HO!

HO!

HO!

Christmas 2013

New Year’s 2014

GRIMES COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS NEWSLETTER VOLUME 9, ISSUE XII IN THIS ISSUE

Officers for 2013 President: Jamie Bruns Vice President: Kathy Laughlin Secretary: Pat Randall Treasurer: Cathey Hardeman Committee Chairs Administration: Nicky Maddams Timekeeping: Martha Brogdon Awards/Social: Scotty Bennett/Phyllis Pollard Children’s Activities: Phyllis Pollard/Marti Luedtke Communications: Nicky Maddams Class: Nicky Maddams/Jamie Bruns Co-op: Fred Vesperman Anderson Beautification: Janeth Nevill Publicity: Peggy Sloan Fundraisers: Phyllis Pollard/Dianna Westmoreland Go Texan Landscaping: Mike Brame County Fair Judging: Marti Luedtke Historian: Sharon Murry Texas AgriLife Extension Extension Agent: Kimberly Hall MG Coordinator: Jayla Fry Secretary: Sandra Cook Newsletter Editor: Nicky Maddams Article submissions, photos and information due by the 20

th of each month. Send to:

biplanechik@yahoo.ca Website: txmg.org/grimes Email: grimesmastergardeners@gmail.com

Upcoming Events January 10 Monthly Meeting

Committee Vacancies waiting for YOU!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

DECEMBER and JANUARY bring us the following birthdays:

Dia Copeland – December 9 Linda Jolly – December 13

Helen Quinn – December 20 Kimberly Erhardt – December 20

Connie Arden – December 21 Marti Luedtke – January 2

Kathy Denning – January 14 Janeth Nevill – January 22

Kathy Laughlin – January 27 Dianna Westmoreland – January 30

by

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2014 COMMITTEES

The positions listed below still need YOU!! Remember, you would be part of a COMMITTEE and not doing this on your own, however, we do need chairpersons. Senior’s Day: Coordinate with MG volunteers to create

a booth at Senior’s Day in June. Children’s Activities: Coordinate MG volunteers and create

educational activities for Junior Ag Day, Big Backyard at Grimes County Fair, Trunk or Treat, etc.

Fundraising: Brainstorm ideas and present to the

association

coordinate fundraising events and volunteers as if it were a project

Intern Class: WE HAVE A NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS TO ASSIST, BUT DO NOT HAVE A CHAIRPERSON FOR THE CLASS OF 2014. THIS MEANS WE WILL BE UNABLE TO HOLD A CLASS. We have several interested in becoming interns and it would be very unfortunate to lose these people to other counties Determine location for classes to be held.

Establish registration deadline.

Schedule class dates and times. Communicate that information to class participants if not included in registration form. Any deviations from original schedule should be communicated to class participants in a timely manner.

Engage instructors for sessions and field trips from area colleges, professional organizations, as well as other experts in horticulture. Confirm AV equipment for instructor, assist with copies and distribution of handouts. Reconfirm date with instructor at least one week before scheduled date. Make arrangements with treasurer for payment of any fees or mileage due instructor.

Provide directions/maps for field trips to class participants.

Perform administrative activities for class including, but not limited to, flyers, registration forms, ordering handbooks, preparing and mailing thank you notes to speakers, class roster and attendance

records, class test preparation and grading, and graduation certificates.

Coordinate room set up, clean up and refreshments schedule.

Coordinate with communication committee publicity for classes.

Directors: ONE MORE ALTERNATE NEEDED – this means your attendance is required when the two Directors are unable to attend, although you are welcome at all meetings. Provide roster including names and email

addresses of county officers and directors to TMGA secretary

Promote the awards program with in your local association.

