SPRINGFIELD MASTER GARDENERS NEWS
Wait! Wait! Is it almost July? Fireworks stands are popping up already all over the place and so are the flowers.
We have Sunflowers, Penstemon, Coneflower, Daylilies, Marigolds, and so on exploding all over the place. It is so fun to see the Springfield Fairgrounds surrounded by the hard work our master gardeners put in.
But now we have something coming up we need to talk about, “Sarpy County Fair!” Have you entered your tomatoes, squash, gladiolus, basil? Maybe you should give it a try this year. You never know unless you try.
There are some things that the judges look for whether you enter under 4H or Open Class.
- Overall appearance: Healthy, no insects damage, things that make your flowers or veggies stand out.
- Presentation: A lot of fairs have specific rules for each entry. Make sure your herbs and flowers do not have leaves below water level. Make sure your vases have water. Keep in mind the name and type of the veggie. Just saying, squash doesn’t make it. What kind of squash and even cultivar. You usually can get these online from your fair’s websites or from your local Extension. (Example: cherry tomatoes must have a certain amount on the plate. Also pay attention to how you harvest them.)
- Uniform size, shape, and color.
Most of this information can be found in article written by John Porter Urban Ag Coordinator Extension Agent for the Douglas and Sarpy County Extension found at the “All American Selections” website. Thanks John!
These rules pertain to both Open-Class and 4H.
Grow Green!!
IT HAPPENED IN SPRINGFIELD HISTORY
Volunteer Fireman, Paul Erhart, preparing BBQ dinner
A 5:00pm fire call at the Zeorian brother’s farm on Highway 50 south of Springfield didn’t keep the Springfield Volunteer Fire Department from serving up their annual BBQ dinner on June 17, 1989. Ed Zeorian said he felt bad about interrupting the barbeque preparations but lightning had struck the roof of the barn and flames could be seen on the south end of it. Fortunately, there wasn’t much damage. Afterwards, to assist Ed and his brother, Ben, two plates of BBQ dinner were delivered by the Fire Department to the Zeorian brothers.
Photo L to R: Senator Tony Vargas; Autumn Sky Burns,T.E.A.M; Mike Francis; Joy Bartling, Scatter Joy Acres; Sadie Jensen, Tobacco Free Lancaster County; Leigh Jean Koinzan, Lyn Belitz, Sarah Johnson, Historic Downtown Plattsmouth Association; Kayla Kill; Caroline Bennett, Truth Initiative; Becky Smart, T.E.A.M.
Tobacco Education & Advocacy of the Midlands Honors Community
It was a full house for Tobacco Education & Advocacy of the Midlands’ (T.E.A.M.) Annual Community Recognition Luncheon at CHI Health Midlands hospital in Papillion on Thursday, June 22, 2023.
Over the past several years, our community, along with our country, has seen a dramatic increase in youth vaping. Last year in Nebraska, the percentage of students reporting having ever used an e-cigarette almost doubled from the 2015 data with nearly one in every two Hispanic students (48.6%) reported they had used an e-cigarette in their lifetime.
Nebraska youth e-cigarette current daily use more than doubled from 9.0% in 2017 to 22.6% in 2019 and then decreased to 14.1% in 2022.
Caroline Bennett, Community Outreach Specialist with the Washington, D.C. based Truth Initiative’s Community and Youth Engagement team, focused her keynote address on the epidemic of teenage vaping and its intersection with youth’s mental health. Truth Initiative is America’s largest nonprofit public health organization dedicated to a future where tobacco and nicotine addiction are a thing of the past. Their mission is to achieve a culture where young people reject smoking, vaping, and nicotine.
T.E.A.M. presented awards to individuals, businesses, and organizations for their efforts within commercial tobacco control and prevention.
Awards presented were:
- Advocate of the Year: Senator Tony Vargas
- Outdoor Recreation Facility of the Year: Scatter Joy Acres
- Partner of the Year: Tobacco Free Lancaster County
- Leadership Award: Mike Francis
- Organization of the Year: Historic Downtown Plattsmouth Association
- Leadership Award: Kayla Kill
T.E.A.M. is a community coalition of more than a hundred members that work together to reduce the negative impact of commercial tobacco in Sarpy & Cass Counties. The coalition meets virtually on the 4th Thursday of the month at 11:30 am. To register to join a meeting or become a member; visit www.TeamTobaccoFree.org.
**HAPPENING NEARBY**
Come on over and take a spin on our dance floor
or just sit back and enjoy the music, every other Saturday evening!
211 Main Street, Louisville, NE
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FREE ~ OPEN JAM SESSION the 2nd Sundays of each month, 1 - 4:30.
Bring your instrument, your voice or just come and enjoy the fun!
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UPCOMING SATURDAY EVENING SHOWS, 7:30
July 15 ~ The Down Home Band.
July 29 ~ Rayne Mcgill and Kathy Fleming
Email us for more information:
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Call 1-800-480-8797, EXT 211.
For more info, leave us a voice mail at the end of the message and we'll return your call!
“Almost everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes, including you."
— Anne Lamott
Thank you to all Springfield E-Newsletter readers.
Connie Manzer
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