July 2020

2020 IRIS RHIZOME SALE CANCELLED!!

I am sorry to say that our Missoula Iris Society rhizome sale at Fort Missoula is cancelled. Of course the worry of Covid 19 spread was upper most on our minds. In talking with the Fort Missoula director, a detailed plan would have to be submitted to Missoula County on how we would follow county Covid 19 guidelines for the sale.

After much discussion on how to comply with the county guidelines and possible alternative ways to conduct the sale by 14 members attending our ice cream social this last week, a majority voted not to have the iris sale this year. We will post cancellation notices at the fort garden and also try to get a spot on the radio and television stations about our cancellation.

Speaking of the ice cream social, thank you to Judy Blunt for having us at her home for her wonderful homemade ice cream. We sat outside in her beautiful yard. She took every caution to comply with Covid 19 regulations. We also welcomed new member Mitch Hall to our society. We introduced ourselves and described our gardening escapades to him.

Since it was our first time together since March, a drawing was held for a presidential rhizome. Everyone was eligible to win. The winner was Roger Muir!

SATURDAY, JULY 11th, AT 6:30 PM

WE WILL MEET AT THE HOME OF JIM AND LINDA SADLER, 1220 CLEMENTS ROAD

NO POTLUCK! COME AND BE A KID! WE WILL HAVE KID TREATS!

(Treats will be purchased individually wrapped.)

COVID 19 REGULATIONS WILL BE FOLLOWED!

We hope this finds everyone well!

Betty Ann Gustafson, Missoula Iris Society President

TREASURER'S REPORT: As of June 25, 2020

SAVINGS: $ 9175.36

CHECKING : June Balance $ 843.75

Income 30.00

Sub-balance 873.75

Expenses 469.56

Balance $ 354.19

The SAVINGS value includes interest income of $0.45 for the months of April and May.

The CHECKING beginning value indicates no income for the past 30 days. Expenses paid are as follows:

Erling Gustafson: $50.00 Payment to Paul Ronaldo Sprinklers for repairs to the sprinkler system at the iris garden; Bank of America: $145.30 -: for the purchase of 3000 flexitags, 12 each fine point marking pens, 25 regular marking pens, and shipping costs for delivery to my home; Barbara Sowers: $157.50 -: for 10.5 hours of weeding gardens at the Fort Iris Gardens through June 22; Elizabeth Gustafson: $92.76 -: for various expenses incurred in the past month as follows: postage to mail memberships lists to MIS members and forms to AIS offices - $20.84; Fee for dumping of weeds and trash from the MIS garden at the local landfill - $23.00; Fuel in pickup to do work at garden and trip to dump the trash at the landfill - $21.28; and tableware, drinks, ice and other items for the Ice Cream Social on June 24 - $27.64; Judy Blunt: $74.00 -: Expenses for providing ice cream and other items for the social event on June 24; $74.00.

FORT GARDEN NEWS: Well, warm weather finally got here this month and the irises have responded to the warmth as well as have the visitors. I have chatted with several people who are here in Missoula for various reasons and have taken time to come visit the museum and the garden. They have voiced their amazement with our site and the number of plants we have planted. Our garden looks much better than a month ago also due to the clearing of weeds by our hired weeder Barb Sowers, along with Judy Blunt's efforts and myself. I don't believe the Siberian beds have looked this well for several years. I was so surprised to come to only flowers or plants growing in these beds. The ladies did a wonderful job clearing out the weeds. We just need to keep on top of the weeds and the little elm trees which will be forming soon after the winds blow in the nickle sized seed pods. I vacuumed the entire new garden and got 5 buckets of seeds mixed with soil which I separated at home through an old window screen. 4 buckets of soil and 1 bucket of seeds. Brought the soil back to the garden only to find another layer of seeds laying on the garden but anchored in place by a heavy rainfall. So it will be another year to play tug-a-war with seedlings. Last year I pulled out almost 700 tree seedlings. I know a chain saw to the mother trees would be a better solution but can't do that so will learn to live with the dilemma. Hope every member has had a nice bloom season this year. SWEDE

Once again there are NO MINUTES since there have been no meetings.

Presidential Rhizomes: August: Gary Clark, September: Cindy Davis, October: Marie Nyquist, November: Jim Sadler, December: Swede Gustafson, January: Fred Frey, February: Ron Dowell, March: Judy Blunt, June: Roger Muir

MIS MEETING/EVENT SCHEDULE

Saturday, July 11, 2020 - Meeting beginning at 6:30 p.m. at home of Jim and Linda Sadler. No pot luck, treats will be provided

No sale this July!

August, 2020 - No meeting

September 2020 - No meeting

Saturday, October 3, 2020 - Meeting and pot luck supper beginning at 6:30 p.m. at home of Swede and Betty Ann Gustafson

Saturday, November 7, 2020 - Board and Budget Meeting at 5:00 p.m. at home of Carol Addeo and Al Ledford. Regular meeting and potluck supper beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, December 13, 2020 - Christmas party and pot luck supper at home of Billie Gray beginning at 4:30 p.m.