Johnson County Master Gardener Thymes November 2016 MG Steering Committee Meeting Wednesday, November 9, 7:00 pm; Johnson County Extension Office. All are invited to attend! Thymes Deadline Thymes information should be sent to Jan Denehy at janice-denehy@uiowa.edu Please send news, volunteer opportunities, stories, pictures, etc., for the December/January issue by Monday, November 28. Marilou Gay and Carol Potter Reminder! Master Gardener hours are due December 31. Plan now to get these reported before the holiday season. Oaknoll Garden Partners Vicki Siefert On October 17 th, the Oaknoll gardeners celebrated the end of the gardening season with a luncheon at Oaknoll. Marilou Gay was the MC of this very successful and fun event. Master Gardeners and their partners at Oaknoll were invited to have lunch together and socialize rather than weed. A tour of the new shed and some of the gardens wrapped up the event. Jim McPherson presented Marilou with a new long-handled spade so she can dig without kneeling down. Marilou presented Carol Potter with a crown for being the Queen of the Weeds. Jim McPherson presenting Marilou with longhandled spade 1
Oaknoll Gardeners and their MG Partners Successful Orchid Show More than 800 people attended the Fifth Annual Eastern Iowa Orchid Show at Noelridge Gardens Greenhouse in Cedar Rapids on Oct 15-16. Orchid Societies from Kansas, Missouri, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa displayed 424 beautiful orchids in 19 varied displays. Visitors voted the Eastern Iowa Orchid Society s display the "People's Choice Award," the favorite exhibit in the show. The Batavia Orchid Society, a west Chicago suburb, received the Show Trophy for the best overall exhibit. Nine national awards were given by the American Orchid Society. A large orange Vanda from the Noelridge Greenhouse orchid collection received a Highly Commended Certificate for flower quality and a Certificate of Cultural Merit for outstanding plant growth and condition. The plant is probably 40 years old with over 50 flowers. Volunteers, "Friends of Noelridge," help care for these orchids. This is the fifth national award received in the last two years. Mark your calendar for the show next year on October 20 and 21 in the same location. The show sponsors, Eastern Iowa Orchid Society and Cedar Rapids Parks and Recreation, deserve a special thanks for their efforts to host this flower show. Linda Schreiber November Birthdays 2 Linda Schreiber 5 Rebecca Kuehn 6 Nancy Kennedy 7 William Kline 9 Janis Bultman 9 Joy TenEick 16 Caleb Ryder 26 Tracy Koogler Pierce 29 Barb Krug Food Security Mini-Grants Iowa State University Extension will unite again this year with Master Gardeners to improve food security for local low-income families. Each county may submit one grant application for up to $5,000. In order to submit an application, each county must form a coalition with active Master Gardeners and local agencies to supply fresh fruits and vegetables to local food pantries. Master Gardeners have already been doing this for years through the demo garden, Plum Grove, and this year the North Liberty food pantry and other sources. The grant is due January 6, 2017; however, we want to meet in November and have it completed before the holidays. If you are interested in learning more about the grant, helping us write it, or being an active member of the coalition, please contact Lavon Yeggy, lavon47@lcom.net or 319-330-0952. Articles needed for the Thymes Newsletter I would like to encourage MGs to submit short feature articles (300-500 words) of interest for the newsletter. These articles can be seasonal, something of special interest to you or a topic of interest to MGs. You might want to write an article related to a MG project you worked on or a topic you would like to learn more about. If possible, include a photo or two (jpg with at least 100 dpi) related to your article. The newsletter is published 10 times a year (there are no issues in January and August) and is distributed via email or USPS for those who prefer a hard copy. Each issue is about 7-8 pages in length and includes a variety of regular features such as announcements of upcoming MG events and meetings, special events of interest to MGs, a monthly birthday list, and a list of committee members and volunteer opportunities. If you are interested, please let me know. If you have an idea for an article or need help in putting an article together, contact me and we can discuss the topic and format. You will receive MG core volunteer hours for your work on the Thymes. Deadlines are listed in the Thymes. I look forward to hearing from you and working with you on the Thymes. Jan Denehy, Thymes Editor, Janice-denehy@uiowa.edu 2
