Newsletter May 2023

Allow me to introduce myself. I’m the new editor of the newsletter. My name is Leandra (Lee) Sisco and I’ve lived in Florida over thirty years and have been a member of the Garden Club for over 11 years. 

I retired from the school board in May, 2011 where I worked in Technology. 

We have seven grandkids and can never spend enough time with them! 

My other pastimes are knitting, sewing, cooking and baking but most of all GARDENING. Vegetable AND flowers. 

Please send me any pictures you think would be significant to our club. And stories, I need stories! Thanks. My email is leesisco@icloud.com

Leandra (Lee) Sisco

 Spring picnic and Auction - April 19th, 2023

The Garden Club Spring Auction and Scavenger Hunt was a success. Great fun and the weather cooperated.  The food was catered by Publix and cupcakes made by Gary and Celeste’s daughter. Jennifer Rothe made the adorable gnome centerpieces. 

April 19^th Picnic expenses- $619.64 for food, cupcakes, and decorations; Raffle proceeds-$266.00; total picnic cost of $353.64

The auction was done in a raffle ticket fashion and the more tickets you put in each bag the better chance you had of winning that item. Carol Zieres and myself handled the auction. Gary handled the Scavenger Hunt. Thanks to all who helped with the food set up and sign in tables, etc. 

Here are a few photos. 

 

As of the day of the picnic we had 90 paid Garden Club members.

 SHGC presented a check for $1500 to the Parks and Recreation Dept. for summer camp scholarships. 

Board Meeting May 3, 2023. 

Present were Gary and Celeste Sawtelle, Leslie Zambito, Gisela Benny, Lee Sisco, Paula Harvey, Carol Zieres, and Rebecca Cunningham.

Treasurers Report: bank balance 8,588.55

Plant sale:  will take place second Saturday in May. May 13th from 9 to 1. Please come volunteer. All those wishing to volunteer should be at Folly at 8:30. 

We discussed possibly holding planting classes during the Saturday sales such as propagating class, etc.

Future programs/Events:

Our monthly Garden Club meeting will take place on Wednesday May 17th at 9:30. There will be a plant exchange. Speaker will be Teresa Badurek an Urban Horticulturist who will talk about pruning. 

We are planning an Open House in Early August at the Rigsby Center that will showcase our club activities and committee opportunities. 

This will be our summer get together since there won’t be regular meetings. 

Keep in mind: This will be your chance to get on a Garden Club committee. 

Committees forming will include, but are not limited to: Mullett Creek, Hospitality, Field Trips, Educational Outreach, Communications and Merchandising.

Refreshments will be served.  

Folly News:

Over 200 trees planted at Folly Farm Nature Preserve

This past Monday, Will Moriaty's tree planting organization, the Tampa Bay Reforestation and Environmental Effort, Inc. (Tree, Inc. – Reforesting Tampa Bay with native trees (treeinc.org) planted native trees in the Folly Farm Preserve's wetland area. Trees Inc., Keep Pinellas Beautiful, Safety Harbor Garden Club and other volunteers joined together to help plant over 200 native trees on Monday, May 1st!

Spearheaded by John Fuller and overseen by Will Moriaty the project focused on removing invasive plants and replacing them with native trees including approximately 150 Bald Cypress trees!

We have water at Folly!

An irrigation project was recently completed connecting water to all our gardens at Folly. Safety Harbor Landscaping ran water lines to the gardens and to our nursery area. Now each garden will have access to a 50ft hose that can be used to hand water or attach to a sprinkler.

Thats all for this Month. 

See you Wednesday May 17 at the General membership meeting at
Moccasin lake Park. Bring a plant to exchange.

Social at 9:30am 

Business at 10:00am

Followed by the speaker.

 

 

 

 

P

Hi everyone!

 Our annual SHGC Summer picnic is scheduled for Wednesday, April 19 at the Folly Farm Nature Preserve Barn!

10AM - 11:30AM   scavenger hunt/ Auction Item dropoffs

The scavenger hunt winds its way through our Folly Butterfly Gardens!

Registration tables also will be open at 10:00AM to allow plenty of time for the scavenger hunt/Garden stroll and dropping off auction items.

The hunt will be fun and informative and there are prizes!

 

The highlight of our Summer Picnic is the auction!

Garden art, amazing plants, tools, garden jewelry, books, and all sorts of cool stuff!

We ask everyone to please bring an item.

Each item will have a paper bag with the item description (You fill this out upon drop off). 

To win an item, you place your raffle tickets into the bag for the drawing. 

