September MHS 2013 - Memphis Horticultural Society

CLIPPINGS
SEPTEMBER 2013
President’s Letter
Clippings
is published monthly by the
Memphis Horticultural Society
PO Box 11665
Memphis, TN 38111
President:
Barry McCalla
Vice President:
Larry Griffin
Secretary:
Barbara Wells
Treasurer:
Bill Ferrell
Immediate Past President:
Ginny Fletcher
Committees:
Floral Arrangements: Donna
Olswing
Historian: Amy Berthoeux
Hospitality: Barbara Gavrock
Membership: Emelia Miekicki, Betty
Griffith, Loretta McCallie
Newsletter: Connie Shepherd,
Sharon Lusk, Emelia Miekicki
Plant Exchange: Tina McWhorter,
Linda Pittman
Programs: Sherri McCalla
Refreshments: Barbara Gavrock
Urban Champion Trees: Laurie
Williams
Ways and Means: Jim Gafford
Webmaster: Barry McCalla
Newsletter Submissions:
[email protected]
No LATER THAN 14th of month prior
to date of newsletter.
The purpose of the Memphis Horticultural Society is to “serve as a
source of information for, and a link between, the horticultural
community and the media, the general public, and future generations.”
Last year we demonstrated that purpose when the MHS donated a
little over $950.00 to the Memphis Botanic Garden. The donation was
applied to purchase an Osakazuki maple, 5700 pounds of Arkansas
fieldstone, and a memorial plaque; all placed in the Japanese Maple
Grove to create the Touliatos Trail in honor of Plato Touliatos.
We demonstrated that purpose again at the general meeting on
Tuesday, August 6th. By unanimous vote of those in attendance, we
agreed to donate $3000.00 dollars to the Memphis Botanic Garden for
the purchase of additional stones for the Touliatos Trail in the Asian
Garden, formerly known as the Japanese Maple Grove.
Sarah and Greg Touliatos donated an additional 50 or so Japanese
Maples along with numerous shrubs, perennials, and bulbs from the
forests of China, Korea, Japan, Taiwan, and the Southern Himalayas.
These were recently planted in the Asian Garden which now creates a
serene, contemplative atmosphere.
The Asian Garden has undergone substantial changes in the past few
months and the ‘Trail’ will soon provide impressive access through the
garden.
Photos illustrating before and after images of the garden have been
loaded to the Memphis Horticultural Society website.
We should be proud of our involvement in the transformation of this
garden.
Thanks
Barry S McCalla
Memphis Botanic Garden Events beginning in September
Farmers’ Market at the Garden. Wednesdays through October 30. 2-6 p.m. Shop from a variety of goods that are locally
grown and produced, including fresh produce, home-baked breads and sweets, honey, artisan items, and more! Memphis
Botanic Garden, 750 Cherry Road. Open to the public.
September 12 OR 13. Basic Floral Design: Fall centerpiece with fresh and dried materials. Thursday 6:30 p.m.-8:00 p.m./
Friday 10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. Join Julie Wilson to create a fresh flower arrangement for your home with interesting foliage
and natural materials. All plant materials, a container, and mechanics will be provided. Bring clippers, a dish towel, and a
box, basket, or bag to carry home. All levels of arrangers can enjoy creating this design. MBG members $40/nonmembers $50. Call 636-4128 for more information or to register.
September 13. Diamonds and Denim-Memphis Botanic Garden’s 60th Anniversary Celebration. 7:30 p.m. Join us for a
party to honor our 60th anniversary and the community that has made it possible! The Diamonds and Denim gala will be
this fall's can't-miss party, featuring live music from 240 Loop, fantastic refreshments, and a DIAMOND GIVEAWAY!
Presented by The Roots at Memphis Botanic Garden. Sponsored by Jeweler’s Choice and Oak Hall. Media sponsors
Q107.5/96X. Tickets $60, available online at memphisbotanicgarden.com/diamondsanddenim. Call 636-4102 for
information.
