IT’S TURTLE DERBY TIME IN TENNESSEE!!
King Lion John Merriss appointed Gayle Cox to lead the Pledge of Allegiance, and Substitute Chaplain VDG Ed Gibbons offered the blessing.
Lion Dr. George Winton won the drawing and not surprisingly donated the money to the Turtle Derby.
Tail Twister Ken Gough continues to do his obnoxious best and is extorting fines at a rate intended to meet the impossible budget imposed by a membership that clearly didn’t know what it was in for.
The Turtle Derby kicked off today with a presentation by King Turtle George Winton himself to the membership and reporters from WJHL and the Johnson City Press. Many thanks to the media for their help in spreading the word.
The Derby will be run Friday, Oct. 19, and Turtle Sales Manager John Merriss reminds you to SELL TURTLES NOW. The Derby is earlier this year than last, so it’s time to get busy. Sales sheets will be distributed by email in a few days. Lion Ken Gough has prepared spreadsheets with every turtle sold since 2006. You are encouraged to call people who haven’t contributed recently and twist…. I mean, politely solicit their help for our charitable projects. King Turtle has set an ambitious goal of 550 turtles, which means we all have to pull our weight and maybe a little extra.
Program Chairman Debbie Merritt introduced Shaun Barr of Evergreen of Johnson City, who made a presentation on planting advice for the fall season. Shaun is their perennial specialist, so he knows what he’s talking about. Several information sheets were handed out and are available at Evergreen if you missed the meeting. He advises:
- Fall is the best time to plant most perennials, since they will spend the winter creating a good root system for the next growing season.
- A $10 plant needs a $100 hole – spend the time and effort to make sure the soil is right, make the hole plenty large, and use a root stimulating fertilizer.
- Fall is the time to divide most crowded, overgrown perennials and to top dress the ground with a protective layer of mulch.
- For fall color, good choices include asters, burning bush, mums, dahlias, Japanese maple, chokeberry, sedum, smoketree, Indian grass and ornamental cabbage.
- Fall is the time for vegetables including beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, collard greens, lettuce, mustard, onions, spinach and turnips. These plants like the cooler weather, and there are fewer problems with insect pests.
Many thanks to Shaun and Evergreen for a timely and informative presentation!
Remember – SELL TURTLES!
– Substitute Secretary Ken Gough
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