Holiday party

The Holiday Party is December 14. This event is always a lot of fun, but it takes some work to put it together, so be sure to sign up to help when the chance comes up.

Botanical Garden

The next time you come to Extension, be sure to look at all the changes that are taking place around the Botanical Garden and in front of Building N. The night lighting should be completed by mid-November and there will be a program some time around Thanksgiving/early December to unveil it

Pack Your Bags!

The Brunswick, New Hanover and Pender county Master Gardener groups are planning a trip for next spring. The itinerary is still being planned, but some of the stops could include Philadelphia, Brandywine Valley, Richmond, Norfolk, Maryland and a stop or two at a winery. Watch for details as the planning comes together.

Richard O'Dwyer

We are sad report that Richard O’Dwyer, class of 2006, passed away on Thursday, September 21 in Charlotte. Richard was born in Wilmington, DE and was a resident of Shallotte. He enjoyed golf and gardening and was a member of the National Arbor Day Foundation. At the request of the family, memorials can be directed to the Brunswick County Master Gardner’s Volunteer Association.

The date has changed

The Reunion Social, originally scheduled for November 10, has been rescheduled for Wednesday, November 15 because the building will be closed on the 10th for Veterans Day. So, mark your calendars for this new date, watch for your invitation, to arrive later this month, and plan to join your fellow Master Gardeners for a fun afternoon in the garden.

Projects

• LIFE ON THE FARM will start up again during the last two weeks of October. We will probably work with three schools each week. Let Charlie know right away if you can help so he can put you on the schedule.

• The date for HERITAGE DAY at Indigo Farm is October 7. We will be doing a plant clinic that day and help publicize the Extension. As per usual, Charlie is looking for volunteers for this event – he needs about 3 people for the morning shift, including setting up the tents and the same number in the afternoon to take down the tents when it’s over. This counts as Hot Line time! Call Charlie if you’re able to participate.

• We will be continuing with the rain lily project, going back out to collect more bulbs once the grass dies back. David will be looking for help with this so be sure to let him know if you are interested.

• The North Carolina State Fair is Oct. 13 – 22. If you have any plants, produce, etc. that you want to submit, let David know. His deadline is October 10!

• The County Fair for Brunswick, Pender and New Hanover counties will follow the State Fair. We will be setting up an educational booth – need someone from October 24 through Nov. 5. Again let David know if you can volunteer some time.

• Our next PLANT SALE is scheduled for October 12, 13 and 14. Call Charlie if you can help out. Ash needs some additional help, too, preparing the plants.

October 26 meeting

Don Gilbert… will be our speaker at the October 26 general meeting. His topic will be “Hydroponically Grown Fruits and Vegetables.” Don is a local businessman who grows hydroponic fruits and vege-tables.

Household Hazardous Waste Collection, Clothing Drive and Electronic Recycling Event

Brunswick County will collect household hazardous waste, clothing and electronics at the Southport Wal-Mart on Sept. 16 from 9 am to 2 pm. This is a one-day collection only – items will not be picked up with regular trash service and will not be accepted at the four convenient sites or at the landfill. This collection is free for county residents and farmers only – no commercial or industrial waste will be accepted. For info call 253-2520.

Litter Sweep 2006

Volunteers needed! The NCDOT’s annual Litter Sweep Fall Roadside Clean-up will take place Sept. 16 – 30. Brunswick County will waive tipping fees at the landfill In Bolivia for anyone bringing in DOT bags from a roadside clean-up during this time. Contact the DOT office (754-4540) to register. DOT will provide gloves, safety vests and trash bags.

Free mulch

Brunswick County is giving mulch to county residents only. The mulch will not be delivered, but will be loaded at the landfill in Bolivia only. For info, call 253-2520.

Fall Clean-up

The Brunswick County Fall Clean-up is scheduled for Sept. 11–16. During that week, county residents can dispose of all materials except regular household trash for free. This applies to material brought to the landfill in Bolivia only – items will not be picked up with your regular trash service. The four convenient sites will maintain regular fees during this time. For more info, call the Brunswick County Solid Waste Department at 253-2520.

Bug Fest

Want to have some fun? Attend BUG FEST at the Museum of Natural Science in Raleigh on September 16. Free food….hope you like bugs!

New Projects

Lots of new projects are in the works. Some ideas include:
• Installing lighting in the Botanical Garden area.
• Continuing to bring in different varieties of crepe myrtle; when finished we will be the only garden in the U.S. with every variety of crepe myrtle. We will hold an open house when all are in bloom.
• Creating a semi-tropical planting area outside the conference room door.
• Beautify the area around the entrance to the greenhouse, including installing additional drainage and irrigation, new beds, new plantings.

We will also be acquiring PowerPoint presentation software and developing some presentations and/or editing NC State programs for the seminars we provide in the community.

Refreshments

If you are providing refreshments at the meetings, are you aware that you can be reimbursed? Just save your receipt and give it to our Treasurer…I think there’s a cap of $25.00.

Have you noticed?

Have you noticed how nice the planters in front of the Extension Office look? How about all the changes – improvements and new plants, etc – in the Botanical Garden and where the planting area is being extended out from the Garden? Our volunteer work groups are doing a great job in these areas, with a LOT of help from Jim, too.

He Didn’t Really Mean It….

When Charlie Spencer announced that he will be retiring at the end of September, he really thought that’s what he would do. But, as he announced at the General Meeting in August, there are just too many exciting things on the horizon here at the Extension Center and he just can’t leave and miss the opportunity to be involved. Thanks, Charlie, we’re glad you’re staying on.

Other dates

• NC State Fair is Oct. 13 – 22.

• Mark your calendars for the next COASTAL GARDENING SEMINAR on September 29 (the August newsletter said Sept. 21 - sorry). Topics and speakers will be announced soon.

• Our next PLANT SALE is scheduled for October 12, 13 and 14. There will be no pre-sale of plants at this or any future plant sale. Come in, help out.

• We have SEMINARS scheduled and Charlie’s looking for volunteers to help – here are the dates, places, times:

• Sept. 11, 10:30 am, Roark Library, Shallotte
• Sept. 14, 9:00 am, Oak Island Library
• Sept. 22, 2:00 pm, Hickman Crossroads Library
• Sept. 25, 1:00 pm, Coastal Garden Club (Richard Boland has the details)
• Sept. 28, 2:00 pm Southport Library
• Sept. 30, 10 am – 1 pm, Southport Wal-Mart, including a plant clinic
• Leland Library will also have a seminar – date and time will be announced when it’s scheduled

Reunion Garden Party

Planning continues for the Reunion Garden Party on November 10. We’re looking for photos, too – if you have any photos of MG events that you would like to share, let Barb McCoy know (575-7679; mccoyb@atmc.net) – her group is going to set up a history display as part of this event. And…we’re still searching for a 1996 class list! And, as always, we’ll be looking for help with setting up, cleaning up, etc. – the more help, the easier for everyone.

Life on the farm

Life on the farm will start up again during the last two weeks of October. We will probably work with three schools each week. We will have more information as the time approaches, but keep this in mind and let Charlie know if you can help

September Meeting Speaker

Soil Science will be our topic at the September 28 meeting. Our speaker will be Rick Morros; he is Regional Agronomist with the NCDA Agronomic Division. Rick works in Bladen, Brunswick, Columbus, Cumberland and Robeson counties. FYI, in case you’re wondering, the Agronomic Services Division analyzes soil samples, plant, solution and irrigation water samples, and animal, municipal and industrial wastes. Recommendations are designed to improve production efficiency and protect natural resources. Regional agronomists help growers solve field problems and implement recommendations.