Christmas in April for gardeners

Gardeners itching to get their hands dirty again should mark their calendars for the Gardeners' Christmas in April event sponsored by the DuPage Friends of Extension.

The seventh annual event on Saturday, April 8, will feature speakers, presentations and a silent auction from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the University of Illinois Extension office, 1100 East Warrenville Road, Naperville. General admission is $3 for adults.

Guest speakers include University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener Judi Davenport, who will present "Your Garden: Birds and Butterflies" at 10:15 a.m., and U of I Extension Horticulture Educator Richard Hentschel, who will discuss "Invasive Species" at 11 a.m.

In addition, dozens of garden gadgets and gift baskets will be up for silent auction, including the demonstration arrangement.

"This unique event is not just for gardeners," said Marilyn Joyner, president of the DuPage Friends of Extension. "We have restaurant gift certificates, spa items, theater tickets, and many more items available in the silent auction, and our event supports a variety of University of Illinois Extension programs, which reach a range of audiences, from youth through seniors."

Auction bidding ends promptly at noon, and only cash and checks are accepted.

Proceeds help support University of Illinois Extension community programs, including 4-H Youth Development; Learning for Life; STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) projects for youth; nutrition and wellness programs; and an array of master gardener volunteer projects, including working with veterans at Cantigny Park, youth at We Grow Dreams, the Ronald McDonald House, therapeutic horticulture, school programs, community gardens and more.

The DuPage Friends of Extension is a nonprofit organization comprised entirely of volunteers.

For details, visit www.dupagefriendsofextension.webs.com or call Marilyn Joyner at (630) 534-6443.