Everyone gets a raffle ticket at registration. You may purchase additional.

 

Picnic Volunteers needed:

Registration

Barn set up

Auction

Food set up

Clean up

Wherever you need me!

Please RSVP your intention to attend the picnic by clicking on this link and mention your volunteer preference.

SHGC Picnic RSVP

 

Your 2023 dues must be paid to attend (you can pay at picnic registration)

Guests of dues paid members are welcome - $5  

 

Hope you can make it!

The SHGC Summer Picnic Committe

 

APRIL BOARD MEETING MINUTES

Present: Gary Sawtelle, Celeste Sawtelle, Gisela Benny, Leslie Zambito, Cheryl Warth, Paula Harvey and myself, (Lee Sisco).

 Membership report - Paula reported 47 email reminders were sent as reminders to pay your dues. We currently have 16 new members and a total of 75 paid members. Membership should be paid before attending picnic April 19.

We discussed taking new membership at any time of the year that people want to join.

Treasurers report -
Celeste reports as of March 8 our balance was 7, 286.96.
We made about $1800 in plant sales.
Our balance now is $8, 588.55

Expenses: 
Gnomeo  $495
Pollinator Pathways signs and hand outs $312.

 

Garden Fest needed more food sources. We will provide feedback to the city for inviting a few more food trucks next year.

 

Folly News: Leslie reported we had 25+ volunteers helping at the Enchanted Garden Fest. We need to revert back to a sign up sheet including set up and tear down volunteers.

More water lines are being extended at Folly Farms and this should take place this month. Invasive brush will be mowed and chopped under. 

 

Annual Picnic and Auction April 19 11:30

Lunch will be served.
Guests are $5 extra.

Please donate garden related items for this event.
This will be a silent auction with tickets bought like we did at Christmas party.
Lee is making the ID tags for the items and they will be available at the table when you sign in to attend the auction/picnic.

A donation will be given to the City of Safety Harbor for kids to attend summer camp.
We also will be clearing out our Garden Club tshirts and the like at the auction. A suggestion is $5 a shirt and so forth.

 Cheryl mentioned a possible field trip to Marie Selby botanical garden in Sarasota in May. Or  possibly Spanish Point. A date for either of these wasn’t decided but May was suggested as it it getting too hot out. Gary suggested limiting the trips to 25 people.  

At the May meeting Theresa will be speaking about pruning.

 Gary suggests our succession planning could be better. Suggests a meeting during the summer in an air conditioned place with refreshments. Purpose to discuss volunteer for positions we need as far as committees, etc.

 

 Trip to Bok Tower, March 15, 2023

A great time was had by the Garden club. On March 15th 30+ of us went to Bok Tower Gardens in Lake Wales. Gary our president also served as our bus driver. He did a splendid job! Upon arrival we were greeted by a guide who showed us a tour of the plant nurseries. We were in our element. Surrounded by beautiful trees, spring shrubs in flower and the forever enchanting sounds of the tower.  Happy smiles all around, then a great lunch and wandering around the beautiful grounds followed. 

Enchanted Garden Fest 

March 26, 2023

Our none other than talented Chris Dotson has been diligently working on our giant wooden statue of Gnomeo. He got his head on his shoulders for the fest. Improvements still to be added. Bravo, Chris and crew!!

The plant sale was a success. Thank you to all who participated. The gorgeous day was dotted with many garden club members, some dressed as gnomes or fairies and even a witch or two. Entertainment and craft and plant booths all over, what more could a gardener want?

 



Present: Gary Sawtelle, Celeste Sawtelle, Gisela Benny, Leslie Zambito, Cheryl Warth, Paula Harvey and myself, (Lee Sisco).

 

Membership report - Paula reported 47 email reminders were sent as reminders to pay your dues. We currently have 16 new members and a total of 75 paid members. Membership should be paid before attending picnic April 19.

We discussed taking new membership at any time of the year that people want to join.

 

Treasurers report - Celeste reports as of March 8 our balance was 7, 286.96 We made about 1800 in plant sales and expenses for Gnomeo was $495 and Pollenator Pathways signs and hand outs was $312. Our balance now is $8, 588.55

 

Garden Fest needed more food sources and we discussed inviting a few more food trucks next year.

 

Folly News: Leslie reported we had 25 volunteers helping at the Enchanted Garden Fest. We need to revert back to a sign up sheet including set up and tear down volunteers.

More water lines are being extended at Folly Farms and this should take place this month. Invasive brush will be mowed and chopped under. Eventually putting a water feature there near the same place water is naturally there.

