Master Gardener Volunteer Meeting
November 14, 2024

Opening and Pledge of Allegiance

President Pam Baytos welcomed all, and Chester Kaschak led us in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Committee Reports

• Community Outreach – Thresea Harris and Lois Martin-Uscanowski: Thresea announced that our Mill Creek Park Fellows Garden Christmas tree will be decorated on Dec.4 at 10:30am. The theme for our tree is garden related which includes garden tools, seed packets. A few examples were shown at the meeting, if you want your garden tool returned, place an address label on the back of it.

Education – Karen Gates: Karen is putting together a presentation of the fig tree field trip and would             appreciate photos or videos if you were present. Send them to her asap.

New and Active Pollinator Gardens – Gail Siembida, Marge Greenisen, and Pinky Steffen: Pinky             announced that clean up was done and thanked Kathy, Natalie, and Carol for their help.

OSU Extension Grounds – Paula Kohler and Mike Beaudis: Paula thanked the grounds committee for        their help with fall clean-up. She will contact her committee by text for one more clean-up from 1-3pm             the week of November 18^th. Even an hour is appreciated. There are wasps in the shed so please be             careful when opening it. The shed also needs to be cleaned out at a later date.

• Plant and Pest Clinic – David Sprague: The clinic is officially closed now. There will be a clinic review on Nov.19 at 11am followed by lunch.
• Veterans – Al Leonhart, Mike Beaudis, and Chester Kaschak: Our Wreaths for Veterans Ceremony is Saturday, Dec.7 from 10-11am at the Canfield Cemetery 315 E. Main St. Please be there by 9:30am to help. The American Legion honor guard will attend as well. We need suggestions for a cemetery selection for next year. Please let the committee know if you have ideas.

Administration Report: Haley Shoemaker reminded us of the following:

• HOC Help Day Wednesday, December 18^th from 9 am to 7 pm à Last Effort. OQC (Occasional Quantity Cooks) training on the same day.
• Volunteer Opportunities at the end of the minutes.
• Time to trim your trees and shrubs! We need Greenery for 11/21, 12/17, & 12/18 classes! Please drop off at the office and thanks! Record your hours for this, too.
• 2025 signup sheet for Mornings with the Masters Library presentations was available. Let the office know if you are interested in presenting at one of these worthwhile community events.
• Kristen will be emailing the chairpeople to set up one-on-one meetings at the beginning of 2025.
• Please RSVP to the MGV holiday banquet by Dec.23^rd. It will be at A La Carte 6pm Jan.9^th.

Old Business

• Winter Holiday Donation: Sleep in Heavenly Peace. Items will be collected December 12^th at the meeting.
  • new in the package twin or twin XL comforters = 1 volunteer hour
  • new in the package pillows = .5 volunteer hours
  • new in the package twin or twin XL Sheets = .5 volunteer hours

New Business

• New Chairpeople – Starting in January
  • Bring One Take One (Exchange Only) – Bob and Marianna Eister
  • Canfield Fair – Jim Zeleznik
  • Community Outreach – Thresea Harris
  • Education – Karen Gates and Stephanie Hughes
  • Garden Workshop – Patty Kacenski and Jim Merva
  • Hospitality – Natalie Fraser and Peg Zeleznik
  • New and Active Pollinator Gardens – Marilyn McKinley and Gail Siembida
  • OSU Extension Grounds – David Burnham and Paula Kohler
  • Plant and Pest Clinic – David Sprague
  • Recruitment and Retention – Marilyn McKinley and Kary Shively
  • Veterans – Chester Kaschak, Carol Kirsch, and Al Leonhart
• Hours need to be completed and entered in to HOC by December 15
• Our Banquet will be January 9^th – Please RSVP to the office by December 23
• We are hoping to have the new committee lists out at the December meeting, so please sign up if you haven’t already.
• State Dues of $15 will be due to the office by Friday January 31
• Jim Merva and the Garden Workshop committee would appreciate ideas for topic presentations for next year’s workshop.

Closing

• Adjournment – Next Meeting: December 12^th
• Reminders:
  • Vindy Articles are needed! Still contact Eric.
  • State Lunch and Learn starts October 8
  • HOC Help Day Wednesday, December 18^th from 9 am to 7 pm

Volunteer Opportunities:

Please See Kristen if you are interested.

• Salem Public Library is interested in someone speaking on invasive plant in April or May.
• Salem Historical Society- May 2025 Native Appalachia Plants. Contact Haley Shoemaker at 330-967-7249 or 306@osu.edu

submitted by Marie Belfast, secretary.