Date: Wed. June 17

Time: 1:00pm Meeting • 2:00pm Speaker: Marshall Hopkins, horticulturalist at Luthy Botanical Garden,

Place: Extension Office

Topic: Marshall will be discussing "Fairy Gardens" he has constructed. In addition Eve McBride will share part of the Bel-Wood fairy garden she tends with Cathy Lisman and Bob Coppernoll. The 5 minute topic is Kathy Hasselberg sharing photos of growing garden sculpture she visited while on vacation.

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.)

The Peoria County approved projects are moving right along and we are still receiving requests for our help with vegetable gardens. We all should be very proud of the people we are touching and the difference we are making.

We have all had our challenges this year with the rain we have been getting. I have just finished planting my own vegetable garden. I don't imagine I'm much different than a lot of you when I say my yard and garden is usually the last thing on my to do list? I seem to plant for everyone else first. I'm not complaining though. I feel very fortunate to be able to do it.

The May MG plant sale was very successful. My thanks go out to the group of volunteers working on the sale. You all did a GREAT job!

I want to remind everyone about the plant exchange that will take place at my home on June 6th from 10AM-1PM. There will be lots of fun to be had, garden related door prizes and light refreshments. Do not bring your money because we are not doing a sale, we are doing an exchange. If you need more information please contact me at 309-657-5926 or email me. This is open to the public so please tell your friends.

So let me close and get back to my planting and weeding before the next round of showers arrive. I will leave you with this quote which sums up my hidden feelings on vegetables. It may be why the pants bind around the waist when bending over in the garden. Hmmmm!

"Vegetables are a must on a diet. I suggest carot cake, zucchini bread, and pumpkin pie." —Jim Davis

- Margie Karl