HOME OF MILDRED SPALDING

HOSTESSES: Sarah Clarke, Susan Virgin, Margie Hutchison, Mildred Spalding,

Call To Order: Catherine Fleetwood who gave a very special thank you to Mildred Spalding for opening up her lovely home.

Correction to the March Minutes – We have a correction to the March minutes.  It was stated that Sandy Jones won the Candy Simmons Trophy.  She actually won the “Gena Moran” Trophy for the Ivy Class.  We want to give her another shout out for her 29 ribbons and 1 trophy she won at the flower show!

Treasurers Report – no report

Speech School – Terri Alston has a May work day announcement:  Tuesday, May 7th at 10 AM at the Speech School

Quarry Garden – no report

Corresponding Secretary – Rawson Grobety

Yearbook – There are a few more yearbooks for pick up.  There will be no more yearbooks next year as we move to the website.

Membership – We are proud to announce the new members to the club.  It was a unanimous vote to accept our 3 new members.  We want to thank their sponsors for bringing them to us:

Sharena Summerall Hall sponsored by Linda Maddox (aunt), Claire Marie Huff, and Mary Mac Southerland

Rae Cole Knox is Wawa Hines daughter in law. Sponsored by Lois Yates, Emily Jordan, and Maysie Beeson

Louise Allen Moore is Tricia Allen’s daughter, Parker Tekin’s sister and grand daughter to the late Louise Allen.  She was sponsored by Tricia Allen, Marcy Mctier, and Sally Allen.

We are so happy to have this great group of girls!

Slate for Officers for 2013-2014– The nominating committee met in March to discuss the state for next year.  We would like the club to vote on the new slate:

President- Emily Jordan

VP elect – Jackie Cushman

2nd VP Speech School- Kendrick Williams, Terri Alston, Caroline Davis

3rd VP Quarry Garden – Nancy Powell, Mary Mac Southerland, Jinny Keough

Recording Secretary- Liz Irby, Jennifer Euart, Parker Tekin

Corresponding Secretary- Rawson Grobety, Maysie Beeson (snail mail)

Treasurer- Julie Harlin, Shelby Neely (dues collection)

Yearbook- Emily Ferguson

Membership- Wawa Hines, Lois Yates

Flower show and New Member Mentors- Claire Marie Huff, Shelby Drinkard

Historian- Sallie Smith

Scrapbook – Caroline Millican, Nancy Glenn

Programs- Lori Kennedy, Leslie Morgan

Website- Eileen Millard

Party Chairs- Mandy Culpepper, Mary Huntz

The motion to vote for this slate was approved and the vote was unanimous.

The Party Chairs asked for possible volunteers to have the party at a home.

Historian– no report

Please remember that all meetings will begin at 10:30 AM next year.

Website – Eileen asked that we be reminded that the website is:  mimosagardenclub.com

The user name is Mimosa

The password is Atlanta

Announcements:

Very Important announcement: Please note that the May meeting is a week earlier than normal in May.  We did this because the end of May is alway so crazy for everyone.  The May meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, May 14 at 10:15 at the Allen’s Playhouse.

Programs:

Sarah Kennedy introduced Danielle Rollins, who presented her book Soiree: Entertaining with Style and then demonstrated techniques in assembling a large floral arrangement.

Respectfully submitted,

Marianne Craft & Margie Hutchison

HOME OF LOUISE MANN

HOSTESSES:  Margaret Warren, Nicole Warren, Blair Mann, and Louise Mann

Call To Order: Catherine Fleetwood

Catherine called the meeting to order and thanked our hostesses for providing lunch for Mimosa members and gave special thanks to Louise Mann for so graciously having the meeting in her lovely home.

Treasurers Report – NONE

Quarry Garden Report- NONE

Speech School –  Terri Alston reported that the Atlanta Speech Gardens are in full bloom.  THE NEXT WORK DAY IS SCHEDULED FOR TUESDAY, MAY &TH AT 10:00 A.M.  – all members are welcome to participate.

Corresponding Secretary -Rawson Groberty again asked that all notices sent to her be in “final draft” form and ready to send out.

Yearbook – A few yearbooks are left and are available for pick up at the sign in table.  This is the LAST YEAR FOR PRINTED YEARBOOKS.  Next year’s yearbooks will be on the website.

