Monthly Meeting Minutes

With 22 members present, the meeting was called to order by President Dan Sokoloski at 9:03 A.M.

Treasurer Linda Lemieux reported that the balance as of the end of the month is $13,395.82. Most of this comes from the plant sale and Gardening by the Month. The plant sale yielded $8,703.41.

Charlie Spencer: The next plant sale is scheduled for May 26, 27, and 28. The Coastal Gardening Symposium is scheduled for May 13. The cost is $15.00. Jim Meyer will head up the Talking Tree Trail. Request for funds for this project has been submitted. Two Eagle Scout candidates will be working on the Trail as a service requirement for promotion to Eagle Scout. We are entering the busy season for the Hot Line. Volunteers are needed to tend the phone. Brochures are being considered for the Botanical Garden and the Talking Tree Trail. The Botanical Garden continues to the expanded as funds become available. It is important that the membership be kept advised of the progress of the Tree Trail and the Botanical Garden. Day on the Farm, originally scheduled for three days, has been reduced to one day due to cancellations by some of the schools.

David Barkley: Final plans for trip to Airlie Gardens and the Arboretum in Wilmington were made. Chuck Friedrich, who was scheduled to be with us for the May meeting has had to cancel. He will reschedule his visit. May 10 (pending) Plant Clinic Update by NC State University. Other clinics are scheduled for June 14 and August 9. Recognition banquet is scheduled for June 23. Maintenance of the Botanical Garden was discussed at length. Details to be worked out.

Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman: The next State Association Board meeting will be Tuesday, May 3 at the Arboretum in Raleigh. It is open to all master gardeners. The 2005 conference will be October 28 and 29, hosted by Wayne County Master Gardener Volunteers.

Chappy Jones: Brookgreen Gardens trip was not well attended. For future trips, especially overnighters, those who wish to go should take the initiative and contact Chappy directly. It is very difficult to plan these trips. The next planned trip is to the Day Lilly Farm. Information will be forthcoming.

Last comment by the president: The newsletter is out of sequence with events. There is a time gap between the newsletter and the time events occur. This will be discussed at the next board meeting. Comments of the membership are welcome.

Charlie informed the meeting that Al Powell successfully underwent back surgery and is recovering nicely.

The meeting was adjourned at 9:55 AM.

Repectfully submitted
Richard Boland, Recording Secretary