The warmer weather has arrived, and the threat of frost has passed (hopefully!)—time to enjoy your garden.
Speaker - Daniel Simpson. Carolyn Hansen gets ready to do some beekeeping. Now Carolyn Hansen is set to check the bee hives.
A successful garden requires pollinators, lots of them. At the April Fairfield Harbour Garden Club meeting, 50 members attended to hear Garden Club favorite, Daniel Simpson of the Pamlico County Extension, share information on the role of bees as pollinators in our gardens. Do you have cucumbers that are full at the stem end and skinny at the other end? That is the result of not enough pollination. A bee (or another pollinator) must visit the cucumber flower at least 14 times to create a fully developed cucumber. Daniel also shared information on the life cycle of honey bees, the role of the bees in the hive, and how to raise honey bees. Everyone enjoyed Carolyn Hansen modeling a beekeeper's outfit when attending the hives. Thank you, Carolyn. Anyone interested in more information on bees or what to do with a swarm in your yard, contact Daniel at the Pamlico Cooperative Extension at daniel_simpson@ncsu.edu or by phone at the Extension office: 252-745-4121. Also, visit the Extension Website at https://pamlico.ces.ncsu.edu/ for more gardening information.
(I checked with the FH POA office this morning. If you wish to install a honey bee box in your yard, you should check in with your neighbors.)
Door Prize Winners!
The drawing for the small handheld chainsaw was held. The winner was Ruth Frank Oxidine. Congratulations Ruth! Thank you to everyone that supported the Garden Club Fundraiser. Jane Haeussler and Lucille Durst, Raffle Chairs, are happy to report that $430.00 was raised to support the Club's scholarship fund. Thank you, Jane and Lucille, for all your hard work.
The door prize winners at the April meeting were:
1. Pat Lepera-Manfredia
2. Virginia Ramsey
Lucille Durst presented each winner with a Mandevilla Plant.
Day trip to JC Raulston Arboretum
Left to right: Kathy Halquist enjoys the beautiful weather at the JC Raulston Arboretum. Enjoying a sit down for a spell. Jan Reitzel enjoys the flowers during the tour of the JC Raulston Arboretum.
On April 11, Garden Club members boarded the bus for a day trip to JC Raulston Arboretum in Raleigh. After touring the Arboretum, the group had lunch at the State Farmers Restaurant and visited the State Farmers Market. Cheryl McAskill did an excellent job of organizing the event. A BIG THANK YOU to Cheryl!
Tree Peony, JC Raulston Arboretum. Carolina Allspice - Sweetshrub, JC Raulston Arboretum
Nominations for Garden Club Board of Directors
It is time to elect the New Garden Club Board of Directors. All board members serve a one-year term from July 1 – June 30. The Nominating Committee is seeking Club members interested in running for a position on the Board. Any club member may seek an appointment. (See the Garden Club Website, By-Laws - Article VII-Officers, https://fhgardenclub.webs.com/aboutusbylaws.htm for a list of board positions and duties.) If you are interested in serving the Garden Club as a member of the Board, contact a member of the Nomination Committee:
1. Phyllis Godwin missphyllis13@gmail.com
2. Carrie Berry caberry6009@gmail.com
3. Robin Gale robingale12@gmail.com
The Nominating Committee will present the slate of officers at the May Garden Club meeting on May 8. At that time, additional nominations may be made from the floor for any Board positions. The election will be held at the June Meeting on June 12.
President's Luncheon
The President's Luncheon will be held May 8 at 11:30 am at the Pointe Restaurant at Harbour Pointe Golf Club. All Club Members are invited to celebrate another fabulous year of the Fairfield Harbour Garden Club. For more information and to sign up, see the Garden Club Website at https://fhgardenclub.webs.com/copypasteprint.htm.
Local Garden Visits
Here is an opportunity to visit local gardens. The New Bern Historical Society Home and Garden Tour is on Friday, May 12, and Saturday, May 13. Tickets may be purchased at the Historical Society Website: https://newbernhistorical.org/product/homes-tour-2023/.
The next meeting of the Garden Club will be May 8 at 9:30 am in the FH Community Center. The Nominating Committee will present the slate of officers for the next year at this meeting.