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DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

So, today the Master Gardeners of Hamilton County took a 2nd opportunity to do something positive for both our community and the environment.

The concept probably has some merits in regards to HOAs because I have seen waste beyond my comprehension in my own places. Pool seatings being replaced rather than restrung or recovered, furniture from clubhouses being "updated" when all they needed was a cleaning and so many others. I am sure that you all have seen this too. And we all know how much extra money we have in our slush funds.

Anyhow, a car dealership got foreclosed on and has been bought by another type of business, requireing the landscape to be torn out. Our Oh So Wise coordinator from U. of Tn, asked if we, the master gardeners , could take it out and reuse it. The answer was "YES". So a team of 30 or so of us, shovels in hand, spent the morning digging very, very big holes and removing some expensive trees and shrubs that would become landfill in a few weeks.

The recipient of our dug up treasure is the 3 new homes that Habitat For Humanity are about to complete. HOW COOL IS THAT? So what I am trying to convey is that we ALL have to start to use our assets more wisely. HOAs hire landscape companies and we replace and care poorly for what we have had to pay assessments and dues for. I am sure that you all can add to my above list os blatant waste. P.S. I am not a tree hugger but just a Master Gardener
SusannaM (Florida)
Posts: 366
Posted:
Very cool indeed. Congrats...job well done.
SusanW1 (Michigan)
Posts: 5,202
Posted:
Great idea - recycled landscapes!

Hope everything "takes" in its new spot!
AnnaD2 (Florida)
Posts: 960
Posted:
Kudos Donna! If only more people had the foresight to "recycle" as you just did. One man's trash......

Thank you for sharing that story with us. It's so uplifting to hear of people pitching in and DOING something.

Just a question....(with HOA's and Condo's in mind)....did you get any flack from people trying to knock down your efforts by asking: "But what if a "volunteer" gets hurt?" We hear it all the time. People trying to throw a monkey wrench into a project that helpful volunteers want to see completed. It's a valid question---but usually posed by someone too lazy or out of shape to help; and they don't want anyone else to get credit for doing a good job.

But as I said....uplifting story! Keep up the good work!!!
MaryA1 (Arizona)
Posts: 7,043
Posted:
Great idea! Habitat for Humanity is a wonderful charity. I've always been a firm believer in using what's on hand; nothing like recycling landscaping! Good job, Donna.
RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164
Posted:
I echo the kudos to Donna. Funny world we live in. Man grows up to be President of the United States, serves four years and history may laud him for establishing Habit for Humanity above his Presidency. And well we should. What a legacy, just shows you what's important.
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

Anna, You are so right on your observations and statement.
I guess that volunteer projects should also keep in mind the ages of the volunteers. I would hate to see too many seniors with shovels, digging out vegetation and then there would be a big rush on BENGAY. The service should also be done appropriate to what the volunteers can do safely. The liability thing is just so overbearing and we tend to use that as a fear to not do services that we are most capable of.
Seventy year olds can certainly clean stuff, minus getting on a ladder of course. We need to get back to us as a team instead of pay someone to do simple tasks for our associations. A few will step up and some will not. That's the way it goes.
RobertR1 (South Carolina)
Posts: 5,164
Posted:
Donna,
I agree completely.

Twenty years ago when I moved here, I saw the need to do some gardening. Our BOD was absentee and this observation I made just did not receive any attention. So I had moved some of my gardening things and I went down and started to work. The manager arrived in short order and told me I was not allowed to take care opf anything it the garden. I asked why, and she said, "Well what if every owner came down here and decided to work in the garden, then we would have a real mess." It struck me as ludicrous so I laughed and said "right", and went back to work. Over the year I did more and more and folks would stop me and comment about what I was doing, all positive. Not long after that a Board member asked if I would like to work for regime. I said I would work for the regime but I did not want any money, so I did that for years. Then the Board decided I needed a new saw or drill or what have you and they would buy it for me. Then I decided the best way was to accept a small salary, this went on over fifteen years until I got mad at board and quit. I stayed "quit" for a couple of years and as normal the board changes, new people move in, and I am now back helping some folks who had the same idea I had twenty years ago. Self help is a mighty weapon, and we are making some nice changes around here with the blessing of the Board. Is all this worth it, in view of insurance and libel threats. Just an opinion: I think it is, if caution and reason prevail.
DJ1 (Ontario)
Posts: 798
Posted:
Quote:
Posted By SusanW1 on 11/22/2008 2:50 PM
Great idea - recycled landscapes!

Hope everything "takes" in its new spot!

Seems only fair that we recyle the landscape! Afterall, the landscaping eventually recycle US when we die!!!!!
DonnaS (Tennessee)
Posts: 5,671
Posted:

Good one DJ, good one

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