News and AwardsSpring Plant Sales, Greenhouse Open House
By Ken Reed
Spring is on the way and that means popular plant sales sponsored by the College of DuPage Horticulture department will soon be in full bloom along with a gala open house in the college’s greenhouse. The public is invited to the plant sales and greenhouse event.
For more information on the plant sales or open house, call Britt, (630) 942-3806, or visit this web site: www.cod.edu/horticulture.
The opening plant sale is scheduled on Friday, May 9, from 10 a.m. to noon outside the cafeteria on the first floor of the college’s Student Resource Center (SRC). A beautiful selection of spring annuals and perennials, grown by the Horticulture department, will be on sale. These plants can be put in the ground right after they are purchased, according to Elizabeth Britt, greenhouse manager.
The plant sale continues on Saturday, May 10, when more than 300 colorful annuals and more than 100 popular perennials go on sale from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Plants Plus (formerly the Student Plant Shop) located in Building K, Room 101, and in the greenhouse.
Spring fever will really take hold on Monday, April 14, when the Horticulture department hosts a free open house in its greenhouse in Building K, Room 111. Attendees can enjoy tours of the greenhouse and obtain the latest information on new annuals and perennials.
Speakers will address a variety of topics, including “Down and Dirty with Soil,” 3 p.m., Building K, Room 107; “EZ Gardening Tips,” 4 p.m., K107; “Sure-Bet Perennials,” 5 p.m., K109; and “Floral Demonstration,” 6 p.m., K103.
Open house attendees can join C.O.D. students as they demonstrate container plantings using perennials.
In addition, all gift items are 35 percent off.
Selected spring flowering annuals and perennials will be for sale that day. As an added attraction, attendees can receive free re-pots on houseplants they bring from home; there is a 10- inch pot size limit.
Another annual and perennial plant sale is scheduled on Thursday, April 17, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. outside the SRC cafeteria.
“Our annual sale of spring plants offers a new twist this year — biodegradable, earth-friendly pots,” Britt said. “Plants were also grown with biological fertilizers and insect controls.
“We are very excited to share this with everyone, so visit us at our open house or during the plant sale.”
The green house is open to visitors Mondays through Fridays.
Hort Therapy Comforts Children with Sickle Cell Anemia
By Ken Reed
There is a theory that plants have power. “If you have ever walked through a forest and even if you are alone, you don’t feel alone. It is almost magical,” said Carol DeSimone of Glen Ellyn.
DeSimone’s belief that trees and plants have an ability to induce comfort, peace and tranquility in people is the basis for a unique student internship that she created through College of DuPage’s Cooperative Education and Internship department and the Horticulture program.
A retired nurse, master gardener and an employee at Planter’s Palate in Winfield, DeSimone has been taking horticulture classes at C.O.D. since 2005. One day, her husband, Joseph, a Ph.D. in Genetics who directs the Comprehensive Sickle Cell Center in Chicago, suggested she begin a horticulture therapy program for children who suffer from sickle cell anemia at the Have A Heart for Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation in Chicago.
Sickle cell anemia is an inherited disorder of the blood that attacks mainly people of African ancestry. People with this disease suffer bouts of severe pain and tissue damage in the chest, stomach, arms, legs or other parts of the body. “Children who suffer from this disease deal with a lot of issues,” DeSimone said. “They suffer severe pain and they lose time from school. They also lose friends because when you are sick, people think you are contagious, which these children are not. When you are ill, you often feel very isolated.”
Moreover, the children at the foundation live in Chicago. “These children don’t
have an opportunity to walk in a forest, so being able to see plants up close, to touch them, and to talk about and care for them is a comfort to them. They become the caregivers rather than the recipients of care.” These children, DeSimone felt, were perfect candidates for the intervention of horticulture therapy. So DeSimone took up the challenge. She contacted Elizabeth Britt, manager of the C.O.D. greenhouse, and C.O.D.’s Cooperative Education and Internship program. Receiving encouragement from both quarters, she launched her horticulture therapy program at the foundation this past summer.
“Carol’s innovative co-op is a great testimony to how our students merge previous life skills with their new passion for horticulture and create a truly rewarding and personally relevant experience,” said Britt, who is DeSimone’s adviser.
“Carol chooses horticultural activities that the kids can really relate to by using her nursing skills, which give her great insight into what these kids might be facing on any given day.
“When Carol first came up with the idea of proposing this program to the foundation, she was uncertain of her skills and whether she could do it. It has been a real pleasure to watch her succeed and see her confidence just explode while doing something she is truly passionate about.”
The children attend the program three times a week. DeSimone transports plants from the C.O.D. greenhouse as well as her own collection of propagated cuttings into Chicago and introduces them to the children, who range in age from 6 to 17. On any given day, she will have 12 to 25 children in her program.
