Article & photos by Simone Adair

As I looked around the large community room, seeing so many familiar faces was lovely. I hadn’t seen many of the UC Master Gardeners that filled the room since before the Pandemic. I only knew some of them from Zoom calls. It wasn’t long, though, before hugs and handshakes were had by all. Delicious-looking food slowly filled the tables, everything from appetizers to magnificent desserts. There was a warm glow and holiday cheer all around.

The 2023 Volunteer Recognition Dinner was held at the Pleasant Hill Community Center on December 11. We arrived early to help set up, but volunteers were already preparing the room. Muriel Wilson and Virginia Saifer graciously agreed to organize the event. Looking around, I saw that things were well in hand.

Muriel directed Allyssa and me to help out at the Appetizer tables, where two other volunteers were already standing by at the ready. The appetizer tables have always been my favorite volunteer station. I can sample dishes as they arrive. And they did not disappoint. We were in for a treat if this indicated the caliber of the evening’s offerings. The CoCoMGs went all out on their dishes.

Soon, the long tables that ran the room length teemed with main dishes. Lines began to form on either side. It was a veritable cornucopia of delights. Every type of main dish was from salads to pastas to vegetarian delights. Not only were the evening’s guests good gardeners, but they were also excellent chefs.

I had scoped out the dessert table early, as this was where my heart lay. CoCoMGs soon filled the tables with delights. Right in the middle, though, there was what could only be described as a masterpiece. A chocolate cake decorated to look like a forest floor with colorful mushrooms, fantastical flowers, chocolate leaves, gold-dusted bark, and tiny candy insects took center stage. A crowd surrounded Maiytth Coleman, a 2024 trainee and the architect of this beauty of a cake when she started to carve the cake. We had to go and get her, as no one wanted to cut into the cake first. The cake was beyond delicious. I should add that I sampled all the desserts, which I can report were delicious.

Not to be outdone,

I was busy the rest of the evening taking photographs of the pin and badge recipients. I was just floored by how many hours everyone puts into our organization. I shouldn’t be surprised as I get to see firsthand all the articles Project Leads write for The Latest Dirt first. Still, 31,000 volunteer hours. Cheers to that! Congratulations to all the pin and badge recipients, including our very own Volunteer Support Project Lead Jon Dwyer, on his Gold Badge.

I also want to thank and appreciate Terri Takasugawa for the 7,500 Platinum Plus hours she’s contributed to the UC Master Gardeners. We were in the same class together where she was already showing the kind of leadership we’ve all learned is her standard modus operandi. From me to you, you are amazing!