Membership -Mary Mac and Emily announced that all meetings have hostesses for next year.

Historian – Sallie Smith reported on her 7th member interview, which was with PATTY BOYKIN.  Patty joined Mimosa in 1954.  In 1973 Babs Atkins and Patty started a non-profit project which evolved into our longstanding support of, and relationship with, the Atlanta Speech School.  Proceeds from the Mimosa cookbook “Hors d’oeuvres” are still directed to the Speech School .  ANYONE INTERESTED IN A COOKBOOK CAN CONTACT PATTY FOR A COPY – THEY ARE STILL ONLY $5.00.

Website – Eileen Millard continues to think of new ideas for the web site and is now working on getting some history recorded on the site.

FLOWER SHOW WINNERS:

Claire Marie Huff, who not only was in charge of the camellia exhibit, she won 3 blue ribbons including one for her “pink perfection’ camellias and the Emma Tippins Hodges trophy for them!

Sandy Jones: won 10 blue, 8 red, 6 yellow, and 5 white ribbons, not to mention our Candy Jones Simmons Trophy for the best topiary!!!

Wawa Hines – Blue ribbon on her Amaryllis.

Esther Garges – two yellow ribbons on her Amaryllis

Harden Powell – Honorable Mention on her Amaryllis

Edwina Johnson, one blue, one red

Maysie Beeson, one red

Harden Powell, Jinny Keough, Marianne Craft,  all won white ribbons

Mandy Culpepper, Aimee Nix, Maggie Yates, Margaret Glenn, Sarah McElroy, Jennifer Stuart, Parker Tekin, Liz Irby (the new members from the last two years) together won a white ribbon for their arrangement exhibit which was a real crowd pleaser.

Mary Huntz reminded us about the Atlanta Botanical Garden Tour on Mothers’ Day weekend (Sat and Sun).  Mary’s in town garden is on the tour!

Tricia Allen suggested we change the meeting time to 10:30 am next year and the proposal was passed by the membership.

Look for ballots for voting on new members in the mail.  The results will be announced at the next meeting.

Our business meeting was adjourned and sisters, Mary Poynter and Anne Rainer, of Container Gardening of Atlanta, gave 3 very informative and lovely demonstrations on container arrangements, using live plants, cut flowers and moss.

Respectfully submitted,

Marianne Craft and Margie Hutchison

HOME OF GAYLE ALSTON

HOSTESSES:  GAYLE ALSTON, TERRI ALSTON, JENNIFER ALSTON, EMILY FERGUSON

Call To Order: Catherine Fleetwood

Catherine called our meeting to order and thanked Gayle for so generously having us in her beautiful home for the Mimosa meeting.  She also thanked the co-hostesses, Terri, Jennifer and Emily for their participation in providing such a lovely lunch for Mimosa members.

Treasurers Report– There was no report other than all but one member has paid dues for 2012-2013.

Speech School -Terri Alston said that a Speech School garden work-day would most likely be scheduled for the spring.

Quarry Garden–  Jinny Keough said there is no report for February.

Corresponding Secretary – Rawson Grobety said there is no report.

Yearbook FOR 2012-2013: There are still a few yearbooks left for members who haven’t yet picked theirs up.

Membership –  Emily Ferguson asked that hostesses for 2013-2014, who haven’t yet signed up, to please be sure to do so.

Membership Forms – Catherine still has membership forms available.  There are three slots open for next year, and no one has yet been proposed for membership.  Forms should be completed and turned in to Catherine by the March meeting.

Flower show – Mandy Culpepper reported that she held a meeting at her home for the new members to begin planning the Mimosa entry for the 25th annual Southeastern Flower Show at the Galleria, beginning March 15th.  She said they are well on their way to creating their exhibit, along with the help from last year’s new members.

Claire Marie and Shelby then outlined some of the vast information from the SEFS Exhibitor’s Guide on how and when to enter, and ideas of potential entries from our own homes and yards. They closed by advising  Mimosa members of the many advantages in attending the opening night party on Thursday the 16th, one being a sneak preview of the venues and ribbon winners prior to the crowds arriving for the weekend, and another being the need for our support of the SEFS.

