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Photo: Grace Florjancic and neighbor
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The Garden Stroll was an experiment gone right!
Marcie Katz and I hosted the first Saturday Public Open Garden Stroll with no expectations. The day started off chilly and we stared at one another for the first 30 minutes harboring doubts anyone would come. Then, blue skies started to peek through the overcast skies and guests began to arrive. First a few, then more cars arrived. In total we hosted about 15 artists who came to sketch and paint and several small groups of curious locals who had been passing us on Hanley and wondered what this site was about. It was wonderful showing off our gardens and seeing our visitors wander around the grounds. |
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The artists found interesting scenes to sketch, and the other folks had questions about our Master Gardener program, plants in the various gardens, and one gentleman was interested in becoming a Friend of the Garden.
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We may try opening the gardens once a month on a Saturday to introduce more of our community to the gardens for education and respite, indulge the inner artist, or simply commune with a bit of nature close up.
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A few of the volunteers from left to right: Pam Cashwell, Kata Springer, Gretchen King, and Chris Veach. Photo by Janine Salvatti.
Our Dress-Up party (also known as a garden clean-up party) brought out a happy gang of volunteers for 3 weekly sessions to complete some serious weeding in the Lavender Garden. This was in preparation for the Lavender Trail event, which started June 21, 2024 and continues for several weeks. Our weeding efforts really complemented the upgraded concrete pathways!
When Master Gardeners respond to a MailChimp, email, or Facebook announcing a “general-call workday” by showing up, we can improve the gardens and hopefully increase community awareness of our presence and mission.
Lavender Garden Work Party Volunteers include: Chris Veach, Pam Cashwell, Kata Springer, Gretchen King, Mary Schroeder, Marcie Katz, Janine Salvatti (apologies if I missed anyone!)
When I am among the trees,
especially the willow and the honey locust,
equally the beech, the oaks and the pines,
they give off such hints of gladness.
I would almost say that they save me, and daily.
I am so distant from the hope of myself,
in which I have goodness, and discernment,
and never hurry through the world
but walk slowly, and bow often.
Around me the trees stir in their leaves
And call out, “Stay awhile.”
The light flows from their branches.
And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,
“and you too have come
into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled
with light, and to shine.”
Submitted by Janine Salvatti 1/21/24
Next time you wander around the Demonstration Garden grounds, the Gardens Enhancement Committee (GEC) hopes you notice the beautiful new interpretive sign recently installed to replace the old Rain Garden sign. The Rain Garden met its demise as our climate changed over time, leaving the existing plants struggling to survive. We used native plants as their replacements to reimagine the garden and support our educational mission. Come check it out!
You are invited to visit our little fig grove, tucked waaaay back in the northwest corner of the Demonstration Gardens. A sorry-looking bramble had been concealing seven varieties of delicious figs. From their sad state the sweet figs called to the Garden Enhancement Committee (GEC) to adopt them. The wild growth was pruned away, the 5-foot weeds were replaced with cardboard and wood chips, and slowly the grove appears to be coming back to life in time for its winter sleep.
Our grove still needs work. The trees are crowded and much too tall for the fruit to be enjoyed by anyone but the lucky birds. But spring will see the GEC embark on the next phase of maintenance. The trees are beautiful – almost tropical looking – and fortunately for us, hardy and forgiving!
If you are interested in helping maintain the fig grove, please email or text either
- Janine Salvatti (lesandjanine@gmail.com 541-973-7456)
- Marcie Katz (marciek10@gmail.com 541-301-8464).
Many hands make light work!
Fifteen or so gardeners piled in to Greenhouse 2 on Friday, Sept 15th, armed with bits of vintage glass plates, bowls, glass blobs of all descriptions, old jewelry, tiny tiles and rocks, beads, stained glass, and a whole lot of creative spirit.
As morning proceeded, the glass garden art took shape. Gluing glass to glass is easy and satisfying. Everyone’s projects were so different. So much creativity! So many pretty pieces!
This event blossomed because visitors and Master Gardeners admired the pieces of glass garden art that were created by members of the Garden Enhancement Committee (GEC) and which now decorate some of the Demonstration Gardens. 
The GEC took on this activity as an opportunity for fun and comradery and with the goal of creating a number of pieces to be sold at the Fall Festival on October 14th to help with fund-raising.
By the end of the morning, gardeners were already expressing their desire to have another session. Let’s see what the fut
ure holds!
GLASS ART CLASS BY POPULAR REQUEST 
Many Master Gardeners and visitors have admired the glass art pieces hanging in a few of the gardens which were made by members of the Garden Enhancement Committee. They have requested a class to learn how to create their own framed glass art. So here goes! It is so much fun!
Date: September 15th
Time: 9:00 – 12:00 p.m.
Location: SOREC Extension – Greenhouse
The class is free, but you will need to bring your own supplies. Suggested supplies are:
- Suitable glass options to use for a base or substrate, preferably one that will permit you to hang for display. (Keep in mind most pieces in your project should be transparent.):
- Glass platter or large plate
- Unframed flat glass. Choose a standard size so you can frame later. Tape the edges to avoid cutting yourself.
- Frame with glass.
- You can choose any size, but first projects are easier if you start out with a small to medium size.
- Glue the glass into the frame with one of the glue options below before class. It should be dry before you arrive.
