November 19, 2017

Volume 18, Issue 11

Special Interest: • Plant It Forward

Player: Brenda Barr

• Nov. Birthdays: Nov. 5: Dave Freeze Nov. 15: Ann Bowers Nov. 24: Susan Youngblood

• Refreshments:

Holiday Potluck

Individual Highlights:

Pres. Notes/TR 2

Craft Fair 2

Minutes 3

Projects/Com. 4

Mimi Cox 5

Cont’d Minutes 6

Mbr. Pics 7

Greene County CES 201 W. Court Str. Rm. 205 Federal Building Paragould, AR 72450 Phone (870) 236-6921 Fax (870) 239-6328

2017 Officers: President: Connie Whitman Vice President: Bonnie Hamilton Secretary: Libby Christie Treasurer: Holly Fletcher

Chris Olsen was in the building Saturday November 18th and what a fun day it was! Chris was entertaining and engaging, and everybody loved him. “Shove it and cram it” is his motto, along with, “bigger is better” and several others. He insisted on a group exercise for his “What the WHAT” expression. Chris presented a PowerPoint presentation on Drab to Fab and showed us many ways to accomplish this. He also shared a history of the Edgemont House, now his personal home. Photos of it told the journey of a historical home left to disrepair, and as it is today restored to its original beauty.

(L-R below left) Bonnie Hamilton and Ann Bowers greeted and registered 52 attendees and took money at the door. Programs were provided and tickets were put into an acorn jar for door prizes. After signing in, guests made their way to the refreshment tables

loaded with delicious goodies brought by members. Flowers were provided by Ballard’s.

We had a room full of visitors and Dave Freeze provided technical support for us.

Visitors shopped with County 76 and purchased MG and other garden items. Mimi Cox was glad to assist.

Door prizes were drawn by Patti Roberts and handed out by Cora Flanery. Our own Kathy Graber won a glass ball bird feeder painted with red cardinals.

At the end of the program, Chris was happy to provide a photo op! It was truly a memorable day!

Special event with chriS h. OlSen

Greene Garden News Greene County Master Gardeners Newsletter

more time this year for our annual Holiday Potluck November 28th at 6 pm. Bring a dish and a spouse or guest, as we always have plenty to eat. Come hungry!

We won’t have a BBL or monthly meeting next month, but we will have a newsletter. A lot of things can happen in a month, so keep me posted with updates, articles, and photos. You help me make the newsletter what it is each and every month! Connie

Richard Yeazel, Nov. 3 Craft Fair Set up

Treasurers Report FNB Beginning Balance 10/01/17-10/31/17 1732.08

Debits 10/13 Janet B. Carson Scholarship Donation 2018

50.00

10/13 MG State Awards Donation 2018 50.00

Credits 10/26 MG Calendars

46.00

10/26 Barn Quilt 10.00

Ending Balance 1613.08

Outstanding Debits 11/4 Craft Fair Change

60.00

11/6 DFA/Taxes 52.00 11/11 Whitman Reimbursement/Stamps 19.60

Outstanding Credits 11/03 Redeposit Change

60.00

11/06 Craft Show 576.50

Total Funds Available 2117.98

Respectfully submitted 11/13/17 Holly Fletcher, Treasurer

Greene Garden News Page 2 of 7

It’s great to see our MasterGardener group finishing outthe year on such a high note!With a very successful CraftFair and Chris Olsen SpecialEvent; and all the workdayscalled in the last few weeks,we have accumulated somehours and accomplishedmuch! It’s so much fun for usto work together to makethese things happen!

We’ll gather together one

Presidents Notes

Hannah Williams, Craft Fair Set up

Events Calendar

Nov. 18: Special Fall Event with Chris Olsen, Paragould Community Center, 10-1 Nov. 28: Holiday Potluck, GC Library Legacy Room, 6 pm.

