January 2019 Volume 2, Issue 5
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IN THIS ISSUE
Visiting Gardens Trip Details:
Domaine des Fougeres
Conservation Committee Study:
Single Use Plastic Bags
Did you know....?
Recycling Plastic Bags
Shirley Meneice Conference Report
by Airlie Lennon
GCA Position Paper Summary:
Waste Management
Ways and Means Committee:
Green Elephant Sale
GCA Medalists Announced:
Zone III Highlights
Zone III Flower Show Reminder:
The Ripple Effect
AGC Program Schedule
2019 dates updated
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Gardening seems like a shimmering memory of past happiness as the temperature here and most other places plummet toward zero and below! However, we know that there will be warmer days ahead and we must prepare for them!
AGC has floral design, horticulture and photography obligations for the Zone III Meeting in Rochester on June 20-21. Our committee chairs are reaching out to the members of their respective committees for ideas and contributions. Please review the schedule for this exciting meeting, The Ripple Effect, to understand our club's responsibilities in the larger scheme of things. You can find a link to the schedule on the GCA website as well as our own!
Stay warm and remember spring is only a few months away.
Warm regards,
Corn
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Visiting Gardens - new event for July 10!
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The Visiting Garden Committee invites you
to join us on a visit to Knowlton, Quebec, to the gardens of
Domaine des Fougeres
The visionary
Claire Leger and Claude Allaire privately own this property
and are good friends of our AGC member Deborah Trudeau. Deborah has graciously offered to coordinate this garden trip! This is a fabulous mini “Cabot Garden” with many sections, themes, sculptures, ponds, where you can discover the Lovers' mirror, the Haida path and its totem poles, the pond of the Women rider, the Embers corner and many more remarkable features. Paths were designed in the woodland area covered with abundant ferns (Fougéres).
Physically fit visitors can easily walk several kilometers on hilly grounds. Several members from our club visited the gardens several years ago with rave reviews; it’s a real wonder!
Claire Leger has also offered us to enjoy our bag lunches on the porch overlooking the exceptional view of Brome Lake and the surrounding mountains.
Driving time is approximately 2.5 hour from our area. We plan to carpool from various locations depending on how many sign up to go.
Trip Date: July 10th / Rain Date: July 11th, 2019
RSVP Date: June 10th, 2019
Address:
Domaine des Fougeres,
27 Blackwood, Knowlton, Quebec J0E 1V0
For more information please contact:
What a fantastic opportunity, we hope you can join us!
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Conservation Committee Concentrated Study
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Let’s delve into plastics a little deeper
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BACKGROUND INFORMATION
What Is A Single-use Plastic Bag?
A type of container widely used in the retail business that is made of thin, flexible, plastic film and used to provide a convenient method to bring purchased goods home from stores.
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What Are They Made Of?
Plastic bags are derivates of fossil fuel - coal, natural gas, and oil - and are made three ways:
- from either high-density polyethylene (HDPE)
- from low density polyethylene (LDPE)
- a combination of the two
Can Single-use Plastic Bags be Recycled?
HDPE containers are number 2 coded plastic (located on the bottom of the container). Examples are RIGID containers for milk, motor oil, shampoos and conditioners, soap bottles, detergents and bleaches. These items should always be placed in the recycle bin where they are sent to a recycling facility and then separated.
LDPE containers are number 4 coded plastic. Examples of RIGID LDPE are squeeze bottles, lids, caps, toys. Although not as commonly recycled as number 2, LDPE recycling is gaining traction. Best to check with your recycling center.
VITAL TO UNDERSTAND:
The FILM VERSION of HDPE and LDPE are used to produce single-use plastic bags and cannot be readily recycled in the same manner as the RIGID HDPE and LDPE containers.
‘
Plastic bags and film plastic that end up in curbside recycling bins pose significant problems and are consider a major “contaminant” by most recycling centers. They become tangled or jammed in the equipment creating costly delays and expenses as many times the recycling center is shut down for hours or even days until the bags are cleared of the machinery.
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE PLASTIC BAGS THAT ARE PLACED IN THE GARBAGE?
Plastic bags, wraps and dry cleaning bags that are placed in the trash are crushed and go to the landfill to remain forever.
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There are 5 Plastic Bags Recycling Innovations That Are Changing the World
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While plastic bags are plentiful, they are often associated with
ocean pollution
. However, through recycling plastic bags, there are five positively impactful things that are happening:
AI
- Diesel fuel: the University of Illinois has come up with a way to convert plastic bags into artificial diesel fuel that is used in heavy machinery.
