Quail Valley Garden Club

February 2012 Meeting

 Makers of a great meeting . . .

 

Our hostesses, programs and membership come early and get set up to make a pleasant meeting. They also clean up. Pictured is Social Chair Sharon Wright, Suzy Walters, Lynn Ellis and Virginia Moore. Jo Ann Mayhall was also a hostess, but is out front and center to meet and greet so Lynn Ellis,who was not an official hostess, pitched to help clean up.

 Program and running the meeting . . .

 

With a festive Valentine's meeting, President Penny Johnson, Program Chair Barbara Thompson and speaker Ginny Grant were all feathered up for the holiday! Ginny, a Master Gardener, was really a good sport to sub for Shari Grahmann, who has moved to San Antonio.

Her program was on the meaning of flowers, typical flowers blooming during the year, the history of how they are attached to the seasons, some religions influence on holidays and flowers that are associated with a certain month. Ginny showed us pictures . . . and then had Q&A, which turned to many questions about Citrus Trees since the Master Gardeners were about to have their February fruit tree sale. Thanks Ginny, for taking someone else's topic and developing a program around it.

Horticulture

 

Mary Chan pictured in Black & White far right always does a great job of leading horticulture and including our members and guests. From left to right is Malee Samee, Jerre Anne Wagner, Arvada Simpcoe, Patty McKeever, and Marsha Strain with Mary.

Joan Fox (in profile), Sandy's blouse, Sylvia Shultz, Jackie Walker, Barbara Thompson, Nancy Lindsay, Bette Kraus

Sandy Smith brought a Camelia she had "waxed" because it included its stamens (uncommon to this variety), which had never happened before. She is flanked by Gretchen Cockerill on the left and Karen Meier on the right.

   More Arbor Day Celebration Pictures.

On right Paul Weirzbicki and Rose Ann Acosta are flanked by members admiring the new bench in MacNaughton Park.

To read more about this story and see a park map, press here.

 

 

 

Arbor Day

 

 We only expected our trees at our Arbor Day Celebration in MacNaughton Park. . .we were pleasantly surprised to see our bench. In part due to QVGC efforts starting with meeting with the Parks Department last summer, we arrived not only to see our total gift of ten trees tied with red ribbons; but also our park bench, which is handsome, sturdy and the new standard for Memorial Benches in Missouri City. With other residents giving Memorial trees and benches, where the park is completed being grated there are now 43 trees and two park benches--it's all treed up and benched to "Grow Better Community." With others, we can make a big difference in our community.

QVGC Arbor Day and Beautification Chair Rose Ann Acosta and City Forester Paul Wierzbicki did a super job on Arbor Day.

Stop at the Half-way house parking lot at Hampton and West Creek Club, and walk onto the trail. Our bench is the first one! Our trees are fittingly scattered throughout the grove of 43 trees.

This was just a great Valentines surprise we couldn't wait to share!

To learn how to give to the Memorial Tree and Bench program for any park or trail in Missouri City, contact City Forester Paul Wierzbicki at 281 403-8645.

Here's a current drawing of how the MacNaughton Park will look when completed.

 

Press any photo to enlarge it. To see more about Quail Valley Garden Club's February Program, of which Arbor Day was a part, press here.

Arbor Day Proclamation, February 9, 2012 by Rose Ann Acosta

WHEREAS,    In 1872, J. Sterling Morton proposed to the Nebraska Board of Agriculture that a special day be set aside for the planting of trees, and

WHEREAS,    this holiday, called Arbor Day, was first observed with the planting of more than a million trees in Nebraska, and

WHEREAS,    Arbor day is now observed throughtout the nation and the world, and

WHEREAS,     trees can reduce the erosion of our precious topsoil by wind and water, cut heating and cooling costs, moderate the temperature, clean the air, produce oxygen, and provide habitat for wildlife, and

WHEREAS,    trees in our city increase property values, enhance the economic vitality of business areas, and beautify the landscape

WHEREAS,    trees where they are planted, are a source of joy and spirutual renewal,

WE, the Quail Valley Garden Club, in celebration of Arbor Day 2012, plant these eight trees in MacNaughton Park to enhance and beautify our community that these trees may gladden the hearts of all park visitors and promote the well being of this and future generations.