* No December Meeting *

Jan. 20 - Feb. 17: 2018 MG Training, Craighead Ext Ofc., Jonesboro Extension Service March 16: Spring Gardening Seminar, The Natural State Goes Native, Paragould Community Center, 9:30-1 pm May 5: Spring Plant Sale, Centennial Park, 9-2 June 21-22: ATC: Growing Tomatoes with Emphasis on Heirloom Varieties, Drew Co. *Please note: All reimbursement requests must be in Holly’s hands by Dec. 15th with checks cashed by Dec. 31st.

42nd Harvest Craft Fair

The Paragould Harvest Craft Show had over 60 vendors selling crafts and baked goods. Concessions were available and door prizes were given throughout the day.

Once again our Master Gardener group stepped up and donated all kinds of crafts; worked to set up, assisted in the booth the day of, and packed up when the day was done. Barn quilts, birdhouses, Christmas Trees; rain barrels, garden signs, bee and pollinator houses were there; stepping stones, plants, pots, wreaths, and tin sunflowers too; wooden planters, tool boxes, sign holders, carousel horse and a reindeer; plus Christmas stockings and centerpieces, plant markers and homemade peanut brittle! The day proved to be our most successful Craft Fair yet!

The final tally less taxes and booth rental is $504.50!

Thanks, Linda, and all who contributed to the Harvest Craft Fair!

Page 3 of 7 Greene Garden News

Greene County Master Gardeners

Membership Meeting Greene County Library Legacy

Room October 24, 2017

The meeting was called to order by Connie Whitman at 6:30 pm. Wanda Howerton, Patti Roberts, and Sue Gilmartin provided refreshments. (Some fantastic cider!!)

When asked if there were any changes to the minutes and treasurer’s report printed in the newsletter none were given, so the Minutes and Treasurer’s Report stand as written.

The meeting started with a vote for 2018 officers. Tacie Huffman respectfully withdrew her name for Vice President stating she had only agreed to run for the office to fill the position needed. With someone else’s name on the ballot to fill the office, she requested to be removed as a nominee. Ballots were presented with the following nominations: Pauletta Tobey and Sue Gilmartin-President; Linda Glickert-Vice President; Brenda Barr and Hannah Williams-Secretary; and Jean Crossno-Treasurer. Members voted and the Nominating Committee, Martha Chiles and Joy Gatlin tallied the votes with an announcement to be made at the end of the meeting.

Bonnie Hamilton, Pauletta Tobey, Dave Freeze, Holly Fletcher and Connie Whitman attended PNG Leadership Training in Ferndale September 26-27. Bonnie offered her thoughts on the conference: it was a lot of fun, amazing facility, and the food was really good. She learned many new things throughout

the sessions, and each of them attended different sessions. The Silent auction was very good with many nice items and Bonnie won a large tin pumpkin. Pauletta said she loved it and attended sessions on Treasurer, Zoom, and Money, Money, Money. She thought Zoom Training was excellent and would be an easy thing for us all to do. She also mentioned with so much information provided in a short period of time, you can only see about half of what was offered. The speakers were wonderful and many good ideas were presented. Connie suggested everyone should consider going next year because the conference is so informative. Dave said that Holly and Connie did an awesome job on the ATC Panel with County 76 Member Mary Wells, explaining how to host a successful Advanced Training Class. Many were interested in hosting a class in their own county and looking for suggestions. Connie and Holly offered to help and answer any questions they may have about planning.

Linda Glickert and Patti Roberts were asked for their thoughts on the Monarch & Pollinator Summit they attended October 12th in North Little Rock. Both agreed it was very well done. The ideas presented could benefit Greene County, and by making needed changes would protect our pollinators and environment. The effort would involve the county judge, mayor, extension office, highway department, electric and gas companies, and many others working together with a clear understanding of how it could be done and prove to be cost effective for everyone.