- Roads: Ahmed Khan, an entrepreneur in India, has come up with a way to mix plastic bags with asphalt to create roads that will better withstand monsoon season.
- Concrete bricks: a graduate student in New York has come up with a way to Crush and grind the plastic bags and mix them with concrete as a way to create bricks that have numerous environmental benefits.
- Carbon nanotube membranes: scientists at the University of Adelaide have found a way to turn plastic bags into membranes for use in electronics. These membranes are used to create lithium batteries and medical instruments.
- Composite decking: plastic bags are recycled with newspapers to make composite materials that are used to make decks. The average 500 square foot deck is made with 140,000 recycled plastic bags.
These innovations concerning plastic bags are just a few of the ways that have been found to recycle the common plastic bag. With all of this new-found recycling, along with reducing the use of plastic bags, we can lessen their negative environmental impacts.
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Help Save the Planet!re HELPHeading
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Here is a nice reusable
Grocery Shopping String Bag sent in by Meredith Hanna. If you are interested, they are available
here and sold in sets of three.
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Shirley Meneice Conference Report
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This past September, Airlie Lennon represented the AGC at the annual Shirley
Meneice
Conference at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA. Here is an excerpt from her conference report. The full report may be found on our website by clicking
here
.
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I was fortunate to attend the Shirley Meneice Conference held at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, PA in September 2018.
The conference began with a dinner followed by two full days of activities at Longwood Gardens and the DuPont estate, Winterthur. The conference is named after Shirley Meneice, a former GCA Horticulture Committee chair who is now age 95. As she felt she could no longer attend the meetings, a cardboard replica of her was made, and this replica was carefully carried around to attend the conferences. Many of the attendees had their pictures taken with the life-sized cutout of Meneice, including me -- see below!
We had a sumptuous dinner and lecture at the Hotel du Pont in Wilmington, Delaware. The speaker described the area known as Brandywine Valley; the life of Pierre du Pont; and his development of the estate known as Winterthur. Some interesting points were: 1) the area between Philadelphia and Wilmington has the largest concentration of public gardens in the USA; 2) the longest land battle of the Revolutionary War was fought at Wilmington; 3) Pierre du Pont married his cousin at age 45 and was very keen on gardening notably boxwood and topiaries; 4) he became wealthy from the sale of gun powder (WWl) at a time when the top income tax bracket was 15%; and 5) he collected trees and even sent some seeds to England for George lll’s garden.
For Airlie's full report, click
here
to be directed to our website.
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Airlie with "Shirley Meneice"
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GCA Position Paper: Waste Management
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A summary written by Meredith Hanna
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The GCA recognizes that effective waste management is vital to our health and well-being and encourages reusing, recycling and composting. The GCA supports federal, state and local legislation and policy to address the following:
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- Encourage measures at the state and federal level that support responsible waste management practices;
- Teach personal waste reduction practices including the proper disposal of toxic and hazardous waste and electronic equipment;
- Promote non-toxic alternatives to herbicides, insecticides, pesticides and toxic household chemicals;
- Promote the proper disposal of pharmaceuticals;
- Promote the reuse of appliances, furniture and building materials;
- Limit one use plastics and single use disposable bags through community education and legislation;
- Safeguard our oceans against plastic waste;
- Promote water quality and efficient usage through research, investment and improved community health and ecological guidelines.
To read the full Position Paper, click
HERE..
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News from the Ways and Means Committee
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GREEN ELEPHANT SALE
On an August Saturday, the AGC plans to hold a
Green Elephant Sale
at the Keene Valley Farmers' Market!
We will confirm the date in March, but please assess your myriad possessions and set aside WONDERFUL TREASURES that you no longer need nor want but might sell for a PRETTY PENNEY to someone else.
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The green aspect is we hope to have an emphasis on things for the garden or the gardener - think antique vases, interesting old gardening books, a sculpture that might find a place in a flower bed, birdhouses, etc. Unfortunately, we can not sell anything living as this would require licenses from the New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets - no kidding! A second green aspect is the recycling of your old treasures.
Please, no junk, electronics, or clothing with the exception of gardening gloves. The committee will decide what to take to "the fair," and we will need volunteers to man the booth, set prices, and transport inventory. This seems like a fun and straightforward way to empty shelves and closets and make money for our club. Keep it in mind as you do your spring cleaning!
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The 2019 National Medalists have been announced and their bios are posted on the GCA website. Please follow this
link
for the full story.
