Coconio Master Gardener Assoc. Mtg. Minutes 11/11/10

Master Gardener Meeting Agenda 11/11/10
Murdoch Community Center
210 E. Brannen
6:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Attending: Irene Matthews, Faith Brittain, Freddi Steele, Jim Mast, Donna Small, Gretchen & Dana Smith, Art & Donna Scott, Hattie Braun, Andrea & Galen Gurrette, Juanita Gillis, Cathy Ann Trotta, Gwen & Jim Koreltz, Ann Eagan, Beth Dykstra, Vicki Belman, Kay Clark, Leslie Penick, Loni Shapiro, Paul Jones, Linda Guarino, Nancy & Jim Deblois (2 did not sign in) Total 28

6:30pm-6:40pm Welcome – Agenda
Jim Mast
Brief review of agenda for the evening
Loni Shapiro – reviewed an upcoming master gardener project
It is to honor Karen Cooper a master gardener who died last year. She was a former councilwoman and instrumental in the development of the FUTS trails in Flagstaff. She was also a member of the First Congregational Church (her husband is the former pastor), and they want to honor her by adding a garden in her name. They have already begun with a Peace Pole ceremony, and planting of bulbs. They have a plan that was drawn up by Native Plant and Seed, and have already collected some materials and $1300 in cash. They are looking for interested master gardener volunteers to help with the garden – supervising, advising, planning, and grunt work. More details will be provided in 2011 but if you are interested contact Loni Shapiro (cnslds@q.com)

6:40pm-7:30pm Continuing Education
Gardening with Leftovers
Speakers: Nancy and Jim DeBlois with Dana Prom Smith
Dana Prom Smith introduced the speakers from his visit to their magical garden. See the Master Gardener article in the Daily Sun dated 11/6/10 for a detailed summary about their garden. At the meeting they talked about how things got started, their philosophy about using recycled materials, brought some materials to show and tell, talked about where to find them (Eric’s, friends, city dump area), and Jimmy played and sang a new piece called Maple Tree Rag.

7:30pm – 7:45pm Refreshments
Hosted by Linda Guarino

7:45pm -8:30pm Business Meeting
7:45pm-8:00pm Overview of recent Executive Committee meeting - Jim Mast
Calendar Update
We have 96 calendars left to sell by the end of the year. The craft show at Shepherd of the Hills has been cancelled so we need to try some others. Two that Loni is checking into are San Francisco de Asis on 4th and Cedar (Dec. 4 8am-4pm) and The Flagstaff Community Market (Nov. 22 – Dec. 31). The church fee is $35 and Loni will need help with the table. The market is too many days (35% of profit) but Loni will e-mail to see if we can do some days. Loni will have Hattie seed out a call for help with these sales.
Questions on Blog
Loni has posted a new area on the blog with garden questions. You need to be an active member of the blog (register on the site). She has posted a sample question to answer about winter watering. We will trial it until January and revisit. The hope is to get gardeners looking at the site and participating in sharing garden information. The answers will be opinions and not official master gardener advice.
Venue Change beginning January – Shepherd of the Hills Church
After looking at many sites, the church was selected because it allows for expansion, has good parking, is a safe area at night, known by many from other meetings, and is relatively inexpensive. We will reimburse them for utilities – probably about $200 yearly.
Membership Cards for 2011
Discounts at Viola’s – 10% off trees and shrubs
Native Plant & Seed – 10% off all plant material not on sale
Loni has e-mailed Misti at Warners but no response as yet. Hattie will check with them.
Looking for someone to come up with a logo for association
These will be issued for 2011 and will provide the above discounts if card presented. Crys Wells is creating them and they will serve as name tags and cards for ID. She is looking for some help to create a logo. Gretchan Smith with think about helping. The ideas is to give people incentive to join the association.
Voting for Officers
The slate from last year agreed to be nominated for a 2nd year. No new nominations were presented. The vote was unanimous.
Finance update– Ed Skiba
Balances in accounts
Ed not present but balance last month was $424.46 – Hattie & Loni have calendar money (160 – 60) – making it a total of $644.46. At last meeting the savings was at $226.94.

8:00pm-8:20pm Committee Reports:
Continuing Education-Dana Prom Smith (see schedule below)
Dana reports he is having less trouble finding writers. He is looking for gardening people in the community to do interviews with. If you have any contact him.
Community Programs
Speakers Bureau–Jim Mast
Jim did his monthly call for adding more speakers to the Bureau. He outlined the importance.
Home Show–Hattie Braun
As reported last month Faith Brittain is in charge but looking for helpers. Julie Holmes has agreed to help. Hattie reported that the Skydome is under repair this spring and they are looking for a new site as yet undetermined. We are asking for 2 booths in exchange for speaking at the show.
Coordination MG Projects–Linda Guarino
The committee is busy updating the list of projects with Hattie for distribution to the current master gardener class in December. They are eliminating some that have vague projects or contacts and just keeping a list of firm possibilities.
Volunteer Support/Social – Hattie Braun/Crys Wells
Logging MG Hours – Crys Wells
Crys reports 161.5 volunteer hours in October and 34 continuing education. She is working on providing a summary of hours reported for 2010 that will be e-mailed to all those who have sent in hours. This should be done by the end of November.
December party – Val Bryant
Not present but Hattie and Linda shared info about the party. It will be at Val’s, the county will provide the meat, and others will be asked to bring appetizers, salad or side, and desserts. This will be done as the picnic by alphabet. The party will be from 6pm-8pm, Val will provide drinks, and you need to bring a white elephant garden gift (preferably something used or fun). Invitation to follow from Linda.

8:20pm – 830pm What is it? Garden Problems/Questions
Loni talked about the Plant Search on the High Country Web Site (www.highcountrygardens.com). You can put in several pieces of information and they recommend a plant (blossom time, sun, moisture, soil, height, color, growing region, zone, and specific categories (attracts bees, butterflies, hummingbirds/resists deer, rabbits/fragrant flowers or foliage/evergreen).
A question about bulbs that are molding. Suggested chilling or getting in the ground asap. Should be ok as long as they are not soft or mushy.

Next meeting: January 13, 2010
Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church
1601 N. San Francisco
Bird Loving Plants – Bea Cooley, Audubon Society

Schedule for future meetings:
December 9, 2010 Christmas Party at Val Bryant’s home / Invitation to follow
February 10, 2011 Spiders of Winter – Freddi Steele, writer and former naturalist with the park service
March 10, 2011 Chaa Organic Farm in Belize - Linda Neff, anthropologist
April 14, 2011 Therapeutic Horticulture vs. Horticultural Therapy – Loni Shapiro
May 12, 2011 Foxglove Gardening – Joanie Abbott
June 9, 2011 Sustainability – William Auberle

Continuing Education/Volunteer Opportunities:

Flagstaff Holiday Community Market
Old Towne Shops 11/22/10-12/30/10

Flagstaff Flower & Garden Club / Wreaths & Swags & Fireplace Mantels
Riordan Mansion 11/22/10 6:30pm

For details on above opportunities check out the blog – coconinomgassociation.blogspot.com