Patti was impressed with the Integrated Vegetation Management speaker and how he explained a productive way to utilize highway easements/rights-of-way by getting light, gas and water companies on board; seeing the positive changes that can happen by reducing the need for pesticides, promoting healthy ecosystems, and better control of invasive species. There were many speakers from a variety of state agencies. Kayti Ewing, Arkansas Department of Transportation noted the Greene County Butterfly Garden on her power point as being a “pollinator success story”. Hopefully, there will be another summit next year and everyone will go. Cora Flanery, Marilyn White and Connie Whitman also attended.

Currently, there are 22 registrations for the Chris H Olsen Special Event. All members were encouraged to register. Many free seminars are offered at Plantopia, one of his businesses, and also a tour of The Edgemont, his personal home for only $35.00. A sign- up sheet was provided for members to bring refreshments for the special event November 18th.

Award Nomination ballots were provided and completed. Votes were tallied by Bonnie Hamilton and Connie Whitman following the meeting and will be announced at the Holiday Dinner next month.

Funds for the Operation Wildflower Project to date are $380, with $500 as our goal. The goal needs to be met by the first of the year. It was suggested to use funds from the upcoming special event or craft fair to reach our goal, but some members felt we should be able to collect enough money from

donations. Holly stated we should consider using the money from the events because it needed to be applied to something. Linda asked for someone to start butterfly weed from seeds and Wanda offered to start them. Linda stated that Kayti Ewing recommended the butterfly weed be started in small pots and planted as plugs in the spring. Holly suggested tall paper cups be used because the plant has a long tap root, and if the tap root is broken the plant would be lost.

Linda Glickert provided an update on the Spring Gardening Seminar and said things are underway, some confirmations and feelers were out. For now, she has slowed down working on the seminar. Linda added she brought copies left from the BBL last month on pesticides and documents from Sherrie Smith on Tree Diseases for everyone. Next month, Sherri Sanders, the White County Extension Agent will be discussing Fruits.

A signup sheet was available for the Craft Fair to list crafts to be brought, who will setup, will work the day of, and take down the booth. Linda said that there is no real theme, so you can bring whatever you want. She needs some donated supplies such as old Christmas decorations, glass ornaments, tinsel, snowmen, gift wrap or holiday material/cloth odds and ends. She has some cheese boxes donated by Donna Jones, and a few of her own to decorate and sell. Old jewelry can be used, too. Linda will call a work day for Friday, October 27th at her house.

Jean Crossno announced a Quilt Sale Saturday, October 28th at the First Baptist Church. The sale is free and open to the public.

Libby Christie said ideas were

(Continued Page 6)

Minutes of October 24, 2017

Committee Comments

(L-R) Donna Jones, Debbie Walters, Bonnie Hamilton,

Linda Glickert, GC Library, October 20th

Brown Bag Lunch November 14th

(L-R) Sherri Sanders & Linda Glickert

Sherri Smith is one knowledgeable, enthusiastic extension agent. Dave said she's really more of a specialist. Her slide presentation was on "Small Fruits", but she answered lots of questions on trees as well. Counting Dave and I, a total of 11 people attended, 4 of them were visitors. Sherri drove in from Searcy.

No BBL in December.

Linda

Rainbow Garden: Joy Gatlin & Richard Yeazel Chairs: The Rainbow Garden is looking good with the top tier plants trimmed and mulched. We planted pansies at the entrance to the Children’s Homes, and on each side of the doorway into the Balcom Learning Center. They are yellow with the purple center and make such a pretty picture as the students and workers enter the campus.

GC Fairgrounds: Connie Whitman & Nancy Rogers Chairs: Nothing new to report.

Centennial Park: Bonnie Hamilton & Marilyn White Chairs: On Oct. 21, Bonnie, Linda G., Connie, Sue, and Debbie worked at Centennial Park. We weeded, pruned, and planted pansies.

GC Museum: Linda Glickert & Wanda Howerton Chairs: Nothing new to report.

Historical Herb Garden: Libby Christie & Nancy Rogers Chairs: Nothing new to report.

