January, 2023 Newsletter
Volunteers Making New Canaan Beautiful
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Dear Members and Friends,
Happy New Year! We have much to be grateful for and we are looking forward to another great year with the New Canaan Beautification League. We have great programs coming up. January, February and March presentations will be via Zoom to help us avoid the sniffles and the bad weather. Be sure to register to hear Doug Tallamy speak about his new book "The Nature of Oaks", taking place on January 4th at 9:30 a.m. In February, Irene Barber will discuss "Gardens for All", how professionals worldwide are expanding opportunities for people of all economic and physical abilities to engage in gardening. Then mark your calendar for March 1st as Sean Corenki, manager of the Gardener’s Center in Darien, will present his program 'All About Dahlias'. Please see our newsletter below or go to newcanaanbeautification.org for more information.
A sincere thank you to Kathleen and Peter Murphy, Barbara O'Shea and Bob Strong for organizing the Annual Wreaths and Gnomes Workshop with New Canaan Garden Club. The festive wreaths and gnomes certainly transformed town and put a smile on many faces.
Wishing everyone the best for 2023!
Sincerely,
Robin Bates-Mason & Jill Ernst
co-Presidents
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Register for our January Program |
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The Nature of Oaks
with Doug Tallamy
January 4, 2023
9:30- 11:00 am on Zoom
This program will be a Zoom webinar. To register for the webinar, click the button below:
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After registering, you will receive an email with instructions on how to attend the webinar. Reminder emails will also be sent. |
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This event is open to all. Invite friends by directing them to the registration on our NCBL website homepage.
Books available at Elm Street Books
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February Program: Register Now |
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Gardens For All
with Irene Barber
Wednesday
February 1, 2023
9:30 - 11:00 am on Zoom
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Irene Barber, Adult Education & Horticultural Therapy Program Manager at Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay will present a visual explanation of what “Gardens for All” means through the lens of working at the universally accessible Lerner Garden of the Five Senses within CMBG.
Garden professionals around the world have been breaking down physical barriers and expanding the opportunities to create adaptive, ergonomic and therapeutic garden features, tools and design to make gardening available to everyone, no matter their ability, financial status or cultural background.
Pursuing her passion for connecting people to plants, Irene Barber completed degrees in human behavior and then plant and soil sciences. She began designing landscapes professionally in 2007, and continues to consult and design for clients through her business, Greenscapes Design LLC. A lifetime student, Irene appreciates learning every day from people, nature, and the new discoveries social and environmental studies unveil.
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After registering, you will receive an email with instructions on how to attend the webinar. Reminder emails will also be sent.
This event is open to all. Invite friends by directing them to the registration on our NCBL website program page.
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All About Dahlias
with Sean Corenki of Gardener's Center of Darien
March 1, 2023
09:30 -11:00am on Zoom
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Mark this date on your calendar! More information coming soon! |
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Dear Members,
We would like to extend a very heartfelt thank you to the many members who volunteered and participated in this year's Holiday Greens Workshop on November 30. It was a wonderful success with lots of returning members lending and sharing their expertise to many new volunteers. Barbara and I couldn't have been happier to see the beautiful holiday decor around the town and beyond.
A huge thank you to Faith Kerchoff and Laura Mulloy Ault for their guidance, expertise and valuable time in making this year another success. Many thanks to all the members who donated greens and our sincerest gratitude to our fabulous hospitality committee who provided delicious and much needed nourishment from start to finish.
We wish you all a happy & healthy 2023!
Kathleen & Peter
Barbara & Bob
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There are a few corrections to our directory Officers & Directors pages. Click on the button below to download these corrections that can be printed and replaced into your directory. |
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We are looking for someone who would like to head up a committee (or act solo) and put together day trips for NCBL members to public or private (but not member) gardens. The volunteer would need to identify gardens to visit, coordinate with said gardens, organize transportation (probably carpools) and put out an email to interested NCBL members about the opportunities.
If this is of interest to you, please contact Fanny Moran.
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Elizabeth Park, West Hartford |
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NCBL's Traveling Trowels care for:
The Gold Star Walk and Plaza at Mead Park on Richmond Hill Road
The mail box drop-off at the corner of Pine and Park Streets
Town Hall's pots and the garden running atop the wall along the driveway
The railroad station
Members pitch in for an hour or so when garden help is needed.