CANDY JONES SIMMONS TROPHY:  Members were reminded that this trophy is given to the most outstanding topiary in honor of our beloved Candy Simmons.

Website- – Eileen Millard said they are working on getting the job descriptions of the board members and committee chairs entered onto the new Mimosa website.

Announcement:THE MARCH MEETING WILL BE HELD AT THE HOME OF LOUISE MANN AT 21 VERNON ROAD AT 10:15 A.M. PLEASE NOTE THIS IS A CHANGE IN LOCATION!

REMINDER:  Danielle Rollins, our April speaker, will be bringing a few copies of her books to the April meeting.  The title is, SOIREE, and if you would like to purchase a copy prior to the April meeting, it can be bought at a lower price on Amazon.  Danielle will be happy to personally sign books at the meeting, following her presentation.

The business meeting was adjourned and our speakers, Polly McLeod Mattox and her daughter, Helen Mattox Bost  gave a slide show presentation and talk regarding their book,  PRIVATE GARDENS OF GEORGIA.

Respectfully submitted,

Marianne Craft and Margie Hutchison

HOSTESSES:  CAROLINE DAVIS & SARAH KENNEDY

Call To Order: Catherine Fleetwood

Catherine called the meeting to order and thanked our hostesses, Sarah Kennedy & Caroline Davis, for providing such a beautiful lunch honoring the 75th anniversary of The Speech School.

Treasurers Report-  Julie Harlan gave an in depth report on the finances of our club.  She prepared an extensive spread sheet explaining our budget, and passed out copies to all of the members.  Kendrick again reminded the membership that there are still outstanding dues owed by twelve members.  A late fee of 25.00 will be attached to dues paid after the January meeting.

Speech School – Terry Alston went over the landscape projects for the courtyard, which were professionally done in the fall.  The next workday will be sometime in the spring, date and time to be announced.

Quarry Garden– Jinny Keough read a letter from Sheffield Hale thanking us for our contribution to the History Center.  She followed this by the email from Sarah Roberts, the curator of the Quarry Garden, listing some of the projects that will hopefully be implemented with the money gifted to them for improvement and maintenance of the gardens.  They are hoping to purchase a leaf shredder, replant the entrance to the gardens, and take care of some badly needed pruning of trees.

Corresponding Secretary – All Mimosa related announcements should be emailed to Rawson Grobety in the exact way they should be sent out, and she will take care of forwarding them to the members.

Yearbook–   Yearbooks can be picked up by all members who have paid their dues for this year.  Elkin Alston was mistakenly omitted from the 2012-13 yearbook which will be rectified for next year, and in the meantime, her information can be found on our new Mimosa website.

Membership – Emily Ferguson and Mary Mac Southerland passed the sign-up poster for hosting meetings.  Also, in reference to membership, CATHERINE ANNOUNCED THAT WE HAVE 3 OPENINGS FOR NEW MEMBERS FOR NEXT YEAR, AND SHE HAS THE FORMS FOR ANYONE INTERESTED.

Historian – Sallie Smith shared about her interview with Bettye Maddox who has been integrally involved with the Speech School for many years.  It was during her presidency that Mimosa’s work was completed for the Speech School garden. It was noted that Sallie’s interviews with our longstanding, not to mention outstanding, members, will be available on our website in the near future.

Flower Show– Claire Marie Huff, Shelby Drinkard & Mandy Culpepper gave a report on the sale of amaryllis bulbs to Mimosa members, which as gorgeous, mature plants (!), will be entered in the upcoming Southeastern Flower Show.

Please be sure to mark the dates on your calendars now, which are March 15th – March 17th.  Mandy held the first meeting at her house to begin planning Mimosa’s main entry, which is the project for the newest members of Mimosa.  The flower show website is:  www.sehort.org which is where the online entry forms will be available.

Nominating Committee-

New members of the nominating committee for 2013 are:  Maysie Beeson, Mary Mac Southerland, Marcy McTier, Emily Jordan & Catherine Fleetwood.

Announcements:

The North Georgia Camellia Society will present the 65th annual Atlanta Camellia show at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens.

Brochures and membership applications for ACF stakeholders (Brad Curry’s group) are available.

