August 2023
REMINDER
There will be no Missoula Iris Society Meetings in August or September.
SEE YOU IN OCTOBER
INVITATION
The Historical Museum at Fort Missoula is having their annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic, Wednesday, August 30, at 5:30 PM at the gazebo by the Missoula Iris Society Garden. The museum provides all the food for the event. We are cordially invited due to our many volunteer hours at the garden. Please RSVP, Betty Ann Gustafson, swedeandba@gmail.com, by August 23, if you plan to attend.
BILLIE GRAY, CHARTER MEMBER
We have learned that Billie Gray, a charter member and current member, passed away, August 9, 2023. Billie Gray was instrumental in establishing our Missoula Iris Society Fort Iris Garden. She was always a champion of our society and the garden. She will be missed.
2023 IRIS SALE REPORT
Our annual iris sale was a huge success. Our net profit is $5291.69! (There are still a few grab bag sale monies to come in). What a successful sale! We had around 200 varieties for sale.
I want to thank all the members who helped make the sale a success. There are too many of you to mention by name but you all are so greatly appreciated for your donations and your hard work.
The event began with collecting iris from the garden of Elloie Jeter in Florence. She had dug and donated many iris from her garden for our sale. The iris were taken to Swede's to await transport.
Then on to the fort garden to dig, wash, and trim iris. Judy Blunt led this event. Iris plants that needed to be thinned were dug for the sale. The prepared iris were taken to Keith and Deborah Belden's to spend time under their large lilac tree to await transport.
Next was on to the garden of Fred Frey who donated many iris which had to be thinned in his garden. We dug, washed, and trimmed the iris. Fred provided a nice lunch for us. Again the iris went to be under the large lilac tree at the home of Keith and Deborah Belden.
Donations of iris were also made by Cindy Davis, Mike Young, Judy Blunt, Ron Dowell, Gary Clark, and Swede Gustafson.
Judy Blunt's home was the collection place for the iris to be labeled, pictures placed in the flats, flats alphabetized, and the iris loaded for the sale. Judy provided delicious lunches for us each day. On Friday night after loading up the iris to be transported to the fort, she treated us to a wonderful soup supper.
Saturday, Sale Day, began at 7:30 AM for set up. By 9:00 there was a line of people ready to get their favorite iris. At 1:00 PM the sale ended and grab bags were made and taken to the Beldens’ to prepare to be sold. Many of members helped the day of the sale.
After the sale we had chicken and pizza at the home of Swede and Betty Ann to relax, cool off, and talk about the sale.
Beldens organized the iris grab bags to sell. The grab bags of iris were sold for $5.00 each. We did not take the bags to the farmers market as members were able to contact friends who wanted iris. They sold quickly.
MINUTES OF MISSOULA IRIS SOCIETY MEETING OF JULY 8, 2023
The July meeting was at the home of Swede and Betty Ann Gustafson. There were 12
members in attendance. Numerous people had relayed that they would not be able to attend
due to other commitments.
Minutes from the previous meeting on June 3 were accepted as printed. Gary Clark pointed
out a couple of minor spelling errors in the 62 nd Annual Iris Show Results posted in the July
Newsletter – “Mary Francis” is corrected to “Mary Frances,” and “Verigata” is corrected to
“Veriegata.”
Program: Swede talked about dividing clumps of iris rhizomes in preparation for the
upcoming sale to be held on July 29th. He brought in a fair size bundle of “Hook” from his
garden for demonstrations – specifically how to identify the “mother” rhizome (bloom stalk)
from the daughters (pup stalks), then how to clip, clean, and label the healthy daughters.
Judy also mentioned she needs to know any new varieties members might be bringing so she
can download and print out color photograph cards for the sale.
Betty Ann handed out the preparation schedule for the sale, to be held at Fort Missoula
grounds on July 29th from 9AM to 1PM. The handout sheet detailed the itinerary of the
various garden digs, subsequent cleaning, sorting, labeling, and transporting of the rhizomes,
and the sale set-up, operation, and tear down logistics. There will be a soup dinner graciously
held at the home of Judy Blunt the Friday evening before the rhizomes are loaded
up for the sale, then an after-sale party on the 29 h at 1:30 p.m. at Betty Ann and Swede’s
house. Thanks guys!
Mitch Hall asked the members present if there were any objections to his audio recording
meeting discussions so he could more easily distill and prepare printed summaries of the
minutes. There were no objections raised.
Betty Ann presented American Iris Society medals to Roger Muir (1st place for 9 blue
ribbons) and Judy Blunt (2nd place for 8 blue ribbons) won at this year’s Median Show.
Treasurer’s Report: Swede reported no changes to account balances since the June meeting -
the checking account balance remains at $1154.32, and the Savings account balance remains
at just over $6,000.00. Swede bought some show display blocks to replace old ones that
were falling apart – these cost $41.76. Betty Ann purchased more write-on vinyl labels for
the Iris sale which cost $129.
Several members contributed their time and energy at a “garden party” and on their own time
to cut iris stalks, weed beds, trim rose bushes to make the garden as pristine as possible by
the 4th of July for annual events held at the Fort. A special shout out to Judy Blunt, Gary
Clark, Swede and Betty Ann, Rachel Ballard, and Nancy Dold who did the lion’s share of
this extra work – apologies if your name was not mentioned at the meeting.
Judy brought up some winter projects she and Swede have been discussing, including
refurbishing the wooden garden arbor structures, and swapping/replanting various iris from
different beds to replace ones that have been lost or damaged in recent years. Gary
mentioned the shed at the Fort is also needing some maintenance, including repairing of a
hole, and some repainting. And Betty Ann reminded that the new asphalt walkway will need
a layer of sealcoat during an opportune time that can be scheduled.
Betty Ann and Swede had researched investment options at 1st Security Bank for the society’s
savings account. Options were discussed and a motion made to invest at least the minimum
required amount ($500) into a CD offered at 5% APR for a 4-month period, then reviewed
for potential rollover. There were no objections and the motion carried. The exact amount
to be invested will be determined after the rhizome sale.
Susan Hansen offered last meeting to assist Betty Ann to chair the sale. Four cashiers
volunteered at the meeting, and preparation tasks from the aforementioned handout were
further discussed. Much help will be needed for all tasks for the sale to be a success.
Betty Ann discussed whether we should keep rhizome sale prices at $4/bundle ($1 for
unknowns) or raise bundle prices to $5. Nancy Dold lobbied strongly to maintain current
pricing as a gesture of kindness and general relief given the current atmosphere of ongoing
inflation. Cindy Davis made a motion to maintain prices at current levels – there were no
objections and the motion carried.
Cindy Davis and Gary Clark reminded that AIS and symposium ballots and activity reports
needed to be filled in and sent (post-dated) by the end of July (for judges) and the end of
August (for those participating).
No one claimed (though everyone wanted) a pair of dahlia clippers left at Judy’s at the
Median show, or a large pair of thick garden (rose) gloves left at last year’s rhizome sale –
speak up if you think either of these are yours!
Ron Dowell was the July Presidential Rhizome winner.
Respectfully submitted, Mitch Hall (MIS Secretary)
Presidential Rhizome winners: September, Anne Bowman; October, Donna Dowell; November, Shirley Hall; December, Deborah Belden; January, Garnet Ascher; February, Swede Gustafson; and March, Keith Belden; April, Carol Addeo; May, Roger Muir; June, Cindy Davis; July, Ron Dowell
DATES TO REMEMBER:
September: No monthly meeting
October 7: Monthly meeting
November 4: Monthly meeting
December: Holiday Party to be determined