 

January 2012 Meeting

 

 

 We had a strong kick-off program for the new year and Penny and Barbara got the ball rolling.

We unanimously elected the new executive board for 2012-13 of

Barbara Thompson   President
Sharon Wright   Programs
Jo Ann Mayhall  Membership
Judy Belt   Treasurer
Bette Kraus   Recording Sec'y  
Karen Meier  Corresponding Sec'y
Penny Johnson   Parliamentarian

  

Community Service

Members approved a plan by Beautification / Arbor Chair Rose Ann Acosta to spend $1800 on 8 trees and a 6 foot steel park bench with our name for MacNaughton Park.

 

We voted for this year to add $1500 from our opportunities fund to the $3000 budgeted, and for this year to increase scholarship amounts as well as empower the committee to spend or not spend the funds based on criteria met by the candidates. Anne McBride chairs the scholarship committee, but in her absence Janice Scanlan, Parliamentarian and Ways and Means Chair, presented the motion.

 

We welcomed a guest Judy  Pasadyne and two new members: Regina Petrauskas and Mally Samee in the photo above from left to right. As always our hostesses, led by Sharon Wright, Marilyn Ellis, Bette Kraus and Nancy Lindsay supplied a great spread . . . and festive atmosphere that made everyone feel welcomed.

Program

And it was move-the-chairs-out for last minute arrivals and a packed house. Our speaker Gaye Hammond delivered a lively program. She is a down-to-earth, funny and knowledgeable speaker. Past President of the Houston Rose Society Gaye was a driving force behind instigating of an exciting Research program on roses that don't need so much pampering and preening--a plant it and forget it rose. Ultimately the goal is to determine if a rose can receive the Earth Kind designation that has stringent requirements such as hardiness, ability to grow in various soils and climates, being 98% free of the need to spray fungicides and chemincals and once established being drought resistant. 

Truthfully, I think roses are beautiful, but have never been much interested because of the care requirements and need for a lot of sun. I'm glad I attended this program . . . and it brings home to me the value of keeping an open mind . . .I'm also excited that this line of thinking is beginning to be more there norm than what new chemicals can we introduce.

Gaye presented not only the academic study led by Texas A&M and a number of other high reputation universities in 27 states, 4 foreign countries and 13 botantical gardens. A preliminary study of the rose cultivars is being conducted before they ever reach the expensive academic study, which because of its rigor and requirements is very expensive. To the Houston Rose Societies credit, it provides funding (if not all of it) for this study.

Let me say what sold me is the demonstration that has gone on in Farmer's Branch, Texas, between Dallas and Fort Worth and where the Dallas Rose Society now meets. To say that the roses thriving without additional water through last year's drought in that area and the heartiness of the roses, easy care, not spray is very impressive. I'm including a link to this demonstration, but I wish they had the pictures Gaye used showing the tiny sticks of roses planted 8 feet apart in February that were touching by October of the same year and blooming like crazy. Planted in 2008, these roses survived, bloomed and thrived in last year's drought in North Texas. Gaye is having the same success in her own garden--with no spraying for funguses, no heavy watering, dead heading and using organic methods and mulching.

The Farmers Branch garden is the largest Earth-Kind trial in the nation, with 400 plants. That's 100 different cultivars, replicated four times, says Steve George, who heads up the project. He is a professor and horticulturist based in North Dallas with Texas AgriLife Extension Service, an agency of the Texas A&M System. "We're searching for roses that have the potential to be Earth-Kind nationwide," he says. "The beauty of this thing is that when we're done, anyone, anywhere, can have roses."

To learn lots more about Farmer's Branch and Earth-Kind roses, press here. Gaye provided some great handouts, so if you're interested, have the room and 6+ hours sun, ask a member who was there. Warning there are some copy-cats of "Earth-kind Roses" but your first clue, if the rose is grafted, move on to find the real deal. Press Houston Rose Society for where-to-get links and all kinds of good stuff.

Thanks Gaye, for an exciting program and thanks to Shirley Renfrow (center below) for inviting Gaye. Shirley is also a member of the Houston Rose Society as well as long-time member of QVGC. She's pictured with Rose Ann Acosta to the left and Barbara Thompson on the right.

Social

The picture above is Inge-Lise Braswell and Jackie Walker.

