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The Dirt CCMG E-Newsletter Volume 6 December 2014

The November CCMG meeting was held at the First Methodist Church in Berryville. A one-time Scholarship for Beth Duncan, daughter of former Extension Agent Leon Duncan, was discussed. A committee will develop an application to be sent to the county schools. Dues were again set at $10.00 payable January. All current Sanctioned Projects were also approved for 2015 with sign-up sheets for all projects and committees being available. With a number of great themes presented for the 2016 Master Gardener Conference, the group decided on “Gardening on the Rocks – Creating Beauty in the Ozarks”. The members also voted to have a Christmas Party to be held from 2:00 to 4:00 pm. Saturday, December 13th at the First Methodist Church in Berryville. CCMG will provide the ham and turkey with members providing the pot luck. Those interested in a Mad Santa Gift Exchange are asked to bring a gift limited to $10.00. A seed exchange followed the meeting as we all enjoyed the “Sweet Potato Palooza” – some recipes are included at the end of this letter.

Master Gardener, Horticulture (and Health) Events

DECEMBER 2ND CCHD Flu Clinic 9:00 am – 5:00 pm at the Health Department on Hailey Road.

If you have not had your shot yet – NOW is the time to get it. Take your insurance or Medicaid card with you.

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5th Christmas Parade in Eureka Springs @ 6:00 pm - Theme: “Light the World” 6th Christmas Parade in Green Forest @ 10:00 am – Theme “Old Time Country

Christmas” 6th Christmas Parade in Berryville @ 6:00 pm – Theme “I’m Dreaming of a Green

Christmas”

13th CCMG Christmas Pot Luck 2:00 – 4:00 pm, First Methodist Church, Berryville. The Silver Shovel award will be voted on and a $10.00 Mad Santa gift

exchange will be held.

JANUARY 10TH CCMG Business Meeting

Heritage Garden in Eureka Springs

October 31 was the last day of work at the Heritage Garden in Eureka Springs for 2014. Lee Monger and Mariellen Griffith planted heirloom bulbs (tulips and daffodils) which date back to 1597 and 1800s. Purple Headed Garlick or Allium (1766) was also planted. Native plant seeds were planted in the new bed. Don (Mariellen's husband) had a leaf blower which helped all of us gather the leaves and put into plastic bags. Suggestions for next year are to plant more native and annual seeds, mulch and maintain the garden. Lee Monger and Doug Miller are the new co-coordinators of the Heritage Garden.

Submitted by Mariellen Griffith

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A MountainWings Moment Issue Number 14287

Sometimes

Sometimes when a person is laboring over a problem, it helps to see how

somebody else dealt with it. Actually, it helps to know somebody else had to deal with it.

~A MountainWings Original from Annie, Arnolds Park, Iowa~

Berryville Library

Thanks to Jan Scheel & Scott Thompson for helping at the library workday. The 3 of us tried to corral all of the leaves that were covering the beds & walkways. Scott took home many bags of leaves to compost but unfortunately there are still lots of leaves on the ground. I am going to call the city & find out when they are going to pick-up the leaves so there may be another workday in the future. I also tagged most of the plants that were planted with the exception of the tree which was planted in memory of Faye Martin's son. Thanks again Jan & Scott Submitted by Karen Reeves

Outdoor Classroom

The outdoor classroom looks a lot better thanks to the efforts of the NHS students and Carroll Electric mulch. We had two work days with these students helping to weed and mulch the raised beds. I am going to write a thank you note to both the students and Carroll Electric. Dr. Harris was appreciative.

Submitted by Nancy Plagge

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JMG Fall Session #5

The Junior Master Gardeners met Monday, Nov 10th at the Berryville Intermediate Outdoor Classroom. There were 27 students, and 9 master gardener volunteers; Lee Monger, Faye Martin, Aaron Thompson, Kay DeShields, Sue Davis, Mary Knight, Debbie Wall, Sherri Plumlee, and Jennifer Hudspeth. The lesson focus was on plant needs, specifically water. Lee reviewed the soil triangle with students, then they separated into four groups; Aaron and Sherri helped students in the greenhouse with transplanting their coleus and begonia cuttings, Sue led a group of students in the shake, rattle and roll soil lesson, Lee led the lesson on available water with an apple simulating the earth, and the fourth group used water and ice condensation to simulate a cloud. The focus was to teach the young gardeners the importance of water conservation.

