Kaufman County Master Gardeners graduate
Special to The Monitor
KAUFMAN–In the summer of 2009, nine Kaufman County residents began training to become certified Texas Master Gardeners. After completing 80 hours of classroom training, including plant biology and propagation, soil composition and amendment, water conservation and irrigation, pest identification and management and landscaping principles, the interns had a year to complete 50 hours of volunteer work on Kaufman County Master Gardener Association projects.
In fact, the group contributed 1,045 hours of volunteer time from mid-October 2009 to mid-November 2010. At the state-estimated rate of $20.85 per hour, volunteer hours from the 2009 Master Gardener Interns contributed $21,788 in benefit to Kaufman County.
Volunteer time included working in the Master Gardeners demonstration gardens, providing garden-related information to residents at various booth events, supporting the program’s numerous educational outreach events with office work and program facilitation and providing support to Ralph Davis, Kaufman County’s Extension agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Janis Barnett, Judy Barton, Ginger Davis, Bonnie Hoover, Judy McAfee, Rebecca Morrow, Lisa Nalls, Karen Sanders and Theresa Sullivan were welcomed as new Texas Master Gardeners at the Association’s December meeting with a framed certificate and official TMGA name tag presented by County Judge Wayne Gent.
A Master Gardener class is forming for the summer of 2011.
To register, please contact the Extension Office at (972) 932-9069 or email Kaufman-tx@tamu.edu  or go to the Kaufman County Master Gardener Association’s website: www.kcmastergardeners.org. 
Texas Master Gardeners is a program of Texas AgriLife Extension, Texas A & M System. Its programs are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, disability, religion, age, or national origin.
Individuals with disabilities requiring auxiliary aids, services or accommodations in order to participate in Extension programs are encouraged to call (972) 932-9069 to discuss specific needs.

MISD celebrates School Board Recognition Month
Special to The Monitor
MABANK – January is School Board Recognition Month in Texas. Mabank Independent School District is joining other districts across the state to gratefully acknowledge local trustees’ unfailing commitment to our communities and schools.
This month, we encourage our community to help honor the contributions and dedication of our local school board members. “These locally elected citizens, who work without pay, make decisions that influence and direct the education of our youth,” MISD Superintendent, Dr. Russell D. Marshall said.
“Our board is made up of local leaders who understand the Cedar Creek Lake area culture, values and challenges. They are a vital link between the community and the classroom. They bear responsibility for an annual budget of $32.5 million. Their job is not an easy one, but they have a commitment to serve their community and ensure that all students are given every opportunity to excel through education.” Marshall said.
“We need to take a moment to thank the MISD board for making the time to share their vision and voice about the future of our children. We proudly salute these men as they provide leadership for student achievement, academic programs, district funding and school facilities,” he said.
The members serving Mabank ISD and their years of service are president Kenneth Odom, 16 years; vice-president Dr. Darrell Kinnard, 25 years; secretary Dean Fannin, 7 years; Michael Cathey, 9 years; Todd Grimes, 3 years; Tyson Johnson, 3 years; and Dr. Jeff Gaddis, 1 year.

Snow blows in too late for a white Christmas
Monitor Photo/Barbara Gartman
A short blowing snowfall painted a picture perfect white landscape across most of Northeast Texas Sunday. This scene took place in Beautiful Acres (near Lively) just when the weather man predicted (for a change), starting about 10:30 a.m.