Eighteen members of the Independence Garden Club and one guest met for a lovely lunch at the Healthy Lifestyles Center on Tuesday, March 25th at 11:30am. Bonnie Cook and Carol Fisher served as hostesses. Roll call was, “My favorite garden book and/or seed catalogue”.

 Deb Conklin gave an interesting power point presentation of her extensive collection of orchids, her beautiful garden as well as others in the area and some of her travels. 

 President, Dixie Bagby presided over the meeting. Shirley Rozendaal and Donna Harms assisted with crafts at the Long Term Care unit on March 7th and Jean Rouse provided the monthly floral arrangement. 

 Steve Pilcher volunteered to contact the Independence Food Pantry in regards to a possible need for seeds. Lynda Fiester gave an update on the applications for the clubs Dollars for Scholars scholarship. As Jesup School had no one applying, the selection committee was to meet to discuss the application from the Independence High School.

 Each member received a schedule for the July Standard Flower Show and copies for the public have been placed in all six county libraries. The public is also encouraged to participate in the “Gardening Fun” events on Friday, July 18th, as well as the yard art displays entitled “Pedal Power Project” that will be kept on display for the Ragbrai riders.

 Members will meet at 8am on Friday, July 11th to clean the Garden Gate building and tables will be set up at 4pm on Monday, July 14th. Entries will be accepted on July 15th and 16th. The judging will begin at 10:30am on Wednesday, July 16th with public viewing thereafter until Saturday night, July 19th. 

 The public is welcome to attend the April 22nd meeting at the Senior Center at 11:30am. Members Joellen Yeager and Cindy Walton will discuss “New plants for 2014.” If you would like to make a dinner reservation, please contact Darlene Lorenz @ 334-2623.

If you have any questions about this article please contact Lynda Fiester @ 334-2234.  

            The Independence Garden Club met on Tuesday, February 25th at 11:30am at the Healthy Lifestyles Center. Seventeen members and one guest attended as Donna Harms and Eleanor Hand acted as hostesses.

            Following a delicious meal, President Dixie Bagby introduced the speaker Wendy VanDeWalle. She gave an excellent power point presentation on the effects of climate change and helpful ways to correct our carbon footprint. Roll call was taken as everyone shared the ways in which they conserved energy.

            On February 7th, Lynda Fiester and Michaela Butler assisted with crafts at the Long Term Care unit. Floral arrangements for LTC were provided by Donna Harms in January and by Dixie Bagby in February.  Lynda Fiester prepared twenty inserts for the Independence welcome bags. Several members voiced an appreciation of the invitation from The Quasqueton Garden Club for their February 27th meeting, held at Prairie Hills. Sherlyn Hazen, Buchanan County Road Management, gave an informative power point presentation. Her use of native plants helps to maintain essential plant material for the wildlife while beautifying the ditches and preventing erosion.

            In response to the Independence Area Food Pantry’s Feinstein challenge, the Garden Club voted to pledge $200.00, to be presented in December.

            A garden walk is being planned for July 21st, for the members of the Quasqueton and Independence Garden Clubs and the Buchanan County Master Gardeners.

             Member Steve Pilcher created both a website and facebook page for the Garden Club which can be found at http://www.independencegardenclub.weebly.com/ and
https://www.facebook.com/independencegardenclub.

            The public is welcome to attend the upcoming March 25th meeting where speaker Deb Conklin will give a Horticultural power point presentation at the Senior Center. If you care to make a reservation for the noon meal, please contact Darlene Lorenz @ 334-2623.

            If you have any questions about this article please contact Lynda Fiester @ 334-2234. 

On Tuesday March 25th, The Independence Garden Club will meet at the Senior Center at 11:30 am. The public is welcome to attend as Deb Conklin will present a Horticultural power point at 12:30 pm. Pllease call Darlene Lorenz at 334-2623 if you wish to make a reservation for the noon meal.