January, 2016 Editor—Sandy Irwin AVGC is a member of the Arizona Federation of Garden Clubs and the National Garden Clubs, Inc. Established in 1951. Published by AVGC, Prescott, Arizona. Circulation: 42 What’s Inside . . . President’s Message 1 Business Meeting Minutes 2 AVGC Christmas Bash 3 What’s Next . . .Schedule of Events 4 Happy Birthday 4 Prescott Area Garden 4 Tour Japanese Garden Visit 5 Habitat for Humanity 5 New Club Member Contact 5 Woodpeckers 6 Spotlight On . . . 7 Alta Vista Garden Connection Alta Vista Garden Connection Sitting by the fire, looking out my pic- ture window, enjoy- ing the view of Gran- ite Mountain covered with snow, my mind wanders and dreams about when it is going to be warm enough for me to get back out into my garden. Winter is a wonder- ful time to ponder and design what to plant for our Spring, Summer, and Fall gardens. Nothing is more enjoyable than looking through this years seed and flower catalogs, and deciding which plants and flowers have the best chance of surviving through Prescott's late Spring frosts and also our hungry ani- mals and bugs. This year I have decided to really try to utilize the greenhouse my husband cre- ated for me in 2014 for Mother’s Day. So far, my attempts to grow plants in the greenhouse have not been very successful. One really hot day or cold night can still demolish weeks of hard work. So we are working on an au- tomatic watering system and I am sew- ing some sun shades to protect the seedlings from sunburn. Hopefully, this year, my greenhouse will assist with getting a head start on my vegetable garden. Cold days also seem to encourage more internet browsing. Looking through our National Garden Clubs’ website has giv- en me a renewed motivation to continue with my efforts to establish a garden that is also wildlife friendly. I encour- age all of you to visit NGC website at (www.gardenclub.org). There are some fun and interesting projects going on that I believe you all will enjoy. This year also rings in another wonder- ful opportunity for our Garden Club members to enjoy and share the love of trees, plants, flowers and wildlife with each other, our families, friends and the general public. This year will be especially busy for our club. While we are working on our own gardens, enjoying gardeners day out trips, and completing community pro- jects; we will also need to set aside time to participate in our main fundrais- ing event. Without our biennial Garden Tour fundraiser, we would not be able to give back to the community as much as we do. I truly look forward to being President of such a wonderful group of women and encourage you all to take the time to sit back, enjoy a warm beverage and think about your gardening goals for this up- coming year. Whether you have a 20 acre farm or a patio container garden, nothing is more relaxing that enjoying the beauty plants bring to our lives. Happy Gardening, Dede Message from President Dede
Transcript
January, 2016 Editor—Sandy Irwin
AVGC is a member of the Arizona Federation of Garden Clubs and the National Garden Clubs, Inc. Established in 1951. Published by AVGC, Prescott, Arizona. Circulation: 42
What’s Inside . . .
President’s Message 1
Business Meeting Minutes 2
AVGC Christmas Bash 3
What’s Next . . .Schedule
of Events 4
Happy Birthday 4
Prescott Area Garden 4
Tour
Japanese Garden Visit 5
Habitat for Humanity 5
New Club Member Contact 5
Woodpeckers 6
Spotlight On . . . 7
Alta Vista Garden ConnectionAlta Vista Garden Connection
Sitting by the fire,
looking out my pic-
ture window, enjoy-
ing the view of Gran-
ite Mountain covered
with snow, my mind
wanders and dreams
about when it is going
to be warm enough for me to get back
out into my garden. Winter is a wonder-
ful time to ponder and design what to
plant for our Spring, Summer, and
Fall gardens. Nothing is more enjoyable
than looking through this years seed and
flower catalogs, and deciding which
plants and flowers have the best chance
of surviving through Prescott's late
Spring frosts and also our hungry ani-
mals and bugs.
