MGACRA Board Meetings

 

The Board Meetings normally take place on the First Wednesday of each month.

 

The next Board meeting will take place on July 9th at the Stafford Extension Office.  Click here for directions.


2008

MGACRA Board

 

President

Stan Zack

szack@infionline.net

 

Vice President

Laura Collinsworth l.collinsworth@verizon.net

 

Secretary

Glenna Witter

witterg@msn.com

 

Treasurer

Anne Kline

klinefamily5@comcast.net

 

Parliamentarian

Terry Drew

 

Past President

Linda Dunn

lrdunn@infionline.net

 

Committee

Chairs

 

The Latest Dirt Editor

Alexis Marshall-Stephens  stephens1113@msn.com 

 

Membership

Teresa Fisher

teresaluvs2garden@hotmail.com

 

Bylaws

Terry Drew

 

Education

Tina Will

blwill@cox.net

 

Fund Raising

Laurie Clarkston

garadh@verizon.net

 

1st Saturday

in the Garden

Coordinator

Ann Gorrell

anngorrell@cs.com

 

Volunteer

Office

Coordinator

Gwen Pote

gpote@vt.edu

 

Historian

Joe Metz

metzis@adelphia.net

 

Phone Tree

Jean Johnson

 

RAAI

Kathy Valentine

kathyvalentine@mac.com

 

Web Site

Michelle Meyer

 

Speakers Bureau

Laurie Clarkston

garadh@verizon.net

 

Shirt Sales

Judy Little

jal22407@adelphia.net

 

Area

Representatives

 

Caroline

George Davis

 

Fredericksburg

Vacant

 

King George

Beth and John Elkins

 

Spotsylvania

Kay Kimmell

Spotsy@vt.edu

 

 

Stafford

Art Florack

aflorack@msn.com

 

VMGA

Linda Dunn

lrdunn@infionline.net

 


The Newest Issues of The Latest Dirt!

July/August 2007

May/June 2007

Mar/Apr 2007

Jan/Feb 2007

Past issues of The Latest Dirt newsletters available online

Nov/Dec 2006

Aug/Sept/Oct 2006

May/June 2006

May/June 2005

March/April 2005

January/February 2005

November/December 2004

July/August 2004

May/June 2004

March/April 2004

Jan/Feb 2004

Nov./Dec. 2003

All you need to enjoy The Latest Dirt on line is an Acrobat Reader

If you are not receiving The Latest Dirt, contact Teresa Fisher, 657-9800; teresaluvs2garden@hotmail.com


Master Gardener Gala Photos

 

Take a look at some pictures from our annual Gala awards ceremony and celebration!

2006 Photo Gallery

2005 Photo Gallery


2008 First Saturdays in the Garden Schedule

 

 

Click here for the schedule!


 

2008 Calendars

 

Here is the Calendar for 2008.  Hope you can join us for some fun and educational times! (The Calendar for 2007 can still be found here.)

 

The 2008 First Saturdays in the Gardens schedule is here!  You can also access the PDF version.


Discounts for Members of MGACRA!!!

 

Members of the Master Gardener Association of the Central Rappahannock Area (MGACRA) can now get discounts at some fabulous local businesses.

 

If you are a Master Gardener but not yet a member of the association, this is a great time to join!  Dues are $20 a person -- you can mail a check made out to MGACRA to:

Anne Kline

8 Country Court

Stafford, VA 22554

 

 

Gifford Greenhouses provides a wide variety of annual plants for wholesale and retail sales at far below local area retail prices.  On top of their unbelievably low prices, they offer members an additional 10% discount. To get there, take Garrisonville Rd. west, which then turns into Rt. 612 about 10 miles from I-95.  Continue on for a few more miles on Rt. 612, and Gifford's Greenhouses will be on the right. 

 

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%.


MGACRA General Meeting:

 

The MGACRA general meeting this month features Gwen Pote speaking on Virginia's Forest Health.

 

                     Wednesday, July 16, 2008

7PM

at the Central Regional Rappahannock Library

(1201 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg)

 

Contact Tina Will if you have any questions at 374-5233.


