Green Industry Suffers Loss of Home Nursery's Ernie Tosovsky

Ernest A. Tosovsky, Jr., age 86 of Edwardsville, died January 18, 2008; He was born October 31, 1921, the son of the late Ernest and Mary Meek Tosovsky, Sr. He married Betty Faye Rohrkaste Aug. 29, 1946. She preceded him in death. He then married Virginia Lee Hermann Sept. 1, 1984. She also preceded him in death. He is survived by a son, Timothy (Sherry) Tosovsky) of Edwardsville; 2 daughters: Nancy (Gene) Pech of Plainfield, IN, and Barbara (Fred) Wiman of Olathe, KS; 10 grandchildren, 11 Great Grandchildren; a step-son, Bill Hermann of Edwardsville; 2 stepdaughters: Janice Burklow of New Baden, IL and Cindy (Ed) Hoog of Staunton, IL; 6 step-greatgrandchildren; & a brother Charles (Jean) Tosovsky of Edwardsville. He was preceded in death by a brother Edward Tosovsky and a sister, Dorothy Donner. Mr. Tosovsky was a member of St. Boniface and St. Mary's Catholic Churches in Edwardsville. He was the former President/Chairman of the Board of Home Nursery, Inc. His memberships included the following: Past President of the Illinois State Nurseryman Association, Past President of the American Landscape Nursery Association, Past President of the Madison-Sinclair Nursery Association, Board of Directors of Voluntary Purchasing Group, Member of the Greater St. Louis Nursery and Landscape Assoc., Voluntary Purchasing Group; established an endowment fund for Ernest Tosovsky with the Horticulture Research Institute, Past President of the Edwardsville Rotary Club & a Paul Harris Fellow, Board of Directors of the Edwardsville YMCA, Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce, Chairman of the Edwardsville Park & Recreation Board, Member of the Illinois State Florists Assoc., Served on the Advisory Board for the Dean of Agriculture at the University of Illinois, Chairman of Agricultural Nursery and Greenhouse Advisory Committee for the American Farm Bureau Federation, & served on the Edwardsville School Board. He was also a US Army veteran of WW II. Visitation will be from 3-8 p.m. Mon., Jan. 21 at Weber & Rodney Funeral Home in Edwardsville. Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. Tues., Jan. 22 at St. Boniface Catholic Church in Edwardsville. Burial will be in Valley View Cemetery in Edwardsville. Memorial contributions may be given to the Horticulture Research Institute, St. Boniface or St. Mary's Schools, or to the Edwardsville Rotary Club.

Nuts & Bolts is February 6th!

Since continuing education and networking professionals are key benefits of the MLNA, we wanted to remind you of the wonderful event just around the corner.

The FULL DAY of experts in the green industry starts at 8:00 a.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 6th at
Lenoir Woods Community Center in Columbia, MO. (map) This year's theme is "Growing Together" and all the presenters and speakers are bringing interesting and valuable information in each session.

Stay tuned as the growing list of sponsors is presented here on our blog and on our website.

Thank you, SPONSORS!

See you at the MLNA Nuts & Bolts Event!

Robert Van Pelt coming to Missouri Botanical Garden

Just added! Noted Pacific NW forester Robert Van Pelt will present his latest photographs and illustrations, and sign copies of his book at the Garden Gate Shop this Friday, January 4, at 3 p.m. Author of Forest Giants of the Pacific Coast (Univ. Washington Press), Van Pelt has personally discovered and documented several of the largest trees in the world. He is also a talented illustrator of these monster trees. His website: http://www.forestgiants.com/ . He is being brought to St. Louis by a group of local arborists.

CALL FOR ACTION from MLNA Past Board Member John Marino

Green Industry Active MLNA Members Needed For Function Review Committee and Board Positions!

If you are active in the industry and have access to a wide range of potential members, you should be promoting membership in the MLNA organization. If you have past experience on the board you should be offering your help to move the board in the right direction.

The more this industry is recognized as a vital part of the Missouri economy, the more beneficial it is to everyone in who makes a living in this field. The only way to get that recognition is through a state organization. A state organization is the only way to have a valid certification program. A state organization is the only way to have a voice in the Department of Agriculture. A state organization is the only way to be heard on a large scale if you are an individual retailer, landscaper or grower selling in this state.

Please make time to get involved. Contact MLNA Board of Directors or contact Mary Ann Fink, the Executive Director and offer your support. We need your help and we need it now!

John Marino The DaVinci Group
17295 Chesterfield Airport Road
Suite 200
Chesterfield, Missouri 63005
Phone 636-443-5631 Fax 866-552-5070 "Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication” Leonardo DaVinci circa 1500