Here it is! “It’s recognition time again!” This is so much fun for me.. in part because it is so easy to do. Recognizing our fellow BCMGV can go on forever.
This time I am humbled by the work of our editors. There are four, for those of you who may not know. Becky Dus is our lead Newsletter editor. Nancy Einbinder and Cathie Rod help with the copying and mailing. Lisa Miner is the “website editor and webmaster”. These poor people have suffered under my less than precise harassment and one of the measures of their capability is that they have survived me! The changeover from old to new has had its trying times, but they have done it and the results are now really beginning to show. I hope you are all going to these sites:
www.bcmastergardener.org and
BCMGVA online herbarium. You can view reports of current and future activities and useful information for gardeners.
Please join me in offering thanks to your fellow volunteers and keep your thoughts, suggestions and content input coming to constantly improve the resulting product.
Happy gardening,
Dan
Friday, September 30, 2005
September Meeting Speaker
If you didn’t attend the September meeting you missed a most informative presentation by Erv Evans, State Coordinator for Master Gardeners. Erv was able to leave additional handouts which can be found in the MG office.
Erv informed us that Brunswick MGVA is UNIQUE for its Restitution program, Work in Schools, Creation of a Monthly Calendar Guide and use of prison labor.
When talking of the Master Gardener organization, Erv encouraged us to place emphasis on the manor of help and education we offer to the community such as: plant clinics, hot line coverage, programs in county schools and the work put into maintaining the Botanical Garden and the greenhouse.
Erv informed us that Brunswick MGVA is UNIQUE for its Restitution program, Work in Schools, Creation of a Monthly Calendar Guide and use of prison labor.
When talking of the Master Gardener organization, Erv encouraged us to place emphasis on the manor of help and education we offer to the community such as: plant clinics, hot line coverage, programs in county schools and the work put into maintaining the Botanical Garden and the greenhouse.
Nominating Committee News
Peggy Meinzer is joining Nancy Einbinder and Ann Duke to create the slate of officers for next year. If you wish to “throw your hat in the ring” please contact one of these members or see one of them at the October 27 general meeting. Postions to be voted (re-elected or newly elected) are: President/ Vice President and Treasurer. Also needed are two new nominating members –hopefully one seasoned Master Gardener. The slate will be presented for approval and voting at the general meeting on November 17.
Nancy Einbinder (253-3545) nancye714@yahoo.com
Ann Duke (454-0413) wduke1@ec.rr.com
Peggy Meinzer (842-4928) pmeinzer@lockwoodfolly.net
Nancy Einbinder (253-3545) nancye714@yahoo.com
Ann Duke (454-0413) wduke1@ec.rr.com
Peggy Meinzer (842-4928) pmeinzer@lockwoodfolly.net
Brunswick Residents Need Our Help
I realize that you have been hit with requests for donations to support many worthy causes, but there is one here in Brunswick County to support your less fortunate neighbors. The “Make a Difference Day” concludes on Saturday, October 22. The Volunteer Center is collecting clean coats and sweaters to dispense for the upcoming winter season. However, the most important donation needed is food for the various food pantries. Of course, money is always the easiest thing to give and allows the managers of the pantries to buy what is most needed. Checks may be bade payable to “The Volunteer Center”.
I will accept all donations here, in my office. Please help support the needy located here in Brunswick County.
Thanks, Charlie
I will accept all donations here, in my office. Please help support the needy located here in Brunswick County.
Thanks, Charlie
Guest Speakers for Future Meetings
October: Chuck Friedrich, a registered landscape architect and member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the ASTM Green Roof Task Subcommittee, will talk to us about rooftop gardens, or “Green Roofs.”
November: Dr. Wanda Sykes is the Southeast District Extension Director. She will talk about the 13-county district that includes Brunswick County, its structure and operations and how it fits in with NCSU.
December: Remember the holiday party. Arlene Hubner will be forming committees and asking for volunteers at the October meeting.
If you have any suggestions for speakers who can extend our knowledge of gardening, or if you have ideas for topics for the General Meetings, let Shirley or Dave know.
Please remember that refreshments are enjoyed at all meetings. Take your turn and sign up to be host or hostess at one of the general meetings.
