Print

Email story

Comment

Email editor

Hometown Pasco

What's happening

By Times Staff Writer
Published August 28, 2005

About a dozen cars crowded under the huge live oak. Resembling cows in a pasture, they were parked at odd angles vying for a spot of shade while the drivers listened to Master gardener Peggy Fortner speak about the propagation of plants. As participants made their way to the presentation hall at the Pasco County Fairgrounds, it was clear the topic was of interest to many.

A slow moving line of people formed outside and inched forward. The walk was lined with large buckets holding cuttings of plants. Yellow flags in the buckets indicated the zone in the demonstration garden from which the cuttings came. Participants took advantage of the wait to converse with those around them. Two women kept a running conversation about lemon grass and lemon balm, seeming to have their facts down pat as to what each herb was and how it could be used.

The room was crowded with more than 100 people. Around the perimeter, stations were set up for demonstrations of various propagation techniques. Cuttings of plants from the local area lay alongside bags of potting soil. On one side of the room was a display table with books relating to plants and a variety of tools used for propagation. In the back of the room, a coffee pot kept a steady gurgle; next to it were muffins and other snacks for attendees.

Fortner began her presentation with an explanation of who the Master gardeners are and how one gains the title. Fortner explained that Master gardeners take a 13-week course offered through the University of Florida, and afterward must pass a rigorous test. Master gardeners build a good background of knowledge that they use to answer a wide variety of questions at plant clinics and by telephone.

To maintain the title of Master gardener, individuals are required to contribute 50 to 65 volunteer hours each year, servicing community needs with topics ranging from conservation to those similar to Fortner's presentation on propagation.

Fortner explained that new plants begin in two ways: by seeds or by starting a new plant from a "parent" plant. The latter is called propagation and can be achieved in several ways, including cutting, layering, division and grafting. Her PowerPoint presentation gave detailed descriptions of each technique and examples of new plants achieved through each means of propagation.

Throughout the presentation, audience members asked questions and contributed supporting information. Fortner welcomed each suggestion and question and maintained a steady flow to the program..

The Master Gardener Program is sponsored by the Pasco County Extension Office, a part of the Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences at the University of Florida. Betsy Crisp is acting director of the Pasco Extension Office.

Pasco County's first Master gardener class was held in 1995. Master gardeners come from all areas of the county, including Dade City, Hudson, New Port Richey, Wesley Chapel, Zephyrhills and Trilby.

In addition to Master Gardeners and Florida Yards and Neighborhoods, the Extension also sponsors programs for 4-H, marine science, family and consumer science, agriculture, horticulture and more. For information, call the Extension Office at 352 521-4288 or (813) 847-8177, ext. 4288; visit the office at 36702 State Road 52 in Dade City; or visit the Web site at http://pasco.ifas.ufl.edu/

Fans of Roger Swain, "Champion of the Kumquat" and Kumquat Festival favorite can now see him on HGTV. His new show, People, Places and Plants airs at 10:30 a.m. Saturdays.

Swain hosts the plants segment of the show and presents closing observations as "Food for Thought." Fans will welcome the hands-on gardening approach that made Swain "America's most recognized gardener" during his 15 years as host of Victory Garden on PBS.

Paul Tukey, founding editor of the Northeast regional magazine, People, Places & Plants, anchors the people and places segments.

Although the show has a Northeast focus, Florida gardeners will find plenty of interest. In recent shows, Swain featured techniques for dividing plants, controlling slugs, shaping hedges, grouping plants, watering and growing herbs.

The show aired in the Northeast for two years, receiving two regional Emmy nominations for cinematography. July marked its nationwide debut on HGTV.

In January 2006, Swain will appear at the ninth annual Kumquat Festival in Dade City to promote kumquats with his hallmark enthusiasm. His visit is expected to include daily appearances at pre-festival events and on Festival Day, Jan. 28, 2006.

A biologist, gardener, and award-winning writer, Swain is science editor of Horticulture magazine and the author of five books. When he is not writing, filming, or traveling, he can be found in his orchard and gardens in southern Hew Hampshire.

For more information about People, Places and Plants, contact producer Cameron Bonsey toll-free at 1-800-251-1784, ext. 110.

For more information about Swain's appearance at the Kumquat Festival, contact the Dade City Chamber of Commerce at (352) 567-3769.

