There will be plenty of recreational activities available; swimming, fishing, boating, horseshoes, badminton, and basketball. And of course, the fun of bidding at the silent auction table items.

This auction is a primary fundraiser of our organization. There are many worthwhile programs and projects we want to continue to support. I/we hope you'll all join in our picnic and support the auction.

Please if you haven't already, contact Carolyn DiIulio (ddiiulio@hughes.net or 540-286-0335), one of our Master Gardener interns, to let her know what items you'll be bringing to the auction.

If anyone wants to help set-up Wednesday, June 10^th, at 10 AM, all help will be appreciated!

Stafford Dare Day at Pratt Park

Volunteers are needed to help with Dare Day. It will take place on June 10^th from 9am to 1pm at Pratt Park in Stafford.

Dare Day is a really great event to interact with all of the 5^th graders, chaperones and teachers from Stafford County. The goal is to show kids alternative activities to doing drugs.

We will team up with Devena, representing 4-H, with something interesting for the kids (they love Guys insect collection).

If you are interested please contact Gwen at gpote@vt.edu or call 540-658-8000.

Victory Gardens

Guy is looking for volunteers to help plant and maintain demonstration vegetable gardens at Belmont (in ground), and the Rowser Building (raised bed and containers).

The aim is to teach residents who to grow their own food in the face of rising food prices. Contact Gwen at gpote@vt.edu or call 540-658-8000.

Additional Volunteer Needs

Belmont is looking for volunteers. Please contact Terry Drew at gyrene05@aol.com for more information

Volunteers are needed to help out at the colonial revival gardens at Chatham. Volunteers meet Friday mornings at 9AM. The mansion is part of the Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park. Contact Sara for more information: sarajanice@verizon.net.

Benefits for Being MGACRA Members!

Members of the Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock Area (MGACRA) can get discounts at more fabulous local businesses. The Stone and Mulch Center in Stafford is also supporting the Master Gardener mission by offering discounts to MGACRA members.

Stone and Mulch Center is offering a contractor’s 10% percent on mulch and stone related products. It is located at 78 Shelton Shop Road just south of the Bloom shopping market off Garrisonville Road.

Manual Therapy Solutions (2300 Fall Hill Avenue, Suite 211, Fredericksburg, VA 22401) specializes in helping restore flexibility, balance, and ease of movement when chiropractic or massage isn’t helping. Carol Orrell, the owner and fellow Master Gardener, is offering MGACRA members a 15% discount. Visit Carol’s web site at www.manualtherapysolutions.com.

Riverby Books (805 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401) offers a wide variety of gently used books, including gardening books. Owners Paul & Steve Cymrot will give MGACRA members a 20% discount.

Grounds Keepers of Old Towne Fredericksburg (11515 Old William Street, Fredericksburg, VA 22401) is located just on your left as you are going into downtown on William Street going East from Routes 3 and 1. They are offering 20% discount on all plants and garden items, save for the statuary, which is being offered at 10%.

Membership in MGACRA

Your membership dues help keep the Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock Area (MGACRA) going! We use the money to support many Master Gardener projects as well as paying for the expenses at the annual picnics and Gala ceremonies. The funds are also used to publish “The Latest Dirt” newsletter and for continuing education programs like getting speakers for our monthly general meetings.

Please consider joining to help MGACRA continue to contribute to the community and support the MG programs. Dues are $20 a person.

You can bring your check made out to MGACRA to the General Meetings, to the Stafford Extension Office, or you can mail them care of MGACRA to PO Box 339 Stafford, VA 22555.

Looking for Volunteers!

Stafford VCE Office

Volunteers needed to help out at the office answering horticultural questions and performing other related jobs. Wednesday mornings are open, as well as any afternoon. To volunteer, contact Gwen at gpote@vt.edu.

Spotsylvania VCE Office

Just because it is chilly outside doesn’t mean you can’t still earn your volunteer hours. Come help at the Spotsy Extension office with the horticultural help-line! To volunteer, contact Kay Kimmell at Spotsy@vt.edu or 540-507-7570.

Speakers Bureau

Guy gets a ton of requests to give talks each year, way more than he could ever schedule in! We are looking for Master Gardeners or MG Interns who are willing to speak to a group. You can pick your preferred topics and times -- Laurie will contact you when an applicable request comes in, but YOU get to decide if you are available. Remember that educating the public is the purpose behind the Master Gardener program. Contact Laurie at 582-2699 or garadh@verizon.net.

Volunteer Spot

Place, time, & contact info

Ferry Farm

Thursdays

9am-12pm

Mike Holmes acerrubrum10807@aol.com

Kenmore

Tuesdays

9am-12pm

Mike Holmes acerrubrum10807@aol.com

Belmont

Wednesdays

9am-12pm

Terry Drew

Gyrene05@aol.com

Mary Washington House

Thursdays

9am-12pm

Chatham

Fridays

9am-12pm

Sara Broyles

sarajanice@verizon.net

Stafford Extension Office

Gwen Pote

gpote@vt.edu

Spotsy Extension Office

Kay Kimmell

Spotsy@vt.edu

Spotsy Plant Clinic

May through October

Saturdays 8:45-12

Joe Metz

metzjs@adelphia.net

Salem Church Library Plant Clinic

January through April

Mondays 6-8:30pm

Karen Ehrhard

Spotsy@vt.edu

Porter Library Plant Clinic

May through August

Tuesdays 6:30-8:30pm

Gwen Pote

gpote@vt.edu

Smoot Library Plant Clinic

May through August

Saturdays 9-12

Regina Prunty

rprunty@vt.edu

PD 16 Master Gardener Message Board

Master Gardeners have their own message board to post messages and chat! Here area Master Gardeners can socialize and talk about gardening. Sign up! It is free, and is only open to Planning District 16 MGs (MACRA and Non-MACRA Members).

You can list upcoming projects, exchange information, plants, ideas, etc!

To sign up, go to:

MGACRA-subscribe@yahoogroups.com

Then, to post a message, go to:

MGACRA@yahoogroups.com

If you need to unsubscribe, go to:

MGACRA-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com

List owner:

MGACRA-owner@yahoogroups.com

The moderator is Laurie Clarkston. Contact her at garadh@verizon.net or call 540-582-2699

Looking for MGACRA’s History

Joe Metz has taken on the role of Historian. He is asking for all information that could help him rebuild the association’s history. Old newsletters, board meeting minutes or photos of MG events would be great. Joe Metz can be contacted at metzjs@adelphia.net or 582-9745

Click Here for Hours Forms

Click Here for MGACRA Bylaws

MGACRA SHIRT INFO

MGACRA shirts, sweatshirts, and ball caps now available. For more information on ordering click here

* Reminder: The MGACRA slogan and logo belong exclusively to MGACRA. Do not reproduce on our own.

For comments or questions about the website, contact Michelle Meyer at

Cmeyer01.at.verizon.net

(NOTE: to make the email address active, replace the .at. with @)