November: Dr. Wanda Sykes is the Southeast District Extension Director. She will talk about the 13-county district that includes Brunswick County, its structure and operations and how it fits in with NCSU.
December: Remember the holiday party. Arlene Hubner will be forming committees and asking for volunteers at the October meeting.
If you have any suggestions for speakers who can extend our knowledge of gardening, or if you have ideas for topics for the General Meetings, let Shirley or Dave know.
Please remember that refreshments are enjoyed at all meetings. Take your turn and sign up to be host or hostess at one of the general meetings.
News from Charlie
Indigo Farms will celebrate Heritage Day on Saturday, October 1. We will staff a booth, conduct a plant clinic and do presentations (topics to be determined). Helpers are needed for this day and set up on Friday, September 30 – sign up sheet in MG office.
Sign up to work at the Fall Plant Sale on Friday and Saturday, October 7th and 8th.
Life on the Farm – has been put on hold due to lack of funding from Brunswick County Schools. Because of gas prices, field trips have been greatly reduced. We will keep you updated on this situation.
A Special Farewell - For those of you who may not be aware, Al Hight is transferring to work in the extension program of Pender County. His duties will include livestock, commercial horticulture, forestry, crops and storm water. We wished him a farewell at the September meeting so I hope you had a chance to say good by. Al has always pitched in to help us in any way he could. His assistance to the Brunswick County Master Gardener program is too large to even try to measure.
We are fortunate he is still close so we can offer our help and support as he assumes his new position. We wish him continued success in all he does.
New Copier: To use the new copier an identification number is needed. The number to use is 2602 (the last digits of the MG phone #). This helps track departmental uses.
Be on the look out for a Hickory Horn Devil – a very colorful caterpillar. It reminds David of a Chinese dragon costume used in Chinese festivals. It is approximately 6-8 inches(?). If found, bring specimen to David Barkley’s office.
We will NOT be doing the ticket sales at the Cape Fear Fair on Oct. 30. We may volunteer to take entries on Tuesday or Wednesday evening prior to the fair or greet and welcome people to the fair on Sunday, October 30. Contact David if you can help.
Sign up to work at the Fall Plant Sale on Friday and Saturday, October 7th and 8th.
Life on the Farm – has been put on hold due to lack of funding from Brunswick County Schools. Because of gas prices, field trips have been greatly reduced. We will keep you updated on this situation.
A Special Farewell - For those of you who may not be aware, Al Hight is transferring to work in the extension program of Pender County. His duties will include livestock, commercial horticulture, forestry, crops and storm water. We wished him a farewell at the September meeting so I hope you had a chance to say good by. Al has always pitched in to help us in any way he could. His assistance to the Brunswick County Master Gardener program is too large to even try to measure.
We are fortunate he is still close so we can offer our help and support as he assumes his new position. We wish him continued success in all he does.
New Copier: To use the new copier an identification number is needed. The number to use is 2602 (the last digits of the MG phone #). This helps track departmental uses.
Be on the look out for a Hickory Horn Devil – a very colorful caterpillar. It reminds David of a Chinese dragon costume used in Chinese festivals. It is approximately 6-8 inches(?). If found, bring specimen to David Barkley’s office.
We will NOT be doing the ticket sales at the Cape Fear Fair on Oct. 30. We may volunteer to take entries on Tuesday or Wednesday evening prior to the fair or greet and welcome people to the fair on Sunday, October 30. Contact David if you can help.
Surplus Budget Approvals
As some of you may be aware, we’ve had a very healthy fiscal year and have determined where and how to apply the excess funds. The following projects or items have been approved: a riding mower, a building to house all BCMGVA equipment at the greenhouse complex, more gravel walk ways in the greenhouse area, carts (much needed during plant sales), additional raised beds, expansion of sprinkler system and an addition to the electronic fence. (The last item needs the help of prison labor which is presently on hold). Treasurer, Linda Lemieux will prepare an updated budget spread sheet for the next meeting OR the next news letter.
SO with additional tools and improvements to the greenhouse, make sure you see and use these items by volunteering to work the 1st Monday, 2nd Tuesday or 3rd Monday of every month. Hilton Holcomb usually emails a work list so everyone is clear on what needs to be accomplished.
