The meeting was called to order by President Margaret Otis at 1:25 p.m.   Jo Molnar led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Secretary’s Report – accepted and filed

Treasurer’s Report – accepted and filed   Reminder: dues will be collected at the April, May and June meetings.  Dues are $25 for general and $35 for associate members.

Corresponding Secretary – a sympathy card was sent to the family of member Nancy Murphy upon her death.  Get well cards were sent to Caryl Stoker for a broken hip, Marilyn Stiles for a mini-stroke, Laurel Provost for heart surgery, Connie Doherty for hip replacement and Mary Sawyer who is recovering from cancer.  Thank-you notes were received from Rose Coneeny and Joyce Williams.  Margaret reported that Laurel Provost is home from the hospital and rehab and that she thanks everyone for their cards and kind thoughts.

Membership – Carrie Wailgum announced that 91 members were present and 5 guests.

 May Luncheon – Elaine Sampson says that everything is ready for the lunch and fashion show on May 5^th.  The sign-in procedure at the luncheon will be like a wedding with name tags and assigned seating.  She asked the members to send their checks soon for this event.

Civic Beautification – Irene Mitchell reported that seven garden club volunteers met with Americorps today for several hours of clean-up at Thompson Field.  She passed around a form for watering there this summer.  She also thanked Joyce O”Neill for her nine years of taking care of the garden around the W. Harwich Library.

Blooming Barrels – JoAnn Root will have a sign-up sheet at the May meeting.  Her committee has increased the numbers of barrels in town and they need more help.

Design Workshop – Doris Casey announced that the workshop on May 4^th to make the luncheon centerpieces is filled.

Plant sale – Audrey Osborn still needs help in several areas for the May 23^rd plant sale.  Someone is needed to run the raffle, and several members are needed for both potting up container plantings and then cleaning the park at the end of the sale.

Garden Exercises – Maisie Wall announced a free one morning program at the Chatham Health Club on Crowell Rd.    Carol Penfield will lead an exercise class for gardeners at 10:00 a.m. on Monday April 13^th.

House Tour with the Harwich Historical Society – Joan Garrity asked members to sign on to help with this June 27^th event.  Six members are needed to make one floral arrangement each for the six homes on the tour.  There may also be a need for some garden help before the tour.  The cost of the ticket is $25 and includes tea at Brooks Academy.  The six sites are as follows:  The Willow Inn (house & garden), Karen Helliwell (house), Dottie Miller (garden), Brian Murphy (house & garden), Anne Stawiarski (garden), and the Brooks Academy .  Alma Davis is selling raffle tickets for a painting of the fountain in Brooks Park by garden club member Joyce Hawk.  The money raised from this raffle will be saved for landscaping around Brooks Academy.  A member of the Historical Society is taking care of printing the tickets which will include a map.

Tickets will be available at Puritan Clothing, Lady Brett, The Potted Geranium and Cape Cod 5 Savings Bank.  Members will be needed to sell tickets at Shaw’s and Stop ‘n’ Shop.

New Business – The Board voted to donate $300 for landscape plantings at the Habitat for Humanity house being built by the eight Harwich churches on Gomes Way .  Carrie Wailgum will follow the progress of this building and arrange for the transfer of funds at the appropriate time.  The foundation is in and the walls may start going up the weekend after Easter if weather permits.

Elaine Sampson announced a container gardening seminar at Pine Tree Nursery on Rte 137 in Chatham , on Wednesday June 3^rd, at 10:00 a.m.   There is no charge but members must sigh up with Elaine first.  There is room for 20 -25 people.

Margaret asked the members to look at the “what’s next” sheet and added that an Art in Bloom event will be held the Cahoon Museum in Cotuit, from May 14^th to 17^th.

Program – Jeanne Tassinari gave out prizes for the tea trays on display and thanked the women who participated.  Sue Mills won first place, Helen Duarte won second and Phyllis Burnham won third place.  Doris Casey then went around the room and explained the best points of each arrangement.

The meeting was adjourned at 2:10 p.m.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon Oudemool, Recording Secretary