December 2022

MISSOULA IRIS SOCIETY HOLIDAY PARTY

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, AT 5:30 PM

GUESTS WELCOME!

A POTLUCK AND A GIFT EXCHANGE GAME

The Missoula Iris Society and the Missoula Garden Club will combine for an evening of enjoyment.

LOCATION:

Holt Heritage Museum, 6800 US Hwy 12, Lolo, MT, adjoining Traveler's Rest. Drive through Lolo to the stop light of Hwy 93 and Hwy 12. Turn right onto Hwy 12. If you are coming from the Bitterroot, turn left onto Hwy 12 at the stop light. The Holt Heritage Museum is just west of the Lolo Steakhouse on the right.

POTLUCK: The Missoula Iris Society will provide a turkey, mashed potatoes, dressing and gravy. Please bring a salad or a cooked vegetable dish to share. The Missoula Garden Club will provide a ham, beverages, utensils, and desserts to share.

GIFT EXCHANGE GAME: If you would like to participate, bring a gift worth up to $15.00 with a flower or garden theme. Those who wish to participate will draw a number. The person who has #1 starts by choosing a gift. The person with #2 will choose a gift or steal from #1. Then person #3 can steal from person #1 or #2 or choose a new gift. The game continues in that fashion until all gifts are opened. Fun is had by all!

We hope to see you at the Holiday Party! If you have any questions, contact Betty Ann, 406-370-1696, or by email, swedeandba@gmail.com.

At the November meeting, new officers were elected and the budget for 2023 was accepted. Your new officers are, President: Betty Ann Gustafson, Vice President: Ann Bowman, Secretary: Deborah Belden, and Treasurer: Swede Gustafson.

Dues: It is time for your 2023 dues. Dues are $10.00 per year. Please remit to Swede Gustafson, Treasurer, 3128 Eldora Lane, Missoula, MT 59803

HAPPY HOLIDAYS TO ALL!

MIS MINUTES OF NOVEMBER 5, 2022

The Missoula Iris Society meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm. by President Betty Ann Gustafson at the Immanuel Lutheran Church.

Minutes of October 1, 2022 were approved as published in the newsletter.

Treasurer's Report - Swede Gustafson reported the checking balance of $830.99. Current savings is $7,127.10.

New Members. Michelle and Scott Daniels were introduced.

OLD BUSINESS

Garden Handicapped Walkway – The asphalt walkway is finished except for one seal coat needed in the spring. Swede told the interesting story of how the walkway idea was conceived, planned and funded. He told the story from 2019 when he saw a gentleman help his wife out of the car at the display garden and place her in a wheelchair and the difficulty he had getting his invalid wife near enough to view the blooming iris. Swede showed our meeting group his series of designs to create a pathway through the garden. In 2020 he revised his design plan and got costs on creating an asphalt walkway. At that time the estimated cost was about $6,700 using asphalt. Swede showed the various changes in the design as the ideas evolved and improved; the final version in 2022 used decomposed granite rather than asphalt and cost 8,096.16, including moving sprinklers.

Several agencies contributed grants to help with the cost, including the historical museum ($3,200), First Security Bank ($250), Missoula County ($800) and Summit, a handicapped organization. The balance needed and paid by Missoula Iris Society was $3,846. The walkway was completed on October 31, 2022. Visitors have been very complimentary.

Part of the agreement for the generous grant from the historical museum was that MIS membership provide volunteer hours on the walkway installation, so Swede and Betty Ann compiled a report which was passed out to members showing a detailed report of 114 volunteer hours donated by Swede, Betty Ann, Judy Blunt, and Ron and Donna Dowell. That volunteer labor by 5 members has a monetary value of $1,368. No monies were paid. It was all volunteer.

Free soil and sod – Some soil and sod is still available for pickup. Fred has room to store the soil if we need to move it from the garden area.

NEW BUSINESS

Membership dues – Membership dues of $10 are due for 2023.

Membership List – Betty Ann passed out updated membership lists for 2022.

2023 Budget – The budget of $6,000 for year 2023 was posted in the newsletter. After a brief discussion a motion to pass the budget for 2023 was made by Cindy Davis; seconded by Ron Dowell and passed.

2023 Officers – Nominations for officers are as follows:

President – Betty Ann Gustafson

Vice President – Anne Bowman

Secretary – Deborah Belden

Treasurer – Swede Gustafson

A motion was made by Ron Dowell, seconded by Cindy Davis, to accept the slate of nominated officers for 2023; with no objections the motion passed.

Betty Ann noted that officers are required to be members of American Iris Society. The club will pay their dues for that.

Garden Report – Swede reported that most iris are clipped and the beds are ready for winter.

Finance Committee – Betty Ann reported that the Montana Secretary of State's office requires non profit groups to have a finance board of four directors to oversee treasury finances for the club. Those directors are Ron Dowell, Jim Sadler, Cindy Davis and Roger Muir.

Christmas Party - Discussion of our annual holiday party and whether to hold one. The decision was yes to have one if we can find a location. Carol Addeo offered to bring the roasted turkey if we can find a location. Garden related gift exchange will be $15.00. Betty Ann will follow up on the planning.

MIS meetings – No meeting in January or February 2023. Next meeting will be March 2023.

Presidential Rhizome – Presidential rhizome was won by Shirley Hall.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 pm.

Respectfully submitted,

Carol Addeo, Secretary

PRESIDENTIAL RHIZOMES: Presidential Rhizome winners: October: Anne Bowman and Donna Dowell, November Shirley Hall

MEETING SCHEDULE:

Friday, December 16, 5.30 PM - Christmas party at Holt Heritage Museum in Lolo

January and February, 2023 – no meetings

March 4, 2023 – tba.