Twenty-one members and two guests attended the October meeting. One of our guests

was Judy Harper from North Carolina who saw the meeting notice in the Peoria Journal

Star. She told the group about some of the projects and details of the Master Gardener

group in Wake County, North Carolina. Welcome to a new member, Trudy Howard,

who has just finished her internship requirements subsequent to transferring to Peoria

County from another county.

Standing Committee Reports:

- To date, fifty Master Gardeners have logged 2,303.5 volunteer hours and 365.5

continuing education hours. This is great, but for those who are behind in this duty,

remember that the deadline for reporting 2007 hours is November 30. Meeting this

deadline helps Lynn Webb, Membership Coordinator, get the information to the state

offices at the appropriate time! In 2008, Peoria County will participate the on-line hours

reporting program.

- It's time for project leaders to turn in reports of 2007 activity. This includes the shortterm

projects. See Kathy Hasselberg for a handy form to use. The finished forms are due

mid-December.

- Our State-wide Advisory Board is working on a new web page on the Extension site. It

will focus on research.

Volunteer Projects:

- Belwood - Dixie Krisher and 10 volunteers helped 12 residents make stepping stones

at a recent resident's meeting. This was a very rewarding project, greatly enjoyed by

both residents and volunteers. New boot scrapers are by the doors....many thanks to

Rick Kolowski's father for these additions. The annual luncheon of volunteers was held

October 11.

- Help Line - A wrap-up meeting was held October 2. Larry Stratton presented a

summary of help line calls and the resulting statistical analysis. Overall, the statistical

report showed turnaround time of less than one day per call.

- I.C.C. Demonstration Garden - Sunitra Shastry reported that a conference call

meeting had been held October 16 to discuss how to organize this project for 2008.

Roger Larson, representing Peoria Co., suggested that the group maintain subcommittees

of 1) Marketing, 2) Design, and 3) Scheduling which would report to the Tri-

County Committee. Roger offered use of the Peoria Co. 800-telephone number for

future conference call meetings to eliminate travel concerns. He suggested that the

garden activities focus on the most common Help Line questions. Tazewell and

Woodford are currently compiling data from their Help Lines to

add to the Peoria County data. The next conference call meeting

will be November 15 at 10:00 a.m. Anyone from Peoria who is

interested in participating should contact Roger Larson, or Margie

Karl.

- PAR - Patsy Spitz reported that 1,058.5 lbs. of vegetables were

donated to the Salvation Army this year through the efforts of

approximately 7 volunteers working 140.5 hours. The garden is

now cleaned up and ready for winter renovation.

- Speaker's Bureau - Bob Coppernoll reported that the Princeville

Garden Club has requested a speaker for their March 2008

program. Bob has scheduled Keith Crotts to speak about vegetables.

- Youth Farm - Nancy Coon reported that the Children's Home/

Youth Farm moves have been completed. There will be younger

residents at Youth Farm next year. MG involvement in 2008 will

depend on the activities/direction that develop at the site.

Community Volunteer Projects:

- Greenway - Norma Ellington reported that there is a potential

purchase of another property for demolition this winter. Much

activity is anticipated for 2008.

- Luthy - Melanie Martin reported that the mum show is underway

to be followed by the poinsettia show.

Recurring Events/Activities:

The MG Awards Banquet - Dixie Krisher reported that the banquet

this year will be a pizza party and will take place in the Extension

Office Auditorium December 12 at 6:00 p.m. She is asking for

contributions for a white elephant exchange. Mark your calendars

and expect some fun on December 12.

Old Business:

- Lynn Webb reported that WTVP is putting MG sponsorship spots

on the Victory Garden program, which is aired on Saturdays at

11:30 a.m.

New Business:

The Nominating Committee for 2008 recommends the following

slate of officers for 2008:

President - Ray Ellington

Vice President - Bob Coppernoll

Recording Secretary - Dixie Krisher

Corresponding Secretary - Carolann Purcell

Other Discussion/Announcements:

Richard Coon and Lee Hammond need photos of MGs in action

for the web site. Send any pictures you have to Richard Coon at his

email address: two.ontheparaire@verizon.net

Following adjournment, Mike Wilkins presented Nancy Pataky's

slide show entitled "Destructive Landscape Diseases". Nancy will

make this same presentation on behalf of the MG program at the

Women's Lifestyle show October 27 at the Peoria Civic Center.

- Bonnie Hunt, Recording Secretary