2014 Spring Newsletter
2014 Spring Newsletter
The Hawthorn
Spring 2014
Want to spend less time in the grocery store and more time in your garden? We will have parsley, rosemary , lavender, basil, and lots of other herbs you can plant to use fresh every day or dry and store for winter. We also have tomatoes, lettuce, cucumbers, squash, and other plants for sale that can supply you and your family or friends with fresh produce all summer long.
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The Hawthorn
Spring 2014
Presidents Message
By Ray Andresen
If you havent been to Merrysping lately, let me tell you about some of the exciting things happening at your Nature Center this year. First, we are expanding our childrens programming this summer to include two weeks of Summer Ecology Camp (see article on page 5). We also have a full docket of our popular Tuesday Talk series as well as an interesting variety of weekend workshops, family-oriented programs, and special events like the Fairy Festival (see page 4 for a full schedule). Second, we are making some important improvements to our physical plant. The Ross Center has a brand new, deep green, long-lasting metal roof that not only protects the building, but visually enhances it. Inside, we have installed new LED lighting that should reduce our electricity costs. Last year we added heat-saving window inserts and insulated the water pipe coming into the building. We also have begun fixing up the Aileen Lubin Greenhouse by replacing all of the glass panes in the front section with two-walled polycarbonate panels. In the future, we hope to secure funding to do the same changeover in the main greenhouse as well as putting a new cedar roof onto the Hexagon. Third, we are exploring several ideas to make the property more attractive and useful. We are now in our second year of experimenting with a test plot in the North Meadow to see if we can restore it with native grasses to attract ground-nesting birds. We hope to improve our trail system, with better markings and wider paths in some places. We would like to start restoring the Kitty Todd Arboretum and the Herb Garden, both long-term projects. And we are looking at ways to make the entrance into Merryspring more appealing to first-time visitors and those who come here every day. These improvements and ideas are an investment in Merrysprings future a future I hope all of you will continue to support and enjoy.
Mission Statement
Merrysprings mission is to practice, teach, and advocate sound principles of ecology, conservation, and horticulture in order to protect our natural environment and to provide natural landscapes and cultivated areas for public enjoyment.
Wish List
If you would like to purchase, donate or contribute funds for any of the following items, please contact the Merryspring office.
Hours of Operation
The park is open free of charge from dawn to dusk every day of the year. Our offices and library are open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or by appointment.
Membership Fees
Individual Family Business $35-49 $50 99 $50-100
Keeping in Touch
You can sign up for our eUpdates at www.merryspring.org to receive the latest news on programs and events. Or you can visit Merrysprings Facebook page, where you can check on upcoming events. Please go to www.tinyurl.com/merryspringfacebook/.
Board of Trustees
Ray Andresen, President Glenn Jenks, Vice President Richard Ailes, Treasurer Frank Callanan, Secretary Tom Jackson Kathleen Kull Karin Rector Sarah Rheault Susan Shaw Matthew Speno
Arbor for Childrens Garden Solar-Powered Water Fountain Small Garden Roto-Tiller Bee House Construction Material Battery-Powered Garden Edger Metal Plant Labels Gas-Powered Weed Whacker Office Paper Shredder Tri-fold Presentation Stand Battery for Riding Mower Fire-Proof File Cabinet Scaffolding Planks (2x10x16) Battery Charger Hand Tools for Craft Studio Garden Pruners Outdoor Power Washer Greenhouse Shade Cloth Wood Chipper Toner Cartridges (Dell 2155cn) Red Laser Pointer
Staff
Toni Goodridge, Administrative Mgr. Brett Willard, Program Mgr. Cindy Gerry, Garden Mgr. David Cadbury, Property Mgr.
2014All Rights Reserved
The Hawthorn
Spring 2014
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Spring 2014
Dragonfly Larvae as Indicators of Water Quality Sarah Nelson Gardening for Birds with Native Plants Sharon Turner A Birding Tour of Maine Ron Joseph 18th Century Herbs Betsy Ann Golon Tending the Perennial Garden, Early June Wendy Andresen Weed Identification and Organic Control Eric Sideman Seaweed Botanicals Carly Weinberg Tending the Perennial Garden, Late June Wendy Andresen Rose Day Glenn Jenks Foraging
May 3, 10 a.m.-noon Walk with Tom Seymour to learn about the edible plants growing in your own back yard . M $5/NM $10
July 8 July 15 July 22 July 29 August 5 August 12 August 19 August 26 September 2 September 9
Introduction to Permaculture Jesse Watson Tending the Perennial Garden in Mid July Wendy Andresen NO TALK (Summer Ecology Camp week) Wolves in Maine Meredith Kellogg Tending the Perennial Garden, Early August Wendy Andresen Invasive Plants Hildy Ellis NO TALK (Summer Ecology Camp week) Tending the Perennial Garden, Late August Wendy Andresen Belfast Cohousing and Ecovillage Sanna McKim Climate Change & Maine Species Andy Whitman
Pasture & Meadow Management
June 7, 10 a.m.-noon Learn to manage old meadows and pasture for grazing or habitat with Richard Kersbergen M $5/NM $10
September 16 Tending the Perennial Garden, Mid-Sept. Wendy Andresen September 23 Earth, Life, and Symbiosis Alder Stone Fuller September 30 Wild Turkeys of Maine Christopher Lage October 7 Tending the Perennial Garden in October Wendy Andresen
Fairy Festival
Families are invited to Merrysprings Annual Fairy Festival on Saturday June 14 from 10 a.m.noon. Children can make a variety of fairy inspired crafts to take home to their own fairy houses and gardens. Author Liza Gardner Walsh will be on hand to sign copies of her books Fairy House Handbook and Fairy Garden Handbook. Enter a raffle for a signed copy of either book. Free to all.
