March, 2015 - The Rake and Hoe Garden Club

march 2015
Bloomin’ Times
www.rakeandhoe.org
Member of the Garden Club of NJ and National Garden Clubs, Inc
March Program. . . .
Upcoming Activities . . .
New Jersey’s Endangered and Threatened Wildlife
We will have a speaker, Lindsay McMammara, from the Conserve
Wildlife Foundation of New Jersey speak at our March meeting. She
will share with us the stories of New Jersey's rare wildlife throughout the state and beyond. These stories inspire individuals to act
on wildlife's behalf and help us to keep New Jersey's wildlife in our
future.
from the February Program. . . .”Re-scaping
Community Projects & Service
3/3
3/16
3/24
4/13
4/16
4/29
the Suburbs”
Last month we were treated to a program by local artist Pat
Brentano describing her project " Re-scaping the Suburbs". In
partnership with the New Jersey Audubon Society she has
been re-landscaping her own property to use exclusively
plants native to New Jersey. Her project was begun in
reaction to major tree cutting on a nearby property. She
wants to set an example of suburban focus on providing habitat and
sustenance for local birds, butterflies, bees and small wildlife. To help Rake and
Hoe members follow this leadership here are some possible resources.
- Linda P.
http://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=ASSY
Information re: native milkweed
http://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=ASSY
Native Milkweed profile
Seed Planting at Jardine
Ornament Workshop for Jardine
at Mary Lou N’s
Decorate at Jardine
Spring Cleanup at Shadowlawn
Spring Cleanup at Train Station
Mini-arrangements for Mobile
Meals
Juniors
3/18
Flower Design & Arrangements for
Jardine, at Beth S’s home
4/11
4/18
Spring Cleanup at Miller-Cory
Field Trip to Duke Farms
Meetings
3/2
3/11
Board Meeting at Mary Smith’s
home
General Meeting at Westfield ‘Y’
4/6
4/8
Board Meeting at Lee P’s home
General Meeting at Westfield ‘Y’
Workshops
http://www.meadowsandmore.com/foraged-flavor
Notes regarding the book Foraged Flavor which she consults for recipes using
plants in her garden.
3/26
Photography Workshop - Camera
Basics and Photo Design &
Composition
http://www.amazon.com/Foraged-Flavor-Fabulous-Ingredients-Backyard/
dp/030795661X
Link to purchase above book
4/2
Flower Design Workshop is
CANCELLED & will be rescheduled
Artistic Crafts Workshop
http://www.musconetcong.org/files/NATIVE%20PLANT%20SUPPLIERS%
20.pdf
Information regarding resources for native plants
http://findnativeplants.com/mid-atlantic/new-jersey-native-plants/
Information regarding resources for native plants
4/22
More to Do (details in the News Leaf)
2/28-3/8 Philadelphia Flower Show,
“Celebrate the Movies”
www.theflowershow.com
http://www.npsnj.org/plant_lists/Nurseries%20with%20Natives.pdf
Information regarding resources for native plants
Coming in April. . . .
“From Flora to Fromage”
An entertaining program on plants used in cheese making by
Maria Risdall, owner of ‘Cheese Please’ in Cranford.
Bloomin’ Times
-- March 2015 --
-- For more activities, pls. see pg. 4 -1
Committee News . . . .
Awards. . . .
Community Projects . . . .
Judy Kampe Competition. Congratulations to Alice Cowell for her
impressive winning entry, a lovely mini-landscape.
Applause to the
other contestants
who submitted a
wide variety of
mini-landscapes:
Barbara M., Holly,
Richard, Jeanne P., Beth H., and Beth
S., Barbara S. and Marylyn. Photos of
their entries can be viewed in this issue’s Photo Gallery.
Nancy Wallace Competition. This
year's Nancy Wallace Competition will
be a baking contest. Fitting to the May
program, all submissions must contain
both honey and at least one herb. The
event will take place at
the May 13th meeting,
so start testing out
your recipes!
- Carole Smille
Bottle Caps for Mobile Meals
Please remember to save the caps from
your liquid laundry detergent
bottles. They make perfect little
containers for the mini-designs
that we make for Mobile Meals.
Thanks!
After a peek into the March
calendar for Community Projects, I
am proclaiming the month of
March to be the . . .
(UN)OFFICIALLY,
- Lee P.
March is
JARDINE ACADEMY
MONTH!!
Please join us in one or all
of the events next month! .
Horticulture . . . .
