Local Campaign News and PAR Program Donations
September
Banker's 6-Year PAR Campaign Earns 2002 Plant a Row Award
Janis Vandermeer (far right) with the GWAA 2002 Plant a Row for the Hungry Public Service Award presented to her by HGTV's Cindy McConkey (standing to Janis' right), at the annual GWAA business meeting in Seattle. With Janis at the HGTV booth at the Seattle trade show are GWA President Nona Wolfram-Koivula and PAR National Program Chair Jacqui Heriteau. A 5-inch thick scrapbook filled with clippings and photos documented for visitors to the PAR booth in Seattle the 6-year PAR campaign that won Janis Vandermeer the 2002 Public Service Award. Janis' first PAR campaign began in Colorado in 1997 and earned her the America the Beautiful Fund's National Star Award, and a commendation from the governor. In 1998, she initiated the State Bank of Cross Plains, WI, campaign that this year will bring her a commendation from the governor of Wisconsin. Janis is assistant vice president of the bank. Janis' donation totals for 2001 of 75,000 pounds put the PAR total for the year at close to 1,400,000 pounds. (See GWA press release about Janis and the award at www.gwaa.org/par/release.html)
Metro Detroit PAR 2002 Wins Certificate of Appreciation
Long-time PAR supporter Marty Figley (Observer & Eccentric newspapers), Martha Ferguson (MSU Oakland County Master Gardener Coordinator), Nancy Szerlag, (Detroit News) and Eric Hofley (Michigan Gardener) accepted a GWA Plant a Row Certificate of Appreciation in Seattle for Metro Detroit's outstanding 2002 PAR campaign. Ree Taylor (Community Development Director of Forgotten Harvest for Metro Detroit), put together the planning committee which includes Marty Hair (Detroit Free Press), Niki Hachigian (Macomb Daily), Jody Headlee (Oakland Press), Dean Krauskopf (WJR Garden Show), Master Gardeners Kristin Kendall Holiday (MSU Wayne County Coordinator), Sury Sastoy (MSU Macomb County), Southfield Senior Gardens Supervisors Nora Wojchiechowski and Elmer Morehouse, Barbara Hayes (Detroit Garden Center), Jason Brown (Hass MS) and Forgotten Harvest's Executive Director Susan Goodell.
Jeff Ball was spokesperson for the Metro Detroit launch, a kickoff at the Mary Thompson Senior Community Gardens in Southfield in late April. Master Gardener organizations from three counties were present at the launch, along with school children who helped plant the PAR garden.
Veteran Missouri PAR Organizer Receives Certificate of Appreciation
A PAR 2002 Certificate of Appreciation was presented to GWA member Douglas R. Wolter for his contribution to Plant a Row, and for his role in placing and keeping the PAR program before St. Louis gardeners. Every year since 1996, the year after the PAR program was initiated by the GWA Horticulturist Doug Wolter has delivered 600 to 1,600 pounds of fresh garden produce to six agencies distributing food to people in need. Thanks to Doug (Horticulturist for the County Department of Parks and Recreation, St. Louis, MO) over 50 area gardeners grow food for PAR donation, along with volunteers at the Family Courts Center in Clayton. Especially dear to Doug's heart is the contribution of the monthly Children's Garden Club, a program that teaches students about growing and sharing vegetables. Of vital importance to Doug's campaign has been the support of area nurseries including Sherwood's Forest Nursery & Garden Center, Weithops Greenhouses, Tomasovics Greenhouses, Rolling Ridge Garden Center, Haefners Greenhouses, in addition to the publicity given his campaign by Fox 2 KTVI Home & Garden, The Post Dispatch, and Ladue News.