Bland Baseball Park: Kathy Graber & Sue Gilmartin Chairs: Finished for the season.

GC Library: Sue Gilmartin & Linda Glickert Chairs: The library is now ready for winter. All the pansies have been planted.

GC Courthouse: Nancy Rogers & Patti Roberts Chairs: The work day went well for bed clean up and planting pansies.

Connie, Donna, Hannah, and Patti were busy getting the beds ready for fall and winter. Along with the plantings we cleaned up countless cigarette butts. Connie is on a mission to try to resolve this problem. Hopefully our Greene County people will begin to take pride in their courthouse and put their butts in the proper place.

Airport: Kathy Graber & Tabitha McFadden Chairs: No report.

East Sign: Pauletta Tobey & Dr. Laird Chairs: Finished for this year unless we add mulch. We have daffodils, Stella d'ores and pansies planted in it right now. Debbie is going to add the trailing phlox to drape over in some places.

Trellis Garden: Pauletta Tobey & Dr. Laird Chairs: Planted pansies and sprayed Roundup. In pretty good shape. Added rocks to give some areas a more defined look. If it stays warm enough, we can do a work day if anyone still needs hours.

South Sign: Brenda Barr & Pauletta Tobey Chairs: Nothing new to report.

Main Street Caboose: Tacie Huffman & Jean Crossno Chairs: There is some color with the Black Eyed Susans, Verbinas, Mums and Hyacinth Beans holding on thru our burst of cold weather. The beds are set for the winter and now we are waiting for Spring.

(Continued Page 6)

Sunshine: Joy Gatlin, Lead, & Cora Flanery: The Sunshine Committee is sending Birthday Cards, Get Wells, and Sympathy cards to our members and others. Scrapbook: Carolyn Palmer, Lead: Need articles and pictures. Plant Markers: Martha Chiles, Lead: Need lists. Membership: Connie Whitman, Lead: Looking for new interns for MG Training! *Need Lead Publicity: Sue Gilmartin Lead: No report. Hours Management: Patti Roberts, Lead: Monthly meetings are posted two ways. The business meeting is counted as attendance. Meetings that host a speaker are posted as Monthly Meeting with Speaker in the online reporting, 1 hour of education is counted for this posting. It is posted as an 'event' by the Hours Manager so there is no need for individuals to post their hours. Attending meetings is a part of retention as well as education hours and sanctioned hours. Fall Craft Fair is now a sanctioned project and is in the project menu of online reporting. Remember preparation hours, actual hours worked, and cleanup hours are all to be reported. Olson Event is now in the project menu of online reporting. Remember preparation hours, actual hours worked, and cleanup hours are all to be reported. Yearend reporting, December 15 is the last day to post 2017 hour. All hours reported after this will be counted as 2018 hours.

Greene Garden News 4 of 7 Page

Project Updates

Page 5 of 7 Greene Garden News

Posted on April 25, 2016 , County 76 Newsletter “Garden Voice”

This month we feature Mimi Cox, a much beloved Arkansas Master Gardener. Janet Carson describes Mimi as “an integral part of the success of the AR MG program, serving for many years on our original ten-member advisory board and continuing on in the new format when we changed to an open statewide membership of County 76.” Linda Soffer characterizes Mimi as “the epitome of mentorship. M – e – n – t – o – r spells Mimi Cox.” Jane Burrow says, “Mimi Cox is one of those amazing folks who make an immediate impact on those with whom she comes in contact.”

I grew up in the beautiful Southern town of Laurel in south Mississippi and enjoyed a wonderful childhood with parents, sister, brother, grandparents, and extended family. I loved going to school, Girl Scouts, band, piano, church, and summer vacations with family and friends. Helping out was part of our family life, and gardening came with the territory. Both of my grandmothers and my mother had green “hands” (not thumbs).

