Geneva Area Pond Club's free meeting on August 8

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Because so many new members want to attend the club's meetings, we now meet every Sunday instead of on just the first and third Sundays of every month. But because August 1 is Switzerland's national holiday, we're skipping the first Sunday this month. (There are four more Sunday meetings in August.) Meetings take place from 15:00 to 18:00 in various members' homes and gardens, so that we can see a wide variety of ponds during the meetings, adapting the best ideas for our own garden ponds.

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The August 8 meeting will be held in Joel and Dominique's patio and garden in Pougny, in nearby France. There we'll admire two of the best ponds we've seen in the club, which were constructed by Joel himself. He's one of the best sources of information for those planning to create their own ponds. That may be why so many club members keep attending meetings held here. This is the seventh event held at Joel and Dominque's (more than any other members except for long-time club leaders Suzanne and Peter), and we expect another good crowd on August 8.

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The first pond Joel built is partially above ground, so that visitors can sit on the supporting wall to admire the water plants and pond fish up close. The pond is one meter deep, and contains in its 10,000 liters of water some young koi, goldfish, carp, beam, and blooming water lilies. It's continually fed by a very long above-ground stream planted with mare's tail and other bog plants, whose roots help keep the water crystal-clear. The stream incorporates several waterfalls which help oxygenate the water; the resulting splashes add a pleasant music to the lovely view.

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Joel's second pond, just built in 2008, is round and an impressive ten meters in diameter. Its depth is 30, 100 and 150 centimeters in different areas. It's home to very large multi-colored koi that readily breed in the pond, and large specimens of other species, including two black sturgeon. Many water lilies there bloom all summer in the ideal sunny environment. A wide variety of bog plants enhance the pond's shallow border. The pond already looks totally natural, even though it's artificial and was created just two years ago.

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Joel is a professional contractor who built not only the two ponds, but his entire house as well. He also contoured the extensive garden, creating several level terraces from a steep property. He built an enclosure to house the first pond's extensive filtering system, and constructed an entire walk-in shed for the second pond's even bigger filter. He'll open both to show us the ingenious systems that keep the water in both ponds as clear as glass.

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During the formal portion of this meeting, you can ask Joel all your questions about how he designed, built, and maintains these impressive ponds. Peter and other experts can be asked further questions, and you can offer suggestions for other members' pond problems based on your own experience. Peter will also stress the importance of finding other members soon to become the club's new leaders, now that he and Suzanne are retiring after leading the club for six years.

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The informal part of each meeting is when we enjoy snacks, drinks and good conversations, discussing everything else under the sun. Visitors are always welcome at these free events, so invite interested friends and neighbors to come along. You (and they) can get full details about the August 8 meeting (https://meetup.com/GenevaPond/calendar/11034307) on the club's web site at https://meetup.com/Gen... (https://meetup.com/GenevaPond/calendar/11034307).

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On that page you can let the hosts know whether you can or can't attend by submitting your RSVP on line. Just click Yes, No, or Maybe, then click 'Submit.' If you're inviting guests as well, be sure to add the number in your RSVP. Hosts always need to know how many visitors to expect. You can also add a note in the box marked 'Comments' to say whom you've invited, or to thank Joel and Dominique for hosting this event.

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We can't expect these members to host many more meetings when so many other members haven't hosted any. If you offer to have a meeting in your own home or garden, those who attend can admire your pond the way you've admired other members' ponds. Hosting involves little more than providing some refreshments for those who attend. If your place is small, we can limit in advance the number of people who can submit a Yes RSVP. We traditionally meet on Sundays, but if you prefer we can schedule your meeting for another day. To reserve your ideal date for a meeting (before some other member choses that day), write to current club leaders Suzanne and Peter at PeterSuzanne2@hotmail.com.

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These photos show the water features you'll see at this meeting. For dozens more photos of Joel's ponds and stream, go to their photo album (https://meetup.com/GenevaPond/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=685560) on the club's web site at https://meetup.com/Gen... (https://meetup.com/GenevaPond/photos/all_photos/?photoAlbumId=685560). Click on each small photo to enlarge it and see its details. For photo albums of the ponds of dozens of other club members, go to the web site's Photos (https://meetup.com/GenevaPond/photos) section at https://meetup.com/Gen... (https://meetup.com/GenevaPond/photos). If you'd like to have Peter create a similar photo album showing views of your own pond, send your digital photos to him at their address above.

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But first please submit your RSVP for the August 8 meeting (https://meetup.com/GenevaPond/calendar/11034307). We look forward to seeing you there, as well as several new members of the club. Everyone's welcome.