FH Garden Club General Meeting September 8, 2025
Barbara read a lovely letter of thanks & friendship from Sandy Riggs.
Welcome New Members and Guests!
Guest: Doreen Minky
New Members: Cheryl Furman, Larna Griffin, Mary McCutcheon, and Nancy Wills
BUSINESS REPORTS:
June General Meeting Minutes approved. 1st Susan Spirko 2nd Jane Haeussler
Eileen Wagner, Treasurer, reported that the budget was balanced for the previous fiscal year.
Kathy Hallquist, Corresponding Secretary, sent two recovery cards to Barbara Paulsen and Jan Reitzel. Both had hip surgeries this summer and are doing well, as you saw today. 😊
PRIORITY REMINDERS:
Dues for the 2025-26 year are $20 per household. To be included in the Yearbook, you must pay your dues by September 30, 2025.
Fall Potluck during our next General Meeting on October 13th – Please bring a dish to share.
Calendar for the year can be found on the website. Items, events, and dates are being added and updated, so be sure to take a look! fhgardenclub.com
Speaker: Daniel Simpson – Pamlico Extension Master Gardener
Daniel gave an informative talk, discussing bulbs and the most important things to keep in mind when planting them in our gardens. https://fhgardenclub.com/daniel-simpson/
NEW BUSINESS:
The Board has been busy this summer, working to plan a year full of events and activities based on comments from last year’s January survey. This is a brief overview; however everything can be found on the website, which is constantly being updated. If you have any ideas or suggestions for consideration, please contact Jan Reitzel.
-Fall Raffle Baskets are being put together by Linda Gregg and Barbara Fossett. They will unveil them at our Pot Luck on Oct. 13th. Be sure to bring money to purchase your chance to win! There will also be chances at the Parking lot sale and Craft Fair.
-Pots have been Painted! Jan will be sending out a date for planting some of them in late October. Date still TBD, but we would love to have you join us. Potting and succulent soil, and any plant clippings you have to donate will be appreciated.
-Bridgeton Elem. School Update: Corrine reported that the school has received their grant and are currently waiting on the raised beds and greenhouse to arrive. The teachers and students are very excited to begin planting vegetables and even starting their own compost! If you are interested in joining this committee, reach out to Corrine.
-Harbourside Day Trip: We will travel to Harbourside Nursery in Bayboro on November 13th. From 4Pm-6PM, Rachel will walk us through making a container garden. You may choose an Autumn, Christmas, or general planting theme. Rachel will speak, provide a container and soil, plus refreshments for a fee of $25. The plants for your container are a separate cost and you will pay individually for the plants you choose. You may meet us there or carpooling will be available.
-Coming Events/Activities: Details are currently being worked out, information and details coming soon! Fall Tryon Palace Tour, Spring Day Trip, and FH Garden Tour in May.
-Yard of the Month: YOM was suspended for the year, due to not having a committee chairperson and all the constant construction in the Harbour. Next year we will discuss reinstituting this program.
COMMITTEE NEEDS: We need your help –Please considering volunteering for one of the following positions. Everyone’s involvement helps to make our garden club enjoyable and successful! 😊
Good with computers? Design our new Brochure, Backup for the Website/Facebook Page, or write our articles for The Beacon if needed.
Love taking pictures and documenting events? Be our new Photographer/Historian.
Shopper Extraordinaire? Assist Robin with finding items for our monthly Door Prizes!
Christmas Curator? Help assist Jane with decorating the Christmas Tree.
**Reach out to any Board Member if interested. We look forward to hearing from you!
SEPTEMBER OPPORTUNITIES:
Plant Delight Open House the weekends of Sept. 12-14 and 19-21. Jane Haeussler is going, if you’d like to ride together, give her a call.
Pitt County Arboretum Tour – Sept. 20th. Contact Kevin to register at [email protected]
GENERAL REMINDERS:
Next Meeting: Monday Oct. 13th 9:30 A.M. Pot Luck – bring dish to share.
New comment cards after each meeting. Thanks to those who provided feedback on Sept. 8th.
Lots of new items on the Merchandise Table, be sure to check it out in October!
Raffle tickets for Fall Baskets will be available at the next meeting.
** All Events and Activities will be limited to paid members of the FH Garden Club this year. Thanks to those who have already paid their yearly dues, we’re so happy to have you join us! 😊
Door Prize Winners: Janet Keefe and Minta Fannon
Meeting Adjourned: 1st Barbara Paulsen 2nd Jean Paladini
Minutes submitted by Secretary, Lori Walker