Land O’ Sky Garden Club

October 9, 2025

Proposed Minutes Draft 1 of 1

Co President Jan Wayne welcomed and greeted all. She thanked hostesses Rhonda Donavan, Sally Gregg, Paula Irving and Mary Lee Cantey.

Membership Report – Membership Coordinator Margaret Stone called roll. Please be mindful to RSVP for club meetings. We have 35 associate members and 33 active members. Members are welcome to invite prospective members. Co President Jan W introduced her guest Anne Young; Chrissy Filka introduced her guest and sister-in-law Tanya Filka, and guest Therrissa Cohen was welcomed.

Speaker – Vice President Ginger Michel introduced speaker Katie Barry King, who enjoys a family tradition of farming. She gave a presentation on succulents and her decorative succulent pumpkins. She grows about 60 varieties of succulents -- prehistoric plants that are dated from 5 to 10 million years old; there are 20,000 varieties. Her presentation included instructions on how to grow succulents. Her business uses regular potting soil. The first few weeks of adopting a succulent require observation; if you observe a change in leaf color, your succulent is not happy. Succulents prefer dry soil; don’t over water. Most succulents don’t love full sun –watch for scorching. Her Flower Shack is open on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. located at 345 Kinzey Road, Mills River. You can also find her at www.barryfarmsnc.com.

New Business – Minutes from September 2025 meeting were unanimously approved by a call from Co President Jan W.

Moment of Remembrance – Member Susan Frost passed away recently. “The Garden,” a poem by Dorothy Frances Gurney, was read and a moment of silence was observed. LOSGC has given a memorial gift to Four Seasons Foundation in Susan’s memory. Her memorial is on November 8, 2025.

Treasurer’s Report – Interim Treasurer and Vice President Ginger M presented the treasury report. The club had a balance on September 1, 2025, at $15,270.02. Present balance was $15,576.85 after monthly withdrawals and additions. Dues can be paid for 2026: Members, $100 and Associates, $60. The 2026 proposed budget was presented to members for adoption in November 2025. Please check the website and emails for all of the budget details. Treasurer Anne Waring has been working on getting the online banking platform Zelle set up for receipt of club dues.

Presentation of 2026 Slate of Officers – Advisor Sallie Carr presented the proposed slate of officers for 2026: President, Ginger Michel; Vice President, Chrissy Filka; Recording Secretary, Dana Groves; Corresponding Secretary, Jean Faulkner; Treasurer, Anne Waring; Advisors, Co Presidents Anne Lee and Jan W. Members will vote on this slate of officers at the November 2025 meeting.

GCNC Committee –Districts 1 and 2 meeting with state officers was held on Oct. 7, 2025, in Hickory, N.C. Several members attended: Advisor Sallie C, Paula Irving, Co President Jan W and Vice President Ginger M. Discussion included a desire to increase membership as well as increase publicity regarding applications to fellowships and awards that go unapplied for which are usually due on December 1, 2025. Sponsoring youth garden clubs was also encouraged. Information was provided about initiating flower shows. Our club received an honors award for its activities last year.

Website – A program suggestions icon and committee sign-up reminders are on the website. Please make program and location suggestions for next year by using the designated icon and think about opening your home to a club meeting.

Christmas  Bazaar Update – Working Committees are in full force for Christmas Bazaar 2025. All members were encouraged to sign up for multiple committees and assignments as soon as possible. Members may sign up online or in person at meetings. The following committees are opportunities for all: Washi, Food/Kitchen, Crafts, Bulbs, Publicity, Wreath Bar, Logs, Live Greens, Check Out, Mail Box saddles. Leaders stressed the need for workers! White pine cone supplies are coming along and need collecting as soon as they fall. Bulbs were supposed arrive this month.

The date for tending to the Pardee Hospital atrium was set for November 20, 2025, at 10 a.m.

Submitted by Recording Secretary Denise Layfield on October 30, 2025