Ray Gadd, representing the Pasco County School District, spoke at the East Pasco Political Club meeting held recently at Fung Garden Restaurant in Zephyrhills.

Gadd informed the full room of members and guests that two new schools, Seven Oaks Elementary and Longleaf Elementary, were completed for the 2005-2006 school year. Seven new schools are slated to open in 2006-2007, and an additional five schools are scheduled to open in 2007-2008. New students in Pasco County are increasing by about 3,500 each year.

Gadd also stated that the new impact fee increase and the Penny for Pasco are a big help in funding new school construction. He concluded by reporting on the recent growth management concurrency law that was passed by the past year's Florida Legislature.

Ric Hunt, treasurer, submitted the club's new budget, which was approved by the members. The club's Web site should be ready within a few weeks.

In other business, club presiden t Dick Albrecht introduced several guests and reported that the Christmas party will be Dec. 19 at Hills Restaurant. Bruce Jeffries, local president of District 11 of the Federation of Manufactured Home Owners of Florida spoke briefly.

For information, call (813) 780-7328.

The Rotary Club of Land O'Lakes/Wesley Chapel meets for breakfast at 7:15 a.m. every Friday at the Song and Dance Studio, 27221 Foamflower Blvd., Wesley Chapel. Membership is open to professional and business leaders, including retirees, in the area.

For information, call Joe Wyatt at (813) 907-2081.

The September meeting of the Fern Garden Club of Odessa will be at 10 a.m. Thursday at the Keystone Park Civic Center, 17928 Gunn Highway. A program will be presented on herbs. This year the annual plant sale sponsored by the club will be Nov. 11 at Keystone United Methodist Church on Race Track Road.

For information, call Carol Miller at (813) 891-0555.

Pasco County recently observed Firefighters Appreciation Week.

In a proclamation, county commissioners cited fire fighting as one of the most hazardous professions, requiring physical strength, stamina, extensive training, courage, and selfless concern for the welfare of residents.

In addition to the daily service to communities, firefighters throughout the state and nation have joined the Muscular Dystrophy Association for the past 47 years in the fight against neuromuscular diseases. Florida firefighters collected more than $1.2-million in more than 300 communities with their 2004 Fill the Boot campaign for the Muscular Dystrophy Association, making Florida firefighters the organization's largest source of funding.

Money collected by the Pasco County firefighters assist the association in providing support for medical services at local clinics, an annual summer camp for children and young adults with muscular dystrophy, research grants, support groups and public education seminars. These are all offered at no cost to local children and their families.

Saint Leo University president Arthur F. Kirk Jr., and the Saint Leo University Board of Trustees recently announced that Shelley Broader, president and chief operating officer of Sweetbay Supermarket/Kash n' Karry Supermarkets, has joined the Board of Trustees. Broader is serving a three-year term that began July 1.

"Shelly Broader brings many gifts to our board," said Kirk.

"She is a brilliant strategic thinker with a great understanding of our competitive challenges and opportunities. Shelly also brings a great enthusiasm for students and appreciation for the mission of small Catholic universities," he said.

Broader joined Kash n' Karry in June 2003, coming to Florida after 12 years of experience as senior vice president of the northeast grocery chain, Hannaford Brothers Co. Both Kash n' Karry and Hannaford Brothers are subsidiaries of Delhaize-America that has food operations in 10 countries on three continents. Broader, a native of Spokane, Wash., attended Washington State University.

Joseph DeJoy, a sixth-grader at Centennial Middle School in Dade City, is the lucky winner of the iPod prize awarded by the Pasco County Library System as part of its medieval themed Joust Read Summer Reading Club for teens. DeJoy was one of hundreds of teen participants in the Joust Read program. Libraries director Linda Allen drew the winner's name. The Friends of the Pasco County Library System donated the money for the iPod.

The Central Pasco Leadership Council recently announced the appointment of vice chairman Jerry Cirasoulo to the Pasco County Citizens' Advisory Committee, addressing the upcoming revisions to the County Comprehensive Plan.

Cirasoulo provided a great deal of input into the Land O'Lakes Visioning process.

The Central Pasco Leadership Council is a group of meaningful stakeholders in the central Pasco County area and includes homeowners, business owners, property holders and former public servants. The groups supports a fair and balanced vision of the future of the community.

For information, call chairman Guy King at (813) 335-1691.

[Last modified August 28, 2005, 01:14:03]