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2001 Master Gardener Programs
Winter 2001
Maryland Master Gardener Coordinator Training
Joan Crownover, Don Oberpriller, and Ed Spurlock traveled to the Howard County Cooperative Extension Office for Maryland Master Gardener coordinator training. Topics included in the all-day training session included control of animal damage, Gypsy Moth control in Maryland, tick-borne diseases, and an update on the Asian Tiger Mosquito (a possible carrier of West Nile Virus).
Maryland Master Gardener Training
Maryland Master Gardener Training at the Charles County Cooperative Extension Office was recently completed in February-March 2001. Eighteen new Master Gardener volunteers were accepted into the Master Gardener Program after receiving 40 hours of instruction from Pam King, Cooperative Extension Agent, and auxillary speakers on a wide variety of topics. Master Gardeners who provided presentations at the training sessions included: Mary Copeland, "Principles of Organic Gardening"; Joan Crownover, "The Internet and Master Gardeners"; Jacquelyn Hawkins-McGrail, "Container Plants" and "Bulbs"; Henry Kostowski, "Water Gardening"; Don Oberpriller, "Home Irrigation"; Ed Spurlock, "Reblooming Plants" and "Where the Property Line Ends"; Jan Taylor, "Plant Propagation".
Spring 2001
Camp Merrick Renovation
Camp Merrick plant bed renovations were supervised and carried out by 14 Charles County Maryland Master Gardeners. In three separate sessions, Master Gardeners visited Camp Merrick to renovate neglected planting areas. Master Gardener participants included: Richard Cusin, Jim Day, Eleanor Haupt, Millie Head, Ann Hoover, Susan Lewis, Larry Mahaney, Jane Messersmith, Lois Moore, Don Oberpriller, Richard Robertson, Elizabeth Shifflette, Ed Spurlock, and Geoya Stout.
Annual Master Gardener Training
Ten Charles County Maryland Master Gardeners attended Advanced Master Gardener training sessions at the University of Maryland in College Park, Maryland. The Master Gardeners were Joan Crownover, Henry and Betty Kostkowski, Shirley Leland, Don Oberpriller, Norma Rodriguez, Donna Robertson, Bob Scherer, Ed Spurlock, and Jim Winters.
Attendees were able to choose from a wide variety of seminars. Some topics offered included training in weed ID, ethnic vegetables, genetic engineering, horticultural computer software, backyard viticulture, local geology, no-spray roses, and backyard habitats.
Summer 2001
Home and Garden Show
Chamber of Commerce, Waldorf, Maryland
A Master Gardener Information Booth was organized at the annual Chamber of Commerce Home and Garden Show by Master Gardener Joan Crownover. Master Gardeners who interacted with the public during the two-day event:
Saturday, June 23: Joan Crownover, Ann Hoover, Judy Nathan, and Jim Winters.
Sunday, June 24: Joan Crownover, Linda Lockhart, Henry and Betty Kostkowski, Larry Mahaney, Elaine Miller, and Jane Messersmith.
Master Gardeners distributed flyers and leaflets covering a wide variety of horticultural and environmental topics including: composting, protecting the Chesapeake Bay through sound gardening practices, wildlife and insect pests. Master Gardeners also provided information regarding Asian Tiger mosquitoes and West Nile Virus using a display created by Pam King, Cooperative Extension Agent, and the Master Gardener West Nile Committee. Information most requested by the public concerned moles invading lawns and gardens.
Lowes Plant Clinic
Master Gardeners staffed a plant clinic on the premises of Lowes' home and garden center. Those who spoke with customers at Lowes included Linda Lockhart(project leader), Elaine Miller, Lois Moore, and Kathy Trimble. The Master Gardener clinic was held for two days, July 21st and July 22nd. Discussions with the people visiting the clinic included fertilizing, watering, and pest problems of plants during the hot summer weather. Planting information was provided for annuals and perennials as well as tips to improve growth.
Charles County Fair
The West Nile Virus Display was installed and manned by Maryland Master Gardeners in the Flowers Section of the Agricultural Building at the Charles County Fair. Master Gardeners who participated in interacting with the public in connection with the Display during the three-day Fair were: Barbara Bishop, Ann Hoover, Neal Larson, Linda Lockhart, Elaine Miller, Don Oberpriller (project leader), and Jim Winters.
Fall 2001
Annual Fall Meeting
The annual fall meeting of the Charles County Master Gardeners was held at the Lions Club Camp Merrick location from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. Sixteen Master Gardeners attended the meeting along with the Cooperative Extension Agent, Pam King. The attendees were Richard Cusin, Joan Crownover, Ann Hoover, Henry Kostkowski, Betty Kostkowski, Neal Larsen, Sue Lewis, Linda Lockhart, Larry Mahaney, Jacquelyn McGraw-Hawkins, Elaine Miller, Don Oberpriller, Richard Robertson, Bob Schneider, Ed Spurlock, and Jim Winters.
The proposal for a Charles County Master Gardener Association proposed by Ed Spurlock and Don Oberpriller was approved by Master Gardeners present. Don Oberpriller nominated Ed Spurlock to be President of the new Association and Joan Crownover nominated Henry Kostkowski. Ed Spurlock won the vote for President of the new organization. Tours of Camp Merrick were held and attendees were encouraged to participate in installation and renovation of botanical plantings.
Native Plant Activity
Master Gardener Joan Crownover joined botanist, Marc Imlay, and 12 others from the Native Plant Society and Sierra Club in a six-hour nature walk at Ruth B. Swann Park in Bryans Road, Maryland. The walk included identification and eradication of Japanese stiltgrass (a very invasive weed), as well as discussion of paw paw, persimmon, and dogwood trees. Other botanical topics covered were sale of invasive non-native species by commercial plant nurseries, and the need to restrict the use of English ivy, periwinkle, Bradford Pear, purple loosestrife, and Japanese honeysuckle in home gardens.
For more information, contact Carole Butler
Last updated: 06/26/2007
