Minutes of SWQV Community Garden/Linda Witt sub-secretary

Oct 12, 2014

John Ventre opened the meeting promptly at 7 p.m.

September minutes were approved.

BBQ:    Suzanne Schechter reported that the BBQ took in approx. $1724 against expenses she expects to be less than $500, giving us a probably $1225 profit.

John thanked Brian for soliciting food donations.

Wall Update: The neighbors asked for a meeting and wanted to get the masonry started. It seemed to John that they are willing to contribute to the effort. The costs are not yet determined. Artist Isaiah Zagar is trying to put a class together (free labor) to help on the lower 6-8 feet. If he can’t finish this year, he’ll finish in the spring.

Water Report:  The water will be shut off around Nov. 1. Usage between 9/4 and 10/4 was 531 CF or about 4K gallons, compared to last year’s 784 CF/about 6K gallons. We are still awaiting a corrected, up-to-date bill.

Cleanup: Saturday  10/18/14  at 9 a.m. Attention must be paid to the compost. We need to move it.

City Harvest:  Yvonne Howard reported for the committee. They are still looking for donations, but in September we provided 262 ½ lbs for a total of 1654 lbs for the year to date. (Comparison to last year?   1020 lbs –despite a slow start!)

Bee Report: John gave the report in Carolyn’s absence. Five strong hives have been put to bed for winter. Carolyn asks us to plant crocuses, snowdrops and other early-blooming bulbs because the bees will be hungry in the spring.

NGT has offered us $2000 for tree work. Carolyn is getting bids.

Garden rotations: John asked members to let him know if they are thinking of leaving the garden. The waiting list is 60 strong and the person at the top has waited five years.

Extra Business:

• Karyl Weber, re composting, said she’s interested in bags of clean dry leaves (other than oak leaves which are too leathery).She’ll follow up with a note via the website.
• Someone asked for a how-to note to be posted in the shed re all the systems in the garden – watering, cleaning the composting toilet, etc.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:30 p.m.

 Southwark Queen Village Community Garden Monthly Meeting

September 8, 2014 (in the garden)

1. Welcome by John Ventre
2. August 2014 minutes were approved.
3. Shanna Flanagan reported on the BBQ, to be held Sept. 27 (rain date Sept 28).  Task and Food sign-up sheets were passed.  She asked for donations of garden produce and tables and chairs.   She has obtained donations from a brewery, ShopRite and Wawa.  Rev. Green will attend.
4. Treasurer’s report by Suzanne Schechter.    $3000 will be spent to repair the shed.
5. John reported that QVNA is seeking volunteers to help with the small Mary St. Garden.
6. The Christmas party will be 7PM – 10PM on Tuesday, December 16 at Old Swedes Church.  Barbara Seiple is organizing it.
7. The garden is trying to get a shipment of chips.
8. Cleanup will be Saturday, September 13 beginning at 10AM.  Thom Hardenbough will lead.
9. Thom reported that the garden used the same amount of water as last month, and half as much as last year.
10. Thom reported that the new shed door will soon have a lock installed.
11. Thom reported on the mural, which is separating from the wall.  Masons have bid $1800 to take down and remove the lose material and Isaia stated he will donate his labor to restore the mural.  NGT, which needs to be involved in matters that affect boundary walls, put this matter on its recent meeting but has not yet communicated any result to Thom.
12. Carolyn Scott reported that there are 5 strong hives with enough honey for the coming winter.  They have been treated for mites.  Barbara Seiple said the buyers of the 15 jars of honey ($10/jar) that were produced this year would be chosen by lottery.  $775 was spent this season on bees.  She thanked Lisa Torrierri for designing new labels for the honey jars.
13. Ed Mitinger reported that, while City Harvest started a month late this year because of the cold spring, by the end of August 1,091 lbs ew, compared to 1,000 lb at the end of September 2013.
14. Karyl Weber discussed and obtained the garden’s agreement to build a system for collecting, chopping and containing dry leaves, which will turn to leaf mold by Spring.

The meeting adjourned at 7:45PM. The October meeting will be at Settlement Music School or Weccacoe.