Awards for 2017

Posted on February 26, 2017 by audrey

Chilton County Master Gardeners held their Awards program this year at the February meeting. Refreshments and decorations were provided by the members, with a Valentine theme. The Helpline Top Hours were: 4+ Days – Pat Farmer(Chairman), Sarah Saunders, Lanell Baker, & Ann Moore; 3+ Days – Bonnie Hairrell. The Top Hours Category was awarded to: Harriett Jackson, 905.50, Audrey Giles 581, and Alan Reed, 480.50. The Top CEU hours went to Jimmy and Mildred Knowles with 46.50. The Service Project of the Year was the Demonstration Garden Redesign. The Master Gardener of the Year award went to Audrey Giles.
Silver Stars were awarded to Bob Bates, Paula Blevins-Russell, Lamar Giles, Kimberly Lynn, Anita McGee, and Ann Moore. Gold Stars were awarded to Treasia Bennett, Linda Hays, Lee Walters, and Wally Walters. A Gold Badge was awarded to Alice Broome (1000+ hours), and a Platinum Badge to Harriett Jackson (2000+ hours). The badges themselves will be presented at the AMGA conference.
The program was presented by MG Harriett Jackson on Butterfly gardening. Old and new business discussed was the upcoming Water Festival, items needed for Silent Auction basket for the AMGA conference, advisory council update, correctly reporting hours to service report site, fundraising ideas, upcoming tours, walking trail to be built at Minooka Park, propagation class at Petals, upcoming “Ask a Master Gardener” days at Garrison’s Farm and Home Supply, progress of 2017 intern class, update on registration for AMGA conference in Huntsville in May, and CCMGA being FIRST association in Alabama to use the e-newsletter! Here’s a SMILEBOX slideshow of photos from the program that day.

Planting Jemison City Hall

Posted on November 27, 2016November 30, 2016 by audrey

Several of the Chilton County Master Gardeners showed up at Jemison City Hall on November 22nd to plant all the flower planters that are around the building. Pansies and ornamental kale were planted that will be beautiful all winter long, as long as we don’t have an extremely cold winter. Not pictured, Sondra Henley and Audrey Giles.

Margaret and Rick smiling for a photograph

Linda Hays and Harriett Jackson planting pansies

Home for the Holidays Fundraiser

Posted on October 20, 2016November 30, 2016 by audrey

master gardner at Home for the Holidays — Left: Harriett Jackson, M.G. and jewelry vendor. Right: Representatives of Butterfly Bridge

Chilton County Master Gardeners hosted a “Home for the Holidays” fundraiser this year for the first time. Vice President Sondra Henley held the event at her house October 15, 2016. CCMGA partnered with Butterfly Bridge and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Children’s Advocacy Center in Clanton. There were many days of preparation which included cleaning, decorating, and displaying vendor’s items in the home. There was also a tasting table with all dishes prepared by some of the members. This included cream cheese cigar rolls with peach salsa, mini cold skewers, turnip green soup, Lee’s cornbread, Arnold Palmer tea, and peach upside down cake. A candy table ( all you could put in the box for $5.00) and raffle basket with all proceeds from these two going solely to Butterfly Bridge was very popular. Door prizes were drawn for every 15 minutes. We think the event was a success and plan to have it again in the future. Also for your enjoyment is a SMILEBOX to watch for more photos.

2016 Expo and Demo Garden Grand Opening

Posted on August 9, 2016February 11, 2017 by audrey

The Grand Opening of the Demo Garden was held August 6, 2016, just before the Farm, Home, and Wildlife Expo. On hand for the ceremony was Eagle Scout Clay Vinson, and Girl Scout Hannah Childress. Clay’s project for Eagle Scout was the Demo Garden’s Pergola and surrounding Butterfly Flowerbed. Hannah’s project for her Gold Badge was the Keyhole Garden. The Expo is always a big event that the Master Gardeners look forward to each year. Master Gardeners are in charge of the ice cream tasting, fruit tasting, corn on the cob hut, plant sale, and of course, the Demonstration Garden. Go to Smilebox to see a slideshow of photos from the Expo and Demo Garden.