When she introduces a plant to the children, DeSimone uses taxonomy, which is the science of describing, classifying, identifying and naming plants. She feels that using taxonomy will expand the vocabulary of the children, heighten their observation skills and give them a view of the world in a broader sense. “It can help to lessen the isolation that the illness creates and give them a feeling that they belong to something larger. It is a wonderful educational tool and one that fits well into the current program at the center.”
One day, DeSimone introduced a Plectranthus plant. “All of a sudden, it was very intimate. They asked about the plant, started touching the plant and as they looked at the plant’s leaves, they said the leaves looked like they had blood vessels. They identified with the plant. The plants limit the isolation that the children feel and allow them to connect with something.”
DeSimone often gives each child a flower or a piece from the plant that they can touch and locate the plant’s identifying characteristics. “I see a greater comfort with me and with the plants among the children,” she said. “If they do find their way to a career in horticulture, they will have learned some new skills that will give them an advantage.” One new skill the children have learned is plant design. The children designed the centerpieces for a recent Have A Heart for Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation fundraiser. The children also participated in the creation of a quilt that was part of the fundraiser. DeSimone bid on and won the quilt.
DeSimone said the children will also soon grow plants that will be located at the foundation. “Often, these children are disenfranchised. They feel sort of forgotten,” DeSimone said. “When I can see a child light up with something that they can accomplish, it is magical. I feel as though I am almost cheating because I feel like I am getting more out of the experience than the children.”
For more information on C.O.D.’s Cooperative Education and Internship program, call Jean Spahr, (630) 942-2657, or visit: www.cod.edu/Service1/CECS/CoopEdu/CoopEdu.htm. For more information on the college’s Horticulture program, call Britt, (630) 942-3806, or visit: www.cod.edu/horticulture/.
For information on the Have A Heart for Sickle Cell Anemia Foundation, visit: www.haveaheart4sicklecellanemia.org/.
Friendly Neighborhood Bug Man
By Ken Reed
Forgive Don Orton if he appears to be a little … well … buggy.
That’s because for the past 35 consecutive years, Orton, who lives in Wheaton, has been teaching entomology (the study of insects) and plant pathology at College of DuPage.
He’s even been labeled “the friendly neighborhood bug man” by his brother.
The part-time C.O.D. instructor says he has always been interested in the mysterious world of insects and the diseases of trees and shrubs. “It’s been a life-long interest of mine,” Orton said. “It may be an unusual subject, but it is important to the green industry. I do get kidded about it though.”
Orton says it is important for commercial growers, landscaper designers and contractors to learn all they can about insect pests and diseases of trees and shrubs. The presence of pests or diseases can destroy crops or ruin the attractiveness of products, all of which adds up to lost profits. It behooves them to learn all they can, he said.
Through the years Orton honed his knowledge and shared his expertise about insects and plant diseases while working at a variety of garden centers and nurseries in Crystal Lake, Elgin, Hinsdale and Glen Ellyn.
He is a retired state nursery inspector and the author of a textbook, “Coincide,” which he uses in his C.O.D. classes. He is a widely-recognized expert in insects and plant pathology and was hired by C.O.D. to teach part-time back in 1972.
“The C.O.D. horticulture department faculty, staff and students are so blessed to have Don as an adjunct faculty member,” said Julia Fitzpatrick-Cooper, C.O.D. professor, Horticulture. “His passion for plant diseases and insects is legendary -- he has jars of insects stored everywhere.
“Don is well-known not only for his vast knowledge but also for his idiosyncrasies, such as losing his keys and coffee, and making his students wear name tags. We know that it is one of Don’s classes when there are shouts of excitement after something interesting shows up under the microscope.
“He has touched so many people. Students often come back to him for help in diagnosing plant problems or just to talk and catch up on his family. His loyalty and dedication to our program are very much appreciated and we look forward to many more years.”
“My 35 years at C.O.D. have been very pleasant,” Orton said. “I really have enjoyed my time at the college and hope to continue to teach for many years.” Orton notes that the college has provided him with excellent equipment in his classroom, such as a binocular scope that allows students to magnify miniscule insects that are three millimeters in size.
Orton says he enjoys his students, who over the years have included teachers, nurses, tree trimmers, a pediatrician and garden center employees.
He uses a lot of “show-and-tell” in his classes, noting that he and his students even develop and hatch insects in class. Sometimes, when a student discovers an insect while looking through a microscope, the noise levels ratchet up as other students scramble over to see the discovery. “If there is another class nearby, I’ve learned to close the door,” laughs Orton.
