July 2019
Saturday, July 13 – Meeting at 6:30 p.m. with pot luck supper at the home of Gary Clark and Steve Hesla – 2275 Sunlite Lane - Phone is 406-728-7633.
Agenda: Rhizome sale plans
The Rhizome sale will be Saturday, July 27 at Fort Missoula. The schedule for sale preparation, the sale itself and after-sale party as well as the sale guidelines are attached at the end of the newsletter. Check out the tips listed in the minutes of the June meeting, too.
Our longtime member Honk Meyer passed away recently. See obituary below.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT:
We had a very good show at the Southgate Mall. Even though we were worried about having a good representation of iris after our long winter, we had many beautiful irises. Thanks to our co-chairpersons, Jim Sadler and Donna Dowell, and to all who helped and brought iris to the show.
Results of the Southgate Mall Iris Show:
Queen of Show: Pursuit of Happiness, entered by Fred Frey
Best Design: Entered by Donna Dowell
Sweepstakes Winner: Judy Blunt, Runner Up: Fred Frey
Ice Cream Social: Thanks to everyone who came to enjoy homemade ice cream and angel food cake made by Judy Blunt. A good time was held by all.
Meeting, Saturday, July 13, at 6:30 p.m., at the home of Gary Clark and Steve Hesla, 2275 Sunlite Lane. There will be a potluck supper, discussion of the upcoming sale, which is Saturday, July 27, demonstration on how to prepare your iris for sale, and a short meeting.
Please see the schedule of events for sale week and the sale guidelines included in this newsletter.
Also please get the list of iris rhizomes you intend to donate to Gary Clark prior to or by July 22, so pictures can be made for all rhizomes.
Help is going to be needed to prepare for the sale. We need volunteers to help load tables and set them up at the home of Gary Clark, set up tents at Gary's, and people to dig iris at the fort garden.
At the sale, we need people to set up at 7:30 a.m, bring pitch forks for marking boundaries, volunteers to be cashiers (one will handle credit card sales, give demonstrations of digging and planting rhizomes).
Thank you all. Betty Ann Gustafson, President, Missoula Iris Society
TREASURER'S REPORT: Facts based on May 22 reported balances:
SAVINGS: Beginning Balance $7105.48
Transfer to checking 1100.00
June 28 Balance $6005.48
CHECKING: Beginning Balance $ 477.83
Deposits 1158.00
Sub-Balance 1605.83
Expenses Paid 1209.28
June 28 Balance $ 426.55
Deposits were from: 3 year membership from Delane Langton - $ 30.00
return of excess lunch money cash 28.00
transfer from savings 1100.00
$ 1158.00
Expenses Paid were as follows:
Judy Blunt - for show expenses $ 12.80
Fred Frey- Sale and Show flyer printing 36.00
Cash for show worker lunches 105.00
Chery Carroll – show design judge 25.00
Ronda Leno – fort garden weeding 408.00
Paw Paw Everlast Labels – 500 each 236.00
Ronda Leno – fort garden weeding 288.00
Judy Blunt- ice cream social expenses 98.86
Total $ 1209.66
FORT GARDEN NEWS: A crew of members gathered on Tuesday June 4 and weeded for an afternoon at the Garden. A lot of weeds were removed from the gardens but we noted the grounds were really dry. I went to the sprinkler controller and noted it was in the off position and had been for some time as I had tested the system the Saturday before Mother's Day and it was working fine. So someone had turned off the system sometime between then and the weeding day so the irises were not getting watered. So I obtained a key to lock the controller door to prevent this from happening again. Well, wouldn't you know the Museum people want to turn off the system when there is a function in the area. I told them the story as to why the system was locked and also the watering is only done on Mondays and Thursdays beginning at 4 a.m. So what ever function is planned for the area should not be affected by water from the garden system. They have since agreed to my locking the controller.
Even so, there is still a need for people to visit the garden and pull a few weeds or other strange plants which do not look like an iris.
Respectfully submitted, Swede Gustafson, Treasurer
MINUTES OF THE MIS MEETING OF JUNE 1, 2019
The meeting was called to order at 7:43 pm by Betty Ann Gustafson.
Minutes stand as printed in the bulletin.
