let’s welcome december! a november visit to catalina...

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Let’s Welcome December!

They do say that time flies faster as we get older, and it certainly does seem to be true as here we are again at the end of another year. Imagine! It only seems a short while ago that we experienced record heat, record sunshine hours, and a record lack of rainfall, resulting in water rationing measures not seen in years. As I write this newsletter the weather forecast is predicting over 100 mm of rain over the next few days…isn’t it a shame we couldn’t adjust our rainfall and choose exactly when we’d like to have it, and how much at a time? Oh well, - that’s one thing about living in a city with four defined seasons, - always something different and always something to look forward to, even if it is rainy days that often come too many in a row. However, don’t worry. The way time moves along, soon it will be January and the days will once again be getting longer, and we’ll be planning our spring gardens! If those wee hummingbirds are optimistic enough to stay all winter, we can manage it as well. After all, I’m sure Spring is just around the corner!

!!!!!!!The!December!AGM…!Yes, our December meeting is almost here and it’s time to celebrate the start of the Christmas season, and to also hold our Annual General Meeting. While no positions are up for election this year, please speak to one of the existing executive or committee chairs if you would like to become more involved next year. And don’t worry if you are unable to commit on a full-time basis, - whenever you can help is welcome and appreciated!

A November Visit to Catalina Island… A recent trip to Calalina Island, located off the coast of Southern California, included a visit to the Wrigley Memorial & Botanic Garden. A short stroll from the city of Avalon made for a nice walk on a picture perfect warm and sunny Fall day.

THE MONUMENT The Wrigley Memorial honors the memory of William Wrigley Jr., who lived from 1861 to 1932. Although best known as the founder of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, largest manufacturer of chewing gum in the world, he also played an instrumental role in the history of Santa Catalina Island. He truly loved the island, and with undying enthusiasm and energy, he brought numerous improvements: public utilities, new steamships, a hotel, the Casino building, and extensive plantings of trees, shrubs and flowers. William Wrigley Jr.'s greatest legacy was his remarkable vision and plan for the future of Santa Catalina Island -- that it remain protected for all generations to enjoy. With its commanding view of Avalon Bay, the Wrigley Memorial was built in 1933-34, and is the centerpiece of the Botanic Garden. The goal in building the Wrigley Memorial was to use as much Catalina materials as possible. Quarried

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December'2015'Volume'13,'Number'10'www.brags.ca'

1.Welcome and call meeting to order at 7:05 pm. 2. Adoption of October 7, 2015 Minutes Motion to accept October minutes was made by Keith Harris; seconded by Don Wrigley. All were in favor. Reminder: meeting minutes are posted on the BRAGS website and is updated by David Forsyth. 3. Outstanding Business from the Minutes a) University Highlands School & Community Garden Report A very thorough report was presented by Wendy Thompson. BRAGS donated $350.00 to this school in March 2015. A breakdown of their funding expenditures was included in their report. b) Suggestions for donations from BRAGS The following recommendations were given: the BC Council of Garden Clubs Scholarship Fund; Wildlife Rescue; Burnaby Food First and University Highlands School & Community Garden. Decision on this item will be deferred. c) Rhododendron garden near Horizon’s Restaurant Wendy Thompson has received no further information from Barry Jones. 4. Treasurer’s Report Susan Brandl provided the following financial report for October: Total revenue = $0.72; expenses = $48.76; revenue over expenses = ($48.04). Bank balance as of October 31 = $8,353.74. Motion to accept the above report was made by Susan and Verna Adamson seconded. All were in favor. 5. Correspondence – Wendy Thompson - Nil.

6. Standing Committee Reports a) Rhodo Festival – Verna Adamson Verna will be attending a meeting soon. b) Plant Sale – David Forsyth - Nil. c) Welcome/Attendance – Evelyn Crawford Evelyn reported that there were 18 members + 2 guests in attendance. d) Memberships – Anne Forsyth Anne reminded that it is time to pay your 2016 membership dues. e) Speakers/Program – Bev Glover Bev reported that speakers for January to March have not been confirmed yet. Thank you to the members that provided suggestions for speakers. Tentative upcoming topics are: January – Water Management; February – Soil Basics; March – Crows – Their Habitat and Environmental Value. Bev reported that the following gardening events will be taking place: February 17 – 21, 2016 – PNWFS Seattle Flower Show; February 17 – 21, 2016 – BC Home & Garden Show; March 16 – 20, 2016 – San Francisco Flower Show; March 21 – April 17, 2016 – VCBF Cherry Blossom Festival. 7. New/Other Business a) On October 24th Keith Harris attended meeting at the BC Council of Garden Clubs. He prepared a detailed report for members to read. b) December 2nd BRAGS meeting – will be the AGM and Christmas Pot Luck. Please bring your favorite “finger” food to share with others. Guests are welcome at the Christmas pot luck. Meeting was adjourned and Brian Campbell presented on “Bees – Conserving Pollinators”.

