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May, 2014

The Flower Pot Newsletter of the Danville-Alamo Garden Club

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE May 2014

Volume XLI, Issue 5

Inside This Issue Page 1…President’s Message Page 2…Members, Tours & Book - worms Page 3…Community Outreach, Programs & Workshops Page 4…Calendar Page 5…Did You Know?..Birthdays, Election Roster, Workshops Page 6…Renewal Form Page 7…..Questionnaire Page 8….. Our Sponsors

What an inspiring program Kathleen Elliott of Hillcrest Ranch presented at our April Gen-

eral Meeting. I really enjoyed the history of her ranch, especially all her vintage pictures of her

Great Aunt and the orchards. Her Aunt was quite a pioneer to move into a water shed without

indoor plumbing. She was quite an adventurous sole. Kathleen is very fortunate to inherit the

property and have the ability to turn it into a productive farm. So many of our members came

up to me after the meeting and told me how much they enjoyed her program and were very

interested into taking a tour of her ranch. I have passed this information on to Vicki Freeberg,

our Tour Chair, and she will see about setting it up for November or December this year.

Kathleen is not going to schedule any tours this summer since she is busy with her vocational

program.

Special thanks go to our member, Helen Miller, for presenting the Horticulture Program in

Kristin’s absence. She provided a wealth of information about how to protect our skin when

we are out gardening in the sun. I hope some of you were able to take Helen up on her offer

to visit her garden. We are very fortunate to have such talented members.

I want to remind our members to look at our Web Site, www.DAGC.us, and see all the work Nancy Norland has done. She and Linda Scotting, our Club Historian, have been adding pic-tures of our various club events. More to come. Thanks Nancy and Linda for all your efforts. Thanks to our great Social Committee for all their work setting up the chairs, food and mem-

bership tables for our meeting. Their support is greatly appreciated. Also special thanks to

Rose Towery for the beautiful, artistic floral arrangement she made. Most of the flowers came

from her own garden.

Please remember to fill out your membership renewals along with a check for your dues. The

deadline is June 1st

. See more information from our Membership Team in this newsletter.

Look forward to seeing you on May 8th when Pete Vellieux will present a program on Natives

in Containers.

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May, 2014 May, 2014

Installation Luncheon

Sign Ups

Our Installation Luncheon is scheduled

for June 12th. In order to plan for the

amount of food needed, the Installation

Committee will need to have an accurate

count of the members who will be attending

by JUNE 1st

.

They will be passing around a sign up

sheet at our May General Meeting. Please

save the date and enjoy a wonderful lunch-

eon.

On Thursday, May 29th we will be head-ing over to Alcatraz to tour their gardens and then the old prison. We will meet in Alamo at 7:45 am to drive to San Francisco to catch the 9:10 ferry.

Bring a lunch to eat on the grounds. Ferry and admission tickets are $30.00 or $28.25 if you are over 62. E-mail Vicki Freeberg at vfree111@gmail.com or call 280-9847 if in-terested. We will need to purchase our tick-ets in advance.

Bookworms

The next meeting of the Bookworms will be Thurs-day, May 22

nd at 10:00 A.M. As is the past, we shall

meet at the home of Joyce Michalczyk for Brunch. The address is 32 Leeds Court East in Danville. The book to be discussed is “The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns “by Margaret Dilloway. Please RSVP by Tuesday, May 20

th via email.

(joymm@comcast.net) Please bring suggestions for future book selections as we may meet once or twice

in the summer.

Speaking of books, there is something I would like to share. We have a very active member in our club who continues to amaze me. She is one of our co-chairs of Inspiration, she is a member of the Gourmet Gals cooking group and is also a tried and true member of

Bookworms. This member is Peggy Stevens.

In April, Peggy had a poetry book published. It is called “Haiku Cats.” It is available through Amazon. For more information, go to the website, www.haikucats.com. The story behind the book is delightful. You will want to purchase the book and I

am sure Peggy will sign it for you!

