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The Polk County (Capital City) chapter met on April 27 at the Wood Smith store in West Des Moines. Jamie presented his program on dividing pond plants. As usual it was well received and well attended. Lots of new faces and 2 new members as a result. The best part was the free divisions of lotus and water lilies that many took home as door prizes. The only negative on the evening was an extra strong hit to the ax Jamie was using to divide the plants. Oh well its just a little nick in the floor.
This will be our last indoor meeting until fall roles around. We encourage all of our Des Moines area members to attend the plant sale on May 15 and watch for tours of member gardens from June through September. I also want to encourage our members to take a shift at one of the gardens during the tour in July. Please volunteer!
Happy ponding! Doug
The Top of Iowa Water Garden Association met at 7:00 P.M. on Monday, April 19, 2004 in Garner at Ed Schroeder's shop. A large group watched Roy Marquardt give an excellent presentation on how to divide and plant water lilies.
Members voted to present local Fountain of Supporters with a framed certificate of appreciation. Ed and Kathy will purchase and distribute the certificates to Earl May, Becky's Greenhouse in Dougherty, Happy Acres in Osage, and St. Ansgar Greenhouse.
Pat Dall-Winther passed the membership list with dates each members' dues are payable. Members are responsible for contacting Pat and renewing their membership. Membership dues are payable once a year on the anniversary of when you first joined the club. Dues are $25.00 per couple or $15.00 per single. Please contact Pat regarding when your membership needs to be renewed. Once she receives your check, she will send you a membership card good for one year. Pat Dall-Winther, 1349 Cameo Avenue, Nora Springs, IA 50458, 641-749-5420.
Ed passed a sign up sheet for hosting meetings through October, and Kathy Schroeder passed a sign-up sheet for treats. Most of the slots were filled. If you want to participate, please call Kathy. All meetings are open to members and the public.
Pat Dall-Winther passed around brochures about the Cedar Valley Produce Auction. A wholesale produce auction is held each Tues-Fri from 10:00-12:00 or until produce is sold. Anyone who grows produce within a 100 mile radius of Cedar Valley Produce can sell fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers. There are also special events throughout the summer. It is located in Elma, Iowa. For more information call Bryan Zimmerman at 1-866-793-3509.
Ed Schroeder won Izzy for the month. We're sure she will be happy to be home again!
Mary Schultz gave an update on the progress of the pond tour committee.
Date/Day/Time: Saturday, July 31 10:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Rain or Shine
Volunteers: Two volunteers (beside hosts) are needed at each pond from 10:00-5:00. A sign-up sheet was passed. Please call Don Lee or Ed Schroeder if you, or someone you know, will volunteer.
Sunday: August 1st from 1:00-5:00 is set aside to give volunteers an opportunity to visit the ponds. A bar-b-que will follow.
Signs/Brochures/Publicity: Ed & Kathy Schroeder and Chuck Hall are membership chairs. Two to four directional signs will be at each pond location. Tickets, brochures and posters are being developed.
Tickets: Prices are $10.00 per adult and $2.00 for children ages 4-11. Tickets will be pre-sold, sold at pond participants' homes, and by members who wish to sell them. Don & Glennis Lee reported Earl May, Dyzig's Pet Shop in Clear Lake, Krieger's Greenhouse and Blackmore Nursery will sell tickets. Rose Kruger is checking on additional sites.
Members were reminded of the tour meeting at Roger Biers on May 3. We will also have a plant/garden exchange; not a plant sale. Address: RR2, 19786A 280th Street. Directions: From the 12th Street NE Intersection with Blacktop S56, go north one mile. At the tower turn west. Go 1/4 mile.
The next regular meeting will be at Kitty Clasing, 909 4th St SE at 7:00 P.M. Kitty's yard is registered as a Natural Habitat. She will be speaking on Bog Gardens. Her house is located on the southeast corner of Hwy 122 and South Rhode Island. You will need to park on South Rhode Island as her driveway is short and you cannot park on the highway. Don't forget your lawn chairs. In case of rain, Kitty will present her program at the Pizza Ranch at 7:00 P.M. As always, if you have questions, contact Ed Schroeder at 641-923-3512.
Mary Schultz, Secretary