Treasurer’s report: Swede stated $477.83 in checking, and $7,105.48 in savings. Received 3 year membership dues from Delane Langton, of Eagle Ridge Iris in Billings, Delane will be bringing Iris to the sale in July.
Old Business:
Judy has programs for the show. The amended programs have an additional page for the public to make a list of the irises they like and would possibly like to purchase, the cost for 50 programs was $60. Judy has pens for people to take. Chairpersons were not at the meeting tonight, Donna and Jim are out judging other shows.
Setup at the Mall on Friday the 7th at 7 pm. Saturday morning entries can be brought in at 6am, set up between 6 and 10 am. Set up materials will have to be put away before judging. Judging starts at 10 am. Betty Ann gave out entry tags, if you did not get enough entry tags call Betty Ann, she will bring them to you. Lottie wanted to know how to transport the iris, Swede explained how he does it and everyone gave her a variety of information, discussion followed. We also informed her we have the tubes for displaying, but if she or any one is doing arrangements that is up to the exhibitor to bring their own materials. When you bring your iris into the Mall, you need to come in through the hall by the common room, we can’t come in through the glass doors. Take down will be after the banquet starting about 8 pm. Discussion followed on cleanup and picking up your iris; if you want your iris you need to be there to pick them up. We can’t give the iris to the public, if you want you can take them to retirement homes, hospitals, etc. If we throw them away they have to break them down. We are keeping the white plastic wrapping to reuse later. Historical iris is 30 years or older, put the year of the iris on the tag. Judges are Cindy, Roger, Gary, Donna, Jim and Lynn.
The banquet will be at 6pm at China Garden.
Iris sale, July 27th, collecting site this year is at Gary Clark’s home. Carol, Gary and Betty Ann met regarding setup with the July meeting being more for planning. Monday July 22nd will be digging at the fort. We will need people for digging, cleaning, trimming and labeling. Judy has a color printer and she can print out pictures and make cards but please do not wait until the last minute to let her know what new cards will need to be made. Please get a list of your iris for the sale to Gary, Judy, or Betty Ann prior to the sale. Fred needs to look at what he will be digging for the sale, and if he is digging he will let us know so we can help. Bring paper bags for use at the sale, they are needed. Also we will be doing a Stone Soup this year, bring your contribution for the soup on Thursday evening or Friday morning. Billie has graciously agreed to let us have our meeting at her house again after the sale. Will get together to plan.
Carol would like to put together information on the responsibilities for the sale chairperson, digging the iris, cleaning, tables, tagging and setting up. The sale will be July 27th at the fort, the last Saturday in July as always. The Out Door Expo that is scheduled at the fort will be at the Bella Vista Pavilion, which is over at the new fields and should not affect our sale. It is the Prairie Sisters event that seems to take a toll on our gardens as they have no respect for the beds.
The Ice Cream Social is June 26th at 5 pm at the Fort garden, homemade Ice Cream for dinner, what could be better.
New Business:
Ronda is asking for new labels as the old ones are breaking. Ronda would like help weeding to get caught up. If you are available meet up at the Fort on Tuesday to help, or anytime that you can make it out to the Fort to help, would be great. Leave weeds in a plastic bag and Swede will remove. Please remember to sign in at the green box, name, mileage and time worked. The fort gets paid for volunteer work from the state. The new bed is doing great this year, only 1 lost in that bed. Percentage of loss over all is very low this year. We lose more from the Prairie Sister event, they just walk through the gardens without any concern of the plantings.
Gary talked about judging at the show in Texas and Twin Falls and Donna talked about judging a show in Walla Walla.
The presidential iris was won by Fran McDermot.
Betty Ann adjourned the meeting.
Attached is information and a form to fill out if you are interested in giving classes or speaking at AIS meetings.
Respectfully submitted, Cindy Davis
HONK MEYER
Our long time friend and Missoula Iris Society member Hubert E. “Honk” Meyer, 91, passed away on June 5, 2019 of natural causes. He was surrounded by family in Billings, where he had resided for the past several years in the care of a grand-daughter and family.
Honk was born May 28, 1928 in Gridley, California to Hubert and Erma (Wackerman) Meyer; he was the middle child of three. Honk served as an Airman First Class in the U.S. Air Force from 1950 to 1954. Upon discharge, he returned to California State University in Chico. It was there that he graduated and met his future wife, Carryl Murray. They were married in 1956 and together raised two sons.
