On the Trails
How Does A Master Gardener Grow? King George Master Gardeners
From the Couch to the Canal: Christa Holbrook and Skyler Place
By Tina Will
The miles between Fredericksburg and King George have gotten shorter (in my view) due to the energy and hard work of our King George Master Gardeners (above) (MGACRA covers a four county area). New gardens have been installed, and landscape rejuvenation and tree and shrub pruning projects have been completed at three King George locations with great results. There are more than ten MGs living in King George and they have worked for the enjoyment and reward of seeing these well used sites renewed. Just as one enters the King George area (on Route 3 near the Fire Department) the King George Citizens Center (KGCC) hosts many meetings and events. Recently its surrounding shrubs needed some maintenance, so our new MG Kelley Gaske saw this as a great opportunity to apply her training. She offered a pruning workshop there recruiting citizens to help and teaching them proper pruning techniques at the same time. Inspired by her effort, MG Linda Kline realized the KGCC landscape needed to be rejuvenated so she recruited help from our MGs. With lots of input from the 'team,' MG Sherry Graham developed the
landscape design plan and plant list. Tim Smith, Director of King George Parks and Recreation (KGP&R) approved the plan and generous donations were received from James Madison Garden Club and the King George Garden Club. Phase 1 of the plan was completed in the Fall of 2017 with volunteer help from Rappahannock Area's Day of Caring and the following MGs: Sherry Graham, Linda Kline, Kelley Gaske, Deloris Chen, Sharon Balilea, Clara Yates, Sue Ellen Kling, Alvin Calhoun, and Glen Valdez. That's a lot of help, but many hands do make the tasks easier and more fun! Caledon State Park has a new Heritage Garden just started by MG Alvin Calhoun with help from MG Glen Valdez. This was suggested by Americorp volunteer Will Roszell for the benefit of all, but particularly for school class trips to use as an educational tool. The work started with an overgrown garden that needed to be cleaned out and replanted. Friends of Caledon contributed financial help, and a local Boy Scout designed an Eagle Scout project to clear the 60' by 20' area of the accumulated vegetation using a Bush Hog and lots of muscle power. Perennials to attract butterflies and pollinating insects have been planted
including Coreopsis, Brown Eyed Susan, Baptisia, Goldenrod, Cardinal Flower, Lupine, Yarrow, and Swamp Milkweed. Cedell Brooks, Jr Park off Route 205 (formerly Shiloh Park) is in the process of getting an updated Natural Resources Education landscape. MG Mary Ellen Green took charge of this project. A Native Plant garden is planned, and MG Sue Ellen Kling obtained internet friendly Plant Tags (Plantsmap.com) for the trees that now ring the baseball and soccer fields. An Outdoor Education Center is also part of the long-term plans that are being coordinated by Tim Smith of KGP&R, with assistance from the VA Department of Forestry, KG Extension Office, Master Naturalists, Master Gardeners, 4-H, and Scouts. Our entire Master Gardener Association as well as the citizenry they have served in King George gain inspiration from their work to bring these projects to completion. Kudos to all of them! Tina Will has volunteered with MGACRA for 13 years and lives near Ferry Farm in Stafford County. Photos by Vivian Shelton
By Kevin Brown
This month we meet local law enforcement officers and housemates Christa Holbrook (right) and Skyler Place (left), two service-oriented citizens who are making our community a better place. I asked Christa and Skyler to share "two sides of the same story" about an inspiring #optoutside adventure they recently experienced. Christa's side of the story: "Skyler and I were lounging on the couch watching crime shows on TV when I saw a Facebook post from Kevin Brown asking for a few volunteers to help clean up the Rappahannock Canal. I told Skyler "we should do that next weekend sometime" and she said "No Christa, tell him we want
to do it now". So I sent a response, but then immediately regretted my decision because we walked outside and it was FREEZING. Then Skyler told me she has only ever been in a canoe once in her life. As an avid outdoorswoman with significant experience in the water, I know how difficult it can be in a boat with a new person. We probably would have done nothing all day (though we did intend to walk the Canal Path later), but Kevin's post motivated us to get off the couch and out of the house. And you know what? We had so much fun! And Skyler wasn't too bad in the canoe after all (life vests were worn but thankfully not needed). Prior to that day, we hadn't
known each other very long. We had actually met on recently at work, and Skyler had just moved into the house. So we were strangers just getting to know each other, and this impromptu canal adventure really strengthened our relationship. Although we come from such different backgrounds, we've discovered we both enjoy getting out on the trails, with a mutual love for community, nature, animals, and people." Skyler's side of the story: "One day, while we were walking the canal and trying to spot as many turtles as we could, we witnessed some good Samaritans cleaning the canal in a canoe. A couple days later, Christa found a Facebook post about the effort to clean the canal and joined the group. It wasn't until that weekend, we were being lazy and lounging on the couch avoiding adult responsibilities like laundry and grocery shopping for the week, when Christa read me a post about "two volunteers needed this afternoon to help clean the canal". I'm pretty sure my exact words were "OMG we're two
volunteers let's do it!" Christa was more hesitant, she was going to ask to volunteer another weekend, but I convinced her they needed help now. So we scrambled to find warm/waterproof clothes and gloves, then hopped into the car to meet the other volunteers. It wasn't until we were in the car that I confessed I'd only been in a canoe one other time at 4-H Camp and we tipped the canoe. Luckily, everything went smoothly, and we had a blast helping clean up the canal and made some new friends in our community. Although Christa and I have only known each other for less than a year, she has already become a great friend. Our birthdays are a day apart, we both love crime shows/scary movies, furry creatures, and spending time outdoors on the trails." Thanks for sharing your story of community service, Christa and Skyler, and may your blossoming friendship be continually filled with outdoor fun and adventure. Kevin Brown is the administrator of the "On the Fredericksburg Va Trails�
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June 2018
Front porch fredericksburg
front porch fredericksburg
June 2018
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