The History of the Miami County / Marais des Cygnes District Extension Master Gardeners

25 elebrating �ears 2

Katelyn Barthol Extension District Agent Marais des Cygnes Extension District

Miami County Office Linn County Office 913 N. Pearl 115 S. 6th St. (Old KC Road) P.O. Box 160 Paola, Kansas 66071 Mound City, Kansas 66056 Phone: 913-294-4306 Phone: 913-795-2829 Fax: 913-294-4301 Fax: 913-795-2656

www.maraisdescygnes.ksu.edu

www.facebook.com/mdcemg

Kansas State University is committed to making its services, activities and programs accessible to all participants. If you have special requirements due to a physical, vision, or hearing disability, contact the Marais des Cygnes Extension District at 913- 294-4306. Kansas State University Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service K-State Research and Extension is an equal opportunity provider and employer.. 3

Usually, when a group of people form a new organization, little thought is given to archiving documentation for a history to be written years later. There is too much to be done now, a mission statement and bylaws to be written, officers to be elected, and in our case, educational programs toPreface be developed, funds to be raised, and gardens to be built.

So to announce the new organization, a few pictures are taken for the newspaper. Somewhere along the line someone starts keeping records of Board meetings and archiving meeting minutes. Newsletters are written and saved in a binder. Technology comes along to “make things easier.” With luck, a few people are still around years later to reconstruct memories and submit old photos.

The idea of writing a history of the Miami County EMG program (now the Marais des Cygnes EMG program) came from d Brown and Patti Armstrong, who, with her husband Bernard Armstrong, founded the organization in 1996. Members and former members were asked to contribute whatever they have saved. Patti collected and organized a tractor load of information gathered by her committee.

Early information is sketchy, taken from random notes and early minutes of meetings and sporadic newsletters. There are several people from 25 years ago who we still see from time to time at meetings and events. Their contributions have been enormously helpful.

Patti’s idea was to produce a book to present at our 25th Anniversary Awards Dinner in 2021—a daunting task at best, but also an exciting adventure. It was suggested that it would be easier if we set about producing a “first draft,” knowing that there would be unavoidable omissions and inaccuracies. The fantasy is that it can be corrected later. (Good luck, EMGs of 2046!) Meanwhile, please forgive us for leaving out many names or getting a year or photo caption wrong. We did our best!

So that is what this book is: A First Draft—a collection of highlights from the past 25 years of a wonderful organization — The Miami County / Marais des Cygnes Extension Master Gardeners.

—Judy Moser, Editor 4 CONTENTS Preface...... 3 2010...... 27

Contents...... 4 2011...... 28

Our Mission Statement ...... 5 2012...... 29

Ag Agents through the 25 Years...... 6 2013...... 30

Before the EMG Program...... 7 2014...... 31

History of the EMG Program...... 8 2015...... 32

A History of Our MdC EMG Program, 2016...... 33

by d Brown...... 12 2017...... 34

THROUGH THE YEARS 2018...... 35

1996...... 13 2019...... 36

1997...... 14 2020...... 37

1998...... 15 COMMUNITY EDUCATION

1999 ...... 16 Advanced Training...... 39

2000...... 17 Plant Sales ...... 40

2001...... 18 Symposiums...... 41

2002...... 19 Garden Tours...... 42

2003...... 20 Other Public Education Programs...... 43

2004...... 21 COMMUNITY PROJECTS

2005...... 22 Courthouse Gardens...... 45

2006...... 23 Extension Office Gardens...... 46

2007...... 24 Veterans’ Memorial Garden...... 47

2008...... 25 Trial Gardens ...... 48

2009...... 26 2021— Our 25th anniversary year!...... 52 5

OUR MISSION STATEMENT The Marais des Cygnes Extension District Master Gardeners Association is a volunteer organization of specifically trained Miami County or Linn County residents designed to provide the public with sound, research-based horticultural information. The purpose of this Association is to participate in non-commercial, educational and community ser- vice projects for Miami County and Linn County. The Association embodies the horticultural edu- cation objectives of Marais des Cygnes Extension District cooperating with Kansas State University and the United States Department of Agriculture. 6

Our Agricultural Extension Agents

1972 - 2003...... Herschel George

August 2003 - January 2007...... Leanne Coxbill Stevenson

June 2007 - February 2009...... Mark Flory

November 2009 - January 2011...... Mike Epler

January 2012 - February 2014...... Cody Sloan

April 2014 - August 2017...... Megan Westerhold

October 2017 - Present...... Katelyn Barthol

Diane Burnett filled in at various times between agents BEFORE THE EMG PROGRAM 7 Excerpts from a Power Point Decades of Progress diagnostics, phone calls and home presentation by Ward Upham • Improved productivity of visits The origins of the “land grant” agriculture • Something new for extension system: • Efficiency of labor in farming • Not especially busy some of the • The Morrill Act (1862)— • Agricultural land use practices time Agriculture, grants of land given • Mechanization and technology The Environmental Movement for “the domestic and mechanical • A spray/fertilizer for everything arts” along with traditional university • Irrigation courses (KSU first Land-Grant • Production and “finishing” in • Growing concern for excesses University created). close proximity and overuse • Hatch Act (1887)—Added funds There were significant changes in • “Silent Spring” written by for useful and practical research the demographics of Kansas. Many Rachel Carlson (1962) done on Experimental Stations small communities disappeared. • “Hippies” matured and became in association with Land-Grand The Decade of the 50s & Early 60s involved colleges. • Population shifts to urban areas • First “Earth Day”—1974 • Smith-Lever Act (1914)— 80% • Info needed for life-cycle of Created “outreach” through field • Is agriculture emphasis useful to insect and disease, nutrient use staff around the state. This was the the population? needs, environmental interactions, start of the Cooperative Extension integrated pest/plant management Services. • Green industry grows 15-20% per year • Who knows anything about Emphasis in Rural Communities these things? • Extension needs to change with • Original focus developed in the times • More demand for information county seat towns where extension The Perfect Storm of the Early 70s staff did a lot of one-on-one Kansas Adds Horticultural consultation, demonstrations, Extension Agents Three circumstances changed learn-by-doing, and “meetings” or • There were seven horticultural horticultural extension education in classes. agents hired in the late 1960s. a dramatic, sudden way. Following are excerpts from Chuck Marr’s • Educational classes, • Population of Kansas was about history of the KS EMG program. ✿ 80% rural. 8 HISTORY OF THE EMG PROGRAM Excerpts from a comprehensive At the same time, the early 70s history of the Kansas EMG program The national was the beginning of the “Earth written by Dr. Chuck Marr, Professor Movement,” when people became Emeritus of Horticulture, Kansas organization more aware of environmental issues State University. was founded in and recycling, composting, and reduced use of pesticides. The first Washington State in Earth Day was in 1974. Traditional Extension Operations People began to realize that much Since the beginning of Extension 1970 as a training of the food distribution system at K-State in 1905 and formalized tool for volunteers depended on truck transportation, with Land Grant Universities in 1914, and gas shortages resulted in a local extension offices focused on wanting to assist “food scare.” This led to a dramatic agriculture, home economics, and in the delivery increase in people wanting to “grow 4-H with programming and staffing. their own” food, as well as start By the 1960s there was a general of educational local farmers markets. recognition that Extension needed programs on a to relate to a larger portion of the county wide basis. These three situations combined population for it to continue to serve and resulted in people wanting and citizens. Horticulture was a good needing horticultural information way to relate to homeowners in In exchange for like it had never existed before, cities and towns, so local Extension intensive training, and that need was all focused boards began to add county on the research-based, unbiased extension horticultural agents to their volunteers agreed to information available from the staff in urban counties. In the decade help the extension Land Grant University at the local of the 1960s there were six Kansas service provide extension office. There was a rush horticultural agents added, with for information. more to follow in later years. These information to the The initial Idea agents began to offer meetings public. In the early 70s two horticultural and classes on a wide range of agents in the Seattle/Tacoma area horticultural topics, answer phone were dealing with hundreds of calls and questions on horticultural calls a week. They speculated that problems, and make “house calls” to shortages of gasoline and reduced a group of enthusiastic, amateur diagnose plant problems. highway travel. People began to horticulturists could respond to The “Perfect Storm” focus on their homes. Interest in most of the common questions if There were three situations that landscaping, planting of trees and they were given a “refresher course” resulted in a huge change in the shrubs, flower beds, and other to build their confidence. Dr. David way horticultural agents worked. things to beautify their property Gibby and William Sheer proposed The 1973 Arab Oil Embargo led to increased dramatically. that by offering volunteers 9 a unique, special horticultural Off and Running class with a requirement that The Kansas program By late 1980, the curriculum was they volunteer time to share the set to be completed in six weeks knowledge they had gained, it was started in and include 12 units: plant growth would be a way of inexpensively Johnson County in and development; soils, water and distributing information to a much fertilizer; fruit; vegetables; tree and wider audience. Having both spent 1980. Forty Kansas shrub plant materials; landscape time in Germany, they came up counties now have maintenance; landscape design; with the title of Gartenmeister— or perennial and annual flowers; Master Gardener. The idea was active Extension insects; diseases; indoor plants; and enthusiastically embraced after they Master Gardener lawn maintenance. surveyed people at a shopping mall A large 3-ring binder was information booth. programs. produced for trainees, who inserted With publicity provided by a local The local program training materials as the classes newspaper garden writer and a went along. [The notebook was later regional editor for Sunset magazine, started in 1996 in standardized, which is why it doesn’t they gathered 600 names of Miami County. In exactly follow all the classes as they individuals interested in participating are taught now.] in the program. They worked with 2015 the program The Program Expands Dr. Bernie Wesenberg to develop a curriculum and ways to put the expanded to include Several horticultural agents visited volunteers to good use. Soon other Linn County, and the the Johnson County program, and states began to express an interest programs were started in Douglas in duplicating what Washington district was renamed and Shawnee counties. After the state had started. the Marais des Sedgwick County program was re-established in 1987, several Master Gardening in Kansas Cygnes Extension agents in the Southcentral region In the spring of 1978, national District Master met to establish regional training. extension horticulturist Dr. Bob They included Bob Neier (Reno Wearne convened two meetings Gardeners. Co), Dennis Patton (McPherson of state extension horticulturist Co), and Chip Miller (Saline Co). and county horticulture agents, Jim Lindquist, county extension one in San Francisco and one in elicited help from Dr. Chuck Marr director in Riley, started the Washington, D.C. Participants from and Dr. Richard Wootton of the state program in Manhattan, Jack Smith Kansas went to D.C. and heard a specialist staff to assist in planning in Leavenworth County, and Bruce wide range of ideas that various the program implementation and Shladny in Wyandotte County. states were trying. Johnson County curriculum. horticultural agent Larry Stouse 10

