October Meeting

Posted on October 24, 2023October 24, 2023 by trisha

Our October meeting featured Lee County MG Dennis Pinkard and his program on Snake Awareness. Dennis has combined his love of gardening with his desire to do no harm to snakes. He discussed snake myths such as a snake will chase you. He says the snake has an escape route and you just happen to be in the way. He shared photographs of snakes and talked about how to identify specific snakes such as venomous Timber Rattlesnake, Water Moccasin (Cottonmouth) and Copperhead. He also shared photos of several non- venomous snakes. To minimize snake encounters keep your hands and feet out of areas you can not see and keep debris picked up. When you encounter a snake outside leave it alone and let it go on its way.

Our own Betsy Smith, a certified yoga instructor, led stretching exercises during our break. She encouraged us to do these exercises to improve flexibility, balance and posture. What a fun break! Thank you, Betsy!

Dennis Pinkard presenting ”Snake Awareness”

MG Betsy Smith leads yoga stretching during break.

Native Plant Conservation

Posted on October 23, 2023October 24, 2023 by trisha

Patrick Thompson, the Curator of the Davis Arboretum at Auburn University and Coordinator of the Alabama Plant Conservation Alliance was our September speaker. He spoke to us about the importance of conserving our native species and establishing more sites where these plants can thrive. Alabama and Chilton County have many plants that are specific to us and are worthy of saving. One plant, the Alabama Canebreak Pitcher Plant, has only been found in Chilton and Autauga counties and only at eight sites. Our local CCMGA Conservation Group will be working to propagate some of the threatened plants and to provide educational programs to the public.

Patrick Thompson presenting September’s program

V. P. Leslie Durham presenting the handmade wooden pen to the speaker, Patrick Thompson

Square Foot Gardening

Posted on July 25, 2023July 25, 2023 by trisha

Our July speaker was Henry Lucas from Capitol City Master Gardeners who presented a program on ‘Square Foot Gardening’. Gardening using this technique saves space and results in less weeding, less watering and less less work. He recommended the book ‘All New Square Foot Gardening, 3rd Edition by Mel Bartholomew and an online course at: http://www.SquareFootGardening.com These resources will provide information on building beds, how to plant and what to do and not do in a Square Foot garden. Thank you, Mr. Lucas for a great program on how to plant in a small footprint!

CCMGA will hold plant sales at the Chilton Research and Extension Center on the days the CREC is selling fruit or vegetables.

Happy July Birthday to Gail Brooks, Clem Clapp, Jimmy Knowles, Claire Sluyterman van Loo and Lyn Webb.

V. President Leslie Durham and Speaker Henry Lucas from Capital City Master Gardeners

March Native Plants

Posted on April 13, 2023May 10, 2023 by audrey

Our program for March was presented by Chilton County Master Gardener Trisha Williams, who shared with us her PowerPoint, “Native Plants in Grandmother’s Garden”. Trisha shared many native plant species with corresponding photos that included, but certainly not limited to, Bird’s Foot Violets, Columbine, Foxglove Beardtongue, Tall Ironweed and Red Buckeye. She reminded the membership of the 1973 Endangered Species Act regarding the harvesting of natives from the wild, and instead recommended the use of reputable nurseries. A handout with information and resources on native plants was provided.
Harriett Jackson and Hugh Nichols shared a research opportunity that’s under the guidance of ACES’s lead Dani Carroll and the Alabama Smart Yards educational program. Participants are being solicited for home vegetable variety trials. They will be provided seeds and will participate in collecting data related to plant date, quantity planted, emergence date, flowering date, first and last yield date, etc. Potential MG participation and additional information will be forthcoming.
Leslie Durham talked about the need for the association to create a Fundraising Committee.
Reports were given on the Demo Garden, the Extension Office Beds, and the Recreation Bldg Beds, with the last one being a work in progress.
Several volunteer opportunities were discussed.
Our Hospitality Committee was commended for their beautiful St. Patrick’s Day table decorations and also the volunteers who coordinated the food snacks. And many thanks to Betsy Smith for donating the Rosemary Sugar Cookie-filled coffee mug door prizes!!

February-“Got Sun-Grow Food”

Posted on February 17, 2023March 19, 2023 by audrey

Our speaker at our February meeting was Karen Mitchell, a Jefferson County Master Gardener. Karen’s program was “Got Sun, Grow Food…Growing Where Sun & Space Permit” She talked about container gardening and all the advantages it provides, different types of containers, and about drainage and portability of the containers.

**V. Pres. Leslie Durham presenting speaker Karen Mitchell with an honorary MG** **gift**

February is traditionally the month of our Awards Program.

