ANNOUNCEMENTS
THANK YOU BCMGs, for volunteering to share with so many Bexar County residents (of all ages) the experience of peace and contentment, along with small victories and occasional defeats, that can be found in gardening!
Texas AgriLife Extension Service and Bexar County Master Gardeners offices will be closed Thursday & Friday, November 22 & 23, in celebration of Thanksgiving!
BCMGs Remember: Saturday, Dec 15, is the last day to record your 2018 Volunteer and CEU Hours in VMS! Don’t wait til the last day, add your hours to VMS TODAY!! If you are having issues recording your hours, please email Lisa Nixon, membership coordinator.
If you have already met BCMG Re-certification Requirements for 2019 (30 volunteer hours and 6 CEUs– 3 hrs thru attendance at monthly meeting programs), you can now visit the Membership Dues page on the BCMG website and pay your 2019 Annual Membership Dues of $25, either online or by mail. NOTE: Dues must be paid by January 31, 2019.
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE 2019 BCMG BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President – Grace Emery
Vice President – Lynn Cox
Secretary – Angie Kirby
Treasurer – Kathann El-Amin
Membership – Art Vazquez
Members at large – Donna Armstrong and Don Crites

BE OUR PARLIAMENTARIAN:
Needed for Board of Directors Meetings (11 meetings each year: 2 hours per meeting). Must become knowledgeable of BCMG Bylaws and Policies (available on the BCMG website) and have working understanding of parliamentary procedure. Bylaws referenced below! Email President Grace Emery for more information or to volunteer to serve!
ARTICLE V – OFFICERS
….The President of the Corporation may appoint a Parliamentarian to serve as a non-voting member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors.
ARTICLE XIV – PARLIAMENTARY AUTHORITY
The rules contained in the current edition of Robert’s Rule of Order Newly Revised shall govern the Corporation in all cases to which they are applicable and in which they are not inconsistent with these bylaws and any special rules of order the Corporation may adopt.
Don’t miss current Volunteer Opportunities on VMS…see details below! Really need your help for some Culinary Docent shifts, the Poinsettia Sale, and Christmas Party Site Committee!
Plus, the Fall 2018 Children’s Vegetable Garden Program at SABOT will hold its Vegetable Contest, Picnic, and Recognition Ceremony on Saturday, December 1. If you like to help out in any way (beginning at about 9am that morning), email Lou Kellogg for more information and to volunteer.
And, It’s Time to Get Ready To RODEO 2019!
Volunteer NOW with Construction Chair, Rich Geisler (Construction dates are Jan 22-Feb 6); Van Drivers Chairs, Brian and Candy Roach; Hospitality Chair, Susan Noonan; Watering Team Lead, Ted Ritchie. Rodeo Dates are Feb 7-24.
Sign-ups for all other Rodeo Volunteer Shifts will begin at the Christmas Party (Dec 11th). You can learn about Little Buckaroo Farms where BCMG will be located on the SA Stock Show & Rodeo website.
Take on an ongoing role and participate throughout the year as a member of the new Logistics Committee or the new Events Committee. These committees are key to our success as a Master Gardener organization. We need you! Please email Grace Emery, or call (210) 875-6919, if you are interested in playing a part in BCMG’s foundation for stability and endurance!

Only 10 More Days to Place Your Poinsettia Order!
After Thanksgiving Dinner, get out your holiday gift list and visit the BCMG website! Order some gorgeous, floral quality Poinsettias for 2018: Red, White, and Variegated (Pink & White). [Note: Red Glitter has sold out!] Remember proceeds benefit the Master Gardener Scholarships!
And Another Great Gift Idea:
Buy some stocking stuffers and help BCMG at the same time! Birdies for Charity® 12 Days of Giving ticket campaign will be underway Dec 1-12 and BCMG will receive $10 proceeds from each ticket sold online. when you select Bexar County Master Gardeners as beneficiary. You can get all the Valero Texas Open details here. And, BCMG will again participate in the 2019 Birdies for Charity® Fundraiser with pledge forms available in early 2019.
BCMG’s BIGGEST Event & LARGEST Plant Sale!
ALL Hands Needed!
Rodeo is an excellent time to get those volunteer hours!
11 different types of volunteer opportunities, 16 days of construction,
18 days of Rodeo, and 677 total different volunteer shifts,
for a total of over 2,200 hours of volunteer time!