Growing Pains Advanced Master Gardener A State MG Coordinator Training for the eastern Kansas Training In 1996 Ward Upham was hired counties gradually shifted to the The original idea was that as Master Gardener coordinator. fall months and training for the MGs would receive their training, Through his leadership the program western counties was done in the complete their volunteer hours, and has spread throughout the entire spring. Training in Johnson County that would be the end. But after state, with programs in 50 counties, was scheduled for the same day as the first class it became clear that some organized into multi-county training in Wyandotte/Leavenworth, MGs didn’t want to quit! It became extension districts. with the specialist traveling over clear that having trained volunteers Similarities and Differences the noon hour between locations. wanting to keep going was a Forty hours of initial training and a A similar type of rotation was valuable asset. Various types of commitment of 40 volunteer hours established with Topeka and training included classes and tours, remains in most programs today. Lawrence as well as Wichita and and educational offerings were Commercialization of the program Butler/Harvey/Reno. often led by non-KSU personnel. has been avoided. Trainees no longer The dissolution of the convention The State Master Gardener receive private pesticide applicator led to the formation of a statewide Convention license training and certification. advanced training event in 1995 on A convention was held in the Manhattan campus. This has The main thing agents soon Wichita in 1989 and through 1994. continued each fall, with about 300 learned was that MGs didn’t want to A statewide Advanced Master Kansas MGs from around the state quit. Most want to keep volunteering Gardener training program seemed participating. and learning through Advanced a better use of volunteer time. Training for many, many years! ✿ EARLY RECOLLECTIONS OF D BROWN 11 atti and Bernard Armstrong the Extension Office Gardens until hardscape for the Ursuline project. moved to Miami County from moving to a new Extension Office After this project ended, the Plant Johnson County, KS, where location in 2021. Sale was moved to locations on Pthey had been Extension Master The energy of the Master Baptiste Drive, where it continued Gardeners for five years. Once Gardeners was redirected to to be a primary fund raiser and settled in their new home they developing the Court House educational opportunity. sought out the Miami County Exten- Gardens, and after three years of Other projects done over the sion Agent, Herschel George. After negotiating with the County and years include a Victory Garden a number of meetings, Herschel welcoming the cooperation of the on the Courthouse grounds in agreed to start an Extension Master local Lion’s Club, the first garden 2004. The garden was planted Gardener program in Miami County. was started, I think, in 2010. Now and maintained with the help of a The year was 1996. there is a nice array of beautiful Girl Scout troop to tie in with the Nine people were trained that year gardens for the public to enjoy. traveling Rosie the Riveter display at and ambitiously started the Lawn & the Miami County Museum. Garden Show in 1997. At that point In years past, Extension Master it was a one-day show featuring Gardeners also participated in only the nine Master Gardeners. Spring Hill’s Daffodil Days, Kansas The Lawn & Garden Show became Day, and still participate in the local an annual event until 2005, when it farmers market. In the past we became painfully obvious the show have had a Great Trees program, a was way too successful and labor Speaker’s Bureau, and an Exhibition intensive for the Master Gardeners. Garden at the Fair Grounds. The Lawn & Garden Show was Other ways of reaching the public replaced by the Spring Garden Tour with research-based gardening in 2006. This Tour is conducted information have been newspaper every other year, rotating with the articles, newsletters, Advanced Johnson County Garden Tour. We Training, and a gardening hotline. broke rank with the norm in 2015 The Trial Garden, consisting of Over the past five years, one of and 2017 by conducting Fall Garden tomatoes and peppers, was started the most successful programs to Tours. The increased numbers in 1997. The experimental seedlings reach the public has been a Spring of visitors to the display gardens provided by KSU are grown, Symposium. Key speakers present has proven this timing to be very evaluated, then weighed, and their information on a number of successful. the resulting data returned to the related gardening subjects during In 1997, armed with an increase University. Produce was then shared the all-day affair. with My Father’s House Community in EMG membership, the Ursuline Three years ago KSU combined Services in Paola, and later a Gardens became the new ongoing districts in order to operate program at the Osawatomie farmers project. The 35 acres proved to be more efficiently. At that point our market, with proceeds going toward a wonderful canvas for the many district was expanded to include scholarships. gardens started and maintained. Linn County, and our name was Sister Grace, also an EMG, took As the organization continued to changed from Miami County Master over the Rose Garden started by grow, the Mentor Committee was Gardeners to the Marais des Cygnes the nuns many years before. The developed in 2003 to welcome the Master Gardeners. newer gardens were the Butterfly, new folks and help them integrate Many people have been trained in Conifer and Deciduous, Hosta, into the group. Your Mentor is your the MdC Master Gardener program and the Shade Tree Trail, with the point of contact and is to support since its inception in 1996. Over the Grand Alee and World Class Peony and assist you in any way possible. years there has been attrition due to Garden. Master Gardeners also The annual Plant Sale was started “life happens” events, but our roster helped with an Eagle Scout project. early on, with the Master Gardeners remains somewhere between 40 In the end there were 52 planting enthusiastically selling some of and 50 members. ✿ areas. It was a sad day, 12 years their more invasive plants. Then in d Brown was voted Rookie of the later, when the nuns announced 2006 the Plant Sale was upgraded Year in 2003 and EMG of the Year they were moving to Kentucky by offering professionally grown in 2004. She served as Chair of the to join the Ursuline Sisters there. plants, with the profits from these Advisory Board in 2004 and 2005. The EMGs continued to enhance sales going into plant material and 12

Through the Years 1996 13

Advisory Board his was the year Bernard Armstrong the whole thing Chair began. Bernard Paul Schonbachler Tand Patti Arm­strong had Treasurer moved to Miami County from Johnson County, where they were already very active in the EMG pro­gram. They met with Herschel George, the Miami County Extension Agent at the time, and talked about starting a Miami County chapter of the Extension Master New Class Gardeners. Herschel finally Bernard Armstrong said, “Hey, why not!” and Patti Armstrong the rest is history. (transfers from JoCo) Jackie Canaan Bernard and Patti Armstrong. Julie Perez Alice Piezuch Paul Schonbachler

Special thanks to those who saved newspaper clippings from the early years and provided them to the History Project.

