News Flash #1 of 3

RECORD # PLANTS = RECORD SALES

The 2009 Plant Sale is over, and what a great success it was.  The line at 8am was the longest I have ever seen.  It was actually a bit frightening.  Even though we purchased abourt 140 new sleds last fall (and I wrongly predicted that we would have enough), we ran out about 2/3 through the line.  Guess we will just have to get more.  And more boxes too!

We had record numbers of plants (over 25,000) offered and record sales (will get the number to you when the bank deposit is confirmed because we don't believe it!!), plus an operation that generally worked better than last year with lines over a shorter period of time and fewer problems, thanks to everyone's hard work.

There were many visits to the educational exhibits that Sharon coordinated (a big thank you for that), many questions at the SEWMG building, and lots of other opportunities to educate our customers while they were selecting from the wide variety of perennial plants that we potted in the weeks prior to the sale.  Generally we had a happy crowd brought in by (free) publicity from the local television stations.  Gardeners are such nice people and gardeners getting a bargain are the best!

The ATM placed by State Fair (at no cost to us) was also a big hit with lots of usage.  Likely made for bigger sales. too.  Thanks State Fair.

And now a great number of Plant Sale rookies are experienced veterans.  We expect you back next year to train the new crew of rookies, who won't believe the "war stories" either (you didn't).   Thanks again to all of you who worked on any aspect of the sale.  This major league sale is truly a group effort.  Planning for 2010 has  begun and will continue at the Post Sale get together in mid to late June.  Stay tuned for more...  

The Plant Sale Committee, Kathy, Patty, Roxanne, John, Tom, Bill, Ed 

Special Note from our MGV photographer, Marcia Zientek
Seeing is believing how great this plant sale was! 
You can see the pictures here  http://sharingmemories.myphotoalbum.com
Feel free to view any of the albums on this site. 
There are many MGV projects and activities.

************************************************************************************ News Flash #2 of 3 New Horticulture Help Line Report Available. Growing advice and assistance with plant problems has been an important part of the educational programs of the Horticulture departments of county UW-Extension offices in southeastern Wisconsin for many years. Master Gardener volunteers have often assisted staff in providing this assistance to county residents through the UW-Extension offices in Milwaukee, Waukesha, Racine and Kenosha. Finally, from the results of a study conducted throughout the growing season of 2005 by the UW-Milwaukee Center for Urban Initiatives and Research, we know who has utilized this service and how valuable they feel it has been to them. The results of this study are summarized in this report published in November of 2005. The bottom line....our knowledge and courtesy are valued by virtually everyone who seeks our assistance! Download the report ( 10 pages, 117 KB). ************************************************************************************ News Flash #3 of 3 Free woodchips from WeEnergies: 4800 West Rawson Avenue (access from 51st Street) 330 South 116th Street (look for woodchip signs) 7301 West Calumet Road (on east side of parking lot)

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