Following college, Honk spent a brief time teaching and working for Aerojet before starting his career with the U.S. Forest Service. It was the USFS that brought them to Montana in the 1960's, where he and Carryl, along with the two boys, settled in Missoula. He retired from the USFS in the early 1990's.
Honk was an avid outdoorsman, enjoying big game and bird hunting, as well as fishing throughout Montana. During the colder months, he enjoyed woodworking in his shop.
Honk and Carryl shared a deep passion for gardening. Together they joined the Missoula Iris Society in about the 1980's and were also active members of the American Dahlia Society and American Iris Society. Honk would often be found tending the iris gardens at Fort Missoula; in fact he volunteered to be Fort Chairman often and contributed many volunteer weeding hours and maintenance over the years. Since Carryl was a qualified judge for both iris and dahlias, they traveled often across the country for national iris and dahlia competitions. They also spent their time tending their own extensive flower, fruit, and vegetable gardens at their home on Highwood Drive in Missoula.
Honk was preceded in death by his wife, Carryl who passed on June 22, 2002 at age 67. He is survived by his sister Erma, of Sacramento, California; his son Gene (Stacy and her daughters Dayton, Alexis, and Gabrielle), grand-daughter Courtney (Michael), and great-grandchildren Jade and Skyler, of Billings; and son David (Deborah) and grand-daughter Grace of Thousand Oaks, California.
It was Honk's wishes to be laid to rest in Gridley, California with his parents and Carryl. The family will not be planning a public memorial service; rather it will be a private burial in the future. Condolences can be shared with the family via email to Courtney at rememberinghonk@gmail.com.
The members of the Missoula Iris Society sincerely regret the loss of our long time friends and members and wish to extend our loving condolences to the family of Honk and Carryl.
MIS MEETING/EVENT SCHEDULE 2018-2019
Saturday, July 13 – Meeting at 6:30 p.m. with pot luck supper at the home of Gary Clark and Steve Hesla – 2275 Sunlite Lane - Phone is 406-728-7633.
Agenda: Rhizome sale plans
Sunday, July 21 thru Friday, July 26. Sale preparation: See detailed schedule attached.
August, 2019 – No meeting
September, 2019 – No meeting
Saturday, October 5 – Meeting at 6:30 p.m. with pot luck supper at the home of Swede and Betty Ann Gustafson, 3128 Eldora Lane – Phone is 406-251-3526.
Saturday, November 2 – Board meeting at 5:00 at the home of Carol Addeo and Allen Ledford, 5805 Helena Dr, Phone is 406-251-5833. All members welcome to the board meeting. Officers mandatory attendance. Agenda: Budget for 2020.
6:30 p.m. Regular meeting with pot luck supper. Agenda: Overview of budget, planning events and meetings for 2020.
Sunday, December 1, 2019 – Christmas Party 4:30 (Date and time tentative) at the home of Billie Gray, 1558 S. 6th St West, Phone is 406-543-3480. Turkey dinner with pot luck, followed by gift exchange.
Presidential Rhizome winners: August Fred Frey; September Gary Clark; October Al Ledford; November Linda Sadler; December Marie Nyquist, January Morris Nyquist, February Ron Dowell, March Lottie Bowen; April Billie Gray; May Jim Sadler, June Fran McDermott
SCHEDULE FOR PREPARATION OF THE MISSOULA IRIS SOCIETY IRIS SALE
IRIS RHIZOME SALE , SATURDAY, JULY 27, 9:00 a. m. – 1:00 p.m. AT THE FORT MISSOULA IRIS GARDEN.
Monday, July 22 – 7:00 a.m. – Noon. Location: Fort Missoula Iris Garden. Bring your favorite digger. We will dig, clean, trim and label. If you are unable to help with the digging, bring lawn chair, gloves, scissors or clippers and we will find sit down work for you. Marking pens and labels will be provided.
Tuesday, July 23 and Wednesday, July 24 – 9:00 a.m to about noon. Sit down work party in the shade at the home of Gary Clark and Steve Hesla, 2275 Sunlite Lane, to trim, label iris. Directions: On Reserve Street go to the intersection of Reserve and South Avenue. Go west down South Avenue, continue through the roundabout to Sunlite Lane on the right side of the road. The home is near the end of the cul-de-sac on the left. Call 406-728-7633 if assistance is needed.
