http://mastergardener.org/ en mwplunkett@gmail.com Copyright 2012 2012-05-11T11:15:26+00:00 http://mastergardener.org/site/gcmga_plant_sale1/ http://mastergardener.org/site/gcmga_plant_sale1/#When:12:15:26Z The sixth annual GCMGA Plant Sale in cooperation with West Hills Greenhouses (Feist Drive, Cincinnati) will be held Saturday June 2, 2012 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Check out the selection and prices before the sale by clicking here; select “Availability”; then enter as your username “floral” and as your password “paradise.” Look for the Saturday June 2 only price list. Friends and family are most welcome to shop. Directions: From Northern Kentucky and downtown Cincinnati, take Route 50 WEST to Anderson Ferry Road. Turn right on Anderson Ferry. Travel about 2 miles and turn left onto Rapid Run (fourth traffic light on Anderson Ferry). Turn left onto Feist Drive, which is a private road off Rapid Run about halfway between Anderson Ferry and Neeb Roads. Look for the balloons! From North/Cincinnati: take I-75 south to the Harrison Avenue exit. Follow signs to Queen City Avenue. Turn left onto Sunset. Sunset becomes Rapid Run. After crossing Anderson Ferry, follow directions above. 2012-05-11T12:15:26+00:00 http://mastergardener.org/site/important_information_about_kroger_rewards/ http://mastergardener.org/site/important_information_about_kroger_rewards/#When:20:31:01Z Kroger has a new program that will replace the current Kroger Neighborhood Rewards Program. It is called Kroger Community Rewards Program. The new program will take effect on May 1, 2012. Instead of using gift cards, and having to reload them, rewards will be automatically credited to the “Greater Cincinnati Master Gardener Organization” each time you use your Kroger Plus Card. In order to make this happen, you need to enroll your Kroger Plus Card. It is a simple process. And it is important as this is the major fundraising effort that helps support the GCMGA. 1. Go to http://www.krogercommunityrewards.com 2. If you have already registered your Kroger Plus card online (to load coupons on your card, for example), just click SIGN IN and follow instructions to sign in your account. 3. If you are not already registered, then click CINCINNATI, OHIO 4. Scroll down and click on Community Rewards Program and follow the instructions. 5. Click ENROLL and follow the instructions. 6. Enter either Greater Cincinnati Master Gardener Association or our number, which is 80956. 7. You will get confirmation that you have enrolled properly. 8. Once you are enrolled, use your Kroger Plus Card every time you shop at a Kroger or a Kroger affiliated store, and GCMGA will automatically be credited. So simple. 9. Note: If your Kroger Plus Card was not already registered with your email account, you will be directed to take that additional step to establish your email and password information. Additional Information:  You may enroll your card in the program anytime. You do not need to wait until May 1. Then, starting May 1, 2012, each time an enrolled member shops at Kroger using his or her Kroger Plus Card, GCMGA will earn rewards.  In addition, once a household member enrolls his or her card, all linked Kroger Plus Cards within that household will also earn funds for GCMGA. So, encourage friends, supporters, and family members to join!  The current Gift Card Program will be in effect until April 30th. Any funds loaded onto cards prior to that date will be credited to GCMGA (crediting is done when the gift card is reloaded, not when the gift card is used). Balances on the gift cards will be good indefinitely – they do not expire on April 30th.  After May 1st, and after registering your Plus Card, the statement “At your request, Kroger is donating to Greater Cincinnati Master Gardeners” will appear at the bottom of your Kroger receipt .  