News and Views From The Gardens. Container Garden Show. 14th Annual Fundraising Show Luncheon and Silent Auction

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1 News and Views From The Gardens Spring 2017 Civitati Faventes Horti Volume 22 Issue 1 Inside This Issue: Page President s Message 2 Looking for Board members 2 Annual Meeting 3 Tea Time at the Atrium 4 Garden Volunteers Needed 5 Time for Another Garden Year 5 Presents a Container Garden Show Call for Entries Donations & Sponsors for the Spring Luncheon/Show Container Gardens Green thumbs NOT required Prizes Awarded to: People s Choice Most Unique Container Best Recycled Container Container Garden Delivery Friday, May 12, 6:00 8:00 p.m. For assistance: call All entries become part of the silent auction Be A Sponsor Buy a table, gift the seating to friends, co-workers, others Cash donations welcome Purchase Tickets Website: Call: Jackie Bill Cynthia Tickets will be mailed to you or held at the door when prepaid Thank you in advance for your support Looking forward to seeing you there! 14th Annual Fundraising Show Luncheon and Silent Auction Saturday, May Holiday Inn Fargo Music provided by Borderline Strings Free Public viewing 9:00am 11:30am Paid admission 11:30am 2:00pm Tickets: $40 in advance Limited Seating Prizes Awarded to 1. People s Choice Award 2. Most Unique Container Garden 3. Best Recycled Container

2 Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society Newsletter Ruth Morton, Guest Editor * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Published by Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society P.O. Box 3031 Fargo, ND info@ Website: * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Board of Directors Jim Anderson, President John Zvirovski, Vice President Lisa Brown, Secretary Bill Fradet, Treasurer Don Kinzler Jacqueline Williams * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society s mission is to establish and operate a regional botanic garden, conservatory and arboretum in Fargo. What an exciting time to join the NPBGS Board! Be part of the team working to turn our vision into a reality. To submit your name or to suggest someone else for a board position NPBGS at: info@ Some Hopeful News President s Message Finally, we may have some encouraging news for an annual meeting. Sometime ago, I learned that the Red River Zoo Board of Directors had hired a consulting firm to review the design and function of the Zoo. The consulting firm recommended that all 32 acres be re-designed. Hearing this, I thought that if the Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society could be involved in the beginning, we might be able to develop gardens on the common areas between animal exhibits. Maybe the two non-profits could form a partnership. This would mean that the Society may not be able to build a Japanese Garden or Cultural Center on Zoo property. The Society was formed to educate the community using plants and with the goal to eventually to build a Conservatory. The NPBGS Board has been focusing on the Japanese Garden, because it would be unique and would generate revenue to be reserved for a Conservatory. I contacted the Executive Director of the Red River Zoo, Sally Jacobson. The idea of an NPBGS partnership with the Red River Zoo was well received, resulting in several meetings. I immediately wanted to express to her what I felt was important to the Society. The Society needs to be specific in our goals and intentions with this partnership. I talked about the possibility of a name change, such as Red River Zoo and (Botanic Gardens) or (Gardens). Also discussed were the following: A Conservatory to be added to the Master Plan and built on the site; Signage for the NPBGS in all the gardens, and plant labels with the NPBGS logo; Donation boxes and membership pamphlets strategically placed by walking paths; Hold fund raising events at Zoo; Office for NPBGS representative, phone and internet; NPBGS to be represented on the Board of Directors for the Zoo; Greenhouse to be constructed on site; and, Joint promotion of memberships. Dr. Todd West, Associate Professor at North Dakota State University Department of Plant Sciences, was invited to attend the meeting, suggesting NDSU would support this partnership. Todd wants to test plant material with student participation, and help educate the public by labeling plant material and holding horticultural events at the Zoo. NPBGS could co-sponsor educational events hosted by NDSU, and NDSU could assist in the design and selection of plant material for our gardens. There could be student participation and engagement in certain projects implemented by NDSU. I am excited about this! I see an advantage with this partnership for both the Zoo and NPBGS, with a potential for increased attendance from two different demographics drawn to one location, and additional exposure for NPBGS. There would be gardening expertise for the Zoo, and volunteer cross over between NPBGS and the Zoo, and a Conservatory would generate gate revenue during winter months. I will meet with the Red River Zoo Board again, soon, to work on this partnership agreement. The Zoo is hopeful we can begin this year. There are a lot of details to work out, but they are excited. Although the Moorhead City Council has been challenging to work with, there are new avenues to pursue. The power plant site may still be an option for the Japanese Garden and Cultural Center. I will keep you informed as things progress. Jim Anderson, President

