I’d like to thank everyone who attended the Friends of Secrest Arboretum (FSA) annual meeting on October 4th. I know many of you went directly to the member’s only presale after the meeting. Highlights of the meeting follow:
Board Elections
The following slate of candidates was approved unanimously:
- Robert Everett – President
- Carol Rakoczy – Vice President
- Anne Wilson – Treasurer
- Andrew Cerniglia – Corresponding Secretary
- Merry Gentry – Recording Secretary
- Karen Edgington – At Large
- Linda Irwin – At Large
- Karen Lesiecki – At Large
I’d like to give my personal thanks to all of them for their service. They work many hours in a large
variety of ways to make FSA function.
Volunteers
Speaking of volunteers – many of you helped at our various summer activities including:
- 37 at the Garden Fair
- 43 at the Spring Plant Sale
- 26 at the Fall Plant Sale
We couldn’t succeed without you!
Planned for 2025
- More branded merchandise
- Fourth annual Garden Fair
- Fifth summer Concert series
- Comprehensive Email / Contact Manager solution
- Plant Sales – as always!
Financials
We ended the year almost exactly where we started – with about $45,000 in the bank.
Major sources of income included:
- Fall 2023 Plant Sale ……………………………………… $ 14,792
- Spring 2024 Plant Sale ………………………………… $ 29,718
- Winterberry Holly Sales ……………………………….. $ 8,204
- Garden Fair Registrations & Income …………… $ 7,373
- Membership Dues ………………………………………… $ 8,010
- Donations ………………………………………………………. $ 17,260
Major expenses included:
- Purchases for Multiple Plant Sales & Prep .. $ 15,479
- Plants for the Arboretum Collection ………….. $ 13,233
- Music at the Arboretum ………………………………. $ 2,600
- Whiz Bang Science Shows & Project Rise .. $ 1,607
- Grounds Maintenance & Nursery Supplies .. $ 11,021
- FSA Operations ……………………………………………. $ 4,676
- Secrest Staff Salary Support ………………………. $ 10,000
- Other Secrest Support Expenses ……………….. $ 11,734
- Ohio Landscape Symposium Support ……….. $ 5,530
Secrest Select
The 2025 class of Secrest Select plants has been nominated and sent to the Secrest Arboretum Support Council for approval. We’ll publish the formal list in the next Newsletter as well as update the website SecrestSelect.com. We highlighted these special plants at our plant sales this year with Secrest Select logos on all the pots.
Final Thought
Gift Memberships make wonderful holiday gifts! They can be purchased online at FriendsofSecrest.com or by mailing a membership form and check (available at the website) to:
Friends of Secrest Arboretum
3540 Burbank Rd #190
Wooster, OH 44691
As always, please reach out to me at friendsofsecrest@gmail.com should you have questions about FSA or if you are interested in volunteering.
--Bob Everett, President, Friends of Secrest Arboretum