{"id":46662,"date":"2025-12-04T08:38:24","date_gmt":"2025-12-04T13:38:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/?page_id=46662"},"modified":"2025-12-04T08:45:06","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T13:45:06","slug":"december-2025-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/master-gardener-volunteers-online-resource\/december-2025-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/","title":{"rendered":"December 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter"},"content":{"rendered":"<h3><b><i>In this issue\u2026<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#President\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">From the President<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Roots\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Roots: Meet MGV Joel Leak<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Spotlight\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Volunteer Spotlight: Beth Condon Memorial Pollinator Garden<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Ask\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ask an MGV &#8211; Tips &amp; Tricks for Your Best Garden Yet<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Events\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Upcoming Events<\/span><\/i><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"#Updates\">MGV Updates<\/a>\u00a0 <a id=\"President\"><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b><i>From the President<\/i><\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>\u201cOf all the months of the year there is not a month one half so welcome to the young, or so full of happy associations as the last month of the year.\u201d &#8211; Charles Dickens<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">My tenacious and hardy leaves that were clinging to the trees in my yard last month are now nestling into special places for the winter. My brussel sprouts and parsley, the last stands of my vegetable garden for this year, were eaten by the ever-present deer in my neighborhood.\u00a0 Everything else in my yard is done for this growing season, ignoring the Fall planted garlic which is quietly doing its thing under a thick blanket of straw!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">My goal each year is to have all my outdoor gardening and yard tasks completed by Thanksgiving and I am about a week ahead of schedule. While our Fall gardening tasks seem to be never ending, the season\u2019s weather (cold\/wind\/early darkness) certainly ushers in a desire to get everything done. I do find satisfaction in putting my gardens \u201cto bed\u201d, while at the same time planning for next year &#8211; no matter how big or small.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The MGV Advisory Committee met in November so I have some highlights to share:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Advisory approved the 2026 Operating Budget of $28,200. This coming year\u2019s budget was formulated by the requests of the five main committees of the program.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Advisory Committee\u2019s goal of restructuring our \u201cBusiness Calendar\u201d was completed and approved. Thanks go to all the Advisory members and Committees for their input. Special thanks goes to Amy Starnes for formatting and collecting all the information for the \u201cBusiness Calendar\u201d.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Our Advisory will meet virtually in January, 2026.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Advisory also discussed our meeting schedule for the coming year as well as dates for special events.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Engagement Committee has been busy planning some exciting events for 2026.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Our Annual Plant Sale (major fund-raising event of the Association) is scheduled for May 23<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">rd<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, 2026 at Tidewater.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Education Committee has some exciting offerings, including holiday wreath making. This is scheduled for December 4<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">th<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> at 4:30 at the Cooperative Extension Office in Falmouth.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">As we approach the holidays and the New Year, the next growing season is beckoning as seed catalogs are flowing into my mailbox along with emails (surprisingly before holiday cards and holiday gift flyers). I remember as a child, growing up in a rural farm setting (without the internet and Amazon), the excitement when the \u201cSears and Roebuck Holiday Toy Catalog\u201d came to our mailbox.\u00a0 My childhood excitement of going through the new toys circling the ones I liked has been transferred to next year\u2019s seed catalogs. While continuing to tell myself now to \u201ccut back next year\u201d, I have decided to circle fewer new items!\u00a0 The \u201ccutting back\u201d may be my annual New Year\u2019s resolution.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">I always enjoy December. The smell of evergreen trees, the vibrant colored poinsettias, custom decorated evergreen wreaths, holiday foods and the brilliant lights adorning homes and businesses are enticing.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Wishing each of you a happy and joyous Holiday Season.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>\u201cThe JOY of brightening our lives, bearing each other\u2019s burdens, easing each other\u2019s loads and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the Magic of the Holidays\u201d. W.C. Jones<\/b><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gary Hoyt<br \/>\n<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">CCMGA President <a id=\"Roots\"><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>Roots &#8211; Get to Know Joel Leak<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">What started with a free packet of cactus seeds in a bag of Fritos turned into a lifelong passion for Joel Leak. At just 10 years old, Joel planted those seeds\u2014and 55 years later, some of those original cacti are still thriving!