The meeting was called to order by Vice-President Karen Long. An amendment was made to the January secretaries report:  The specified amount of donation for tree in memory of Mr. McConnell was $25.00. Minutes approved.

EDUCATION:
Deb Stubbs, Exercise Physiologist at Memorial Hospital of Union County, presented a program on “Are You Fit for Gardening”.  Debbie shared exercise tips, as well as having the group participate in some warming and stretching exercises.

TREASURER’S REPORT:
The current balance is $ 4778.09.

TIMEKEEPER’S REPORT:
On February 20th, 12 people attended an instruction class on keeping time via the computer.  Those people will assist others.  There will be another class at a future date.

COORDINATOR’S REPORT:
Laura McConnell announced 2002 class updates, with opportunities to accrue hours if you need them by monitoring class etc. Lots of calls coming into Extension concerning the Asian Lady Beetle.  Laura has some suggestions on trapping them. Several speaking opportunities are open.  Please see volunteer binder. Any classes you attend at Home and Garden shows will count as education hours.

OLD BUSINESS:
Karen Long reported that the Constitution and By-laws are in the process of being finished.

Claire Loeffleman reported on the upcoming 2002 garden tour, “A Patchwork of Country Gardens”. Still several opportunities to sign up to assist with the tour.

Audrey Hall announced that the flowers for “Adapt A Pot” this year are, purple wave petunias, cascading white petunias, and Swiss chard (for Plant a Row for the Hungry).   The Marysville FFA will raise the plants.  Scott’s is providing miracle grow and soil.  Marysville Trophy is doing the plaques. Letters will be sent to 4-H groups and others who assisted with the planting last year. There will not be an increase in the number of pots. Sign up in volunteer binder to assist with this project.

George McVey reported on feed & WEED at McCloud Park.  Delayed by one week due to weather forecast. Will start March 9th, with a short presentation on the history of McCloud by George. Feed & WEED is usually the first Saturday of the month from 9-12.  This is a good way to acquire hours as well as meet other Master Gardeners.

Dorothy Coleman shared the projects that the Project Selection Committee felt would be good projects and each were brought to the floor for a vote.  They are as follows: 1. Marysville Art League:  Need ideas on plant selection around Houston House.  Will take ideas, and any work the MG would like to assist with.  This was approved. 2. Carol Rasoul to be involved in a 3 year project working with elms.  This would be like a field trial.  We would be given six 5-year-old trees to plant in public places and 24 seedlings to raise and sell as a community project.
This was also approved.  Hank Edwards to chair. 3. Interest in a “pilot” program entitled “Certified Neighbor Gardener”.  Sounds pretty involved and this was tabled. 4. Unionville Center “garden of the month” project.  Judging gardens in June, July and August.  This was approved. 5. Union County Recyclers would like MG to assist with plant selection and possibly design a children’s garden.   The group decided we needed more information on this project.  Tabled until next month.  Joan Phillips will investigate further. 6. Carol Fogle asked for MG to assist in promoting agriculture at  the Union County Fair.  They are open to all kinds of ideas.  Will investigate volunteer efforts and decide this later. 7. Pharisburg Methodist Church asked for design for the new addition area.  They need design only.  This was approved.  Joan Phillips will oversee this.

Discussion followed on terminology of “design”.  We should be using term “plant selection”.

TIP OF THE MONTH:
Marilyn Coleman demonstrated using a 2 liter plastic bottle for a mini greenhouse to place over young plants in the garden.  

LEAPING FROG AWARD: 
John Walkup nominated Carol Grabor for the February leaping frog recipient.

 NEW BUSINESS:
Nancy Mead printed out everyone’s time sheets and asked that they pick them up at the end of the meeting.

PERENNIAL WORKSHOP:
Marsha encouraged everyone to take some fliers on the May 11th workshop and place them throughout their communities. We would like to encourage public participation.

Pond Workshop to be held March 28th, 2002.

Joy Bingham shared a book she thought was worthwhile.

Carol Stolte-Brouillette passed out an information sheet to be filled out by all MG’s to assist us in learning more about garden books, certain plants, and what your ideas are on learning and sharing.   Please return to Carol by next meeting.

No further business, meeting adjourned.

NEXT MEETING WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27TH, 2002, 7:00 p.m. AT THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

Attending: 
Lisa Anderson, Robert Baker, Joy Bingham, Mollie Black, Carol Stolte-Brouillette, Al Burnard, Chris Burnard, Dorothy Coleman, Marilyn Coleman, Hank Edwards, Audrey Hall, John Jordan,  Marsha Kiss, Matt Kiss,  Susan Lehman, Jez Linscott, Claire Loeffleman, Karen Long, Barb Matteson,  Laura McConnell, Mary McDonald, Nancy Mead, Jeanne Means, George McVey, Millie Pace, Joan Phillips, Barbara Ramm, Steve Rausch, Becky Rowe,  Linda Sanford, Linda Smith,  Brain Wade, Sharon Wade, John Walkup  

---

All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.

Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Admin. and Director, OSU Extension TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868

Revised March, 2002