Tuesday, March 3 at 10
AM - Indoor Planting workshop with
the kids at Jardine
Monday March 16 at 10AM - Spring
Ornament Workshop for Jardine
Tuesday, March 24 - Tree
Decorating at Jardine
If ever there was a chance to come to
the Jardine Academy and see the
wonderful things that happen there
March is the month!
- Lee P.
******
Birds . . . .
R&H Bird Count March 21st marks the
end of the Winter bird
count and the Spring
count begins! Please
remember to note the location and
habitat of your sightings.
Edible Birdhouse Workshop - Bird
Committee Edible Birdhouse Workshop has been rescheduled. It will
meet on Wednesday,
April 22, 1:30 pm at
the Mountainside
Community
Room. Sign-up with
$10 to cover the cost
of supplies is at the March and April
general meetings. Questions?
Contact Tracy or Connie.
Thank You! Members of R&H spent
the morning of March 3rd at the
Jardine Academy of Union
County. The students and members
created beautiful dish gardens and
individual plants to brighten up their
classrooms. Many thanks to Kay C.,
Clare M., Cathy B., Adah L., Beth H.,
Carolyn K., Barbara S., Paula L., Carole
Sm., Margot P., Faten M., and Connie S.
(See photos in this issue’s Photo Gallery).
Our next Jardine event will be on May
5th at 10:30 am. We will need people
to plant flowers (bring some flowering
seedlings), and to clean up our butterfly
garden (bring tools.) Sign up at the
April meeting.
- Irene G.
Attention! Horticulture is looking for a
new place to have our Spring Plant Exchange on Monday, May11th. There is no
program scheduled. Are you able to volunteer your driveway for our annual
event? We will be
bringing our plants and
exchanging them for
new ones; members
are asked to take back
any plants they bring
that remain, so cleanup is minimal. In addition to getting new plants for your garden, this is a wonderful to catch up with
fellow members - lots of talk about gardening, family, etc. The time of the exchange will be from 10:00 - 12:00. Please
give Margot a call if you can host.
-Margot P
- Connie S.
Bloomin’ Times
Upcoming Events. Horticulture has
three upcoming events in May. Mark
your calendars for these fabulous
events. Our annual Spring Plant Exchange
is on Monday, May 11th. Then later that
same week Friday, May 15th, we are planning on a trip to
Chanticleer Garden
in Pennsylvania. And then on
Wednesday, May
27th, Rake and
Hoe will be having
it's Annual Secret
Garden Tour. So, make sure you mark
these events on your calendars! More
information will be coming soon.
-- March 2015 --
2
More Committee News & Announcements . . . .
-- Recipe of the Month --
Juniors . . . .
Publicity. . . .
The next Juniors meeting is March18 at
B. Siano's house. Kay Cross will teach a
lesson in contemporary flower design
and guide the girls as they work on their
own arrangements. Their finished products will be donated to the Jardine Academy.
For those wishing to see a complete
summary of our Club’s efforts & results
at the 2015 GCNJ Flower Show, Irene
G. wrote up and submitted a great article (with photo) to the Suburban News.
To view it in print, pls. click on the link
below:
Photography/Artistic Crafts . .
http://www.nj.com/suburbannews/
index.ssf/2015/03/
members_of_the_rake_and_hoe_ga_1.html
- Beth S.
NEW AD-HOC COMMITTEE
PASSED BY BOARD
Notice a new committee on your
Interest Finder? The Photography/Artistic
Crafts committee has been approved by
the Board. The formation of this committee reflects a strong and growing
member interest in these activities.
Members of the P/AC committee will
explore workshop ideas for both the
education and entertainment of our
members and based on the varied
interests of the membership, develop
the definition of this new committee. It
could be that this group will assist the
members in producing entries for
exhibit in flower shows or boutiques, or
just for home, club, or personal use. An
example of the new committee's projects
will be made at the upcoming April
workshop, creating an Easter topiary of
sheet moss and small Easter eggs (see
adjacent column). Come and join this new
committee and help to define it's
direction in the Club!
- Diana K.
Photography Workshop (102), is
meeting on March 26th, 1 pm at Inge
B’s. Responding to feedback from the
earlier workshop, the program will
revisit basics for the beginner: know
your camera. For those with more
experience, Adah L., a retired art &
design teacher, has generously offered
to instruct us on design & composition
elements to improve our photographs.
Weather permitting, we will practice
outside, then critique our work. Bring
your camera! Sign up at the general
meeting. Limited to 15.
Question? Call Inge or Margot.
Bloomin’ Times
-Inge B.