- Glue options suitable for outdoor use: clear silicone, Wellbond, E-6000.
- Various sizes and colors of glass flat-backed beads or “blobs”, transparent pre-cut mosaic glass, colored glass saucers, small china bowls/cups, small glass figures, shiny aquarium sand, small pebbles, colored bottles, ANYTHING THAT STRIKES YOUR FANCY. Think outside the box! Sources: Dollar Store, on-line, garage sales, thrift stores, hobby store, etc.
- Think of a simple design. This project does not lend itself to a lot of detail unless you wish to cut glass to certain sizes and shapes, as you would for stained glass.
- Design examples: simple flowers in a grass meadow, hearts, simple butterfly shapes, geometric shapes, abstract designs.
- Design inspirations: Pintrest. Search for: “Gluing glass beads to window glass.”
- Draw your design on paper that fits your substrate. This pattern goes under the glass for you to follow. Choose your glue-on items with a color scheme if you wish or just embrace the random!
- Several pre-made patterns will be available for you to use if you don’t have something in mind.
This is a fun, fun, fun event! We would love to help you make glass art. You can make it for yourself – or you can you donate it to the display in the gardens or it can be sold by the JCMGA at the Fall Festival.
Your questions are welcome. Call, text, or email: Janine Salvatti or Marcie Katz.
GLASS ART CLASS BY POPULAR REQUEST
Many Master Gardeners and visitors have admired the glass art pieces hanging in a few of the gardens which were made by members of the Garden Enhancement Committee. They have requested a class to learn how to create their own framed glass art. So here goes! It is so much fun!
Date: September 15th
Time: 1:00 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: SOREC Administration Building – Auditorium
The class is free, but you will need to bring your own supplies. Suggested supplies are:
- Suitable glass options to use for a base or substrate, preferably one that will permit you to hang for display. (Keep in mind most pieces in your project should be transparent.):
- Glass platter or large plate
- Unframed flat glass. Choose a standard size so you can frame later. Tape the edges to avoid cutting yourself.
- Frame with glass.
- You can choose any size, but first projects are easier if you start out with a small to medium size.
- Glue the glass into the frame with one of the glue options below before class. It should be dry before you arrive.
- Glue options suitable for outdoor use: clear silicone, Wellbond, E-6000.
- Various sizes and colors of glass flat-backed beads or “blobs”, transparent pre-cut mosaic glass, colored glass saucers, small china bowls/cups, small glass figures, shiny aquarium sand, small pebbles, colored bottles, ANYTHING THAT STRIKES YOUR FANCY. Think outside the box! Sources: Dollar Store, on-line, garage sales, thrift stores, hobby store, etc.
- Think of a simple design. This project does not lend itself to a lot of detail unless you wish to cut glass to certain sizes and shapes, as you would for stained glass.
- Design examples: simple flowers in a grass meadow, hearts, simple butterfly shapes, geometric shapes, abstract designs.
- Design inspirations: Pintrest. Search for: “Gluing glass beads to window glass.”
- Draw your design on paper that fits your substrate. This pattern goes under the glass for you to follow. Choose your glue-on items with a color scheme if you wish or just embrace the random!
- Several pre-made patterns will be available for you to use if you don’t have something in mind.
This is a fun, fun, fun event! We would love to help you make glass art. You can make it for yourself – or you can you donate it to the display in the gardens or it can be sold by the JCMGA at the Fall Festival.
Your questions are welcome. Call, text, or email: Janine Salvatti or Marcie Katz.
So exciting to see so many new and enthusiastic Class of 2023 Master Gardener students!
Jane organized and led a perfect first day for students! 
Barbara Low along with Kathy Apple, Karcie Katz, Colet Allen and Janine Salvatti provided the students with a wonderful potato bar and salad luncheon. They baked potatoes, made chili, and brought all the toppings, cookies, and drinks for about 70 people.
Our president, Marcie Katz, always hard at work. 
Our newbies were warmly and enthusiastically greeted by Lynn Kunstman, Pam Hiller, and Lucy Pylkki, and Margaret Saydah
Sandy Hammond set up a” free” book table for students. 
We are off to a great start with the Class of 2023!
The Master Gardener Holiday Gala of 2019 was almost a one-time wonder. But through the vision and efforts of our Fund-Raising Committee and a few enthusiastic and stalwart Master Gardener volunteers, it was resurrected and reemerged as the JCMGA Holiday Bazaar and held in concert with the Native Plant Sale on November 12, 2022.
A Holiday Bazaar turns out to be a lot of work but rewards the gardeners with bonding over shared work and laughter. It also benefited JCMGA by about $788.00. Sandy Hammond and Annette Carter handled all the details of finding volunteers, arranging work areas, making schedules, and reserving the auditorium for the event. We had a number of small work parties to sort through any saleable items left over from the 2019 sale, to make about 30 
gorgeous holiday wreaths, sew some festive Christmas socks, wine bags, table runners, and gnomes. We priced items, painted signs, decked the halls, and when it was all over, we packed everything up and left the auditorium spic and span.
Our gratitude goes to the JCMGA elves: Sandy Hammond, Annette Cater, Jane Moyer, Sandy Hansen, Marcie Katz, Lyn Boening, Linda Holder, Lucy Pulkki, Margaret Sayduh, and Janine Salvatti.
Oregon State University Extension