Danielle Rollins, who is speaking at our April meeting, will be bringing a few of her books “SOIREE, to be purchased at that time.  If you would like for her to sign a copy of an already purchased book, bring it to the meeting, and, if you would like to purchase “SOIREE” prior to the meeting, you can do so on Amazon.

Website: Eileen Millard gave a thorough and fascinating presentation of the new Mimosa website, which she has been diligently working on, along with a consultant, the past two years.  She was presented with a beautiful plant in appreciation for her hard work and commitment to this huge project.  Eileen thanked Jackie Cushman for her contributions, which were generously donated on a pro bono basis.  Website expenses will be a part of our annual budget going forward, and we can now find our Mimosa Directory online.  The hard copy of the directory will be gradually phased out, with the exception of those members who don’t use computers.  Mimosa members were encouraged to go online to check out the website, and to direct any suggestions to Eileen.  Great job Eileen!!!  (To log in go to www.mimosagardenclub.com , type in “Mimosa” for user name and “Atlanta” for password.)

VERY IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENT:  LOCATION CHANGE FOR THE MARCH MEETING !  IT WILL NOW BE HELD AT LOUISE MANN’S HOUSE, WHICH IS 21 VERNON ROAD, NOT AT BLAIRE MANN’S HOUSE!!!  THE MARCH 26TH MEETING WILL BEGIN AT 10:15.

The business meeting was adjourned and Comer Yates, Executive Director of the Atlanta Speech School, thanked Mimosa for their 53 years of support, and proceeded to give a wonderfully informative talk about their illustrious history, mentioning that over two million children had benefitted from the Speech School’s services, and not one child had ever been turned away because of financial hardship!  He then ended his talk by noting that students had created lovely note cards which were pencil drawings depicting the Speech School gardens, and had been put together as a gift of appreciation for Mimosa members.

Respectfully submitted,

Marianne Craft & Margie Hutchison

FERNBANK MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY

HOSTESSES: Lindsey Sones, Hallie Crawford, Deborah Childers, Beth Nix

CALL TO ORDER: Catherine Fleetwood

It was announced that the checks, representing Mimosa’s commitment to the Atlanta Speech School & The Atlanta History Center’s Quarry Garden, have been mailed for the amounts mentioned in the September Mimosa Minutes.

Kendrick Williams mentioned that anyone who hasn’t paid their dues be advised that, if not received by December 1st, a penalty will be added to the 50.00 owed.

SPEECH SCHOOL: The garden looks good and seems to be thriving – no work day has been planned for the fall.

CORRESPONDING SECRETARY: Rawson Groberty reminded Mimosa members, once again, to PLEASE RSVP TO THE MONTHLY EVITES out of respect for our hostesses. Also, she is asking that all emails submitted to her, which are to be sent out to our membership, pertain only to Mimosa business.

FLOWER SHOW: Claire Marie Huff said she still has amaryllis bulb kits which are 20.00 each. She also had with her that day “hard copies” of the exhibitors guide for those interested in participating. She encouraged potential entrants to purchase plants for the Flower Show by December 15th, so they’ll be healthy and gorgeous by opening day on March 15th (thru the 17th). The theme of the show for this year is “What’s old is New Again”.

The business meeting was then adjourned by Catherine.

WaWa Hines, our Mimosa member who has been affiliated with Fernbank for a number of years, gave a fascinating summary of the Museum’s broad array of activities, programs etc. She then introduced Susan Nugent, the CEO of Fernbank , who gave an informative talk about stewardship, as well as the proposed campus master plan, followed by a brief history of the Museum. Aneli Nugteren was introduced by Susan Nugent. Aneli proceeded to give a detailed presentation of what Fernbank’s goals & aspirations are, along with a more in depth talk about the many attractions of the campus.

She discussed their desire to be a good neighbor to the neighborhoods which border the grounds. She also gave a wonderful description of the trails, the acreage, as well as the historical beauty of the landscape.

A delicious lunch was then served. Following lunch, those who were able to stay were given a guided tour, by a staff member, of the trail that cuts through the woods (which the museum overlooks). This beautiful & lush forest is owned, maintained, & cared for by Fernbank.

Respectfully submitted,

Marianne Craft

Margie Hutchison