Outagamie County Master Gardener Association

Members meeting: April 17, 2008

Program: Kathy Baum presented “New Perennials for 2008.”

Meeting called to order: 6:40 p.m. by President Mary Learman.

Minutes: approved as read.

Treasurer’s report: is available upon request.

State representative’s report: Kathy Baum had nothing new to report.

State representative-at-large report: Lynn Coffeen not present.

Education report: Karen DesJarlais announced that the new students all passed. They enjoyed the potluck and learning about the sanctioned projects.

Kevin Jarek will be doing a lawn demo the plant sale on May 31.

Lynn Coffeen will be taking over the position of the Education Committee Chairwoman starting in June.

They are hoping to have an open house in July and August at the UW-Extension for the general public. If anyone has any ideas for what should be presented for this, please contact the Education Committee.

Karen wants people to let her know how they feel about tying education to meetings.

The Education Committee is still working on advanced seminars.

Project coordinator: While Kate Langer was not present, Mary Learman announced that there are new projects listed on the Web site. Jan would like every project chair to write a paragraph describing their sanctioned project.

Program chairperson: Meg Hunsader gave us a line-up for the summer meetings:

• May: Tom Brinkman will demonstrate container gardening at the GFC. This is also

a potluck, so please bring a dish to pass.

• June: Outagamie County UW-Extension agent, David Bayer, will be talking on invasive plants at Meg’s.
• July: We will be visiting ¾ gardens in Winneconne.
• Aug: Judy Peters has invited us to her 108 acres in Bonduel. She

has 15 acres of prairie and paths through her woods, plus a pond.

Note: The overnight bus trip to Seed Savers has been cancelled.

Plant sale chairwoman: Carol Vandeberg announced that she had brought sticks, labels and flyers for members to post. Carol reported that we will have fewer plants at cheaper prices this year. She will use this year as a gauge for planning for next year. Carol also asked the group if they would like a list of the plants.

Mark Scherer volunteered to pick up the tent with his trailer, but needs help.

Carol also brought the sign-up sheets for the plant sale. She would like the plants from yards to be dug by May 15.

Thistledown Nursery is giving us plants to sell on consignment, of which we would get a percentage. They are having a Fairyfest on June 21 – check their Web site.

Thistledown is located on Hwy. 47 about 16 miles north of Black Creek, towards Bonduel. Turn left at The Olde Plow Antique shop and go about 3 miles. The road comes to a dead end and goes into their driveway.

Carol reminded people to bring desserts or finger food for the plant sale.

Communications chairwoman: Colleen Reed reported that all is going well with the newsletter.

Old business: Mary Learman announced that no one has volunteered to take Dale Schaber’s place as Hospitality Person. This involves coming early to pick up the key, setting up tables and making coffee. If anyone can do it even one month, e-mail Mary. Possibly they will make a sign-up sheet for this.

Web site update: Volunteer sheets and education opportunities are all updated. There is a volunteer sheet for the herb garden at GFC, for one week at a time.

Answering phones at the UW-Extension: Chris Schaefer still needs 1 or 2 more people to answer phones at the UW-Extension office. This would be Fridays from 9 a.m. to noon, from May through August. If you don’t know the answer, just take their name and number and then call back when you know. Even if you can only do it a couple of times, call or e-mail Chris.

GFC festival: The Gardens of the Fox Cities Festival is May 17. We are looking for volunteers to give 30- minute demos on any subject of their choosing.

Earth Day: Since there were no volunteers, our Earth Day plans have been cancelled.

Outagamie County Fair booth: Bridget asked for volunteers to man our booth at the Outagamie County Fair. It is in a building with fans and bathrooms. The booth is open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. There are 2-hr. shifts. You may volunteer for any hours that work for you. There are also a lot of reference books, so if you don’t know the answer to questions folks may ask, you will have a book where people can write down their names, numbers and questions. There are entrance and parking fees, but you will be given tickets for these. Your time there and travel counts as service hours.

While you are there, try to take in the judging. The kids are proud of their entries. Kids are also becoming more interested in our booth, so if you have any ideas for handouts for them, please write it down for the next meeting.

Mary L. asked everyone to make sure that their names, addresses and e-mails were correct on the sheet before the new registry comes out.

The group welcomed the new graduates with a round of applause.

If you would like to attend Earth Day, it is at Habitat for Humanity ReStore on E. College Ave, behind Perkins. Rod Sternhagen will be giving a demo on making rain barrels and Kathy Baum will be demonstrating composting.

Volunteers are still needed for the MG booth for the GFC spring festival, and 11 people are needed for the Garden Walk. Details are on the Volunteer Page on the Web site.

A question was raised about garden art at the plant sale. If you have something you would like to sell, check with the plant sale chairperson for approval.

Kathy McCarthy was asked to write an article for the newsletter on redoing old pots to look like stone. She brought a beautiful example to show us.

Meeting adjourned at 7:45 p.m.

52 members attended

35 minutes service time
45 minutes education time / plus travel time