December, 2020 Newsletter
Volunteers Making New Canaan Beautiful
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Dear New Canaan Beautification League Members and Friends,
‘Tis the season to unwrap the creative elf inside yourself! We can always find ways to be merry and bright! A pine tree fell over in Karen’s yard a few days ago, and she used branches to make a swag for her lamp post. Bianca happened by, and she cut more branches for her decorating. Laura plans to use some for the Greens Workshop. Faith will lead a group in making gnomes at the workshop. Faith also designs the wonderful hand-painted landmark ornaments.
Faith is featured in a recent Hamlet Hub online forum on creativity. Please take time to see how she views the creative impact of Beautification League projects. Her thoughtful words will make you proud to be a part of our many civic activities.
The Programs Committee continues to offer truly engaging and creative educational programs by way of our monthly Zoom meetings. Jennifer Cipriano’s demonstration of how to make decorative containers for the winter season played to an audience of more than 100. Copia is well stocked with fun and exciting elements for your “porch pots.”
Bill Thomas, our January guest speaker, is Director and Head Gardener at Chanticleer, an amazing garden near Philadelphia. Chanticleer’s many gardens bloom exuberantly - often with unexpected plant combinations.
Our very own Rob Carpenter is a most incredibly industrious elf! The dazzling holiday light show at his home is a glorious sight not to be missed!! Rob’s creative mega-illuminations are surely unmatched anywhere in town! (Check directory for his address.)
We all know that this holiday season will be different from any other that we have experienced. May you find comfort and joy in celebrating at home for the holidays!
Happy Hanukkah! Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!
Warmly,
Carol & Karen
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Above: Anka Jones is over-wintering one of Carol Seldin's begonias. Right: Christmas display at Copia.
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Programs During the Pandemic
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Programs for 2020-2021 will be virtual via Zoom webinars.
The Zoom link will be sent by email 102 days prior to each event.
Zoom will work on your computer, iPad or any smartphone.
Each month, members, and if permitted, guests, will be asked to register for the Zoom program. (Not all programs will be open to the public - some will be for Members only.) A few days before each Zoom program, you will receive an email from NCBL with the invitation and Zoom registration link. Please register using your email, first and last name. You will then receive an email with your personal “one-click” link to use for the event. A reminder email with the same link will also be sent one hour before the program begins. Please do not share your link; it is unique to you. Note: You do not need to have a Zoom account to join NCBL events.
Also, there is no cost to participate in any Zoom event.
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OUR JANUARY PROGRAM
Wednesday, January 6
The Art of Gardening at Chanticleer
R. William Thomas
Chanticleer, Wayne, PA
Join Chanticleer's Executive Director and Head Gardener Bill Thomas for a visual tour and behind-the-scenes look at what the Washington Post calls “one of the most interesting and edgy public gardens in America.” Chanticleer, once the home of the Rosengarten family, is known for its residential-scale plant combinations featuring foliage textures and colors, its wide variety of containers, and its imaginative homemade furniture. This is a garden where the staff are the designers, competing with each other and with the horticultural world to make the garden fun, visually exciting, and environmentally responsible. Bill will offer insights on what inspires this special place.
Bill arrived at the 48-acre pleasure garden Chanticleer in 2003, following 26 years at Longwood Gardens. He leads the talented and creative Chanticleer staff in its continued development of the young garden, now in its 27th year. He emphasizes an environmentally sensitive, multi-century approach to the property with a strong commitment to horticultural education. Chanticleer is a teaching garden, providing internships, scholarships and exchanges aimed at experiencing and learning the art of horticulture. The staff and he co-authored The Art of Gardening (Timber Press), recipient of the American Horticultural Society (AHS) Book Award. Bill holds a B.S. and an M.S. in Ornamental Horticulture from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He received the Scott Medal and Award in 2017 and the AHS Professional Award in 2016.
R William Thomas
Executive Director
Chanticleer Foundation
786 Church Road
Wayne, PA 19087 USA
610 687 4163 ext120
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"The Art of Gardening at Chanticleer"
is open to the public, so please invite friends to join us.
PLEASE REGISTER FOR PROGRAMS ONLY ONCE
COPIES OF THE BOOK CAN BE PURCHASED AT
ELM STREET BOOKS
35 Elm St., New Canaan, CT
203/966-4545
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Once you have registered, an email will be sent to your inbox.
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A Note From Jen Cipriano
Just want to send a huge “thank you” for today. It makes my heart glad to hear so many people were able to learn and be inspired today. We are grateful for the opportunity to promote ourselves and reach out to so many gardeners. I learned a lot doing this, especially from your expertise, Patricia! Thank you for the encouragement, Kirsten and all. We in turn are inspired to grow our education programming using these new methods.
Thank you for recording and for sharing!
Jenn
Jennifer Cipriano
Copia Home and Garden
475 Smith Ridge Road
South Salem, NY 10590
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The New Canaan Garden Club has invited NCBL to a wonderful Zoom presentation on December 9:
You are Invited!
