Annual Awards and Graduation Dinner

Seven DCMGA members received special recognition at the Annual Awards and Graduation Dinner, held Thursday, January 5, at the Doral Tesoro Hotel, the site of our up-coming state conference.

Through a "member's choice" selection, Peggy Durrett was named Master Gardener of the Year. Peggy has served as chairman of the state conference committee and has led the efforts to pull together an exciting conference program- and has done it ahead of schedule!

The Extra Mile Award went to Linda Krimm, who, in addition to working on the state conference committee, served as DCMGA treasurer and webmaster. Linda also co-chaired the implementation of the TWU Demonstration Garden.

A Special Merit Award was presented to Mary Morrow, who also received the award for Veteran with the Most Hours (398!). Mary is secretary for DCMGA and spent other volunteer hours as project manager for Little Hands on the Farm and on the State Conference Committee. She volunteered at the Garden Tour and Plant Sale, LISDOLA , Habitat for Humanity and provided direct public contact making "tree calls" throughout Denton County.

Mary Ellen Richards received the Educator Award. An active member of the Speaker's Bureau, she is also project manager at the Oak Grove Bible Garden. Mary Ellen has worked on the TWU Demonstration Garden and Courthouse-on-the-Square projects, as well as the Garden Tour and Scholarship Committee.

The Intern Special Award was given to Joanne Fellows, who served as president of the 2004 intern class, worked on several projects including the Garden Tour and Children's Community Garden, as well as sharing her technical expertise to solve various association needs.

Susan Musgrave received recognition as the Intern with the Most Hours (183!)

Service pins recognizing years of service to the association were presented to:

Master Gardener Prayer

In my Father's Garden I am well-tended. As my Caretaker, He daily meets my needs--as I am His cherished favorite.
He daily cultivates my soul. With His gentle hand He provides the glistening dewdrops that greet me in the mornings as well as the soft afternoon rains that nourish my soul.
He is truly my Master Gardener.
Let me be like the birds that sing of Your glory and the butterflies as they silently dance from bloom to bloom. Or perhaps I could be like the bumblebees that revel in Your creation and complain not as they toil each hour of the day.
Lord I pray that You guide my hand and help me to be Your Master Gardener.
Keep me mindful that what I sow is what I shall reap.
Help me then to plant seeds of kindness.
Give me the strength to grow the best in myself.
I thank you for the glorious sunshine--the happy moments in my life when I feel I could dance upon the sunbeams.
I thank you for the clouds and the rainbow you paint in the Heaven as they remind me to be humble before You.
And when the clouds of my life darken with a fearful trembling, I thank You for your compassion and comfort.
I want to grow, to blossom and reach each day higher and closer to You.
Help me clear the paths of my mind and weed out thoughts unpleasing to You.
When the soft pine straw is underfoot, guide my steps to follow Your desires.
Let my bounty be one of new friendships through my service to others.
Just as the lilies in the field in all their finery, help me find beauty in today rather than worries of tomorrow.
Father, let my actions be a reflection of Your Love.
Let my words by a symphony to your glory and let me, when troubled, feel your caress in the breeze.
Let my fragrance delight you and others.
But, Father, more than anything, let me bow before You, and return my thanks for Your tender care as my Master Gardener.

Amen

Inspiration from the Garden, a book of prayers written by Darla Bostick

What's New at the Speakers Bureau

Wanted:  "DCMGA seeks DCMGs for rewarding personal  involvement. Public exposure required.  No previous experience necessary."

Got your attention?  Then you should become a part of our Speakers Bureau.  In the past year, we have made presentations to many areas of the Denton County community, including Lake Forest Good Samaritan Village, Lewisville Sr. Citizens, Krum Library Sr. Citizens, as well as many local garden clubs.  Some DCMGs volunteering as speakers have been Janie Farler, Mary Ellen Richards, Linda Williams, Phil Weatherby, Liz Gould, Maurine LeBeau and Annell Burns.

This year, the Speakers Bureau needs even more volunteers, as community requests are increasing. Already scheduled for  2005 are:

• Lewisville Greater Garden Club, "Golden Rules of Successful Houseplant Care" by Annell Burns (presented on Jan. 12)
• 2005 Spring Dallas Home and Garden Show, Market Hall, Dallas, March 3, 4, &5
  • "Attracting Wild Birds to Your Landscape", Friday, March 4, 3 p.m.  by Debbie Hipp
  • Topiary Workshop,  Friday, March 4, 11 a.m. by Carolyn Tinner and team
  • "Native Texas Gardening" , Saturday, March 5, 2 p.m. by Rica Potenz
• Flower Mound Public Library,Tuesday, March 22, 7 p.m. "Focus on Xeriscaping", by Karen Archambault

You do not have to be a professional speaker to participate.  Your love of flowers, vegetables, lawns, trees, houseplants  or plant -related crafts , or an interest in birds, butterflies, etc. is all you need!  Not all presentations are as large as the Dallas Home and Garden Show; most are small groups.  We even have "in-house" talent available to help you create your own power-point presentation.  For more information or to volunteer, contact me.

Annell Burns, Speakers Bureau Chairman