 

Auction April 19 11:30

Lunch will be served. Guests are $5 extra. We need volunteers for help with a Scavenger hunt to take place an hour before the auction starts. We also need volunteers to run the auction. Please donate garden related items for this event. This will be a silent auction with tickets bought like we did at Christmas party. Lee is making the ID tags for the items and they will be available at the table when you sign in to attend the auction/picnic.

A donation will be given to the City of Safety Harbor for kids to attend summer camp. We also will be clearing out our Garden Club tshirts and the like at the auction. A suggestion is $5 a shirt and so forth.

 

Cheryl mentioned a possible field trip to Marie Selby botanical garden in Sarasota in May. Or  possibly Spanish Point. A date for either of these wasn’t decided but May was suggested as it it getting too hot out. Gary suggested limiting the trips to 25 people.  At the May meeting Theresa will be speaking about pruning.

 

Gary suggests our succession planning could be better. Suggests a meeting during the summer in an air conditioned place with refreshments. Purpose to discuss volunteer for positions we need as far as committees, etc.

 

LS

MARCH MEETING CANCELED

The SHGC March meeting at Moccasin Lake is canceled due to the BOK TOWER trip.

SHGC elections

There are current no candidates for the posted positions.

Update: Gary Sawtelle will continue in his role as President until July 1,
Cheryl Warth will keep the duties of vice-president until she moves later this year. 

Rebecca Cunningham is the new Recording Secretary. All other officers will retain their positions.

 

BOK TOWER TRIP

Looking forward to our BOK Tower trip!

The Bus is full but there is a self-drive option available.

Safety Harbor Garden Club Board Meeting Minutes
March 1, 2023

Present: Gary Sawtelle, Celeste Sawtelle, Gisela Bennie, Leslie Zambito, Sharen Kuckkahn, Barbara Nelson, Cheryl Warth, Jennifer Rothe, and Paula Harvey

Membership Report:         SHGC has 62 paid members – 11 of those are new members – 51 members from 2022 have not paid their dues.

Paula will send an email to the 2022 members who have not renewed their membership with a reminder to pay dues before the April Picnic.

Treasure’s Report:            Balance in the SHGC account is $5,735.97.
                                            Bok Tower Account: $1,144.95
                                            Gnomeo account: $480.22.
 The Audit has been completed. Carol Cecil will check paperwork at the end of every month.

Bok Tower Trip: 29 paid members will be riding the bus, 2 will be driving. There is no waiting list. The trip will close out at 29. An email was sent to 29 people for a lunch count. Celeste will help Cheryl with the lunch count. Bok Tower needs the lunch count by Friday, March 3 and payment for the trip on arrival. An email will be sent to participants to bring their own water and sunscreen. One stop midway will be made on the way and on the return trip.

Plant Sale: Plant sale at Folly Farm on the 2^nd Saturday – March 11.

Pollinator Pathways: Gary has contacted pollinator-pathway.org. Our club will be the first in Florida to be on the website.  The organization will manage emails and street addresses obtained from the pledges.  They have information brochures and handouts and metal yard signs. They will sell the yard signs to us at ½ price.  Gary made a motion to donate money (amount to be determined) to the Pollinator Pathway organization. Motion seconded by Leslie and passed.

Enchanted Garden Fest- March 26: This festival is the biggest and most successful event for the SHGC. The kick off for the Pollinator Pathway project will be during the Garden Fest.
Ken Fischer is building an information booth.
Information from the Florida Wildflower Foundation will be handed out at the booth.
Leslie made a motion to pay for the shipping of the educational material from the Wildflower Foundation. (there is no cost for the material). Barbara seconed the motion. Motion passed.
Cheryl and Leslie will coordinate the purchase of seeds from the Florida Wildflower Foundation. $100.00 has been budgeted for the purchase.
Cheryl will send an invitation for a “seed packing party”.
Volunteers will be needed for the festival. Some suggested volunteer positions: Help Desk – Jan Corbett? Cashier for the Plant Sale, “Helpers” to look at the site at Folly for plant ideas – Barbara has volunteered for this. Walking tours of the gardens – Nancy McClelland ?

Bloomin Chalk Fest-March 18 and 19: SHGC will be present both days to promote the Pollinator Pathways. A committee chair will be needed – 2 tables with brochures and volunteers. Possibly bring the “Help Desk”. Mail Chimp will provide information and seek volunteers.

