photo courtesy of
Sandy Charveze-James

AUGUST MEETING REVIEW
The August meeting started a little late due to distributing the new polo shirts! New members were welcomed and it was announced that membership is now 154 households. The executive committee was introduced and the treasurer’s report given by Ed T. A decision needed to be made regarding the amount of the donation to be made to the Hassayampa River Preserve. The pond tour profit was $2,056.64. Ed T. suggested that we donate $1000.00, Lyle P. suggested $1111.11 and Burt F. suggested $1500.00. The three options were voted on and it was decided to donate $1500.00 to Hassayampa at our October meeting to be held at the Preserve. It was announced that GPPS has been invited to participate in the Fall Garden Fair on October 5 sponsored by the Master Gardener Program. In order to participate, volunteers would be needed to work for a couple of hours each on that day. Since several members volunteered, GPPS will be participating in the Fair. Teri C., our new librarian, was introduced and it was stated that there are already a few books available in the library for checkout. It was announced that Aquatic Ecosystems has agreed to give GPPS a 10% discount on purchases from their catalog. The 2002 catalogs were on hand to be picked up. Volunteers were asked to bring snacks to the September meeting at the Japanese Friendship Garden. The meeting was then turned over to Jerry Gruttadauria from Summer Winds Nursery. He displayed some of the pond products and a couple of biofilters that the nursery carries. He answered questions from the membership, handed out discount coupons and then headed back to work. Our meeting ended with a lively question and answer session within the group.

SEPTEMBER MEETING
We have been anxiously awaiting our September meeting at the Japanese Friendship Garden! It will be held on Saturday, September 14th at 9:00 AM at the Margaret T. Hance Park located in downtown Phoenix. The three acre garden includes a 750,000 gallon koi pond, waterfalls, streams, footbridges, as well as an authentic Japanese Tea House. Landscape architects from Himeji, Japan have assisted the City of Phoenix in the planning and development of the garden and pond. The placement of each element of the garden has special meaning. Although the Friendship Garden is not open to the public until November, GPPS is privileged to be allowed a “sneak preview!" The meeting will begin in the Irish Cultural Center at 1106 N. Central and then move to the Japanese Garden. Our speakers will be: Mark Lamm - Special Programs & Facilities Supervisor, Scott Risser – Mechanical/Filtration Consultant, David Yee – Liaison/Valley of the Sun Koi Club. There is no need to bring your lawn chairs. Please feel free to bring any excess plants to share.

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS
Frank & Cindy H. – Chandler
Jack L. – Fountain Hills
Cathy L. - Goodyear
Larry & Kris O. – Phoenix
Mark & JerriAnn P. - Mesa
Dave & Beni V. – Phoenix

TUCSON WATERGARDENERS POND TOUR
The annual tour of the Tucson Watergardeners club will be held on Sunday, September 8, 2002 from 8 AM to 5 PM. Six ponds are on the tour and are spread out from approximately the University of Arizona to Harrison Road on the east side. Tickets are $7.00 and will be available beginning August 24th at:

Rillito Nursery, 6303 N. La Cholla Road 520-575-0995 (easy to get to from I-10
Tucson Botanical Gardens, 2150 N. Alvernon, 520-326-9686
Magic Garden Nursery, 7909 E. 22nd Street, 520-885-7466
Mesquite Valley Growers, 8005 E. Speedway, 520-721-8600
Civano Nursery, 5301 S. Houghton, 520-546-9200