There are occasions when volunteers are needed without much advanced notification. That was true the week of the September general meeting when David requested volunteers to clean up the front entrance and some of the adjacent garden area. He greatly appreciates all the help offered in this beautification project.
SO with additional tools and improvements to the greenhouse, make sure you see and use these items by volunteering to work the 1st Monday, 2nd Tuesday or 3rd Monday of every month. Hilton Holcomb usually emails a work list so everyone is clear on what needs to be accomplished.
There are occasions when volunteers are needed without much advanced notification. That was true the week of the September general meeting when David requested volunteers to clean up the front entrance and some of the adjacent garden area. He greatly appreciates all the help offered in this beautification project.
Monday, August 29, 2005
Speakers for September, October and November
Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman and David Barkley have scheduled speakers for the rest of the year and are working hard on the 2006 speaker roster. They have found some excellent speakers who will address topics that should be interesting to all of us.
September: Erv Evans, State Coordinator for Master Gardeners, NCSU, will talk to us regarding the legal aspects of Master Gardener activities and responsibilities. He wrote many of the chapters in the Master Gardener manual. MEETING DATE = SEPTEMBER 22.
October: Chuck Friedrich, a registered landscape architect and member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the ASTM Green Roof Task Subcommittee, will talk to us about rooftop gardens, or “Green Roofs.” MEETING DATE = OCTOBER 27.
November: Dr. Wanda Sykes is the Southeast District Extension Director. She will talk about the 13-county district that includes Brunswick County, its structure and operations and how it fits in with NCSU. MEETING DATE = NOVEMBER 17.
If you have any suggestions for speakers who can extend our knowledge of gardening, or if you have ideas for topics for the General Meetings, let Shirley or Dave know.
September: Erv Evans, State Coordinator for Master Gardeners, NCSU, will talk to us regarding the legal aspects of Master Gardener activities and responsibilities. He wrote many of the chapters in the Master Gardener manual. MEETING DATE = SEPTEMBER 22.
October: Chuck Friedrich, a registered landscape architect and member of the American Society of Landscape Architects and the ASTM Green Roof Task Subcommittee, will talk to us about rooftop gardens, or “Green Roofs.” MEETING DATE = OCTOBER 27.
November: Dr. Wanda Sykes is the Southeast District Extension Director. She will talk about the 13-county district that includes Brunswick County, its structure and operations and how it fits in with NCSU. MEETING DATE = NOVEMBER 17.
If you have any suggestions for speakers who can extend our knowledge of gardening, or if you have ideas for topics for the General Meetings, let Shirley or Dave know.
New Website Postings
The September newsletter is available for downloading on the website at:
http://bcmastergardener.org/documents.html
Minutes of the August Executive Board and General Meetings have been posted on the website.
David Barkely's Gardening Tips for August and the Hotline History for September 2004 are also available.
http://bcmastergardener.org/documents.html
Minutes of the August Executive Board and General Meetings have been posted on the website.
David Barkely's Gardening Tips for August and the Hotline History for September 2004 are also available.
News from Charlie
Life on the Farm – will be scheduled during the last two weeks of October; dates are still being set. This is a fun activity. If you haven’t volunteered to help out before, let Charlie know if you can do it this time.
A Plant Clinic at Southport WalMart is scheduled for Saturday, September 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a seminar on fall gardening activities from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
Indigo Farms will celebrate Heritage Day on Saturday, October 1. We will staff a booth, conduct a plant clinic and do presentations (topics to be determined).
Don't forget the Fall Plant Sale on Friday and Saturday, October 7th and 8th.
We have ordered 5 kinds of ornamental grasses for future plant sales. On August 29, 10 trays of 32 sprigs each will be shipped and should arrive that day or the next. They will need to be potted and tended so they will be ready for sale in the spring.
A Plant Clinic at Southport WalMart is scheduled for Saturday, September 17 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., with a seminar on fall gardening activities from 11 a.m. to 12 noon.
Indigo Farms will celebrate Heritage Day on Saturday, October 1. We will staff a booth, conduct a plant clinic and do presentations (topics to be determined).
Don't forget the Fall Plant Sale on Friday and Saturday, October 7th and 8th.