Report TMGA business to the respective local association

Attend quarterly Directors meetings

Let TMGA know of resources that your county association needs

Assist nominating committee with

identifying officers

Assist President to identify committee chairs and members

Encourage your local association to

contribute to the TMGA newsletter

QUESTIONS RECEIVED

THROUGH THE EXTENSION OFFICE in NOVEMBER

We received an inquiry from a lady looking to plant some new trees due to some that were lost during the drought. She wanted a listing of tree types and also the best time to plant? Amongst specific suggestions, we offered her these links: http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/beaumont/lgtrees.html http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/archives/parsons/publications/beaumont/smtrees.html

December /January Planting Guide

Now – 12/31 Cabbage* Now – 3/5 Carrots 1/15 - 3/15 Asparagus 1/5 - 3/5 Beets 1/20 - 3/5 Broccoli 1/1 - 3/15 Garlic 1/20 - 3/10 Kale 1/20 - 3/10 Kohlrabi 1/20 - 3/15 Lettuce (head) 1/15 - 3/20 Lettuce (leaf) 1/20 - 4/15 Mustard 1/20 - 2/20 Spinach 1/15 - 4/20 Turnips 1/15 - 2/5 Onions (plants) 1/20 - 2/20 Peas (English) 1/25 - 3/5 Peas (Edible Pod) 1/25 - 5/5 Radishes *Use plants, not seeds Plan, plan, plan for Spring!!

Christmas Magic

Are we too grownup to feel a thrill

As we light the Christmas tree? Are we immune to cookies,

Christmas cards and Christmas glee? Are we too adult to "Ooh" and "Aah"

At the Christmas candle's glow? Are we blasé about our gifts; Do we shun the mistletoe?

Are we too mature for carols, For merry or for jolly?

Do the decorations leave us cold, The ornaments and holly?

Fat chance! We'll never grow too old To love the Christmas magic. A year without a Christmas

Would be boring, even tragic. So bring it on! The candy canes,

The feasting and good cheer; O Christmas, lovely Christmas,

You're the highlight of the year!

By Joanna Fuchs

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Jamie and Phil Bruns, Marti Luedtke, David Kocian

George and Cheryl Dowdy, Kimberly Erhardt and Bernie Hertan

Kathy Laughlin, Ray and Martha Brogdon, Stewart Thompson, Angela Kinsey, Nicky Maddams and Dianna Westmoreland

Peggy Sloan, Teddy Ridout, Edmond McGee, Pat and Dave Randall

Fred and Alvie Vesperman, George and Cheryl Dowdy, Kimberly Erhardt and Stephanie Cunningham

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Nicky Maddams and Kathy Laughlin

Sparky and Cathey Hardeman with their granddaughter Grace

Teddy Ridout, Edmond McGee, Pat and Dave Randall, Linda and John Milligan

Stewart Thomson, Dianna Westmoreland, Marti Luedtke and Alvie Vesperman check out the dessert table

Marguerite Corbello with sister Rebecca, Phil, David Kocian and Michael Havens

Kathy Laughlin, Carol Garnett, Ray Brogdon, Angela Kinsey and Nicky Maddams

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2013 Master Gardener

Awards

Master of Ceremonies and President: Jamie Bruns

Jamie and Kathy present Alice Bonds-Kocian with the award for Intern with the most hours: 102.5

Master Gardener of the Year: Alvie Vesperman

Outgoing Vice President: Kathy Laughlin

Award for the Master Gardener with the most hours went to Jamie Bruns with 335.5 hours.

Stewart Thompson was presented with Emeritus status

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Best Root Extractor: Rosalia Mendez

Presented in Absentia:

Stealth Gardener: Michael Brame Tree Planting Professor: Michael Arden

Best Good Bug/Bad Bug Identifier: Marti Luedtke

Michael Havens received a shout out for his new business venture: River Havens EGRS (Emergency Gardener Rescue Service)

Disaster Relief Specialist: Cathey Hardeman

Serial Rose Slashers: Cheryl Dowdy and Kimberly Erhardt

Queen of the Dirt: Dia Copeland

Witchiest Decoration Hoarder: Kathy Laughlin

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Congratulations to the Interns who have completed the education

and volunteer hours required to become Certified Master Gardeners

Michael Havens, Alice Bonds-Kocian, Angela Kinsey, Dia Copeland and Cheryl Dowdy

Introducing your Officers for 2014

Jamie Bruns – President; Cathey Hardeman – Vice President; Nicky Maddams – Secretary; Dianna Westmoreland - Treasurer