The Lecture will be presented by Karen Mazza, March 4, 2010, at 7 pm, at the Loudoun Extension Office, 30 Catoctin Circle, SE, Suite B (Wachovia Bank Building), Leesburg.

Karen is originally from Washington, D.C., and graduated from Montgomery College in Rockville, Maryland. She began her career as a volunteer in the Oatlands garden, becoming the assistant to head gardener, Alfred Staini. Karen completed courses in garden design and botany at George Washington University with a special interest in historical gardens. She spent several years maintaining gardens in Upperville (including the Mellon garden) before becoming head gardener at Oatlands in 1994, where she served for 10 years.

In 2001, Karen was the first American woman to participate in the Europe Gardens Exchange program, working 3 weeks at Powis Castle, a National Trust Property, in Wales. Since 2004, she has focused on private client garden design and consultation. Karen and her husband, John, currently reside in Lovettsville.

For more information about the lecture or the Loudoun County Master Gardener program visit the website: www.loudouncountymastergardeners.org or call the Loudoun Extension Office at 703-777-0373. Debbie Dillion coordinates the Master Gardener Volunteer program.

Virginia Cooperative Extension programs and employment are open to all, regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, or marital or family status. An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. Extension is a joint program of Virginia Tech, Virginia State University, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, and state and local governments.

If you are a person with a disability and desire any assistive devices, services or other accommodations to participate in this activity, please contact Debbie Dillion, Loudoun Office at (703-777-0373/TDD*) during business hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. to discuss accommodations 5 days prior to the event. *TDD number is (800) 828-1120.