This year I have decided to really try to
utilize the greenhouse my husband cre-
ated for me in 2014 for Mother’s
Day. So far, my attempts to grow
plants in the greenhouse have not been
very successful. One really hot day or
cold night can still demolish weeks of
hard work. So we are working on an au-
tomatic watering system and I am sew-
ing some sun shades to protect the
seedlings from sunburn. Hopefully, this
year, my greenhouse will assist with
getting a head start on my vegetable
garden.
Cold days also seem to encourage more internet browsing. Looking through our National Garden Clubs’ website has giv-en me a renewed motivation to continue with my efforts to establish a garden that is also wildlife friendly. I encour-age all of you to visit NGC website at (www.gardenclub.org). There are
some fun and interesting projects going on that I believe you all will enjoy. This year also rings in another wonder-ful opportunity for our Garden Club members to enjoy and share the love of trees, plants, flowers and wildlife with each other, our families, friends and the general public.
CALL TO ORDER: Acting President Kathy Madeda called the meeting to order at 1:30 p.m. WELCOME: Sheron Vandetti welcomed second-time guest, Karen Crossley, and first-time guest Su-san Tolley. Sheron noted that there would be three guests scheduled to attend the January meeting. ROLL CALL: Lauren Newington called the roll. The theme was “your favorite season.” There were 33 members present and 3 guests. HAPPY BIRTHDAYS: November and December birthday greetings went out to Kathy Madeda, Ann Krsiean, Toni Ristich, Anna Bess Robinson, Pat Moomey and Dianne Thorp. MINUTES: The minutes of the September meeting were approved as printed. TREASURER’S REPORT: Nicki Elms reported that the total balance was $14,296.60, noting that there was no need to review each line item, as it was sent out with the newsletter. In answer to a question from the floor with respect to whether there is a balance requirement to retain non-profit status, Kathy noted that after much research there is no dollar amount required.. Also, Lauren Newington asked when the budget discussions start. Kathy reported that the new budget discussion will start in January and re-viewed the process and associated dates. Nicki noted that the ideas for the budget from members should go to the Board Members for discussion.
50/50 RAFFLE: $42 was collected and guest, An-
nette Scott, won $21.
PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Facebook Page – Kathy noted that the new Alta
Vista Garden Club Facebook page was now live.
Christmas Lunch – Kathy requested that mem-bers sign up for the Christmas luncheon with Anita today.
County Fair Winners – Kathy congratulated all those who won ribbons at the recent Yavapai County Fair, including June Wharam, Dianne Murphy, Frances Martinez and Julie Lessard. Anita suggested that we participate in a club-wide representation for next year’s fair.
ALTA VISTA GARDEN CLUB BUSINESS MEETING MINUTES October 27, 2015
CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: Toni Ristich reported that one “Get Well” card was sent out as well as one “Thank you” note had been received. She also read a letter of resignation from Barb Wills. She noted that we had received a Penny Pines poster in honor of Lucille Hurst’s 102nd birthday. She read a request from Kathy Madeda to be re-designated to Associate Member. Dianne Moyer explained this designation. This request was approved by those present. CHAIR REPORTS:
Conservation and Environmental Education –
Pat Moomey noted that she had a poster on
display which would expand on the “Theme
Garden” article in the newsletter. She also
explained some information on decoding
labels on cleaning products.
Gardeners’ Day Out – Debbie Mathern stated
that the next event, “Cork and Canvass,”
would be Saturday, January 16 from 1 – 3
PM at Prescott Crush. The cost would be
$40 which includes wine, appetizer and art
supplies.
Technology – Kathy requested that Committee
Chairpersons review what is on the current
altavistagardenclub.org website and suggest
updates, i.e., committee descriptions.
