By Jerry Herbage
As we move along through the year (I can’t believe it is already July!), I want to thank all of you Master Gardeners who have volunteered so many hours to our organization and to the community. With your efforts we have created a very positive image with the public. Well done!
An example of just one of our contributions occurred last month- June 8th, with the annual Riley Creek Strawberry Festival in Gold Beach. This event was coordinated by Lori Phelan. With some 11 CCMGA volunteers (great turnout!), we provided a festival of garden activities for approximately 200 Riley Creek students over two and a half hours in slightly challenging weather. Our volunteers provided opportunities for face painting, stamp art, a scavenger hunt, garden tours and picking of strawberries and peas (pictured). It was rewarding in part because the children were enthusiastic, had a lot of fun, were polite and thankful, and learned more about gardening.
A second example of a significant CCMGA community contribution occurred on June 20th at Curry Public Library in Gold Beach for the Summer Reading Kickoff. We maintained a booth in coordination with the theme of the reading program- “Plant a Seed and Read.” In the booth we provided some general CCMGA handouts, but more to the theme, we provided both adults and kids with a pot of soil, and allowed participants to plant Oregon Giant snow peas, while we explained how to grow them. We had some 61 contacts with the public. Many thanks to Ali Van Otterloo and Cindy Myers for their work on this project.
In future months I will endeavor to talk about some of the programs going on in other parts of the County… I will also talk about Riley Creek Garden, for which I have received many comments such as: “It has never looked better!” There we are growing many flowers, vegetables, and fruits (in some 30 raised beds, 12 culvert planters, the ground and the greenhouse) including three banana plants which are thriving! Hopefully we will have actual bananas soon!
I would like to close with just a few thoughts… First, I am very appreciative of the work that Paul Maree did to resolve issues regarding the Volunteer Hub. Thank you!!!! Also, remember, and mark your calendars for our annual CCMGA potluck picnic to be held on Sunday, August 23rd from 4:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M. at the Blythe Family Farm up the South Bank Chetco near Brookings. Details, directions and instructions will be forthcoming. Until our next edition of Brambles, Happy Gardening.
Photo credit: Jeffrie Hall and Sarah Mocas
