Volume 22, Number 7 – April 2, 2007
Faculty, Staff May Meet WVU Presidency Finalists at Forums
April 18 Is Deadline for Bulk Computer Order
Fund-raising Effort to Benefit WVU-ES Programs
New Program Brings Accessible Gardens to Senior Centers, Parks
Meeting Notes
People and Places
Important Program Planning and Reporting Dates for 2007
Public forums will be held this month to introduce the three finalists for the position of WVU president to faculty, staff, students, alumni, and community members. The three are Daniel O. Bernstine, president of Portland State University; Michael S. Garrison, managing member of the Morgantown office of Spilman Thomas & Battle PLLC; and M. Duane Nellis, provost at Kansas State University.
“We hope that all facets of the University—employees, students, health care professionals, Extension agents, researchers, alumni, donors, and others—will participate,” said Steve Goodwin, chairman of the WVU Board of Governors.
Faculty and staff are welcome to attend any of the following sessions:
The Board of Governors expects to select WVU’s 22nd president at its April 13 meeting in Morgantown. David C. Hardesty Jr., president since July 1995, will retire Sept. 20.
April 18 is the deadline for offices to get in on WVU Extension Technology’s annual bulk order for computers and projectors.
The following items are offered this year:
Individual office orders will be confirmed before the computers and other equipment are ordered.
No cost share is available this year. Costs can be split over this fiscal year (‘06-‘07) and next fiscal year (’07-’08). Payment also may be postponed until next fiscal year.
For more details about purchasing this equipment, check the March 26 “OT Newsletter” from Becky Osborne. Contact her if you have questions.
Over the next few days, WVU Extension employees will receive a campus campaign packet, asking them to support the organization’s fund-raising efforts.
While supporting a program of their choice, employees also may get a tax deduction.
According to Julie Cryser, those who give $50 or more will have their names entered into a drawing to win $100 for a program of their choosing. The money, provided by the WVU Extension Development Office, will go to the program, not an individual. In essence, if one gives $50 to a program, that program has a chance of receiving $150.
As an added bonus, the name of any donor making a gift through this solicitation before June 1 will be entered into a WVU Foundation contest to win two tickets to a WVU football game this season. Six drawings (for six games) will take place in July. In addition, anyone making a gift or pledge of $100 or more before June 1 will receive a Campus Campaign coffee mug.
All payroll deduction gifts must be sent on or before June 1 so that the Foundation can enter the information for the new fiscal year.
The program—Green Thumbs, Healthy Joints—is coordinated by West Virginia AgrAbility, with the help of the WVU Extension’s West Virginia Master Gardener program.
The following seven Master Gardener chapters will receive funds to offset costs associated with making raised (or wheelchair-accessible) garden beds:
Approximately 35 percent of West Virginia’s adult population has some form of arthritis, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
“Many people have gardened all their lives and now find the bending, kneeling, and tool-gripping more difficult than it used to be,” says Stacy Miller, information specialist for West Virginia AgrAbility and coordinator of the Green Thumbs, Healthy Joint program.
“Through this program, we are raising awareness about the variety of ways gardens can be modified so that people can remain active gardeners regardless of an existing joint condition.”
In addition to the mini-grant, each of the sites will receive approximately $200 worth of ergonomic and assistive gardening tools designed to reduce the need to bend the knees or strain the wrists.
The participants will use the tools in their gardens and demonstrate them in their communities for the benefit of individuals with joint limitations like arthritis, carpal tunnel syndrome, and osteoporosis.
Green Thumbs, Healthy Joints is supported by the West Virginia Osteoporosis and Arthritis Program at the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources.
West Virginia AgrAbility—a partnership among the WVU Center for Excellence in Disabilities, WVU Extension Service, and Northern West Virginia Center for Independent Living—serves farm families affected by physical limitations.
… Several agencies and groups are working together to present a WVU Spring Fling Gardening Workshop Saturday, April 28, at the Agriculture Sciences South Building on WVU’s Evansdale Campus. The educational program is supported by WVU Extension, Monongalia County Master Gardeners, the American Hosta Society, and the WVU Horticulture Program. The groups are combining the traditional Hosta Spring Break and the Monongalia County Master Gardeners’ Spring Tonic workshops to attract participants interested in learning more about gardening principles, specific plants (such as hostas), and new gardening techniques. The registration form, which is found on the Web (www.caf.wvu.edu/plsc/horticulture/2007springfling.html) must be sent by April 15 to the Monongalia County WVU Extension Office, 26 Commerce Drive, Morgantown WV 26501. The cost is $50. Proceeds will help support the International Master Gardener Conference in Charleston in 2011.