We have ordered 5 kinds of ornamental grasses for future plant sales. On August 29, 10 trays of 32 sprigs each will be shipped and should arrive that day or the next. They will need to be potted and tended so they will be ready for sale in the spring.
Monday, August 01, 2005
Minutes, Newsletter and Gardening Tips
The minutes from the July Executive Board Meeting and July General Meeting are now available on the website.
The August Newsletter is available for downloading from the website in pdf format.
Gardening Tips for August are also available on the website.
The August Newsletter is available for downloading from the website in pdf format.
Gardening Tips for August are also available on the website.
Other News
• Hilton Holcomb is doing well after his knee surgery.
• Debbie Snyder was very sick with septisemia and has been recovering.
• Let’s keep Nancy Lehto in our thoughts.
• Keep the Fall Plant Sale in mind; come out and give a hand, on October 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and October 8 from 9 a.m. until ??
• Charlie will be at the Southport WalMart on September 17 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and again in November (to be scheduled).
• We should be getting more involved with our schools – we have a contact person to work with and will begin talking to them about how we can help them and work with the kids.
• Some work has been completed on the Talking Tree Trail. The classroom area been completed by one Eagle Scout candidate, and another will be working on the entrance. We will begin our work when the cooler days of fall arrive.
(from the August newsletter)
• Debbie Snyder was very sick with septisemia and has been recovering.
• Let’s keep Nancy Lehto in our thoughts.
• Keep the Fall Plant Sale in mind; come out and give a hand, on October 7 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and October 8 from 9 a.m. until ??
• Charlie will be at the Southport WalMart on September 17 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. and again in November (to be scheduled).
• We should be getting more involved with our schools – we have a contact person to work with and will begin talking to them about how we can help them and work with the kids.
• Some work has been completed on the Talking Tree Trail. The classroom area been completed by one Eagle Scout candidate, and another will be working on the entrance. We will begin our work when the cooler days of fall arrive.
(from the August newsletter)
State Meeting Dates
The 2005 conference will be in Goldsboro on Oct. 28 and 29. Look for your invitiation this summer and make your reservation early.
Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman
Speaking of Shirley…she will be participating in a “Crucial Conversations” workshop on August 4 and 5, along with 7 State Advisory Council members, 4 A & T Strategic Planning Council members, 4-H volunteers, ECA volunteers and other Master Gardeners. The curriculum is designed to help participants learn and practice skills to use when engaged in a crucial conversation.
(from the August newlsetter)
(from the August newlsetter)
Speakers for Upcoming Meetings
Shirley Waggoner-Eisenman and David Barkley have been scheduling speakers for our General Meetings. Dr. Blazich was a big hit – he was an excellent speaker with an obvious love of his topic and a wealth of knowledge that he enjoyed sharing with everyone.
These speakers are scheduled for the next several meetings; mark your calendar and come out to hear what they have to say.
August: Steve Bambara is an Extension Specialist for Entomology and also on the NCSU faculty in the Entomology Department; he will speak to us about insects – natch! - and will do a hands-on clinic with us. So come on out to the meeting and learn about all those pesky bugs and the helpful insects in your garden.
September: TBA – looking for a plant pathology specialist.
October: Erv Evans, State Coordinator for Master Gardeners, NCSU, will talk to us regarding the legal aspects of Master Gardener activities and responsibilities. He wrote many of the chapters in the Master Gardener manual.
November: Dr. Wanda Sykes is the Southeast District Extension Director. She will talk about the 13-county district that includes Brunswick County, its structure and operations and how it fits in with NCSU.
If you have any suggestions for speakers who can extend our knowledge of gardening, or if you have ideas for topics for the General Meetings, let Shirley or Dave know.
(from the August newlsetter)
These speakers are scheduled for the next several meetings; mark your calendar and come out to hear what they have to say.
August: Steve Bambara is an Extension Specialist for Entomology and also on the NCSU faculty in the Entomology Department; he will speak to us about insects – natch! - and will do a hands-on clinic with us. So come on out to the meeting and learn about all those pesky bugs and the helpful insects in your garden.
September: TBA – looking for a plant pathology specialist.