President Jerry Farmer and V. President Leslie Durham presented the awards as follows:

Helpline Hours Recognition:

Silver Pins (4+ days): Lanell Baker, Lynne May, Kerry Rush
Bronze Pins (3 days): Sally Moore, Susan Parkerson
Chairman Pin: Hugh Nichols

Top Volunteer Hours Award:

Ron Herbster (184.5 hrs), Lanell Baker (187 hrs), Harriet Jackson (575 hrs)

Top CEU Award: Lyn Webb (84 hrs)

Top Volunteer Intern Hours Award: Hugh Nichols (204.5 hrs)

Lifetime Volunteer Hours:

Bronze Star (100-299 hrs): Victoria Brady, Chip Durham, Leslie Durham, Lynne May, Hugh Nichols, Kerry Rush

Silver Star (300-499 hrs): Cheryl Herbster, Ron Herbster, Ruby Moberg

Gold Star (500-999 hrs): Gail Brooks, Skip Coulter, Betsy Smith

Platinum Badge (2000-3999 hrs): Lyn Webb (awarded at AMGA Conference)

Emerald Star (6000-7999 hrs): Pat Farmer (awarded at AMGA Conference)

Project of the Year:

Clanton Recreation Center Landscape, Phase 1: Amy Baker, Amelia Bloomfield

And Chilton County Master Gardener of the Year is …Gail Brooks❗️.

Congratulations to all recipients and a big thanks to those who submitted nominations.

Other business was: All upcoming projects and volunteer opportunities were discussed.

ATTENDANCE –

Members: 31

Interns: 2

Guests: 3

Speaker: 1

TOTAL: 37

January Meeting

Posted on February 17, 2023February 17, 2023 by trisha

Leslie Durham, CCMGA Vice President, presided over our meeting in the place of the President,Jerry Farmer. Sherry Carter, Chilton and Bibb County SNAP-ED Agent, talked with us about her program that promotes nutrition education for children and adults. She told us about volunteer opportunities helping assemble notebooks and prepping food for her classes. She also works with “The Gathering” food pantry and asked for help with that also.

The CCMGA gave our Outgoing President, Pat Farmer a gift certificate to Petals from the Past. Our outgoing V. President, Gail Brooks presented it to her today.

OUR 2023 TEAM LEADERS:

ADVISORY COUNCIL: Harriett Jackson and Audrey Giles, Alternate
HELPLINE: Hugh Nichols
EXTENSION OFFICE: Gail Brooks and Alan Reed
DEMO GARDEN: Trisha Williams and Lynne May
CLANTON REC CENTER: Amy Baker and Amelia Bloomfield
HOSPITALITY: Judy Cobb, Jane Rabey, Cheryl Herbster, Joan Barber
2023 INTERN CLASS: Trisha Williams and Pat Farmer
FACEBOOK and WEBSITE: Audrey Giles and Trisha Williams
SCRAPBOOK: Lynne May
PHOTOGRAPHERS: Audrey Giles

Congratulations to Nelson Wynn our Regional Extension Agent, on his upcoming retirement on January 31. He has worked with us on Chilton County Master Gardener training classes and supported CCMGA for many years.

V.P. Leslie Durham, says ”Its about tine to get started”.

Past V.P. Gail Brooks, presenting past President Pat Farmer with her outgoing gift.

Christmas Fun!

Posted on December 30, 2022January 15, 2023 by audrey

The Chilton County Master Gardeners really enjoyed their December 13th meeting/Christmas Luncheon. The meeting was short, but one thing that was very important was presenting one of our interns, Sally Moore, with her certificate and badge. Also, our 2021-2022 President, Pat Farmer, introduced the new 2023 board members to everyone. There were many members there, spouses of members, sisters, and a few grandchildren! We were delighted to have our Extension Retirees Gay West, County Coordinator and Elaine Densmore, Administrative Assistant II. We also had our new County Extension Agent, Lucy Edwards there and all the new associates from Chilton County Extension Office. Lucy introduced herself and the rest of the group to all the members.
Our Hospitality group did a themed decoration, I called it “Vintage Toys from Christmases Past”. They all had old toys and lovely old dolls to share for the tables. The Hospitality group did a wonderful job with ALL the decorations and the arrangements of the food stations. Thanks to everyone that volunteered to cook all the wonderful food and bake all the delicious desserts! And thanks to our member, Jim Rabey for donating and cooking the Turkey breasts, they were delicious as always!! Following the luncheon, several members stayed to play Dirty Santa. I didn’t get to stay, but it was rumored that there was lots of stealing going on! I’m sure they all had a wonderful time!! So, until next year:
FROM ALL OF US TO ALL OF YOU “MERRY CHRISTMAS 🎅🏼🧑🏻‍🎄HAPPY NEW YEAR🥳 🎉🥂AND HAPPY GARDENING👩‍🌾

Photos by Audrey Giles & Lynn Webb

L-R Sally Moore is presented her certificate by MG Trisha Williams. Seated is recently retired Chilton County Extension Administrative Assistant Elaine Densmore.

