|
|
The Polk County Chapter met on Wednesday, March 27 at the ISU Extension Office. Chris Wendell and Jackie Allsup from the Eastern and Northern Iowa Pond groups presented a session on low tech, low cost, home made tools for working in and around the pond. This is the same presentation they gave to the Story County/Ames Chapter last year. What a pair. Full of ideas and suggestions on ways to minimize effort and cost while maintaining a water garden. And at a price that's right. Thanks to both for this wonderful presentation.
We also held a business meeting:
Membership - we now have a solid core group, but we can do much better. Word of mouth is the best salesman. So get out there and talk it up!
Meeting location and date - Several people volunteered to search out additional meeting locations. We will then set a specific day of the month for each meeting. This will also help attendance.
Future Programs - good programs are always important to attendance. A Program Committee was selected to meet and identify a list of meeting topics for next fall. Also discussed was the number of meetings to be held each year and the logistics of member pond tours this summer. The Program Committee will also study these issues.
Pond Tour - a report on this summer's pond tour was given by several Tour Committee members. We now have at least twelve ponds in East Des Moines, Altoona and Ankeny for this year's Polk County segment. Everyone was asked to volunteer the day of the tour. This is an important part of making the tour a great success and is also a lot of fun.
Several members of the Story County organization were in attendance. Remember Story County members are always welcome at the Polk County meetings. Next months meeting is tentatively set for April 24 at the ISU Extension Office. The meeting topic will be plant division and the variety of plants for the pond.
That's all for now. Doug
The North Iowa Chapter or as may be named "Top of Iowa Water Garden Club" met at the home of Mary and Stan Schultz in Mason City on a not so nice evening of March 7. Jamie Beyer presented a program on Ecology and Balance of a Water Garden - Maintaining the patina of life.
Our next meeting will be held April 15, 2002 at 7:00 p.m. at the Mary and Stan Schultz home at 1881 12th St. N.E. in Mason City (map enclosed). Bring pictures of your water garden or others. We intend to put an official name to our club and get the ball rolling. If you have any questions or comments call Ed Schroeder at 641-923-3512.
All members of the CIWGA are welcome to attend. Bring your friends and whoever you want. It will be a fun time.
