We only have one member this month with a birthday; Sarah Justiss. Happy Birthday, Sarah!
Our February meeting will be this coming Tuesday, the 9th at Alabama National Guard Armory , 406 Airport Road, Clanton. The program will be “The Hype About Hemp?” The meeting starts at 9, and your attendance is always important! So bring a chair, your own drink if you so desire, and your mask. See you there!
Chilton County Master Gardeners
January birthdays
The first month of this year, 2021, is off to a slow start for Chilton County Master Gardeners. We chose not to have a meeting this month, because of COVID-19. But we will have a meeting in February at the Alabama National Guard Armory on Airport Road. And we can’t wait for spring to get back to work in the Demo Garden and the project at Jemison Middle School. In the meantime, we do want to wish all our members born in January a very Happy Birthday!
Diane’s Broccoli Salad
Diane Clapp provided this recipe for Broccoli Salad that she created by combining several recipes. The recipe was requested by several in attendance at one of our Christmas Parties.
Diane’s Broccoli Salad
Yield: 6-8 servings
Salad:
1-2 heads of broccoli – wash thoroughly and cut into small flowerets
6-8 slices of cooked bacon, crumbled
½ cup golden raisins (may use dried cranberries)
¼ cup sunflower kernels
1-2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
½ cup chopped red onion (optional)
Dressing:
1 cup mayonnaise
2 Tablespoons white or apple cider vinegar
¼ cup sugar
Place broccoli crumbled bacon, sunflower kernels, raisins, and onion (if using) in a large bowl and mix. In a small bowl, mix dressing, stirring well. Add to broccoli mixture tossing gently.
***You can prepare ingredients and keep them separate until ready to use. Best to mix just before serving.
Photo credit: www.pixabay.com
Another Certified Master Gardener
Chilton County Master Gardeners welcome Jane Rabey, our newest certified Master Gardener. After weeks of classes and Covid-19 cancellations Jane has earned 50 volunteer hours to become a certified Master Gardener. Congratulations Jane!
Outside, Socially Distanced, Masked!
Chilton County Master Gardeners met for the last time this year at the old meeting place, outside at the Little House at Chilton Research and Extension Center. There was a great turnout, with 30 members, 8 interns, and 1 guest present.
Alice Broom, nominating committee chair, presented the nominations for the 2021 officers. Nominees were President, Pat Farmer; Vice President, Charla Doucet; Treasurer, Audrey Giles; and Secretary Treasia Bennett. President Susan Cleckler asked for any nominations from the Floor and none where given. Lanell Baker made a motion to accept the nominating committee’s recommendations for 2021 Officers. Larry Jones seconded the motion. The Association agreed to the nominations, and the motion passed.
Membership chairman Trisha Williams presented Intern Linda Church, who completed the required hours for membership, her membership badge, certificate of completion, a CCMGA T-shirt and a copy of the bylaws.
Chilton County Master Gardeners are still in the process of locating a meeting place for their meetings for the second Tuesday of every month. Also, we will not be having a Christmas Luncheon this year. Due to the Pandemic, the Board felt that we could not safely serve food and socially distance ourselves. We will not have a December meeting since we do not have a large enough meeting space that would keep us out of any cold weather.
Stay tuned for bigger and better things to come in 2021!!
Finally Back Together!!
Masked and socially distanced, Chilton County Master Gardeners met at Goosepond Park Pavilion on October 13 for the first time since the March Covid 19 shutdown. It was a day to celebrate meeting again and a day of congratulations. Four of our Interns have completed volunteer hours for certification and three were present to receive their badges and certificates. Congratulations to Patricia Agee, Gail Brooks, Jim Rabey and Linda Church (not present)!
A highlight of our meeting was the presentation of the 2020 AMGA Garry Murray Award for Outstanding Service and Dedication to our own County Extension Coordinator, Gay West. Gay has been exceptionally supportive of the ACES Master Gardener Training Program and of the Chilton County Master Gardeners Association. Thanks to Sondra Henley and Harriett Jackson for nominating Gay for this award.
Photos/ Diane Clapp
Article/ Trisha Williams
More Interns Finish their tests!
Due to the Covid-19 Stay at Home order, the 2020 Chilton County Master Gardener class members have been studying and completing tests on the remaining class topics at home. The ones shown below have all turned in their tests and passed with flying colors! Once we can hold classes again we will reschedule the remaining classes. We look forward to the time when they can join our association members in MG and Extension activities and complete certification requirements.
Congratulations MG Class
Due to the Covid-19 Stay at Home order, the 2020 Chilton County Master Gardener class members have been studying and completing tests on the remaining class topics at home. Once we can hold classes again we will reschedule the remaining classes. We look forward to the time when they can join our association members in MG and Extension activities and complete certification requirements. Congratulations to Patricia Agee, Gail Brooks, Linda Church, Joan Crocker, Julie Garris, Sharon Hosch, Peggy McGraw, Ruby Moberg, Jane Rabey and Jim Rabey for completing and passing all their tests!
Helping With the Beef Cook-Off
Last Friday, March 6, Chilton County Master Gardeners and interns helped with registering the participants at the 4-H Beef Cookoff, which is sponsored by the Chilton County Extension Office and the Chilton County Farmers Federation.
L to R- Interns Linda Church, Karol Collier M.G. Harriett Jackson, Interns Jane Rabey, Jim Rabey, and Julie Garris. Not pictured, MG Pat Farmer.
Wonderful Japanese Maples
Japanese maples, what a wonderful topic for a rainy March day! Our speaker for our Chilton County Master Gardener meeting was David Doggett, a Jefferson County Master Gardener and volunteer at Aldridge Gardens, who grows over 70 cultivars of Japanese maples at his home in Irondale. He discussed choosing a site, selecting a variety, companion plants and planting. David has donated and planted 51 (48 cultivars) Japanese maples at Aldridge Gardens.
There are cultivars to meet the needs of most gardeners: small or taller, upright or weeping, fine leaved or more coarse, textured leaves or smooth. Colors often vary from season to season but include reds, pinks, light greens, apricot, yellow, darker greens and more.