Merryspring 2009 Fall Newsletter

The Hawthorn

The Hawthorn Fall 2009

Have a Green Holiday: 2009 HOLIDAY BAZAAR Mark your calendars now so you won’t miss the Merryspring Holiday Bazaar on Christmas by the Sea weekend. Shopping at the Bazaar is not only an opportunity to purchase wonderful, locally-harvested, volunteercrafted holiday decorations and gifts; it is also a chance to double your gift giving by supporting Merryspring’s environment-friendly mission with each purchase.

One of an infinite variety of wreath designs crafted by the Merryspring Elves.

Members will have the first choice of the bounty at the Ross Center on Thursday, December 3 (2 – 7 p.m.). The general public is invited to shop on Saturday, December 5 (10 a.m. – 4 p.m.). If you are not a member, we invite you to become one at the Bazaar. Members get a 10% discount on purchases.

Wreaths, evergreen swags, bundles of greens, and centerpieces will be available at the sale, but we strongly encourage pre-ordering to be sure you get the decorations and color scheme you seek. The Merryspring elves are waiting to create something just for you! Go to the Holiday Bazaar page of the Merryspring website http://www.merryspring.org and click on the Bazaar link for a copy of the catalog. In addition to holiday greenery and books for the gardener or naturalist on your list, we always have an array of unique gift s that will be available only at Merryspring during the sale. Here are just a few samples to whet your holiday shopping appetite: delicious, homemade jams, preserves, and candy; compounded spice mixes; herbal sachets; paperwhites in their holiday best; supplies to make your own decorations; pet treats; botanical greeting cards; and hand-crafted Della Robbia wreaths, decoupage boxes and picture frames, ornaments, and more made by our talented volunteers. We are very grateful to our sponsors, Long’s Landscaping and Scholz & Barclay Architecture, for helping us bring you this festive event. All proceeds from the Bazaar benefit Merryspring Nature Center.

Enter the Holiday Raffle! Be sure to enter the Holiday Raffle (tickets $1 each or 6 for $5) for a chance to win an epicurean gift basket from Lily, Lupine and Fern ($200 value); an original sea glass sculpture, “Ari the Starfish,” by Lynette Walther ($190 value, pictured at right); or a Merryspring signature fresh balsam wreath decorated with natural materials ($35 value). See the catalog for details at www.merryspring.org.

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Merryspring Nature Center P.O. Box 893, Camden, ME 04843 Tel: (207) 236-2239 Fax: (207) 230-0663 Email: [email protected] www.merryspring.org

Mission Statement Merryspring’s 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.

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 TuesdayFriday from 9am to 2pm, or by appointment.

Membership Individual $35 Family $50 Business $50-100

Board of Trustees Ray Andresen, President Kathleen Kull, Vice President Margaret E. Barclay, Vice President Richard Ailes, Treasurer Frank Callanan, Secretary Susan Dorr Cynthia Dunham Joanne Fagerburg James Sady Susan Shaw Carol Woodbury -Witham

Staff Toni Goodridge, Administrative Mgr. Gail Sutton, Buildings & Grounds Mgr. Bill Sutton, Buildings & Grounds Assist.

AmeriCorps Environmental Educator Rachel Potter ©2009—All Rights Reserved

Sign up for our eUpdates at www.merryspring.org to receive the latest news on programs and events. Visit Merryspring’s Facebook page where you can check on upcoming programs and events. Go to http://www.tinyurl.com/ merryspring-facebook/ We hope you’ll become a fan.

The Hawthorn

Fall 2009

A Year Full of Thanks

Inside this issue:

The board and staff of Merryspring extend our thanks to all the volunteers who enable Merryspring to function. All summer long you’ve been gardening, mowing, clearing, hosting programs, putting on events, and helping in the office, library, and gift shop. We couldn’t do it without you.

