November 2025

POTLUCK MEETING, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 1, at 6:00 PM

LOCATION: Immanuel Lutheran Church, 830 South Avenue West

Directions for the October meeting at Immanuel Lutheran Church:

Coming from the south on Brooks Street:

Turn east, right, onto South Avenue at the stop light by the fair grounds, go past the fair grounds, and the church is just across from Sentinel High School. Parking is behind the church on Sussex. Turn left onto Bow Street from South Avenue and go one block to Sussex, turn left and the church is the second church on the left. Go to the parking lot at the rear of the church. Use the church entrance from the parking lot on Sussex.

Coming from the North, East, or West:

Turn off Brooks onto Stephens Avenue, go past CVS and Walgreens on either side of Stephens. Turn left on Central at the Missoula Manor. Go one block and turn right onto Holburn Street. Proceed one block to Sussex and there is the church and its parking lot. It is the first church on the west end. Use the church entrance from the parking lot on Sussex.

Take the elevator to the the 2nd floor. Call Betty Ann at 406.370-1696 if you have questions or get lost.

Fall is definitely here and we are approaching winter.

Condolences are offered to Carol Addeo, whose husband, Al Ledford, passed away. Al was a great asset to our society. For many years they held the collection site for the iris sale and diligently worked on preparing the iris for sale. They have been hosts of our holiday party for the last few years with Al cooking the turkey. He will be missed. The society gave Carol a beautiful floral arrangement arranged by Gary Clark.

The Missoula Iris Society Garden at Historical Fort Missoula has been trimmed and cleaned for the winter. Thank you to Judy Blunt, who organized the work party. Thank you Rachel Ballard and her very young granddaughter, Marie Nyquist, Ron Dowell, Marv Vinion, Bronwen Harris, and Swede Gustafson, who volunteered for the work party. Your time and help with this important garden task is greatly appreciated.

Nominations for the executive board for 2026 are: President: Betty Ann Gustafson, Vice President: Anne Bowman, Secretary: Shirley Hall, and Treasurer: Bronwen Harris. At the meeting, nominations from the floor will once again be asked for. We will then vote for the slate of officers.

Jim Sadler will be the new American Iris Society, District 11, Regional Vice President (RVP). He will replace Jeannette Graham, whose term has expired. Thank you Jim for accepting this position.

Thank you Jeannette Graham for your work as our past RVP.

Ron Dowell and Donna Dowell have taken care of the lawn inside the Missoula Iris Society Garden for many years. Our garden lawn has always looked immaculate under their care. It is time for them to pass the torch to someone else. We wish to thank them for their dedication to our garden.

A Lawn Care person or persons is needed for the Missoula Iris Society Garden next year. This includes mowing and weed eating, twice a month. You would need your own equipment. There is a stipend available for the lawn care. If you are interested, or know someone who is, please contact Betty Ann, at swedeandba@gmail.com, or 406.251.3526.

Dykes Bed Renovation was completed this summer. An Energize Your Neighborhood Grant offered by the City of Missoula will contribute $1600 towards the project. The final inspection by the City of Missoula has occurred and the financial costs have been complied and given to the City. We are presently waiting for confirmation that all is well and that we will receive the grant.

Caras Nursery, Bill Caras requests to plant a Ginko tree at the garden. Sandy Perrin, County Extension Agent for Plants, contacted the society about the Caras request. The tree would be in honor of Billie Gray, a founding member of the Missoula Iris Society. She was instrumental in getting our garden started and oversaw the development of the garden along with other devoted members.

The Ginko tree may be planted this fall. Judy Blunt is working with Sandy Perrin on the project.

Holiday Party: In previous Decembers, we have had a holiday party hosted by Carol and Al Ledford. We need to discuss at the meeting as to whether we would like to have a holiday party. A new host and organizer will be need if we have a party.

No meetings will be held in December, January, or February.

Rhizome winner for October is Shirley Hall.

MINUTES OF THE MEETING of OCTOBER 4, 2025,

We welcomed our new member, JoJo (Ronnie McRae)!

Shirley Hall won the rhizome in our October drawing!

We made over $5,000 at our summer rhizome sale and used some of the proceeds for a kiosk. Thank goodness, we were blessed with gorgeous weather which motivated many people to come to our sale! There's a little over $10,000 in our account, so we will buy a CD.

We signed a sympathy card for Carol Addeo. Our most sincere condolences for the passing of her dear husband and MIS member, Allen Ledford. We have so many fond memories of him; may he rest in peace. Carol, we're here for you!

Judy Blunt planned for an October 18th, 1:00 P.M. clean up of the Fort Missoula iris beds.

Thank so much Ron and Donna Dowell for diligently mowing the Fort Missoula lawn; they are retiring from the job which takes 2 hours each time. Please let the society know if you would like this job which does have some benefits.

Mr. Bill Caras wants a deer protected gingko tree planted at the north end dike. There will be a dripline put around it. We need to make sure it is done properly, so it doesn't block the path of trucks. He wants a memorial plaque for Billy Gray (a founding member and designer of the Missoula Iris Society).

Idaho's Jeannette Graham passed the RVP to Jim Sadler!

Betty Ann will stay as President but will delegate some duties! We really appreciate your hard work and are glad you will continue; we are here to help where we can!

She thanked Mitch Hall for his secretary duties and said Anita Cervenak appreciated his thoroughness. The secretary job is now open. Mitch's wife, Shirley Hall, has offered to take this position but is willing to hand over the job to others. Please let the society know if you are interested in this job!

UPCOMING DATES

Saturday, November 1, 6.00 P.M. - Potluck meeting at Emmanuel Lutheran Church

Sometime in December, maybe – Christmas party?

March – next regular meeting