Speakers Needed for Lake Anna State Park Program

 

Speakers and topics are needed for the Lake Anna State Park “Back porch Discovery Program.”  The talks are scheduled Thursdays, 4-5pm, through August 28th.

 

If you might like to help out or would like more information, contact Cathy Corker at 540-854-5503 or cathy.corker@dcr.virginia.gov.

 


After Work Volunteering Help Needed at Ferry Farm Elementary School

 

Volunteers are needed to help with the Ferry Farm Elementary School Learning Garden.  Come meet in the evenings on Thursdays at 6-8PM, starting 10 July 2008.  The school is located at 20 Pendleton RD., Stafford.  Meet in the parking lot behind the school, and bring gloves and light tools.

 

Contact Elaine Hild at 372-6786, 540-220-3705,

or ebenziohild@cox.net.


Volunteer at the Stafford VCE Office

 

Guy will be out of the office for most of July.  That means the office could use some great volunteers.

 

What better place to volunteer on a hot summer day?! Sign up for a few hours in the morning or afternoon.

 

Please contact Gwen if interested -- 540-658-8000 or gpote@vt.edu)


Fredericksburg Fair

 

This year’s theme: 

“Gas prices keeping you home?  Create your own Oasis and Vacation at home.”

 

Plans are under way for this year’s design for the Fredericksburg Fair.  Come be a part of the planning team!

 

Additionally, as always, there will be plenty of need for helpers at the Fair, setting up, taking down, and working the booth.  Fair dates are August 1-9.  Set up for the Fair will be Thursday, July 31st and August 1st.

 

If you want to volunteer or have any questions, please contact Laurie Clarkston at 582-2699, garadh@verison.net.


 Belmont Volunteers

 

Volunteers are needed to help out and to lead tours on the Belmont Nature Trail at Gari Melchers Home and Studio. They meet every Wednesday at 9AM. There will be orientation and training sessions each week for new volunteers.

 

Please contact Gwen if interested -- 540-658-8000 or gpote@vt.edu)


The Plant Clinics

 

The Master Gardener plant clinics are a fabulous way to earn hours, learn a ton about plants and their problems, and help out the Extension Service.  They are particularly effective in reaching clients that work during the normal office hours.

 

We need volunteers to staff the tables.  The ideal is for each plant clinic will have 3 people assigned to it, 2 Master Gardeners and 1 intern, so you won’t be alone.  Remember, you do not have to know all of the answers, but facilitate in getting the Extension's information to the clients.  If the questions are too complex to answer on the spot, you can take down the information for the Extension office to contact the clients.

 

Porter Library Plant Clinic

Tuesday Evenings, 6:30 - 8:30PM

May 20th - August 26th

 

Route 3 Farmer's Market

Saturday Mornings, 9AM - Noon

April 26th - September

 

Bowling Green Plant Clinic

Saturday Mornings

April 19th – September

 

To volunteer, contact Karen Ehrhard, the Plant Clinic Coordinator, at tkaze@aol.com.  Tell her which plant clinic you wish to volunteer for, preferred dates, what Master Gardener status you have, and if you have volunteered for a plant clinic previously.


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.


Anne Kline (540-659-7098) will gladly accept your dues at the General Meetings, or you can mail her a check made out to MGACRA to:

Anne Kline
8 Country Court

Stafford, VA 22554


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

Jan Toperoff

toperoff@cox.net

 

Chatham

Fridays

9am-12pm

Sara Broyles

sarajanice@cox.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


Master Gardener Hours

 

Remember, reporting your hours is vital both for maintaining your Master Gardener status and for justifying Guy’s funding.

Click here for a copy of the MG Volunteer Hours Report form:  You can email the completed forms to Gwen at gpote@vt.edu, fax them to her at (540) 658-8006, or send them through the mail to the VCE-Stafford Office, P.O. Box 339, Stafford, VA 22555.  She also notes that you can deliver them in person at the Stafford VCE office.

 

If you have any questions on filling out the form, the requirements for maintaining Master Gardener Status, or what to do if you couldn’t complete your requirements, contact Gwen at 540-658-8000 ex. 24 or gpote@vt.edu.

 


 

Click Here For Hours Forms

 

Master Gardener Hours Form Instructions

 

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 @)