In fact, I have a “sweetheart” rose from a cutting that one grandmother brought with her from North Carolina to Mississippi more than 100 years ago. We all learned how to plant and how to weed. One of the joys of gardening for me is sharing plants with and from others. That makes a memory garden special.

I went to Ole Miss, where I met my husband Bill on a blind date – that was 55 years ago! I graduated in three years, we got married, and I taught school in Oxford while he finished pharmacy school. Then we moved to Jonesboro, where he became part of the family drug business, and I enjoyed getting involved in my new home and town. Joining a church and a garden club were early choices in Arkansas. Both afforded opportunities for volunteering, and that area of my life definitely expanded as our daughter and son grew up – Girl Scouts, Cub Scouts, PTA, band, choir. I worked as church youth director during the years our children were in grade school, junior high, and high school. What fun! Our children are both married, and we have five fabulous grandchildren – proud of all of them.

When the Master Gardener program was organized in Craighead County, I was excited to be in the first class. We had some interesting adventures as we learned to be volunteers for Extension and make an impact on our community through our projects and education. This year will be my 20th year in CCMG, and I have had a great time digging and weeding, planting and seeding in the gardens. One of the highlights

each year is welcoming new Master Gardeners and encouraging them to get involved and enjoy the program.

Another Master Gardener opportunity to volunteer came with the development of County 76. It has been a gratifying experience to see how far we have come in just over 10 years. The level of talent and commitment, the wealth of ideas and creativity, and the willingness and dedication to build an even stronger statewide Master Gardener Program are outstanding qualities of our members. One of the best experiences in County 76 is getting to know Master Gardeners from all areas of the state and sharing time with them as we work and learn together. I treasure these friendships and am grateful for each one.

It is fun to look back and see the progress of County 76, but it is also exciting to look forward and hope for more members who will step up and accept responsibilities on the state level; for more counties to become involved; for our projects to continue to expand; and for County 76 to become a resource to strengthen and support the Master Gardener programs on the county level. I am confident that it will happen!

Adds Janet Carson: “Mimi also works tirelessly for her own county program in Craighead County. She is a mentor, a leader, a friend and a voice of calm, always willing to go the extra mile. Whether it is leading a monthly

meeting, mentoring a new county program, or helping sell garden tools, Mimi gives 100%. Thank you Mimi.”

Adds Linda Soffer: “Mimi is passionate about the Arkansas Master Gardener program, willingly sharing her time, knowledge, and skills. A great communicator, Mimi is a caring, enthusiastic coach for all Master Gardeners.” Adds Jane Burrow: “Mimi is a caring, compassionate individual who encourages others in Master Gardener pursuits and in life. She exemplifies what it means to be a team player; she is a hard worker, a teacher, dependable and organized. She has traveled to Little Rock for many years to participate in County 76 meetings and provides a vital leadership role in the statewide Master Gardener program through her tireless hours of work and through the mentorship of others to become leaders at the state and local level. THANK YOU, Mimi, for your friendship, leadership and support.”

(L) Ken Fletcher accepts Veterans Day quilt from (R) Freida Kelly Nov. 11

Mimi Cox: Beloved Mentor, Leader, Guide

(Continued Minutes Page 3)

on paper for the Spring Plant Sale and the group was putting costs to the ideas so that a budget could be given to the treasurer for next year.

Hours are really down this year by over 600 hours, and this does not reflect well on Greene County. It looks like we’re not focusing on projects, calling work days, or posting hours in a timely manner. Posting hours is a valuable tool for the state and shows the importance of master gardeners and their volunteer work. To help increase sanctioned hours, Connie proposed making the Chris H. Olsen seminar a one- time project. Pauletta Tobey motioned to do so and Jean Crossno seconded. There were no nays. Motion passed. The Craft Fair was also proposed as a one-time project for the same reason. Sue Gilmartin motioned and Wanda Howerton seconded. There were no nays. Motion carried.

Posting hours and requesting expense reimbursements must be done by December 15th. Holly needs all expenses

completed by December 31st.

