Couple of Events

Two photos of what I call "distorted images." They don't really show the entire object but certainly do point out the beauty in another way. The orange is a poppy after rain and the pink/yellow is a peony.

Home, Lawn and Garden Day 2010

Sponsored by the University of Illinois Master Gardeners in McLean County will be held at Central Catholic High School, 1201 Airport Road, Bloomington, Illinois on Saturday, March 6, 2010.

The event fee of $40.00 includes several choices of workshops, a keynote speaker, exhibitors, door prizes, and lunch.

This year's featured keynote speaker will be Dianne Noland, host and producer of WILL -TV's Illinois Gardener Show.

To request a brochure/registration form, please call the University of Illinois Extension in McLean County at 309-663-8306, email sbecker@illinois.edu

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Master Gardeners Classes and Events

If interested in the Illinois Henry and Stark County Master Gardener classes and events, contact the Henry Stark Unit/County Extension office at 853-1533 or check the state Master Gardener web site for more specific information, the application process, requirements and future training dates. This extension office coordinates and combines classes with Knox County.

University of Illinois Extension State Master Gardener web site: http://www.extension.uiuc.edu/mg

For Indiana Master Gardener classes and events, contact the Purdue University Cooperative Extension Service-Howard County Government Building, Suite 105, 120 E. Mulberry, Kokomo, IN 46901-4660

765/456-2313 or Fax: 765/456-2319

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12th Illinois Products Expo March 6-7, 2010

The "12th Illinois Products Expo...A Food and Cooking Extravaganza" will be held on March 6-7, 2010, in the Orr Building, Illinois State Fairgrounds, Springfield, IL.

Over seventy Illinois food companies (and a few non-food companies) will be exhibiting. Food companies will provide free food samples and most of these products will also be available to purchase at the Expo.

A few non-food items, such as soy & herb candles, agricultural-based soaps, lotions, etc., will also be on display and available to purchase.

The Expo is open to the public. The cost to attend is only $4.00 (children 10 and under - free).
The "Illinois Wine and Cheese Garden" will once again be a featured attraction at the Expo. At least twenty Illinois wine companies will participate. They will sell wine samples (for a nominal fee) and they will sell their wine by the glass and by the bottle.

The hours of the Expo are:
Saturday, March 6 - 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Sunday, March 7 - 11:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

A Weber Genesis® S-310 LP gas grill (retail value-$949.00) and numerous "Illinois Products" gift baskets will be given away as door prizes.

The Illinois Department of Agriculture, Bureau of Marketing and Promotion is coordinating the event. For more information, contact Larry Aldag, (telephone - 217/524-3012; e-mail - larry.aldag@illinois.gov

This is a great chance to see what your Illinois neighbors are producing, view alternate agricultural products, think of something new you would like to produce and sell, or simply go, enjoy and buy a few locally "Illinois made in the USA" items.