Standing our new County Extension Agent Lucy Edwards and seated, retired Extension County Coordinator Gay West

2023 Board Members L-R Back- VP Leslie Durham,Treasurer Lyn Webb, M.A.L Judy Cobb, M.A.L. Hugh Nichols, Secretary Kerry Rush, Pres. Jerry Farmer. Front L-R Membership Trisha Williams, M.A.L. Lynne May, and Past Pres. Pat Farmer

Different kinds of pepper jelly served with cream cheese and crackers. The jellies were made by MG Debbie Housner and they were delicious!

One of Judy Cobb’s antique dolls. Her grandmother made the doll for her and her mother sewed the dress and a matching dust ruffle for her bed when she was very young.

Dirty Santa fun! Trisha Williams & Treasia Bennett

Lynne May with her granddaughter who was enjoying playing with the old toys.

MG Susan Parkerson got pecans for her dirty santa gift, a well received gift!

2022 Fall Intern Project

Posted on November 14, 2022November 15, 2022 by audrey

The 2022 Chilton County Fall Master Gardener Intern Class and Chilton County Master Gardeners have installed the plants for Phase 1 of the class project. They created a plan to replace the shrubs along the front of the Clanton Community Center and to make the entrance more inviting. City of Clanton workers removed the overgrown shrubs and added top soil. Earlier in October the class and Master Gardener volunteers tilled in soil amendments. The next step was to plant the bed with Arborvitae ‘Emerald Green,’ Gardenia ‘Autumn Beauty,’ Illicium ‘Florida Sunshine,’ Hosta ‘Glad Rags,’ Amaryllis and Iris. A large pot, donated by Mayor Jeff Mims, was planted with a monochromatic group of plants which included Illicium ‘Florida Sunshine,’ Creeping Jenny and Carex ‘Everillo.’ They also placed a bright turquoise bench near the entrance.

Many thanks to the City of Clanton, Mayor Jeff Mims, Petals From The Past, ACES Chilton County Coordinator Lucy Edwards and CAWACO RC&D.

This project was made possible in part by a grant from CAWACO RC&D https://cawaco.org

Color in the Garden Year Round

Posted on November 10, 2022November 10, 2022 by trisha

Congratulations to Margariette Hoomes for earning her Master Gardener certification and receiving her MG badge and certificate. The CCMGA Board of Directors provide an Appreciation Lunch of soup and chili for our great members and interns. We had great attendance and enjoyed sharing a meal and socializing with our members.

Terese Goodson from the Capitol City Master Gardeners Association spoke about “Year Round Color in the Garden.” Her goal is to have something blooming every month of the year so that she can have a vase of fresh flowers everyday of the year. A variety of reseeding annuals and perennials can meet this goal. She shared a bloom time chart for central Alabama which serves as a guide for plant selection for each month.

Nominations for 2023 Officers were brought before the members and voted on. The new officers were introduced to the membership and photos taken. 2023 CCMGA Officers are Jerry Farmer, President; Leslie Durham, Vice President; Kerry Rush, Secretary; and Lynn Webb, Treasurer.

Plans were discussed for a booth at the December 4th Maplesville Old Fashion Christmas to promote Master Gardeners. A request was made for small flower seeds to make flower bombs as a give away for children. Several volunteered to provide seeds and help put them together. Volunteers to work the booth in Maplesville were discussed.
After no more business, the meeting was adjourned.

Margariette Hoomes gets her Certificate and MG badge presented by Trisha Williams.

Ron Herbster, Jim Rabey, and Lyn May at the table, Lee Walters and Clem Clapp behind them. And on the left, Judy Cobb (facing front) talking to Cheryl Herbster.

L-R, Hugh Nichols, Chip and Leslie Durham, and Alan Reed

Alan Reed, Chip and Leslie Durham, Lyn May, and sitting at right table, R-L Robin Cagle, Lee and Wally Walters

Terese Goodson, setting up her demonstration items

Terese Goodson receiving her speakers gift from V.P. Gail Brooks

The awesome graduation cake Trisha Williams makes the graduating interns every year.

L-R Treasurer Lyn Webb, Sec. Kerry Rush, V.P. Leslie Durham, and Pres. Jerry Farmer

Just trying to get a good photo of everyone, ladies!

Landscape and Yard Design

Posted on November 10, 2022November 10, 2022 by audrey

At our October meeting, Trisha Williams introduced Brandy Childress as the new Administrative Assistant at the Chilton County Extension Office Everyone gave her a warm welcome with a big round of applause.

Our Vice President, Gail Brooks, introduced Don Armstrong as this month’s speaker. Don and his wife, Glenda, gave a very informative slide presentation and handouts on Landscape Design/Yard Design. Then as a nice surprise, Mr. Armstrong brought potted plants for every member!

Photos by Audrey Giles and Diane Clapp