U of I Extension honors Kane Master Gardeners
University of Illinois Extension celebrated its Kane County Master Gardeners with an awards and appreciation night in October. The dedicated volunteer group has already completed 4,843 hours of service for 2018.
"Annually, our Master Gardeners volunteer thousands of hours throughout the county, and this year, nearly 1,000 of those were answering questions from community members at the Help Desk," said Sarah Fellerer, Master Gardener Program Coordinator. "University of Illinois Extension truly appreciates these knowledgeable and giving volunteers and all they do to serve our Kane County."
In addition to the Help Desk, Master Gardeners share their own time and talents through therapeutic horticulture, the Idea Garden, the Sherman Community Garden, educational sessions, and various community service projects throughout the year. The annual appreciation event recognizes outstanding service and commemorates milestones in the program.
The 2018 class of interns was elevated to the official rank of Certified Master Gardener in Kane County. They are Jeanne Adu-Brako, Diane Van Wie, and Marty Yochum of Elgin; Susannah Baldock of Hampshire; Christine Bastone of Maple Park; Paula Cibulskis and Kathy Lentz of Aurora; Amy Gawlick, Julie Grisham and Marcia Koenen of St. Charles; Jennifer Knoblock and Donna Plonczynski of Geneva; Tracy Koch of Batavia; Robert Kugach, James Locke and Dawn Olson of Elburn; Lynn Mitchell of Sugar Grove; Kate Monteleone of Campton. Each received a certificate and nametag to commemorate the achievement.
"Master Gardener interns are required to complete 60 hours of training and at least 60 hours of volunteer time," Fellerer said. "It makes for a busy year, but our newly-inducted Master Gardeners show both dedication and enthusiasm for the program and county residents' needs."
"All of our volunteers are valuable to the program," continued Fellerer. "Each year, we also like to recognize those who went above and beyond to work on multiple projects, start new ones, or continue the excellence of existing projects."
Ten volunteers gave more than 100 hours of service in 2018, and they were honored with a certificate and small gift of appreciation. They include: Patsy Hirsch of Elgin, Marty Yochum, Sue Styer of Geneva; Jennifer Knoblock, Marcia Koenen, Margaret-ann Haas of Algonquin, Donna Plonczynski, Diane Van Wie, Susannah Baldock, and Jennifer Tonn of Batavia.
Three new Master Gardeners also won additional awards. Yochum earned the Awesome Apple Award, which recognizes interns or first-year Master Gardeners who finished training and started off strong. The High Yield Awards went to Koenen and Knoblock to recognize their above-and-beyond efforts in achieving program objectives. Both were willing to assist others and take on additional tasks all year long.
"Our Awesome Apple jumped right in, adding energy to multiple current projects, including taking on co-chair leadership of the Sherman Community Garden project where she started a Garden Buddy Program," said Fellerer. "These High Yield winners willingly spent hours setting up the entire Idea Garden before beginning their own bed. Plus, they made hand lotions, body wash and lip balm using the plants from their garden, and demonstrated using plants to dye yarn."
Merrill Polonian of Sugar Grove and Paula Mytych of St. Charles earned this year's Spuds Potato Awards, which acknowledges quiet contributors and workhorses who keep projects or activities going and step up on a moment's notice.
"These two are often working hard in the background, but they also jump in to help when asked," said Fellerer. "They are regulars at the Idea Garden, help out with presentations, contribute ideas to various activities and much more."
In addition, Helen Snyder of Sugar Grove was recognized for logging the most Help Desk hours. She spent 65 hours at the helm, answering community questions via walk-in, phone and email, said Fellerer.
"All of this year's honorees exemplify the Master Gardener mission of 'helping others learn to grow,' while also strengthening the county program as a whole."
In addition to awards, Master Gardeners receive various certificates at the annual appreciation event. Debbie Walters-Kaske of Carpentersville earned her advanced training certificate in integrated pest management, and Leah Beck of St. Charles and Patsy Hirsch earned the local foods certificate. Other advanced certificate options include ecology and sustainable landscaping.
Volunteers also receive anniversary certificates and commemorative pins to mark their years with the program. Nancy Cox of St. Charles was recognized for 25 years of service. Celebrating 10 years as Master Gardeners were volunteers Patsy Hirsch of Elgin, Lorayne Hrejsa of Batavia, Sue Schmeda of Huntley and Susan Werner of St. Charles. In addition, 10 volunteers marked their fifth year: Paula Altekruse, Holly Barbosa, Leah Beck, Paula Mytych and Sherri Nelson of St. Charles; Pat Engel and Sue Styer of Geneva, Susanne Everson and Susan Swing of Elgin; and Merrill Poloian of Sugar Grove.
The October season-end celebration also marks the end of the year for the Master Gardener Help Desk. The desk will reopen in March.
For more information on the University of Illinois Extension Master Gardener program, visit go.illinois.edu/extensiondkk.