SHADES OF
GREEN
* * * * * * * * * * *
Volume 8, Issue 5
President's Message
by Bill Storz
October, 2004
Well, here it is � already time to think about putting our gardens to bed and preparing them for winter.  If you are like me, I�m still in the planting mode.  Yep, I�m one of those people that are a season behind � thinking about buying summer stuff when fall/winter stuff is already appearing in the stores.  Probably, I just procrastinate � SMILE.  Hate pulling weeds.  Seriously, this has been a great year for Hostas; there are many still presentable.  If we expect our gardens to start off with a bang in the spring, now is the time to give them a little attention � they deserve it. As I work in the garden, I tell my Hostas  �Sleep tight � Don�t let the Voles Bite�.

WOW!! What a great year the society has had.  I can�t say this enough or thank all of you that made it happen.  The members have really responded.  Do you realize that 40-50 % of the membership is attending meetings and functions.  This is phenomenal � let�s do even better this next year.

Our annual picnic was a super way to get together and celebrate these achievements. As usual, it was a tremendous success.  The Maier�s garden provided the perfect backdrop: offering delightful paths, whimsical sculptures, and surprise gardens at every turn.  The society tried something new this year, providing hotdogs and hamburgers to complement the potluck dishes brought by attendees.  This worked out very well � amazingly only one hotdog and hamburger were left.  Many of the attendees commented on the excellence of the dishes and requested recipes; so, I asked everyone to provide their recipe to me. We could then publish them (one or two at a time) in the newsletter.  Even if you were unable to attend the picnic and would like to share a favorite recipe, send it to me -- either by mail (12 Casablanca Ct., Clifton Park, NY 12065) or E-Mail ([email protected]). Let�s not forget the plants --- did we have plants � OH YES!!! � lots of them for sale and as door prizes.  Everyone left with their pick of plants and door prizes.

If you didn�t see the style or size Hosta that you wanted for your garden at the picnic or at the May plant sale, then you need to provide your wish list to Janet Vinyard.  She is our plant acquisition chairperson.  She needs your input in order to provide the selection and diversity of hosta that the members want. The October meeting would be an excellent time to give her your wish list.

Speaking of the October meeting, this is our last meeting for this year.  It is the 23rd of October at the Schenectady Library from 1:00 to 5:00 pm.  Please plan to attend.  There are a lot of things to discuss and plan for the next year.  There will also be some new things that require chairpersons � so, think about becoming more involved. Additionally, Stan Megos, owner of The Variegated Foliage Nursery will be our speaker.

I look forward to seeing you all.  It�s up to us, the members, to meet the challenge of providing an exciting 2005 for our Society.
Schedule of Events

October 23rd Meeting - 1:00 p.m.

Speaker: Stan Megos, Owner
Variegated Foliage Nursery

Location:
Schenectady Public Library
Liberty Street
Schenectady, NY 12308


Officers:

President: Bill Storz
Vice President: Kent Terpening
Recording Secretary:  Dan Maier
Treasurer: Susan Steindorff
Membership Chair: Linda Storz
Newsletter Editors:  Jim & Meg Dalton
Webmasters: Jim & Meg Dalton
Hospitality: Ed Pollick & Neil Thorpe
Librarian: Dawn Haas
Plant Acquisitions: Janet Vinyard
Hosta Sitter Program: Joanne  Maier
Program Chair:  Vacant
Hosted by www.Geocities.ws

1