September 18. Brown Bag: Healthy Trees, Healthy Tennessee. 12:00 p.m. This program is designed for the serious
supporter of the urban forest. Professionals, members of tree boards, and volunteers in urban forestry will appreciate this
program designed to identify serious pest threats of the urban canopy. Bring a sack lunch or order a box lunch from
Fratelli’s Café at the Garden. Free admission. Registration not needed. Call 636-4128 for more information.
September 20. Ikebana ‘Stacked Design with Bamboo’ with Julie Wilson. 1:00 p.m. OR 2:00 p.m. Ikebana is a continuous
and life-long practice of the fine art of Japanese flower arranging. This year we are using 3 members of Ikebana
International, Memphis Bamboo Chapter #44 to teach the classes. We represent 4 different schools, have taken lessons for
more than 25 years and continue to study ourselves. Interested people should feel free to take any lesson, at any time and
begin this rewarding practice. Ikebana classes are held on the 3rd Friday at the Botanic Garden Horticulture Center. The
same class is offered at 1:00 and 2:00 pm, please choose one. No experience necessary. Pre-registration is due by the
Monday prior to Friday’s class (refunds only granted prior to then). Class fee $15. Students need to provide a container,
kenzan, floral snips, and towel. Flowers are provided. For more information or to register contact Jo Ann Boone,
[email protected] or call 901-854-6323.
September 27 & 28. Memphis Garden Show & Fall Plant Sale. 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Join us for a celebration of MidSouth gardening, guaranteed to guide and inspire you to create a dream landscape all your own! Shop the Garden
Marketplace and talk with gardening experts on the latest products and equipment. Purchase annuals, perennials, trees, and
more at our Fall Plant Sale. Admission to the two-day Marketplace & Plant Sale is free. Call 636-4100 for information.
August Meeting Refreshments, Flower Arrangement, and Food Book Winners:
Thank you to our members who brought refreshments: Barbara Bounds, Nancy Davis, Carolyn Evans, Tom
Colturi, Vicki Duggins, Barbara Gavrock, Paul Little, Cheryl Lockhart, Jeannine Melkent, Betty Nolan, Linda
Pittman, Marie Ricossa, Katy Terrell, Rosa Wooddy
Winner of Food Book: Nancy Davis
Winner of Flower Arrangement: Bill Jacobi
HORTICULTURE SOCIETY
BOARD MEETING, JULY 10th, 2013 Horticulture Board meeting called to order at 5:30 pm by Barry McCalla.
Six members present: Barry McCalla, Ginny Fletcher, Jim Gafford, Bill Ferrell, Connie Shepherd and
Barbara Wells
Quorum requirements met for July.
REPORTS:
No minutes for May and June.
Treasurer’s April balance - $$4,224.48
CD changed to Money market account at Landmark Community Bank $27,456.20 (earns $10 to $15
each month)
Annual reports filed with IRS and TN state
Noted that MHS received validation of 501(c)3 status
Membership – 75 attended July meeting including 3 new members
Program – Four more months – speakers to be listed – Cost unknown
Secretary – nothing for May and June
Old Business: Review and update of Constitution/By Laws –
Committee chaired by Ginny Fletcher (including board and non-board members) will review/
recommend updated versions
New Business: Betty Griffith will help with mailing of newsletter but cannot chair the committee - research for new chair (board members to print/fold/mail out this months’ newsletter.
Newsletter: Connie Shepherd – submissions for newsletter must be in by 14th of month, completed
newsletter must be mailed to printer by 21st – Ginny will help with proofing - Connie will email
corporate and other individuals requesting flyers(which they will print and provide) be included in the
newsletter - Connie Shepherd [email protected] 901 238-0198
Asian Garden Proposal
Chris Cosby presented a proposal for the Asian Garden for a request of $2,000 – board members
walked thru the garden area and Chris identified what the garden will look like after renovation. Touliatos’ trail is included in the proposed Asian garden. The Hort Soc approved expenditures of
$2,000 tree trail/stones in 2011 for Touliatos’ trail - actual cost was $958. Concern expressed by
board members that Touliatos’ trail signage will not be highlighted and may be lost during this
renovation. Suggestion that the new sign includes information about Touliatos’ trail and identification
of contributors for the Asian/Touliatos garden. Bill Ferrell moved that the Hort Soc provide $2000 for
Asian garden if the general Hort membership votes yes for the Hort society’s contribution to the
garden. Motion was approved. Also Barry will present the information via the newsletter to Hort
membership about the Asian/Touliatos garden renovation in the newsletter. Membership will vote on
the proposal in the Aug meeting.