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Our last fall session is Monday, November 24th. We will have a fall feast with the vegetables students planted in early September. Submitted by Jennifer Hudspeth

December

6th

Paula DuPont

6th

Saundra Kaye

7th

Mary Knight

8th

Britni Jones

12th

Kristy Rice

12th

Kaye DeShields

27th

Wayne Monger

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In The Garden http://www.uaex.edu/yard-garden/in-the-garden/default.aspx

The above web site has the garden chores of the month and also covers subjects such as:

Butterfly Garden Herbs Native Plants Reference Desk Reference Desk Archives

If you are not currently following Janet Carson’s blog, I invite you to go here to enroll to receive either daily or weekly email. http://uofacesmg.wordpress.com/

Sweet Potato Cheese Ball 1 pkg. (8oz) cream cheese, softened ½ cup cooked mashed sweet potatoes 1 pkg. (2.5 oz) smoked beef, chopped 2 cups (8 oz) shredded sharp cheddar cheese ¼ cup crushed pineapple, well drained 1 T. chopped onion Combine cream cheese and potato, mixing well. Stir in beef, cheddar cheese, pineapple and onion: Mix well. Form into ball and chill. Serve with crackers.

Sweet Potato Sausage Balls 3 cups biscuit mix 1-cup sharp cheddar cheese, shredded 1 cups cooked, mashed sweet potatoes 1-pound sausage (I used Jimmy Dean’s Hot) Combine all ingredients well. Roll into balls and place on greased sheet pan. (Make small balls) Bake 350 degrees for 20 minutes, until brown.

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Sweet Potato Stuffed Eggs 12 boiled eggs 1 ½ cups cooked mashed sweet potatoes 1/3 cup mayo 1 Tablespoon minced garlic (I used powdered garlic) 1 Tablespoon Dijon mustard 1 Tablespoon Vidalia Onion Vinaigrette 2 Tablespoon Harry and David Pepper and Onion Relish 3 slices of Bacon cooked and crumbled into small pieces A little dab of Jam on each egg Boil and peel eggs. Take yellow out and put in a bowl and mash. Add the sweet potatoes, mayo, garlic, mustard, Vinaigrette, Pepper and Onion relish. Mix it real good until it is smooth. Then fill each egg half. Then sprinkle the bacon on each egg half and put a little dab of jam on top of each egg half.

C.J.'S OATMEAL SWEET POTATO COOKIES

In a large mixing bowl combine: 1-cup shortening 1-cup brown sugar 1-cup white sugar Cream well and add: 1-tablespoon vanilla 2 eggs, beaten 3/4 cup cooked and pureed sweet potatoes Beat well and add: 2 cups flour 1-teaspoon salt 1-teaspoon soda 1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice 3 cups 1-Minute Oats (Quick cook) 1/2 cup walnuts, chopped Roll into 3 rolls. Wrap in foil and freeze. Slice and bake at 350 degrees for 8 to 10 minutes or until golden brown. Yield: 6 dozen.

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Sweet Potato Bread

3 c. Sugar 2/3 c. Flour 1 c. Vegetable oil 4 eggs, beaten 2 c. Grated, raw sweet potatoes 3 1/2 c. Sifted all-purpose flour 1 1/2 t. Soda 1 1/2 t. Salt 1/2 t. Nutmeg 1 t. Cinnamon 1 c. Chopped nuts 1 T vanilla flavoring Dissolve sugar in water and oil before adding eggs. Add all dry ingredients to this. Then add grated potatoes and nuts. Blend well. Pour into a tube or loaf pan that has been well greased. Bake 1 hour at 350 degrees.

Happy Merry Thanks-Christmas-Giving, Ya’ll! The Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, sex, gender identity, sexual

orientation, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and is

an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.

Neta Stamps, Editor