Artistic Crafts Workshop. There will
be a creative crafts workshop on
Thursday, April 2nd. at 10:00 at the
Mtsde. Community Room. We will be
making an Easter egg topiary. There will be a sign up
sheet at the March meeting. The cost will be $15 $20. Please bring your
checkbooks or cash to the
meeting. Any questions please call or
email Tracy or Pat B.
- Tracy C.
Thanks!
To the photographers who
contributed to this issue of
the Bloomin’ Times:
‘Pelikan Pix’, Carole Sm.,
Irene G.
********
The R&H Photo Gallery can be viewed
online or in your e-mail.
Two-Cheese Squash Casserole
(Southern Living, May 2004)
Ingredients
4 lbs. yellow squash, sliced
4 Tb butter or margarine, divided
1 large sweet onion, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 1/2 c. soft breadcrumbs, divided
1 1/4 c. shredded Parmesan cheese,
divided
1 c. (4 ounces) shredded Cheddar
cheese
1/2 c. chopped fresh chives
1/2 c. minced fresh parsley
1 (8-ounce) container sour cream
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. freshly ground pepper
2 large eggs, lightly beaten
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
Preparation
Cook squash in boiling water to cover
in a large skillet 8 -10 minutes or until
just tender. Drain well; gently press
between paper towels.
Melt 2 Tb butter in skillet over medium-high heat; add onion and garlic,
and sauté 5 -6 minutes or until tender.
Remove from heat; stir in squash, 1 c.
breadcrumbs, 3/4 c. Parmesan cheese,
and next 7 ingredients. Spoon into a
lightly greased 13- x 9-inch baking
dish.
Melt remaining 2 Tb butter. Stir together with remaining 1 1/2 c. breadcrumbs, 1/2 c. Parmesan cheese, and
garlic salt. Sprinkle mixture evenly
over top of casserole.
Bake at 350° for 35 to 40 minutes or
until set.
- Mary S.
-- March 2015 --
3
Announcements . . . .
Mark Your Calendars!
Student Helpers
Rose Pruning Workshop Saturday
March 14, 2015 9 - 11 am (rain date
March 21). Colonial Park Rudolf W. van der
Goot Rose Garden,
156 Mettlers Road, Parking lot A,
Somerset (Franklin Township).
Cost $12, limited to 30 people,
Call 732-873-2459 ext. 21 to register.
Therese Warren at Coldwell Banker
informed Pat Wilson that she can put us
in touch with students who need to
complete service hours. As spring approaches , keep her in
mind and give her a call
to discuss any ideas that
might make use of the
students- maybe they can
be of help and complete
their service hour requirements. She can be
reached at 908-577-7485
“The Layered Garden”, a talk by
David L. Culp, plus luncheon, shopping
and book signing.
The Women Gardeners of Ridgewood
Thursday April 9, 2015 11 am
$25 in advance, $30 at the door Old
Paramus Reformed Church, 660 E. Glen
Avenue, Ridgewood.
www.womengardenersofridgewood.com
or mail to WGR, 504D Aspen Lane,
Wyckoff N.J. 07481 to be received by
April 6
“A Luncheon with Artful Designs”,
guest speaker Sandy Nielsen
Navisink Garden Club,
Wednesday May 6, 2015, 11:30 to 3:00
pm Deal Country Club, 1 Golf Lane,
Deal NJ 07723 tickets are $50.
Contact Ronnie Joy Lander, 732-6719395 [email protected] or mail
check to Ronnie at 1 Crawford Road,
Middletown, N.J. 07748
The American Boxwood Society will
be having a Symposuim "Timeless
Gardens, Timeless Boxwood" at Longwood
Gardens, Kennett Square, Pa. May 1922, 2015.
www.americanboxwoodsociety.org.
-submitted by Karen J-G.
2015 Annual Meeting of the Native
Plant Society of NJ. "Native Plants and
People". Saturday March 14,.
Medford Leas, Medford, NJ 08055
$25 Members; $50 Non-Members
http://nativeplantsandpeople.bpt.me
‘Hit or Miss’
. A new feature column for those to share, or
for those in need. . . .
TO SHARE *Free containers, glass and ceramic.
come look, Diana K’s place.
IN NEED *Diana looking for vintage 1960s Mattel
Lie Detector game, please call Diana K.
if you have a complete, good condition
game
-- happy hunting! --
Volunteers needed!
The Bloomin’ Times is looking for volunteers to report and summarize each of
our general meeting programs. A big
‘thank you’ to Linda P. for her excellent
reportage and research on February’s
speaker (front page of this issue)!
Pls. contact Inge B.
