Submitted by Mary Ann Haynes

Theme for the meeting was the Great Tomato Fest held at the shelter house in the American Legion Park.

The meeting was called to order by Karen Long who filled in as president in place of Ann Allen who was recovering from surgery. A get well card was passed around for signing.

Treasurer’s Report: by Al Burnard
A balance was reported. Becky has completed the audit and there will be a full report in October.

Garden Selection Committee Report: by Chris Burnard
The committee met and sent out letters to prospective gardens for the 2004 tour. There is a need for a program committee for 2004. A sign up sheet was passed around.

McCloud Park Report
The Sept. Feed and Weed will be on the 13th rather than the 6th. Lisa Anderson agreed to be assistant chairperson.

Adopt-a-Pot Report
The fall planting will take place on Sept. 27th. The committee made a motion for $150 to be given for a pizza party for the workers. Dorothy Coleman 2nd the motion. Motion passed unopposed.

Historical Society Report
The garden is completed. MG’s encouraged to stop by and check it out. Plans in the works to set it up as an educational project for 4-Hers. Someone suggested the garden be on the 2004 tour.

Nominating Committee Report
A partial report was given in that the following have agreed to be nominees:
President – Karen Long
Vice Pres. – Claire Loeffelman
Secretary – Barb Ramm
Treas. – Becky Rowe

George McVey’s Report
He is getting ready for winter classes. There are 50 possible candidates. An open house is planned for Oct. or Nov. for the possible candidates. He is also working on Master Gardener of the Year and Garden of the Year from the surveys taken.
Fielding a few hotline calls about bees and rust on grass. Said that the e-mail list for Master Gardeners should be up and running.

Other Items of Business:
Karen Long read a thank you card from Laura McConnell for her going away gifts.
The Presbyterian Church sent a recognition of Jim Westfall’s wife’s memorial.

Announcement was made concerning the recognition banquet to honor the class of 2002 and other milestone achievers and that the 6-10 years will be receiving new pins. Reservations are required. Invitations will be sent first week in Sept.

A request was made for a child size wheelbarrow for the Library display. There may be one in the basement of the Extension Office.

Mary Colatrella thanked everyone for bringing tomato dishes.

The meeting ended with everyone eating and enjoying the tomato dishes, poetry readings, tomato songs sing along, and tomato judging.
 
George McVey opened the floor for tomato poems.
George read 2 poems one by himself and the other by his son-in-law.
Al Burnard read his poem titled “Maters”
Jill Ricker read her poem titled “My Lament”

Time for sing along tomato songs accompanied by Betty McVey on violin and Harvey Goertz on guitar. All sung to the tune of “You are my sunshine.”

Tomato judging and prizes came next. The categories and winners were as follows:

Smallest – Molly Black  
Ugliest – Sharon Wade
Roundest – Molly Black
Reddest – Barb Jackson
Greenest – Chris Burnard
Largest – Roberta Gordan
Best of Show – Harvey Goertz
Most Unusual – Sue Hess

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Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Admin. and Director, OSU Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868

Revised January, 2004