February 2025

NEXT MEETING IN MARCH 2025

(There was no January Newsletter)

HOLIDAY PARTY: Thank you Carol Addeo and Al Ledford for hosting our Holiday Party. 20 members had good fellowship, excellent food and a good time with the gift exchange game.

DUES: It is time once again to pay your yearly dues. Dues are $10.00 per year, payable to the Missoula Iris Society. Please mail them to the Missoula Iris Society, 3128 Eldora Lane, Missoula, MT 59803.

AUDIT OF TREASURER'S BOOKS: There was an audit of the treasurer's books, January 15, 2025, to enable a smooth transition for the new treasurer, Bronwen Harris. The audit was performed by Deb Belden, Fred Frey, and Keith Belden. The books of treasurer, Swede Gustafson, were found to be in order.

TREASURER'S REPORT: FISCAL BUDGET FOR 2024

Total accepted January 1, 2024: $6,850.00

Total expenses paid in 2024: $4,145.54

Net balance as of 12/31/2024 $2,531.46

Checking Account Balance as of 12/31/2024 $1,149.62

Savings Account Balance as of 12/31/2024 $3,240.99

Certificate of Deposit as of 12/15/2024 $6,254.20, Renewable March 15, 2024

Submitted by Swede Gustafson

NOTE: SWEDE GUSTAFSON HAS RETIRED FROM THE POSITION OF TREASURER.

BRONWEN HARRIS IS THE TREASURER FOR 2025. Missoula Iris Society bank accounts were changed, January 17, 2025. Bronwen Harris, treasurer, and Betty Ann Gustafson, president, are co-signers on the accounts.

THE MISSOULA IRIS SOCIETY WOULD LIKE TO THANK SWEDE GUSTAFSON FOR HIS SERVICE AS TREASURER FOR THE PAST 28 YEARS!

A note from Swede: On December 31, 2024, I completed my 30th year as the treasurer for the Missoula Iris Society. In 1993 I was asked by then treasurer, Alverta Symes, to accept this position for the year 1994. I thought about it for a few days and then called to say I would accept the position. I had to learn all the various ways the Missoula Iris Society earns money and spends money. Alverta was a good adviser in getting me up to speed. I certainly learned a lot on how to keep track of the income and expenses, and the rules regarding the American Iris Society, Federal, and Montana governmental issues in the record keeping. My years were nonconsecutive. Pete Addeo served as treasurer for 2 years during my tenure. The 28 years have been very enjoyable and I am always glad I accepted the position of treasurer. I will be available to Bronwen, in any way, should she have any questions.

BOARD MEETING: A board meeting, also open to society members, was held January 21, to plan the upcoming year of 2025. The board consists of the President, Betty Ann Gustafson, Vice President, Anne Bowman, Secretary, Mitch Hall, and Treasurer, Bronwen Harris. All members of the board were present plus 3 society members, Gary Clark, Fred Frey, and Judy Blunt.

Topics discussed were the fiscal report for 2024, the American Iris Society Convention in Billings, MT, the annual iris shows, the rhizome sale, future Fort Missoula Iris Garden projects, the ice cream social, and the Dorleen Bakke award given by the University Congregational Church Weekly Readers Group.

AMERCAN IRIS SOCIETY 2025 CONVENTION, JUNE 2nd – JUNE 7th, 2025, SPONSERED BY THE BIG SKY IRIS CLUB, BILLINGS, MT: It is time to make a decision on your convention participation. Registrations are filling up fast. REGISTRATION INFORMATION: Go to Big Sky Iris convention. Click on, Learn More, and click on, Register Here. Also, the registration form will be an attachment to this newsletter.

It looks like some of the optional tours and dinners are sold out. Be sure to check the information given on the site for specific information.

DONATION BY THE UNIVERSITY CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH WEEKLY READERS GROUP: The readers group has donated $500.00 to our society in honor of their elderly member, Dorleen Bakke. Dorleen was an avid floral arranger and gardener. At our last meeting we discussed ways to use this donation to benefit the society. A suggestion by Jim Sadler was to give an award for our annual iris show in the form of a plaque displaying the award. It was decided at our board meeting it would be given to the people's choice for best design of the show each year in honor of Dorleen Bakke. The recipient would be given a certificate and the actual award would remain with the society to be presented each year. Also, it was suggested that we purchase iris for the garden in her honor. These new purchases could be mentioned in the kiosk at the iris garden.

MISSOULA IRIS SOCIETY EVENTS SCHEDULED FOR 2025: The following dates were discussed at the board meeting on January 21st.

March Meeting: Date and time in March Newsletter

April Meeting: Date and time in April Newsletter

May 24: Median iris Show to be held at Judy Blunt's home

June 14: Annual Iris Show, located at the G. W. Marks Exploration Center, Butterfly House and Insectarium at the Missoula County Fairgrounds. Set up will be June 13, and the show June 14.

July 26, Annual Rhizome Sale at the Historical Fort Missoula, Missoula Iris Society Garden

Ice Cream Social: Date to be determined

Rhizome sale diggings and work parties to be held in July.

Future Missoula Iris meetings will be added as the year goes on.

Presidential Rhizome winners: October, Marie Nyquist; November, Gary Clark