Jim Scott’s Garden Tour

Posted on April 22, 2016June 13, 2016 by trisha

A group of Chilton County Master Gardeners along with a few friends recently visited Jim Scott’s Garden on Lake Martin. The garden is a labyrinth of garden rooms that lead from one to another. There are surprises everywhere you look including little bug sculptures and a cat named Seraphina. There is lots of moss and natural elements as well as sculpture, structures, scenic overlooks, seating and dining areas. Water falls tumble down rock stream beds that are richly lined with ferns, oak leaf hydrangeas and more. We enjoyed seeing clematis scrambling over other plants. The variety of plants is amazing and you see blueberry and fig trees planted among ornamentals. Hosta, Louisiana iris, ferns and snowball bush were especially beautiful during our mid April visit.

Crafting for Antiques in the Garden

Posted on April 11, 2016August 31, 2016 by audrey

Antiques in the Garden

group putting hod baskets together for craft sale — Craft Days for Antiques in the Garden

Many of the Master Gardener members have been busy on Wednesday’s at Sondra Henley’s Craft Day. She has been hosting this in her garage for several weeks in preparation for the first fundraiser for 2016. Antiques in the Garden will be held at Petals from the Past in Jemison April 22 and 23, 2016.

Making grapevines into wreath — Pat Farmer and Sondra Henley making wreath baskets

collection of crafts for sale — Crafts for Antiques in the Garden

crating hypertufa posts for sale — Making Hypertufa pots

Beekeeper’s Symposium

Posted on February 10, 2016April 16, 2016 by audrey

Several Master Gardeners helped with the 21st Annual Alabama Cooperative Extension Beekeeping Symposium held Saturday, Feb. 6 at Clanton Conference and Performing Arts Center. This is one of the many events that the Master Gardeners assist Gay West and the Extension office with throughout the year.

Beekeepers Symposium volunteers — Master Gardeners at registration

volunteers at symposium — Gail Foster, Linda Hays, & Ann Baker

Master Gardeners Prune Crepe Myrtles

Posted on January 14, 2016September 13, 2019 by audrey

By Sondra Henley

Master Gardeners Don Burdette and Lee and Wally Walters determine pruning cuts to one of the crepe myrtle trees at the CREC. Trees and shrubs will be pruned through the month of February. The Upcoming MG Class will have a hands-on pruning opportunity on February 20th at 10:00 a.m. All MG”s are welcome to help on any pruning date. For more information, contact Don Burdette.

UA Arboretum Tour

Posted on November 6, 2015September 13, 2019 by audrey

Several of the Chilton County Master Gardeners, one member from Jefferson County, and Paula Blevins-Russell’s mother toured the University of Alabama Arboretum in Tuscaloosa Tuesday, Nov. 3rd. The Arboretum has walking trails through a native section, a collection of ornamental plants, an experimental garden and a children’s garden. All that attended enjoyed the trip very much. There were renovations going on at the time of the tour, and blooms were few, so all that attended said that this has to be a future Spring Tour for sure! Pictured from left to right are Paula’s mother Artie Blevins, Miriam Newman from Jefferson County, Paula Blevins-Russell, Treasia Bennett, Alice Broome, Peggy Harris, Pat Farmer, Linda Hand, Robert Lee Whatley, and Jane Mason. Not pictured, Monica Watson, Director of the Arboretum. Pictures contributed by Alice Broome.

UA arboretum tour — Touring UA Arboretum

Paula and pyracantha with orange red berries — Paula-Blevins Russell enjoying tour

garden art made of bare shrub limbs — Is it metal or vines?

gary green, deep red and yellow green foliage — Colorful display

Planting Clanton and Jemison

Posted on October 31, 2015September 13, 2019 by audrey

This past Thursday found CCMGA members playing in the “dirt”, planting flowers in the pots in downtown Clanton and Jemison. We had to cancel our Tuesday planting because of the rain all day that day, but Thursday cooperated, with no rain and just a few clouds. Thanks to all the members who were able to come out and help! Not pictured, Alan Reed and Audrey Giles.