Happy Gardening and Reading !

Joyce M

The members send their condolences to Nancy Peterson and Sharon Cohune who both lost their mothers recently.

Our best wishes to Donna Rascano still recov-ering from her surgery last year.

Congratulations to new grandmother Karen Fox. It’s a girl!

Caroline Bonny

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May, 2014

May ,2014

! Exciting News !

Ladies, it’s that time of year again. Membership Renewal Forms Due Now!

The DAGC Annual Membership Drive ends in May. The deadline for receipt of the membership forms for next year is

June 1, 2014. Mail your membership form and check to Susan Polk as soon as possible. (Her address is on the form

you receive in the newsletter.)

If you will not be renewing for next year, would you please let Kayrene Braden or Win Cronin know, so we may begin

contacting our waiting list. If you need to take a break from membership, but wish to return in the future, we suggest

you place your name on the waiting list now, and there will be a spot for you in the future.

Thank you and if you have any questions, please contact Kayrene or Win.

Community Outreach

On Thursday May 1st the Wheelchair Brigade is back in action at the Reutlinger Community Home.

Hopefully the weather will be terrific and we can get the residents outside. Meet 9:30am at Sycamore

Park and Ride.

We will carpool up to the Reutlinger Center at 4000 Camino Tassajara, Danville.

Optional lunch after at Café Esin in the Rose Garden Center. RSVP: sandraolinger @sbcglobal.net or

828-1103.

Please let me know WHEELCHAIR BRIGADE or WHEELCHAIR+ LUNCH.

MAY PROGRAM

The program for May promises to be quite informative and entertaining. Pete Veilleux, owner of East Bay Wilds in Oakland, will give a slide show of his landscape designs and potted plantings, plus do a demonstration planting. Pete grew up in rural New Hampshire and his early life was greatly influenced by time spent ex-ploring nature. This experience eventually led to his landscape design business which features us-ing beautiful native plants. Check out his great "garden candy" (pots, antiques, statuary, foun-tains, etc) online at East Bay Wilds and come to the May meeting and be inspired! Rebecca Byrom

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May, 2014 May, 2014

In your garden program your water controller to begin regular irrigation, being mindful of restrictions on water usage.

Irrigate early in the morning. Plant those tomatoes and the rest of your summer vegetables.

Dates & Times Events Details Tuesdays 9 am – noon

Plant Sale Markham Arboretum

Great prices on all containers, 4” to gallon-size.

May 1 9:30 am Meet Syc P & R

DAGC: Community Outreach Reutlinger Senior Residence

Volunteers will carpool to the Reutlinger facility to treat the wheelchair-bound residents to a tour of areas they may not visit often. Optional lunch after at Esin. Contact: Sandra at sandraolinger@sbcglobal.net.

Wednesdays 10am

Class: Our Garden Shadelands Dr & Wiget, WC

Free classes taught by Master Gardeners & other ex-perts. This year’s focus is on sustainable practices. Click here: Our Garden's 2014 schedule of classes - San Jose Mercury News.

May 3 11 am – 4 pm

Tour: John Montgomery Land-

scape Architect Tour Several gardens in Alamo and Dan-ville

Self-guided tours of the JM gardens include nibbles, live music, a bee-keeper presentation, and surprises. Cost: $30. Proceeds benefit Bounty Garden and other worthy causes. For a map: Click here to sign up.

May 4 10 am – 5 pm

Tour: Bringing Back the Natives Many Bay Area Cities/Towns

Self-guided tour of many possible bayside or inland city gardens. Click here: Register for 2014 Tour « Bringing Back the Natives Garden Tour

May 8 9:15 Social 9:45 Meeting

DAGC General Meeting Alamo Women’s Club

Pete Vellieux of East Bay Wilds, will talk about “Natives in Containers.” Election of officers for next year.

May 10 9 am – 2 pm

Plant Sale: Pleasant Hill G C Winslow Center at Pleasant Hill Rd & Taylor Blvd

Wide selection of plants to select from plus a window box raffle. Master Gardeners on hand to answer ques-tions.

