August means Classmates are on the move!
There is something about summer that activates the travel gene. Speaking of whom, Gene Gray passed through town on July 15. He paused long enough to have dinner with Dallas Evans and reminisce about the good old days. I didn't get to see Gene and Caralie but maybe he will write a little travel report for us.
Karen Oller George is spending her vacation time on the road, too. So far she has been to Florida, Arizona and California, visiting friends and classmates along the way. How about details, Karen? And photos?
There are rumors that Linda Brackney Spradlin, Vicki Brown Osborn, and Anne Skatzes Williamson will be in town soon. Sally Jo Scott and Elaine VanDerVoort George will be here in September. That sounds like five perfect excuses for FTL - food, talk and laughter!
Speaking of Sally Jo, she was paid a visit by another Washington resident/classmate, Sondra Flowers Hopper, who wrote:
Hi! Thought you would enjoy some pix from Tuesday, July 14, when my sisters Karen and Kathy and I visited Sally Jo on Whidbey Island. We girls, Kathy's husband Phil, and Larry all drove up to the ferry, took the short ferry ride across the sound, and had lunch with Sally and Roger. It was great to see them again. Then we spent the rest of the day exploring Whidbey Island, which is so beautiful and charming. We had a great day. My sisters and Phil were here for 8 days, so we had a ball.
You can see more photos here.
John Gaskell didn't mention traveling but I definitely see highway in his future. Kyle looks willing!
Sold the boat, so I had to get a new toy. Actually I have two toys in the picture.
You devil !!
All this talk of travel makes me wonder if Bob Strimer has the top down on the Miata...
88888
When I heard that Nancy Hough Bendle is a Master Gardener, I had to know more, so my camera and I went calling. Nancy and Chuck have a place in the country north of Delaware, where they have lived for 40 years. Walking into Nancy's back yard is like entering a little piece of heaven. The goldfish pond shimmers, the scent of the flowers drifts delicately, and the tall trees cast sheltering shade. I nearly melted into a lotus position. Ommmm....
To become a Master Gardner, like most programs, there are applications and fees and interviews before intensive horticultural training begins. Once training is completed and to stay active in the program, each year the MG volunteers in her community by donating a specific number of hours of her time, knowledge and experience. Especially the earth-turning kind of experience.
But what I heard was only part of the story. Nancy was actually a Master Gardner Coordinator. Because she always loved playing in the dirt (check out her email address), in 1994 she decided to investigate the newly established Master Gardener program which falls under the auspices of the OSU Extension Office, and in 1995 her talents were recognized and she was hired.
Nancy attended every conference and educational seminar available through OSU Extension for eleven years. She gained an abundance of horticultural knowledge in addition to being employed in a field that she loved. In 2000, Nancy received the Master Gardener Coordinator of the Year award in recognition of outstanding leadership to the OSU Extension Master Gardener program in Delaware County and the State of Ohio.
The Delaware County Master Gardener program was started in the summer of 1994 by Rob Leeds, Delaware County Extension Agent, and John Hixson, Union County Extension Agent. The school was initially started as a combined school between Delaware and Union Counties. Nancy Bendle joined Delaware County Extension in 1995 to coordinate the program on a part time basis. Nancy continued with Delaware County until 2005, when Dr. Gary Gao joined as a fulltime Educator.
Delaware County currently has about 95 master gardeners making it one of the largest programs in Ohio. Union County has about 65 MGs. If you are looking for a good site for gardening help, Nancy recommends ohioline.osu.edu.
Nancy retired in 2005 and she loves it. Her hobbies are genealogy and photography. She spends her time traveling with Chuck, spoiling grandchildren Rachel (age 6), and twins Seth and Levi (age 2), tending to her cats, Coal and Sissy, and as always, playing in the dirt.
See more photos of Nancy's handiwork here.
VIDEO OF THE MONTH
Ladies, polish your tap shoes and your smooth moves, there is hope for us yet! You will want to see Dorothy Dale Kloss, the oldest still-performing showgirl, who cuts a fine figure at age 85. Yes, 85! Click here.
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
Reda Hackel Garlikov
Janet Snow Taylor
Cathy Crosby Vigor
Janet Dever Moore
Twila Vipperman Jackson
Brent Wilson
Peg Householder Jones
These birthdays were listed in the class directory. If I have overlooked anyone, please let me know.