Horticulture is a lively time to share in our program. Led by Mary Chan, these pictures speak volumes of how much fun and sharing goes on . . . even if we do get a little excited and talking.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Picture left above clockwise from Nancy's finger: Jerre Ann Wagner, Sharon Wright, Lynn Ellis, Regina Petrauskas, Shirley Renfrow, Jackie Walker, Leader Mary Chan, and Penny Johnson.

Picture right above left to right Bette Kraus, Gretchen Cockerill, Mally Samme, Joan Fox, Nancy Lindsay, Jerre Ann Wagner. (Marilyn Ellis is behind Nancy in the leopard print.)

Picture left below (four central people) Penny Johnson, Judy Belt, Barbara Thompson and Bette Kraus.

 

 

Our next meeting is February 9, same time, same place with Ginny Grant on The Meaning of Flowers. After the meeting we will meet at the Halfway House at East Creek Club and Hampton and celebrate Arbor Day with our latest addition to MacNaughton Park--8 new trees!

 

 Jo Ann Mayhall pictured right will be smiling at the door to greet you.

 

 

 

And here's a picture of me, Janice Scanlan . . . wave if you have read this far or tell me if I've made a mistake, typo or misstatement! janicescanlan@clear.net

Click on images to enlarge them!

 

December 2011 Christmas Party

Fun and festive at Judy Belt's home . . . which is just beautiful!

Hostesses were Judy Belt, Sharon Wright, Jackie Walker, Betty Vickroy-Vanway, Mary Frances Ashmore, Jo Altenburn and  Janice Scanlan.

Pat Hardman spoke on Holiday Bling and brought two examples of making arrangements, tips on how to make, care and store them as well as offered shopping ideas.

We collected money and items for the Fort Bend Women's Shelter, Missouri City Toys for Tots and East Fort Bend Ministeries Food Pantry. Our toys totally wrapped around the Missouri City Tree at the Snowfest lighting ceremony. Penny read some moving statistics about the three groups and their impact on the Fort Bend community.

Joyce Smith brought a lovely Christmas Cactus for Hostess Judy Belt.

 The party is all about fellowship and getting to know others better and "catching up."

Our seated luncheon was beautifully organized by Judy and Sharon. Everyone agrees Judy's house is a great place for a party! Patty McKeever took pictures by table . . .

Marsha Strain, Juanita Ayres, Mary Frances Ashomore, and Sarita Parker below.

 Marilyn Ellis, Cindy Calender, Sydrah Williams, Gretchen Cockerill, Bette Kraus, Joan Fox and Shirley Renfrow below.

Penny Johnson, Judy Belt, Joyce Smith, and Barbara Thompson below.

Jackie Walker, Mary Chan, Betty Vickroy-Vanway and Janice Scanlan below.

Others attending the party (some captured in group photos) were Lynn Ellis, Karen Meier, Nancy Lindsay, Jo Altenbern, Sandy Smith and Diane Peyton.

It was a wonderful party, with great food and conversation!

Thank you Patty for the photos.

 

November 2011 Meeting and Tree Dedication

Paul Wierzbicki, Missouri City Forrester was our speaker. He talked about the challenges of the drought, that he anticipated the climate becoming more extreme and the efforts to preserve and replace our trees that succumbed to the drought. Our meeting culminated with a dedication of the Edible Arbor Trail on Oyster Creek.

We are very proud of our contribution to the Edible Arbor Trail of ten Golden Figs from the net proceeds of our QVGC Backyard Tour.

At the meeting, Founding President Patsy Armbruster gave us a talk about two years after our beginning in 1972, we planted our first five trees at the Richmond State School and how we have contributed to the tree canopy in Fort Bend and throughout Missouri City. Ridgeview Park has 37 trees we have planted, many at very nice maturity.

In addition to Paul Weirzbicki, Shane Mize, MC Recreation Superintendent who will be running the new MC Recreation Facility on Cypress Point and Cartwright, attended the meeting.

 

Hostesses for the meeting were Sharon Wright, Rose Ann Acosta, Penny Johnson, Mary Francis Ashmore, and Jo Altenbern. Gretchen Cockerill is not pictured.

For more photos and a story about the Edible Arbor dedication that appeared in the Fort Bend Independent, please press here.

Patty McKeever will be taking over more of the photography. Here is a picture of her "stalking" her next shot at the Edible Arbor Trail Dedication.