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“When you are reluctant to change,
think of the beauty of autumn”
V. V. Brown
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For many of us there is a reluctance to leave the long summer days behind, even when they have sometimes been excessively hot and humid. Summer seems to signify relaxation and procrastination and “maybe tomorrow.”
Yet once the first true day of autumn arrives, it’s a different story! Our focus shifts to getting out and walking more briskly, and for those of us who love spending time in Quiet Waters Park, we begin considering the possibility of joining one of the teams to pull invasive weeds, or attending the Bird Club on a Sunday morning walk! These are real possibilities, and there are many more! So check further down in this newsletter for dates and times to be more active in Quiet Waters.
We are in for a fantastic treat Sunday, September 6th, 5:30 - 7:30 as the Annapolis Symphony Orchestra takes the stage for its milestone 64th season with the exciting Pops in the Park: Celebrating: America250, with an inspiring lineup of patriotic classics and a special appearance by Maryland's Poet Laureate Lady Brion. We are especially excited to share that the Anne Arundel County Executive is scheduled to join us for the show. It promises to be a wonderful, music-filled gathering for our community—so come join in the celebration!
You may have noticed that the Visitor Center is being emptied out and staff and stuff is being moved to on-site trailers. Construction is underway both at the Blue Heron Center and in the formal garden. It’s going to be quite active with construction in the center of the Park for the coming year, and we’ll do our best to keep you informed about progress!
Check out the description below for the activities being planned for Art@thePark, October 16-17 and the new “Crazy, Spooky Faces Festival" being planned for October.
See you in the Park!
Warm Regards,
Kristin Pauly, President
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September Photo Contest Winner
by Skye Stahling
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Through the eyes of the photographer...
It was breathing and reminded me of my home in Ohio. Quiet Waters Park is near and dear to my heart as my husband and I took our wedding photos there. This was the view we had when we came and took a walk on our wedding anniversary and it just felt so right. In that moment. What a beautiful life I have built reflected in a beautiful scene.
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Join us for our last summer concert! | | |
A BIG SHOUT OUT
to all these local businesses who generously
donated gift cards to support our raffle drawings!
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Art @ the Park
October 17-18
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Art @ the Park is right around the corner! Save October 17th and 18th for a visit to the Park to enjoy live music, an outstanding display of art including ceramics, woodworking, jewelry, and painting along with demonstrations and a variety of food trucks. There will be art activities for the young people which include painting and assembling your own wind chimes. Leashed pets are welcome in the outdoor areas.
To challenge your young artists pick up a tree cookie from the large playground at the beginning of October and use recycled items to create a crazy, spooky or funny face (we suggest hot glue or e6000 as an adhesive since the mask will be displayed outdoors). Bring the finished piece to the Park on the 17th and 18th to display along the Concert Trail.
Suggestions for recycled items:
Bottle Caps
Shells
Sycamore Balls
Acorns
Netting From Fruit Bags
Seeds
Use your Imagination!
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Fun and exciting new opportunity to be launched
in September, sign up now!
Park Staff and the Friends of Quiet Waters are launching a new campaign to help stop the spread of invasives in Quiet Waters. Families, groups or individuals can "adopt a spot" in the Park that they will focus on, removing invasives and restoring the area. The spot can be as small as one tree and as big as your imagination (and your back) allow. You will be working with Park Rangers, the Park Horticulturalist, and other trained volunteers to define your spot, and then how best to create an "oasis" where native plants can thrive.
If interested in learning more about the program, contact Terri or Ranger Liz.
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Join us in making a difference to the health and beauty
of Quiet Waters and remember...
"The greatest threat to our planet is the belief
that someone else will save it."
Robert Swan
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And note that we will skip our 2nd Wednesday workday.
That will resume in October.
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When the park opened in 1990, current tech tools were not in use. That explains why Park Superintendent Michael (Mike) Murdock left Mary Fawcett Watko twenty messages on her voice mail machine asking her to interview to be the parks first office manager. Without computers and cell phones, he had no idea that she was in England for a week for her mother’s funeral. On her return she was interviewed and swiftly hired. Mary spent the next 20 years as QWP’s office manager, a job she loved and in which she “never had a bad moment.”
Pencil and paper bookkeeping was a big part of the job. Mary tracked all the park’s revenue from weddings and events at venues like the South River Overlook, the Blue Heron Center, the Visitors Center, the six pavilions and the gate where admission fees were cash only and payment started at 9 am.