3 Highlights of the NPBGS Annual Meeting 2017 NPBGS Annual Meeting Dr. Todd West, Associate Professor at NDSU Department of Plant Sciences presented a very interesting and informative talk and slide show about developing trees and shrubs that are well adapted to our growing conditions. This will help to increase the diversity of available varieties for our yards and for public spaces. It takes many years of research and hybridizing to develop a new variety, then years of testing and more years to produce enough stock to sell to garden centers. NPBGS Board President Jim Anderson provided an update on land acquisition, partnerships and the State of the Society. Unfortunately the Society had to decline the City of Moorhead s lease proposal for the former power plant site as it was too costly. However, the Board is having discussions with the Red River Zoo to explore a possible partnership with their organization. This could include construction of the conservatory in the future. We continue to have a strong partnership with West Acres, designing and installing seasonal greenery and overseeing the Northern Plains Fresh Farmer s Market at West Acres during the summer months. Board members Cathi Tiedeman and Paula Grimestad were recognized for their service on the board as their terms come to a close with this meeting. Delicious refreshments from Nichole s Fine Pastries were provided during the social hour. During the Business meeting segment, past minutes and the annual financial statement were approved. The meeting was adjourned at 9:00 p.m.

4 Highlights of the NPBGS Tea Time at the Atrium Vignettes from Tea Time at the Atrium February 11, 2017 Another Enjoyable February Tea! Attentive Butlers Beautiful flower arrangements Elegant table settings Tasty food from: Michelle Bates Nichole s Fine Pastries One on One Catering Lou Richardson Intriguing selections in the Boutique Thank You Tea Sponsors Helpers Boutique Donors Sponsors Lisa Brown Ruth Morton Ann & Tom Riley John Zvirovski Jacqueline Williams In-kind Donors Ameripride Linen and Apparel Scheels Home & Hardware Tip Top Tux Lou Richardson Bob & Linda Swanson Table Hosts Holly Battocchi Emily Hilgers DiAnn Hunter Lisa Kornkven Judy Maxson Ann Riley Joyce Pettinger Linda Swanson Clean-up Ardith DuBord Butlers Dante Battocchi Chris Carlson Maurie Degrugillier Don DuBord Lynn Fundingsland John Harris DJ Hixon Vern Hunter Tom Riley Lute Simley Door Attendants Jim Anderson Don Kinzler Tea Ladies & Food Service Cynthia Herfindahl Anne Johnson Hazel Meidlinger Boutique Donations Redgie Bohnet Lisa Brown Virginia Dambach Ardith DuBord Bill Fradet Lynn Fundingsland Emily Hilgers Annette LaPalm Wilma Jean McDonald Sandra Miles Ruth Morton Stacy Nicholson Joyce Pettinger Flower Arrangements Lisa Brown Felicia Cooper Barbara Maag Sandra Miles Naomi Nakamoto Reception Bill Fradet Judy Maxson Facility Neuropsychiatric Research Institute for letting us use the Atrium and adjacent rooms for the Tea Event.

5 Garden Volunteers Needed Time for Another Garden Year Plant Sale Annual Plant Sale Help arrange the plants for sale Help on sale day, take payments Answer questions Summer Garden Care Planting Weeding Cutting spent blooms Watering Sunday, May 21, :00 a.m. 5:00 p.m. NPBGS Greenhouse 28th Ave. N & University N, Fargo Alphabet Garden Children s Museum Adopt a letter Plant water and weed throughout the summer Northern Plains Fresh Farmers Market, West Acres Assist vendors Collect booth fees Contact: Jim Anderson NRI Atrium Plant Care Water one day per week or as able Remove dead leaves Spray for insects To volunteer: info@npbotanicgarden.com Photos Above: Garden volunteers take a lunch break. Others: Snapshots of Plant Sales from previous years Annuals Herbs Fruits Perennials Shrubs Vegetables Grown by NPBGS Members & Friends Proceeds help fund the gardens

6 Northern Plains Botanic Garden Society P.O. Box 3031, Fargo, ND Return Service Requested NONPROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE PAID FARGO, ND PERMIT #234