April 2026 MG Recognitions

By MG Linda Barrett

This month we pay special tribute to our MCMG Task Forces, and include a special note of appreciation for a long-time MG who is going on hiatus from the MCMG program.

Task Forces

The Tech Team includes MGs Chuck Dulaney, Sue DeGraba, Dick Evans, Tina Burke, and Gina Becker (pictured left to right below). We thank them for supporting our monthly MG meetings. On Zoom, they assist with displaying presentations, recording the meeting, admitting members, and posing questions from the chat to our guest speaker. And for live meetings at the Fairgrounds, the tech team must also tackle the recording of audio for announcements and guest presentations.

Social media guru MG Bev Carragher is busy posting MG events and gardening tips on several social media platforms. Bev would love to have you send her images from your garden, photos of MGs at work, and information about your MG event. Please send pictures and information to Bev and MG Len Friedman! You can find their contact information in VMS.

The Volunteer Management System (VMS) is managed by MG Katie McIe. There are about 500 people on VMS in four categories--active MGs, interns, on hiatus, and emeritus. Katie processes thousands of submissions for volunteer and continuing education hours and also provides data for state MG reports and years of service recognition. In addition, Katie helps with resetting passwords and troubleshooting the VMS.

Spring Sprouts is co-chaired by MGs Dave Colacicco and Joel Patton. The event will take place on Saturday April 25 at the Agricultural History Farm Park in Derwood and will include a plant sale, Demo Garden tours, and MCMG educational tables.

The Website and Multi-media team consists of MGs Renu Murik and MG Interns Cheri Borsky and Larry Zarker. Cheri edits the MG monthly meeting recordings and posts them on the MCMG website. Renu and Larry are constantly updating the MCMG website.

The Intern survey and Intern Q&A mentoring were led by MG Intern Tracy Katoski and MG Dave Ottalini. They surveyed the 2025 interns about the MG intern class and volunteer experiences and then held a wonderful Q&A session for interns. 

Special appreciation

MG Carol Galati
Photo: MG Linda Barrett

Finally, we recognize MG Carol Galati, who is going on hiatus after 25 years of volunteer service with the Brookside Gardens Plant Clinic and the Urban Gardening table at the Silver Spring Freshfarm Market. We thank her for the passion and knowledge she has shared with the Montgomery County community for many years.