November 2020 MGV Meeting

• The November MGV Meeting kicked off by President Carol Smith leading us all in the Pledge of Allegiance. Kristen reported that a virtual wrap up meeting took place at the Pest and Plant Clinic on Tuesday November 9th. The members of the clinic have chosen to continue virtual clinic through the winter months. The clinic will meet every other Thursday from 10:00 am to 12 noon, November to April. The clinic will then meet again as a group in March to see what the environment is like to start back up for regular clinic.  David wants to think of ways for the new MGV trainees to get involved with the clinic.
• Pam will be presenting Holiday Container and Arrangements the first week of December.
• Eric reported on the Valley Grows Section of the Newspaper.  Articles are still needed and he is asking all of us to write about what interests us for the paper.  Eric sent out an email on November 19 with a list of ideas about gardening and nature that may spark our creative juices.  The paper is improving about including pictures with the articles. Just send the caption with the photo. You can also send a plug for the page by sending Eric a sentence of interest along with the fact sheet.  Drop Eric an email with the subject matter to make sure another person is not writing about the same thing.
• Grounds Committee did a lot of clean up of the landscaping at the Extension Office last Tuesday. The large room in the back of the office acquired since the BMV moved out, is getting a new 20 year plus warranty floor.  Some wood working will be required to renovate the countertops.
• The Wreaths For Vets will take place December 12th at 10:00 am at the Vaughn Cemetery at Lake Milton.  If you are not on the committee and want to help, give Mike an email asking him what time for you to be there to help lay wreaths at the veteran grave sites.
• Kari reports that the Junior Master Gardeners have cleaned up and finished for the year and are making plans for next year.
• Thresea reported that the kids had fun and learned some gardening skills as well in the Good Nature Garden Partners with help from Kristen.
• Kristen asked if anyone wants to do an online class, please give her a call because she is looking at dates in January and February
• The Virtual Recognition Banquet this year will be held December 3rd at 6:30 pm.  Lori and Kristen have been working on putting together a lot of fun activities for us to enjoy. Enjoy your favorite desert while attending the banquet.
• The VMS system is going away.  Keep your hours after November 1st on paper until the new system arrives.

– Rick Patterson  Secretary  MGV

Minutes MGV Meeting September 10 2020

• The September meeting of the of the Master Gardener Volunteers took place via Zoom hosted by Kristen Eisenhower and Lori Moff presided by Carol Smith.  David started the meeting by leading us in the Pledge of Allegiance.
• New Business : Pam will be out for awhile due to husband’s surgery.  Kristen is still looking for presenters from now till the end of the year. All dates are open. 70 seed packets were given out downtown and at the office. Lori and Kristen have been working on the end of the year Recognition Banquet.
• David said they had 17 questions in the virtual clinic today. They have served over 220 people so far this season.
• Kristen said that Carol has the Coffee Series Presentation for the September entitled “Herbal Teas.” September 21st at 10:00am.  Eric said we will be doing a holiday container program the first week of December.
• Eric has had a steady stream of articles for the Vindicator Valley Grows  Section of the newspaper and needs articles that are more fall related.  If you do not have pictures for your articles, Eric has a library of pictures you can use. If you do have pictures send them as separate attachments with you article.  The Valley Grows articles appear in Vindicator and the Tribune which explains the increase activity in the Plant and Pest Clinic.
• Theresa commented on Local Flavor: The gardens went ok this year despite the pandemic.  The Good Nature Garden Partners went very well, thanks in part to Kristen who also put the results on line for all to see.
• Kary reported that the Junior Master Gardeners had a lot of fun this year and are beginning to wind down with some clean up to do in the next couple of weeks.
• Kristen said that Mike has ordered the wreaths for the Wreaths for Veterans Program. The event will be held December 12th at the Lake Milton Cemetery off of Grandview.
• Marilyn reported on the State Awards: The state conference will be held on line October 22nd and 23rd this year. Registration will be the last week in September and will cost $40. Mahoning county has been doing more in the way of master gardening than most counties in Ohio. She is also trying to get us into the Lisbon and Salem newspapers. A suggestion was made of a give away contest to be offered as an incentive to get more people to attend virtual master gardener meetings. Some counties are doing Zoom Chats, where as someone hosts a Zoom meeting and members call in and chat about anything in order to stay in touch and share ideas.  Marylin volunteered to host the first Zoom Chat.  Jennifer Andon has filled Dennis Johnson’s position (after her retirement) as Master Gardener Volunteer State Program Coordinator.
• Lil suggested that since we are presently doing a virtual clinic why can’t we continue the clinic through the winter. We could have it live from April 1st to October 31st, then November 1st till March 31st we could be a virtual clinic. Eric thought it to be a good idea. The virtual clinic runs now on Thursdays from 10:00am till 12:00 noon. To get on, go to our website where there is a zoom link, click  on the link and join in to talk to a master gardener. You can also call in and ask your question, where as a form will be filled out and given to a master gardener.
• Carol thanked Kristen and Lori for all there help with her presentation on Ecuador.
• The meeting was adjourned at 7:15 PM next meeting October 8th at 6:30 PM

Rick Patterson, Secretary MGV