Annual RPMGA and MGV Member Recognition and Achievement Meeting and Potluck

Thursday night's Annual RPMGA and MGV Member Recognition and Achievement Meeting and Potluck was held at Craig Center on the Rock County Fairgrounds.  

Tables were dressed with autumn centerpieces, and the delicious aroma of home made dishes wafted through the air.  The event was informal and conversation hummed through the air during dinner.

  

The tables were decorated with festive fall centerpieces, most made from items harvested from the gardens of the makers. Centerpiece by Deb Grams.

Master Gardeners, both veterans and new-comers, were introduced to the group and recognized for their work and their years of service.  Rock County Horticulture Educator Christy Marsden gave a presentation highlighting a number of the projects from the past year, some which were completed, others which are on-going.

Barb Converse (certified 2007) received thanks for her work as a Plant Health Advsor as well as her work with the Rotary Gardens Children's Education programs and other projects.  At right is University of Wisconsin Extension Horticulture Educator for Rock County, Christy Marsden.

Deb Grams and Ruth Flescher, members of the RPMGA Advisory Committee, explained the kinds of programs the committee had organized over the past year and emphasized that the committee is interested in any ideas for programs or projects MGVs would like to see the group undertake.  An open invitation to assist the Advisory Committee was issued, as well as an invitation to all who might be interested in becoming committee members.

At left Cindy Leverenz (certified 2008) is shown chatting with Chris Finley (certified 2015) and her husband and daughter.  Cindy has been volunteer coordinator for the Edgerton Hospital Healing Gardens for the last two years.  Chris has recently taken on the care and maintenance of the Heritage Garden at Beckman Mill in Beloit.  She has been researching floral landscapes from the 1920s to aid her in choosing plants and developing a design for the garden.

Rose Last (center in red, certified 2000) is shown chatting with Sandy Czubek (certified 2010) and her husband.  Rose's husband, Werner Last (certified 2000), is seated at right.  Rose has been instrumental in bringing the Edgerton Hospital Healing Garden to life through her work as a volunteer.  She has served on the RPMGA Advisory Committee since its inception.

Beverly Feltz (left, certified 2007) is the go-to person for key Children's Educational Programs at Rotary Botanical Gardens.  Ruth Oren (center, certified 2015) commuted to Rock County for MGV training.  At right, Christy Marsden.

Please note:  The achievements noted in the captions under the photographs are not all inclusive and may not reflect the sum of the work that MGV has achieved either this year or over their career.  There were 35 guests at the event,  Not all are pictured here. The MGVs in attendance, and those who were unable to attend, donated a total of well over 2,000 volunteer hours for this year. Congratulations to all the MGVs who chose to certify their skills and to use those skills to give back to the community.