Monthly Meeting Minutes
June 2007
Regular Monthly Meeting of Llano Master Gardeners
Thursday, June 15; 10:30 a.m.
Home of Linda Onan
9 members, 2 guests
Linda Onan, presenter
After gathering at 10:00 a.m. at the Extension Office in Llano, the members from Llano car pooled to the lovely home of Linda Onan. At 10:30 she met the group in front of her home. After greetings and introductions were completed, Linda Onan took the group on a tour of her front yard. She identified the plants and gave characteristics of each. Then the group followed her down the path to the backyard and her fish pond. After everyone had an opportunity to admire the work and artistry that was put in the pond, Linda gave a presentation on ponds.
The most repeated advice she gave was to read and educate yourself as much as you can about ponds before putting one in. However, she emphasized the fact they were certainly worth all the knowledge, work and expense of building one. She stated the minimum size should be 50 square feet. They are best between 18 and 30 inches deep. Plants should cover 60-75% of the surface. She also said the plants were expensive but they propagated easily. She informed the group about plants safe for planting and ones to avoid. She told how to plant water lilies. She called the falling water a bird magnet and expressed the enjoyment of attracting the birds and wildlife to the pond.
After the presentation on ponds, the group enjoyed a stroll down the hill to see a huge oak tree the Onans had found on their property. Linda Onan informed the group the trail that the members were walking on was an old road used by local landowners to get their grain to Mormon Mill. The road had long ago been abandoned as a right of way.
After returning to the house, the group enjoyed tea, water and brownies inside Linda’s lovely Spanish design house. Then Sandy Shaw started the business meeting, by stating a treasurer was needed since Robert Yantis had resigned to join another group. Gail Johnson nominated Dwight Bonner to serve out his term. The nomination was seconded and a vote called. Dwight Bonner was elected by all the members.
Then Sandy stated a Publicity Chairperson was needed and asked if anyone wanted to serve in that capacity. No one responded so the group was asked to consider it for the next meeting.
Sandy Shaw, president, told the assembled what she had learned about tee shirts. They could be obtained from Terri’s Tee for $7.50 each. There was a one time $30.00 charge for any changes to art/designs that are presently available. She asked if we would like the Texas Master Gardener logo on the front. Everyone liked that but some wanted the words “Llano County” to appear somewhere on the tee shirt. A member was wearing one from HLMG and it had “Dig It” and a shovel on the back. Most members did not want that on their tee shirts. There was a discussion of the color and design. It was suggested by Lillie Baker to charge $10.00 for the tee shirts and use the $2.50 earned on each tee to pay for the design change. The group agreed to the idea. The design was not agreed on other than to have Llano Master Gardeners appear somewhere on the shirt. A sheet of paper was passed and everyone wrote their size and color choice.
Lillie Baker passed around a list of who would provide refreshments when. She made the list alphabetically so she has July. She also matched each member of the class of 2005 with a member of class of 2006. Because many of the people who live in Llano County have not attended a Llano Master Gardening meeting in Llano County, it is not certain who from that 2006 class will join this group. Therefore the list may need revising.
Sandy Shaw told the assembled she had reserved the American Legion Hall for March, 2007, for the Llano Lawn and Garden Show. She also stated some vendors who had not come in 2006 would come in 2007. Some did not know they could sell their merchandise.
Sandy Shaw informed the group she had spoken with Patsy Parker about reworking the flower beds of the Historical Museum. Ms. Parker was excited about the prospect of having them reworked. Sandy also spoke with Sarah Franklin from the Main Street Project. Sarah Franklin stated the “Pocket Park” between the walkway and bridge needed attention. She was concerned who would pay for the materials and plants.
The “Old Red Top” jail is another project that Sandy investigated. They want the LMGers to revitalize the grounds. Sandy asked for a committee to make a plan by October 1 to present the curator. David Bonner and Eva Whipple volunteered.
Elaine McCall stated she would like to take on the project of improving the flowerbeds around the County Clerk’s office, the Old Library, on the square. She was seeking help in how to get permission. She felt that was a very public place and seen by many visitors. Sandy stated the Llano Master Gardeners were having an impact on Llano. She is being recognized as the “Master Gardener” when she is introduced in Llano.
Sandy reminded the group about the Extension Banquet on August 29th at 6:30 p.m. at the American Legion Hall. Someone would be speaking about the Master Gardeners at the banquet.
It was announced that Lillie Baker and Todd Swift, Llano County Agent, would work to get the newsletter and the minutes of the meetings on the Llano County Agent’s website. It was announced the newsletter would be coming out the first week of July, so all articles and input needs to be turned in.
The July 20th meeting will be at 5:30 p.m. at the Extension Office. Timi Debusk will give a program on Container Gardening. September and October meeting have programs scheduled. Julie Woodall, Program Director, asked for suggestions for the August meeting and November meeting. She requested everyone to keep their eyes and ears open to possible speakers.
The meeting adjourned.
Respectfully submitted by;
Lillie Baker, Secretary
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