<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Joel grew up in Arlington, Massachusetts, and spent two decades in Boston before moving to Falmouth, Maine in 1999. His love for gardening deepened over the years, from sprouting potatoes under the kitchen sink to cultivating herbs and vegetables. \u201cAfter eating something I grew myself, I was hooked,\u201d Joel says.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Today, Joel is a dedicated Master Gardener Volunteer, a role he\u2019s held since 2001. His impact on the community is inspiring:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Tedford Shelter Cleanup<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 For 18 years, Joel has led a spring cleanup in Brunswick, organizing volunteers to rake, prune, mulch, and plant.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Harvest for Hunger<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 Joel grows and donates fresh produce to the Preble Street Soup Kitchen, encouraging others to share their garden bounty.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><b>Education &amp; Outreach<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> \u2013 Joel teaches adult education classes and gives presentations to garden clubs, helping others discover the joy of growing.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Outside of gardening, Joel works as a Reporting Specialist at The Opportunity Alliance, a nonprofit offering programs like Head Start, the 988 Crisis Helpline, and WIC. He\u2019s also a talented musician, playing guitar, saxophone, and mandolin in several bands.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">When asked about his favorite crop, Joel can\u2019t choose just one: \u201cVegetables are my first love, but fruit is a close second. Anything you can grow yourself and eat is so satisfying, and sharing that bounty with others is pure joy.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Want to get involved?<\/b><b><br \/>\n<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Joel welcomes volunteers for the Tedford Shelter cleanup and Harvest for Hunger program. If you\u2019d like to help, reach out to <\/span><a href=\"mailto:joel_leak@yahoo.com\"><b>joel_leak@yahoo.com<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Is there an MGV you\u2019d like to know more about?\u00a0 Please send their name to <\/span><\/i><a href=\"mailto:heatherwberger@gmail.com\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Heather Wiggins Berger<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> for a future article. <a id=\"Spotlight\"><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>Project Spotlight: Beth Condon Memorial Pollinator Garden<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-46665 alignright\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/12\/Beth-Condon-1-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"A lush green pollinator garden in bloom\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/12\/Beth-Condon-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/12\/Beth-Condon-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/12\/Beth-Condon-1-105x105.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/12\/Beth-Condon-1-317x317.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/12\/Beth-Condon-1-32x32.jpg 32w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/12\/Beth-Condon-1.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/>Gardens inspire, educate, connect\u2014and yes, they challenge us, too. For the Master Gardener Volunteers stewarding the Beth Condon Memorial Pollinator Garden in Yarmouth, this project has brought all of these experiences over the past three years. As the garden continues to evolve, we\u2019re proud of what has been accomplished and excited for what lies ahead.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Located behind Yarmouth Town Hall, the garden sits on either side of the Beth Condon Memorial Pathway, a well-traveled pedestrian route that stretches along Route 1 and serves as a gateway to Yarmouth Village. This site is more than just a garden; it\u2019s a living tribute to Beth Condon, a young woman whose life was tragically cut short by a drunk driver in 1993 while walking along this very route.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Many hands have helped care for this garden over the years, but its quiet heart has always been Wahneta, Beth\u2019s 94-year-old grandmother. Wahneta still walks the mile from her home along the pathway to visit and tend the garden. It was her gentle dedication and thoughtful stewardship that first caught the attention of MGVs and sparked our involvement. Since then, Wahneta has found a supportive gardening community, and we\u2019ve found inspiration in her enduring presence.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This project has also cultivated strong leadership and new collaboration. With weekly volunteer workdays, the garden has been revitalized under the guidance of Maryellen Thoma, who stepped forward to lead its renewal, maintenance, and certification as a pollinator garden.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">This year marked a particularly meaningful transformation. With support from the Town of Yarmouth, Yarmouth Community Services, and UMaine Cooperative Extension, we added several native plant species and met all the standards for pollinator garden certification. The garden now features:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">A succession of native plant blooms from early spring through late fall<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Removal of invasive species<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Water sources for pollinators<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Fall vegetation left in place to support nesting and soil health<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-medium wp-image-46664 alignleft\" src=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/12\/Beth-Condon-2-300x225.jpg\" alt=\"A monarch butterfly resting on a plant with blooming yellow flowers.