The Hawthorn
Spring 2014
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Eco Explorers focuses on getting young children outdoors. The camp a trail hike. will be an introduction to nature through exploratory learning, play, and gardening. Kids in Eco Explorers will see the Merryspring grounds, get to plant seeds, learn to identify trees and animals, and discover more about the world around us and our place in it. Through nature journaling, these campers will reflect on the weeks lessons and discoveries. Childrens Garden Needs Help Eco Explorers is a half-day program, running from 9:00 a.m. to noon beginning Monday, July 21. The cost is $90 for a week of camp, with a disProfit by these garden days. counted rate of $75 for children of Merryspring members . --R. L. Stevenson The second session, Alien Invaders, will be an intensive, full-day camp for You can profit by volunteering to oversee older children. Alien Invaders will introduce campers to the topics of biodithe Merryspring Childrens Garden this year. versity and invasive species. This is a service learning-based program that will We need some extra hands to till the soil, have campers identifying and mapping invasive plants, playing games, coledge the garden, build more raised beds, lecting and recording invasive insect species, and documenting their discovand make the area more appealing and useeries using photography, video, and mapping techniques. A short slideshow ful. If this sounds interesting to you, please of student discoveries will be presented to friends and family at the end of contact Brett Willard at 236-2239 or email the week. Alien Invaders is a full-day program, running from 9:00 a.m. to [email protected]. 3:00 p.m. beginning Monday, August 18. The cost is $180 for a week of camp, with a discounted rate of $150 for children of Merryspring members. To register your child for either session of Summer Ecology Camp, please stop by the Merryspring office or contact us at 236-2239 or [email protected] to request a registration form. Payment may be made by cash, personal check, or Visa/Mastercard. Please make payment to Merryspring Nature Center. Information on financial aid is available upon request. Space in either camp is limited to 15 participants. Children will be provided with daily snacks. Campers in the Alien Invaders program are asked to bring a peanut-free bagged lunch.
As always, the Merryspring Plant Sale will include lots of plants donated by local gardeners and nurseries as well as those grown in our own greenhouse. In addition to all the wonderful plants, an assortment of used tools, flower pots, gardening books, and handcrafted items will also be on sale. All proceeds from the Plant Sale benefit Merryspring, a member-supported, non-profit nature park and education center located at the end of Conway Road just off Route 1 by the Hannaford Shopping Plaza in Camden.
Tithonia Torch photo by Derek Ramsey
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The Hawthorn
Spring 2014
The Hawthorn
Spring 2014
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Elizabeth M. Repplier, Gail Whitaker Ribeck, Sheila Buchanan Ruyle, Sandie Sabaka, Maria Salvaggio, Marina Schauffler, Dorothea Schmitt, Maryann Sedlack, Steven Seidell, Charles J. Serns, Steven Shaw, Estelle B. Shevis, Susan Sinclair, Mrs. Donna Ward Smith, Victoria Smith, Lynn Snider, Pat Snow, Lois Sprague, Johanna Stinson, Molly Stone, Jane M. Strauss, Brenda L. Sullivan, Barbara Sweitzer, Nancy Syme, Jan B. Taft, Michelle Terry, Marcia T. Turner, Ingrid Van Steenburg, Zella Walker, Lynette Walther, Denis Wang, Richard D. Warren, Sherry Watmough, Dee Webster, Judith E. Webster, Adele M. Welch, Marjorie R. Wester, Mary Wheelwright, Katrine McCollum Willey, Ann E. Williams, Martha E. Yandle, Gloria Young, Laura Zalewski. COMPLIMENTARY MEMBERSHIPS: William & Marjorie Bell, Bettina Doulton, Janet Furlong, Kathy Hopkins, Roderick Hook, Annie Kassler, Anne Kilham, Gregory & Donna Knowlton, Jennifer Levitt, Chris Mills Family, Maureen & Rick Morse, Linda & Chris Pearse, MaryBeth & Stephen Pullum, Nadine Reimer, Brooks Crane & Weber Roberts, Jock & Susan Robie, Woody Thompson, Barbara & Tomm Tomlinson. GIFT MEMBERSHIPS: Ellen Began Family, Brenda Cayouette, Nora Hattman Michaels, Carol Mills. GIFTS IN KIND: Susan Junge & Richard Ailes, Ray & Wendy Andresen, Paula & Alex Armentrout, Maria Bradeen, Amy Campbell, Joanne Fagerburg, Faith Getchell, Dorothea & Charlie Graham, Roderick Hook, Glenn Jenks, Anne Kilham, Edie Kyle, Elizabeth Parker, Karin & Frederick Rector, Susan Shaw, Matthew Speno, Constance Wallace, Barton & Priscilla Wood. OTHER CONTRIBUTIONS: Ted Andresen, Shirley McCarthy, Elizabeth M. Osborne, Carolyn Robinson, Sarah Stein, Priscilla Weatherwax. FOUNDATION AND ORGANIZATIONAL SUPPORT: In 2013, our programs received crucial financial support from a variety of organizations, municipalities, and private foundations. We thank the following institutional supporters for their help during the past year: Camden Garden Club, Cascade Foundation, Davis Conservation Foundation, Otter Island Foundation, Peopleplace, Thendara Foundation, Town of Camden, United Mid-Coast Charities, Inc. MATCHING GIFTS: GE Foundation, Northern Trust.