Members Attend the 2018 AMGA Conference

Posted on May 6, 2018 by audrey

The ALabama Master Gardener Association Annual Conference was held May 3,4, and 5th at the Sheraton in Birmingham. Several Chilton County Master Gardeners attended. They got the word out about the 2019 AMGA Conference which their Association is hosting at the Clanton Performing Arts Center. They had a display table set up with pamphlets for the conference and a rolling banner displaying the conference logo and activities that will be going on. They expect to have a great turnout of Master Gardeners from all over the state for the 2019 AMGA Conference, which will be held May 8, 9, and 10th, 2019 in the heart of Alabama, 🍑🍑 country, Chilton County❗

Photos by Susan Cleckler and Trisha Williams

Intern Classes Tour Demo Garden

Posted on May 3, 2018May 4, 2018 by audrey

On Thursday, April 26, the Chilton County Master Gardeners welcomed Mallory Kelly and her intern class from Lee and Montgomery counties as they visited the CREC and CCMGA demo garden. Despite the rain and chilly breeze, the interns toured the CREC by wagon and then visited our demo garden. Harriett Jackson, Susan Cleckler, and Alice Broome enjoyed meeting the group, telling them the history of the garden and showing them the various plant beds. The interns were very complimentary of the garden and showed much interest in the designing of the beds, and plant identifications. As usual, the mutual enthusiasm of gardening led to many sharing new tidbits related to their own experiences. We look forward to a return visit from this great group!

Article by Alice Broome

Photos by Susan Cleckler

2018 Yard, Plant, and Craft Sale

Posted on May 2, 2018 by audrey

The Chilton County Master Gardeners had their first yard sale/plant sale on April 21 at the Chilton County Extension Office parking lot. We had been cleaning out and collecting items for months. Thank you to all who donated items for this event, it was a huge success! We sold clothing, books, tools, glassware, furniture, garden items, Hypertufa planters made by the Master Gardeners and filled with succulents, and of course, plants! After the sale, we donated all the items that were left to the Chilton County Emergency Assistance Center.

Article by Susan Cleckler

Photos by Susan Cleckler, Sondra Henley and Audrey Giles

Prattville Tours

Posted on April 22, 2018May 4, 2018 by audrey

On April 11th, several of the Chilton County and Autauga County Master Gardeners made a trip to Prattville for a fun-filled touring day. Our first stop was the Bamboo Forest, which is located in Wilderness Park, 800 Upper Kingston Road and is owned by the City of Prattville. This is an amazing park, open from dawn to dusk everyday. Next on the list was the Demonstration Garden owned by the City of Prattville and located next to the library. This garden is maintained by the Autauga County Master Gardeners. Many pounds of vegetables are grown and donated to area families each year. Our next stop was the Prattville Gardens in Old Prattvillage. There we saw beautiful sun and shade-loving plants, which are also maintained by the Autauga County Master Gardeners. There is also a lovely old chapel on the site. The Gardens can be reserved for special events. Last but not least was the beautiful home of Autauga County Master Gardeners Don and Glenda Armstrong, which sits on 12 acres about 6 miles out of Prattville. Don’s main hobby is landscaping around his house. He also loves to propagate plants for his own use and Autauga County M.G.’s annual plant sale. They also provided a wonderful salad lunch complete with homemade yeast rolls and dessert they prepared themselves. Our tour day was a huge success! HERE is a slideshow of photos from all our tours. Be patient as the music pauses, there’s MORE!

April Meeting

Posted on April 17, 2018April 19, 2018 by audrey

Our speaker for our April 10th meeting was Holly Wadleigh of the Montevallo Community Garden at the University of Montevallo. Many students work the gardens as part of class requirements. Last year about 1800 pounds of vegetables were grown in the garden and donated to the Shelby Assistance Center. The garden is supported in part by the sale of herbs and vegetables started from seed in their greenhouse.

Craft Day at Sondra’s

Posted on April 13, 2018April 13, 2018 by audrey

Several members of CCMGA met at President Sondra Henley’s garage this week to finish up the hyper tufa planters and tree faces they started last month. These items will be for sale at the upcoming yard and plant sale to be held April 21st at the Chilton County Extension Office. Pictured are Pat Farmer, Alice Broome, Debbie Housner, Jackie Hickman, Treasia Bennett, Wally Walters, Susan Cleckler, and Robin Cagle.

