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Master Gardeners Herb Spencer and Linda Slack surprised everyone by getting married after the monthly meeting of the Anchorage MGs. Fran Durner photoLet it be said that if gardeners want to get married, they can make a virtual garden happen at any time of the year.

That's what Master Gardeners Herb Spencer and Linda Slack did last night after the monthly program meeting of the Anchorage chapter of the Alaska Master Gardeners.

First, if you can believe his composure, Herb taught the class, giving a presentation on "Making Do Landscaping: Design on a Budget." Behind him was a lattice-work arbor that many people thought was part of his presentation. Any clue to what was going on may have been in Linda's laryngitis whenever Herb drew her into the presentation. Nerves perhaps? Finally, at the end of his lecture, Herb announced that he and Linda were getting married - in just minutes!

During the break, Herb donned a tie and jacket and friends and relatives festooned the arbor with yellow tulips and the room with vases of tulips and alstroemeria. Linda looked lovely in a deep-rose-red dress.

Master Gardeners were delighted to watch the wedding take place in front of them. Fran Durner photo.The short ceremony took place under the arbor in front of about 40 friends, family and gardeners and was followed by a reception with sparkling cider and a two-tier wedding cake (top layer vanilla, bottom chocolate and raspberry) decorated with fresh roses.

The wedding cake was made by a friend of Linda's. Fran Durner photo.MG Ski Olsonoski, who married them, inadvertently introduced Herb (MG 2005) and Linda (MG 1994) years ago when Herb went to Linda's to pick up seeds for Ski. When asked if it was love at first sight, Linda exclaimed, "No!" and then quickly added, "It's been a long hard road, but we kept bouncing back to each other."

Herb and Linda seal the deal. Fran Durner photoThey leave today to honeymoon at the Northwest Flower & Garden Show in Seattle.

Perhaps they'll send us some dispatches from the show?