Patti Armstrong, Paul Schonbachler and Herschel George weaving tomato plants. 14 1997

he program is off Leaders: and running! Bernard Bernard Armstrong wasted no time in Patti Armstrong Tsetting up the Hotline Paul Schonbachler and largely manning it for Richard Piezuch longer than he probably Alice Piezuch intended. Denise Charpentier In keeping with our Jackie Canaan Master Gardener mission Julie Perez of educating the public, the new group organized the first Lawn & Garden Show. The Show grew and was an annual event until 2005, when it got bigger than our volun­- New Class teers could handle. Marie Henkel Karen Mitchell But gardeners gotta Don Nelson garden, so the group Linda Stuart adopted the 35-acre Pat Thomson Ursuline Campus that Susan Woods year as their ongoing, major project.

From the August 2007 newsletter: “There was a discussion as to whether or not to count hours worked at the Osawatomie flood relief project as volunteer hours. It was decided that while it was a good thing to do, it did not relate to MG business and you only get credit from St. Peter. The good news is that you don’t need to report the hours to him.” —John Rose 1998 15

Advisory Board he organizers got The Lawn & Garden Bernard Armstrong serious, and wrote Show was still the main Chair up the By-Laws, activity of the group, along Patti Armstrong Twhich were adopted in with the Farmers Market. Secretary October. Don Nelson and Paul Schonbachler There’s not much in the Bernard Armstrong pre- Treasurer way of archives from this sented Composting 101 period, as the organization at the Franklin County was just getting started Transfer Station. and members were busy There were discussions ironing out which projects on how to include youth to devote their consider- groups in Miami County able energies to. beyond those in 4-H. Don Nelson was Master Ten signed up for train- Gardener of the Year. The New Class ing—eight from Paola, and Lawn & Garden Show was Kathy Kierl one each from Louisburg a project from the start. Mike Hursey and his Jan Putzier and Osawatomie. Slow Food at Ursuline. Christine Staten Brenda Stringham Bill Vivers

“Not until the advent of summer do the brilliant large flowers appear...You must stoop down for the spring flower. The summer flowers reach up to you.” —Gerald H. Ellwanger, from The Quotable Gardener

Eileen Locke (left) had help from a group of young ladies in the Butterfly Garden the EMGs established at Ursuline. 16 1999

Advisory Board Don Nelson Chair Linda Stuart Treasurer Bernard Armstrong Patti Armstrong Susan Woods Marlene Elkins Elva Bledsoe

New Class Liz Bennett Sophia Edelbrock Peggy Haddad Jane Martin Sister Grace Lisa Valburg No identification of the year or place, but we know the names: (l to r) Paul Schonbachler, Patti Armstrong, Alicia Schonbachler, Christine Staten, Bernard Armstrong, and Nancy Kalman. By the looks of the ladies’ handbags it would appear to have been a shopping trip.

he first Annual Dinner was held on TJanuary 19. Master Gardener of the Year was Susan Wood, and Rookie of the Year From the August was Elva Bledsoe. 2007 newsletter: An attempt was “At this point Kelly made to separate swatted at a fly that social events from had been bugging quarterly meetings her. She missed, but and Advanced the noise did wake Training sessions. everyone up. Who Linda Stuart reported From the archives: three unnamed tikes helping said there weren’t the group had $171.50 in plant a tree, presumably at Ursuline. any flies on Kelly?” the bank. was located at 20 S. Gold primarily an education –John Rose Members presented Street in Paola. organization, not a labor a Small Acreage Man­ After the City asked pool. agement seminar in the group to weed the The Board had shirts Louisburg. gardens in Park Square, made with embroidery to The Extension Office the group decided we are identify wearers as EMGs.

2000 17

Advisory Board his year the Trial Don Nelson Gardens were built at the Chair Fairgrounds. The Trial TGardens have moved around Bernard Armstrong Patti Armstrong quite a bit in the years since. Elva Bledsoe Christine Staten was Master Jackie Canaan Gardener of the Year. Bill Vivers A discussion was held over the “irrational exuberance” of the Board members over suggested projects — this “must be con- tained and more careful planning should be given to those projects adopted.” New Class A plant sale held at the open- Nancy Kalman ing of the Farmers Market netted Mary Jane O’Leary more than $200. Lois Pearce Tours were scheduled for Nanette Shaver Arnold’s Greenhouse and the St. Nan Zimmerman Louis Botanical Gardens. Two kids and a shovel. Better than two kids Ursuline volunteer hours and their smart phones? through August topped 1000.

“In nature, nothing is perfect and everything is perfect.”

“Gardening: cheaper than therapy and you get tomatoes.” —Anonymous

“What’s that?” Two women check out the herb bed at the demonstration gar- dens at the Miami County Fairgrounds. Members of the Miami County Master Gardeners answered questions about the demonstration gardens during the recent porch/tree/garden tour sponsored by the Paola Tourism Group. 18 2001

he largest under­ Advisory Board taking of the year Elva Bledsoe was the Lawn & Chair TGarden show. Paul Schonbachler Renovation of the Vice Chair Ursuline gardens got Don Nelson underway. Other projects Secretary/Treasurer that were up and running Bernard Armstrong included advanced train- Patti Armstrong ing, the speakers bureau, Jackie Canaan and the farmers market. Bill Vivers The demonstration and trial gardens at the Fairgrounds included tomatoes, peppers, flower New Class varieties, ornamental d Brown and native grasses, and Loren Evison a much-admired drip Ron Guilfoyle irrigation system. Debbie Jongenelen In addition to the Carol Kirk hotline, Bernard and Christine Staten, Julie Perez and Nancy Kalman Eileen Locke Patti made on-site visits with some of the plants and roots they offered for Kelly Rayne in order to evaluate sale at the opening of the Paola Farmers Market. Larry Sims horticultural problems. Martha Sundquist Paul Schonbachler volunteered to serve as publicity chairman. The Lawn & Garden Show advertising budget for 2002 was set at $1500. K-State divided their ornamental grasses and donated some to us. “Knowledge is Efforts were made to knowing a tomato formalize communication is a fruit. Wisdom between the Ursuline is not putting it in a project board and the fruit salad.” Master Gardener board. Patti Armstrong suggested that we should expand our recruiting program. The Board decided all MG candidates Don Nelson presented the Rookie of the should be personally Year award to Sister Mary Grace Swift at the interviewed. annual recognition dinner in January. Discussions continued on constructing an Elva Bledsoe was inexpensive greenhouse at Master Gardener of the the fairgrounds. Year. 2002 19

Advisory Board n 2002 the idea for a three-day, comprehen- Master Gardener of the Paul Schonbachler mentor program was sive Advanced Master Year was Patti Armstrong. Chair presented by d Brown, Gardener Training program Rookie of the Year was Jackie Canaan Iand its processes and that included a choice of Nan Zimmerman. Vice Chair procedures were outlined. classes on 51 different The “Great Trees of Nancy Kalman The committee included topics. Registrations could Miami County” project Secretary Brenda Stringham and be returned in person, by took off, with help from Don Nelson Peggy Haddad. mail, or by fax (remember the district forest service Treasurer K-State offered a the fax?). agent. Patti Armstrong Bill Vivers Julie Perez

New Class Kim Bledsoe Randy Bonnell Verle Bostick Terry Davis Nancy Harper Jackie Mullinax John Rose

“Any damn fool can have a garden in April and May It separates the men from the boys when you have an interesting place in August.” —Allen C. Haskins, from The Quotable Gardener

Elva Bledsoe, Master Gardener of the Year, and Nan Zimmerman, Rookie of the Year, received their awards from Paul Schobachler at the Awards Night in January. 20 2003

he Lawn & Garden Advisory Board Show was held at Nancy Kalman the Fairgrounds, Chair Thosted by the Miami Loren T. Evison County EMGs, with hor- Vice Chair ticultural booths, garden d Brown arts and crafts, “Ask a Secretary Master Gardener” booth, Paul Schonbachler drawings and games for Treasurer door prizes, and children’s Debbie Jongenelen activities. Julie Perez The Mentor Committee was formed by d Brown in 2003, giving each new trainee a connection with an experienced Master New Class Gardener who could help Laura Ahlstrom guide them through the Donna Beverlin program. Patsy Butel More than 200 people attended a reception for Joan Carey Herschel George retired Herschel George, who retired as county ag agent Debra DeWeese as Ag Agent in June. to become Extension watershed specialist for the David Mullinax Master Gardener Marais des Cygnes River Basin. Herschel served for Connie Murphy of the Year was Paul 31 years as Miami County agricultural agent. Linda Raske Schonbachler. Rookie of Leanne Stevenson the Year was d Brown. Terri Weis

“Have you noticed in Lowe’s ad that they have a ‘Live Plant Specialist’? Where do we go for a ‘Dead Plant Specialist’? Ask for Bernard on Monday mornings.”

