May 2007 Newsletter

Editor’s note: Notice the “fun” in the name. Barbara Daniels is correct in saying that fun is the key ingredient to success with volunteers. We think this worthy of inclusion in our long title.

1. Bad news first. The KC (abbreviation for our official name Kudzu Coalition) did not receive the grant that we needed so badly. Ah, well this is just about the only bad news we have experienced in our two and one half years. We will keep on keeping on and will pursue other support.

2. As of April 6, KC is now a separate, legal, nonprofit corporation. Many thanks to Bill Strickland for handling the paperwork and for sending in our application for 501(c)3 designation to the IRS. We very much appreciate the Spartanburg Men’s Garden Club (and the women who make up 40% of the members) for starting, sheltering, and nurturing these “crazy kudzu commandos” for the past two years.

3. Mayor Bill Barnet proclaimed April 21 "Kudzu Awareness" day. We appreciate Jules Bryant setting it all up. The city came with a wonderful proclamation. This was the first time we have ever been “proclaimed”. It even had lots of “whereas” and “wherefores” statements and an imposing city seal. Lou Adams has posted this document on our web site at http://kokudzu.com/KudzuKapersProclamation2007.html

4. Kudzu Kapers was the big event that day. Three nationally recognized women -- Juanitta Baldwin, Nancy Basket, and Edith Edwards -- spoke at Kudzu Kapers about interesting uses for the vine such as making baskets, edible food, etc. Go to http://kokudzu.com/KudzuKapers.html for a full array of pictures from this exciting event and the winners of the Juanitta Baldwin Kudzu Art Contest and Kudzu Writing Contest. Notice also that Mayor Barnet seems a bit unsure about eating kudzu.

5. Lots of speaking engagements lately. Becky Wooten asked us to speak at the Greenville Soil & Water Conservation’s annual banquet. A gentleman there admitted that he and his dad planted those soil conservation kudzu plants in the 30’s. We always wanted to meet one of these farmers but did not think anyone would admit publicly to the dirty deed. Before the Spartanburg Rotary Club talk, Frank Lee came up with a new title for what we do: “Green Solutions against the Green Invader”. Not bad. Last week we presented to the Piedmont Audubon Society.

6. Kudzu Kollege continues to be a fun time to learn about kudzu stuff. It is taught from 9 until noon on the last Saturday of each month. We invite each of you to sign up for the May 26 or the June 30 course in Spartanburg by calling (864) 582-0990. Rich Mead is conducting the first ever Kudzu Kollege in Greenville, SC during June in conjunction with the Greenville Technical College and Joy Finch.

7. The field trips to Rose Hill State Historical Park went off extremely well and were fun for those concerned. Robin Parsons and Steve Eargle brought their Spartanburg High students on May 1. The Chapman High students followed on May 2 with Tina Gragg, their Environmental Science teacher. The students made a dent in the kudzu and enjoyed the tours by Ranger Chuck Barreras and park manager Casey Connell. But it wasn’t all work as the pictures of students cooking hot dogs and hanging upside down in the tree will attest.  http://kokudzu.com/RoseHill.html .

8. The Kudzu SWAT (Strategic Weed Action Team) group had a terrific day helping Michele Polino and Allison Kiehl train a dozen other AmeriCorps volunteers in the art and science of killing kudzu at The Nature Conservancy’s property in Bat Cave, NC. That is a sharp group of young people and they picked up the finer points very quickly. Click on http://kokudzu.com/BatCave.html for pictures of both Kudzu SWAT team visits. The TNC folks are equipped to handle any further kudzu so we passed the baton. Rich Mead caught their attention when he rappelled down the cliff and, while dangling almost in mid air, killed kudzu under the lip of the overhang. Lou Adams was awarded a coveted TNC cap for his first participation at Bat Cave.

Thank you for your continuing interest and support.                         The Kudzu Coalition