A listing of programs offered by organizations in our area that may be of interest to MGs. November Backyard Abundance http://backyardabundance.org/ Wednesday, November 2, 2016 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Gardening With Spirit. Connect with the spiritual side of nature through playful monthly gatherings that enhance public and private landscapes. This month s topic is Maintenance as a Sacred Activity. Registration, directions and fee information at http://backyardabundance.org/. Thursday, November 3, 2016 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sustainable Living Conversations. Join others the first and third Thursdays of every month to support one another in learning to live sustainably. Trumpet Blossom Café, 310 E Prentiss St., Iowa City. Go to www.backyardabundance.org for more information. Thursday, November 10, 2016 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Green Drinks, a place to meet and exchange ideas with other green-minded folks in a cozy environment. Held the Second Thursday of every month. Share Wine & Small Plate Bistro, 210 S. Dubuque St., Iowa City. Friday, November 11, 2016 6:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Local Food Banquet. Join the Iowa Valley RC&D in celebrating local foods and farmers featuring a meal of locally grown foods prepared by chef Daniel and Mercy staff. Crafted beers, wines, and music as well as silent and live auctions included with ticket. Tickets available at the door or by contacting Iowa Valley RC&D at 319-622-3264 and information at us2.campaign-archive2.com/. Thursday, November 17, 2016 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Sustainable Living Conversations. Join others to support one another as we all learn to live more sustainably. Gather with students and community members to chat and enjoy dinner or appetizers at Trumpet Blossom Café, 310 E Prentiss St.,Iowa City. Information at www.backyardabundance.org. Saturday, November 19, 2016 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. Pruning Fruit Trees. Learn to properly prune fruit trees to maximize yields and promote health while minimizing diseases and pests. Get hands on experience at Gaia s Peace Garden. Free will donation. Taught by Fred Meyer. Contact www.backyardabundance.org. Blue Zones www.bluezones.com https://iowa.bluezonesproject.com/activities Bur Oak Land Trust (formerly Johnson County Heritage Trust) info@buroaklandtrust.org Coralville Lake Eastern Iowa Bird Watchers/IC Birds http://icbirds.org/newsletter.html Wednesday, November 2 and 16, 2016 8 a.m. Kent Park Bird Walk. Meet at the Conservation Education Center, Kent Park. Rick Hollis, 319-665-3141. Saturday, November 5, 2016 7 a.m. Lake Red Rock or Saylorville Resevoir depending on recent reports for gulls, loons, and migrating waterfowl. It s an all-day trip with driving and light walking. Pack a lunch or fast food options are available. Bring a scope. Meet at Kohl s parking lot, 2795 Commerce Drive, Coralville. Contact Diana Pesek at E- mail: info@icbirds.org. Sunday November 13, 2016 8 a.m. Amana Lily Lake for Trumpeter Swans, Eurasian Tree Sparrows, and Migrating Waterfowl. Also a short stop at Amana Nature Trail is included. Half day trip. Meet at Kohl s parking lot, 2795 Commerce Drive, Coralville. Contact Sharon Somers at E-mail: info@icbirds.org. Thursday November 17, 2016 7:00 p.m. Meeting. Doug Harr, photographer, naturalist, and President of Iowa Audubon, will talk about projects Iowa Audubon currently has in the works. Robert A. Lee Recreation Center, Room A, 220 S. Gilbert St, Iowa City. ECO Iowa City http://www.icgov.org/?id=2256 Check website for events. Iowa State Extension http://www.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/ Iowa Water https://www.facebook.com/iowa.city.stormwater.volunte ers?sk=wall Johnson County Conservation http://www.johnson-county.com/conservation salgreen@co.johnson.ia.us 3
Johnson County-ISU Extension http://www.extension.iastate.edu/johnson/ Wednesday, November 9, 2016 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Master Gardener Steering Committee Meeting. Johnson County Extension & Outreach. 3109 Old Highway 218 S. Shannon Bielicke, 319-337-2145. Linn County-ISU Extension http://www.