Holiday Bazaar

1

Holiday Raffle

1

Thanks

2

Wish List

2

Education Calendar

3

Summer Scrapbook

4-5

Winter Color Natives

6-7

Our profoundest gratitude goes to the penultimate volunteer, Rachel Potter, our 2009 AmeriCorps Environmental Educator/Maine Conservation Corps Member, who spent countless hours assisting Merryspring with her wealth of knowledge and resources and her quiet patience and good cheer. There is not an aspect of Merryspring’s operations she has not helped improve, from expanding our children’s programs, to modernizing our community outreach, to reassessing our site management plans, to reworking our volunteer program. We wish her well in her life beyond Merryspring and look forward to collaborating with her in the future as she moves into teaching in the local school system. Merryspring is very grateful to the sponsor of the 2009 Summer Tuesday Talks, The First, proudly serving the banking needs of coastal Maine with a "can do spirit," and to all those who shared their knowledge and expertise with others through our education programs: Tom Atwell; Julie Beckford, Rebel Hill Farms; Didier Bonner Ganter; Hammon Buck, Plants Unlimited; Paul Cates, Cates Family Glads; David Coomer, SolarMarine; Phillip deMaynadier, ME Fish & Wildlife; Ellen Dyer, Gen. Henry Knox Museum; Eric Evans; Dr. David Field; David Foley, Holland & Foley Architecture; John Forbes, USDA/APHIS; Wanda Garland, Coastal Senior College; Kathie Gass; Joe Gray, Mid-Coast Audubon; Arthur Haines, New England Wildflower Society; Kerry Hardy; Jenny Hartung; Tom Hopps; Rebecca Jacobs, Gabriella’s Gardens; Glen Jenks; Shelley Johnson, BreathEasy Farm; Patrick Keenan, BioDiversity Research Inst.; Clay & Magy King, Green Hive Honey; Clay Kirby, UMaine IPPDL; Neil Lash, Medomak Valley High School; Stephen Leavins, Maine Sport Outfitters; Ken Liberty, Peony Society of ME; Greg Marley, Mushrooms for Health; Dennis Milliken, Hoboken Gardens; Morten Moesswilde, Maine Forest Service; Diane O’Brien; Fredda Paul & Leslie Wood, Kuwesi-medicine; Antje Roitzsch; Kathie Savoie, U. ME. Extension.; Rick Sawyer, Fernwood; Susan Shaw; Lee Schneller Sligh; Lesia Sochor; Barbara Tomlinson, Wild Haven; Cindy Tibbitts, Hummingbird Farm; Cheryl Wixon, MOFGA; and Tom York, York’s Hardy Rhododendrons.

Kitchen Tour

7

Horse Chestnut

8

Wish List: Wall Cabinet—If you have a spare cabinet of the approximate dimensions (12-14” deep x 24”maximum width x 72” high ) give us a call. We will be happy to move it for you. Venetian Blind Slats—If you have broken blinds, don’t throw them away. We use the slats to make plant labels.

We would especially like to thank Wendy Andresen, Merryspring’s “Julia Child of the Garden.” Her five-part series on caring for the Perennial Garden through the season was an amazing contribution to our program. We deeply appreciate our education partner organizations: Aldermere Farm; AmeriCorps; Ashwood Waldorf School; Central Maine Astronomical Society; Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens; Five Town Communities That Care - STAR Program; Knox-Lincoln County Soil & Water Conservation District; American Chestnut Foundation—Maine Chapter; Maine Conservation Corps; Maine Daylily Society; Mid-Coast Audubon Society; Otolith Education; Pen Bay Health Care; Plants Unlimited; The Stanwood Wildlife Sanctuary; and Youthlinks. Without their co-sponsorship or participation, many of our events would not be possible.

One of the many Forest Beings brought to life on Merryspring’s eastern boundary trails by the Ashwood Waldorf School for the All Hallows’ Eve Celebration. Come visit them before winter winds and snow do their work.

Fall 2009

The Hawthorn

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2010 Winter/Spring Calendar WINTER & SPRING TUESDAY TALKS Noon on Tuesdays; bring a bag lunch. Members & Children Free, Others $5 January 12

The Inspired Garden: 24 Artists Share Their Vision—Judy Paolini, Author & Designer

January 19

Houseplant Clinic: Expert Advice on Caring for the Indoor Garden—Dennis Milliken, Green Thumb Nursery

January 26

Mercury Pollution in Maine—Patrick Keenan, BioDiversity Research Institute

February 2

To Be Announced

February 9

Maine is a Garden—Cathy Melio, Center for Maine Contemporary Art

February 16

SCHOOL BREAK FAMILY PROGRAM Live Animal Program to be Announced

February 23

What’s New for 2010—Hammon Buck, Plants Unlimited

March 2

Stories Around a Katahdin Campfire—John Neff, Maine Appalachian Trail Club

March 9

Winter Tree I.D.—Morten Moesswilde, Maine Forest Service

March 16

Composting with Worms—Mark Follansbee, WormMainea

March 23

The Best Vegetable Varieties for Maine Gardens—Dr. David Handley, UMaine Cooperative Extension

March 30

Heirloom Plants are for the Birds! (Bees and Butterflies, too!) - Diana George Chapin, The Heirloom Garden

April 6

Grow More, Work Less with Square-Foot Gardening—Shelley Johnson, BreathEasy Farm

April 13

NO TALK SCHEDULED

April 20

SCHOOL BREAK FAMILY PROGRAM Going Green: Small Changes for a Big Impact—Keith Crowley, Chewonki Foundation

April 27

Trees for the Maine Landscape—Doug Fox, Unity College

May 4

Alpine Primula—Richard May, Evermay Nursery

May 11

Plant Fever: Tips for an Organized Growing Season—Rebecca Jacobs, Gabriella’s Gardens

May 18

NO TALK SCHEDULED

May 25

Soil Health in Plain English—Mark Hutchinson, UMaine Cooperative Extension

FAMILY PROGRAMS A monthly Family Program Series and School Break Family Programs are currently under construction. Keep your eye on the Merryspring website and weekly eUpdates for the latest postings.

