Reach for the Star Awards
To be eligible for Reach for The Stars awards, you must be current on your dues ($35, which includes the $10 payable to AMGA). All hours should be in the computer by January 15th. The Reach for the Stars award program is administered by AMGA and rewards cumulative volunteer hours. For example, a MG accruing 100-299 hours earns a bronze star, 300-499 hours earns a silver star and 500-999 hours earns a gold star. Rewards continue up from there – some very noteworthy Master Gardeners have accumulated thousands of hours in their lifetime of service!
2022 REACH FOR THE STARS AWARDS
AWARDED FEBRUARY 14, 2023
2021 REACH FOR THE STARS AWARDS
AWARDED FEBRUARY 8, 2022
BRONZE STAR – 10 (100-299 hrs)
Ann Benton 2020 139.5 James McMillan 2020 120.25
Marian Fite 2021 299.5 Theresa Millican 2020 113.78
Cathy Freeman 2020 106.75 Kimberly Richardson 2021 122.5
Stephanie Gifford 2020 107.24 Diana Seevers 2016 129.6
Polly McClure 2021 176 Joanne Shaughnessy 2021 134
SILVER STAR – 6 (300-499 hrs)
Terri Barker 2020 440.36 Miriam Newman 2013 323
Elizabeth Brooks 2019 312.6 Kathy Rowe 2016 303.1
Kathryn Corey 2020 364.35 Linda Whitney 2017 325.0
GOLD STAR – 5 (500-999 hrs)
Darwin Bell 2019 517.2 Laura Kezar 2020 730.5
Nancy Brown 2019 622.4 Jan Street 2017 775.5
Phyllis Clay 2018 664.15
GOLD NAME BADGE – 1 (1,000-1,999 hrs)
Linda Massey 2018 1,111.75
PLATINUM NAME BADGE – 1 (2,000-3,999 hrs)
Hope Cooper 2012 2,099.95
ADVANCED STARS/JEWELRY
RUBY – 1 (4,000-5,999 hrs)
Alicia Hall 2011 4,184.25
2020 REACH FOR THE STARS AWARDS
AWARDED FEBRUARY 9, 2021
BRONZE STAR – 9 (100-299 hrs)
Terri Barker 2020 180.85 Laura Kezar 2020 288.25
David Callahan 2020 123 Debra Spain 2019 114
Kathryn Corey 2020 226.6 Alison Virden 2018 105.2
Marsha Craig 2018 133.5 Linda Xia 2019 149
Gisele DeCorvin-McGraw 2019 109.15
SILVER STAR – 7 (300-499 hrs)
Darwin Bell 2019 345.2 Lanier Gartland 2014 303
Carole Bonner 2019 307.85 Barbara Kimbrel 2017 317.73
Nancy Brown 2019 422.15 Kathy Sherrer 2019 317.25
Phyllis Clay 2018 383.1
GOLD STAR – 3 (500-999 hrs)
Debbie Dumais 2013 537.25
Carol Melton 2016 527.7
James Williams 2017 539.5
GOLD NAME BADGE – 2 (1,000-1,999 hrs)
Hana Berres 2018 1046.05
Louise Billings 2004 1009.7
PLATINUM NAME BADGE – 0 (2,000-3,999 hrs)
ADVANCED STARS/JEWELRY
RUBY – 0 (4,000-5,999 hrs)
EMERALD – 0 (6,000-7,999 hrs)
2019 REACH FOR THE STARS AWARDS
AWARDED FEBRUARY 11, 2020
BRONZE STAR – 21 (100-299 hrs)
Virginia Baxley 2018 126.25 Melissa McLemore 2019 139
Darwin Bell 2019 155.2 John Sechrist 2014 100.5
Elizabeth Brooks 2019 176.7 Kathy Sherrer 2019 190
Nancy Brown 2019 252.7 Christina Snoddy 2018 168
Carlton Craig 2018 102.5 Jennifer Thomas 2015 104.25
Barbara Cusimano 2019 100.77 Roxanne Wallace 2019 120
Sandra Falkenhagen 2019 119 Marlene Whikehart 2019 113.25
James Goyer 2019 108.56 John Whittington 2017 120.1
Martha Jones 2019 101 Lynne Wilbanks 2018 133
Donna Kerns (TN1997) 2016 132.01 April Williams 2019 106.5
Gail McClurg 2019 129.25
SILVER STAR – 11 (300-499 hrs)
Nancy Calloway 2017 304.9 Sandy McCarthy 2017 325.9
Julia Dettling 2015 332 Lucy McCown 2012 330.13
Debbie Dumais 2013 356.5 Carol Melton 2016 396.7
Ann Lee 2012 344.5 Renee Saul 2014 318.95
Kitty Lineberry 2014 364 Jan Street 2017 423
Raymond Lyrene 2013 328.5
GOLD STAR – 11 (500-999 hrs)
Hana Berres 2018 519.55 Linda Massey 2018 782
D. C. Coston 2017 586.5 Mary McGlaughlin 2014 641.75
Shirley Cotton 2017 524.5 Katherine Musso 2017 504.25
Ann Davis 2014 528 Joe Openshaw 2018 542.75
Mary Foy 2017 759.6 Katherine Tullis 2017 669.25
Bob Koons 2017 673.5
GOLD NAME BADGE – 6 (1,000-1,999 hrs) PLATINUM NAME BADGE – 3 (2,000-3,999 hrs)
Linda Baggett 2009 1,014.8 Charlie Faulkner 2002 2,116.5
Rick Cybulsky 2015 1,066 Natalie Lee 2011 2,016.1
Robyn Mitchell 2016 1,663.1 Janet Waters 2008 2,128.65
Cathy O’Sheal 2015 1,133