UNFINISHED BUSINESS: Christmas Luncheon – At the request of Ruth Lysak, Kathy reviewed the activities surrounding the Christmas party especially for the new members. NEW BUSINESS: Renie Collier announced that the High Desert Designers were hosting a Green Workshop on November 22 at the Sedona Public Library. The funds would go toward their Blue Star Memorial ADJOURNMENT: Kathy Madeda adjourned the meeting at 2:15 p.m. Respectfully submitted, Sandy Irwin, Acting Recording
Secretary
Page 2 January, 2016 Alta Vista Garden Club
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AND A GRAND TIME WAS HAD BY ALL AT THE. . .
ALTA VISTA GARDEN CLUB CHRISTMAS BASH
WHAT’S NEXT . . . .Schedule of Events
Jan. 23 1-3:30 PM Sharlot Hall Museum — Rose Garden Kiosk Dedication and Panel Discussion — Free Admission for Event Jan. 23 9:30 AM Watters Garden Center — Fun Houseplants and Miniature Fairy Gardens Combined Jan. 26 1:00 PM Alta Vista Garden Club Meeting Yavapai Title, 1235 E. Gurley Street, Prescott Program — ABCs of Floral Design by Dianne Moyer Jan. 30 9:30 AM Watters Garden Center — Wildflowers — Ready-Set-Grow Feb. 13 9:00 PM Highlands Center — Bird Walk with Prescott Audubon Society Feb. 13 9:30 AM Watters Garden Center — Come Alive with Advanced Seed Propagation Feb. 18 TBD Gardeners’ Day Out — Scottsdale Fine Arts Festival (date may change) Feb. 25 TBD Highlands Center — Medicinal Plants of the Desert and High lands June 18 8:00 am ALTA VISTA GARDEN CLUB — PRESCOTT AREA GARDEN TOUR
Page 4 January, 2016 Alta Vista Garden Club
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU . . . . .
JANUARY FEBRUARY 11 — Frances Martinez 06 — Linda Pratt 14 — Julie Lessard 06 — Debbie Mathern 12 — Nancy Goodrich 21 — Cam Waguspak
SAVE THE DATE . . .
SATURDAY, JUNE 18TH PRESCOTT AREA GARDEN TOUR
Contributed by Dianne Murphy
Remember, Saturday, June 18, 2016, is the biennial garden tour featuring six out-standing gardens in the Prescott area. It is the major fund raiser for the club. Proceeds from this event go toward the Alta Vista Garden Club’s work in local edu-cation, conservation and beautification projects. We look forward to all Club Mem-bers’ participation in this fun event. If you would like to purchase tickets for fam-ily or friends visit www.altavistagardenclub.org. and click on the “Garden Tour” tab and purchase the tickets (available after April 1) using the Paypal account on
the website. More information coming in the following months.
In October of 2015, my husband, Daryl, and I had the pleasure of visiting Japan, guided by our friends, Jane Perry and Jack Teague. Jane had spent 6 years there working as a teacher. Jane's Japanese friend, Chikako, had a surprise waiting for us on a trip in-land. She took us to the Chrysanthemum Festival in Niigata. The displays were presented in 3 categories:
Specimen plants with spectacular blooms Flower-decorated mythical figures Chrysanthemum plants grown using the bonsai method Now that we're back home, I'm left with a dilemma. Do I spend my time learning how to grow prize-winning blooms, or learning the art of bonsai.
WELCOME NEW CLUB MEMBER . . . .. .
Karen Crossley 5590 W. Ho-Gon Way Prescott, AZ 86305
By Loretta Bresof Ben and Tricia Schwartz and their four children were at the door of their new home at 3548 N. Con-
stance in Prescott Valley, for the dedication ceremony on October 9, 2015. The excited family was finally moving into their own home. The reception and open house that followed filled the house. Many guests attended to wish them well, including the Mayor of Prescott Valley, Harvey Skoog. Habitat for Humanity Committee members, Julie Lessard, Loretta Bresof and Barb Samuels the festivities. Barb helped Tricia select plants she thought would work well in the
new homeowners yard. Chairman Renie Collier sent over several potted iris. A Red poker plant was donated by Loretta Bresof. Because of inclement weather, they were not planted until several weeks later. Alta Vista Garden Club headed the long list of organizations honored in helping make the dream come true for the Schwartz family.
