GROW OUR GARDEN GROUP

MONTHLY BOARD MEETING

January 19, 2025

Minutes

Mary called the meeting to order at 6:05pm.

Present:  Bonnie Rochefort, Sue Lawrence, Colleen Weinert, Mary Gollakner, Gordy Lownds, Polly Belcher.

Absent:  Rosemarie DeVora. 

Secretary's Report  Minutes were accepted as read. 

Treasurer's Report  Current balance is $8246.07.  Colleen reported a $250.00 gift from Edward & Tracy Summer.

Old Business

1)  Flower boxes need repair and new coats of varnish.  Per Mary they will need to be sanded before refinishing.  Gordy discussed different products to use for finishing/sealing.  He noted that the sun destroys epoxy so we should use polyurethane or varnish.  It was decided to set Saturday, May 3rd as the date to work on the boxes (with lunch).  We may be able to use the Village Hall, where they are stored.

We will not be purchasing any more trees (or tree signs) this year, except to replace any trees that have died.  The trees that were planted last year will need to be watered this year, along with the flowers, but after that we will not be watering trees. 

The trailer for the watering tank is on its last legs.  The group discussed repair vs replacement.   Jeff LeFevre had said that the village could go in half on a new trailer. 

Sue had looked into designing new banners based on the ones that Munising has.  She spoke to a woman there who said that the company that makes them is in a suburb of Minneapolis.  The generic quote for banners that are 18X36 was $61 for the banner and $82 for the hardware for a total of $143 per banner.  Banners that are 30X60 would be $138 for the banner and $137 for the bracket for a total of $285 per banner.  They are made from vinyl fabric and would be lighter than the one we had made last year.  The lead time for making them would be 14-21 days (before Memorial Day).  The general agreement was to have a banner on every other pole, for a total cost of approximately $2,000.

The brackets for the hanging flowers need to be either repaired or replaced.  Mary and Gordy will look into getting metal scraps for fabrication.  Tana Leckson’s daughter works for a fabricating shop in Escanaba that could possibly make them.  We would need an estimate for 10 brackets.  The brackets would need to hold at least 50 lbs and withstand the wind. 

The group also discussed the possibility of signs, like the one at the beginning of town on the north side that says Welcome to Garden, THE PLACE TO BE IN THE UP.  They could be hand-written or stenciled.  Another option would be a computer-generated sign like the one at Garden Christian Fellowship.  We would need funding for it, perhaps a grant. 

2)  Final cleanup of the Peninsula Pioneers' things in the township hall.  It was decided to combine the final cleanup with our April meeting.  Currently the date is April 22nd, and we tentatively agreed to meet at 4:30pm.  Per Jeff LeFevre we may be able to store whatever is left at the Village Hall. 

3)  Fall Festival Updates - music, pumpkins, raffle baskets, children’s games, cake walk, cider press, chili, pickleball, etc. 

Pickleball did not attract many people, possibly because the lack of signage.  Also, people could

not hear announcements due to the noise.  The group discussed better signage and the possibility of a sign-up sheet.  Another potential activity in the Township Hall could be drumming aerobics, like those provided at the Senior Center by Heather Tyner. 

The group decided not to have the paddlewheel in 2025.

Hay bales for decoration looked great but they got wet and heavy over time and were difficult to remove.   

There were issues with the children’s games.  People felt that they were too busy. 

It was decided to do the flower meter again for fundraising.  We will need approximately $1200 for flowers, and $2000 for banners. 

Roberta Hero had offered to do a raffle fundraiser for the Fall Festival.  The group discussed it, but since we already have the basket raffle at the festival, perhaps she could have her raffle earlier and then announce the winners at the festival.    

New Business

1)  Website.  Polly has done tutorials on the Squarespace website, and feels that she can handle it, but can’t get on as an administrator.  She will contact Jena re getting a new invitation and password as an administrator.  The website renewal will be in March, so it would be best to have Polly get access before the next meeting, March 10th. 

2)  Improvements to the children’s area in the park.  Some felt that this should be the Village’s job, but others felt it would be nice to chip in on some new equipment.  Bonnie felt that this was something that should be budgeted for ahead of time, so we should get some information about costs before making a decision.  The group agreed. 

3)  Advisor thank you to donors and volunteers.  Polly brought a copy for the group to see.  All felt that Colleen did a great job on the design. 

4)  Co-treasurer change.  Mary had reviewed the bylaws and noted that they require that the chair and a co-treasurer be the bankers.  The group voted to have Mary and Colleen be the bankers. 

Next meeting 3/10/25