May 15 9:30 am

DAGC Board Meeting Home of Kayrene Braden

RSVP to Kayrene at kayreneb@att.net.

May 17 9 am – 1 pm

Plant Sale Markham Arboretum

The nursery will feature bird, bee, and butterfly plants. Come early for the best selection of basics as well as more unusual plants.

May 18 Noon

Class: Pruning and Care of the

Acid Lovers Sloat Garden Center

Elizabeth Ruiz will give tips for and a demonstration of pruning Camellias, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and other garden favorites. Rewards Members free; others $5.

May 22 10 am

DAGC: Bookworms Home of Joyce Michalczyk

Participants will enjoy brunch and discuss The Care and Handling of Roses with Thorns. Contact: Page or Joyce at joymm@comcast.net.

May 24 2 pm

Class: Summer Rose Pruning Navlet’s Garden Center

Learn how to prune roses after the first flush of flowers has faded. This summer rose class covers pruning, wa-tering, fertilizing, and disease and pest control.

May 29 7:45 Meet at Bagel St Café in Alamo to carpool

DAGC Tour: Alcatraz Gardens Alcatraz Island

We will carpool to SF to catch the 9:10 ferry to Alcatraz for a tour of their gardens and the prison. Bring a bag lunch. Cost: $30 for ferry & admission, $28.25 if over 62. Must purchase tickets in advance. Contact Vicki Free-berg at vfree111@gmail.com.

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May, 2014

May Workshop

May. Flower: Lily of the Valley Birthstone: Emerald

Zodiac Sign: Taurus

May Election of Officers

We have a full slate of nominees for this month’s election of

officers for the 2014-2015 year. Thank you all for your help.

Sandy March, Caroline Bonny, Louise Wiggins

Andersen

Benzler

Ciardello

Hamby

Hepburn

Johnson

Lauper

McMahon

Norland

Peterson

Scofield

Snover

Stamates

Steinhardt

Jan

Sylvia

Diane

Janet

Terre

Ann

Judy

Marjorie

Nancy

Nancy

Diane

Michele

Sandi

Marcia

President Sharon Williams

Program Vice President Nancy Peterson

Membership Vice President Susan Polk

Social Vice President Ellen Frost, Joyce Michalczyk

Recording Secretary Jan Hamby

Corresponding Secretary Tena Gallagher

Treasurer Jenny Ofringa

Historian Linda Scotting

Horticultural Chair Kristin Yanker-Hansen

Newsletter Editor Roseann Krane

Sponsor Representatives Sharon Cohune, Janice Fassioto, Lynn Hoaglin,

Tour Chair Vicki Freeberg

Website Administrator Nancy Norland

Workshop Chair Kathy Kaminski

May Workshop

Our last Workshop of the year is a talk at the San Ramon Li-brary: Conserving Water in the Landscape. This timely topic will be discussed on Thursday, May 1st, 6:30pm to 8:00pm. Learn about irrigation methods, plant selection and placement, water gardening and rainwater harvesting.

The San Ramon Library is located at 100 Montgomery St. on the corner of Bollinger Canyon and Marketplace. No charge for the talk. No sign-up either - just show up. For more infor-mation about the library, please call 925-973-2850 or visit ccclib.org/locations/sanramon.html for directions.

Karen Fox

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May, 2014

Membership Form 2014-2015

Coming together is the beginning Working together is progress Staying together is success

Please print your name the way you would like it to appear in the Directory. Contact the Membership Vice President if this information changes during the year. *Starred items are required for membership and Directory purposes. NAME* ________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fill In ONLY if there are any changes from last year’s application. STREET ADDRESS* __________________________________________________________________________________ MAILING ADDRESS* _________________________________________________________________________________ CITY, STATE, ZIP* ___________________________________________________________________________________ TELEPHONE* ______________________________________________________________________________________ BIRTHDAY Month _______________________ E-MAIL ADDRESS (Print carefully.) _____________________________________________________________________

Would you like to include your email address in the DAGC Directory? Yes____ No____

Would you like to be on the email list to receive Club and garden related messages? Yes____ No____ These are private lists produced for our members’ use only and will not be shared with other individuals or organizations. All names, addresses,

telephone numbers, and email addresses are to remain confidential and are not to be used for sales or solicitations. Thank you.

