised that the venue
should be able to accommodate 150-175 people, have runway space with risers, that the ticket price should
cover all contingencies, and that every district club should be represented in the fashion show.
2. FGCNYS News –
A. March 27-29, 2012 – Annual Meeting – to be held at the Hilton in Pearl River. Diane Schliphack
distributed registration brochures for the annual meeting and Jeanne Nelson provided a sign-up sheet
for the banquet luncheon, Thursday, March 29, 2012, which will feature Julia Clevett as the afternoon
speaker. The sign-up sheet was subsequently emailed to all district board members for distribution to
their clubs.
B. ‘News’ Online – Garden club presidents are invited to submit a request for an amount of money not
to exceed $317 for a project to benefit an area in NY affected by one of its 2011 Natural Disasters. This
request must be in writing, submitted to the FGCNYS Treasurer by March 1, 2012, and outline the
purpose for which the funds will be used. Distribution will be determined by the FGCNYS Finance
Committee. There was discussion about applying for these funds and donating the money to Farm Aid
in Warwick, or alternatively using the proceeds from the fall fashion show. Jane Madis said she would
research appropriate organizations to receive the funds or they can be sent to FGCNYS to disburse.
3. Nature Conservancy – Ellie Loughlin reported that a request for help has been received from Nature Conservancy in
Ithaca.
4. NGC Convention 2012 – District X has been asked to provide 600-800 items for the hospitality bags which will be
distributed at the convention. Ellie Loughlin advised that the executive board would decide how to provide those items.
5. CAR – Jeanne Nelson advised that butterfly gardens are a way to gain entry into the school system and make contact
with young people, and that the community, the school, the PTA, construction workers, and firemen are all resources
that work very well with garden clubs.
6. Blue Star Memorial Markers – Jeanne Nelson reported that New York State has 15 new markers honoring service
personnel. A marker can be incorporated within a butterfly garden. Seven states are putting together a map which will
make it possible to travel a trail of memorial markers.
7. Funding Award to Cornwall Garden Club – Ellie Loughlin announced that the executive board approved funding in the
amount of $350 to the Cornwall Garden Club for a PowerPoint presentation by Jan Johnson, a landscape design
professional, on Thursday, October 11, 2012, at 1:00 PM in the Cornwall Public Library. The topic will be “Gardens of
Serenity”. The event will be open to the public and advertisements will appear in local newspapers. Other District X
clubs are encouraged to attend.
8. District Calendar – Mary Pohlman and Ellie Loughlin will discuss the possibility of reintroducing the District X
Calendar.
9. Correction to 2011-2013 District X Directory – On page 12, please correct Community GC of Pine Bush President to
read: Ginny Hughes, PO Box 38, Thompson Ridge, NY 10985-0038, (845)361-3760, ginny.hughes@yahoo.com.
ADJOURNMENT – at approximately noon.
Minutes submitted by: Carol Comando, Recording Secretary
NEXT MEETING: WEDNESDAY, APRIL 11, 2012, 9:30 AM TUXEDO COUNTRY CLUB
Page 6