In addition to running the visitor center’s front desk and answering the phones, Mary’s duties included hiring the gate and office staff. One memorable day, a distraught park visitor rushed up to Mary at the Visitor Center desk exclaiming “you’ve got to get up to the gate! I don’t know what’s going on, but there is a naked leg sticking out the gate house window!”
Mary dashed to her car and zipped up to the gate house. On arrival she found gate agent, Wally, was in discomfort and had “taken off his wooden leg,” not considering how it might appear to incoming visitor traffic. He sheepishly admitted, “I knew better; I just couldn’t do better!”
Planning for the many weddings at Quiet Waters Park was a large component of Mary’s job. Look for that two-part tale in the next installments of History Corner.
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Growing up in Arnold, Daniel Seward has fond childhood memories of running down the hills and enjoying concerts at Quiet Waters Park. His journey back was a scenic detour, spanning three years teaching English in Thailand followed by a stint working in Washington, D.C. After returning to Annapolis and joining the Watershed Stewards Academy his passion for the outdoors was rekindled and sparked the realization that he could be a Park Ranger. Last November, he officially joined the Quiet Waters Park ranger staff, coming full circle.
One of his birthday highlights was a December visit from Cora. Says Daniel, “She’s a sweetheart and one of my favorite dogs.”
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• Fall Migration has begun! September is an important migration month – you can expect to see lots of changes this time of year! Fall migration peaks for warblers and many others this month. Keep an eye on your feeders, you may catch some new visitors stopping by for a bite! | | • Keep those hummingbird feeders full! Keep your Hummingbird feeders up! Most hummingbirds will start departing by the end of the month, but the mothers and new babies are usually the last to leave. Keep your hummingbird feeders fresh and available until early October or until there is at least 2 weeks of no activity at your feeder. They have a long journey ahead of them and will need to fuel up! |
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• Blackbird Invasion! Blackbird flocks can number in the thousands this time of year, which can make you feel like you’re in an Alfred Hitchcock film. Don’t worry though- it’s temporary as they are gathering to prepare for Fall migration. Flocks mostly contain Red-winged Blackbirds, Common Grackles, and European Starlings. They can hit feeders hard, so consider serving Safflower (which is difficult for them to eat) to deter them from taking over your feeders. As a bonus, Cardinals love Safflower, so they will be pleased.
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Join the Anne Arundel Bird Club on their monthly walk on September 20 in Quiet Waters Park on paved paths through habitat that includes mature deciduous forest, wood edges, mowed fields, wetlands, and a native plant garden, along with sweeping views of the open waters of the South River and Harness Creek. Meet at the parking lot at the end of Quiet Waters Park Road past the Visitor Center, the amphitheater and dog park. For further information email Jim Collatz or call 301-254-0188.
This event is recurring the 3rd Sunday of each month September through May.
Time is 8:00-10:30
600 Quiet Waters Park Road
Annapolis, MD 21403
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Visit Eastern Watersports located in the park for all your on-the-water sports -- kayak, canoe, paddle board and Hobie Cat sailing rentals provider! Eastern Watersports brings a long history of waterfront expertise from their three other locations.
Where to Find Them
- Location: Simply follow the parking signs to the Blue Heron Lot and take an easy stroll down to their rental hut.
To see their full schedule of Eastern Watersports offerings or to book a rental, click on the link below.
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Time is running out to submit entries for the 12th Annual Friends of Quiet Waters Park Photo Contest. Share your best images of Quiet Waters Park—nature scenes, wildlife, water views, sculptures, seasonal landscapes, and park events. OCTOBER 31 IS THE LAST DAY FOR SUBMITTING YOUR ENTRIES! | | | | |
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Infant/Toddler Hike
Join Ranger Liz every Tuesday for a fun summer hike! The location changes each week, so ask the gate attendant where we are.
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Individual annual memberships help us fund projects & events in the Park.
Become a member today!
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Not ready for a membership, but would still like to donate?
Click below to donate today!
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Honor Your Loved One
While Helping Your Favorite Park!
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Next time you are in the Visitors Center, visit the Memorial Tribute Tree in the entrance foyer installed by the Friends of Quiet Waters Park and park staff. The tree offers those wishing to honor loved ones an opportunity to purchase gold, silver, and copper leaves and special features such as acorns or mini trees. These will be custom engraved with your personal messages. The engraved feature will be a perpetual tribute to your loved one and proceeds benefit the park.
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Interested in sponsoring programs at Quiet Waters Park?
Our local sponsors help support Friends of Quiet Waters Park activities.
Contact us for more information: Info@friendsofquietwaterspark.org
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