***RENEWAL OF MEMBERSHIP MUST BE RECEIVED BY JUNE 1, 2014***

Members receive the newsletter, The Flower Pot, e-mailed monthly. Note: Effective June 2013, hard copies of the newsletter will no longer be available, except for those currently receiving a mailed copy. If you wish to continue to receive the newsletter by mail, include an additional fee of $21.00 to cover printing and mailing costs. Complete and return both forms with your (non-refundable) check made payable to DAGC.

Annual Club Membership Dues ($55.00) $ 55.00

Optional Hardcopy Newsletter Subscription (add $21.00) $

Total $

Check #____________ Date__________________ Amount____________

Mail to: Susan Polk, 196 Blackstone Drive, Danville, CA 94506

Liability Release: I recognize that Danville-Alamo Garden Club’s activities, such as tours, workshops, and meetings at members’ homes can involve risk of injury. I agree as a condition of membership and participation in DAGC activities to release any claim I may have directly or indirectly, against DAGC, its officers, and my fellow members that arise out of such activities. I further agree to indemnify and hold harmless DAGC, its officers, and members from any claim arising from my participation in Club activities.

_____________________________________________________________________ Signature

Date

Danville-Alamo Garden Club

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May, 2014

Participation is essential to making our garden club thrive.

Let us know how you can help us and how we can help you.

What are your gardening interests or specialties? (ornamental, vegetable, orchard, succulents, houseplants, other) ______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Are you a Master Gardener? ______ Yes

Tell us if you have a special workshop talent to share.

______________________________________________________________________________________

______________________________________________________________________________________

Would you be willing to serve on the Nominating Committee? ______ Yes

Tell us about new programs, workshops and/or tours you would like offered. Give contact information if possi-

ble.

________________________________________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________________________________

Do you have any additional information/suggestions to share with the Club?

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________________

________________________________________________________________________________

Please indicate the areas in which you would like to participate:

_____ Nominating Committee ______ Proofreading Directory

_____ Social Committee ______ Bring Food for Meetings

_____ Audit Committee ______ Horticulture

_____ Winter Event Luncheon Committee ______ Monthly Flower Arranging

_____ Installation Luncheon Committee ______ Photography

_____ Community Outreach Committee ______ Other (Specify): _____________

_____ Members Helping Members Committee ______ Merrill Gardens Senior Home Christmas

Decorations

(put up or take down)

Danville-Alamo Garden Club

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May, 2014

Our

SPONSORS

Alamo Ace Hardware

3211 Danville Blvd. Alamo

925-837-2420

Armstrong Garden Centers

7360 San Ramon Road, Dublin

925-551-0231

Diablo Valley College

Horticulture Department

321 Golf Club Rd, Pleasant Hill

Markham Arboretum

1202 La Vista Avenue, Concord

925-681-2968

Navlet’s

800 Camino Ramon, Danville

925-837-9144

Orchard Nursery & Florist

4010 Mt. Diablo Blvd, Lafayette

925-284-4474

Regan Nursery

3268 Decoto Road, Fremont

510-797-3222

Sloat Garden Center

828 Diablo Road, Danville

925-743-0288

New SPONSOR Mt Diablo Nursery & Garden

3295 Mt Diablo Blvd, Lafayette

925 283-3830

M

Y

www.dagc.us

May 2014

Remember, our commercial sponsors donate the door

prizes, and they support us with speakers for our general

meetings.

Please support them!

Sheila Truschke-Editor

Danville-Alamo Garden Club

P.O. Box 920

Danville, Ca. 94526

Sat840@aol.com