That’s one thing that Orton emphasizes to his students — have fun. “I wouldn’t do this for 35 years if I wasn’t having fun.” In fact, each day when Orton heads out to his C.O.D. teaching assignment, his wife invariably calls after him: “have fun!” “C.O.D. has allowed me to continue to develop as well,” Orton said. “I always tell my students, ‘If we keep this up, we might learn something.’
Horticulture Students Finish One-Two-Three
By Ken Reed
Three College of DuPage Horticulture students captured the top three prizes in the hand-drawn division of the annual Illinois Landscape Contractor Association landscape design contest.
The three are Lori Arrigo (Elburn), first place; Katrine Kurtyka-Czop (Naperville), second; and Heather Barker (Lombard), third.
In addition, Jane Jahimiak (Downers Grove) took top honors in the Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) division of the contest.
“We are proud of these students and their accomplishments,” said Judy Burgholzer, coordinator/professor of Horticulture.
Student Wins National Award
By Ken Reed
Marilyn Joyner of Glen Ellyn received more than she bargained for when she decided to participate in a student internship through the College of DuPage Cooperative Education and Internship program.
Joyner, who served as a horticulture therapy intern at the King Bruwaert House retirement community in Hinsdale, has been recognized by the national Cooperative Education and Internship Association as the nation’s top two-year college student intern.
She will be honored during the association’s annual conference on April 25 in Cincinnati. “We are so proud of our student-interns and especially pleased that Marilyn has been recognized by the national Cooperative Education and Internship Association as the top two-year college student intern,” said Jean Spahr, C.O.D. manager, Cooperative Education and Internship program.
“This year marks the centennial celebration of cooperative education and internships, which makes Marilyn’s selection even more special. We hope that Marilyn’s success will inspire other students to seek internships.”
During her internship last summer, Joyner, who is retired from AT&T, worked in horticulture therapy with residents at King Bruwaert House and participants at the Ray Graham Association in Burr Ridge. The project was funded by a grant from the Community Memorial Foundation.
Not only was she recognized with the prestigious national award, but Joyner’s internship also led to her being hired as a horticulturalist at the Ray Graham Association’s Hanson Center. The center is an inclusive arts and recreation center for persons with and without developmental disabilities.
Joyner, who has earned an Horticulture certificate at C.O.D., is continuing work toward an associate’s degree in the horticulture field. Joyner said she has always been interested in horticulture therapy, which, according to Julia Fitzpatrick-Cooper, C.O.D. professor, Horticulture, “is a program designed to use plants and related activities to aid in developing the physical, social and cognitive abilities of the participants.”
Fitzpatrick-Cooper served as Joyner’s teacher, program adviser and co-op adviser during the internship program. Joyner worked with six participants each from the Ray Graham Association and the King Bruwaert House. “We would work on floral arrangements, plant seeds, transplant cuttings and would also go on fields trips to the Garfield Park Conservatory and other area conservatories,” Joyner said.
During her internship, Joyner assisted in greenhouse operations, co-led horticulture therapy sessions and then developed and led horticulture therapy sessions on her own, Fitzpatrick-Cooper said.
Fitzpatrick-Cooper said that Joyner was required to submit a written plan for each activity, purchase supplies, gather and instruct participants and lead the program. She was also required to chart each session, measure the effectiveness and discuss the results with the supervisor.
“Some of her activities were highlighted in a video produced for the retirement center,” Fitzpatrick-Cooper said. “She was loved and respected by the participants and highly rated by her supervisor.” “Today, it is extremely important that the aging population, with and without disabilities, are engaged in activities that provide avenues for continued socialization, utilization of cognitive skills and overall enjoyment,” Joyner said.
“We brought the participants together to improve their daily lives by doing something that is relaxing and fulfilling.” Joyner is now working on a project involving the British Home of Brookfield and the Brookfield Zoo. “We will be raising plants that will be used at the zoo,” Joyner said.” The creation of a butterfly garden is also in the works.
“It is a great honor to win this award,” Joyner said. Spahr explained that students who are seeking an internship must first participate in a “Finding an Internship” workshop. Each student is then referred to a faculty member for advisement and program approval. Students compete for internships and may use a current job as a cooperative education experience, if new learning can be introduced.
Once a co-op or internship is secured by the student, a faculty mentor and site supervisor create learning goals for the student based on job duties. Students can earn academic credit, build stronger employment skills and begin to develop a professional network, Spahr said. “Experiential education is an important step in career development and results in a competitive employment edge,” Spahr said.
For information on C.O.D.’s Cooperative Education and Internship program, call Spahr, (630) 942-2657.
For information on C.O.D.’s Horticulture area, call Fitzpatrick-Cooper, (630) 942-2526.
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