… 4-H Volunteer Leaders’ Weekend, scheduled for July 27-29 at WVU Jackson’s Mill nears Weston, will honor county outstanding leaders, 45- and 50-year leaders, and friends of 4-H (individuals, businesses, agencies, or organizations). May 30 is the nomination deadline for all of these honors. Send nominations to Patrick Nestor, 160 WVU Jackson Mill, Weston WV 26452. If you have questions, contact Pat (PINestor@mail.wvu.edu; 304-269-5100, ext. 120). Theme of this year’s conference is “Summer Daze—What a Trip.”
… Faculty and Staff Changes
Travis Henline, special events coordinator at WVU Jackson’s Mill, is resigning effective April 11.
Susan J. McComas has resigned from her position as Extension agent in Wayne and Cabell counties.
Leone Ohnoutka, an Extension agent in Wood County, retired March 31. Leone earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Nebraska in 1975 and 1979, respectively. She began her Extension System career in August 1975 with the University of Nebraska. Leone spent 15 years there as an Extension educator in 4‑H, families and health, and community economic development programming. Leone came to West Virginia in 1991 as Extension agent in Ritchie County, where she was instrumental in reorganizing the Ritchie County Economic Development Authority and hiring the authority’s first paid director. While serving as an agent in Wood County, Leone helped develop and implement Community Development Institute (CDI) – East, a national training program for community developers. The institute is sponsored by WVU Extension in collaboration with the W.Va. Development Office. CDI-East was the third such training program sponsored by the Community Development Council in the United States. During retirement, she plans to take care of her health and her family. Leone is looking forward to having more time to volunteer at her son’s elementary school.
… Have You Heard?
… Planning is in full swing for the Good-bye Barbecue for Larry Cote. The event, featuring West Virginia products, will be held from 2:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 2 at the Erickson Alumni Center, Morgantown. Agriculture faculty will be working the barbecue grill. In addition to food, the party will include entertainment and reminiscences. A memory book will be presented to Larry. If you would like to submit a letter for the book, send it to Ann Berry.
Susan Gamble and her husband, Kent, welcomed their second child March 22. Clara Mae weighed 8 pounds, 2 ounces. She has a big brother, 2-year-old Lewis. Cards may be sent to the Gambles at 102 Oakview Lane, Beckley WV 25801.
Dean Hardman and Patrick Nestor gave presentations at the annual conference of the West Virginia Association of Museums last week at Chief Logan State Park. Dean presented a workshop “Dollars and Sense of Retails Sales for Museums.” Pat’s presentation “Give a Hoot – Let’s Recruit” was about attracting volunteers.
Four outstanding youths represented West Virginia 4-H at the 2007 National 4-H Conference last week. Emily Dean of Morgantown, Jessica Monroy of Martinsburg, Caroline Bailey of St. Marys, and Catherine Staley of Shepherdstown attended the program in the Washington, D.C., area along with delegates from other states, U.S. Territories, and Canadian Provinces. “Our Changing World” was the theme. Participants developed recommendations for 4-H programs and studied citizenship. On Capitol Hill, the four met with Shelly Moore Capito and representatives from the offices of West Virginia’s congressional delegation. They explained the importance of 4-H in their lives and the impact it can have on every youth. Another highlight of their trip to Capitol Hill was meeting singer Sheryl Crow who was there to testify about breast cancer research.
Open enrollment for 2007 health insurance began yesterday (April 1) and continues through April 30. Benefits-eligible employees must submit the appropriate forms by that date. The University will announce enrollment updates via E-News, Mountaineer Spirit, and the Human Resources Web site (www.hr.wvu.edu/benefits/2007-2008openenrollment/index.cfm). For complete information, employees should refer to the shopper’s guides and materials mailed by the Public Employees Insurance Agency and Fringe Benefits Management Company. To read a news release about open enrollment, including changes in coverage and benefits fairs around the state, check the WVU intranet (http://intranet.wvu.edu/).
