Date: Wednesday, February 18

Time: 1:00pm Meeting • 2:00pm Guest Speakers

Place: Extension Office

Topic: "Container Gardening" - Bob Streitmatter, Registered Landscape Architect and Manager of Luthy Botanical Garden, will speak about container gardening. In addition, Jill Dorbeck, Volunteer Coordinator at Luthy will conclude the presentation by explaining the volunteer opportunities for Master Gardeners at Luthy. (Note: Have a topic of MG interest or a guest speaker you would like to have at any our meetings? Please contact either Pres., Margie Karl or V. Pres. Norm Meyn.)

February has arrived and with it comes the anticipation of spring. Catalogs are beginning to flood the mailbox exposing me to a whole new wish list for this years' garden. I've decided I'm a plant addict and I just need to say NO. This year I'm concentrating on cultivating from my existing plants and shrubs. I'm also planting more from seed this year. I haven't done much of either of these in the past and I think it will be a good learning experience. My pocketbook will like it too.

I have been studying this winter trying to ready myself for planting vegetables. I'm hoping to get some of the neighborhood children along with my grandkids interested and involved in doing a little square foot gardening. Teaching others has always been satisfying for me, probably because I learn so much in the process. I haven't vegetable gardened since my kids were very young and that's been many years ago. I figure it's like riding a bike only with a newer model. As a reminder, if you are volunteering as a Master Gardener on a project with youth, please remember to contact the Extension Office in advance for the proper screening required. It's all about protecting our youth, a very worthy cause.

The backyard bird watching has been interesting and entertaining this winter. I have had a number of the usual backyard residents. The trees and bushes are alive with activity. There have also been some new visitors to the feeder including a Northern Mockingbird, an Opossum who also hung in the Spruce tree for a little nap, and much to the dismay of the birds, an unidentified Bird Hawk, possibly a Northern Harrier or a Sharp-Shinned Hawk.

Thanks again to the awards luncheon committee, Bonnie Hunt and Trudy Howard, for providing us with not only a very tasty lunch but homemade soaps too. Very creative and thoughtful! Congratulations to all the award winners. I look forward to working and playing with all of you this year.

Let's continue "helping others learn to grow".

- Margie Karl, President

Bob Coppernoll was honored at the January awards luncheon by being named 2008 Master Gardener of the Year. Bob became a MG in 1992 and has been and continues to be a great role model and mentor to the Master Gardeners. Throughout the years he has held positions on the board and has been an active volunteer and/or leader on the following projects: ICC Demo Garden, ICC Landscape & Garden Day, Bel-Wood Gardens, Jubilee Herb Garden, Speakers Bureau, Plant Sale, and he has taught several Hypertufa classes throughout the community.

This past year was no exception. Bob served as Vice President, Chairman of the Speaker's Bureau, speaker for the Speaker's Bureau, volunteering weekly at Bel-Wood Gardens, and volunteered for ICC Landscape & Garden Day and the plant sale. Bob's exemplary actions are what earned him the title of Master Gardener of the Year. Congratulations Bob.

Communication, in many forms, is a top priority for me this year. It is because of that I'm writing this. It has been called to my attention that there is confusion among us regarding what qualifies as volunteer hours. In an attempt to clarify this issue, I refer you to your U of I Peoria County Extension Master Gardeners Handbook. If you don't know where yours is, there is a copy in the help line room at the office. There you will find a section that covers volunteer hours credit. In a nutshell, you receive credit for your volunteer hours through participation in authorized Master Gardener projects, events and committees. Authorized projects are those projects the majority membership accepted. You do not receive any credit for hours if you are being paid to do the service.

If you are volunteering on non authorized projects, you may not count your hours towards MG credit. Our authorized projects are listed in our MG newsletter each month and there are always available hours to pick up. If you are currently volunteering on a non authorized project and would like to have it reviewed, please bring it to the boards' attention. We want to make sure we give credit where credit is due.

I am an email or phone call away if any of you have questions or need more clarification. I hope this clears up the confusion.

- Margie Karl

A study is currently being conducted to examine Master Gardener Retention in Illinois. All Illinois Master Gardeners, including those who are currently trainees, interns, active, inactive, and alumni, are invited to complete a 10 to 15 minute survey answering questions about their involvement in the Illinois Master Gardener program. Participation in the study is voluntary, and all responses will be kept confidential.

To complete the on-line Illinois Master Gardener Retention Survey, please go to: www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=_2fUBWSEmbd5HUMr_2b_2fx30MUQ_3d_3d

Source: Kristin Huls, Program Coordinator, CED, Agriculture, Natural Resources and Horticulture, khuls@illinois.edu