SEPTEMBER 2016 NEWSLETTER
UPCOMING EVENTS
Field Trip to Tina Duncan's Meadow
Wednesday 
September 21, 2016
12:00 - 2:00 pm
meet at left side/kitchen parking lot at Waveny for carpooling at noon

LobsterFest
Friday & Saturday 
September 23 & 24 

Field Trip to Meadowburn Farm, Vernon New Jersey
Saturday 
September 24, 2016
9:30 am Lapham Center parking lot for carpooling.

Autumn Luncheon
Wednesday 
October 5, 2016 
11:30 - 2:00 pm
Woodway Country Club 
November Meeting & Program:
The Inspired Landscape with Susan Cohen
Wednesday 
November 2, 2016
9:30 am coffee
10:00 am program
New Canaan Nature Center

A Letter From Our Presidents

Welcome back!

A breath of fresh air returns after a hot summer.
Whether you fell in love with New Canaan on your first visit, or you grew up here as I (Faith) did, and gradually realized that not all towns look as nice as this one, we in the Beautification League know it doesn't just magically happen!  It takes money, commitment and volunteer time to carry out our mission.

Our membership does not have mandatory requirements to be a member.  However, to achieve the things we do, we do need help from everyone in so many ways.  From running our organization, planning programs, fundraising, working with the town, weeding, planting, and publicity ... the list goes on.  Everyone has different and necessary talents.   In working for a common cause, it's the friendships developed along the way that really make this organization so vibrant.

With those thoughts, we look forward to welcoming you back at our October 5 Kick-Off Luncheon at Woodway Country Club.  Our speaker will be Jan Johnsen, author of Heaven is a Garden.  Karen Mactas will be taking reservations for Gloria.   Program Chairs Carol Seldin, Margit Mills, and Gerda Smith have been super busy all summer planning the programs for the whole year.

Our newsletter editor Betsy Sammarco will keep you posted in our newsletter and e-blasts about the luncheon and all our events and when there is a need for help.  Liz Orteig and the Travelling Trowels always need an extra hand.  They have been busy all summer valiantly weeding and beautifying the post office box drop, railroad station, Vine Cottage, and Saxe Middle School. Please consider joining in for an hour to weed or to do more; adopt a triangle, arrange flowers at Waveny Care Center, work on a fundraiser, or help us prepare Lee Garden to be even more amazing after the house demolition. (There will be more Lee Garden to love!).  We need you!

The dad of my 5th grade friend who lived on White Oak Shade Road, worked on a new campaign at the time, and coined the phrase "See America, it's 3,000 Smiles Wide".  I think of that when working on the Town Hall planters, or at a triangle when people go by and smile and yell out "Thanks for what you do!".   We are a group of "doers".  Let's continue the tradition of "Volunteers Making New Canaan Beautiful."

President signature

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luncheon Autumn Luncheon header
October 5 2016 | 11:30 - 2:00 pm
Woodway Country Club  | 540 Hoyt Street   Darien, CT

Please send payment of $40 with your choice of entrée noted to:
Karen Mactas  306 Greenley Road  New Canaan, CT  06840
Checks must be received by September 26

We are very happy to present our luncheon speaker, 
 Jan Johnsen!
Jan Johnsen headshot
Heavenly Gardens with   JAN JOHNSEN

Noted landscape guru Jan Johnsen focuses on designing serene outdoor spaces for inspiration and reflection.   Jan's book,  Heaven is a Garden,  will be available for purchase and signing by author.
Jan Johnsen promo material

Jan Johnsen is a professional landscape designer and principal of the established design/build firm Johnsen Landscapes & Pools in Westchester, NY.  She is also an adjunct professor at Columbia University and an award winning instructor at New York Botanical Garden.

Jan is from the New York area, but her world travels have had significant impact on her understanding of landscape form and function.  She calls her designs a "blend of modern and traditional practices, some that go back thousands of years."

Do you long for a serene haven outdoors where you can simply relax and enjoy the moment?  Jan Johnsen's "Heavenly Gardens" presentation at the New Canaan Beautification League luncheon will focus on creating simplicity, sanctuary and delight in the garden.  She will explore ways to use the 'power of place,' layout and shapes, the cardinal directions and use of color to create landscapes that elevate your mood and increase your sense of well-being.

Jan Johnsen promo material Jan Johnsen promo material

You can find out more about Jan Johnsen at her website HERE.