The information you provide when enrolling is secure and not shared with outside companies or marketing firms (see Privacy Statement online at http://www.kroger.com)  If you have any questions, you may email or call Marge Webb (margewebb@aol.com or 513-777-6387) Enroll today – it will benefit all of us! 2012-04-25T20:31:01+00:00 http://mastergardener.org/site/gcmga_founder_passes_away/ http://mastergardener.org/site/gcmga_founder_passes_away/#When:16:53:16Z Ralph Jacobson, a member of the first Master Gardener class held in the Greater Cincinnati area, and founder of the Greater Cincinnati Master Gardener Association passed away at his home in San Jose California. The first class was a regional partnership between Hamilton County and Boone, Campbell, and Kenton County Extensions. Due to time constraints at the extensions, the volunteer portion of the program was difficult to organize and maintain so Ralph decided to volunteer in this area. His vision and that of the Extensions was to form a 501c-3 non-profit organization to track the volunteer hours, document them and create a support group for certified active Master Gardener Volunteers. For many years, Ralph and the GCMGA guided the volunteer opportunities and did all of the hour documentation for all of the Extensions. The system worked very well and gave the extensions the support that they needed at a time when it was needed. We all grew, we all changed and we are all stronger for it. Ralph helped us through many years of activities and the GCMGA continues to be a networking and support group for our GCMGA members and other Master Gardeners in the Cincinnati area. Thanks to Ralph Jacobson’s foresight and organizational abilities, he guided us through not only the GCMGA’s first years but helped us understand that we could change to meet new challenges that face Master Gardeners. We will miss him. Graveside services were held Friday, April 20 at 11:00AM at Rest Haven Memorial Park, 10209 Plainfield Rd., Evendale, OH 45241. Memorial contributions to Cincinnati Zoo, the Greater Cincinnati Master Gardener Association or Temple Sholom would be appreciated. 2012-04-20T16:53:16+00:00 http://mastergardener.org/site/sue_sturgeon_honored/ http://mastergardener.org/site/sue_sturgeon_honored/#When:19:49:21Z Sue Sturgeon was honored at the March GCMGA Meeting for her service to Master Gardeners in the Greater Cincinnati area. Sue has served as President of the GCMGA for the past seven years. Current board members presented Sue with a Michael Aram vase “Black Orchid” as well as a monogrammed photo frame with the GCMGA logo and the years of her presidency engraved on it. Sue is not retiring, but continues to work with the Purple People Bridge Project as well as assuming the role of Membership Chairman. Congratulations Sue! 2012-04-19T19:49:21+00:00 http://mastergardener.org/site/blooming_music1/ http://mastergardener.org/site/blooming_music1/#When:02:33:44Z ANNOUNCING the 7th Annual Purple People Bridge Container Planting Contest ‘BLOOMING MUSIC’ There is exciting news for this year, the PPB Planting Contest is expanding to THREE CATEGORIES: 1. Amateur/Bridge.  In this category, amateurs (those who do not do or teach gardening for a living) will plant groups of three containers on the Bridge.  2. Professional/Bridge.  In this category, professionals in the horticulture industry will plant groups of three containers on the Bridge. 3. Amateur/North.  In this category, amateurs will plant one round purple container per person/group on the North Approach to the Bridge on the Cincinnati side at Pete Rose Way. To celebrate the World Choir Games, the PPB Planting Contest theme is “Blooming Music” for all categories. ►All entries are due April 30, 2012. ► All groupings are automatically irrigated from May to October.  Local experts will judge the groupings in June and September.  All contestants and judges are invited to a celebration and announcement of winners in October.  Details of the contest are on the attached pages. ► Groupings or containers are assigned on a first-come first-served basis. Benefits For You And Your Organization:  Community Connection & Beautification. You will have the satisfaction of being part of riverfront activities and your organization will be contributing to making a local landmark beautiful and inviting for the Greater Cincinnati community and its visitors. This is especially important as we welcome as many as 100,000 visitors this year for the World Choir Games.  Publicity and Visibility. Your organization’s name can be on your exhibit and seen by thousands of people. Local media will be invited to cover the contest and winners.  Horticultural Learning. You will learn what plants “work” in this public environment.  