Nomination Committee: Ginny Fletcher will assist the nominating committee to obtain a slate of
individuals to be presented for vote during the September 3rd meeting. The committee list will be
announced in August meeting
Announcements: none
Meeting adjourned: 7:50 pm
The Plant in Me
Some days I am a Weed, some days I am a Rose, some days I am Clover in the fields.
For the most part weeds are looked upon as bad things, but they serve a very
useful purpose and have some good qualities. They are tough, they are survivors of
the most horrendous conditions, and they offer themselves up as sacrifices to attract
critters that can harm the weaker, less resilient life forms surrounding them. Above
all, they are persistent and that is not always a bad thing. Persistence is something
that most living entities don’t have anymore. While most living things have to be
pampered and thrive only in the most perfect conditions, weeds can survive and
thrive and come back for more, regardless of how hard and harsh the methods used
to get rid of them. They will be back, but they won’t hold a grudge, they will simply
continue to do what they were put on this earth to do. Some days being a Weed is a
good thing.
While Roses are known for their beauty and alluring scent, they can also be
prickly when approached in the wrong way. They are alluring, but come with hidden
dangers. If handled properly, they bring joy to the senses, if handled incorrectly they
can bring blood. It is all about knowing how to handle them without getting on their
prickly side.
Ahh, Clover in the fields….beautiful, useful, and one of the most important
elements on earth. Clover’s beauty is not overwhelming, it is simple, and it is
undeniable. A field full of clover is a treasure trove to the eyes and brings peace to
the heart. It attracts creatures that are essential to the life of all those around them. It
spreads its own life giving essence by attaching a part of itself to the visitors that
come close enough to not just admire it, but close enough to let it touch them. It
allows the visitors to take a small part of themselves away with them when they leave,
allowing the essence of its being to be spread to others. While the clover may not last
very long, it lasts long enough to spread the gift of life by those drawn into its realm.
We are all connected to everything that surrounds us and sometimes we
become what we allow to surround our lives. You can’t go wrong being surrounded by
garden life, because each and every plant has something to offer that will better your
life.
Weed, Rose, or Clover…my choice
Kay Little
Here is the Horticulture treasurerʼs report :
Previous balance 7-16-2013 $ 3,650.94
Deposits: Membership dues + 65.00
Expenses:
Printing:
Newsletter inserts $ 119.86
Membership directory 453.30 - 573.16
Ending balance $ 3,142.78
Harvest Days to be held at the Memphis Zoo
on September 28-29 (Saturday and Sunday).
This is an event that provides visitors a glimpse
into the farmer’s harvest. There will be cotton,
sorghum, ferriers, sheep shearers, GrowMemphis,
Bird Man Robert Gourley, Metal Museum
displaying blacksmithing, BassPro Shop
showcasing their fly fishing equipment. We have
canners, cloggers, crafters, and tatters. Master
Gardeners will be instructing visitors about
butterfly and hummingbird plants they can grow
in their own yards. We’ll have tractors on display
for kids to climb on. Please come visit “Once
Upon A Farm” to see everything there is to see.
If you have questions, please contact the Memphis
Zoo for further information. Enjoy your day at the
Memphis Zoo.
Our speaker David Vaughn in Senegal,
Africa. He is planting Moringa which he will
explain how it will aid the African diet.
September Speaker Information
Our September speaker is David Vaughan. David served
with the Peace Corps in Senegal and learned a number of
gardening techniques that he incorporates in his weekend
duties at Memphis Botanic Garden’s ‘My Big Backyard’.
On weekdays, he can be found at New Hope Christian
Academy at 3000 University in Frayser, where he’s helping students develop an Earth-friendly garden
that produces food as well as flowers.
David will provide a presentation that covers all things
Moringa, particularly the potential it has for preventing
malnutrition in parts of Africa. He'll use his experience
in Senegal as a background for the presentation, but
the focus will be on the Moringa tree.