Master Gardener Shirley Estes said Mississippi State University Extension Service Horticulturist Winter has long been a fan of Brookhaven, touting it in his weekly, one-and-a-half minute television segment as the "garden spot of Mississippi."

"In general, he'll be talking about Brookhaven a lot because he loves it," she said. "He has been coming here with a Mississippi State TV crew for years, filming for his TV spot that he does. He'll talk a lot about Brookhaven and the things he thinks makes it such an outstanding garden community."

Winter makes the rounds, Estes said, and learns what new and innovative techniques are proving successful around the country. She said he then integrates those techniques into his presentations.

"He'll also give us practical stuff about what has done well in the trials," Estes said.

Winter will also touch on the Crystal Springs Experiment Station Extravaganza, which takes place this weekend, and what people who will be visiting it can expect there.

"Every year they plant new things, and they try things there to see how they'll do in the South," Estes said. "Like if we run across some unusual plants in Brookhaven, like for instance there's a plant that someone brought to Brookhaven and started growing from Florida, we've got cuttings, and we took it to Crystal Springs and they're growing it in a garden there. It's all about what's new that works as well as what's old."

Brookhaven is such a favorite of Winter's, Estes said, that he proposed last year that a garden weekend getaway be given as a door prize at a garden show in Gulfport. The weekend getaway was set for this weekend to coincide with the Crystal Springs show, and those people will be in town touring Brookhaven and learning to love it as well, Estes said.

"That's just more proof of how much he loves Brookhaven," she said.

The meeting of the Master Gardeners and the Wildwood Garden Club is open to anyone, and will take place at the Episcopal Church of the Redeemer Parish House at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday. Estes said Winter will also sign his new book for the public.

"Norman is outstanding in his field, and he'll be answering questions, and he has a new book out that will be available," she said. "He loves Brookhaven so much and is always really enthusiastic when he's in Brookhaven or talking about it. He's not a native son, but he's like one, since he's been filming down here for so long."