Henry County Master Gardener Extension Volunteers January, 2014

President’s Letter To start the New Year, I would like to thank everyone who contributed to our many successful projects during 2013. Plant Sales, Monthly Meetings, Arbor Day Giveaways, Training Workshops and other projects don’t just happen. They happen because people volunteer their time and talents to make them happen. Last year, we had a great group of Board members, Committee Chairs, Committee Members, and Volunteers. To each of you, I say thank you. I also want to thank the people who have volunteered to serve on the Board, Chair Committees and Volunteer for the 2014 projects. Even though, we haven’t had our first General Meeting this year, many people have been very busy behind the scenes preparing for the Plant Sale, Arbor Day Tree Giveaway, a new Intern Class, an Urban Tree Advanced Training Class, and the Scholarship program. We are also compiling an updated roster, calendar of events, and Committee listing. Thanks to each of you who have already done so much to help during 2014 and who will continue to help throughout the year. This does not mean that everything has been decided for the year - far from it. During our February 4 meeting, we will be soliciting feedback about the frequency, format, and programming for our meetings; the potential for various tours; and the purchase of various promotional items. During the past year, we have had to respond to a number of administrative changes, which have created some confusion and which, at times, have been difficult to understand. This year, we will still have to follow certain procedures, but we will try to make them as painless as possible. We will also do as much as possible to “build some fun into everything we do.” If you have ideas to help energize the organization or its members, please let a Board Member know. Your Board members invest a great deal of time and energy into their assignments, but we don’t have a monopoly on good ideas. Thank you. Steve Mellott

2013 Christmas Party Pictures Photos by Don Williams

Spring Plant Sale

The Henry County Master Gardener Extension Volunteers will host their Spring Plant Sale on Saturday, April 26 between 9:00 am and 2:00 pm at Heritage Park. This year’s event will be held at Heritage Center in the Jason T. Harper Event Center. This change in venue (under roof) will help ensure the success of the event even if it rains. There are plenty of opportunities to volunteer at this event: 1. Growing plants (perennials, shrubs, vines, trees, etc.) to be sold at the event. If you decide to donate plants to the Plant Sale, NOW is the time to start potting the plants. You can get yellow tags from the Master Gardener shed that you can use to mark the name of the plant as well as the shade preference. If you need pots, you can find them behind the shed at the Nolan House. You can drop them off at Heritage Park on Friday, April 25, between 4:00 and 6:00 pm. 2. Helping before the event with scheduling volunteers, preparing brochures or signs, distributing brochure or set up. 3. Working at the event by marking prices, answering questions, helping to load plants into cars, collecting money or anything else that might be required. 4. Helping to clean up after the event. The Plant Sale is one of our major fund raisers and it is a great opportunity to learn more about several of our local plants as well to become better acquainted with your fellow Master Gardeners. It’s also a lot of fun. The Plant Sale Committee is being chaired by Sue Kilgore. If you would like to serve on the Committee, help with the event, or have any questions, please contact Sue at [email protected]. If you volunteer to help with this event, you should code all your volunteer hours to Activity Code 11.

Welcome New Interns

On January 13, the new Henry County Interns started their 13 week educational program. This year, Henry, Spalding and Rockdale counties are participating in the same South Metro training classes. Henry County is fortunate to have 11 interns participating. They are as follows:           

Debbie Berge Mildred Chamblee Katherine Coker Cheryl Leeper Phillip Leeper Debra McCullar Mary Ellen Lundy Paulette Smith Marjorie Thomas Evelyn Thompson Lisa Weems

Stockbridge McDonough McDonough McDonough McDonough McDonough Locust Grove Stockbridge Hampton Stockbridge Locust Grove

To the New Interns: Welcome to the program and good luck with the classes. Please feel free to attend any of the monthly meetings or any other events. If you have any questions or wonder why we do things certain ways, please ask. If you want to recommend changes or improvements, please let us know. To the Current Master Gardeners: Please get to know the new Interns! They are just learning many things that we take for granted. Help them to understand our procedures and to answer whatever questions they might have. Remember – we all used to be Interns at one time. You may also want to keep March 31 open – the Intern graduation is scheduled for 3:15. The Intern Committee is being co- chaired by Nancy Points, Deby Brown, Ann Cunningham, and Vickie Pace. If you would like to serve on the Committee, play a formal role with the interns, or have any questions, please contact any of these Committee chairs. If you serve on the Intern Committee or as an Intern Mentor, you should code all your volunteer hours to Activity Code 16.

Scholarship

The Henry County Master Gardeners provide a $500 scholarship to a deserving Henry County High School Senior to further their education in the field of horticulture, landscape design or related studies. The application deadline is March 1. If you know of any deserving student, please refer them to our website for an application http://www.caes.uga.edu/extension/henry/anr/documents/MGScholarshipandreleaseco mbo.pdf or have them contact Kay Kersey ([email protected]) who chairs the Scholarship Committee.

February 4 Meeting

Our first General Meeting for 2014 is scheduled for February 4 at 10:00 am. During the first part of the meeting, we will be distributing the new roster, calendar of events, and other administrative information. We will also be completing a short survey to solicit your input about meeting frequency, format and programming, tours, and promotional items. During the second half of the meeting, Steve Mellott will make a presentation entitled “Adding Interest to the Winter Landscape.” Refreshments will be served and a door prize will be awarded.

