Purchase Area Master Gardener Association

(PAMGA)

GARDEN GURUS IX - DREAM, DRAW, DIG!
JANUARY 20, 2007, CHERRY CIVIC CENTER, PADUCAH, KENTUCKY

click here for photos from the Sponsor/Speaker Dinner

The line formed early on Gurus Day.  At left, Brian Neighbors of Professional Landscaping & Lighting was ready to greet customers in the Design Den.  Below left, Master Gardeners Nova Nuckolls and Carol Baugh receive final instructions on selling merchandise from Shannon Riley in the Twigs & Sprigs Garden Shoppe.  Below right, volunteers Debbie Riley stamped hands as guests entered the civic center and Frank Burch provided security for the event.  At far right, Master Gardener Bob Clements staffed the Cooperative Extension table.

As attendees entered the lobby they were treated to a bevy of plants available for purchase through a traditional plant sale.  There were plenty of shopping opportunities including the silent auction (above right).  An arbor based on a P. Allen Smith design (below far left) commanded a hefty sum during the live auction.  Sandy Miles embellished the 8' tall arbor with magnolia, fresh cut iris and oversized garden critters.  Bruce Deweese of Deweese Auction and Real Estate lead the chant during the live auction.  Sponsored by the Kentucky Department of Agriculture and the Kentucky Nursery & Landscape Association, first-time Gurus sponsors, the live auction featured only Kentucky grown plant material. 

The discount book table (overseen by Master Gardener Mark Mayfield,
                                                                                               below left) was very popular with
                                                                                               bargain-hunting gardeners.

 At left, David Wall and Sam Lambert from Eads Landscape Center chat with Judy Glattstein and Gordon Hayward.  Eads sponsored Judy's Paducah visit. 

The "Twigs & Sprigs" Garden Shoppe (right) was a busy spot for tools, topiary forms, books by our featured speakers, and garden-themed merchandise of all sorts.

Below, Gurus IX co-chair Diane Carmain greets enthusiastic gardeners eager to learn about landscape design.  New in 2007 was the Design Den (below right) featuring garden designers from Wahl's Landscape & Garden Shoppe, Professional Landscaping & Lighting, Eads Landscape Center, Glisson Landscapes, Inc., Montgomery Gardens and James Sanders Nursery.  Attendees were encouraged to bring photos and drawings of landscape projects and get a free mini-consultation with a garden professional.

Dream, Draw, Dig! offered a full day of mini-lectures by University of Kentucky Extension Specialists Dr. Rick Durham (Getting a Garden Design Out of Your Head and Onto Paper), Dr. Win Dunwell (New Plant Introductions for 2007) and Kim Cowherd (Are All Invasives BAD?).  Dr. Pat Williams came from Murray State to chat about Freshening an Existing Lawn and local designers (and Master Gardeners) Pam and Chuck Wahl from Wahl's Landscape & Garden Shoppe treated the audience to an array of inviting garden furniture which decorated the stage and punctuated their presentation titled, "Ironing in the Garden." 

Featured speakers for the day were garden consultant Judy Glattstein of Frenchtown, New Jersey and garden designer Gordon Hayward of Putney, Vermont.

Thanks to all our sponsors, volunteers and ticket-buyers.  Your support and encouragement made January 20, 2007 a true "daylong celebration of gardening."  Thank you!

                                                                       Diane Carmain & Carol Ullerich
                                                                       Garden Gurus IX Co-Chairs

Purchase Area Master Gardener Association, 2705 Olivet Church Road, Paducah, Ky 42001 270/554-9520  FAX 270/554-8283  www.pamga.org