You can download a copy of the invitation by clicking  HERE

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Woodway's Famous Hot Popovers          
Butternut Squash Bisque w/ toasted pepitas, creme fraiche and chives
            
Choice of Roasted Chicken Paillard w/ arugula & heirloom tomato salad (dressed with fig balsamic vinaigrette
   or          
Roasted Atlantic Salmon w/ quinoa, braised rainbow chard & tarragon sauce
      or        
Vegetarian alternative upon request
             
Fresh Berry Cobbler w/ whipped cream
              
Coffee or tea

Remember to note your choice of entrée on your check when you send in your reservation!

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NCBL Banner
Welcome New Members! 

Diane Beck
Jolley Frank
Brian Hollstein
Nancy Jordan
Ruth Laird
Robin Miner
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MeadowWalk
Take a Walk on the Wild Side!
Field Trip to Tina Duncan's Meadow

Tina Duncan will generously host NCBL members to a private garden tour at her Wilton home on Wednesday, September 21.  We will carpool at noon from the Waveny parking lot on the left/kitchen side of Waveny House and return at 2PM.  Tina's marvelous meadow garden was designed by landscape architect Larry Weaner (our luncheon speaker in 2015) and detailed in Jane Garmey's impressive book Private Gardens of Connecticut

To sign up, please contact Carol Seldin at: carol@seldins.net
   
Tina Duncan meadow cropped
photo courtesy of: Faith Kerchoff
 
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MeadowburnFarm
Fieldtrip to Meadowburn Farm, Vernon NJ
Dazzling Dahlias!
 
Are you growing dahlias from Meadowburn Farm in your garden this year? Quill Teal-Sullivan was such an engaging speaker for NCBL last spring when she spoke to us about growing dahlias. Meadowburn Farm in Vernon New Jersey will hold an Open Day with self-guided tours on Saturday, September 24th.   We will meet in the parking lot at Lapham Center on the Waveny Park grounds at 9:30 am for carpooling and return around 2 pm. 

You will want to pack a bag lunch for this field trip!
bag lucnh

Read more about visiting Meadowburn Farm HERE.
Please let Carol know if you want to go with the NCBL group:
   
Quill Teal-Sullivan
Quill Teal-Sullivan with dahlia tubers at Meadowburn Farm.  
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Waveny Flower Arranging Opportunity!

This is a wonderful opportunity to brighten someone's day.  Do it alone or with a friend.  We need a minimum of nine arrangements for the dining room and once signed up, the instructions and reimbursement form will be sent to you.  This is a rewarding experience!

The following schedule shows the dates volunteers are needed for September and October:

September 4 or 5: Peggy Danneman
September 12: Judy Gilroy
September 19:
September 26:

October 3:
October 10:
October 17:
October 24:
October 31:

Call or email Bianca Romano if you have questions or want to volunteer for any of these open dates.

You can read our Flower Arranging at Waveny Care Center guidelines by clicking HERE.

   
 
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Hanging Baskets : No Small Task

Walk Jaykus
Photo by Greg Reilly

Walt Jaykus of the Department of Public Works was photographed and interviewed by the NC Advertiser while watering our thirsty baskets.  To read the article click HERE.   
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LOBSTER
NEW CANAAN LOBSTERFEST 2016!

Contact Sara or Faith (phone or email) to purchase tickets.  NCBL receives $15 for every ticket we sell.  Last year, we made $800.00!
Lobsterfest NCBL

You can download a copy of the LobsterFest flier HERE.

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EVENTS OF INTEREST AROUND TOWN
emily kelting
WHY WE GARDEN: A LECTURE WITH LANDSCAPE PHOTOGRAPHER EMILY KELTING 

New Canaan Library welcomes award-winning photographer and landscape designer Emily Kelting, presenting a visual treat of the gardens she has photographed.  Emily presents a nuanced look at why we are compelled to create gardens, be they modest vegetable patches or grand horticultural masterpieces.  The program will take place on Thursday, September 22 at 6:30 pm.   You can find out more and register for this program at this link .

Master Gardener Program
2017 Master Gardener Program

Interested in gardening?  Do you enjoy sharing your knowledge and helping others?  If so, now is the time to apply to become a UConn Extension Master Gardener.  Applications are being accepted for the 2017 program.  The program provides horticultural training to individuals who wish to expand their gardening knowledge and are willing to share this expertise with the public through community volunteerism.

You can find out more about the UCONN Extension Master Gardener program at its website: