The annual Volunteer Recognition Night was held on October 19, 2009 in the Illini Room at the
Extension Office. Attendance was good with more than 50 people present. The food was excellent,
conversation was lively and hopefully everyone enjoyed the special evening to honor all of our
Master Gardeners Volunteers.

The Violet Award is in recognition of those who have contributed 100 hours past their internship hours.

The Oak Award is in recognition of those who have contributed 250 hours past the Violet Award.

The Monarch Award is in recognition of those who have contributed 500 hours past the Oak Award.

The Golden Notebook is awarded to the MG who has the most hours of Continuing Education.

The Golden Trowel Award is for the Master Gardener who has volunteered the most hours from the
previous year . These awards were implemented by our Macon County Master Gardeners and are not
affiliated with State and International Awards.

Violet Award Winners

Margie Cook
Mike Irby
Marsha Jacoby
Diana Kirby
Maria Luchetti
Megan Medina
Jane Morthland
Laurie Rasmus
Sandy Shriver
Shirley Swarthout

Oak Award Winners

Carol Broeking
Sharon Gessaman
Ruth Milhauser
Joanne Nixon

Golden Trowel Award

Richard Zerfowski

Monarch Award Winners

Verlyn Rosenburger
Ross Thompson

Golden Notebook Award

Virginia Schuler

Dear Master Gardeners and Guests

You are cordially invited to attend Master Gardener Christmas Potluck
Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 6:00 pm in the Illini Room.

Please save the date!

Musical Entertainment by Country Spirits—Master Gardener Lyle Clary and Friends

Help Desk hours have been reduced to 3 half days a week as of November 2, 2010.

If you are in need of hours, please call and sign up at the Help Desk. This is a great time of year to really
learn the ropes because it is not as hectic and there is a lot of time to research, ask questions get comfortable before the busy spring season.

Tuesday, April 6, 2010 Detailed Itinerary, Cost & Reservations available in January.

Over the summer and fall a number of Master Gardeners have indicated an interest in visiting Fair Oaks Dairy. Well, our HCE ladies apparently like the idea too. So, we are invited to join them on a bus trip to visit the dairy. Please, if you are interested, SAVE THE DATE !

Fair Oaks Dairy is located in Fair Oaks, Indiana. We will have an opportunity to check out a 72 cow milking carousel, birthing barn, a 4D theatre adventure, and wonderful ice cream and cheese produced by the dairy. More information will follow as the trip approaches.

Our Master Gardener organization shares in the grief of the family of Mike Cottle. Mike passed away on November 2nd in his home. He will be greatly missed by our organization.

We would also like to express our condolences to Carol Broeking at the recent loss of her sister.

November 2009

Thurs, Nov., 19……………………..Advisory Board Meeting

Thur, Nov. 26……………………….Office Closed for Thanksgiving

Fri, Nov. 27……………………..…..Office Closed for Thanksgiving

December 2009

Mon, Dec. 1, 6:00 p.m…………... Master Gardener Christmas Party

Wed, Dec. 9, 10 a.m.-12pm…….. Holiday Food, Decorations and Gifts $10

Thur, Dec. 10, 5:30 -7:30 p.m…... Holiday Food, Decorations and Gifts $10

Mon, Dec. 14, a.m.—p.m………….Interviews for New MG Trainees

Tues, Dec. 15, a.m.—p.m…….…...Interviews for New MG Trainees

Thurs, Dec. 17, 9 a.m……………...Advisory Board Meeting

Thur, Dec. .24, thru Jan. 3,……....Office Closed

January 2010

Thur, Jan. 21, 9 am ….Advisory Board Meeting*

Thur, Jan 21, 9 am—4 pm…..……Master Gardener Training Begins

Thur, Jan. 28, 9 am—4 pm……… Master Gardener Training

*Subject to change due to MG training beginning that day.

The sun is shining and all seems right with the world. Maybe now we can get finished with or begin (whichever the case may be) our fall clean up.

As I was reviewing this month, we had an awfully lot happening in spite of the rain. I did some checking with James Angel, State Climatologist with the Illinois State Water Service and Institute for Natural Sustainability about the amount of rain in Illinois and especially Macon County. Mr. Angel shared the following:

At 10.09 inches, this October was the wettest for Decatur since rainfall amounts have been recorded.

Statewide, only Riverton had more rain at 13.31 inches.

· The statewide average rainfall for October is normally 6".

· This October the statewide average is 8.9".

· For Illinois, this is the 3rd wettest year on record thus far with 43.76" thru the end of October.

- 1993—45.45 inches rain

- 2008—44.52 inches rain

- 2009—43.76 inches rain

These state records date back to 1895. So, YES it has really been a wet, difficult year for Gardeners. Mr. Angel did give us hope for more sunshine and a warmer than normal November.

The Master Gardener manual presale will began November 1 and will run until November 30, 2009. Current Master Gardeners, interns and Extension staff may purchase copies at the pre-sale rate of $70 for the print manual or $50 for the CDROM version of the manual. A preview of several chapters and a color photo sheet may be viewed on the website listed below:

http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/mg/manual/

There are 2 ways to order: Manuals can be ordered online and charged to a credit card on our homepage under program registration at: http://web.extension.uiuc.edu/macon

Or, orders can be placed at the Extension Office, but must be prepaid. Please contact Cheryl if you have any questions. The manuals will be available after December 1, 2009. Ordering thru our office will save you shipping costs.

Thank you seems inadequate to express my feelings of gratitude for the hospital visits, home visits, phone calls, letters, cards, prayers, garden and yard help, baby sitting, haircuts, mementos and wing walkers during my recent recovery. Your thoughts and kindness are very much appreciated.

— Frank Grgurich

We have sent out over 100 letters to potential Master Gardener Trainees for the 2010 class. If you have any friends or acquaintances that might have an interest in becoming a Master Gardener, please get in touch with them and encourage them to consider joining our program. I will be happy to talk with anyone and/or send them an informational letter/packet about the program.

The classes begin on January 21, 2010 and will end on April 1, 2010 with a potluck and graduation ceremony. The classes

will remain the same price as last year ( $150 in person and most likely $250 for the on-line class*). We hope to be able to offer financial assistance for those who need help with the costs. Although I have a list of people who have contacted us this past year as well as slips that were turned at events, the most effective means of recruitment has been word of mouth. We really hope that you will be willing to share with others about the opportunities the Master Gardener Program offers. We are hoping for a great class for 2010!

*If you are wondering why the on-line class is so much more expensive, it is because that is the
owest cost allowed to utilize the University of Illinois electronic systems for on-line classes.

The new board is up and running. There are so many exciting events planed for the new year. Only a couple of events are left for this year. The volunteer recognition coming Oct 19, and the Christmas party ( Dec.1 ) which should be special with music provided by one of own Master Gardner and his group.

We had a long discussion regarding having enough volunteers to be able to do all the projects we are currently trying to support. Two different events really point out our existing need for volunteers. We are still trying to find four people to head different areas at the library gardens and we do not have enough volunteers to cover the needs for upkeep (watering and weeding) at the library gardens. The other shortfall is the help desk. It is it a rare time when all the hours are covered. When there is no one at the help desk either the phone isn't answered or Cheryl tries to cover the phone and this makes it difficult to keep up with her work. I would sincerely like to request that all of you consider thoughtfully what you can do next year to help in these areas. The Master Gardener program will only be as good as we are willing to make it.

There have been many inquiries about the new Master Gardener class. At this point no one has made a commitment to take the class. If you have family, friends or neighbors who are interested in gardening please encourage them enroll in our 2010 class.

Sincerely,

Venneta Joliff
Advisory Board Chair