October: Erv Evans, State Coordinator for Master Gardeners, NCSU, will talk to us regarding the legal aspects of Master Gardener activities and responsibilities. He wrote many of the chapters in the Master Gardener manual.
November: Dr. Wanda Sykes is the Southeast District Extension Director. She will talk about the 13-county district that includes Brunswick County, its structure and operations and how it fits in with NCSU.
If you have any suggestions for speakers who can extend our knowledge of gardening, or if you have ideas for topics for the General Meetings, let Shirley or Dave know.
(from the August newlsetter)
News from Charlie
We have been asked to help out on “Make a Difference Day.” This is a county-wide event occurring on October 22. One of the events is a food drive for Brunswick Family Assistance Agency. For all those who wish to help out, please bring the food in during October and I will keep it in my office until the 22nd which I will give it to Jayne Mathews, Volunteer Coordinator for the county.
The seminar conducted by Dr. Frank Blazich was quite a success. We had 19 folks, other than Master Gardeners, who paid $5.00 each to attend the session. Our Master Gardeners who attended seemed to enjoy the hot dogs and hamburgers for lunch. Friday morning turned out to be a pleasant day with clouds so that our learning session on taking cuttings and sticking them in the propagation beds was comfortable. Dr. Blazich indicated that many of the plants in the garden would propagate better if we did the cuttings in the winter (hardwood cuttings). He is willing to come back in January and help us take cuttings at that time, on a date to be determined later after the start of his school. Dr. Blazich’s wife, April Blazich, Superintendent of the Horticulture Department at the North Carolina State Fair, will do a seminar on the same date on the subject of Herbs, Bulbs, etc. We get two for the price of one! In addition, she has invited us to attend the opening day of the State Fair this year [October 14]. She seems to be a great lady and wanted to know if we could come up a day early, which would involve an overnight stay, and she would have time to show us around. She also requested that we enter the competition by taking Horticultural items to be judged. I will discuss this with David Barkley when he gets back. We could also include a visit to Plants Delight Nursery if Tony Avent is agreeable. We will need to have some kind of an idea who would be interested in either a one-day trip just to the fair or in an overnight trip with additional side trips. Please call Chappy or me and let us know if you would be interested. We would need to plan so we would have to have some idea by the end of August. I will take the van so I can carry up to 12 folks including me.
The new class is busy working on the Hot Line and we are receiving lots of interesting calls. Be sure to sign up so all incoming calls can be taken care of in a timely manner. If you refer any calls to an Agent, please be sure Kathy gets a copy – she need to know as she has to answer the questions is the Agent is not here. Always try to keep her informed.
Don't forget that Steve Bambara will give a "hands-on" talk on insects, etc. Don't miss this one.
The fall season is almost upon us. Lots of things will be going on including the Fall Plant sale on October 7th and 8th.
Charlie
P.S. Thanks for the gift card--Lou and I will enjoy a great meal!
(from the August newsletter)
The seminar conducted by Dr. Frank Blazich was quite a success. We had 19 folks, other than Master Gardeners, who paid $5.00 each to attend the session. Our Master Gardeners who attended seemed to enjoy the hot dogs and hamburgers for lunch. Friday morning turned out to be a pleasant day with clouds so that our learning session on taking cuttings and sticking them in the propagation beds was comfortable. Dr. Blazich indicated that many of the plants in the garden would propagate better if we did the cuttings in the winter (hardwood cuttings). He is willing to come back in January and help us take cuttings at that time, on a date to be determined later after the start of his school. Dr. Blazich’s wife, April Blazich, Superintendent of the Horticulture Department at the North Carolina State Fair, will do a seminar on the same date on the subject of Herbs, Bulbs, etc. We get two for the price of one! In addition, she has invited us to attend the opening day of the State Fair this year [October 14]. She seems to be a great lady and wanted to know if we could come up a day early, which would involve an overnight stay, and she would have time to show us around. She also requested that we enter the competition by taking Horticultural items to be judged. I will discuss this with David Barkley when he gets back. We could also include a visit to Plants Delight Nursery if Tony Avent is agreeable. We will need to have some kind of an idea who would be interested in either a one-day trip just to the fair or in an overnight trip with additional side trips. Please call Chappy or me and let us know if you would be interested. We would need to plan so we would have to have some idea by the end of August. I will take the van so I can carry up to 12 folks including me.
