Diane Clapp is a native of Maplesville and has been married for 40 years to Clem Clapp, a banker and chairman of the Maplesville Historic Society. They have two daughters, Hannah and Mary Margaret who have given them three granddaughters.  Diane enjoys being a Nana to them.

Diane became a certified Master Gardener in 2012.  She chose the Chilton County class because of the close proximity to her home. Diane was one of the quieter classmates; however, she is creative, energetic and fun to work with.  In 2012 she went to the Maplesville City Council and received permission to plant a city corner.  The Town Council gave her funds for the project and she also secured donations of materials and plants.  In 2013 she served as CCMGA Co-Chairman of Membership and Volunteer Hours, along with working on the Christmas Home Tour.  In 2014, she has also joined the Fund Raising and Demonstration Garden Committees.  She is the Plant Sale Coordinator for the Maplesville Plant Sale scheduled for the Maplesville Heritage Day Celebration on April 12.

Diane first started vegetable gardening in her thirties. She said, “Even though I grew up eating from a vegetable garden, I contribute my gardening interest to my father-in-law.  He taught me the “how-to” of a low maintenance block vegetable garden.  He avidly studied the Ladies Birthday Almanac for planting schedules and kept journals for planting, growth, and blooming.  Seeing the enthusiasm he had for his gardening motivated me.”

Her yard is mostly shaded and the gardens are always in progress and constantly changing. Her  favorite spot outside is the “Sanctuary”.  It is nestled under a tree canopy overlooking the back yard with a fire pit for all year enjoyment.  There she and Clem enjoy having their morning coffee and quiet time.  In the evenings, they enjoy watching deer and turkey graze across the field below and as night falls they can gaze at the stars and fireflies and savor the gentle breezes.

Diane prefers plants, flowers and shrubs that have long blooming periods and that attract butterflies.  Her favorites are lantana, gardenia, hydrangea, ginger lilies and ferns.  She likes oak, dogwood, crape myrtle and maple trees especially for their fall color.  Diane plans to put in a butterfly garden this year.

Asked if she grows fruits and vegetables, she said, “Mainly vegetables but I plan to branch out and try blueberries and blackberries in the near future.”

Besides gardening, Diane enjoys sewing and reading.  Having had a previous nursing career, she also takes yearly medical mission trips to Guatemala.

Diane believes that we all should be kind, compassionate, and forgiving;  having the same attitude as that of Christ. She shares a quote by George Washington Carver that she believes is worth considering,  “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young, compassionate with the aged, sympathetic with the striving and tolerant of the weak and strong.   Because someday in your life you will have been all of these.”

Her favorite thing about CCMGA is the people!  The association is more of a family than just an organization.

Audrey Giles – She is much more than her camera!

Good photography is a precise and challenging responsibility, and is often taken for granted. Much of the real work is done behind the scenes, after the actual picture is taken. Audrey has accepted this responsibility and does not take her job lightly. She is great at remembering to record the various activities of the Master gardeners through pictures.

She handled the project of the membership pictorial directory with expertise and patience. But even more so; she showed a willingness to grow in learning new computer software techniques. Additionally, she helped with the Intern Class by organizing and setting up the luncheons for new members.

Although we have listed her qualities on paper, it is hard to do her justice. She is the epitome of all that is good about Master Gardeners, always involved which underscores her love for CCMGA and its members. She is gracious, kind and humble, always willing to help. I believe she is worthy of being recognized and encouraged by this nomination of Outstanding Service and Dedication to CCMGA.

This project meets the criteria of Demonstration Garden, although not a garden; it is a demonstration of some of the things MG do. It is also affects the communities of Chilton County through Community Service.

The preparation of the County Planters by the teams that service them should be recognized. Through this activity the towns of Clanton and Jemison have come to rely on Master Gardeners to help beautify their cities. The benefits are many. I have heard numerous comments from family, close friends and people I hardly knew who live outside this county comment on the attractive planters and how much they add to the atmosphere of the town. It also gives us, as an association a chance to work with some of the officials of the towns. Additionally, for everyone interested in decorative plants, a wide variety of seasonal plants are displayed. These planters greatly increase the exposure of Master Gardeners and help to serve as our advertisement. I believe this project has become one of the signatures of the Chilton County Master Gardener Association.