Community News

Dinner honors Master Gardener graduates, volunteers

This year’s Master Gardener graduates pose during an annual dinner last week.

By Bill Moss, Published: November 17, 2019

The 2019 Extension Master Gardener program recognized volunteers and graduates during an awards dinner at Mountain Lodge last week.
Sue Ann Williams won the Shining Seedling Award, given by Master Gardeners to an EMGV intern who has gone above and beyond in service to the people of Henderson County in an internship.
Donna Gatnarek won the Seasoned Sapling, given by Master Gardeners to a veteran EMGV who has gone above and beyond in service to the people of Henderson County during the past year.
The 2019 Master Gardener graduates were Pat Amick, Debbie Andrews, Debby Bolser, Karen Burns, Sherri Cappabianca, Claudia Case-Jacobs, J.B. Drake, Paul Fredrickson, Toby Gass, Robin Gorges, Joe Hildebrand, Pat Horlick, Kelly McCarthy, Kathy Morris, Paula Murphy, Shirley Sarno, Marty Sevek, Linda Stogner and Sue Ann Williams
Lifetime Volunteer Hour Milestone Awards: Joellen Johnson - 7000 hours; Tamsin Allpress- 4,000, Deb Daniel – 4000, Nancy Gilchrist – 2000, Ken Olson – 1000, Jane Grossman – 1000, Pat Newcomer – 1000, John Rhicard – 500, Joy Muck – 500, Paula Thum – 500, Jerry Neff – 500, Pat Hargis – 500, Kate Reavuori Wilson – 500, Greg Masseu – 500.

Membership Year Awards: Vonda Fair - 10 years, Kate Fisher – 5, Cynthia Gregory – 5, Linda Hargis – 5, Pat Hargis – 5, Kayla Johnson – 5, Tom Keating – 5, Pat Newcomer – 10, Ken Plummer – 10, Kate Reavouri Willson – 10, Paula Thum – 5.
Master Gardener Jane Grossman presented Ivy Olson, extension administrative associate, with a gift of appreciation from the EMGV Group for her 12 years of service and assistance. She was made aware that she will be missed when she retires in 2020.
Finally, Amy Kinsella, N.C. Forest Service Holmes Educational Forest, presented the Master Gardeners with a plaque of appreciation for their work in the Pollinator Garden at Holmes.
In 2019 (through Oct. 31) Henderson County Master Gardener service included:
• Home gardening questions answered – 237
• Total volunteer hours - 10,790 hours
• Total value of volunteer hours ($25.43) - $274,390, the equivalent of 6 full-time employees.

Five Henderson County Master Gardeners ranked in the top 50 volunteers in the state for 2019 (through Oct. 31): Deb Daniel - 845 hours, ranking 3rd in the state; Joellen Johnson - 633 hours, ranking 8th; Ken Olson - 486 hours, ranking 21st; John Rhicard - 383 hours; 39th; Jane Grossman - 370 hours, 41st.
Congregational Church holds transgender vigil
First Congregational Church of Hendersonville will hold an ecumenical vigil to remember and honor the transgender people around the world whose lives have been lost this past year to anti-transgender violence. Transgender Day of Remembrance is the last day of Transgender Awareness Week, Nov. 12-19, a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the community by educating the public about transgender people and to explore issues of prejudice, discrimination and violence that affect the transgender community. For more information, contact the Rev. Karla Miller at fccinfo@fcchendersonville.org.