2017 Christmas Home Tour

Posted on December 11, 2017December 12, 2017 by audrey

The 2017 Christmas Home Tour had a good attendance despite the unexpected snow that blanketed the whole county on December 8th. The weather was cold but sunny on Sunday, Dec. 10th, with lots of snow still on the ground. I think this really got everybody in the Christmas spirit. There were three homes on the tour that were in Deer Trace subdivision off of Temple Road. The first on the street was the beautiful home of Charles and Jackie White. Next door to them was the equally beautiful home of Junior and Sue Cleckler. Last on this street was the newest home of all of them, the home of Joseph and Jodie Parnell. Also on the tour was the beautiful home of Bill and Michele Thomas, which is located on Studdard Drive. All of the homes were tastefully decorated by the homeowners, then fresh greenery was added by the Master Gardener hostesses of each home. There were also Master Gardeners stationed outside the homes to help with parking. Thanks to all who braved the cold and came out to help us with the 2017 CHT!

MG Linda Hayes, Diane Clapp, Homeowners Jodie & Joseph Parnell, MG Elizabeth York & Donna Babin

Parnell house on CMT — MG Larry Jones at Parnell house

Homeowners Jr. & Sue Cleckler, MG’s Ann Baker, Anita McGee, & Harriett Jackson

MG Jane Mason, Sondra Henley, Homeowners Charles & Jackie White, MG Joyce Lawson and Wally Walters

MG Alice Broome, Susan Cleckler, Homeowner Michele Thomas, MG Linda Hand & Renee Powers

Meet Our Octogenarians

Posted on November 6, 2017 by audrey

When I first wrote about our OCTOGENARIANS, we had four. Today we have nine!

“Octogenarian: Someone in his or her eighties, or in other words, between 80 and 89 years of age.”

Now that is a big word, and one that we don’t use in our every day speech, but a person that has lived for such a wonderful length of time deserves to have a special word to describe them.

The Chilton County Master Gardeners Association is blessed to have nine members that are Octogenarians. And along with this descriptive word comes a bonus of having a Lifetime Membership in CCMGA.

E.C. Lewis was one of the founding members of the Association and joined in 1999. Lindy Helton became a member in 2000, Charlotte Word in 2009, Margaret Goolsby in 2006, Peggy Harris in 2008, Margaret Ennis in 2007, JoAn Davis in 1997, Wayne Freeman in 2002, and Bettye Glass joined in 2011. We LOVE our OCTOGENARIANS!

Elmore County Interns Tour Demo Garden

Posted on October 20, 2017October 15, 2018 by audrey

On October 19th the Central Alabama MG Intern Class toured the CCMGA Demo Garden. President Sondra Henley was the tour guide and told the history of the Demo Garden and how the new garden was created. Mallory Kelley, ACES Regional Agent for Autauga County and facilitator of the class, accompanied the group. Chilton County Master Gardener Sue Webb was there to tell about her Native Bed in the garden. Treasia Bennett told about her Knot Garden and Susan Cleckler told about her bed “Don’t’ Bug Me” (repels insects) and a little about the Butterfly Garden. For a slideshow of photos of the tour go to Smilebox.

The Demonstration Garden at the Chilton Research and Extension Center (120 County Road 756, Clanton, 35045) is open year round. To schedule a tour for your group or organization call 280-6268 and the office will contact the appropriate person.

Photo Credit: Audrey Giles

Our Newest Member!

Posted on October 16, 2017October 17, 2017 by audrey

Somebody’s been busy in the Demo Garden! Meet our newest member, Polly Pumpkin, created by two of our artistic members, Kimberly Lyn and Harriett Jackson. Just don’t work her too hard, she probably couldn’t keep up with you two!

