Executive Director's Report

CAREY MITCHELSON

The Michigan Turfgrass Foundation would like to welcome our supporters to the renewed edition of News Notes – for those who have never heard of News Notes you now have something in common with the Thelma and Loiise star - Geena Davis. For those of you who remember...we hope you enjoy our return to updating our membership with activities of the MTF and ongoing research at Michigan State University and the MSU Turf Team. The Board of Directors lead by President Curt Boak have taken a step back ...to go further foward. They believe the magazine encouraged turf industry individuals and companies to join one of the foremost Turf Foundations in the world PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE and link with the MSU Turf Team and Turf Program – both with strong ties to many of you. We look forward to once again providing information in a physical format and hope you also enjoy taking a moment from daily activities to browse each edition…scheduled currently for twice a year. The renewal of this form of communication was discussed by the Board of Directors and the reasoning is simple. It was determined that improving our communication is important and our supporters deserved another source of information and event updates. Although our Wild Apricot Membership Software system and social media interaction have been useful and our data collection has improved there is a need to connect better. It was felt that putting something in writing that can be placed where others may observe, and notice may be helpful and useful for all. It may be old fashioned for some and that is understandable – others indicated that having a tangible, visible part of our industry at hand to gloss over when time It is with great pleasure that the Michigan Turfgrass Foundation once again is able to present our Annual Turfgrass Conference. The decision four years ago to return to East Lansing and make the emphasis on education has proven allows might be a better fit for some. We hope you find our upcoming issues relevant and interesting. to be the correct choice. Our speaker line-up is once again wellrounded and the topics for your consideration have been planned Parent: What did you learn today? for months. A great deal of debate regarding what our attendees Student: Apparently not enough! We have to go back tomorrow! may be interested in always takes place and the goal is to anticipate the priorities of the attendees. Your input on topics during the We all learn in different ways and retaining information isn’t always easy. The best are never ashamed to go back and learn again….or admit mistakes. When dealing with turf there seems to be a never Conference and throughout the year is always welcome and we look forward to any thoughts you may have. We hope you find ending need to retreat and review before moving forward. We hope the Conference suited to your expectations and trust you will let that information that we provide in the upcoming issues and years us know your opinions on where we may improve and if we have may provide connections to others, solutions to turf issues or simple effectively planned your time as well. articles that may seem entertaining. In the very least it will have a place to go for reference when unforeseen items may need solutions. Many people are involved with the planning process of the As we begin to offer content we are certain others will be willing to offer suggestions and we look forward to those thoughts and ideas. Conference and it starts the day after the last session ends. The We hope you welcome us back and offer up any items of interest.catalyst of the event is our current Vice-President Amy Fouty. She has set the tone the last three years and always strives to enhance and improve each day of the sessions. Fellow Board members Mark Wildeman and Curt Boak have been under her wing this past year and they will be chairing the Conference for the upcoming years. Many thanks to all of them as they continue to provide a conference that we all enjoy and learn from.

“If I go to hotels, they always say, ‘Welcome back,’ even when I’ve never been there before.” – Geena Davis To me, life is like the back nine in golf. Sometimes you play better on the back nine. You may not be stronger, but hopefully you’re wiser. And if you keep most of your marbles intact, you can add a note of wisdom to the coming generation. – Clint Eastwood MTF NEWS NOTES | SUMMER 2021 35

"If I go to hotels, they always say, 'Welcome back' even when I've never been there before." - Geena Davis