This month: February 15th, 2005

Board of Directors please meet at 7:00 pm.

Regular meeting: 7:30 pm (PROGRAM: Carolyn Klass, Senior Extension Associate in the Entomolgy Department at Cornell University - "New (Invasive) Species Attacking Ornamentals - 2005")

Refreshments will be provided by Elke Schofield

Next Meeting: March 15^th, 2005 - Birthdate of Liberty Hyde Bailey (PROGRAM: Robert Dirig, Assistant Curator, Bailey Hortorium- "Liberty Hyde Bailey and 'Things of the Garden'" )

Refreshments will be provided by Marty Pilat

2005 membership dues to The Gardeners of America/Mens’s Garden Club of America were sent in on January 22nd by Treasurer Elke Schofield. 2005 Roster Changes: The following members resigned: Maxine Nichols Rosemary LaPadula The following new members joined: Michael Hayes Gudrun Reiterer Welcome new members Michael Hayes and Gudrun "Gudy" Reiterer! Mike is a graduate student in Molecular Biology and Genetics, and Gudy is a Postdoc in Biomedical Sciences at the Vet School. They just purchased their own place, and are looking forward to planting flowers in the spring.

In Memoriam John J. "Jake" Fabich October 23, 1920 - September 22, 2004 JOHN J. "JAKE" FABICH, 83, of 47 Goodrich Hill Rd., Berkshire, NY died Wednesday, September 22, 2004 at the Hospicare Residence. Born October 23, 1920 in Buffalo, NY he was the son of the late John J. and Agnes Paugh Fabich. A US Army veteran of WW II, he was employed at Borg Warner in Ithaca for 43 years retiring in 1981. Following retirement he was called back as a consultant. He was a member of the Ithaca Eagles Aerie #1253, Liberty Hyde Bailey Garden Club and had been an avid bowler with the Senior Citizen’s League. Mr. Fabich is survived by his wife, Kathleen D. "Kate" Fabich, his son, stepson, 2 daughters, and four grandchildren. The LHBGC gave the gift of a Juniper Gold Cone in his honor.

Trip to the Philadelphia Flower Show - "America the Beautiful"

Swarthout coaches is offering one-day charter tours to the show on Tuesday, March 8th, and Saturday March 12^th. The price is $72, and there will be pick-up points in Ithaca, Dryden, and Cortlandville. For more information/reservations, call 1-800-772-7267, or visit Swarthout’s website at http://www.goswarthout.com/pfs.html .

From Cornell Cooperative Extension

BECOME A VOLUNTEER WITH THE BEAUTIFICATION BRIGADE!

In 2004 over 500 volunteer hours were donated to the beautification program to help plant and maintain the Ithaca Commons and other public planting areas in the city of Ithaca. This winter we will be holding special training sessions for people who are interested in volunteering on a regular basis with the program. No special skills or experience is necessary to be a Beautification Brigade volunteer.

The training sessions will be held on three Monday evenings in February (Feb. 7, 14, and 28) from 6-8:30 pm at Cornell Cooperative Extension. Food will be provided at the trainings. Those who are not interested in becoming volunteers with the program may take the classes for $5.00 per class.

OPEN DAYS GARDEN TOURS 2005 - Sunday, May 15 and Saturday June 18.

Join us for the second annual Tompkins County Open Days Garden Tour! Six private gardens will be included in the Garden Conservancy's Open Days Program, a national listing of exclusive gardens that are only open to the public on these dates. A $5.00 admission fee is collected at each garden, and 40% of the proceeds benefit the Community Beautification Program. Visit the Open Days website at www.gardenconservancy.org for more information.

TOMPKINS COUNTY GARDEN EMAIL NEWS?

Cooperative Extension is considering starting a free email garden newsletter, and are trying to gauge interest. Gardening events? Plant and seed swaps? Gardening tips? Would once a month during gardening season be about right? More or less often? Your email address will not be given to anyone. In the meantime, you can subscribe to a publication called Practical Earth Keeper that lists the many horticultural and environmental classes and activities that cooperative extension runs. You can get it by mail or electronically. To receive this free publication, contact Dan Klein at 272-2292 or send an email to tompkins@cornell.edu.

Treasurer’s Report

December 2004, Submitted by Elke Schofield

INCOME
Membership dues 2005 $435.00

EXPENSES
Newsletter: printing, stamps $159.70
(Elizabeth Owens-Roe)

1 Chamcyparis Obtusa $12.00
(Gift for baby Louis Crim)

1 Juniper Gold Cone $13.00
(memorial gift for Jake Fabich)

2 free memberships for 2005 $60.00
(Ruth Doll, Helen Swank)

total = $244.70