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Woodpeckers
by Mary Ann Mira The winter months are the best time to see one of my favorite types of birds ~ Woodpeckers! When foliage is off the trees, the vivid red, white and black feathers of a variety of woodpeckers shows up easily. The woodpeckers are part of the Picidae family, which also consists
of piculets, wrynecks, and sapsuckers. Members of this family are found worldwide, except for Australia, New Guinea, New Zealand, Madagascar, and the extreme Polar Regions. Most species live in forests or woodland habitats, although a few species are known to live in treeless areas, such as rocky hillsides and deserts. Did you know that there are 23 varieties of woodpeckers, sapsuckers, and
flickers living in North America? Members of the family Pici-dae have strong bills for drilling and drumming on trees and long sticky tongues, which possess bristles, that aid these birds in grabbing and extract-ing insects deep within a hole of a tree. The bill's chisel-like tip is kept sharp by the pecking action in birds that regularly use it on wood. You would think that all that drilling on trees would give the birds a headache or damage their brain. However, according to scientists, to prevent brain damage from the rapid and re-peated impacts, woodpeckers have evolved a number of adap-tations to protect the brain which includes small brain size,
the orientation of the brain within the skull and the short duration of contact. Woodpeckers, piculets and wrynecks all possess zygodactyl feet. Zygodactyl feet consist of four toes, the first and the fourth facing backward and the second and third facing forward. This foot arrangement is good for grasping the limbs and trunks of trees. Members of this family can walk vertically up a tree trunk. I’ve always wondered how woodpeckers could hop so easily up and down a tree or cling to a suet feeder, and now I know. The diet of woodpeckers consists mainly of insects and their grubs tak-en from living and dead trees, and other arthropods, along with fruit, nuts and sap from live trees. Ecologically, they help to keep trees healthy by keeping them from suffering mass infestations. The insect prey most commonly taken are those found inside tree trunks, wheth-er they are alive or rotten, and in crevices in the bark. These include beetles and their grubs, ants, termites, spiders, and caterpillars. I’ve chosen a few Woodpecker images to show the amazing variety and wonderful colors they present in winter. So the next time you hear the drumming bill of a woodpecker on a tree, get out and see its vivid plumage!
This “can do anything” gal was born and raised in Columbus Ohio. Vicki and her husband moved to Prescott Valley in 1994 to get away from the harsh win-ters. Her husband passed in 2005.
Vicki is currently working at the VA in an administration position, assisting in the process of purchasing prosthetic items for individual veterans. She earned her CNA (Certified Nursing Assistant) certificate at Yavapai College, but has
only worked in a clinical setting for a few years before returning to a desk.
Vicki gardened with potted plants on their patio when they first moved to town. Her experience with house-plants started in the 1970’s, now Orchids fill her front picture window. Vicki definitely has a green thumb.
Vicki had always wanted her own home in Prescott Valley. It is when she moved into her home in 2010 that she got involved in landscape garden-ing. Her first order of business was getting rid of the black plastic under her front yard gravel. With the help of her brother and her mom, they began the large job of excavating her front yard to start the garden of her dreams. “It is a work in progress with planting trees, removing trees, planting irises and putting in a front paver patio" says Vicki. Her goals for her front yard is to have a large variety of plants and establish more drought tolerant plants. She is looking forward to planting Columbine this spring. Her patience and great attitude will no doubt make her front garden a beauty come spring-time.
Vicki’s gardening challenges are the wind and the soil. Her tips for gardening? Wear a hat and gloves (especially to maintain a manicure). Her recommended garden tool is a pick.
Vicki is also a member of the Prescott Orchid Society and Prescott Area Iris Society.