The new class is busy working on the Hot Line and we are receiving lots of interesting calls. Be sure to sign up so all incoming calls can be taken care of in a timely manner. If you refer any calls to an Agent, please be sure Kathy gets a copy – she need to know as she has to answer the questions is the Agent is not here. Always try to keep her informed.
Don't forget that Steve Bambara will give a "hands-on" talk on insects, etc. Don't miss this one.
The fall season is almost upon us. Lots of things will be going on including the Fall Plant sale on October 7th and 8th.
Charlie
P.S. Thanks for the gift card--Lou and I will enjoy a great meal!
(from the August newsletter)
A Toast to Oliver
Judy Koehly's story about Oliver is both enjoyable and thought provoking, as intended. There is a little bit of the same theme as the old saw about “the trees and the forest." Even in our retirement there seem to be lots of trees to attend to and it is possible to forget to step back every now and then and view the entire forest. Oliver the cat saw it all, every element of the fauna and flora created for him and then others. So, my message is simple. In MGV we have lots of "trees" to attend to and you all do a marvelous job. Make sure to pause and take a look around you, and continue to add to that view. I am looking as I type at cannas, abelia, crapes, roses, elephant ear, zinnias, straw flowers, and tomatoes to be picked. And there is more... indeed just this thought has convinced me to order those reblooming bearded iris on p.121 of August Better Homes and Gardens. Boy, am I glad that you all reminded me to do that so they will be added to my view.... and thanks to Oliver as well.
Happy Planting!!!
Dan
(from the August newsletter)
Happy Planting!!!
Dan
(from the August newsletter)
Monday, July 11, 2005
Don’t Miss the July 28 General Meeting!
Dr. Frank Blazich will conduct a seminar on plant propagation following the monthly MG meeting, from 10 a.m. to noon. We will invite the public and snacks will be included. After the public has left, we will cook on our new grill and have lunch for the Master Gardeners.
Please call and let us know if you plan to attend.
Dr. Frank will work with us at the greenhouse Thursday afternoon and most of the day Friday for a hands-on workshop. He is one of the foremost experts on plant propagation. There is no charge to Master Gardeners. This should prove to be one of the highlights of the year. Don’t miss this.
Please call and let us know if you plan to attend.
Dr. Frank will work with us at the greenhouse Thursday afternoon and most of the day Friday for a hands-on workshop. He is one of the foremost experts on plant propagation. There is no charge to Master Gardeners. This should prove to be one of the highlights of the year. Don’t miss this.
Charlie says...
1. Call Charlie after July 10 if you are interested in a trip to the daylily farm to see daylily rebloomers. If there is enough interest, he will schedule a trip the following week. Let Charlie know by July 14.
2. We recently finished a couple of youth horticulture classes for Boiling Spring Lakes. Thanks for the help go to Patty Burns, Nancy Einbinder and Cheryll Shuford. Nancy and Cheryll conducted two different class groups.
3. We will start a new series of youth programs working with Lindsey Wescot, new 4-H Program Assistant. The first one is on July 21 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for 5-10 year olds, and the second one is on July 22 for 11-19 year olds. Subjects will be Farm Economics, Plant Propagation and Plant Usage. After classroom instruction and lunch – they will bring their own – we will go to the greenhouse for hands-on work. If you are interested in working with the kids, please contact Charlie.
2. We recently finished a couple of youth horticulture classes for Boiling Spring Lakes. Thanks for the help go to Patty Burns, Nancy Einbinder and Cheryll Shuford. Nancy and Cheryll conducted two different class groups.
3. We will start a new series of youth programs working with Lindsey Wescot, new 4-H Program Assistant. The first one is on July 21 from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. for 5-10 year olds, and the second one is on July 22 for 11-19 year olds. Subjects will be Farm Economics, Plant Propagation and Plant Usage. After classroom instruction and lunch – they will bring their own – we will go to the greenhouse for hands-on work. If you are interested in working with the kids, please contact Charlie.
Gardening advice
See David Barkley's columns from the July 2005 newsletter:
Gardening tips for July
Summer watering practices in the landscape
Gardening tips for July
Summer watering practices in the landscape
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