PUBLIC EVENTS Winter Ecology Festival: Saturday, February 13, from 10am - 12pm —A fun event for the whole family: Maine mammals and birds; winter trees; birdfeeder making; winter sports ; and more; hot drinks and refreshments throughout the day Astronomy Day, co-sponsor—Central Maine Astronomical Society: Saturday, April 24, afternoon and evening—Mark you calendar for this annual event when astronomers share their joy of astronomy with people of all ages Some dates may be subject to change and additional workshops and field trips will be added. Be sure to check our website www.merryspring.org for the latest postings. If you’d like to be sent news of new programs and reminders of upcoming events, send your name and email address to [email protected]. We will never share or sell your email address.

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The Hawthorn

Fort Building & Fairy Houses at Merryspring

September 13, 2009

Fall 2009

The Hawthorn

Fall 2009

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September 20 - Arthur Haines (seated) demonstrates a fire starting technique during the Fall Foraging workshop. August 14 - Tomm Tomlinson and Ziggy the Turkey Vulture visit Merryspring’s Ross Center.

2009 Summer and Fall Education Programs

September 22 - District Forester Morten Moesswilde addresses a large group at the Tree Identification workshop.

September 16 - 6th and 7th graders at the 2009 Knox-Lincoln Conservation Fair learn about the effects of invasive species.

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The Hawthorn

Fall 2009

Native Plants to Help Keep Your Season Bright Formerly dismissed as plants of waste spaces, many of Maine’s native species have taken root in cultivated landscapes for the boons they provide: habitat and food for native wildlife and winter beauty. Staghorn Sumac (Rhus typhina) is named for its velvety, forked branches which resemble the new antlers of a stag. Considered a large shrub or small tree, it looks best planted in a dense stand bordering a cleared, sunny area. In fall, the lance-shaped leaflets turn brilliant, flaming hues and the conical, upright fruit clusters ripen to deep rust. Harvested early in the autumn, these berries can be made into pleasantly tart “lemonade” by crushing lightly, soaking in cold water, then straining the resulting liquid through cheesecloth. Fall rains wash away all flavor, but the berry clusters persist throughout the winter, providing a nutritious food source for birds, sculptural interest for the landscape, and dramatic accents for floral arranging. Red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea) is common in moist, sandy, sunny lowlands. Its signature characteristic is the deep red bark, which shows to its best advantage against a white blanket of snow once the leaves have fallen. This low, berry-bearing shrub forms dense clumps, providing food and cover for mammals and birds. The red stems are a traditional basket-making material and can easily be bound into long-lasting wreaths. Inserted amidst evergreen boughs, the burgundy branches create contrasting notes in holiday decorations.

Staghorn sumac’s fuzzy, red fruit clusters atop velvety stems add sculptural interest to the winter landscape .

Christmas fern’s (Polystichum acrostichoides) leathery, dark green, tapering fronds make a popular Yuletide decoration because they remain green through the holiday season. This common evergreen fern of our wooded slopes adds year-round color, structure, and erosion control to the shade garden and serves as cover for frogs. Easily grown and readily available at most nurseries, they look most natural when planted in masses. Winterberry (Ilex verticillata) is the native holly of Maine. Unlike the holly associated with European Christmas traditions, winterberry is a shrub rather than a tree, and its leaves are deciduous and spineless. Nonetheless, its bright red berries, persisting on the branches long after the leaves have dropped and the snow has begun to fly, bring cheer to our winter landscape and the numerous species of birds who feast on them. For use in holiday arrangements, the leafless, berry-laden branches should be gathered by Thanksgiving before the birds have stripped them bare. (continued on page 7)

Red osier dogwood stems show their winter color.

The Christmas fern is hardy and evergreen.

The Hawthorn

Fall 2009

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(continued from page 6) This hardy, easily grown plant occurs naturally in wet,

acidic soils in sunny locations. In wetlands and bogs it can form large, impenetrable thickets. However, it can be grown in the average garden if provided with adequate sun. There is now a winterberry suited to almost any landscape. Dozens cultivars have been developed that range in plant shape from upright to spreading to dwarf and vary in berry size, color, and density. Like other hollies, winterberry is dioecious, so at least one male plant must be present for the pollenization and fruiting of female plants. The fruit of Winterberry is a favorite of birds and holiday decorators. In this photo it is seen before the leaves have dropped and the fruit has dried.

