The folks of the Palmetto Bay Garden Club had their last meeting of the season on Tuesday May 27 (they don’t schedule meetings during the hot summer months) and as they do each year they officially installed their new board. Outgoing president Richard Dorn announced the make-up of the board for the coming year. Kurt Klaus is the incoming president. There are two first vice presidents in charge of programs, Troy Henderson and Henry Clifford, and three second vice presidents in charge of membership, Cecilia Best, Elane McChristian and Jeanne Bunten.
Gail Weber is the new treasurer. Mary Lou Martin is corresponding secretary and Sharon Kujawa is recording secretary. Ines Mander and Candy McDonald will serve as project chairs. Dolly Morrow is in charge of hospitality and refreshments. Jan Gautney will be in charge of the raffle, and Bev Gerald is community liaison.
The club has monthly meetings with gardening expert speakers at the Ludovici Park Library, in the Edward & Arlene Feller Community Room on the fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m. Their next meeting, which begins their fifth year, will be in September. Call Village Hall at 305-259- 1234 for information.
And speaking of gardening… The village has a new series of Responsible Gardening Workshops. The informative sessions are free and are presented by Palmetto Bay resident and Master Gardener Terri Stephen, in partnership with the University of Florida and Miami-Dade County Extension office. The first workshop is on Friday June 13 at 6 p.m., titled “From Garbage to Compost,” and covers composting your kitchen scraps and yard trimmings, benefits for the garden and environment, reducing your waste and a hands-on demo. The next is on Friday July 11 at 6 p.m., called “We’re not in Kansas anymore.” It covers right plants, right place; our unique soil; native plants; “why don’t my plants thrive?” and zone 10 gardening. Then on Friday, August 8, also at 6 p.m., is “Creating a Butterfly Garden,” with help on choosing the right flowers, plant selection and placement, food plants for butterflies, hands-on planting on-site, maintenance and upkeep. Finally, on Friday, September 12, at 6 p.m., is “Raised Bed Gardening,” covering how to build a simple but effective bed, benefits of a raised bed, tips on planning, building and irrigating, high yield produce and prepping for the fall season planting.
It all takes place at Thalatta Estate on Old Cutler Road. For more information, call 305-259- 1234 or visit www.Palmettobay-fl.gov.
Father’s Day is June 15th! The folks in Village Special Events have told us that they’re offering an alternative to the traditional “ugly tie” as a gift, especially for dads who are anglers or potential fishermen. Palmetto Bay’s Thalatta Estate is hosting their first annual Father’s Day Fishing Clinic that Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. TV/radio personality and pro-angler Captain Mo will share winning fishing tips and there will be skills building and safety info, free BBQ, and live music. Note: You must bring your own rod!
Topics: why some fishing spots are better than others; how to tie fail-proof knots; mustknow rules and laws about fishing; safely handling fish; artificial bait vs. real bait; tips on how to be a successful fisherman; critical ecoconservation points and common sense safety for the whole family. Clinic and activities are free! Thalatta Estate is located at 17301 Old Cutler Road. Space is limited, so if you’re interested you’d better call now: 305-259- 1234, or visit www.Palmettobay-FL.gov.
And the beat goes on… The proposed lighting ordinance change brought up by Councilman Tim Schaffer at the May regular council meeting was deferred again for a number of reasons, and based on statements made by Councilwoman Joan Lindsay and new Village Attorney Dexter Lehtinen at a quickly scheduled town hall meeting, it would appear that even the village’s settlement with Palmer Trinity School may not be as much of a done deal as many thought. Stay tuned, folks. There will likely be more about this in the news in the months ahead.
Thought of the Day:
Rare is the person who can weigh the faults of others without putting his thumb on the scales.
— Byron J. Langenfeld
Gary Alan Ruse contributed to this column.
Got any tips? Contact me at 305-669- 7355, ext. 249, or send emails to Michael@communitynewspapers.com .