On the porch at Lenora Larson’s home a few years later—d Brown and the Butterfly Lady herself. 2004 21

Advisory Board aster Gardener market, hotline and ref- There was a proposal to d Brown of the Year was erence library, Victory renovate the Ursuline barn Chair d Brown. Rookie Garden, Earth Day, and to a visitor’s center for the Debbie Jongenelen Mof the year was David Paola Tree Board are gardens. Vice Chair Mullinax. important events and The volunteer require- Julie Perez The treasurer reported projects. The Round ment was 40 hours for Secretary that our bank account About and a “walkabout” the rookie class, but just Paul Schonbachler continued to grow. During were mentioned in the 25 for the rest of the Treasurer these early years the newsletter. members. Nancy Kalman balance hovered around Loren Evison $4,500. Bill Vivers There were many John Rose proposals for tours, including Powell Gardens, the Missouri Botanical New Class Gardens, and the Johnson Pat Butler County garden tour. A Marilyn Chandler trip was made to Arnold’s Rae Coffelt Nursery and the Wichita Janice Corbin Flower Show. Scott Dreiling Dianne Hunnicutt Verle Bostick and Terry Sheryl Roberts Davis headed a World War Robert Satterfield II Victory Garden project Lennox Taulbee in conjunction with Girl Scout Troop 648. The proj- ect was coordinated with the Smithsonian Exhibit at the Miami County Historical Society. People were gradually Linda Stuart outlined gardening projects planned at learning email etiquette. the Ursuline Botanical Gardens and Arboretum on Patti Armstrong and the grounds of the former Ursuline Academy. Julie Nancy Kalman worked Perez and Linda Stuart were co-chairs of the design “Remember the dif- to organize and improve committee. ference between soil the Paola farmers market. and dirt. Members dug extra plants We plant in soil and to sell at the market on bring dirt in on May 15, and the sale net- our hands!” ted $627, which included drawing ticket sales for a bird bath. The Ursuline Plant Sale grossed $11,718, with 40% going to Ursuline and 60% to Spring Valley Nursery (Ken O’Dell). The Ursuline gardens, advanced training, the Christmas party, 2004. county fair, farmers 22 2005

atti wrote (and we educational trips and tours. actually happened. Advisory Board paraphrase here): An EMG plant sale was John Rose got the local d Brown “Friends of Ursuline planned, to be held at the paper to agree to run at Chair PGarden and Arboretum Terry Davis/Bernard Cider Mill. least one MG article a grew out of an effort by month. Armstrong Mike Hursey to have a Sister Jane Falke, OSU, Vice Chair garden on the Ursuline designed a 2005 prayer The EMGs turned over John Rose Academy grounds. The calendar, with photos from management of the farm- Secretary MiCo EMGs stepped the Ursuline campus. ers market to the Chamber Patsy Butel forward. After much dis- There was a day trip to of Commerce, the City Treasurer cussion it was decided the Wichita Flower and/or the City Council. U Loren T. Evison ds rs that the hours MGs en u Show and buying There was a fall plant i li Debbie Jongenelen r n F e

gave to the gar- • of trips to three area sale at Ursuline, with Nancy Kalman

B dens would be • nurseries. Day proceeds going to the

Jackie Mullinax m

counted as MG o u trips were Ursuline Sisters.

t Paul Schonbachler t volunteer hours. a e r planned to the Master Gardener of The MGs did not n o i b Overland Park c New Class r the Year was Bernard want to sponsor thea G A l d Arboretum and the Carol Castellini d Armstrong. Rookie of the organization, thus the n Dyck Arboretum of the Sharon Conn ar en a Year was Scott Dreiling. reason for the Friends of Plains. Unclear if they Carol Elliott Ursuline group.” Myrna S. Guion There was lots of Elizabeth Hall planting at Ursuline, Harriet Jack including a magnolia Betsy B. Patrick grove, lavender bed, Elizabeth Prothe and an alee of Princeton Jonné Stauffers Sentry Ginkgo trees Jean Trail (columnar maples were also mentioned). Enthusiasm ramped up for the World Class Peony garden at Ursuline. Projects mentioned in the minutes and news- letters were: Ursuline Harriet Jack at the Shrine. Patti and Christine (below). “The secretary was Botanical Garden and chided by Loren Arboretum; Lawn & for misspelling his Garden Show / Grow name in the minutes. It — Eat It; the hotline; In the future such Great Trees; Friends rebukes shall be in the Garden (FIGS); taken to mean Public Education/ ‘I would love to take Advanced Training; over as secretary.’” Highway 68 Round About; —John Rose Louisburg Sign Project; Demonstration Gardens; Saturday farmers market in Paola; Spring Plant Sale; Mentor Program; newspaper articles; speaker’s bureau; and 2006 23

Advisory Board he demonstra- Bernard Armstrong tion gardens were Chair moved to the Susan Woods TUrsuline grounds. The Vice Chair Board was also working John Rose/Jane Martin to get approval to move Secretary the Extension Office there Larry Sims from its previous location Treasurer west of the Paola Square. Loren T. Evison Major fund-raiser was d Brown the first Miami County Jackie Mullinax EMG Garden Tour. Gardens on the tour were: John and Connie Murphy, Kitchen demonstrations at the Lawn & Garden Show. Spring Hill; Peggy and New Class Paul Hiatt, Spring Hill; booth would instead work The Plant Sale became Michelle Boyts Sally and Tom Lundblad, the garden tour. Event more professional with the Phyllis Day Louisburg; Dianne and chair was Carol Castellini. addition of a commercial Linda Prothe Waymon Hunnicutt, MiCo EMGs turned grower, retired nursery- John Raske Louisburg; Christy and over management of the man Ken O’Dell, who was Susan Thompson Scott Dreiling, Paola, and farmers market to My willing to provide plants on Eleanor Zuvanich the Ursuline Botanical Father’s House. a consignment basis. Garden and Arboretum. Julie Perez formed a Master Gardener of The expectation was that the Year: Julie Perez. members who formerly committee to build gar- dens at the Veterans Rookie of the Year: Carol volunteered to staff the Castellini. Lawn & Garden Show Memorial in Paola.

“There was talk of forming a ‘symbi- otic’ relationship with Ursuline. I was impressed at the use of the word symbiotic. I’m still not sure what it means, but I think I’d like to drive one.” —John Rose

Volunteer cooks before we discovered the joys of having events catered. 24 2007

ardens throughout Advisory Board the Midwest suffered Bernard Armstrong extensive damage Chair Gfrom the unexpected hard Carol Castellini freeze in April, after many Vice Chair trees and shrubs had already leafed out. So the unofficial John Rose theme of the garden tour, Secretary our only fund-raiser in Larry Sims 2007, was “recovery.” Plant Treasurer sale proceeds went to the Kelly Rayne Ursuline Sisters, funding for Jeannie Trail the gardens there. Jane Martin The Extension offices were Loren Evison moved to Monica Hall on the Ursuline campus, as were the Trial Gardens. New Class There was a field trip to Renee Avenaim Powell Gardens, where they Donna Cook were still planting in June to Kathy Doherty replace plants lost in the April Shirley New hard freeze. Beverly Roy A team of gardeners was Vickie Vetter-Scruggs working on the Round About project led by Joan Carey. Work progressed on our website, with Linda Raske as board-approved “clearinghouse.”

