February Newsletter - It's Time for the Annual Meeting

Save the Date! Tuesday, March 12 at Floral Hall

It's that time of year again when we ask you to join us for dinner and drinks at Floral Hall to learn what we accomplished this past year and what we're planning for 2024. We do have some other special features if you need more excitement to lure you out of the house in March: we'll be auctioning off artist-created bird houses, and we're bringing back Trevor Cameron as our keynote speaker to show us what new and interesting plants we can add to our gardens this spring. Perhaps less interesting, but no less necessary, we will be calling for a vote on board members whose terms are up for renewal, and we're updating our bylaws to align with new guidance from Washington and to COVID-proof our operations. Members will receive a copy of the new version and be asked to vote to approve it.

You must be a member to attend. Receiving this email does not necessarily mean you are a member. If you are unsure, please check with us by emailing contactus@evergreenarboretum.com.

Lombardi's is catering the event (dinner menu below), we plan to begin selling tickets for our 2024 raffle, and there will be door prizes. Doors (and our wine and beer bar) open at 5 p.m. Dinner is served at 5:30 p.m.

To be sure your place is saved:

1. Renew or become a member now by clicking on the link below.
2. Pay $40 for your dinner by clicking on the link below. You may bring a guest--just be sure to pay for two dinners.

So What's For Dinner?

Menu: Stuffed mushrooms and caprese skewers for appetizers, followed by Fettucine Alfredo, Salmon Piccata, Chicken Marsala , green salad, and garlic bread. Cake for dessert.

When our long-time volunteer caterers decided to retire last year, to keep the annual dinner meeting tradition alive, we decided to move to a paid option. The response was positive, so we're doing it again. We hope we'll see you there. Seating is limited, so be sure to reserve your place.

Board Members Up for Re-Election on March 12

Clockwise from left: Dee Drake, Robert Christensen, Trevor Cameron, Tom Easley, and Brion Henault.

Exciting News on the Funding Front

We work hard to make the Arboretum a beautiful place to visit and to provide events that encourage people to get outside and see what's going on. It's so gratifying to know that people are paying attention.

December brought a $20,000 grant from the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust for the Backyard Garden Project. It also brought us $25,000 in COVID relief money from former City Council President Brenda Stonecipher and $16,000 in lodging tax funding for Wintertide Lights. Then, in January, Council member Mary Fosse granted us another $25,000 in COVID relief money.

Brenda has asked that we spend her money to fix the gravel paths running through the Small Tree Walk, Conifer, and Woodland Gardens and apply any remaining funds to a sculpture for the Backyard Garden. Mary wants to be sure that Wintertide Lights returns in 2024, and her donation plus the lodging tax funds ensures that will happen. Mary, a gardener herself, asked that any funding not used for Wintertide Lights be used on garden improvements. And we have several areas we're anxious to upgrade.

February Class: Pruning with Trevor

Join Trevor Cameron, Sunnyside Nursery Manager and Curator of our Maple Grove, on Saturday, February 17 from noon to 1 p.m. as he does some late winter pruning throughout the gardens.

He'll take questions as he demonstrates what to prune right now. Be sure to dress for the weather.

No Skills Needed: Training Provided!

Help us turn up the color in the Arboretum in March as we hold Color Storm, the final special event celebrating our 60th anniversary.

Great Yarns and the YMCA in Everett will be hosting pompom making workshops in February. Attend one of these workshops and make pompoms to decorate our entry bed and trees.

Great Yarns

Saturday, February 10, from 1 - 3 p.m. in the Annex

YMCA Everett

February 21, from 11 a.m. - noon

The workshops are free and all materials are provided (although you're encouraged bring any brightly colored spare yarn you have on hand), but you do need to be a member of the Y to participate at that location.

And what's the second way to help? Show up at a volunteer work party in February (dates and times to be announced) and help us hang pompoms and cover the trees. We've never done this before, so we have no idea how long it will take--and many hands make light work. Click on the button below to be sent an email notification.

What Happens to the Yarn When Color Storm is Over?

Some knitters and crocheters may want to reclaim their pieces, but what if they don't want them? Will all that yarn just go to waste? We're happy to tell you that a group of knitters has volunteered to take whatever is left, wash it, and find an organization that can use it. EA&G thanks the group for taking on this project.