Master gardeners honored for service to Monmouth

COLTS NECK - The Master Gardeners of Monmouth County, a group of gardeners dedicated to educating the public about horticulture and the environment through community service, recently celebrated the class of 2006 graduation with a covered-dish supper at Hominy Hill Golf Course.

This year, in addition to the milestones of individual members, the group is celebrating the 2006 Award of Excellence from the Master Gardeners Association of New Jersey, in recognition for its work creating Serenity Garden at Ronald McDonald House, Long Branch. Ronald McDonald House is a place where the families of young cancer patients can stay while the children receive their treatment.

"The mission was to build a four-season garden that would beautify the property and create a respite for families living at Ronald McDonald House throughout their child's treatment," Monmouth County Freeholder Theodore J. Narozanick said. "The finished garden includes a gazebo, a wishing well and easy-care perennials that attract butterflies and birds. I congratulate you on your achievement."

"One of the more painful experiences for a parent is to watch as your child battles cancer," Freeholder Lillian G. Burry added. "Serenity Garden at Ronald McDonald House truly is a special place where family members can go to reflect, wish, hope, pray, enjoy and, hopefully, renew their spirits."

According to a press release, Master Gardeners go through extensive training in addition to their volunteer work. After an initial 60 hours of training and 60 hours of donated volunteer time, they must remain certified by volunteering 40 hours a year in various capacities. This can include performing community service at schools and other facilities, including caring for Deep Cut Gardens and the gardens at Thompson Park.

"The park system appreciates the efforts of the Master Gardeners who help keep the park system green and growing," said James Truncer, director of the Monmouth County Park System.

According to the press release, Master Gardeners advocate using the least toxic methods for pest control, learning the life cycles of pests. Called "Integrated Pest Management," Master Gardeners share this knowledge with the public. Applications are now being accepted for the Master Gardeners Class of 2007, scheduled to begin in late February. Those interested are invited to contact the Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension of Monmouth County at (732) 431-7260 to obtain an application, which must be filled out by Jan. 1.

Richard Obal, Monmouth County's agricultural agent, commended the graduates for giving more than 2,000 hours of service to the community and the entire Master Gardener membership for more than 9,000 hours of service this year alone. He said the Master Gardeners of Monmouth County, in existence since 1999, has invested more than 74,000 hours of service to Monmouth County since its inception.

Dr. Margaret M. McMenamin, executive vice president of educational services at Brookdale Community College, Lincroft, thanked the Master Gardeners for their service to the county.

"We are very appreciative of the Master Gardeners of Monmouth County because they, along with the Board of Freeholders, have been instrumental in supporting the horticulture certificate program at Brookdale," McMenamin said.

The 2006 graduates are: Ernesto Aguayo, Matawan; Michele Blank, Freehold; Howard Bodner, Middletown; Cyndi Boles, Monmouth Beach; Heather Bushner, Middletown; Liz Card, Little Silver; Jane Chou, Marlboro; John Costello, Wall; Joyous O'Neill Darago, Manasquan; Mike Diehl, Upper Freehold Township; Janet Dill, Shrewsbury; Joe DiMartino, Keyport; Mike Giglio, Belmar; Dick Hirsch, Freehold; Peter James, Wall; Tom Lang, Ocean Township; Bonnie Marsh, Red Bank; Carol Migrala, Spring Lake; Linda Pollack, Ocean Grove; Alison Ruff, Tinton Falls; Caroline Scenna, Middletown; Melissa Simons, Howell; Trish Sullivan, Marlboro; and Tina Woodward, Holmdel.

In addition, Joanne O'Leary was awarded the Rutgers Cooperative Extension of Monmouth County Master Gardeners Individual Award of Excellence for 2006. A graduate of the class of 2002, O'Leary has been the unofficial "class mother" of each class since 2003, and is due to receive her 1,000-hour Lifetime Master Gardener Award this year.

Eleven graduates won 100-hour milestone awards for service: Howard Bodner, John Costello, Janet Dill, Dick Hirsch, Tom Lang, Carol Migrala, Joyous O'Neill Darago, Linda Pollack, Alison Ruff, Trish Sullivan and Tina Woodward.

In addition, 14 veteran Master Gardeners also earned 100-hour milestone awards: Gail Abrams, Maureen Daley, Michelle Hampton, Patty Jackson, Christine Keen, Mary MacDonald, Marsha Montgomery, Pam Murphy, Jeanne Patterson, Nellie Steltzer, Kathy Paige, Janet Casini Pepe, Loretto Rizzo and Leonor Urena.

For 250 hours of service, 22 veteran Master Gardeners won awards: John Bauer, Richard Biddle, Harold Chlup, Elmo Cohen, Denise Corrigan-Dunne, Carolyn Drucker, Gloria Gross, Eleanor Hallstrom, Nancy Koenig, Anne Kolshorn, Marsha Montgomery, Gene Nigro, Barbara Richardson, Karen Ruddy, Cathy Rupner, Helene Schroeder, Andrea Susman, Egle Tschinkel, Joanne Van Stolk, Carol Chandler, Matt Mahon and Sophie Weiner.

For 500 hours of service, seven veterans Master Gardeners won awards: Wanna Chin, Carol Davies, Gail Fritsch, Anna Thomulka, Anita Meeks, Barbara Mullaney and Bill Zawicki.

Lifetime Awards for 1,000 hours of service were conferred upon 10 veteran Master Gardeners: Linda Balzer, Janice Dzioba, Jim Farmer, Evelin Gaffney, Jim Laude, Jeanne Lynch, Bob Magovern, Jan Mundy, Joanne O'Leary and Sandy Wolfe.

The new milestone award for l,500 service hours was bestowed upon Evelin Gaffney, and Jim Henry, Karin Poorvin, Marie Savoia and Irene Wanat won awards for 2,000 hours of service.

Serenity Garden was designed and built by Jayne Cleveland, Estelle Lumer, Nancy Schmaltz, Elmo Cohen, Carolyn Drucker, Sharon Fink, Michelle Hampton, Nancy Koenig, Terri Levy, Anita Meeks, Bob Michaels, Pamela Musa Murphy, Aniko Pernyeszi, Karin Poorvin, Loretto Rizzo, Marie Savoia, Carol Smith, Joan Walsh and Sandy Wolfe.

The Master Gardeners of Monmouth County is sponsored by Rutgers Cooperative Research and Extension, in cooperation with the Monmouth County Park System and Brookdale Community College.