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/showlist.asp?cou nty=linn&countiesscope Tuesday, November 1, 2016 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Library Talks-Where would we be? Plants that Changed History. Join Master Gardener Judy Stevens as she unlocks secrets of plants that changed history. Marion Public Library, 1095 6 th Avenue, Marion, IA. Shelly O Neal, 319-377-9839 Ext 316, soneal@iastate.edu. New Pioneer Coop http://www.newpi.coop/new-pi-classes-andcommunity/2015-02/ Check the website for events and activities. Project Green http://www.projectgreen.org/ and https://www.facebook.com/www.projectgreen.org Seed Savers http://www.seedsavers.org/education/ Check the website for events and activities. Trees Forever http://www.treesforever.org/events Wednesday, November 2, 2016 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Planting a Vibrant Community-a workshop to help your community plan, plant and improve. Learn about grant opportunities, native plants and share successes and challenges others have had in their communities. No fee and a meal will be included. Riverside City Hall, Riverboat Room, 60 N. Green St, Riverside, IA. Contact Carl Barnhart at 319-373-0650, ext 114. 100 Grannies http://100grannies.org http://100grannies.org/calendar/next-meeting/ Tuesday, October 25, 2016 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Regularly scheduled meeting on the 4 th Tuesday of the month at Trinity Episcopal Church, 320 College Street, Iowa City. Dinner at El Banditos following the meeting. All welcome! Oaknoll-MG Volunteer Matching Program MG volunteers are matched with Oaknoll residents to assist with planting and maintaining their small garden spaces at Oaknoll. Please contact Marilou Gay at 466-3047 or rmlgay@aol.com or Vicki Siefers 331-1798 or vsiefers@mchsi.com if you have any questions or would like to volunteer. Solon School Gardens Solon School Gardens can use your help! We are in need of MG's that would like to work on this Core project on their own time schedule, Work in these gardens is primarily pruning, weeding and moving plants. There are periodic group work events. Please contact Tracy Hufford at 624-3342 or tracehuff@aol.com Speakers Bureau Master Gardeners, are you interested in earning hours being a speaker? If so, please contact Sharon Jeter, or leave your name, number, and topics of interest and Sharon will contact you. Also, if you give presentations for the Speakers Bureau please contact Sharon to inform her of your work. She records the information for her annual report. Contact Jackie Wellborn, 512-8382, jackiewe@mchsi.com If you are interested in learning more about or helping with a project listed below, contact one of the chairperson(s) listed for that project. Thank you! Attended Displays: Sharon Rude, 319-331-3042; momrude@gmail.com Butterfly House at Fairgrounds Carolyn Murphy 541-7079; carolyn-murphy@uiowa.edu, Barb Krug, 431-5865; ; Mike Murphy, 351-6345 4
Coralville Historical School House: Cindy Parsons, 400-7179; cparsons@icialaw.com Ecumenical Towers: Jane Zukin, 339-9127; Janezukin@aol.com Demo Garden: Sherlyn Flesher, 541-4277; khyber71@aol.com; Miechelle Weber, 338-2311, miechelle.weber@gmail.com Downtown City Gardens (Newly-approved core) Linda Schreiber, 319-936-8600, lnschreiber@gmail.com Fair Grounds Beautification: Rain Garden: Lavon Yeggy, 330-0952, lavon47@lcom.net, Mardi Rasmussen, 624-4090, martharasmussen@yahoo.com Fair Grounds Flower Beds: Joan Dinnel, 338-2434, jdinel@aol.com, Barb Krug, 857-4569, Firefighters Memorial: Barb Schintler, 651-5174, barbjschintler@hotmail.com Speakers Bureau: Jackie Wellborn, 512-8382, jackiewe@mchsi.com Social Events: Steering Committee, Beth Fischer, 319-321-8378, scrabblegirl@gmail.com; Lavon Yeggy, 337-6327, lavon47@lcom.net Solon High School: Tracy Hufford, 624-3342, TraceHuff@aol.com Steering Committee Chair: Lavon Yeggy, 330-0952; lavon47@lcom.net, Sharon Jeter, 631-2148, sharonjeter@gmail.com; Barb Krug, 431-5865; Thymes: Jan Denehy, 338-7493, janice-denehy@uiowa.edu Treasurer: Loren Leach, 351-4722, lleach@jlgardens.net Volunteer Hours/Secretary: Shannon Bielicke, 337-2145 Fundraising/Flea Market: Barb Krug, 431-5865, Hortline: Esther Retish, 351-5011, eretish@mchsi.com; Joy TenEick, 319-626-2080; jteneick@gmail.com Hospice Garden at Willow Creek Park: Melanie Haupert, 351-1149, melaniehaupert@gmail.com Intern Class/Training: Nicole Pearson, (507) 251-0902, nicole-pearson@uiowa.edu Johnson County Fair / 4-H Buckets of Flowers, Scarecrow: Marilou Gay, 466-3047, rmlgay@aol.com Lavon Yeggy, 330-0952, lavon47@lcom.net Mark Twain People s Garden (Non-core): Julie Hegmann, 337-3607, Julie@hegmann.net Oaknoll Garden Project (Newly-approved core): Marilou Gay, 466-3047, rmlgay@aol.com Plum Grove: Betty Kelly, 351-4903, blkiowa@gmail.com; Joanne Leach, 351-4722, Jleach@Jlgardens.net; Lavon Yeggy, 330-0952, lavon47@lcom.net; Carolyn Murphy, 541-7079, candmmurphy@aol.com Raptor Center Gardens: Alice Linhart, 621-8073, mikeandalice@southslope.net; Karole Fuller, 338-3561, jnkfuller@live.com The Johnson County Master Gardener Thymes is published monthly, except January and August. It is distributed under the auspices of Iowa State University. Mail can be sent to: Johnson County Extension Service Attn: Master Gardener Newsletter 4265 Oak Crest Hill Road SE Iowa City, IA 52246 Send email to: janice-denehy@uiowa.edu 5