Newsletter: The newsletter has been posted on the website a day after the board meeting. In the past an email has been sent out to members with a link to the newsletter. We need to educate members to go to the newsletter to find updated information.

Nursery Needs: Our plant nursery needs 1 gallon nursery pots and some 3 gallon pots. People who purchase plants have been asked to return pots.

April Picnic: It was decided to host the annual picnic at Folly Farms in the Barn area. Tours of the gardens will be provided. Gary will reserve the barn.

SHGC Award: Gisela has selected a house behind the Safety Harbor History Museum on Iron Age to receive the garden award. The home embellishes the front with art from local artists. The sign was in need of repair. Gisela contacted the company that made the sign and they repaired it at no cost.

Programs for Membership Meetings: Cheryl will be moving in June or July. She has arranged speakers for the membership meetings for May, June, September and October. The club does not meet in July or August.

President and Vice President Openings: Gary will continue to serve as president for the months of May and June. The search will continue for two members who will serve in these capacities.

SHGC Committee Structure: Need for committees was discussed. The by-laws give some direction as far as standing committees. Gary asked that board members email him with suggestions of committees that need to keep going.

Respectfully submitted,

Paula Harvey

All hands on deck for the Enchanted Garden Fest!

We need our members to block the date and come out and volunteer.
Sunday, March 26th

It will be a plant sale on steroids!
Showcasing two of our projects
Pollinator Pathway and Gnomeo 

Keep checking our website for more information 

THE GNOMEO PROJECT is underway!

Each Year for the past few years the Safety Harbor Garden Club has added enhancements to the Folly Farm Nature Preserve. In 2021 we won the state-wide award of excellence for Beautification and Enhancement!

If you walk about at Folly today, you will see that we have added a Butterfly Labyrinth, a Wind Phone, multiple gardens, blue bird boxes and more!

This year our enhancement is a sculpture of a giant gnome made from reclaimed wood combined with a piece by sculptor Kumpa Tawornprom.

For many years local artist and sculptor, Kumpa Tawornprom, had visions about adding sculptures to the gardens at Folly Farm.

When Shannon Schafer, Recreation Superintendent, was approached with the sculpture idea she immediately produced some photos of giant troll sculptures created by Thomas Dambo. (Thomas Dambo is an artist based out of Denmark. He has giant troll sculptures in place around the world and is currently building his 100^th giant troll!)

They are fantastic!

Local artist (and SHGC member) Chris Dotson was aware of the Dambo sculptures. He also had a friend, Sean Carberry, who had expressed interest in building a giant troll! 

The Gnomeo Project was born!

A decision to create a giant gnome rather than a troll kept to themes already established at Folly.

GNOMEO!

If you were at last year's world premiere of the play "The Origin of Magic at Folly Farm ..." you will recognize the name "Gnomeo"!

Gnomeo

Gnomeo will be constructed from discarded lumber.

He will stand approximately 17 feet tall.

Chris Dotson created a scale mock-up of the sculpture.

Sean Carberry designed the sculpture infrastructure and has committed resources from his contracting company.   

Kumpa is fabricating the head using foam and fiberglass. There will be additional treatments to make the appearance look like the wood used in the rest of the sculpture,

Rebekah Mason, Laura Kepner, Leslie Zambito and Celeste Sawtelle soon joined the team. 

Initial construction will begin mid-February and final assembly will have a March 26 deadline to coincide with the Folly Farm “Enchanted Garden Fest”. At that time, the public is invited to join in on a “community build” to complete any unfinished pieces!  

Gnomeo photos

Sean and Zack in the Gnomeo workshop (Folly Barn)

Kumpa brings "Chromeo" to 3rd Friday

3rd Friday on Main Street 2 17 23

 

City Hall

At work in one of Kumpa's studios

at Kumpa's studio

Gnomeo cut-away

The designer with his work!

SAFETY HARBOR POLLINATOR PATHWAY Update:

Our SHGC Pollinator Pathway project
start-up date is moving to
March 26
during the "Enchanted Garden Fest"!

The Pathway project invites gardeners to
plant native host and nectar plants.  

To join our "Pollinator Pathway," gardeners will sign a pledge to avoid pesticides and herbicides and use natural fertilizers such as composted materials.

They will also have the opportunity to purchase a metal  "Pathway" sign as shown above!  

We have been working hard in the nursery to build up our native plant inventories in anticipation of the start-up. 

In addition to having native plants for sale we will officially open our help kiosk. It will be stocked with hand-out materials from the Florida Native Wildflower foundation as well as other sources.

