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The Jay Heritage Center
at The Jay Estate
Celebrating 25 Years of Stewardship!

April 2017 Newsletter
Think Spring! 
It's Time for Daffodils, Good Stewardship 
and Field Trips!

 
Dear Friends,

After a long, drawn out winter we are all anticipating spring and the splendor of "a host of golden daffodils"  as they emerge from the ground. Gardeners are clearing matted leaves from beds to make way for bright flats of pansies. Park and forest stewards are studying up on invasive plants and pests so as to prevent them from damaging native habitats. And foragers are already on the hunt for wild edibles to make adventurous palates happy.   Whether you have a green thumb or a knack for knowing your knotweed or borers, we have a program for you this April! 

Spring is also peak season for school tours to our landmark site. Over 1000 students and their teachers are scheduled to visit us in the upcoming months of April, May and June to see our FREE signature play Striving for Freedom. In this dramatic tableau, children learn about the abhorrent practice of slavery in New York State and its eventual abolition. New this year, children will have the chance to see close up a  rare 1792 John Jay document in which Jay powerfully reaffirms his commitment to extending "the blessings of liberty" to all men, women and children - a philosophy that continues to have resonance 225 years later. (Scroll down to learn more about this gift).

There's never been a better time to discover what's new in education and stewardship at the Jay Estate. We especially welcome new volunteers to help us make even more happen at your park! 
 
President, Jay Heritage Center

Protect Our Forests! Full Day Conference April 4, 2017
Invasive species present a constant threat to our ecosystems. But where can you learn to identify them and take preventive action? 
Join us for this  FREE workshop. The program is a collaboration between Teatown Lake Reservation, the Cornell Cooperative of Putnam County, the Ecological Research Institute, Jay Heritage Center and the Lower Hudson PRISM.


The Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) has killed millions of ash trees in more than 27 states


FREE Family Daffodil Workshop, Daffodil Show and Local Wine Tasting from Rye's Wine at Five

April 15, Saturday 2 - 4pm 
FREE Family Daffodil Workshop 

Join us for a FREE Family Daffodil Workshop h osted by the Little Garden Club of Rye! Learn about the sunny harbingers of spring made famous by poet William Wordsworth. Participants will be taught how to identify, groom and label their specimens for entering in the Youth Category of this year's Daffodil Show on April 20. All materials plus refreshments will be provided. Bring a daffodil or two from your garden. 


April 20 Thursday, 1:30 - 4:30pm
 FREE Daffodil Show

The Little Garden Club's Daffodil Show is a perennial f avorite!  Come see all the entries in our sunny yellow Carriage House. Judges will present awards and ribbons for the most outstanding specimens from area gardens. The variety of daffodils and their colors will be endless; traditional yellows sat side by side with fancy pink frilled and white daffodils. See tables filled with flowers with exotic names like 'Tahiti,' 'Jetfire' and 'Tete a Tete.' Veteran growers and novices are invited to enter!  For more information visit the Little Garden Club's website

April 20, Thursday
6:00 - 8:30pm
Daffodil Cocktail Party
Hosted by the Little Garden 
Club of Rye

See all the Flower Show ribbon winners while enjoying a selection of varietals hand selected by Cai Palmer and Bruno Peixoto from Wine at Five. Sample yummy hors d'ouevres while hearing updates about plantings at the Jay landscape.  Bright spring attire encouraged! Co-Chairs Chris Duncan, Liz Garrett and Suzanne Clary.
 
Tickets $25, $75 and $125 

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS TO THE WINE TASTING! PROCEEDS BENEFIT THE JAY MEADOW

Proceeds benefit the  Jay Meadow Restoration and will help us plant thousands ( yes, thousands! ) of daffodils throughout the grounds!  Honor someone you love with an everlasting drift of  Lord Alfred, Actaea or Rip Van Winkle daffodils!

Author Tama Matsuoka Wong Returns to Rye to Train Foragers and Sign Her Newest Book,  "Scraps, Wilt and Weeds"

    
April 21, Friday 10:30am
 FREE Garlic Mustard Pull Party, Tasting 
and Book Signing

Garlic Mustard is one of the earliest invasive weeds of spring but it is also one of the easiest to remove and manage. And it is edible! Join Tama as she first demonstrates how to identify and remove this non-native herb from our gardens. Next, using a recipe from her book, she will make a delicious pesto sauce for pasta and give everyone a taste. 

The special event is free but advance registration is required. RSVP to jayheritagecenter@gmail.com . Wear comfortable, casual outdoor clothes for the garlic mustard pull.

NEWS! Important 1792 John Jay Manuscript Donated to JHC Archives

An original February 27, 1792 letter written by John Jay explaining his opposition to the institution of slavery has been donated to the JHC Archives. In this rare document, Jay states his belief that "every man of every color and description has a natural right to freedom"  READ MORE HERE.
Stay up to date with the Jay Estate!

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