“Looks like the relocation of the Extension Office will happen August 15. Plan your out-of-town A group of volunteers hours remaining at 10. Paola, but it was tabled later vacation then so began working to improve you will have a Old railroad ties and in the year because the city the gardens at the John good excuse for t-posts were installed in the was “not ready to take it Brown Memorial Educational demonstration gardens. on at this time.” Progress not helping with Garden (Adair Cabin) in was made at the Veterans the move!” Osawatomie. The Board was looking Memorial. for someone to do a —John Rose The by-laws were presentation on butterflies. Master Gardener of updated, and the treasurer the Year: Carol Castellini. reported a balance of about Ambitious plans were Rookie of the Year: Susan $4k throughout the year. suggested for a community Thompson. Volunteer requirements were garden to be called changed to 40 hours, with AT “Sunflower Gardens” in 2008 25

Advisory Board he 2008 Class project Jeannie Trail was to plan and hold Chair a plant sale separate Tfrom the Ursuline sale. Carol Castellini Vice Chair Master Gardener of the Susan Thompson Year was Larry Sims. Rookie Secretary of the Year was Vickie Betsy Patrick Vetter-Scruggs. Treasurer Jane Martin continued as coordinator of communi- Jane Martin cations and wrote hints for Patti Armstrong “green living” in the monthly Kelly Rayne newsletters. Master Gardeners had a booth at Connie Murphy’s during the MiCo Farm Tour. New Class Dawn Crumpley The Class of 2008 plant Pam Peters sale at the Louisburg Cider Lisa Sims Mill was held on May 3. The last Ursuline Plant Sale was Penny Windler held May 9-10, with plans to continue it as a Master Gardener fund-raiser. Richard Piezuch continued to lead the youth programs. The February general meeting was a Project Fair to introduce members to the many projects available. This year marked the first mention of alternating a symposium-like event with the Garden Tour. Julie Perez headed a group that planted the Veterans “Master Gardeners Memorial with colorful is not about annuals, perennials and attending grasses, with shrubs to be meetings... added in the next few years. but is really about A plan was developed for educating the the Courthouse Gardens, community in fun with Scott Dreiling, Julie and effective ways. Perez, Susan Thompson and Come help us find Patti Armstrong planning to those ways.” start digging in the fall. —Jeannie Trail The Fall Plant Sale netted $2,256 for the EMG program. The Great Tree committee, led by John Rose, met with the Paola Tree Board. The 2009 Garden Tour was postponed for lack of a Chair. 26 2009

he first big spring plant Advisory Board sale from which the Jeannie Trail proceeds went to the Chair TMaster Gardener program Susan Thompson was held in May. Net profit Secretary was $3,801. The sale was Betsy Patrick advertised in KC Gardener magazine, The Free Shopper, Treasurer and on Sudden Link cable. Jane Martin Donna Cook and Vickie Linda Raske Vetter-Scruggs co-chaired Scott Dreiling the sale. Patti Armstrong Our bank balance grew to $7,846. Master Gardener of the Year: Susan Thompson. Rookie New Class of the Year: Pam Jamie Albright Peters. Dixie Forney Linda Raske and Mike Hursey Patti Armstrong Gail Muller co-chaired a Barry Stuart 2010 seminar committee. The Great Trees project was led by Ron Guilfoyle. The New Class Project was to spruce up the County Administration Building beds on the front and south sides. Larry Sims left a strip of soil in the Trial Garden at “After some Ursuline for a new project for growling from moms and toddlers to learn various stomachs, about seeds and soil. Project the Board meeting chair was Jeannie Trail. was adjourned!” Martha Sundquist led —John Rose youth projects. There was planning to set up “an Internet link where we can share pictures of all Special thanks our gardening projects.” It will donate $1,000. Infrastructure was put in to John Rose for is not clear when this “link” making those early became Facebook. place before sidewalks were laid. newsletters and Shirley New and Pam minutes fun to read! Peters met with the There was discus- Courthouse design com- sion of sidewalk bricks mittee. The Lion’s Club at the Courthouse for memorials. 2010 27

Advisory Board enora Larson gave out Vickie Vetter-Scruggs butterfly host plant Chair seeds at the January LAdvanced Training in prepa- Jeannie Trail Vice Chair ration for the New Class Plant Sale at her farm during Linda Raske the May Farm Tour. Secretary Sharon Conn Master Gardener of the Treasurer Year: Scott Dreiling. Rookie of the Year: Pam Peters. Scott Dreiling Pam Peters reported that Renee Avenaim there are cost-sharing funds Harriet Jack available through the Natural Pam Peters Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) for anyone interested in building high New Class and low tunnels. Nancy Dan Campbell Kalman presented an AT on Phyllis Benedict the subject. Mary Miller There were both spring Lenora Larson and fall plant sales. Ken Rogene McPherson O’Dell was made an Honorary Miami County EMG at the last board meeting. Vickie Vetter-Scruggs and Lenora Larson gave a presentation on butterfly gardens at the Kansas Day/ Business Expo. Loren Evison continued to write and gather articles for the newspaper. In June a reunion of Master Gardeners from 1996-2010 was held at Casa “Anyone who has Somerset, home of new EMG time for drama isn’t Mike Hursey and his wife, gardening enough.” Christine Hursey. —Anonymous The Courthouse Arches were dedicated by the Chamber of Commerce. The city failed to mulch the new beds at the Veterans Memorial. EMGs resumed work there in the fall. Lenora Larson had an AT on butterflies (what else?) at her farm. She also promoted participation in activities of the Idalia Society of Mid- American Lepidopterists. 28 2011

iane Burnett gave Moving peonies from Advisory Board the MGs a thorough Ursuline to the Courthouse Vickie Vetter-Scruggs run-through on the had been planned for later Chair Dresources available through in the summer, but they Christine Staten K-State and the publications began disappearing from Vice Chair they offer online, including the Ursuline campus so the Sharon Conn the Miami County web- schedule was moved up. site. She urged MGs to use Secretary/Treasurer There was a successful the resources there and Fall Plant Sale. Shirley New explained how to do it. Marty Sundquist Master Gardener of the Eilen Locke Year: Kathy Doherty. Rookie Renee Avenaim of the Year: Jamie Albright. Dan Campbell sold eggs, produce and more at the farmers market while also promoting the EMG pro- New Class gram and KSU Extension Joyce Ghaisarnia brochures. Leah Istas The 2011 Garden Tour was Jackie Johnson canceled because sev- Chet McLaughlin eral of the people who had Troy Medlin agreed to show their gardens Julie Newcomer became unable to do so. Kathy Nicholson Shirley New and Eleanor Rita Skelton Zuvanich donated produce Becky Thorpe from the Trial Gardens to My Dan Campbell, Phyllis Benedict, Lenora Larson, and Laraine Crawford Father’s House in Paola on Mary Miller. a regular basis and donated Office gardens, which is to Vickie noted the presence tomatoes to the 4-H kitchen say they pulled a truck-load of “Cinnamon Pine”­—pine for the Fair. of weeds! trees that were suffering the Many people staffed the The Courthouse Gardens Pine Wilt that was spread- “Lucy Booth” at the Fair. became an official Monarch ing, and said they should be MGs are urged to enter Waystation, a project of the removed immediately. something next year in hopes class of 2011. $500 was donated to of winning a blue ribbon like the Elva Bledsoe Memorial Kathy Doherty, Kathy Kierl “Even if you think Linda Raske Hoffman did this and Phyllis Benedict stepped Scholarship, established by year. her husband, John Bledsoe, you are right, you in to water, weed and gener- know that you can Barry and Linda Stuart ally care for the Courthouse after she died of cancer at age 51. be wrong and are cleaned up the Extension gardens. always willing to listen to and hear an opposing or contradictory view.” —A definition of the term open-minded presented by Vickie Vetter-Scruggs

Barry and Linda Stuart. Kathy Doherty, Phyllis Benedict, Lisa Sims, d Brown, Loren Evison and Larry Sims. 2012 29

Advisory Board ody Sloan became Vickie Vetter-Scruggs our new Ag Agent in Chair January, and 35% of Chis time was dedicated to the Christine Staten Vice Chair MG program. Susan Thompson Master Gardener of the Secretary Year: Loren Evison. Rookie of Shirley New the Year: Phyllis Benedict. Treasurer For the first time, the Marty Sundquist newsletter was available by email. Patti Armstrong wrote Donna Cook very informative and useful Those who received awards for their years of service. Phyllis Benedict newsletters during this time. The Board was once again trying to get people to sign New Class up for the hotline, which was Penny Hoffman a perennial problem. Jane McLaughlin The new class project was Eleanor Head a 24 x 36 garden next to Teresa Yohe First Option Bank, called the Mark Govea “Louisburg Memory Park.” New projects: Seeds for Kids. An irrigation system was installed at the Veterans Memorial workers and plant sale co-chairs. Courthouse. The John Brown Memorial Education Gardens before proofreading there produce would cease. project was taken over by was a typo here that said Patti wrote tidbits called a group at the Osawatomie “diligent praying program...” “On the Road” in the news­ YMCA. A Freudian slip of the letters that gave readers a fingers?) Julie Perez and Christine heads-up on what to look out Staten agreed to co-chair the The Trial Gardens were for along the highway and 2013 Garden Tour. The fall moved to Angela Scherman’s back roads. Example: “68 newsletters each featured property on Old KC Road Hwy, north side, the native two gardens scheduled for in hopes the pilfering of purple coneflowers are just the 2013 tour. starting to bloom...Going Aside from the north on New Lancaster Bermuda grass invaded about a mile beyond 68 on celebrity factor, the Veterans Memorial. The the west side is a spectacular MGs never City promised to follow fence line full of trumpet know where up with a diligent spraying vine.” the information program in 2013. (Note: they pass on will wind up. A good example: Bernard Armstrong was extensively quoted in the Sept. 3, 2011 KC Star gardening section in an article about growing Bernard A. pretending to Cody Sloan, our ag Honorees Kathy Doherty tomatoes. man the hotline. agent until early 2014. and Phyllis Benedict. 30 2013

