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The DM area group met on June 22 at the home of Doug Reick and enjoyed viewing his well- established pond and gardens. As always, Doug has lots to look at! A number of attendees were the lucky recipient of some of Doug's surplus pond and garden plants also! (Where were the mosquitoes??)
For our July 27 meeting we will be going to the home of new members Judy Anderson and Tom Leffler, 5985 NW 61st Ave., Johnston. Their pond can be found by driving north on Merle Hay Rd. into Johnston and turning left at the Casey's. They are located by the purple mailbox about a block after turning west off Merle Hay. The meeting will be at 7:00 PM. You won't want to miss this opportunity to see a very unique pond that is located right off their back deck and creates the illusion that it actually flows under the deck! They also have a large yard and many beautiful and varied established plantings. Judy mentioned that Tuesday nights are also the evening that Johnston holds it's weekly Farmer's Market, which Judy says is very nice.
Those attending the meeting might want to plan on getting to Johnson in time to take in the market before going over to Judy and Tom's. (The Market is located in the City Hall parking lot at Merle Hay and NW 62nd Ave. - not far from their house.)
We welcome all new and old members and hope people will bring any questions they may have about their ponds or their plans to build a pond. For those just new into ponding, the group is a great resource.
It was a perfect night for our June 21, 2004 Top of Iowa Water Garden Association meeting at the home of Ed and Kathy Schroeder. The skies were clear and the air was virtually free from mosquitoes. It was evident from first glance to closer inspection that the Schroeder's have been putting a lot of hours into their ponds and gardens. Everything looked great!
With about 20 people in attendance, agendas were distributed, Ed opened the meeting and we were deep in discussion about our first annual water garden tour. It was a great forum for everyone to express his/her opinion. Members considered issues on the agenda, and after general consensus or by voting, items were approved or defeated.
It was voted to send pond hosts a 2004 Pond Tour Flag and holder, two free tour tickets and a one-year free membership as a thank you gift. Members who have already paid this year will be compensated next year.
By general consensus the hosts, at their discretion, can provide copies of their pond description to their guests.
Deb O'Banion brought copies of the maps Don & Glennis Lee generated. Becky from Becky's Greenhouse in Dougherty brought the tickets she generously printed. Deb O'Banion brought the posters. The Plant Ranch in Manly, St. Ansgar Greenhouse, and Happy Acres in Osage will be added to the tickets and posters as businesses that sell tickets. By general consensus, it was decided we should print more maps, posters and tickets and that we should distinguish our tickets so they are not easily copied. It was voted and passed not to include money in the host ticket packets. Volunteers will check for, and when needed, sell tickets on site.
Deb will fold the new tickets and maps and generate ticket packets for businesses, hosts and members. Packets will be different depending on who receives them. Business and host packets will include tickets as well as ticket selling and contact information. Member packets will be a mixture of tickets and posters. Glennis will keep track of how many and to whom tickets are distributed and take Mason City businesses their packets. Rose Kruger will deliver packets to Manly, Osage and St. Ansgar. Ed Schroeder will deliver the host packets. Mary Schultz will take member packets and posters to the Pizza Ranch for members to pick up at their convenience. Members are encouraged to sell tickets and deliver posters in their respective towns.
By far the longest and most hotly debated topic of the evening was the addition of names and/or addresses of hosts in the press prior to ticket sales. After much debate, members voted to add the names, but not addresses in press releases.
We tabled the line items about the distribution of proceeds and the Sunday Tour.
A spreadsheet showing the number of volunteers needed was distributed. Some more slots were filled. Ed will work on attaining additionally needed volunteers and have the information at the next meeting. At that time a letter outlining volunteer duties will be finalized. Ed and Kathy as well as Deb and Duane volunteered to collect signs, money, and tickets immediately following the tour.
Ed would like all hosts to let him know if their pond is handicap accessible.
It was voted upon to leave the decision up to hosts if they want to serve refreshments. However, they will be asked to keep it simple such as a small cookie, water and/or lemonade. Deb and Duane said they have ice available for anyone who wants some. It was suggested a table be provided for the volunteers.
Regarding the potluck - It was voted to include hosts, spouses, volunteers and members to the Sunday potluck. Plates, napkins, silverware, cups, condiments and beverages will be provided. Everyone is asked to bring a dish to share and their own meat if they wish to grill. They should also bring folding chairs. We will need to move quickly from house to house in order to see all the ponds. We have approximately 26 minutes at each home (including drive time) to view the ponds. There will be ample time at the potluck to discuss them.
Izzy's new home for the month is with Merv Koozer. We're sure he'll be a great guardian.
Discussion items for our next pond tour meeting will focus on publicity, volunteers, host letters and the Sunday tour and potluck. The meeting will be held on Monday, July 12th at 7:30 at the home of Mary Schultz, 1881 12th St NE in Mason City. It is very important that everyone attend as our tour gets closer to reality.
Due to the inclement weather, Jim and Jane Johanns will not be able to host our July 19th monthly meeting. Instead, it will be at the home of Merv & Vonnie Koozer in Hampton. Going south on Hwy 65 from Mason City, turn east on 170th street. Go 1 mile until the t- intersection which is Quayle Avenue. Turn north and their house is the second one on the west (left) side of the road. 1620 Quayle Avenue. It's our last meeting before the pond tour. Hope to see everyone there!!
Mary Schultz, Secretary
Below is the summer meeting schedule for the Top of Iowa chapter. All meetings are open to members and the public.
As always, if you have questions, contact Ed Schroeder at 641-923-3512.