Monthly Meeting Minutes

The meeting was called to order by President Richard Boland at 9:03. There were 42 in attendance plus visiting MG's from the new MG class. Thanks to Jan Denney and Carol Wilson for refreshments.

The minutes of February 22 were read and received as information with the correction of the spelling of Peter Hertyl's name.

Announcements:
Maggie Hoon is now in Brunswick Cove Rehabilitation Center.
Becky Dus has volunteered to be the new Social Chairman.

Officer Reports:
Treasurer, Al Smith distributed a copy of the monthly balance sheet showing a total of $2,799.45 as of March 21, 2007. Al reminded members to submit receipts for reimbursement of refreshments at MG meetings.

Committee Reports:
Automation, Al Smith stated the web calendar has been updated to include all events of the BCMGVA. Anyone wishing to add information should e-mail Joe Loughlin. The web pages are also being updated and if anyone would like to volunteer their help with this see Al or Joe.
Greenhouse, Ash Tyler needs help in pricing plants for the April sale. Ash spoke of the plants available at the sale and asked for suggestions of other plants MG want.
Ash also mentioned that there are 8 juveniles in the restitution program.
Gardens, Hilton Holcomb invited all members to come and enjoy the gardens and also offer some time to maintain them. Work continues in all area of the gardens with many improvements being made.

Coordinator, Charlie Spencer distributed procedures for the Plant Sales. Volunteer hours are 8:-12:30 and 12:30-5:00 for Thursday and Friday. Saturday hours are 8:30-11:30 and 11:30 to quitting time.
Request for volunteers at Kingley Park in Southport for Sunday, April 22 to set up and work a booth at this fair.
Oak Island garden tour on May 20 with rain date of May 27 will also need volunteers to man MG booth.
Spring Fest in Leland will be on April 28. See Charlie if you can volunteer for any of these events.
There will be another pruning seminar at Lockwood Folly with proposed date of April 4.
Charlie had a new evaluation form to be used at seminars which is now being required of all extension centers to more accurately judge the value of programs offered. This is a new requirement directive from NCSTU. This form will be used at the next MG meeting in April so all can become familiar with it before using it in other seminars.

Horticultural Agent, David Barkley will be offering a seminar at the West Brunswick Home and Garden show on “Inquiring Gardeners Want to Know”. Richard Boland and Hilton Holcomb are offering a seminar on “Black Gold for Landscape”.
Another day of volunteering to collect Rain lilies at Sunset Beach will be 3/23.
See David if you wish to join the Advanced Turf grass class. You will need to attend the 3/28 MG class that will review information from the 1st Turf grass class.
The Plant ID class will get the plants labeled in the Botanical garden. This class meets on 3/27, 4/11, 5/7, 6/7 and 6/15. At the May 7 meeting, Dr. Paul Fantz will have an all day review of plants.
The soil test analysis turn around is now approximately 7 weeks.
David displayed a publication featuring the West Brunswick Home and Garden Show having many good articles by Al Hight and David.


David and Al were thanked for all the additional work they did at the Hoon residence where they held a pruning seminar.

MG members were invited to tour the Botanical garden before the guest speaker, Gloria Kidd, spoke on butterfly gardening. The meeting was adjourned following Gloria's presentation.

Respectfully submitted,
Cathie Rod, Recording Secretary