Introducing the Rodeo Team:
Sign-Up NOW:
Rodeo Construction and Landscaping – Rich Geisler: [email protected]
Van Drivers – Brian & Candy Roach: [email protected]
Hospitality – Susan Noonan: [email protected]
Watering Team – Ted Ritchie: [email protected]
Sign-ups starting at the BCMG Holiday Party for:
Plant Sales/MG Booth
Greeters
School Tour Docents
Adopt-a-Tree
and more!
__________________________________________________________
Everyone will need to have a Release and Indemnification Agreement Form (available soon).
Completed form is due Jan 18th.
Form must be printed out double-sided, notarized, and mailed to:
ATTN: Rodeo Form
Bexar County Master Gardeners
3355 Cherry Ridge, Ste. 208
San Antonio, TX 78230
Or, drop-off with Nick at the Extension Office front desk.
SIGN-UP for VOLUNTEER EVENTS using the Event Calendar in the VOLUNTEER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM – VMS. Find number of volunteers still needed, who has signed up, Project Code and even request an event reminder! REMEMBER: If you volunteer for any event and have a last minute change of plans, please contact the coordinator listed on VMS to let them know!
MGs Who Completed SABOT Culinary Docent Training!
Volunteers Each Day: December 1, 7, 8, 21, 22
Come and Help with the Poinsettia Sale! On Fri, Dec 7: unload plants from 8:30-11am; assist with sales pickup from 11am-1pm, or 1-3pm. And, on Sat, Dec 8, assist with sales pickup from 10am-Noon.
Please email Barbara Lutz, or call 210-699-0663, if you would like to help with set up and clean up for the Christmas Party on Tuesday, December 11th!
See all the Details for Classes in the Bexar County area on the MG Calendar! Classes listed below may be of special interest to you.
DON’T MISS! Annual Poinsettia Tour of Peterson Bros. Nursery: Annual free tour will take place on Wed, Nov 28th from 10am to Noon at 1630 Creekview Dr., 78219. Park on the far side of the lot. Come and be “wowed” and wear walking shoes, bring a camera, and don’t be late! Contact David Rodriguezfor details. 2 CEUs; Code: 001
BCMG January Rodeo Kick-Off Speaker & Meeting: Plan to join us and bring your favorite Chili or Cornbread to share while we hear a special Rodeo presentation on Thu, Jan 17, from 6-8pm at 3355 Cherry Ridge, Suite 208, 78230. Bring you calendar and sign up for Rodeo Shifts. 1 CEU; Code: 002.
New in 2019: Advanced Master Gardener Home Fruit Class – Southern Texas has been scheduled for February 2019! Details and application available HERE.
And remember, you can find all the TEXAS MASTER GARDENER SPECIALIST COURSES offered in 2018 at the TMGA website. If you are interested in attending any courses, please email David Rodriguez, Extension Agent-Horticulture, Bexar County. BCMG CEU Code: 001.
Composter training will take place Dec 5-7, and will be hosted by Fort Bend County in Rosenberg, TX.
Coming in 2019!
Home Fruit (South Texas) – Feb. 7-8, 2019, hosted by Gonzales County, Gonzales
Vegetables – Feb. 13-15, 2019, hosted by Dallas County, Dallas
Tree Care – Mar. 13-15, 2019, hosted by Dallas County, Dallas
Tree Care – Jun. 12-14, 2019, hosted by Kerr County, Kerrville
Save the Dates (More Info coming soon):
Turfgrass – Mar. 14-15, 2019, hosted by Montgomery County, Conroe
Earth-Kind® – May 16-18, 2019, hosted by Henderson County, Athens
Vegetables – Aug. 13-15, 2019, hosted by Bexar County, San Antonio
Great Gardening Events on the BCMG November Calendar. Bookmark the Calendar and visit it frequently! Here is a sample of what is coming up over this next week:
- Nov 23 to Dec 31 – SABOT Holidays in Bloom
- Nov 26 to 28 – Operation Christmas Cheer
- Nov 27 – Drip Irrigation System Made Easy!
- Dec 7 – All Bugs Good and Bad Webinar Series: Pantry Pests
Holidays in Bloom begin this Friday, Nov 23 and runs through Dec 31 (Closed on Christmas). Enjoy the San Antonio Botanical Garden decked out in festive decor and see Nature Connects: Art with LEGO® Bricks.
Participate in the 300 for 300 Pollinator Garden Initiative! Visit Garden Style San Antonio and Texas Butterfly Ranch for all the details! So far more that 200 gardens have been registered.
Watch for details on the Spring 2019 Children’s Vegetable Garden Program at SABOT. Program will include sixteen Saturdays from March 2nd to June 15th with the Vegetable Contest & Show on June 1st. Get ready to share with family & friends!