August 2015 Newsletter

Note from the President-   I want to thank Melva Bond for hosting the July meeting.  Melva’s yard and gardens are beautiful and gave us some inspiration for our own gardens.  The key to Melva’s well grown plants is her adding natural products (leaves, shredded paper, etc.) to the soil every year and over time this has created a deep layer of compost in which the plants thrive.   Then Melva’s unique garden art accents the gardens.  Simply beautiful!

We only have one more month before our annual plant exchange.  As always we ask you to not bring invasive plants to the meeting as they will not be permitted into the exchange.  This meeting is always a blast and everybody leaves with new plants (sometimes many plants) to use in their own yard.  There are a couple of things to remember about the Plant Exchange meeting; bring something to exchange, each membership (single, couple, or family) gets only one name in the drawing canister, look things over as the drawing is being held as we have to go fast to get finished before dark.  The exchange is not limited to plants.  *Please put a name label in each plant you bring to the exchange.  Also, please do not bring any invasive species such as Lily of the Valley, Houttuynia (Chameleon plant), Ostrich Ferns, Bishops Weed, etc.  Suggestions of plants to bring are Hosta, companion plants, ornamental trees/shrubs, or garden related items such as bird houses, garden ornaments, watering wands, ornamental pots, etc.

Per a members request I am adding the URL addresses of a few Hosta Suppliers from which I have purchased plants.  These are in no particular order nor am I recommending any one over another.  You can simply copy the URL and paste it into your browser. 
http://www.jimshostas.com
http://glenbrookplants.com
http://www.inthecountrygardenandgifts.com/catalog
http://landofthegiantshostafarm.com
https://www.naylorcreek.com
http://www.soulesgarden.com
http://www.perennialnursery.com
https://www.hostahosta.com
http://www.plantdelights.com
A larger listing of Hosta Businesses can be found on the AHS’s Hosta Library site at the URL below;
http://www.hostalibrary.org/links/links.html

Our next meeting is at Dyane Moore’s in Vassar, MI on August 13^th.  Viewing of the gardens will begin at 5:00 PM, Potluck at 6:00 PM, and the Business Meeting at 7:00 PM.

See you at the August 13^th meeting,
Glen Pace
EMHS President

Next Meeting- Our next meeting will be at the home of Dyane Moore, 108 South East St, Vassar, MI 48768, phone 989-823-7763, on August 13^th, 2015.  Tour of the gardens and networking will start at 5:00 PM, refreshments will be served at 6:00 PM, and the meeting will begin at 7:00 PM.  Please bring your favorite dish to pass and don’t forget to bring your lawn chairs and bug spray.
            -From Lapeer- take your desired route to get to M-15 and drive north to Millington.  Once you reach the main traffic light in downtown Millington go North on M-15.  Drive 6.7 miles to Butler St.  Turn right (East) to the first street, South East Street.  Turn left (North) and drive to the house on the left. 
            -From I-75- Take the Birch Run exit and drive east on Birch Run Rd to M-15.  Turn left (North) and drive to the traffic light in downtown Millington, then follow the above directions.
            -From Saginaw Area- take M-46 east to M-15 and turn right (South).  Drive approximately 5 miles staying on M-15 in Vassar and turn left (East) onto Butler St.  Turn left (North) at the first street which is South East St, house is on left.

Summer Meetings- Remember that our summer meetings are potluck and that we need to bring our own chairs.  The club furnishes plates, flatware, and cups, but we need to provide food and drinks.  Also, please help clean-up after the meeting. 

2015 Calendar of Events   

August 13- Member Garden Tour at 

     Dyane Moore’s in Vassar

September 10- Annual Plant Exchange, at 
     the Martilla’s in Lapeer

Oct 08- Mayfield Twp. Hall, EMHS/SVHS   
     Speaker Gene Bush

Nov 12- Annual Board Meeting

December 10- Christmas Party at 
     Mayfield Twp. Hall

EMHS Plant Sale- EMHS still has 49 Sempervivum plants (Hens and Chicks) in 8 different varieties.  These plants will be available at the August 13^th meeting at the cost of $3.00 ea. or 2 for $5.00.  You can see Gene Arms for further details.