The Kitchen Tour is a Community Effort Each year it takes an amazing community effort and a lot of coordination to make Merryspring Nature Center’s biggest fundraiser of the year possible, and many people and businesses work together to make the tour a success. The work is always worth the result: the enjoyment of the approximately 600 attendees sampling the culinary skills of local chefs while admiring the craftsmanship and design skills exhibited in eight beautiful kitchens. Merryspring is very grateful to all who contribute to the tour. Our deepest gratitude goes to the gracious homeowners, without whom there would be no tour: Louise & Dick Cadwgan; Debbie & Mark Masterson; the Fraley Family; Barbara & John Davidson; Sarah Price & Stephen Florimbi; Annemarie Ahearn; Jill & Michael Roy; and Janet Redfield & Scott Dickerson. Special thanks goes out to the chefs who served up their gustatory delights in the kitchens: 3 Dogs Café; Amalfi on the Water; Blue Sky Cantina; Brevetto Kitchen & Wine Bar; The Brown Bag; Cappy’s Chowder House; Laura Cabot Catering; The Market Basket; Megunticook Market; Mid-Coast School of Technology; Natalie’s; Paolina’s Way; Peter Ott’s Fine Food & Tavern; Prism Glass Gallery & Café; and Salt Water Farm. We would also like to express our appreciation to EBS Style Solutions, our business sponsor, and Francine Bistro, provider of the door prizes, as well as the other businesses, designers, and craftspeople who supported the tour: 17-90 Lighting Showroom; A.E. Sampson & Son, LTD; Agren Appliance & Television; Atlantic Baking Co.; Atlantic Design Center; Bayview Gallery; Beckstrom Architecture & Planning; Bench Dogs, Inc.; Bernhard & Priestley Architecture; Brown Appliance & Mattress; Chatfield Design; Chez Michel; Classical Wood Floors; Cold Mountain Builders, Inc.; Cornerstone Kitchens; Crestwood Kitchens & Bath Design Center; David C. Olivas, DDS; Dennis J. King Masonry, Inc.; Distinctive Tile & Design; Dominic Paul Mercadante Architecture; Dream Kitchen Studio by Mathews Brothers; Freshwater Stone; Handle It!; Holland & Foley Architecture, LLC; John Gillespie, Architect; John Morris Architects; Silverio Architecture & Design; Kelsey’s Appliance Village; Landmark Construction, Inc.; Landworks Design; Landscape Services; Laurel Wood Floors; Liberty Cabinet & Design; Linconville Family Dentistry; Logan Woodbridge, Inc.; Lorraine Construction; Maine Coast Construction; Metaphor Bronze Tileworks; Midcoast Marble & Granite; Morningstar Marble & Granite; New View Interiors; Northport Bath, Inc.; Oliver Builders, Inc.; Once a Tree; Optimum Performance; Party Fundamentals; Peter T. Gross Architects, P.A.; PHI Home Designs, LLC; Pro Source Installations, Inc.; Qualey Granite & Quartz; Rockers, Inc.; Schelble Brothers, Inc.; Scholz & Barclay Architecture; Stancioff Building & Design, Inc.; Surroundings; The Good Table; The Store; The Well Tempered Kitchen; Treekeepers LLC/Johnson’s Arboriculture; Viking, Inc.; and Windsor Chairmakers. Finally our thanks goes out to the more than 65 volunteers who gave their time to act as hosts, hostesses, or parking guides, and the community members who turned out to support Merryspring by attending the tour. Congratulations to an outstanding Kitchen Tour Committee: Meg Barclay; Susan Dorr; Dorothea Graham; Kathie Kull; Edie Kyle; Harrah Lord; Aileen Lubin; and Pris Wood.

P.O. Box 893 Camden, ME 04843

Don’t Roast These by the Open Fire! They look so much like chestnuts, you might be tempted to eat them. But don’t be fooled into foraging nuts of the Horse-chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) for your holiday fare. The nuts, while not poisonous to touch, contain saponins and glycosides that cause sickness or death when eaten. They are poisonous enough that crushed nuts, thrown into a lake, can stun fish.

Spiny husk of the American chestnut (Castanea dentate) is shown at the upper right, while the smoother, thorned husk of the Horse-chestnut is shown at the upper and lower left. Note the characteristic large, white, eye-like area on the nuts themselves, center.

A bowl of Horse-chestnuts ready to use for holiday crafts.

The Horse-chestnut, a European shade tree commonly planted around homes for its dramatic spikes of flowers and palmate leaves, is not a chestnut at all. It belongs to the Soapberry family (Sapindaceae) along with our native Buckeyes, which are also poisonous. The nuts or “conkers” can be easily distinguished from those of the true chestnuts by the husks. The husks of all true chestnuts (Castanea species) are aptly dubbed “urchins” for their bristling, spiny appearance. The husk of the Horse-chestnut is much smoother with short thorns (see photo). Remember, never eat any plant unless you are of its identity.