Photo Credit: Kimberly Lyn and Harriett Jackson

Planting hanging baskets in Jemison

Posted on May 16, 2017May 16, 2017 by audrey

Chilton Master Gardeners planted 60 baskets for the City of Jemison. Pictured left to right is: Alan Reed, Lee Walters, Wally Walters, Margaret Goolsby-Chair, Pat Farmer, Susan Cleckler and Sondra Henley. Those that helped but not pictured were: Lanell Baker, Linda Hays, Rick Miller and Harriett Jackson. Baskets were hung throughout the City of Jemison.
Photo and article by Sondra Henley

Harvest for Health

Posted on May 16, 2017May 16, 2017 by audrey

Chilton County was honored to have the Harvest for Health Training Program held at the Alabama Power Building in April . This study helps determine the benefits of home gardening for cancer survivors and is sponsored by the National Cancer Institute. The program not only provides a raised bed vegetable bed, soil, plants and other needed items, it pairs a Master Gardener with the participant to help mentor them has they develop gardening skills.
If you are interested in becoming a participant, call 1-844-476-9478.

From left to right; Elizabeth York, Assistant to Outreach Coordinator – Harvest for Health Study, member of Chilton County and Shelby County Master Gardener Associations, Renee Thompson, Outreach Coordinator for Harvest for Health, Evan Ware, assistant and AU Master’s Program in Horticulture Studies, and Kerry Smith, State Master Gardener Program Coordinator.

Kimberly Lyn, Chilton County MGA member, Secretary to association and Clanton resident, gathers supplies for her participant’s vegetable garden.

Kerry Smith, State MG Coordinator, educates Master Gardeners on their responsibilities and expectations for mentoring a surviving cancer participant.

Article and photos by Sondra Henley

Interns Complete 2017 Master Gardener Class

Posted on April 19, 2017 by audrey

Nineteen Master Gardener Interns completed the 2017 class today with “Small Fruits” taught by Edgar Vinson, and a tour of the Chilton Research and Experiment Center. They celebrated with a salad bar furnished by class members and a fantastic “garden” cake made and decorated by class facilitator Trisha Williams! They will receive their certificates as soon as they complete the required hours to become a member.

Master Gardeners complete course — Beautiful cake made by MG Trisha Williams

Improvements to Extension Office Landscaping

Posted on March 29, 2017March 29, 2017 by audrey

On March 27th, CCMGA members and several interns met with Gay West, ACES coordinator at the Extension office in Clanton to work on the 2017 improvements to the site’s landscape. Irrigation was installed to the flowerbeds. A vegetable bed site is being planned along with a Hydrangea bed.

Intern Class Updates

Posted on March 26, 2017March 26, 2017 by audrey

The March 22nd MG class was held in the educational building at Petals from the Past. The morning class was presented by Dr. Jim Jacobi on Plant Diseases. Dr. Jacobi is an Alabama Cooperative Extension System Specialist at the C. Beaty Hanna Horticulture and Environmental Center at the Botanical Gardens in Birmingham. The afternoon class was presented by Dr. Sue Webb on Native Plants. Dr. Webb is also a member of the Chilton County Master Gardener Association.

The March 15th MG class covered Home Lawns and Weed Management and was taught by Chilton County native, Taylor Boozer Hatchett of Boozer Farms. Taylor previously worked with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System in Home Grounds, Gardens, and Home Pests. The members enjoyed the class and said they learned lots about their yards and lawns and how to care for them.

Our MG class for March 8th was “Basic Botany” taught by Dr. Dan Jones. Very informative class! Thanks, Dr. Jones.

Helping ACES With Activities

Posted on March 7, 2017March 19, 2017 by audrey

The interns in the 2017 CCMGA Master Gardener Class are stepping up and volunteering with many activities these days. One of the recent events was an ACES Nutrition Education Program presented by Lisa McCullough at the YMCA for soccer sign-up day. Intern Zuly Lemus served as Spanish interpreter for the event. Pam Ousley held a Chef 4-H program at the ACES office and her helpler was MG intern Joyce Lawson. Joyce also serves on the 4-H Advisory Council, along with CCMGA members Pat and Jerry Farmer.

Photos by Gay West