Larry Stephens 2018 1,200.5
Patricia Tate 2018 1,043.25
ADVANCED STARS/JEWELRY
RUBY – 1 (4,000-5,999 hrs)
Fletcher Harvey 2008 4,001.5
EMERALD – 2 (6,000-7,999 hrs)
Patricia Cosgrove 2012 6,469.48
Linda Systrom 1998 6,297.91
2019
On Wednesday, November 13, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. The event recognizes time donated by those that assist in the day-to-day operations of The Gardens, from major events to education. Two of our Master Gardeners were honored for exceptional service.
Linda Grissom received the Unsung Hero of the year award for her work with the Perennial Plant Group, her devotion to teaching others about perennials and her very generous gift of perennials from her garden that benefits the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Plant Sales.
Bob Koons received the award for Plants Person of the Year. He has completely changed and taken over the ordering of plants for the Plant Sales among his many activities at Birmingham Botanical Gardens
Reach for the Stars Awards were presented on February 12th at the Master Gardener Meeting and pot luck luncheon. Pictures are available in Photo Albums.
2018
Reach for the Stars Awards were presented on February 13th at the Master Gardener Meeting and potluck luncheon.
Pictures are available in photo albums.
2017
On Wednesday, December 13, Friends of Birmingham Botanical Gardens held its annual Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon. The event recognizes time donated by those that assist in the day-to-day operations of The Gardens, from major events to education. Linda Massey, who will be in the 2018 Master Gardener Intern class, was presented the Ida C. Burns Volunteer of the Year award for her continual service in many areas of the organization and her significant impact on The Gardens. Karon Harmon was presented the A. Brand Walton, Jr. Unsung Hero of the Year award for her independent and “behind the scenes” contributions. Kathy Connolly and Maura Horton were awarded the Birmingham Botanical Gardens’ Plantsperson of the Year for sharing their plant knowledge and skills with other individuals who volunteer. Mary Frances Colley was awarded Educator of the Year for her educational efforts promoting public knowledge and appreciation of plants, gardens and the environment. And a new award was introduced for 2017—New Volunteer of the Year—which was awarded to Louise Billings.
Reach for the Stars Awards were presented on February 14th at the Master Gardener Meeting and potluck luncheon
Photos can be seen in the photo album.
Hope Cooper was awarded the Ida C. Burns Volunteer of the Year for Birmingham Botanical Gardens at the Volunteer luncheon in December. Gail Snyder received an award for Plants Person of the year.
Gail Pless and Ruth Varnel were given awards for being Educators of the Year.
Congratulations to our Master Gardeners.
February 9th was was our Reach for the Stars annual awards program, with Ken Hall as the Master of Ceremonies.
There were nineteen bronze stars awarded this year: Worth Barham, Elizabeth Bishop, Judity Courington, Richard Cybulsky, Ann Davis, Debbie Dumais, Mickey Farmer, Linda Goode, Paula Haynes, Steven Knop, Kitty Lineberry, Mary Mc Glaughlin, Charles Murray, Cathy O’Sheal, Sally Price, Christopher Pugh, Crystal Salter, Renee Saul and Neal Schooley.
There were three Silver Star awards: Elissa Capps, Maurice Picardy and Peggy Thompson.
Nine Master Gardeners qualified for gold stars this year: Bertrice Brown, Mary Connolly, Hope Cooper, Thomas Douglas, Ann Gray Harvey, Diana Jones, Donna Madison, Gail Pless and Marie Robertson.
Gold Name Badges were received by Lawrence Michalove, Martha Picardy and Janet Waters.
Alicia Hall and Leonora Roberson were awarded Platinum Name Badges.
Congratulations to all. Be sure to look at the 2016 Reach for the Stars Photo Album.