Wednesday Evening , July 24 is the time to deliver your rhizomes to the Sunlite Lane sorting location. Put them on the tables, under the tents, in the backyard. They should be cleaned and labeled. (Please give a list of your iris to Gary Clark as soon as possible, since we may need to make pictures for them.)
Thursday, July 25 & Friday, July 26, 9:00 a. m. until finished. Sort iris on tables, match pictures and make final preparation for sale at home of Gary Clark and Steve Hesla on Sunlite Lane. GRAZING/SALE of iris by members is after we have finished the preparation for the sale and after iris have been pulled to plant in the fort garden. Grazing/Sale will end Friday at noon.
Friday, July 26 - 5:00 p. m. Load up iris and tables in pick ups. At 6:00 p.m. there is a potluck supper featuring Stone Soup at the home of Gary Clark and Steve Hesla on Sunlite Lane. (Stone Soup??? Stock will already be made, just bring an item to add to the stock.) Also bring a potluck dish to share.
Saturday, July 27 – 7:30 a. m. - 1:00 p. m. Set up at 7:30 a.m. and aid with the sale to customers during the Iris Rhizome Sale at Fort Missoula Iris Garden. Bring lawn chairs. Coffee and snacks provided. Sale is from 9:00 – 1:00 p. m.
Saturday, July 27, 1 p. m. – After sale party in back yard at the home of Billie Gray, 1558 South 6th Street West. Call Betty Ann, 406-370-1696, for directions from the fort. Chicken, pizza and drinks provided by the society.
THERE ARE MANY OPPORTUNITIES WHERE ONE CAN JOIN IN AND HELP WITH THE BIGGEST EVENT OF OUR YEAR. THE IRIS SALE ENABLES US TO MAINTAIN OUR FORT MISSOULA IRIS GARDEN AND OTHER EVENTS DURING THE YEAR.
HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US!
Betty Ann Gustafson, President, Missoula Iris Society
RHIZOME SALE GUIDELINES
Please read the Pre-Sale guidelines carefully. These guidelines were put together to avoid confusion during the sale preparation on Thursday and Friday.
SALE GUIDELIINES
Iris rhizomes shall be grown by MIS members only.
- All rhizomes are to be washed, trimmed and labeled as to variety and type prior to delivery to the collection site. Trim fans to about 4 inches – 6 inches depending on type and roots. MIS will provide labels. These labels should be tied to the rhizome. MDB's and SDB's should be in bundles of 3 rhizomes, with rubber band and label attached. Beardless iris are to be in clumps.
- Iris varieties introduced 30 years ago or before are to be labeled with year of introduction and marked as historical.
- Pricing of rhizomes is at the discretion of the sale committee. Age is considered but not color for setting price.
- All rhizomes are to be delivered to the collection site by Wednesday evening preceding the sale.
- Sorting will be done on Thursday and completed on Friday.
- There are to be no pre-sale orders! (If there are mitigating circumstances, it could be considered by the sale chairman.)
PRE-SALE CLARIFICATIONS:
1. There is to be no trading of rhizomes among members at the collection site. Members are encouraged to share or trade before bringing rhizomes to the collection site.
2. The sale chairperson shall determining which varieties may be traded/purchased by the MIS members. The trading/sale hours are Thursday evening after all are sorted, labeled and the rhizomes have been pulled for planting at the fort.
3. Members donating rhizomes may:
A. Take one rhizome for each variety donated, (no matter how many of one variety are donated).
B. Take like variety donated (SDB, TB for TB, etc.)
C. Take no more than one (1) rhizome of any one variety.
D. May not choose from a variety that has fewer than six rhizomes in a tray. These rhizomes must be purchased only.
E. Members not donating rhizomes may purchase rhizomes with the above restrictions.
F. Varieties 5 years and newer from date on introduction will be so marked and priced accordingly. Fort Display Garden chairperson or the committee will have first choice of any varieties to be placed in the display garden.
G. Grab bags of iris rhizomes may be made up of unnamed or overstocked varieties the day of the sale. It is at the discretion of the sale chairperson.