CPCC Horticultural Alumni Professional Society
October, 2007

Newsletter Results:
We had great response from our initial newsletter. Many of the ideas that were suggested will be included in this or the next newsletters. Please continue to give feedback!
NOTICE: $20 dues for renewal should be sent to Arlene Main before January 1st. See contacts for address. Membership will allow us to send you a newsletter, to admit you free into the February educational event, and to offer interesting horticultural fieldtrips.

Events:
Past Fieldtrips: Unfortunately, Atlanta Botanical Garden was cancelled due to conflict in schedules. We will try to reschedule that trip at another date. Would you be interested in going in early April?

Future Fieldtrips
• November 2nd We will be exploring Wilmington Gardens (leave on Friday and return on Sunday). We will be touring private homes as well as Airlie Gardens and the Ability Garden at the Arboretum. If interested, please contact Linda Wolfe asap so we can arrange lodging. lmw324@bellsouth.net or 704-548-1407

• We already have the trip to Southern Highland Reserve on the calendar for the first Saturday in May . It will be limited to CHAPS members.

• An exploration of TIAA-CREF’s experimental gardens in Charlotte has been requested. Tentatively this is scheduled for early June.

Future Educational Events
In 2008 we will be holding our annual educational event February 6th at the Mint Museum. Mark Weathington, the new Assistant Director and Curator of Collections at JC Raulston Arboretum, will be speaking on drought resistant plants. Very timely subject for us to explore!
His undergraduate degrees in Horticulture and Sociology and his MS in Horticulture were earned at Virginia Tech. He has served as Director of Horticulture for the Norfolk Botanical Garden and horticulturist at the Virginia Aquarium and the Atlanta Botanical Garden. Mark writes and speaks on a variety of topics in horticulture. He has been published in Horticulture, Carolina Gardener, VA Gardener, and The Mid-Atlantic Gardener’s Book of Lists. He also writes two weekly columns for The Virginian- Pilot, Virginia’s largest newspaper.



Some Like It Hot: Water Wise Plants with Impact

“Tough times call for tough plants. This summer's drought emphasized the need for drought tolerant plants which depend less on supplemental irrigation than the traditional landscape. This doesn't mean every garden must look like an Arizona moonscape. There are plenty of plants that can create a visually arresting landscape while still minimizing the reliance on irrigation.”

News from CPCC Hort Program

FALL PLANT SALE: October 18-19
Kevin and Bunny have been working hard with Frankie Fanelli, one of our new horticulture instructors, to clean up the nursery and greenhouses. Looks great! Go purchase some great plants … to replace all those dead ones we have in our yards!

Reminder: Kevin asks all CHAPS members to send him some seeds of perennials or unusual annuals that you would like him to grow. He will provide you with some baby plants, as long as he has a few plants to sell at the spring or next fall’s plant sale. Be sure to label the seeds and who is sending them, so he can track the progress and product. He also could use divisions of named perennials and a few clumps of different types of liriope. GOOD opportunity to support the program.

What’s Happening?
(This section will be links to activities that are on-going…or new. If you have some horticultural organization or event that you would like promoted, please send the information to me, via the contact email.)
• Wing Haven’s plant sale (October 9 members only, October 10-13 for public) and fall conference (October 25): www.winghavengardens.com/calendar.htm

• UNCC Botanical Garden Plant Sale (October 5-6) http://gardens.uncc.edu/calendar.htm

• Invasive species workshop – Reedy Creek Park (October 19) 704-598-8857. Ask for class # 29659.

• GO to UNCC’s calendar for links to NC Botanical Garden and JC Raulston Arboretum.

• A Garden Gathering Fall Symposium (October 12-13th) sponsored by Carolina Gardener www.dsbg.org/events.php

• NCAN (January 15-19) - Green & Growin Trade Show, Greensboro, NC

Updates from Members & Alumni:

Fred Hannon had a theft in July.
“I went to my storage facility this morning to prepare the equipment for the work week, and was shocked to see the front gate had been rammed and my trailer was stolen. Unfortunately, the trailer was loaded with my best equipment.

On the positive side, I have insurance. The storage facility has a functioning surveillance camera. And I have been acquiring additional equipment in anticipation of growth. With the exception of my large, 52" mower, I have a duplicate setup ready to roll in the morning. “

Phyllis Overcash has been working at LifeSpan as a Hort Therapist. She’s exploring other options:
“The main reason I'm looking for another job is my commute. I'm trying to find something in the South Charlotte, Pineville or Ft. Mill area. Working in a retirement community is something I'm looking into. As part of my current job, I have been in charge of coordinating recreational activities and field trips. Since I enjoy this, I thought I would see if I qualify for any recreational coordinator type positions in addition to horticulture positions.”
IF you have any leads for Phyllis, let us know.

Preston Whitfield has sent a link to the website of the company that he’s working for: http://www.outdoorcraftsmen.com/index.htm

Margaret Bullock has graduated from NC State in Landscape Architecture. CONGRATS!

If you have any information to share about your business, activities, resources, or perhaps job changes, let us know. We’ll provide opportunities to network!

HERE”S SPACE FOR MORE SHARING>>>>>

Contact Information:

Liz Harris, editor and membership chair: Elizabeth.harris@cpcc.edu or 704-892-4553

Arlene Main, treasurer: Mainkna@bellsouth.net 5509 Eagle Lake Drive , Charlotte, 28217

Linda Wolfe, social planning: lmw324@bellsouth.net
704-548-1407

Helen Redwine, president: helenredwine@carolina.rr.com

Cindy Chaney, secretary: CCHANEY704@AOL.COM

John Holmes, advisor: John.Holmes@cpcc.edu

Kevin Watts, CPCC lab facilitator: Kevin.Watts@cpcc.edu