If you'd like to be part of the group, meet more members and learn a lot about the plants we grow and the history of the town while you're doing it, please email Faith at:
faithkerchoff@hotmail.com
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The Band Stand Gets Decorated for Caroling on Christmas Eve
A hearty group hung greens and ribbons on the band stand in preparation for caroling there on Christmas Eve.
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L-R: Kathy Lapolla, Faith Kerchoff, Dan Eng, Bob Strong, Barbara O'Shea and Peter Murphy, with encouragement from Jack, the dog. Taking the photo was Ty Tan. |
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'TreeCycling'
Did you know that most Christmas trees go into the landfill, where in the absence of oxygen during decomposition, they produce methane gas? If you have woods, consider putting your Christmas tree there as it will create habitat and coverage for small animals and birds. If that is not an option, drop off your Christmas Tree at the Steve Benko Pool parking lot from Saturday, Dec. 31st through Sunday, Jan. 8th between 9am & 3pm. All trees must be free of lights and ornaments and wreaths are not accepted. Trees will be mulched and spread on the trails at New Canaan Nature Center. Please email info@planetnewcanaan.org with any questions. Thank you!
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TreeCycling from the 2021 season! |
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It is still leaf-swatting season at Lee Garden. |
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What is leaf-swatting and why do we do it?
As falling leaves, and clusters of leaves, fall onto the azaleas & rhodedendron,
they get stuck in the "Y's" of the branches, and other leaves build up on them.
Heavy snow will build up on these leaf platforms, breaking the branches and snapping off next year's buds.
All you need to do is put on gloves, remove leaves from the branch intersections, and if you can't reach one, use a stick.
The garden will thank you - as will we!
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To volunteer at Lee Garden, contact Faith Kerchoff. We can always use more people! |
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Now that the NC library is closed until February, why not borrow a book from the NCBL Lee Barn library?
To find what books are available:
- Go to our website: https://www.newcanaanbeautification.org
- Click on the "More" tab in the tool bar
- Click on the "Lending Library" subtab
Or get there quickly by clicking the button below:
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Down the page, you will find a scrollable list of our titles. We have a growing selection of gardening related books.
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Here are summaries of just a few books we have on our shelves.
Vita: The Life of V. Sackville-West by Victoria Glendinning
This book is a fascinating read. Vita Sackville-West was a vital, gifted and complex woman. A dedicated writer, she made her mark as poet, novelist, biographer, travel writer, journalist and broadcaster. She was also one of the most influential English gardeners of the century, creating with her husband the famous gardens at Sissinghurst. In her Whitbread Prize-winning biography, Glendinning documents Vita's extraordinary life, focusing on her relationships with Violet Trefusis, Virginia Woolf, her husband, and her two sons together with her unpublicized love affairs.
The Living Landscape by Rick Darke and Doug Tallamy and Nature's Best Hope by Doug Tallamy
Doug Tallamy will be speaking at our January program about his newest book, The Nature of Oaks. If you want to read up on Dr. Tallamy's gardening philosophy, check out one of his previous books we have on hand.
Heroes of Horticulture: Americans Who Transformed the Landscape
Barbara Paul Robinson
Barbara was one of our speakers this past year, and her book does a short profile on approximately twenty key people who impacted our horticultural world. It connects the pieces from Wave Hill to The Nature Conservancy to Central Park. This is another fascinating read and we have one copy.
The Gardener's Bed-Book by Richardson Wright
A sought-after, out of print, gem. Originally published in 1929, and reprinted in 2003 with an introduction by Michael Pollen. Described by the author as "Short and long pieces to be read in bed by those who love green, growing things," you'll find yourself chuckling in bed, or seeing yourself in the garden with these snippets.
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If you have changed any of your contact information (home address, email address, or phone number), please let membership know. |
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Please let me know if a member of our NCBL family needs some cheering up in the form of a card, or perhaps, some flowers.
to provide me with the appropriate information.
Many thanks for your thoughtfulness!
Libby
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Looking for 'Blooms'
We have new members joining us each month and we need volunteers to be 'blooms' to help us welcome our 'buds'. Just share your enthusiasm and alert them to upcoming events.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact membership.
We want to be sure everyone feels welcome.
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"Gateway to Spring"
41st CT FLOWER SHOW
Feb 23-26. Thur-Sun.
The Connecticut Convention Center
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Our NCBL Newsletter is used to distribute information regarding NCBL activities and announcements that pertain directly to our stated mission. The newsletter shall not be used for political issues, or for the promotion of merchandise or services unless such merchandise or services are part of a joint venture with NCBL. |
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visit our website:
New Canaan Beautification League
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