The new treasurer and president will need to go to First National Bank in January to sign the signature cards, and will need a copy of the October Minutes in hand listing new officers. Dave must be notified before anyone goes to the bank to make those changes.

The Holiday Potluck Dinner is November 28th. Please bring a dish and garden related gift under $5. Invitations will be sent to project partners, library staff, mayor, judge, Bob Branch, and Dusty Kennemore. A book on butterflies will be presented to the library staff for letting us use the Legacy Room for meetings. Master Gardener Training starts January 20th, but no applications have been received for Greene County.

Connie called a short recess to meet with the Executive Board. Bonnie Hamilton returned to announce to the membership there was a tie for President (10 to 10). Linda Glickert was voted Vice President, Brenda Barr, Secretary, and Jean Crossno,

Treasurer.

Because of the tie, Mimi Cox was called for the proper procedure to break the tie. The meeting was held over and not adjourned for Mimi to discuss the issue with the Parliamentarian and return the call. During the wait, Libby researched and stated that Robert’s Rules dictated that in case of a tie, the membership would need to revote until there was a majority. The presiding officer does not vote in cases of a standing, verbal or show of hands vote (to show impartiality), and can then act as a tie breaker; or the presiding officer can opt to vote in case he/she simply wants to state a view. Since this was a paper ballot, the presiding officer should vote with the membership and the tie should be broken by re- voting until a majority was reached. This was supported by the returned call from Mimi. She also affirmed that once a vote has begun, it must be completed and cannot be held over or postponed to a later date. Connie provided ballots and the remaining members (13) voted a second time. Joy and Martha tallied the votes and Pauletta Tobey won the vote (7-6).

Holly asked if there was a quorum to ensure that the second vote would be valid and Connie and Libby agreed that the quorum was met. (Six members or 21% of 28 active members was necessary to meet the quorum).

2018 Officers for the Greene County Master Gardeners are restated as follows:

President: Pauletta Tobey Vice President: Linda Glickert Secretary: Brenda Barr Treasurer: Jean Crossno

David Jones brought a white pumpkin for the Plant-it- Forward. It was won and accepted by Brenda Barr.

With no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 7:50 pm.

Members in attendance were: Connie Whitman, Ann Bowers, Wanda Howerton, Brenda Barr, Joy Gatlin, Libby Christie, Sue Gilmartin, Ken and Holly Fletcher, Patti Roberts, Kathy Graber, Tabitha McFadden, Bonnie Hamilton, Martha Chiles, Jean Crossno, Pauletta Tobey, Tacie Huffman, Linda Glickert, Susan Youngblood, Debbie Walters, and agent Dave Freeze.

Respectfully submitted by Secretary Libby Christie

************************ (Continued Projects Page 4)

2018 Spring Gardening Seminar: Linda Glickert, Lead: Looking forward to the seminar!

2018 Spring Plant Sale: Libby Christie Lead: No committee meeting until January.

GC Flower Entries Booth: Holly Fletcher, Lead: Finished until 2018!

Greene Garden News Page 6 of 7

(L-R) Debbie Walters, Linda Glickert, Bonnie Hamilton, Centennial Park, October 21st

(L-R) Debbie Walters & Tacie Huffman, East Welcome Sign, October 26th

(L-R) Joy Gatlin & Bonnie

Hamilton Children’s

Homes Sign Nov. 3

(L-R) Patti Roberts, Donna Jones and (Bottom Right)

Hannah Williams, GC Courthouse, October 30th

Page 7 of 7 Greene Garden News

Redesigned East Sign October 26th

Greene Garden News Greene County Master Gardeners Newsletter

Greene Garden News Contributors Holly Fletcher Libby Christie

Joy Gatlin Pauletta Tobey Sue Gilmartin Dave Freeze

County 76 Garden Voice

Greene Garden News Editor Connie Whitman

Submit articles by the15th of each month to: cwhitman@grnco.net

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