|
Registration forms for the conference and loads of
details are now available on our website,
DCMGA.com. Even Denton County MG
volunteers will need to register so look for the form on line, print it out,
and send it in! Donna will have copies in the office as well. Don't forget
to make your Doral reservation too!
As we approach zero hour for the conference, we are
starting to nail down the details. As they say, "the devil's in the
details." We want to exorcise the devil before he has a chance to mess
things up! Think back to conferences you've attended. Any improvements to
suggest? Let me, Peggy Durrett, know! We want 100% happy conferees! (Yes,
there are bathrooms on the tour buses.) Before Denton County ever
volunteered to host the 2005 conference, we took a vote to see if YOU wanted
it! At the time, I explained a yes vote also meant a commitment to volunteer
when the time came. We voted yes and now it's time to volunteer! Let's
highlight a few volunteer opportunities:
We will need Denton County
Master Gardeners to staff the registration table from 3 - 6pm, Thursday, May
5; 6:30 am to 6:30 pm, Friday May 6; and 6:30 - 8:30am Saturday, May 7. Liz
Gould will be in charge of on-site registration. Duties involved include
checking in conferees, passing out goodie bags and answering questions.
Volunteers will be seated at the registration table for the most part.
We
still have four tours that need Denton County MG hosts. Karen Archambault
can fill in the details. The tour host helps load the buses, accompanies the
tour, distributes box lunches, keeps the tour on schedule and answers
conferees' questions. There is quite a bit of walking involved in all the
tours. Since a large part of being a volunteer is answering general
questions conferees may have,
there are two volunteer
training meetings (attend only one) which will provide all kinds of
general info. On Monday, April 4, the morning training will be held at 9:30
am. On April 18, there will be an evening training meeting. The location
will be the Guadalupe Room, Doral Hotel and
Golf Club. Donna Wolfe is keeping a master list of all
volunteer positions. Please call her to volunteer!
Peggy Durrett
Winter Tree
Identification Class
Can you identify trees in the winter? Would you like to learn how? On
Friday, February 11, Karen Smith, certified arborist and DCMGA member, will
conduct a workshop on winter tree identification. We will spend a couple of
hours in the classroom learning about identifying trees and then spend time
outdoors putting our knowledge to work. Class will begin at 9 a.m. in the
Extension conference room. Bring a brown bag lunch, water or beverage, and
dress for the weather! Participation is limited; contact Donna Wolfe to
enroll.
Photography-From
Landscape to Close-Up
Bring your camera, lens and any questions to a 35 mm photography class
designed to help improve your photography skills. The class will comprise
two sessions, with the first session Wednesday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. We will
be discussing various camera settings for shooting everything from landscape
to individual flower blossoms. We will also be doing work with digital
cameras.
After using our new knowledge for a couple of weeks, we will meet again for
the second session on Wednesday, March 16, at 10 a.m. to review and critique
our work, as well as ask any additional questions.
The class instructor will be Annette Bibby, who has a journalism degree from
Texas A&M University, as well as owning her own studio in the area for many
years. The classes are free but registration with Donna Wolfe is required.
The class qualifies for four Advanced Training Hours.
Advanced Master Composting
Class
Here's an opportunity for at least five hours of training for those of you who
will be working at the annual conference, instead of attending the seminars
and workshops. It is also an opportunity for any Master Gardener who wants
to improve and expand their composting knowledge.
This free class will be Thursday, February 24, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the
Central Fire Station Training Room , 3838 Forums Drive, in Flower Mound. In
addition, "Keep Flower Mound Beautiful" will provide a shepherd style
backyard bin, compost thermometer, Rodale Book on Composting, Yard Wise
book, and Keep Flower Mound Beautiful t-shirt, along with drinks and snacks.
Just bring your own sack lunch (microwave and fridge are available.)
To register for the class, call or e-mail Jim or Carol Appleby before
February 21. Space will be limited.
Our Gift from Spain: Colonial Farming and Ranching Comes to Texas
When plants, foods and agriculture came from the Old World to the colonial
frontier, the Southwest was changed forever. Learn about these contributions
to our agricultural heritage at an illustrated talk by William W. Dunmire,
at the Denton Courthouse-on-the Square Museum on Monday, March 7, at 1:00 p.m. Mr. Dunmire's book, Gardens of New Spain: How Mediterranean Plants and Foods
Changed America, has been recently released by the University of Texas Press
and will be available for purchase after the program.
By relating directly to our local agriculture and the history of our project
at Bayless-Selby House, we will be able to earn advanced training hours for
attendance at this event.
Master Gardener
Specialist-Oak Wilt
 A two-day "Specialist in Oak Wilt" training session will be offered at
Tenroc Ranch in Salado on June 21 & 22 and again on June 28 & 29. This very
intensive class will train Master Gardeners to be certified as a specialist,
working with the Texas Forest Service, to provide public awareness of oak
wilt and give technical support for the Oak Wilt Suppression Program. If you
are interested in this training, contact John Cooper.
LISDOLA -
http://dcmga.com/SchoolProjects.htm
There will be some gorgeous days this spring, so why not spend them sprucing
up LISDOLA Outdoor Learning Area. A busy spring program is planned, with
lots of students visiting. There will be work to be done cleaning up around
the buildings. Scheduled work days are Monday, Feb. 28, March 14, April 25
and May 23. We start at 9:15 a.m. Bring your own tools, water, sack lunch and remember to
dress for the weather.
Interns are invited to come out to LISDOLA on Monday,
February 28, for an Open House/Workday. Interns are encouraged to visit this
project as a group and may stay to earn some volunteer work hours.
Rica Potenz
|
