FHGC General Mtg. Minutes May 11,2026
Call to Order: 9:32
Welcome Guests: Linda Gewain and Katherine Burns
Speakers: Master Gardner Panel
Thank you Hazel Alcott, Jean Paladini, Jane Haeussler, and Rebecca Taylor for answering questions and sharing their vast knowledge of gardening in Eastern North Carolina!
Don’t know what to plant? Daffodils, Amaryllis, Snap Dragons, Columbine, Daphne – all deer resistant. (Fingers Crossed😊)
Best Tips: Know your soil, plant Native, collect rainwater, and have FUN!
Business Reports:
April Gen. Mtg. Minutes Approved. 1st Pam Kubick 2nd Kathy Fuller
Corr. Secretary: Sympathy card sent to Ethel Hess’ family. Thank you cards sent to all the Homeowners who hosted us in their gardens, during our Garden Tour on May 5th.
Treasurer Report: Balanced Budget for May: $57ll.09
It was explained that our CD is an emergency fund and members would be made aware if CD funds were necessary. The purpose of the Treasurer Report is to show monthly activity and use of funds, that is why the CD amount was not shown on the April Report.
Scholarship Committee: Hazel announced the recipient of the annual scholarship: Lizzie Steinman, a graduating senior from Epiphany School of Global Studies. She will be attending Florida State in the Fall, and we look forward to meeting her on June 8th!
Nominating Committee: Phyllis Godwin presented the following nominees to the General Membership for consideration of filling the BOD positions for next year:
President: Robin Gale 1st VP Barbara Fossett 2nd VP Julie Burrill Secretary: Lori Walker
Corres. Sec.: Kathy Hallquist Treasurer: Donna Ross Ast. Treasurer: Jan Reitzel
No additional nominations from the floor were brought forward. The ballot was put to a vote and passed overwhelmingly.
Congratulations to our new Board of Directors! They will be installed during the June 8th General Meeting. Thank you to all Members and their participation in helping to ensure the success of our Garden Club as we look forward to a new year in 2026-27. 😊
Membership also voted on the Board’s proposal to keep Dues at $20 per household for next year, as we have a healthy budget. Members passed the proposal and dues may be paid starting at the June 8th meeting. REMINDER: Checks written in June WILL NOT be cashed until after the current fiscal year closes in JULY. Dues also must be paid by Sept. 30, 2026 to be included in the yearly directly.
Updates:
Annual Spring Trip was a great success. Thank you to Sharon Nash and Debbie Mikuta for organizing such a wonderful day, full of learning, friendship, and plant shopping!!
May Garden Tour was also well received and all those who attended have expressed their desire to make this an annual event! A BIG thank you to all the Homeowners and especially to Robin and Jim Biondi who hosted social hour after the last tour! We look forward to next year…maybe it will be YOUR GARDEN we tour??
Committees for 2026-2027
Everyone received a check list of GC Committees at the meeting. Please consider how you might like to share your TALENT and time next year. If you Chaired a committee this year, you will be contacted to confirm your interest for next year. Thank you to all those who turned theirs in at the end of the meeting. They may also be turned in at our meeting on June 8th, and please ask for one if you didn’t get one.
Points of Interest:
Two of our members were featured in the current issue of the BEACON. Congratulations to Louis Nash, newly installed Commodore of the Yacht Club and Kathy Fuller for making the “Birdie Tree” for Hole #17 in a recent Golf outing!
Cheryl McGaskill sent the GC a lovely note of appreciation for her time spent with such a wonderful gardening community as she is moving to South Carolina.
THIS Saturday, May 16th is the Plant Sale at the NC CO-OP Extension from 10-Noon, 300 Industrial Drive.
Next Meeting: June 8th Appreciation Breakfast, Installation of New Board Members, and End of Year Video. Please Join us at the Harbour Club in the Cape Lookout Rm at 9:30.
**If you are interested in helping with the Breakfast, please contact Barb Paulsen.
Door Prize Winners: Katherine Burns (Our Guest!) and Mary Harouni
Adjourn: 10:46 1st Pam Kubick 2nd Jean Paladini
Minutes submitted by: Lori Walker, Secretary