(DRAFT)
The meeting was called to order by President Julie Maturo at 12:05.

Minutes

The minutes were read by Kristie Dienst and approved with a motion by Susan VanderVeen and seconded by Ellie Byrnes.

Treasures Report-Ellie Byrnes reported current balances in GGC accounts.

Vice Presidents’ Report-Julie Brown let everyone know that our February meeting will be ‘’Those Amazing Annuals’ presented by Joann Loebel.

Guest Introductions- Sheila Persinger introduced Mary Bencini who she has nominated for membership to the board for approval.

Civic- Julie Maturo reported that Arlene Grandt and Ellie Byrnes put down the mulch at the Garden Club Park. The mulch was donated by Deb Notaro.

Communications-Julie Maturo reported that the website has some changes made with more coming. Julie encouraged the members to review and give input.

Hospitality-Renee Ferguson made a request to all members. With regards to name tags we wear at the meeting-Please fold the string inside the plastic name holder and then put into the box upon leaving the meetings. Renee introduced Patty Thorson as the chair of the Hostess committee. Patty then introduced her committee and thanked them for their help. Renee advised there were 3 raffles to be drawn for the day.

Library-Judy Anderson said all is going well at the library. Judy also shared pictures from a past May luncheon with the members.

Scholarship-Karen Bielski said everything has been sent to appropriate schoold and is on our website but no activity yet on applications.

Ways & Means-Annette said we now have sold over $9.000.00 in profit from the cookbook!! There are some left but they are running out! (Jim has now sold 112 books and says hello to everyone!)

Old Business-Julie Maturo announced that we have 2 chairs for the 2013 Garden walk-Deb Notaro and Sheila Persinger. If there is anyone else who would like to be a chair let Julie now.

New Business-Julie Maturo said that we need a few people to be on the Nomination Committee as positions will be open (President, Vice-President-3 people and Secretary). Julie had not spoke with any of the current officers to see if they were interested in holding their positions but will do so. She reminded the members that if they were interested in holding a board position to let her know. Sue Boyle, Mary Stavenhagen and Sue Woltman volunteered to be on the Nomination Committee.

Adjournement-the meeting was adjouned at 12:25 with a motion by Susan VanderVeen and seconded by Ellen Bassett.

Submitted by Kristie Dienst

Submitted by Mary Bavolek

PREHEAT OVEN             325 degrees

INGREDIENTS:

• 8 oz. cream cheese softened
• 1 cup butter
• 1 ½ cup sugar
• 1 ½ teas. Vanilla
• 4 eggs
• 2 ¼ cake flour
• 1 ½ teas. baking powder    SIFT together, reserving
•  ¼ cup  for mixing w/cherries

• 8 oz. cherries chopped with juice
• ½ cup chopped pecans

Cream Cheese (softened), butter (softened) sugar, vanilla mixed together.

Then add eggs one at a time.  Add this mixture to sifted flour (reserving ¼ cup flour)

Add reserved ¼ cup flour with cherries and pecans.  Add this mixture to greased and floured bundt pan.

Add flour mixture batter on top of cherries.

Bake bundt cake for 1 hr. 20 min, check to make sure done

The meeting was called to order by President Julie Maturo at 12:10.

Minutes

The minutes were read by Glorianne Campbell and approved with a motion by Susan Vander Veen and seconded by Betty Hassels.

Treasurer’s Report -  Ellie Byrnes reported current balances in GGC accounts.  Thank you notes were received from Master Gardeners and the Sycamore Public Library.

Vice Presidents’ Report – Kristie Dienst reported that the speaker for the January 3rd meeting will be Master Gardener Vickie Hagstotz, who will be speaking on Veggie Gardens, as well as the Master Gardener program.

Guest Introductions – Ellie Byrnes introduced Joy Kaufman who is working on the redesign of our website.  Chris Shaw introduced Darlene Johnson and Mary Bencini, was with us again.

Civic Projects – Susan Vander Veen reported that the bulbs have been planted in the Garden Club Park by Susan, Julie Brown and Deb Notaro.  Susan also did some fall pruning.  Deb Notaro, Ellie Byrnes and Arlene Grandt volunteered to spread mulch that Deb has donated around some of the plantings.  Ellie Byrnes announced that we will work with the Pottawatomie Garden Club in 2012 maintaining two large planters at the new Living Well facility.  We will be responsible for the fall and winter seasons and have allotted $200 towards that project.

Communications – Ellie again introduced Joy Kaufman who gave us some information as to the present status of the website.  Suggestions are always welcome.

Hospitality – Linda Radtke introduced Diane Ramm, who introduced her committee of the day who provided a lovely holiday display of food and decorations.  Betty Hassels announced the raffle items of the day.

Library – Julie Maturo reported in Judy Anderson’s absence that a Christmas Cactus has been planted in the place of a plant that had died in the library planters.  It was also mentioned that Chris Shaw made a beautiful gingerbread house which is on display at the check out desk.

Scholarship – Karen Bielski reported that the scholarship information is now on the website and eight schools have been informed that the information is now available.

Ways & Means – Annette Byrnes and Ginny Dushney reported that we now have 100-140 cookbooks left.  Our profit to date is $8,562.  Bow Sales – Pat O’Keeffe reported that over 25 volunteers helped with the sales over the past weekend.  The profit was $570, which included the sale of four cookbooks and seven packets of cards.  Julie Maturo reported that the Bulb Sales resulted in a profit of $148.15.

New Business – again volunteers were asked to come forth for the planning of the 2013 Garden Walk.  Deb Notaro and Sheila Persinger volunteered to Chair the event.
Adjournment – the meeting was adjourned at 12:35 with a motion by Deb Hall-Reppen and seconded by Linda Stavrou.