November 7, 2025
- Mini Presentation – Nonna Crook did a demonstration on using flowers inside pumpkins for a great table or porch decoration. She did two of them, both up for the raffle. We got some great tips on how to make them last and have usable plants when the pumpkin has gone over. Both had a mix of beautiful succulents and fresh flowers.
- PM Program – our speaker was Taha Ebrahimi, author of ‘Street Trees of Seattle’, An Illustrated Walking Guide… a great talk about how she came to write the book during Covid and needing to be outdoors. The book has neighborhood maps, sketches of trees and seed pods. It’s extremely user friendly. The Q and A brought up some other interesting trees that spiked our curiosity. Taha recommended Sibley Field Guide to Trees and also Trees of Seattle by Arthur Lee Jacobson. The last one is out of print but still out there, also available from the author. Taha brought some of her own books which were quickly snapped up. Great talk!
October 3, 2025
- At Homecoming we review our long and interesting history. Chris Matson gave a short talk on some events in the past. A few examples- our club used to have 400 members, a past president, Ruth Alexander, hybridized a rose decades ago that now lives in Lynda’s garden, during the depression the club did charity work at the “County poor farm”. They did cleaning, feeding and supporting those without jobs, they grew Victory gardens and volunteered at hospitals and supported Veterans. We have a proud history.
- Honored Past Presidents: Chris Matsen, Nonna Crook, Velva Salterelli and Amandalei were present. Not present were June DeMers and Jann McAlpine. We thank them all.
- Longevity Award: Amanda 15 years, Jane Krueger 15 years, Evie Marwood 15 years, Krist Sharpe 10 years.
- Scroll of Honor: Chris talked about what the Scroll of Honor means and it’s long history of honoring those who have gone above and beyond. JUDY BAKKEN was added this year. Congratulations Judy! We’ve been missing you.
- Past President present: Nonna Crook was given our thanks and a gift for her five years as president, she got us through the Covid years intact. Thank you!
- PM Program – Linda Maida, a well known designer came to give a demonstration on design mechanics. Her friend, Judy Strickland, also a designer attended as well. Linda had many tips on design and creative uses of foliage. One tip we especially liked was to make a 1/3 mix of glycerin and 2/3 water, dip stems of thick leaves (fatsia or rhody) and let plant drink the solution. The leaf will turn brown but be very flexible and long lasting. Another tip- dip cut stems into hot (almost boiling) water and let it slowly cool, this adds days to the life of your flowers. Just be careful the steam doesn’t come up on the flowers. Linda had a few of us participate in her demonstration. Susan Bean and Evie went home with small pumpkins decorated with flowers. Karen Ford got a taste of design and enjoyed it.
September 5, 2025
- Mini Presentation – Krist put together a very fun assortment of materials for us to make our own journals (garden or otherwise). We put on our creative hats and had fun.
- PM Program – John Bolivar did a lovely program on native plants with an excellent slide show of his photos. He had pictures and information on plants that were new to some of us. John’s photos encouraged us to look closer at nature. His dog had just passed, our sympathies to John.