he year marked the Advisory Board passing of Bernard Vickie Vetter-Scruggs Armstrong, one of Chair Tthe founders of the Miami Donna Cook County EMG program in Vice Chair 1996. Trees to honor Bernard Susan Thompson and also Bill Vivers were planted at the Courthouse, Secretary and a bench was added in Shirley New honor of Bernard. Treasurer Master Gardener of the Phyllis Benedict Year: Phyllis Benedict. Dan Campbell Rookie of the Year: Julie Dawn Crumpley Newcomer. The Spring Garden Tour had nine gardens, and the ticket price was $10. Each New Class garden had two liaisons and Michael Poss most had vendors selling var- Karl Willig ious garden-related wares. Karl Armstrong There was a Spring Patricia Trachsel Wildflower Walk at Hillsdale Christime Thomas- Lake, and an Advanced Hursey Training on drip irrigation Shelli Helm systems. The new class project was Spring Hill Daffodil Days. Successful plant sales were held in spring and fall. Hotline crews were gaining confidence, according to Cody. There was an AT on dragonflies, given by Betsy Betros. Lenora Larson invited the Master Gardeners to a “All EMGs are “mothing” at Long Lips Farm. encouraged to Alan Branhagen of Powell attend the Board Gardens was the keynote meetings on a speaker at the statewide AT monthly basis. in Manhattan. ( Bring your own donuts.)” The treasurer reported a balance of about $13k. This year was the first mention of Miami County and Linn County joining forces. Also the first mention of our Facebook page. Pat Trachsel and Christine Thomas-Hursey obtained a $500 grant from Walmart for the Extension Office gardens project. 2014 31

Advisory Board ince the Spring Plant Penny Hoffman Sale was longtime sup- Chair plier Ken O’Dell’s last, Sa committee was formed to Martha Sundquist Vice Chair find new vendors to supply plants on consignment. They Lenora Larson considered moving to a more Secretary heavily-trafficked location or Shirley New to develop an entirely differ- Treasurer ent fund-raiser in its place. Jan Putzier Master Gardener of the Jane McLaughlin Year: Lenora Larson. Rookie Dawn Crumpley of the Year: Penny Hoffman. The newsletter was sent by email starting in January (this was also mentioned in the New Class 2012 notes. Confusing!) Debbie Kitchell The Historical Society Sue Burns donated the cast iron guard Dwight Miller rail that enclosed the foun- Sipora (Zip) Coffelt tain on the square at the Theresa Miller beginning of the 20th cen- tury. (It was installed in the Courthouse Gardens in 2020.) Lenora Larson and Ken O’Dell led a wildflower walk at Hillsdale Lake, followed by lunch in Susan and Bob Thompson’s back yard. Lenora was busy arrang- ing an outstanding array of Advanced Training speakers. Julie Perez reported that since 2008, Miami County Master Gardeners each year “supplied close to $3,000 “All kudos belong in manual labor, along with to the Master an average of $1,000 in new Gardeners. plant material” toward the All mistooks Veterans Memorial project. are mine.” Kansas Senate Bill 411 —Patti Armstrong proposed to eliminate the in the newsletters district’s ability to levy a tax to support the services of the Extension office. Funding under the proposal would revert to what was available through the county com- missioners. This came after six years of planning and development to combine Miami and Linn counties into one district, which was as yet unnamed. 32 2015

iami County and Advisory Board Linn County were Penny Hoffman finally combined Chair Minto one district. The new Martha Sundquist name, Marais des Cygnes Vice Chair Extension Master Gardeners, Lenora Larson meant new shirts and a new mission statement were Secretary needed to reflect the change. Laraine Crawford Treasurer The newsletters included contact information for Patti Armstrong both the Paola Extension Dawn Crumpley Office and the Mound City Jan Putzier Extension Office. Master Gardener of the Year was Shirley New. Rookie of the Year was Karl New Class Armstrong. Pam Bond Mike Brown The newly-formatted Spring Plant Sale was held Harley Davidson in the parking lot of Rockers JoAnn Davidson Pharmacy on Baptiste, with Sondra dela Cruz Mary Miller as chair and with Dennise Fink-Morse new vendors. Betsy Hasselquist The new class project was Jan Thompson the design, planting and maintenance of the beds at the Extension Office entry from Wea Street. The hotline was being transformed. The new name under consideration was Mobile Hotline (a clue as to the new approach).

“The training alone is worth the volunteer commitment. But beyond that, the program is great for making friends and getting out into the community.” —Patti Armstrong 2016 33

Advisory Board here were 55 in Michael Poss attendance at the first Chair annual Spring Garden TSymposium, held in the Martha Sundquist Vice Chair Paola Extension Office. Pat Trachsel Ongoing projects were: Secretary • The Courthouse, Laraine Crawford Extension and Trial Gardens. Treasurer Courthouse Gardens Eleanor Head volunteers worked with a 5th grade class to clean up the Jan Putzier gardens. Shirley New • Come Grow with Us (in LaCygnes) • The Plant Sale, held in a New Class parking lot on Baptiste, with Carmen Anthony new consignment vendors. Tom dela Cruz • The Awards Dinner: André Dight Master Gardener of the Year: Doris McElreath Michael Poss. Rookie of the Rena Tedrow Year: Mike Brown. First time for these awards: Work Glove (most volunteer hours): Lenora Larson. Seeds of Knowledge (most AT hours): Kathy Ayers. André Dight proposed that EMGs take on Lakemary Gardens as a project, assisting and consulting in starting gardens, including a butterfly garden, to support students in learning to plant and maintain gardens. • Touch-A-Truck and “Gardening is Seeds for Kids. Through experiential. When sign-ups at Touch-A-Truck, things don’t work Earth Day, Gardening with out, you’ve learned Kids, we had more than 240 something... kids registered for Seeds for Kids. sometimes you just need to move on.” Planning began for the 2017 Garden Tour and —Michael Poss garden selection. There was a tour to Hollingsworth Peonies in Maryville, MO, Des Moines Botanical Garden, the Tulip Festival in Iowa and Reiman Gardens at Iowa State U. Signupgenius is now where volunteers sign up to help with events. 34 2017

he Second Annual Advisory Board Spring Gardening Shirley New Symposium was held Chair Tat the Extension Office, with Debbie Kitchell registration fee of $25 and Vice Chair nearly 70 in attendance.. Pat Trachsel Master Gardener of the Secretary Year: Betsy Hasselquist. Laraine Crawford Rookie of the Year: Tom Dela Treasurer Cruz. Work Glove Award: Betsy Hasselquist; Seeds of Jam Putzier Knowledge Award: Connie Rebecca Thorp Murphy. Friend of the Master Jane McLaughlin Gardener: Judy Moser. At the Awards Dinner, André Dight presented infor- mation on the new Lakemary New Class Therapeutic Ranch project. Brenda Wrischnik Judy Moser Four members served as Open Class Superintendents Gary Thompson at the Miami County Fair: Cathy Stainbrook Floriculture, Michael Poss; Janette Bennett Agriculture & Horticulture: Carol Williams Chet McLaughlin; Seeds for Kids: Shirley New and Jane McLaughlin. Katelyn Barthol became our new Ag Agent in October. the first Facebook LIVE Springfield Botanical Garden. MdC EMGs donated broadcast on the subject of KC Gardener magazine $5,000 to the fairground growing garlic. was identified as best for rebuilding project after major There was a group bus reaching our target market. flood damage earlier in the tour to P. Allen Smith’s Moss Ads, articles and calendar year. Mountain Farm, Garvan listings for AT and fund- Nancy Kalman presented Woodland Gardens, and the raisers were placed there.

