In spite of the cool, damp weather, the MG plant sale was a

success. A great big thanks to all who helped--donating plants,

setting up at 6 a.m., assisting customers, cashiering, and cleanup.

There were plenty of workers, including four interns: Stanley &

Merry Meizelis, Rosemary Weber, and Sandy Weinstein. Also,

new member Trudy Howard worked the whole sale! The committee

who organized the sale included Patsy Spitz, Don Glover, Fran

Stagg, Bonnie Williams, and Joanne Johns. Thanks to Katie Grady

for providing a "drop off" spot for plants, and to Bob Coppernoll

for transporting them to the Metro Center the day of the sale. The

plant sale profited $884.50, which goes into the general fund at the

Extension Office to help pay bills. Thanks again to all who helped.

- Phyllis Baylor, Chair

Parc Project Volunteers Complete Two More Sessions:

• On 4/15/08, four Master Gardener volunteers completed a Mung

Bean class. Thirty-four Parc consumers and 3 staff participated in

the class. Mung bean sprouts of different stages were examined

and discussed and a drawing of a sprout was labeled and colored.

• On 5/15/08, seven Master Gardener volunteers presented a lively

and fun class on the Study of Trees to see how trees take up

moisture. Consumers wore vests crafted from brown paper bags

simulating tree bark. The inside of each vest contained straws to

illustrate how moisture moves through a tree trunk. Yarn was worn

on participant's feet to show how the tree roots draws moisture up

from the ground. In addition, a demonstration using white paper

towels and colored water showed how moisture is drawn up into

the tissues of the tree. Volunteers and consumers learned and sang

a song about different types of oak trees. The song was the

highlight of the class and was enjoyed by all. After class we

planted annuals in the large flower pots by the bus loading area and

in the memorial garden by the greenhouse.

- Kandy Bernal

ICC Demonstration Garden will be planting wildflower seed and

native grass plugs; tend garden 1 day each month; excellent

opportunity to learn new plants and gardening ways.

Call Stan Strickler 692-3549, e-mail: stans1946@hotmail.com or

Patricia Middleton 446-9068, e-mail: middletonx2@yahoo.com

- Patricia Middleton

"News & Views" publication still would like us to submit monthly

garden/plant related articles. This publication is delivered to

doctors offices each month. You may choose a garden related topic

of your choice, kept it to 500 words, and due the 2nd Tues. of each

month. Anyone who is interested, please contact Melanie...contact

info on front cover of this newsletter. You may log hours in for this

project. Thank you.

- Melanie Martin

Bel-Wood has been busy planting flowers. The raised bed in

Glasford courtyard has been torn down and rebuilt using raised bed

forms from Victory Acres. We also had a donation of compost from

Better Earth. We are glad to welcome back Bonnie Williams and

Trudy Howard to our group of master Gardenser who volunteer at

Bel-Wood.

- Dixie Krisher

If your group is looking for a speaker, please contact us. You may

reach us through the Peoria County Extension Office at 309-685-

3140. Ask for the Master Gardeners. We will request the name of

the group and a contact name and phone number and/or email. We

will have someone from the Speakers Bureau get in touch with

you. It's just another way we help our community learn to grow.

*Schedule is based on information available at time of printing

newsletter. Dates, topics and speakers are subject to change

without notice. Other speaker dates may be added after printing.

To verify information, contact the Master Gardeners Speaker

Bureau through the Peo.Co.Extension Office.