Added Bonus. Planting on the Bridge is just plain fun and vocally appreciated by Bridge users! Organized by The Greater Cincinnati Master Gardener Purple People Bridge Landscape Team 2012 Amateur North Contest Details 2012 Amateur Bridge Contest Details 2012 Professional Bridge Contest Details 2012-02-09T02:33:44+00:00 http://mastergardener.org/site/an_invitation_to_all_gardeners/ http://mastergardener.org/site/an_invitation_to_all_gardeners/#When:01:23:50Z Announcing Hamilton County Park’s new garden volunteer program at Glenwood Gardens. This is an opportunity for you to get in on the ground floor of Glenwood Garden’s vision to become the regions premier public garden. To learn how you can use your gardening skills to be part of the plan, please attend one of the information sessions listed below: Thursday February 23 @ 6:30pm Saturday February 25 @ 9:30am Sessions will be held at Glenwood Gardens Nature’s Niche Garden Room, 10397 Springfield Pike, Cincinnati OH 45215. Light refreshments will be served. To reserve a place, contact Amy Motsinger or 513-771-8733. Deadline for reservations is Monday February 20th. 2012-02-09T01:23:50+00:00 http://mastergardener.org/site/cincinnati_horticultural_society_honors_local_gardens/ http://mastergardener.org/site/cincinnati_horticultural_society_honors_local_gardens/#When:21:43:38Z The 2011 Gardener Recognition Awards were presented on October 26, 2011 by the Cincinnati Horticultural Society.  This year’s winners included, in the home garden category, Master Gardener Pat Zehnder; and, in the community/commercial category, the Purple People Bridge and Granny’s Garden School (Roberta Paolo).  This was the 16th year for this awards program; it relies on nominations from the community which are then judged by a team of local gardeners and members of CHS.  Home garden winners received a stake acknowledging the award for display in their garden; community/commercial winners received a framed award certificate. Throughout the history of this awards program, past and present Master Gardeners have been recipients of awards for home gardens including: Jack Brueggemann and Jan Doherty (1996), John & Amy Duke and Neil Hensley (1997); Babs de Armond and Brenda & John Demetriou (2000); Linda Beck (2004); Lori Leatherbee (2005); Carol Simmons (2006); Jack & Diane Clasen and Barb & Glenn Redmer (2006); Donna Amann and Lou Hohman (2007); and, Pat & Chuck Ellsworth (2009). In 2003, the Baker Hunt garden project received an award in the community/commercial category.  For more information about this awards program, consult the Cincinnati Horticultural Society website:  http://www.cincyflowershow.com . 2012-01-08T21:43:38+00:00 http://mastergardener.org/site/purple_people_bridge_award/ http://mastergardener.org/site/purple_people_bridge_award/#When:01:16:15Z 2011-12-24T01:16:15+00:00 http://mastergardener.org/site/northern_kentucky_master_gardener_program_dates_announced/ http://mastergardener.org/site/northern_kentucky_master_gardener_program_dates_announced/#When:00:40:30Z Come join other gardeners for this 15-week volunteer training program beginning December 2. Click here to read the entire announcement—> Flyer 2011-11-03T00:40:30+00:00 http://mastergardener.org/site/mayor_mallory_celebrates_purple_people_bridge_improvements/ http://mastergardener.org/site/mayor_mallory_celebrates_purple_people_bridge_improvements/#When:13:26:38Z The citizens and local companies who responded to Council Member Laure Quinlivan’s call to improve Ohio’s side of the Purple People Bridge unveiled the results Friday afternoon, in a celebration led by Mayor Mark Mallory. The Mayor commended the citizens on their community engagement and thanked Laure Quinlivan for her leadership spearheading this project. Quinlivan acknowledged every person who sponsored a bench or planter for $1000, or volunteered their time and talent. GCMGA members Sue Sturgeon, Bruce & Beth Murray, Roberta Polley, Kim Koenig along with Linda Holterhoff (Keep Cincinnati Beautiful) and Dave Gamstetter (Cincinnati Parks) did all the planting on Thursday for this tremendous improvement to the North End of the Purple People Bridge. Here are some pictures of the planting and celebration: 2011-10-02T13:26:38+00:00