“Hope... is the thing that rises from a tiny seed, in its own sweet time.” —Timothy Egan in the NYTimes 2018 35

Advisory Board he Mound City Library Extension Master Gardener.” Staff began pursuing options Mike Brown/ held this year’s Come MdC profit from the Plant in case the Extension Office Betsy Hasselquist Grow with Us! classes Sale was more than $5,700. had to move. Tand workshops on growing Chair Monthly newsletters began and preserving food. A new social event was a Debbie Kitchell Christmas Cookie Exchange listing committees and Vice Chair Master Gardener of the held at the Jackson Hotel in their chairs, along with the Becky Thorpe Year: Becky Thorpe. Rookie Paola. Advisory Board officers and Secretary of the Year: Judy Moser; members. The Ursuline property was Laraine Crawford Work Glove Award: Judy sold but the deal fell through. Treasurer Moser. Seeds of Knowledge Award: Mike Brown. Phyllis Benedict The Spring Gardening Sondra dela Cruz Symposium moved to Town Betsy Hasselquist Square after it became obvious that we needed more space than we had at New Class the Extension Office. There Anita Boyette-Voke was unexpected profit of Kathleen Brady-Francis $1,573, as realization set in Lori Calvin that this could be an annual Brandon Johnson fund-raiser in addition to Steve Kemplay being an educational event Barbara Shropshire in keeping with our mission Fred Snead statement. There were 180 in Patricia Wolfe attendance. The Board approved changes to the By-Laws. As our potluck meetings seemed to be losing their appeal, the second quarterly general meeting was a “Talent Show,” showcasing members’ various skills related (or not) to gardening. Q3 was a plant swap. The Q4 game night was postponed One EMG was due to health issues of the heard to say that event organizer. Judy O’Mara’s The Board contributed to advanced an annual $500 scholarship training on for graduating high school Identifying seniors “who exemplify Plant Problems exceptional horticultural was “the most skills.” Selection was man- useful AT class aged by the 4-H Foundation. I have ever An information and attended!” recruitment brochure was produced, along with a photo roster to help members put a name together with a face. KC Gardener featured Lenora Larson as the first in a series called “Meet an 36 2019

he Plant Sale ramped Advisory Board up efforts to focus on Betsy Hasselquist native plants, butterfly Chair Thost plants, and pollinator Debbie Kitchell/Phyllis plants. Benedict Sue Burns planted a polli- Vice Chair nator garden in the children’s Sondra dela Cruz area at the Cider Mill. Secretary Debbie Kitchell organized Carmen Anthony/Sue a private MdC EMG event at Burns the Gardens of Wendwood, Treasurer a private garden she has managed for 18 years. Cathy Stainbrook Jan Thompson We have five EMGs who Judy Moser have earned emeritus status: Patti Armstrong, d Brown, New Class Linda Hoffman, Jan Putzier Cindy Katzer and Larry Sims. Janette Everhart Master Gardeners of the Year were Sue Burns and Laraine Crawford. Rookie of the Year: Anita Boyett-Voke. Seeds of Knowledge: Anita Boyett-Voke. Work Glove Award: Laraine Crawford. Friends of the EMGs: Angela Scherman and Julie Ramsey. Registration fee for the Fourth Annual Symposium was $40, with four excellent speakers. Issues of space and visibility at Town Square led to anticipation of another move for 2020. Cathy Stainbrook orga- nized a private EMG-only “We can complain garden tour in Linn County. because rose bushes What amazing variety we have thorns, saw in those gardens! or rejoice because The Q3 general meeting thorn bushes was held at Lakemary Ranch. have roses.” Anita Boyette-Voke —Abraham Lincoln increased our online social media presence in an effort to reach younger people. Laraine Crawford helped maintain a Biblical Garden at her church. Fall 2019 brought the initial planning for the EMG History Project book and request for information and photos. 2020 37

Advisory Board ew recruitment signs the Seeds for Kids program. Brainstorming meetings placed around the Betsy Hasselquist MdC EMGs had a booth at produced tons of excellent counties resulted in Chair Kansas Expo Day. ideas for promoting the Nnine trainees for the class program, but Covid-19 put Phyllis Benedict of 2021. Patti Armstrong The Symposium was Vice Chair everything on hold for now. reported that 174 EMGs moved to the Lighthouse Lenora Larson continued Anita Boyette-Voke have been trained since the Presbyterian Church in Paola to contribute monthly articles Secretary program began to accommodate many more Laraine Crawford on beneficial and harmful Big news in 2020 was that people and improve visibility. Treasurer insects for the newsletters. the Extension Offices would The hugely successful Sue Burns be moving in early 2021 to February 29 event made it Advanced Training was just under the wire before mostly by Zoom. Garden Cathy Stainbrook 913 N. Pearl—Old KC Road. Covid-19 shut everything maintenance continued with Judy Moser Master Gardener of the down. It turned out to be our social distancing protocols Year: Judy Moser. Rookie of only fund-raiser in 2020. strictly observed. the Year: Janette Everhart. Work Glove Award: Anita The Plant Sale was can- The EMG program called New Class Boyett-Voke. Seeds of celed. EMGs were urged to “Holiday Happiness” Stacie Campbell Knowledge Award: Cynthia support our plant sale ven- matched member donations dors. Tentative plans were (up to $500) to the food David Gifford Katzer. made to hold the 2021 sale pantries in Miami and Linn Kathleen Brady-Francis and Stephanie Myers in the parking lot of our new Counties and donated a total Janette Bennett took over Susan Hain offices on Pearl/Old KC Road. of $1,475. Debbie Day Helen Kloepper Shelli Shockey-Bichel Rhonda Lewis Randa Lewis

“If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.” – Cicero 38

Community Education Advanced Training 39

ancy Kalman remembers having Advanced Training when she joined in 2000. NArrangements at that time were made by county horticultural agents, and ours was Herschel George. Most of the presenters were other extension agents and K-State professors. Chuck Marr was a regular, and according to Nancy, he was very funny. For a time, Bernard Armstrong and Paul Schonbachler stepped up to organize the Advanced Training presentations. Lenora Larson finds great AT Nancy Kalman continues to do AT About the time when Herschel presenters, and is one herself. presentations. left the program, Nancy became the volunteer in charge of Advanced Training. She says the agents were always helpful in contacting professors and other agents. Nancy tried to have a presentation each month, and did that job for several years. Skipping forward, Lenora Larson (Class of 2011) soon became the chair of the Advanced Training committee (which was usually just one person). Lenora was perfectly Johnson County Hort Agent Dennis Patton always draws a crowd. suited for the job, as a presenter herself both in our program and throughout the area, where she networked with other program presenters. Both Lenora and Nancy had a wide range of knowledge and experience and an eagerness to share it with others. ✿

Sherry Thomas Several attendees said this plant disease diagnosis class was one of the most useful they had attended. 40 Plant Sales

2007 sale checkout in the Ursuline parking lot. The weather was not always perfect (2013 fall sale).

n the early years, members dug unforeseen problems. plants from their own gardens to After Ken retired from retirement sell at various locations, including in 2014, new consignment vendors Ithe Cider Mill. This became a huge were found, and the sale moved task, albeit a productive way for from Ursuline to a more trafficked members to dispose of aggressive area on Baptiste. Mary Miller and spreaders rather than dragging them her husband Steve ran the sales in a to the compost pile. very businesslike manner, and EMG In 2006 the decision was made to net profits rose. turn the sale over to a commercial Sondra dela Cruz and her grower. A consignment grower had husband Tom took over after the been found. Ken O’Dell, Spring Millers moved away, and although Valley Nursery, agreed to take back Covid-19 canceled the 2020 sale, unsold plants, thus assuming all the event remains one of our more the risk for bad weather and other ✿ Patti at the 2012 spring sale. successful fund-raisers.

Tips from super-salesman Ken O’Dell. Lenora used her sales skills to increase butterfly awareness in 2018. Spring Symposium 41 he Symposium evolved from a 55-attendee event to a 250-attendee event T(with 60 more turned away) in a few short years, as the date and venue changed to accommodate enormous interest throughout the region among EMGs and others. Speakers at the 2016 event were: Jamie Kidd, Cheryl Boyer and Lynn Loughary. The 2017 Symposium featured Ania Wiatr, senior gardener at Powell Gardens, Cynthia Gillis, Jack Carson, and Sherri Thomas. Merle Sharp spoke at the 2018 Symposium held at Town Square. In 2018 the keynote speaker was Merle Sharpe, long-time Master Gardener and landscape designer. Other speakers were Cynthia Gillis and Brian Boccard. “Gardening by Design” was the ongoing theme. The Symposium the following year featured Bryan Boccard as the keynote speaker, with Dennis Patton, Timothy Moloney and Myrna Minnis filling out the program. “The Color-filled Garden” delighted attendees in 2020, Interest in attending soon outgrew the con- with presentations by Timothy ference room at the Extension Office. Moloney, Susan Mertz, Ania Wiatr, and Lenora Larson. Jeannie Trail and Susan Thompson made these programs very successful, with help from many other volunteers. ✿ Tim Moloney was a favorite.

