Nothing is permanent except change. This statement by the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus is probably as true today as it was in 500 BC when the world was still flat and orbited by the sun. And today, just as there were then, there are those who resist change and others who view it as an opportunity rather than an obstacle. Sandy Holden Montag belongs in the latter group: her flexible attitude toward change has been a contributing factor in her success as a master gardener.
For twenty years, Sandy worked as a nurse practitioner with the health department in Portland. Her speciality was women’s health, and she loved her clients as well as the science that the job involved. But she didn’t love the rock yard in front of the small house where she was living. Instead of complaining about it, she saw it as an opportunity to landscape from scratch. A friend gave her hints and helped her with the design, and before long her yard was brimming with perennials and potted annuals. The friend also suggested she look into becoming a master gardener, an idea that took root when Sandy was ready for retirement.
When she retired, Sandy and her husband Tom decided to get out of Portland. Drawn by the abundant outdoor recreational opportunities in the Gorge, they moved to Snowden and built a new home. Shortly afterward, Sandy joined CGMGA, wanting to meet new people and learn more about gardening. Perhaps thinking about her parents’ large vegetable garden, she decided to try her hand at growing her own vegetables. Despite the steep learning curve, she loved the Master Gardening program, especially the science aspects. A true lifelong learner, she says that plant clinic is one of her favorite activities because of the opportunities for research.
Sandy was the association president during the first year of the pandemic, and her positive attitude toward change made her an able leader. Moving to an online platform opened up new opportunities for learning: videos, presentations, lectures. “A person could do it all day long,” she said.Today, with both in-person and online options, she feels we have the best of both worlds: even if the weather is inclement or a person is not feeling well, they can still participate in meetings and classes. Megan’s weekly updates provide links to even more learning opportunities.
Another change that Sandy has embraced is the association’s increased emphasis on educational projects. She is currently co-leading the newly-planted pollinator garden and, in the process, has learned a lot about the birds and the bees….and other pollinators. That new knowledge is reflected in her own garden. She no longer cuts everything down in the winter, leaves some weeds early in the spring for the bees, and allows flowers to reseed throughout the summer. Her garden is not “neat and tidy”, but instead is full and buzzing with visiting pollinators. She enjoys seeing all the “guests” who come to enjoy her bountiful garden. For her, it’s a sort of meditative space that helps her escape the news and noise of the world.
Sandy’s advice to new Master Gardeners? Take one “bite” at a time. The program offers so much that it’s easy to become overwhelmed. “There’s no need to do it all,” she says. Recently, she’s shifted her focus from a leadership role to that of an active participant. Rather than running things, she just wants to enjoy working on them.
Sandy and her husband still enjoy a variety of outdoor recreation activities, but she isn’t able to participate in them as fully as she once did. That has left her time for other pursuits. She’s always liked needlework and going to shows and admiring the beautiful quilts, so she decided to join the Gorge Quilters Guild and give quilting a try.
When she’s not gardening or quilting or engaging in outdoor activities, Sandy likes to travel. It’s not a new adventure for her, however. While she was still working as a nurse practitioner, she visited a friend who was in the Peace Corps and stationed in Mauritania. She and several colleagues stayed a month, and it was an unforgettable experience. Since then, she’s visited China, Mali, Indonesia, and Europe. She loves learning about other cultures. In November she’s going on an organized tour to the Amazon. “Do it now,” she says when asked about her travel adventures, “before you get any older.”
Sandy has 2 children from a previous marriage, and both give her a reason to travel. Her daughter is a nurse in Eureka, California and has 2 dogs, 3 cats, and a “gaggle of chickens’. Her son married a Brazilian and the couple has a 7-year old son. Sandy makes frequent trips to Brazil so that she can stay involved in her grandson’s life.
Nurse practitioner, gardener, quilter, grandmother, world traveler: Sandy’s infectious enthusiasm for life is an inspiration to others.
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