Zone III has three outstanding recipients:
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Dr. Cary Fowler, Rhinebeck, NY.
Elizabeth Craig Weaver Proctor Medal,
awarded for exemplary service and creative vision in any field related to The Garden Club of America’s special interests. Lizabeth Craig Weaver Proctor.
Cary Fowler, Ph.D., an American agriculturist and global advocate of crop diversity and conservation, has dedicated his professional life to protecting the world’s plant genetic resources. Cary led the United Nations’ team to produce the first global assessment of the state of the world’s plant genetic resources, drafting and negotiating the Global Plan of Action on the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources, formally adopted by 150 countries in 1996.
Laura Haley
,
Ponte Verde Beach, FL and member of
The Little Garden Club of Rye, Zone III and Late Bloomers Garden Club, Zone VIII.
Katharine Thomas Cary Medal,
awarded for outstanding achievement in the field of floral design education.
For the past ten years Laura Haley has made it her mission to educate every GCA club member about the art of floral design and the benefits of flower shows. This determination to teach and mentor others has made Laura an excellent floral design judge and an outstanding advocate for the GCA.
Robert Hammond
, NY, NY.
Elvira Broome Doolan Medal
awarded in recognition of innovative work in landscape architecture with emphasis on city planning and civic improvement in urban areas.
Robert Hammond, co-founder and executive director of Friends of the High Line, led initial efforts to turn an abandoned rail line on the west side of Manhattan into one of the world’s most acclaimed parks—the High Line. He continues his involvement today, overseeing all aspects of daily operations including fundraising, of which nearly 100% is raised privately.
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Zone III Flower Show - REMINDER
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The Rochester Garden Club and Allyn's Creek Garden Club's "Ripple Effect," GCA Zone III Flower Show schedule is posted on the
GCA Calendar
and
List of Upcoming Flower Shows
on the GCA website. Please open these links for more information.
Click
HERE
for the complete Ripple Effect Schedule.
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Each month, if there are Membership Updates, they will appear in this area of the newsletter. If you have any updates you would like to have published, please submit them
HERE.
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May 28, 2019
*
*note 4
th
Tuesday
Floral Design Workshop led by Renee Lewis and Grace Crary
Whallonsburg Grange, Essex, NY
9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Members will bring their own flowers and greens will be supplied
Brown bag lunch. Beverages and dessert supplied by Hospitality
June 18, 2019
Soil and Compost
Speaker: Bunny Goodwin
What types of SOIL are the best and how to correct deficiencies, fertilizers, and composting.
Nature Conservancy, Keene Valley, NY
9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Brown bag lunch. Beverages and dessert supplied by Hospitality
June 26, 2019
Visiting Gardens
Rocky Dale Nursery in Bristol, Vermont
Rain date – June 27
Details to be announced
July 10, 2019
Visiting Gardens
Domaine des Fougeres
Knowlton, Quebec
Rain date - July 11, 2019
For more information, contact
July 16, 2019
Plastics: The Trash That Won’t Go Away
Speaker: Judith Enck, former Regional EPA Administrator
Site: Lake Placid Conference Center, Lake Placid, NY
Time: 2:00 PM – 5:30 PM
Business Meeting - 2:00 PM
Presentation and breakout sessions - 3:15 pm – 5:30 pm
This meeting is being developed by the
AGC Conservation Committee and will be open to the public.
The Garden Club of Lake Placid has agreed to work with AGC to make this a joint program of the two clubs.
Representatives of Adirondack environmental organizations, local governments, and garden clubs will be invited along with members of the community.
August 15, 2018
Visiting Gardens
Sara Jane DeHoff
Gull Rock Camp
Lake Placid, NY
Details to be announced
August 20, 2019
Wild Flowers of the Khumbu
Speaker: Elizabeth Byers
Heaven Hill Farm, Lake Placid, NY
9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Catered lunch
September 17, 2019
Annual Meeting
Lyz Miskovsky’s Home
1010 Springfield Road, Wilmington, NY
9:30 AM – 1:30 PM
Brown bag lunch. Beverages and dessert supplied by Hospitality
Sunday, October 6, 2019
Potluck
Corn Forrence's Home
3531 Lake Shore Road, Peru, NY
Time: 12 noon
Program: Lunch and Business meeting
Spouses, partners and guests invited
RSVP: To be announced.
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AGC eNews
eNews is a monthly publication
produced by the Communications/Website Committee
of the Adirondack Garden Club
PO Box 72
Keene, NY 12942
Editor, Jennifer Lagor
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