Citizen Scientists Needed!
Raritan-Piedmont Bird Surveys
New Jersey Audubon is recruiting
Citizen Scientists for a 2015 bird and
invasive plant survey in forested
habitats within the Piedmont section
of the Raritan River watershed (parts
of Hunterdon, Somerset, and
Middlesex Counties). This is a joint
project between Raritan Valley
Community College and NJ Audubon, to
study the effects of invasive plants and
deer browsing on our forests birds
and native flora.
We are looking for people with some
bird ID skills to conduct bird point
counts, and for people to survey
invasive plants species. Volunteers
can participate in either the bird or
the invasive plant survey, or
both. We prefer people who can do
both surveys concurrently, but if you
prefer to do one or the other, you are
still welcome to join us!
Citizen Scientists are required to
attend one training session in
April. We will run a combined bird
and invasive plant workshop that will
include a species identification
component and methodology
training. During the workshop
participants will be assigned to a
survey site. Bird survey citizen
scientists are asked to visit their
survey site three times – once to
scout their assigned points and
determine access, and twice for
surveys (once between May 26 - June
15 and again between June 1530). Invasive plant survey citizen
scientists are asked to visit their site
once between May 26 and June 30 to
conduct surveys.
If you would like to participate or
receive more information, please
contact:
Laura Stern,
[email protected]
Mike Allen,
[email protected]
Bloomin’ Times
-- March 2015 --
4
Features . . .
Horticulture Tips
...’for the Birds...& Bees...& Butterflies!
Time to Get in Shape for the Garden!
Nesting Time at the Bald Eagle Cams. . .
Better health can be achieved by volunteering in a community garden. The exercise is good for you, of course, and
so is doing a good deed, but did you know that certain bacteria in the soil can increase your levels of
serotonin? It was found in a study from
the University of Bristol that the mood
elevating brain chemical is found in the dirt
you are digging in. And the data show that
people who volunteer in a community garden have a significantly lower body-massindex. So get out there and dig in, you will
be happier and healthier! From Better Homes and Gardens.
Community
While
still thawingProjects
out from . . .
this winter’s brutal cold, take a
Mini-Designs for Mobile Meals
look and be amazed and entertained at the dedication and
st bald eagle parents
hardiness
On May 1of
, we made adorable arrangements in
in our
area.
visit
onlinebottle
to tops for the
cat food cansAand
detergent
thetrays
Hanover,
PA
site
provides
for Mobile Meals. Pat W. did a great ora high-quality,
live
video
ganizing job and
eleven
members had a wonstream
and
a
pictorial
chronolderful time making 63 arrangements. Thanks to
ogy shows nest construction,
all who participated!
the appearance of eggs in February, and snow-covered parents
their
eggs.
Webrooding
hope to make
moss
terrariums for the
- Jill S.
classrooms at Jardine. Information will be
http://www.portal.state.pa.us/
forthcoming.
portal Caution: viewing at night will result in a
- Kris L..
*
black screen :-)
(Find more pictures in R&H Photo Gallery, this issue)
******
Visions of Summer . . . .
A nes ng pair of bald eagles at Duke Farms has also been dili-­‐
gently incuba ng their eggs. Follow this NJ pair at the link below:
dukefarms.org/en/Stewardship/
WildlifeCams/eagle-cam/
Several members have asked us about where we took the
sunflower photos. It was at the "Sunflower Maze" in Augusta, Sussex County, NJ. Below is their web site. More photos and information are on their Facebook page. Not only
were the sunflowers amazing, it was a most pleasant drive
through rural NJ (farm stands, etc.) .
http://www.sussexcountysunflowermaze.com/index.html
- Inge B.
Bloomin’ Times
-- March 2015 --
-submitted by Jeanie & Richard P.
5
The Rake & Hoe Photo Gallery. . . . . March 2015
February General Meeting. . .
(photos by ‘Pelikan Pix’.)
Bloomin’ Times
-- March 2015 --
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The Rake & Hoe Photo Gallery. . . . . March 2015
Alice C. & her winning design
Judy Kampe Competition
Mini-Landscapes
(photos by Carole Sm. & ‘Pelikan Pix’)
Bloomin’ Times
-- March 2015 --
7
The Rake & Hoe Photo Gallery. . . . . March 2015
Jardine
(photos by Irene G.)
Bloomin’ Times
-- March 2015 --
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The Rake & Hoe Photo Gallery. . . . . March 2015
Membership Tea
(photos by ‘Pelikan Pix’.)
Bloomin’ Times
-- March 2015 --
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