2019 AMGA Conference Steering Committee

Posted on March 22, 2018March 26, 2018 by audrey

The Chilton County Master Gardener Association will host the Alabama Master Gardener Association’s annual Spring Conference May 8,9 and 10 of 2019 at the Clanton Performing Arts Center.
The 2019 AMGA Spring Conference Steering Committee met for lunch at Bertolone’s today as Bertolone’s is being considered for the AMGA 2019 Spring Conference Banquet caterer. Sonia had prepared a special tasting lunch comprised of chicken Alfredo, beef lasagna and red sauce and spaghetti, served with their house salad and dressing and a dessert plate of tasting size Strawberry and Zebra cakes. Those members of the steering committee who live outside of Chilton County were very impressed with this wonderful Italian restaurant in downtown Clanton.
One does not have to be a Master Gardener to attend. Details for vendors and registration will be announced soon. Not pictured, Treasia Bennett.

Sharing our Journey to 501(c) 3

Posted on March 13, 2018March 14, 2018 by audrey

On March 8, CCMGA members Steve McAnally, Sondra Henley, Harriett Jackson, and Susan Cleckler attended the Autauga County MGA’s evening meeting. They were asked to present how the Chilton County MGA went about obtaining their 501 (c) 3 status.
The group met several times to develop a presentation Power Point and manual. Thanks to Steve McAnally the PPT was colorful, animated and easy to understand. He went the extra mile adding links and suggested resources.
The presentation was well received, and the CCMGA group was encouraged to “get the word out”.

New Landscape for Extension Office

Posted on March 6, 2018 by audrey

Lee Walters, Susan Cleckler, Joyce Lawson, Diane Clapp and Sondra Henley (not pictured) lined the back bed at the extension office with veneer cast stone. The bed will hold hydrangeas and other plant material. (photos by Sondra Henley)

February Awards Meeting

Posted on February 23, 2018February 23, 2018 by audrey

Our February meeting is the time of year we present our awards. But as our usual procedure, we had our program first, which was presented by David Doggett, a Jefferson County MG and a tour guide at Aldridge Gardens in Birmingham. His program and great PowerPoint was on the Aromi Azalea. This was a very in-depth and interesting program. The Aromi Azalea may be seen at Aldridge Gardens. Thank you, Mr. Doggett,
for the presentation.

Our awards were as follows:
Nominees for MASTER GARDENER OF THE YEAR: Alice Broome and Lee and Wally Walters- winner: ALICE BROOME
PROJECT OF THE YEAR: Habitat for Humanity Project and Phase 4 of Chilton County Extension Office landscape- winner: PHASE 4
OF THE C.C. EXTENSION OFFICE LANDSCAPE
TOP TEN HOURS: First Place: Tied Harriett Jackson, 305 hours and Alice Broome 304.25 hours
Second Place: Alan Reed, 237.5 hours Third Place: Audrey Giles 227.5 hours
Others in TOP TEN HOURS: Sondra Henley, Pat Farmer, Trisha Williams, Joyce Lawson, and Lee Walters.
TOP INTERN HOURS: Susan Cleckler, 258.75 hours
STAR AWARDS: BRONZE- Donna Babin, Susan Cleckler, Faye Collins, Skip Coulter, Lattie Hardy, Spencer Hardy, Joyce Lawson, Sherry Ray,
Elaine Webb, and Elizabeth York.
GOLD-Anita McGhee and Ann Moore
EMERALD: Sondra Henley
BADGE AWARDS:
GOLD: Imogene Bresse, Jimmy Knowles, and Mildred Knowles
Also recognized was HELPLINE COORDINATOR Lanell Baker and Debbie Housner and Larry Jones. Lanell received a Gold pin as coordi-
nator and Debbie and Larry received a Bronze pin for working 3 days on the helpline.
We had 30 in attendance, with 3 visitors: Teresa Freeman, our Intern-in-waiting; Nelson Wynn, our County Agent; and our speaker, David
Doggett.

Here is a slideshow of photos from the awards program.