Whitehall Garden Club News: March 2022

The Whitehall Garden Club (WGC) members met on March 2 and were greeted by a delightful array of scrumptious goodies to start all of us off in the right direction (minus the blown circuit).

Thank you to Dorie Westhoven and Diane Ward for freshly baked (and homegrown) rhubarb cake, lovely home-canned peaches, deviled eggs and fruit k-bobs! We were like hummingbirds flitting from one flower-shaped cookie to the next. Happy tummies make happy listeners and we had quite the opportunity to listen with reports from Glenna Waltee regarding Arbor Day (watch for upcoming events...it's the 150th anniversary this year), Diane Ward discussing upcoming SW District events where all the garden clubs in our district meet to share their year of achievements and activities; and it is always fun to meet with other avid gardeners. Ron Roginske reminded us that bluebird season is fast approaching, making it time to clean out our bluebird houses and or even buy or make some new ones. Ron has the details and enjoys being a part of the MT Bluebird Trails. Give him a call for more information. (He's in the book). Barb Lien reported that on April 2 there will be a number of workshops being offered at Carroll College in Helena, Barb being one of the presenters (kudos!)

President John Carlson called for all committee reports and information was flying around like busy bees on a warm spring day! (See! This is why we must have ample sustenance before our meetings!)

And it only got better when our guest speaker Kaleena Miller from the Jefferson-Madison MSU Extension office (as reported by Janet Finney) gave an amazing overview of the many services the MSU Extension office offers for our community: Water testing, soil testing (call Kaleena for an appointment) plant disease diagnosis, hay probe, nitrate test and soil probe, educational programs (contact the office for more info, but group programs about weeds, pastures, trees, soil, etc. are offered), individual inquiries to discuss fire preparedness, meat and food processing, tree pruning tours, and training.

Kaleena offers Master Gardener classes (all 3 levels), Rancher Roundtable discussions with topics of interest such as vaccinations, dryland soil, rangeland conditions, care of fruit trees and orchards. Kaleena and all her expertise and information is right here in Whitehall! Please feel free to give her a call at the MSU extension office and enjoy the acres and acres of information, knowledge, and support she has to offer. Kaleena also reported that a food co-op in Butte is in the planning stages. Expect to hear more on that. Thank you Kaleena Miller for your informative presentation.

Oh my gosh! We can't wait until the next WGC meeting on April 6 at Borden's Conference room. Remember that the public is always invited!