\" width=\"300\" height=\"225\" srcset=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/12\/Beth-Condon-2-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/12\/Beth-Condon-2-105x79.jpg 105w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/12\/Beth-Condon-2-317x238.jpg 317w, https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/35\/2025\/12\/Beth-Condon-2.jpg 320w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 320px) 85vw, (max-width: 768px) 67vw, (max-width: 1024px) 62vw,300px\" \/>We hope this certification not only honors Beth\u2019s memory but also serves as an educational model for pollinator-friendly gardening practices. Butterflies\u2014which hold special meaning for Beth\u2019s family\u2014will be a focus moving forward, with additional native plantings planned to attract local butterfly species.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The MGVs have brought new energy and direction to this special space. Julie Doane, one of the regular volunteers, will begin Master Gardener training this fall. Vivian Horoshak has shared her extensive knowledge of native plants and helped connect the project to Extension resources. Plans are underway to divide and donate plants for the 2026 MGV Plant Sale, further extending the garden\u2019s reach and impact.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Beth Condon Memorial Pollinator Garden is truly a gem. It invites quiet reflection from its benches and offers beauty and solace to the many walkers and cyclists who pass by each day. As one visitor recently shared, \u201cThis garden brings joy to the community.\u201d We couldn\u2019t agree more.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/maryellen.thoma@gmail.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Maryellen Thoma<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We\u2019re looking for volunteer projects to feature in our Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter. If you are interested in having your project featured &#8211; or if there is a project you would like to learn more about &#8211; please reach out to <\/span><\/i><a href=\"mailto:pdxsail@gmail.com\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Kerri Frazier<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. <a id=\"Ask\"><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>Ask an MGV: Tips &amp; Tricks for your Best Garden Yet<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Q: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Now that there\u2019s snow on the ground, I\u2019d love to start sharpening my gardening know-how for the spring. I\u2019d also love some ideas for gardening gift ideas so that I can share the gift of gardening with my friends and family this holiday season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>A: <\/b><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">You\u2019re in luck! UMaine Extension has the answer to both of your needs with 14 On Demand Webinar bundles. Each bundle includes 3 to 4 pre-recorded webinars (60 to 75 minutes each) on a gardening-related topic plus a list of related resources. You can browse all bundles <\/span><\/i><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine-extension.formtitan.com\/ftproject\/events?eventid=a1cUy0000049E9V&amp;\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">here<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, or peruse the list below organized by gardner-type:\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For the perennial gardener:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/on-demand-webinars\/#natives\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Gardening with Natives<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/on-demand-webinars\/#ornamental\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ornamental Garden Design<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/on-demand-webinars\/#maintenance\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Ornamental Garden Maintenance<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For the culinary gardener:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/on-demand-webinars\/#unique\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unique Crops: Mushrooms, Microgreens, and Fiddleheads<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/on-demand-webinars\/#fruit\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Unique Fruits for Maine: Cranberries, Blueberries, and More<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/on-demand-webinars\/#orchard\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Home Orchard<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/on-demand-webinars\/#vine\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Vegetables and Vine Fruits<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For any gardener looking to level up their skills:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/on-demand-webinars\/#problem\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Garden Problem Solving<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/on-demand-webinars\/#composting\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Composting and Soil Health<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/on-demand-webinars\/#seed\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Seed Selection and Starting<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">For the creative and adventurous gardener:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/on-demand-webinars\/#advanced\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Advanced Homesteading<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400\"><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/on-demand-webinars\/#decorating\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Decorating with Nature<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">To purchase a bundle for yourself, follow the registration link under each bundle description. To gift a bundle, use our <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/umaine-extension.formtitan.com\/ftproject\/events?eventid=a1cUy000002Hqqf\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u201cGift a Bundle\u201d registration page<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> to select a bundle and your recipient.