Tickets for the 2019 Symposium had to be cut off because of limited space at Town Square, so the venue was moved once again, this time to the Lighthouse Church (left). 42 Garden Tours The 2007 program ur Garden Tours The 2021 tour will have been feature six gardens, and Miami County among the most the ticket price has been Master Gardener Garden Tour Ocomplicated educational raised to $15 from the Not Your Ordinary Garden Tour ✿ Saturday, June 3rd 9 am - 5 pm and fund-raising events original price. Sunday, June 4th 12 pm - 5 pm to organize—but hugely Sponsored by the Miami County K-State Research and Extension Master Gardeners popular and successful. 1 Connie and John Murphy 20020 W 223rd Street, Spring Hill 5 For those of you considering a retirement career based Waymon and Dianne Hunnicutt The Lawn & Garden around your acreage, we offer Honey Meadow Farm. Initial 29630 Metcalf, Louisburg ly it was established as an orchard, with colorful perennials Nestled on top of a rural rocky hillside with a panoramic - and annuals used to enhance the home’s landscaping. Now view, this garden could be on the cover of any country- Show was replaced by in retirement, Connie’s organized plantings have evolved themed garden magazine. A relaxing, casual garden style into dozens of overflowing beds, with thousands of flowers, with whimsy everywhere; many winding paths lead you the Spring Garden Tour used for “Connie’s Potting Shed”. This farm not only offers through a wide variety of plant material with inviting seating a Monet garden for your enjoyment, but will show you the areas scattered throughout. Although the gardens are com pact, there is a pond fed by a babbling brook and even an workings of a production flower farm providing the botani - in 2007, being held in enchanted woodland path. Country serenity at its best! cals needed for all fresh and dried designs. - alternate years with the 2 Cindy and Gayle McPherson 6 Scott and Christy Dreiling 20250 W 223rd Street, Spring Hill 906 E. Piankishaw, Paola Johnson County spring Country living at its best! Visit the lush surroundings of this This classic Victorian home in the heart of Paola is wonder 2 acre home in Spring Hill. The McPherson’s brick ranch fully showcased by charming gardens. From the window - garden tours. is nestled among mature landscape which relies heavily on boxes to the flower edged vegetable garden, it is a treat to conifer shrubbery. This formal design uses deciduous trees see. Native rock lines the unusual water feature, which is and the colors of perennials and annuals for its accents. You two levels, connected by a stream flowing under the deck. In 2015 the tour will find the use of landscaping, to create privacy, in their Scott has used native plants extensively in the shade and large backyard. Discovery of a miniature, Italian style, gar sun areas. An urban yard owned by a large, busy family, this den awaits those who appreciate symmetry and formality. - garden even has a kid-friendly play area designed to hold up dates were moved to to activity. 3 Peggy and Paul Hiatt September, in order to 20314 W 223rd Street, Spring Hill 7 Ursuline Botanical Garden and Arboretum Are you sentimental? Do you like white picket fence? Join 901 East Miami Street, Paola highlight gardens during a us for a nostalgic tour through the Hiatt’s 2+ acre property. Ursuline Gardens are operated and funded by the Friends of As you arrive, your eyes are drawn to the white picket fence Ursuline Garden and Arboretum, a not for profit 501 c 3. The that highlights a striking island bed. You will be enticed Friends were organized in 1999 and each year the Friends different season. around this country home by multiple, native rock, edged raise money through plant sales and donations and use the islands. Each bed is full of classic perennials, native plants money to design and plant. and colorful annuals. Sentimental art is nestled in amongst the many colors and scents. This nostalgic treat will surely It is the Mission of the Garden to inspire people to appre ciate, beautify and conserve our natural environment by inspire you! - providing a peaceful setting with opportunities for prayer, re flection and learning. The gardens are designed in harmony - 4 Tom and Sally Lundblad with the history and traditions of the Ursuline Sisters; the 110 Broadmoor Dr., Louisburg landscape of the Midwest, in order to create a lasting influ ence on our community. The gardens are open to the public The Lundblad’s garden transports you from the midst of a - highly concentrated subdivision to the Colorado mountains, from dawn to dusk. showcased with a two level pond connected by a granite lined stream. A great sampling of conifers and perennials enhance the water feature and edge the property. A difficult slope is well maintained with a rock garden using a variety of both sedum and dwarf conifers. One can literally leave suburbia far behind in this special garden.

A few of he gardens. Clockwise from top: Dela Cruz, Murphy, Larson, Michel/Coffey, Green, and Peterson. So Many Other Public Education Projects 43 rojects have evolved over the years to reflect the skills and interests of a changing Pmembership. Newspaper articles were written by Patti Armstrong, d Brown, Connie Murphy, Nancy Kalman, Vickie Vetter-Scruggs, Lenora Larson, and many others. As advertising revenue has fragmented the publishing industry, the local Larry Sims at JBMEG Lakemary volunteers Farmers market paper runs our articles as space allows. The speakers bureau has always been loosely organized, as few members are comfortable speaking before large groups of strangers. Lenora Larson is a notable exception, and she takes our message to other garden and butterfly groups far and wide. Through the years Patti Susan Thomson with kids The Lakemary Ranch Armstrong, Nancy Kalman, Mike Brown, and others have also carried the torch as public speakers for the EMG program. We partnered with the Paola Tree Board for several years, starting in 2004. Annual 4-H Scholarships have been awarded to students who showed an interest in horticulture. In 2016 Andre Dight, a new EMG at the time, saw the need for our group to establish a relationship with the Lakemary Ranch program for kids and adults with intellectual A wildflower walk at Hillsdale Work at JBMEG and developmental disabilities. There was amazing work done at the John Brown Memorial Educational Gardens by volunteers who took that project on. Earth Day and Touch-A-Truck events were manned by volunteers who enjoyed working with children. Our booth at the Paola farmers market booth always drew much interest. Retired teachers were the best at working with children. Wildflower walks at Hillsdale Lake were open to anyone interested in Chet McLaughlin, Earth Day An EMG booth at Touch-A-Truck learning more about nature. ✿

44

Pro�ects in the Community The Courthouse Gardens 45

Before the Courthouse Gardens project began, the area was an empty canvas.

he gardens were in the planning stage for two years and are a Tcooperative project of the Paola Lion’s Club, Miami County, and the Master Gardeners. They broke ground in 2008 with the planting of the State Tree of Kansas. The sidewalks were installed in 2009 and beds were planted next to the building. In 2010, thanks to Doherty Steel, the arbors were built and installed, along with more beds. A big year was 2011, with installation of directional and informational signs, more beds and the Monarch Way Station. All suffered from the major drought of that year. In 2012 an irrigation system was installed and a redesign led by Nancy Branum of the Johnson County EMGs put the gardens back on track. Amenities were added in 2013, including two memorial benches and historic lighting donated by the Miami Coun- ty Historical Society. The long-awaited Medallion went in the center of the sidewalk. Many yearly improvements continue into 2021. ✿

But look at it now! 46 Extension Office Gardens he Ursuline Sisters came Times changed and the college The Ursuline Sisters shared their to Paola in 1895 when local was closed in 1957, but the sisters campus with all who came just businessmen donated the founded Lakemary Center in to see the grounds or participate Toriginal land for the campus. The the 1960s. The high school was in retreats, meetings or other Sisters started a school in the spring closed in 1971, and the facilities gatherings. Time moved on, and of 1896 and gradually expanded it then served as a retreat center the remaining Sisters moved to the to include education for girls from and a location for a variety of Ursuline campus in Kentucky. kindergarten through junior college. other activities. The Miami County The property was sold and the Also, many Sisters taught in the Extension offices were moved to Extension Offices moved in 2021. ✿ surrounding parochial schools. Monica Hall on the Ursuline campus. Veterans Memorial Garden 47 group of dedicated EMGs led by Julie Perez designed, planted and worked very hardA to maintain the gardens sur- rounding the Veterans Memorial in Paola for a number of years. The memorial honors those who sacri- ficed so much for our country. ✿ 48 The Trial Garden olunteers at the Trial Garden plant various vegetable varieties and document theirV relative success for K-State. The produce is now sold at the Osawatomie farmers market, with proceeds going toward horticultural scholarships. ✿ 49 50 Notes 51 2021

Congratulations to us, the Marais des Cygnes District Extension

Master Gardeners on our first 25 years

of service to the community.

Thanks to the many, many members

whose dedication and �ard work

have made this

volunteer program possible!