GROW OUR GARDEN GROUP
MONTHLY BOARD MEETING
June 17, 2025
Minutes
Mary called the meeting to order at 6:05pm.
Present: Mary Gollakner, Gordy Lownds, Colleen Weinert, Jen Szydlik, Sue Mueller, Polly Belcher
Secretary's Report Minutes of the previous meeting had been approved as read and will be posted on the website.
Treasurer's Report The exact bank balance was not available, but with a $500 contribution from Garden Christian Fellowship it is over $9,700.00. The flower meter has reached the top!
Old Business
1) Flower boxes, hanging flower brackets, tree/flower watering.
Watering has been going well. There are still occasional problems with old brackets. Jen volunteered to lend her portable air pump out if anyone needed to add air to the watering trailer tires. Gordy reported that there is still no access to lake water. Polly reported that one of the trees across from the Mini Mart has exposed roots, and one of the wooden boxes looked like it had been run into and needs repair.
Gordy will fix the park sign that got backed into at the pavilion. Mary noted that the big chair needs some paint.
There was a brief discussion regarding how often to water the flowers around the flag pole. It was decided to water them on M/W/F along with the hanging & container flowers for now. We are still fertilizing on Wednesdays.
It was reported that some trees are leaning. Gordy will stake any that need support. He will also check into getting some mulch to put at the base of the trees. There are lots of weeds at the bases of the trees near Mini Mart that need to be whacked.
2) Banners, brackets, signs.
Sue Lawrence had reported that the banners will be approximately $3,000.00. She may cover some of the expense. Hopefully some of the banners will make it to Garden by July 4th so that they can be hung in time for the July 5th Garden Independence Day parade. Munising said that their banners have been very durable.
3) Fall Festival Updates - music, pumpkins, raffle baskets, children’s games, cake walk, cider press, chili, pickleball, drumming aerobics, etc. Compare Mini Mart prices to Gordon Foods to save money on food.
There will be no drumming aerobics. Pickleball is still questionable.
Colleen is planning to have kids paint rocks instead of pumpkins, but use pumpkins for decorating.
Mary needs to decide how to do cornhole.
Bonnie and Sue Lawrence will oversee chili sales. It was agreed to have a panel do the judging again.
Sue Mueller was fine with doing 2 cakewalks, assuming we have enough bakery.
Gordy told Greg Williamson about the new cider press he had gotten. There might be another volunteer to help out. Donuts will need to be purchased.
We plan on having each board member create 2 raffle baskets. The current suggestion for the amount allowed to spend per basket is $25.
Mary asked for input regarding the GOGG tee shirt design. The group decided on navy v-neck tees. Mary will order tees for the GOGG members plus 10 extra.
Polly suggested having a “Free to a Good Home” table. People could take things for free, but there could be a container for donations.
4) Float for GOGG in the 4th of July parade.
Jen is organizing the decorating of the water wagon for the Independence Day parade, which is July 5th. Polly will pull it with her truck, which will also be decorated. Jen has treats to throw to the spectators.
5) Shed repair/painting. Still in the works.
6) Adopt-a-Highway Cleanup Schedule for 2025
Summer July 12-20
Polly and Dan will pick exact dates as soon as the weather is more predictable.
New Business
There was a brief discussion regarding a lot by Gordy’s brother that GOGG could possibly purchase and develop. More discussion is needed.