may 2008 newsletter




Happy  campers?
Our most recent meeting


Thomas and Vic opened their lovely home and garden to us for a great meeting.  It was nice to re-visit old friends and to see all that they have been up to around the house!  Great new addition, guys!  

Our Next Meeting:

Our next meeting will be on May 18th at 3 pm.  Rick Nale has graciously invited us to his palm-shaded garden for our next meeting. Again this month, we will NOT be providing a main course.  As we discovered last month, it gave us an opportunity to show off our culinary expertise!  Please remember to bring enough
to share with four or more people.

PLEASE remember to bring a chair so there will be enough seating for all.

RSVP is not necessary, but if you have any questions,
Marty has all the answers at potluck@rakesandbladesfl.com or by calling 727-797-8498.

Directions to next meeting: Login to Members page

Don't forget to bring something good for the raffle!  

Of interest to Gardeners

Check out our calendar of events!

Norris Crenshaw’s monthly timetable of gardening chores:

May:
  • Fertilize and spray roses
  • Fertilize and spray gardenias and camelias as soon as they finish  blooming.
Also of interest:

Selby Botanical Garden in Sarasota
Sunken Gardens, 1825 4th Street N, St Pete.
Pinellas County Extension Service calendar for lots more gardening events.
City Beautiful Commission in St. Petersburg
Gizella Kopsick Palm Arboretum in St. Petersburg

Monthly meetings at Moccasin Lake Nature Park
2750 Park Trail Ln., Clearwater:

Clearwater Audubon Society
1st Monday, October – May, 7:00-9:00pm.
Pinellas Chapter of the Florida Native Plant Society
First Wednesday of month, 7:30 - 9:30 p.m.
Suncoast Sierra Club
3rd Thursday, 7:30-9:30pm

ASK THE GARDENER:

Everyone must be experts since no one has any questions!  Instead I am giving you photos of some of our membership's flowers.
 Club News

The April meeting was at the home of Vic and Thomas in Gulfport. About 45 people attended, and brought lots of wonderful dishes and desserts to the potluck.

Marty and Scott handled the potluck duties with their usual fabulous flair!

The weather was perfect for a leisurely afternoon in the shade of the big oak tree hanging over the back yard. 

Everyone took advantage of the glorious shade to relax and to catch up with old friends.

There was plenty to look at, too, from the garden art, to the potted cactus collection, to the pavers and tiles under our feet. 

Our hosts kept themselves busy making sure that humans and canines didn’t get in each other’s way. 

Janice’s presentation on Mona Vie was well received, as were the tasty samples of juice.



There were plenty of plants in the raffle this month, so everyone went home a winner!

Jim’s Plant of the Month:


As you probably already know, Jim has been suffering with a terrible case of bronchitis, sinusitis and strep throat, so needless to say, he wasn't feeling very jewel-like this month.  Look for another of his wonderfully imformative columns next month!

Club officer contact

President: Jim Nevers, president@rakesandbladesfl.com
Vice President: Ann Allen, vicepres@rakesandbladesfl.com
Treasurer: Gary Raush, treasurer@rakesandbladesfl.com
Secretary: Bruce Bates, secretary@rakesandbladesfl.com
Newsletter: Bryan Hopper, newsletter@rakesandbladesfl.com
Photographer: Brad Hissing, photos@rakesandbladesfl.com
Raffleator: Kevin Ritter, raffles@rakesandbladesfl.com
Social Director: Michael Argrew, socialdirector@rakesandbladesfl.com
Program Coordinator: Brian Cahill, programs@rakesandbladesfl.com
Host Coordinators: Ann Allen, Marty Volpe, hosting@rakesandbladesfl.com
Potluck Committee:
Marty Volpe, Scott Hoffman, Dani Skrzypek, Jeffrey Davis
potluck@rakesandbladesfl.com
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