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We\u2019ll email the bundle to your recipient and let them know it is a gift from you. As a bonus you will also receive a copy of the bundle so you can see what they received. If you have any questions, reach out to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">extension.gardening@maine.edu<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">We want to help you with your gardening questions and issues. To get help from your fellow MGVs, submit your questions to <\/span><\/i><a href=\"mailto:heatherwberger@gmail.com\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Heather Wiggins Berger<\/span><\/i><\/a><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">. <a id=\"Events\"><\/a><\/span><\/i><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>Upcoming Events<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><b>Community Events<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><b>Thursday, December 4: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/wildseedproject.net\/events\/dan-jaffe-wilder-making-life-easier-with-native-plants\"><b>Dan Jaffe Wilder: How to Make Your Life Easier With Native Plants<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 |\u00a0 6:00 &#8211; 7:15 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Online\u00a0 |\u00a0 $0 &#8211; $15<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Saturday, December 6: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/maineaudubon.org\/events\/seed-sowing-workshop-gf\/\"><b>Seed Sowing Workshop at Gilsland Farm<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 |\u00a0 10:00 &#8211; 12:00 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Falmouth\u00a0 |\u00a0 $30<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Saturday, December 6: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/wildseedproject.net\/events\/in-person-seed-sowing-thf-dec-2025\"><b>Winter Seed Sowing at the Native Seed Center<\/b><\/a> <span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0|\u00a0 10:00 &#8211; 12:00 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Cape Elizabeth\u00a0 |\u00a0 Free<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Friday, December 12: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/wildseedproject.net\/events\/in-person-seed-sowing-thf-dec-2025-2\"><b>Winter Seed Sowing at the Native Seed Center<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 |\u00a0 12:00 &#8211; 2:00 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Cape Elizabeth\u00a0 |\u00a0 $0 &#8211; $35<\/span><\/li>\n<li><b>Saturday, December 13: <\/b><a href=\"https:\/\/www.wolfesneck.org\/calendar\/\"><b>Bundle Dyeing with Abbie Gross<\/b> <\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0|\u00a0 10:30 &#8211; 12:00 PM\u00a0 |\u00a0 Wolfe\u2019s Neck\u00a0 |\u00a0 $30 <a id=\"Updates\"><\/a><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h3><b>MGV Updates<\/b><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Don\u2019t forget to report your hours on the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/gardening\/toolkit\/mgv-dashboard\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">MGV Dashboard<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\"> before the end of the year so that we can accurately report on our 2025 impact.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><b>Past Editions: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Missed a previous newsletter? View them all <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/master-gardener-volunteers-online-resource\/newsletters\/?ppwp=1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">HERE<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0 (password: ladybug)<\/span><b><br \/>\n<\/b><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p><b>About this Newsletter: <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">The Cumberland County Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter is edited by Clarissa Brown, Kerri Frazier, and Heather Wiggins Berger. If you would like to submit an event, article,or help with any aspect of the Newsletter, please contact <\/span><a href=\"mailto:heatherwberger@gmail.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">Heather Wiggins Berger<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">, the newsletter coordinator.<\/span><a href=\"mailto:jane.andrea@gmail.com\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>In this issue\u2026 From the President Roots: Meet MGV Joel Leak Volunteer Spotlight: Beth Condon Memorial Pollinator Garden Ask an MGV &#8211; Tips &amp; Tricks for Your Best Garden Yet Upcoming Events MGV Updates\u00a0 From the President \u201cOf all the months of the year there is not a month one half so welcome to the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":203,"featured_media":0,"parent":5557,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-46662","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>December 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter - Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County - University of Maine Cooperative Extension<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/extension.umaine.edu\/cumberland\/master-gardener-volunteers-online-resource\/december-2025-master-gardener-volunteer-newsletter\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"December 2025 Master Gardener Volunteer Newsletter - Cooperative Extension in Cumberland County - University of Maine Cooperative Extension\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"In this issue\u2026 From the President Roots: Meet MGV Joel Leak Volunteer Spotlight: Beth Condon Memorial Pollinator Garden Ask an MGV &#8211; 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