Meeting Minutes- The July 9, 2015 Meeting Minutes are posted to the blog.  Please be sure to review them as we will vote to accept the minutes at the August 13^th, 2015 meeting.

Name Badges- If you need one of the new EMHS name badges, please put your printed name on the sign-up sheet at any meeting or you can email Glen with your request.  Glen will try to have your name badge at the next meeting. 

The EMHS T-shirts featuring Joseph Tychonievich's Hosta Addiction self-test are $18.00 each.  Sizes available are XXL and XXXL.  

The proceeds from the sale of this shirt go to promote our “Purpose” which is, to promote the interest of hostas and shade gardening; to extend horticultural education and activities to its members and the community.

Comments to the EMHS blog:  I am mentioning blog posting to let you know that your comments to the blog can be published too.  All you have to do is go to the EMHS blog at http://easternmichiganhostasociety.blogspot.com/   and comment to a blog posting which will alert me that you have made a comment.  Once I deem the comment valid for publishing I will okay and it will automatically be posted.  Please note that I cannot edit or spell check your comments, all I can do is to publish, ignore, or delete your comments.  All comments will be screened by me to deter any vulgarity or inappropriate comments being published to the EMHS blog.    Glen

EMHS Business Cards- are still available for members to take for promoting the club.  Ask any Board Member for details. 

Club Members selling Hosta or related products;

Please call or email to set an appointment before visiting

Daniels, Marlene- Bottle wind chimes.
     810-664-8317, gardenfairy50@aol.com

Hanner, Mark/Becky- Pottery.
     810-631-4292, mhanner@aol.com

Hunter, Barb- Hosta, Daylilies, Pond supplies.
     810-664-7531, baha@chartermi.net

Lisik, Phil/Ginger-Hosta, Daylilies, other plants.
     989-642-5772, lisik46@yahoo.com

Pickard, Carolyn- Daylilies, Hosta.

     989-871-2873, robfamily5 @yahoo.com

Salk, Pat/Bill Kapustka- Daylilies.
     810-678-3519, daylilyabode@msn.com

Smith, Stan/Mary Lou- Concrete leaves.
      989-845-3455 smlsmith@chartermi.net

Websites of Interest:

American Hosta Society-

http://www.americanhostasociety.org

American Hosta Society Convention-       http://www.americanhostasociety.org/Activities/Conventions.htm  

AHS Hosta Library Website-
http://www.hostalibrary.org
Michigan Hosta Society Website-

http://www.hostahappenings.com
Eastern Michigan Hosta Society blog-   http://easternmichiganhostasociety.blogspot.com

Hosta College Website-

http://ihostohio.com/portal/glhc

Hosta Society Membership info-
American Hosta Society,  $30 individual, $57/2 years, $34 family, $62/2 years
Send dues to: Sandie Markland, AHS Membership Secretary, Post Office Box 7539, Kill Devil Hills, NC 27948

Michigan Hosta Society, Dues are $15 per household for up to two people, good for 2 years. Make checks payable to: The Michigan Hosta Society and send to; Michigan Hosta Society, 2509 Wembly Lane, Troy, MI 48084-1280

Eastern Michigan Hosta Society, Dues $5 per year per household, Make check payable to EMHS and mail to: Barb Hunter, EMHS Treasurer, 316 Davis Lake Rd. Lapeer, MI 48746

Saginaw Valley Hosta Society, Dues $20 per year per household, Make check payable to SVHS and mail to: Marge Greskowiak, SVHS Treasurer, 10025 Lakewood Dr., Saginaw, MI 48609

EMHS Board of Officers:

President                     Glen Pace
     pacegardens@charter.net      989-244-4029

Vice-President             Becky Hanner
     BGHanner@aol.com             810-631-4292

Treasurer                     Barb Hunter
     baha@chartermi.net               810-664-7531

Secretary                     Marlene Daniels
     gardenfairy50@aol.com         810-664-8317

Past President             Mark Hanner
     mhanner@aol.com                  810-631-4292

Fund-Raising              Mick & Cathy Hodgson     

cehodgso@hotmail.com         810-664-8985