Garden Club Federation of Pennsylvania (GCFP)

Minutes for the District VII Board Meeting, October 23, 2014

The meeting was called to order at 10:15 a.m.

The following handouts were issued:

Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl Poster Contest time line – from Barbara Campbell

Invocation and Pledge of Allegiance: Chaplain Betty Monyok opened with a prayer that was followed by the Pledge of Allegiance.

Welcome:President Leeanna Rybawelcomed all to the meeting! She explained that due to the Judges Council’s meeting being held the same day, certain Board members are absent. She will work to avoid this schedule conflict in the future.

Minutes: Marilyn Backus noted amendments to the minutes previously sent. Thus, the minutes stand approved as amended.

Correspondence: Valerie Wilson read card thank you cards from Iris Cisarik, GCFP Officers President Betsy Smith, FirstVice President, Sharon Brown, and Second Vice President Christine Leskosky.

Treasurer’s Report: Haddie Weberread the Treasurer’s report. She updated the list of Clubs who still owe dues. Dues are $1/person. Not all clubs are current. The 2014 Convention profit has been finalized @ $10,000 to State. District VII earned 25% of this profit.

PRESIDENTS’ REPORTS

(NOTE: Each Club is asked to submit a short written report of their club’s recent or upcoming activities to the Director and/or Secretary prior to or after the meeting.

Please view the Trumpet Vine’s October-November-December issue for each club’s past and upcoming club events @

Notify Jackie Stempfer @ if there are problems receiving or

opening the link.

Burrellton GC – Mildred Schorr reported these club activities:

  • September: President’s Invitational Meeting. “Identifying Mushrooms” was the workshop presented by Joyce Gross of the Western PA Mushroom Club.
  • October’s meeting: “Native Bees of North America” presented by Rev. Drew Bill, former professor at St. Vincent College in Latrobe
  • November’s program will be a “Hands-On Evergreen Door Swag” workshop, presented by Betty Palko
  • December: Christmas Luncheon in the Villa Ballanca Restaurant’s private dining room. Winter outerwear will be collected and donated to the Try Life Center, Lower Burrell. New officers will be installed.

GC of Forest Hills –In Kathy Koroskenyi’s absence, Iris Cisarik gave a brief update including:

  • September: a“Fairy Garden Designs” presentation wasgiven by three members
  • Club’s roster was increased by three new members
  • preparations are underway for the club’s Holiday party with choral entertainment. Please see

the club’s Facebook page for future events @

GC of McKeesport – Carolyn Monyok announced that the club has been busy with functions and taking care of the Rose Garden. Activities include:

  • November’s Live wreath making workshop for members
  • preparation for the annual Holiday Sale, December 4-7th from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
  • preparation to enter a tree for the Festival of Trees at the pavilion @ Renziehausen (Renzie) Park
  • preparation for the club’s Christmas party

GC of Monroeville - Shirley Brody reported her club’s activities, including:

  • Sponsoring student Jessica Michele Durmis, Woodland Hills High School senior who won the GCFP Mary Alice Wheeler Scholarship @$1,000. She is now attending Washington and Jefferson College – majoring in Biology/Wildlife
  • November’s program will be “The History and Design of Cornucopias”
  • Seed Money project: cosponsoring programs at the Monroeville Public Library
  • Conservation and Civic projects include the two entrance gardens to the University Park at College Park and Illini Drives
  • charitable donation to the Monroeville Historical Society
  • ongoing sponsorship of the Building New Hope group in Nicaragua

Home Gardeners Guild –Haddie Weber reported that the Guild is winding down for the year. A wreath for doors fundraiser was held in September. A Christmas party will be held in December > New Officers will be announced.

Joyful Bloomers –Donna Prizner reported her club’s activities as:

  • September’s program: “Plants for Our Landscape” with Speaker Carolyn Monyok.
  • October: “Making Nature Prints” was the workshoppresented by member Sally Buchleitner.
  • Fall Raffle Baskets is October’s fundraiser
  • Mums planting at the Garden of Reflection as Kane Regional Center and seasonal planting at the Senior Care Plaza - both in McKeesport
  • Fall cleanup at the Butterfly Garden, U. S. Steel Works in Clairton (have maintained garden for several years)
  • November: preparing ornaments for their tree entry for the Festival of Trees, McKeesport – theme: “Joyful Bloomers Love to Decorate”; Junior Gardener’s entry will be themed “Snowmen”
  • November’s fund raiser: Auction - Vera Bradley purses
  • December: club’s Christmas party; installation of officers

Landscape Design Society of Western PA: In Angela Raitano’s absence, Leeanna reported that the club went to Phipps for a Docent led guided tour where many behind the scenes details were learned – including how mums are shaped.

Pucketos GC – Marsha Ewing reported the Club’s activities as:

  • October: President’s Invitational – going to Hope Center to work w/youth painting pumpkins and planting bulbs
  • November: Members will visit second and third grade students – presenting the Smokey Bear/Woodsy Owl poster contest. Reid Stewart will present a talk on “History of the Area” at their general meeting. Additionally, members will also contribute items for their local food bank. Additionally68 personal care bags will be prepared for Veterans
  • December: Club’s Christmas luncheon at the Hillcrest Country Club. The Valley Show Choir will perform. Winter clothing items will be donated to the Salvation Army.

COMMITTEE REPORTS(Note: Reports are very limited since manymembers were absent due to schedule conflict.)

Awards –Eleanor Chodelka presented a summary of the District VII Awards and distributed the detailed report.

Scholarship – Shirley Brody was given updated GCFP scholarship information.

Trumpet Vine- Jackie Stempferwas absent but sent a note requesting all clubs to submit their new officers for 2015, along with any changes within their clubs. Also, she needs a copy of each club’s new Yearbook. Suggestions for improving the Trumpet Vine are welcomed. In addition, Jackie commented that the best way for all members to receive the publication is to email to each club president – who should then either email or print out for members.

NEW BUSINESS: The District VII Membership Teawill be held Thursday, March 19, 2015. The tentative site will be Sampson Mills Presbyterian Church in White Oak, PA.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The next Board meeting will be held at the Panera Bread (Wilkins Twp.), January 2015 @10 a.m. Date – TBD

Respectfully Submitted by:

Joyce Kareem, Recording Secretary