Newsletter Ideas and Articles If you have ideas or articles for the next Newsletter, contact Steve Mellott at [email protected]

Arbor Day Tree Giveaway

Georgia celebrates Arbor Day on the 3rd Friday in February and this year, Arbor Day falls on February 21. By celebrating Arbor Day about 2 months earlier than much of the nation, Georgia gardeners have the opportunity to plant the trees before the hot, dry summer period. Once again, The Henry County Master Gardener Extension Volunteers will team up with the Henry County Soil and Water Conservation District for the District’s annual tree giveaway. The tree giveaway will start on Friday, February 21 at 8:30 am and will last until all the trees are gone (no later than noon). Trees will be distributed at 4 different locations throughout the County.    

Aubrey Harvey Agricultural Building, 333 Phillips Drive, McDonough Heritage Park, 97 :Lake Dow Road, McDonough Locust Grove Municipal Building, 3644 Highway 42 South, Locust Grove Stockbridge City Hall, 4640 N. Henry Blvd., Stockbridge

This year, 2 types of trees will be distributed:  

Red Maple Catalpa

There are two different ways to volunteer at this event:  

Helping to wrap the trees on Thursday, February 20. Working at the giveaway by distributing trees or answering questions regarding the type, care and planting of the trees.

The Arbor Committee is being chaired by T.J Moseley. If you would like to serve on the Committee, help with the event, or have any questions, please contact T.J. at [email protected]. If you volunteer to help with this event, you should code all your volunteer hours to Activity Code 11.

2013 Arbor Day Tree Giveaway Pictures Photos by Don Williams

For those of you who aren’t from Georgia, do you know the name of the Georgia state tree?

Advanced Master Gardener Training

On March 14, the Henry County Master Gardener Extension Volunteers are hosting an Advanced Training Class on Urban Trees. This class, which will be held in the County Extension Office, Room A, will feature the following curriculum: 8:30 Registration 8:30 to 9:00 Ice breaker 9:00 to 12:00 Tree Physiology Dr. Kim Coder 12:00 Lunch Provided 12:30 to 1:00 Using Advanced training to implement programs Sheri Dorn 1:00 to 1:30 Certified Tree Professionals Chris Barneycastle 1:30 to 3:00 Tree Diseases Mary Carol Sheffield 3:00 to 4:00 Insects of Trees Julie-Lynne Macie The cost to attend this class is $45, which includes lunch and the opportunity to win one of several door prizes. This class can also be counted towards Silver Star and Gold Star accreditation. We fully expect this class will sell-out. If you are interested in attending, please contact Colleen Currie in the Extension Office as soon as possible. The Education Committee is being chaired by Kay Kersey. If you would like to help prepare the materials for the workshop, please contact Kay at [email protected]. If you would like to help with the refreshments at this event, please contact Mia Duay at [email protected]. Mia chairs the Special Events Committee. If you volunteer to help with this event, you should code all your volunteer hours to Activity Code 16.

Future Events

General Meeting

February 4 (10:00 am)

Executive Committee Meeting

February 19 (10:00 am)

Arbor Day Tree Giveaway

February 21

General Meeting

March 4 (10:00 am)

Advanced Training – Urban Trees

March 14

Executive Committee Meeting

March 19 (10:00 am)

Intern Graduation

March 31

General Meeting

April 1 (7:00 pm)

Executive Committee Meeting

April 16 (10:00 am)

Plant Sale

April 26 (plant drop-off on April 25)

Picnic

May 6

Geranium Festival

May 17

Executive Committee Meeting

May 21 (10:00 am)

Christmas Party

December 9

The meetings scheduled during the last half of the year are outlined on the calendar that was provided at the beginning of the year.

2014 Volunteers

2014 OFFICERS President 1st Vice President 2nd Vice President Secretary Treasurer Past President

Steve Mellott Jim Parks Judy Coker Stephanie Fenton Melvin Ricks June Schafer

[email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] [email protected]

2014 COMMITTEE CHAIRS Arbor Day Education Executive Field Trips Hospitality Intern Program Newsletter Nolan House Photographer Plant Sale Programs Public Relations Record Keeping Scholarship Award Special Events

T. J. Moseley Kay Kersey Steve Mellott Shirley Susko Open Nancy Points, Ann Cunningham, Deby Brown, Vickie Pace Steve Mellott June Schafer, Candy Rhinehart Don Williams Sue Kilgore Jim Parks Judy Coker Stephanie Tansey Kay Kersey Mia Duay

2014 Lunch and Learn Schedule February 11th —

Home Orchard Apples

Presented by Frank Hancock ANR Agent March 3rd —

Totally Tomatoes

Presented by Frank Hancock ANR Agent April 8th —

Butterfly Gardening

Presented by Dr Bodie Pennisi May 6th —

Household Pest

Presented by Dr Suiter and Lisa Ames June 10th —

Home Orchard Pecans

Presented by Frank Hancock ANR Agent July 8th —

Pesticide Safety

Presented by Frank Hancock ANR Agent August 12th —

Fall Gardening

Presented by Robert Tate September 9th —

Bug Roundup

Presented by Kris Bramen

A star indicates I hour of credit toward pesticide certification