2022 Officers

 

Melton Hefner & Don Sumstien : Copresidents  
Melton Hefner Bio: I have been ponding a long time.I went to my first pond tour about 20 years ago which was put on by this club & I have been digging ever since.

Don Sumstien Bio: My wife and I joined the Koi club in 2018 with a free membership offer, while visiting the Douglas County Home and Garden Show. We had bought a home in 2013 that came with a Koi pond. The previous owner showed me how to clean the filters, the strainer pot and how to prime the pump. Other than that, I thought the pond could take care of itself, while feeding the fish some. Laugh out loud! In 2019 we started losing water from the pond. I in panic mode started adding water daily, and after a week or so, we noticed the fish’s health start to deteriorate. My wife said let’s go to the Koi Club meeting. Even though we had joined the club, we hadn’t attended a meeting yet. It was here that we started getting education about ponds, plants, pumps, fish, water clarity, cleaning, maintenance, and the list goes on, and is never ending. Since joining the club, we have basically rebuilt our pond by replacing the plumbing, patching holes in the liner, and adding a bog. It’s a great club, and all the members we have met have something to offer. No pond is the same, so it’s always interesting to learn from others. We are continually looking forward to more learning opportunities, and meeting other pond and water garden enthusiasts.

 

 

Bill Whitley : Vice President  
  I have been a member of this club for the past eight years.  During this time I found the courage to build my own pond, learning as I went and asking hundreds of questions that opened my eyes to a whole world of friendly people who are dedicated to Koi and their beauty.

Now that the pond is built I continue to explore new products and new thoughts on fishkeeping, there is always something new on the market and your fish can be a constant surprise with their antics and personalities. As a member of a local club I also enjoy visits to the many shows and seminars put on and hosted by other Koi clubs in the Pacific Northwest. My hope for this club’s future is to be a presence in this part of Oregon and to inform and help the public as they enjoy the hobby of pond keeping and water gardening..


Sidney Daniel :Treasure:  

My name is Lori Whitley and my husband Bill and I joined the club in 2018 while we were in the process of building our pond. It is 16,000 gallons. We are still working on finishing the rest of our backyard. I have prior experience as treasurer. I am looking forward to learning more about koi, water gardening and pond maintenance.

Piper Sullivan : Secretary  

My Husband, Jon Brower and I joined The Koi Club in 2020. We went to our first meeting virtually on Zoom during Covid. It has been great to now be part of the in person meetings and potlucks. We have had our pond for over 20 years and had previously had it on the pond tours that Jacob from Youngs Garden used to put on. Our favorite part of being in the club is getting to see everyone’s ponds. We used to enjoy all that goes into keeping a pond running and looking nice. But since getting older that part isn’t as much fun, but it must be done. Meetings keep us learning new ways of doing it and a place to ask questions and get help. The friendships made, have enriched our lives.

Jim Daniel : Program Director:

My husband and I have recently moved to Roseburg, Oregon from North Idaho and are getting to know the area and the friendly people. I have kept indoor aquariums with both Tropical fish and Goldfish but joined the Oregon Koi & Watergarden Society shortly after moving here to learn from the group about building a Koi pond and what that entailed. This club has opened my eyes to a whole new world of people who are dedicated to Koi and their beauty.


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 Newsletter Editor: Kathy Brower 

My husband and I have recently moved to Roseburg, Oregon from North Idaho and are getting to know the area and the friendly people. I have kept indoor aquariums with both Tropical fish and Goldfish but joined the Oregon Koi & Watergarden Society shortly after moving here to learn from the group about building a Koi pond and what that entailed. This club has opened my eyes to a whole new world of people who are dedicated to Koi and their beauty.
Since retiring from the Graphic Arts & publishing field it was a natural for me to take over as editor of our club newsletter when that position became available. In this position I am learning about Koi at an accelerated rate and I'm looking forward to starting a Koi pond soon with all of my new found information and friends.

 


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