The Wall Service Award Project in Lincoln County and the Mark Dillon Endowment are offering $2,500 in grants to help counties increase the number of low-income youths attending residential camps. Wall money is available statewide; Dillon money focuses on southern West Virginia. Requests for funding are due by 4 pm, April 30. Those interested in applying should send an e-mail to Ric MacDowell (ric.macdowell@mail.wvu.edu). The message should tell the amount requested, the number of low-income youths who will be served, the way the money will be used, and how the effort will be sustained in the future. The review committee will be make awards in early June. Contact Ric for more information.
The National Gardening Association (NGA) celebrates National Garden Month in April. Gardening has many tangible rewards for people of all ages: it reduces stress, serves as a source of fresh, nutritious foods, and is an enjoyable way to get active. On average, the activity burns between 250 and 500 calories an hour. April is a good time to plan activities celebrating the benefits of gardening. Visit the NGA Web site (www.nationalgardenmonth.org) for101 ways to celebrate National Garden Month.
This year, National Arbor Day is April 27, but states celebrate on other dates. In West Virginia, Arbor Day is the second Friday in April (April 13 in 2007). Arbor Day was begun by J. Sterling Morton in Nebraska in 1872 to encourage planting trees and caring for them. Check the Arbor Day Web site (www.arborday.org/) for celebration ideas and supplies. The site even has a quiz to help participants learn how trees’ characteristics influence how and where they should be planted.
The theme of “Inspire by Example” was chosen for National Volunteer Week to reflect the power volunteers have to inspire others. The April 15-21 observance is sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation. National Volunteer Week provides an opportunity to thank one of the nation’s most valuable assets—volunteers—and call attention to all that they do to improve communities. The 2007 National Volunteer Week toolkit can help you plan a celebration honoring WVU Extension volunteers. Download it from the Web (www.pointsoflight.org/programs/seasons/nvw/).
… In the News
Reminiscing about his days in 4-H, radio talk show host Hoppy Kercheval told a 4-H group in Shepherdstown that he had failed swimming lessons at Camp Frame. “They were given at 9 in the morning in a freezing mountain creek,” he said. After one lesson, I refused to go back in the water.” He mentioned his talk as part of his March 27 commentary on West Virginia Metronews (www.wvmetronews.com/home.cfm). His talk was a highlight of a celebration marking the 80th anniversary of Camp Frame, the Berkeley County 4-H camp that Hoppy attended as a kid.
In a March 6 column in the Charleston Gazette, Master Gardener Sara Busse spotlighted the many tips and services for gardeners available at the Kanawha County WVU Extension Office. Busse praised the office as being “just a gold mine of information.” She mentioned expertise in horticulture, useful pamphlets and publications, friendliness of staff, and personalized advice specific to the unique climate and soil types of West Virginia. “For gardeners, our public library is the WVU Extension Service. These people know everything!” she wrote. Extension Agent Kari Mazzaferro has been key in giving personalized help, according to the column. She has extensive horticulture education as well as professional experience, including growing orchids in a 63-acre greenhouse in Florida. The columnist advised readers to check the WVU Extension Web site to find answers to their gardening questions. “Or stop by and visit Kari—she’s amazing!” In yesterday’s (April 1) column, Sara wrote that Kari will be sharing “her expertise regularly with a tip of the week to help us all with our garden questions and dilemmas.” Kari’s first tip was about soil testing. Sara has been writing the gardening column since January.
… In Memoriam
Mary Etta Ellis, sister of Alice Ritz, died in an automobile crash. Her funeral was March 17 in Delbarton. Condolences may be sent to Alice at PO Box 583, Varney WV 25696.
Important Program Planning and Reporting Dates for 2007
April 3 Final Faculty Assignment Document in MS Word
due to program leaders.
**************************************************************************************
Our Continuing Mission . . .
The mission of the West Virginia University Extension Service is to form learning partnerships with the people of West Virginia to enable them to improve their lives and communities. To these partnerships, we bring useful research- and experience-based knowledge that facilitates critical thinking and skill development.
**************************************************************************************
Extension Focus is a publication of the Office of the Associate Provost for Extension and Public Service. News items should be sent to the Office of Communications, 506 Knapp Hall, P.O. Box 6031, Morgantown, WV 26506-6031.
Issues of Focus are archived on Extension's Intranet
http://intranet.ext.wvu.edu/intouch/orgnews/focus/focus.htm
Programs and activities offered by the West Virginia University
Extension Service are available to all persons without regard to race, color,
sex, disability, religion, age, veteran status, sexual orientation, national
origin, and marital or family status.
Submitted by Joyce Bower.