Burnaby(Rhododendron(and(Gardens(Society(MINUTES(OF(MONTHLY(MEETING(–(November(4,(2015(

Discovery(Room,(Burnaby(Village(Museum'!

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Catalina stones can be seen in the reinforced concrete construction -- the facade having been sandblasted to hide the cement and highlight the native crushed stones. The blue flagstone rock on the ramps and terraces comes from Little Harbor, on Catalina's "back" side. And the red roof tiles and all the colorful handmade glazed tiles used for finishings came from the Catalina Pottery plant, which was in operation from 1927 to 1937. William Wrigley Jr. was interred for a short time at the Wrigley Memorial but is now buried in Pasadena. The original dedication plaque remains at this memorial on Catalina.

THE GARDEN The idea for a garden came from Mr. Wrigley's wife, Ada. In 1935, she supervised Pasadena horticulturalist Albert Conrad, who planted the original Desert Plant Collection. Santa Catalina Island's temperate marine climate made it possible to showcase plants from every corner of the earth. In 1969, the Wrigley Memorial Garden Foundation expanded and revitalized the garden's 37.85 acres. In the same way that the Wrigley Memorial uses primarily native building materials, the Garden places a special emphasis on California island endemic plants. (Plants, which grow naturally on one or more of the California islands, but nowhere else in the world.) Many of these plants are extremely rare, and some are on the Endangered Species list. In 1996, the Wrigley Memorial Garden Foundation merged with the Catalina Island Conservancy. This was a natural combining of two important ecological organizations, both dedicated to the protection and restoration of Santa Catalina Island. During our visit, the long drought affecting California was very evident, with many of the plants

showing signs of distress. However, one can hope that the drought will end and the plants will once again be restored to their healthy state. ~ Cheryl Fiddis

If you have ever have something interesting to share, from right here at home or from a trip taken afar, please share with us! We welcome your input.

Send to Cheryl Fiddis @ [email protected]

BRAGS Membership The dues are due! Please visit Anne at the membership desk to pay your 2016 dues or to join up – still only $12 per year. Members share various gardening interests and enjoy monthly guest speakers, plus are entitled to discounts of regularly priced items at GardenWorks and other garden centres, simply by presenting their membership cards. Monthly meetings (excepting July & August) start at 7 pm at the Burnaby Village Museum, - Main Building, up on the 2nd floor. Easy to get to with ample free parking and refreshments are served! Please join us if you are looking to join a local garden club.

(BRAGS(

EXECUTIVE('

President(Wendy'Thompson'604A420A6513'VicePPresident(Bev'Glover'604A540A2883'Treasurer(Susan'Brandl'604A433A4250''Secretary(

Linda'Cholette'604A298A9059'Past(President(Verna'Adamson'604A294A5550'

.'.'.'.'STANDING(COMMITTEES(

Membership(Anne'Forsyth'604A298A6350'Nominations(Verna'Adamson'

Publicity(Evelyn'Crawford'604A437A8395'

'Rhododendron(Festival(

Verna'Adamson'604A294A5550'June'Dodson'604A939A2597'

.'.'.'.'OTHER(COMMITTEES(

Plant(Sale(David'&'Anne'Forsyth'

Newsletter(Cheryl'Fiddis'604A435A2801'

Anne'&'David'Forsyth'604A298A6350'Welcome(

Faye'Kilpatrick'604A434A5921'

Sheila'Chowdhury'604A298A1196'

Raffle(Faye'Kilpatrick'604A434A5921'Refreshments(June'Dodson'604A939A2597'Speakers(Bev'Glover'604A540A2883'Website(

David'Forsyth'604A298A6350'

Upcoming'Meetings/Events

December 2, 2015 As usual our December meeting will commence with our regular business meeting, followed by the AGM and then our annual pot-luck Christmas party begins! Bring a dish to share, perferably ‘finger-food’ to start the festive season with your BRAGS friends. A special Christmas raffle will also take place. Significant others and guests are welcome! Happy New Year 2016!

January 6, 2016 Speaker to be confirmed.

Out & About Etc… GW Customer Appreciation Day, December 17, 2015 Be sure to mark the date for GardenWorks 15% savings all day. Don’t forget your membership card to get your discount! Gardenworks is an excellent location to finish up the last of your Christmas shopping and to find the perfect items to decorate your home for the season.

Alert: Save The Date!

Sunday, May 1st, 2016! Rhodofest! Don’t forget to visit the Brags website for a wide range of upcoming events and happenings. Our Webmaster David Forsyth does a fantastic job of finding newsworthy items to share. If you know of an event, please be sure to let David know well in advance, and he will try to post the item to let everyone know.

Speaker Program 2016 Members are invited to email their suggestions for the Speaker Program 2016 to Bev Glover at [email protected]. Speakers not only keep our meetings interesting, but also attract new members. If you belong to another garden club why not let Bev know of any past speakers so she can explore alternative options.

let’s welcome december! a november visit to catalina...

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