(Our volunteers at the Enchanted Garden Fest will
be supplied with elf ears and Gnome hats!!) 

The Pathway project will soon have its own page on our website.

PHOTOS FROM THE FIELD

February Plant Sale again surpassed $500 in donations!
Thank you volunteers!

Mullet Monday continues!

SHGC promoting Pollinator Pathway and Gnomeo projects at Moccasin Lake Park

Cary brings an unusual plant to the monthly meeting plant swap!
Mercily wants a piece!

Carol works at the Safety Harbor History Museum planting native flowers.
Part of our Pollinator Pathway initiative.

Nancy checks one of our bluebird boxes as Celeste looks on.
We have activity!
Nancy is logging activity at the boxes and we will post updates on the website.

Thanks for reading!

Our next newsletter will be posted directly to the Website,
no email link will be sent.
Make it a point to check in to the website
on a regular basis to stay up to date 

Volunteer for one of our events!

Keep checking our website for information.

 

 Safety Harbor Garden Club 

 

Newsbreak!

SHGC President Gary Sawtelle is resigning his position after three years as president.

SHGC 1st Vice President Leslie Zambito is resigning her position after three years as Vice-President 

As a result, our nominating committee is seeking out members interested in the following three offices including that of Assistant Treasurer:

President
1st Vice President
Assistant Treasurer 

Officer Job Descriptions 

The President shall:

A.  Be the official representative of the Club.

B.  Preside at all Board and Regular Meetings.

C.  Appoint all Chairpersons of Standing and Special Committees, subject to the approval of the Board.

D.  Consult with the Treasurer in appointing the Budget committee.
E.  Be ex-officio member of all Standing and Special

Committees, except the Nominating Committee.
F. Communicate with membership.

 

The First Vice-President shall:

A.  Perform the duties of the President in absence of, 

or by request of, the President.

B.  The elected First Vice-President shall be 

Program Chair.

Assistant Treasurer  

The Assistant Treasurer shall perform the duties of the Treasurer in the event of absence of the Treasurer.

Current Held Positions

Paula Harvey - 2nd VP. Membership
Karen Isak - Recording Secretary
1st Treasurer - Celeste Sawtelle
2nd Treasurer - Vacant

Social Secretary - Barbara Nelson
Publicity - Sharen Kuckkahn
Webmaster - Judy Zaccaria
Hospitality - Jennifer Rothe

If you are interested in any of the three available positions reach out to a member of our nominating committee:

Sharen Kuckkahn, Gisela Bennie, Nancy McClelland

Election of officers will take place at the March general membership meeting.

There has never been a better time to step into the roles of President, Vice-President or Assistant Treasurer of our garden club!

You'll have an experienced, fun team to work with and loads of support!

We need you!

For more information email: SafetyHarborGardenClub@gmail.com

Gary and Leslie aren't leaving us! They have thoroughly enjoyed their roles as President and Vice-President and look forward to serving the Club in their roles at Folly Farm Nature Preserve.

   

                                        Announcing

Folly Farm Nature Preserve Positions

appointed by SHGC president w/board approval

 

Nancy McClelland

 Folly Farm Gardens Manager

 Manages “Folly Farmers” volunteers to maintain gardens. 

Focus on enhancing and expanding the Folly Garden experience.

Knowledgeable in native plant use in landscape designs. 

Good communications skills.

Able to leap tall ant mounds in a single bound.

Works closely with Folly Farm Nursery Manager.

Gary Sawtelle

Folly Farm Garden Manager Assistant

City of Safety Harbor Folly Farm Site Beautification Technician

 

 Leslie Zambito

Folly Farm Nursery Manager

 Manages “Folly Farmers” volunteers to maintain nursery.

Focus on native plant propagation.
Knowledgeable in nursery operations.
Good communication skills.
Works closely with Folly Farm Gardens Manager to determine preferred plant inventory.
Acts as SHGC Folly Farm liaison to City of Safety Harbor.

 

 Gary Sawtelle

Folly Farm Nursery Manager Assistant

City of Safety Harbor Folly Farm Site Beautification Technician

*******************************************************

The SHGC is also searching for a Newsletter Editor:

 

SHGC Newsletter Editor

 Publishes a fun monthly online-newsletter detailing the activities of the club.

Activities reported include monthly meetings
 and special events.

 Must be able to write and edit content.

Experience in photography and photo editing a plus!

 Works with and has the support and input from the President and board to keep the membership informed of all current events and information.

Interested? Or need more information? 

Email: SafetyHarborGardenClub@gmail.com