Category: Spotlights

From February 2022 Jewel McKenzie is living proof that the excitement is in the journey and not in the destination.  She began our interview by telling me that her life was “not an exciting” one. Ninety minutes later I concluded that excitement is in the eye of the beholder, because I found her story fascinating. …

From January 2022 We’re all aware that after a very long and most likely arduous year as President of the CGMGA, Sandi Rousseau is passing the baton to Anne Gehrig. Sandi has been amazing in the position, but I have to assume is more than ready to relinquish the title to another very accomplished woman.…

From August 2021 If you’ve been active as a Master Gardener for the past several years, you’ve undoubtedly met Paul so this isn’t so much an introduction……more a peek into the life behind the smile.  Born in Ruislip, England, due to his father serving in the U.S. Air Force, Paul is the oldest of four…

From Feb 2024 Moving to Hood River in 2006, Laurel DeTar was active at the Hood River County Library and looking for another group to join. As a frequent visitor to Master Gardener Plant Clinics and seeing the fun volunteers were having while doing “good stuff “in the community, Laurel took notice.  Later, Laurel crossed…

Joanne grew up in Pennsylvania in a small town named Yardley.  Their house was bordered by land that was owned by a local farmer, and the community was sandwiched between the Delaware River and the Delaware Canal – lots of woods, lots of fields. She spent a lot of her childhood exploring the nature around…

From November 2021 Gardener, teacher, backpacker, skier, lifelong learner: these are a few of the many faces of Master Gardener Norma Benson. Norma’s love of gardening has deep roots, reaching back to her childhood in Kosmos, Washington, where she admired the artistic work of the local garden club. Her family, immigrants from Sweden, owned The…