Wednesday, December 9th at 9:30 am
featuring Frances Palmer discussing her recent book,
Frances Palmer: Life in the Studio: Inspiration and Lessons on Creativity, and her love of dahlias, gardening, ceramics, beekeeping and much more.
Co-hosted with the New Canaan Library.
Please register for the Webinar through the New Canaan Library at the button below.
Connecticut artist Frances Palmer, whose perfectly imperfect pots, vases, and vessels are coveted by collectors and featured design exhibitions, has allowed her passion for the pottery wheel to spin her in myriad directions, much to the delight of connoisseurs of her craft.
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If you would like a copy of the book ($35.00, shown below) which can be signed and personalized for you or as a gift, please contact Anda [email protected]
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Also available for purchase is
a beautiful 750 piece puzzle as shown right with a large grouping of Palmer's favorite flower - dahlias - for $19.95. Again please contact Anda [email protected] for purchase.
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Click on the buttons below to view our past webinar programs! You can also find these links on our website.
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Faith Kerchoff was featured in a piece about creativity in 'Hamlet Hub'. She talked about how NCBL helps keep New Canaan looking so wonderful. Please click the link below for the article.
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We are growing! New members are joining with enthusiasm and new ideas and we need your help in welcoming them into our group. We are looking for volunteers to make a friendly phone call and perhaps take a stroll through Lee Garden or the Gold Star Walk in Mead Park to familiarize our new members with some of our projects. Accompanying the new member to weed or plant with Traveling Trowels would also be helpful.
If you would like to be a Bloom for a new Bud, contact Jill Ernst at [email protected] or 203-972-0320.
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We are grateful for the generosity of our friends and neighbors for a successful 2020 campaign, to date having exceeded last year by 5%! This funding puts us in good stead to continue our many Town projects.
For 2021, the NCBL Appeal will have a fresh look. Our new design is a Tri-fold format, giving us room for more photos to highlight our many projects. The bookmark will be a “tear-off” featuring photos on both sides of Lee Garden and downtown plantings. We will continue to send our letter to all Town residents. Those who gave this year may still receive theirs with a hand addressed letter & 1st class stamp.
What else is new? We will seek donations from businesses in Town. And due to our caution and care for all, our printer will be sealing, addressing, and mailing the appeal. These changes will give us a unique and eye catching mailer, all at equivalent cost to the current format!
Thanks to the entire team! Patricia, Amy, Karen H., Richard, Lisa, Faith, Eva, Dody, Jane.
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Christmas Lights at Rob's
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Member Rob Carpenter lights up his property every December and it is a sight to behold! Take a drive down Buttery Rd. after December 2nd for a wonderful lights display. Please refer to your directory for his address.
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NEW TREE FOR LEE GARDEN
Meet our newest tree at Lee Garden.
It is a Redbud 'Forest Pansy' and is located just past the tool hed near the seating area. Jenn at Copia helped us get this tree in a smaller root ball, because planting at Lee involves moving rocks! Note rocks around it.
Redbud 'Forest Pansy'
Beautiful landscape tree valued for its brilliant scarlet-purple color to new foliage, maturing to maroon. Rosy-pink flowers on bare branches bridge the gap between winter and spring! Deciduous. Redbud trees are native to eastern U.S., and make perfect candidates for wildlife gardens and all native and naturalized landscapes. Add to beds and borders or create a long-range focal point. Redbuds offer four seasons of change so use them in multiples in front yard foundation plantings for an eye catching display. Grows to 20-25 ft.
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We always welcome plants from people who are redesigning their gardens or selling their houses! Please get in touch with Faith for particulars:
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There is a lending library of garden books at Lee Garden which grows through the generosity of donations. For a list of books, click on the link below. To borrow books, contact Faith or Betsy.
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It is now LEAF-SWATTING SEASON at Lee Garden!
What is Leaf Swatting and why do we do it?
As leaves and clusters of leaves fall and land
on the azaleas and rhododendron, they get stuck
in the Y's of the branches
and then more leaves pile on top of that.
If snow lands on those leaves it can get heavy
and the weight will break the branches and flower buds.
You can wear any kind of glove and swat the leaves to the ground.
Even gently using a stick can help where it is out of your reach.
We thank you and the plants thank you!
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P
- After first hard frost, cut back perennials to almost ground level
- Leave ornamental grasses for winter
- Rake or blow leave to appropriate place. Some triangles will have leaves blown and/or picked up by landscaper or town.
- Leaf pick up date(s) TBD (to be determined -probably November)
- Replace any plants that are needed
- Prune trees or shrubs as needed
- Plant bulbs if appropriate (let us know if you need bulbs)
Thank you for all your hard work and continuing to make New Canaan beautiful.
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Civic Beautification Projects
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SLOBS DAYS at Mead Park.
New Canaan's SLOBs, Student League of Boys, helped out the NC Beautification group three times this fall. The events were coordinated by Robbie Hellmann, he collected the details of each project and then organized sign ups from the group.
On Saturday, October 10 near 10 SLOBS and a few parents came to Mead Park to spread wood chips around the tree stand that can be seen from Richmond Hill Road. The chips were donated and delivered there in many truckloads from Hutchinson Tree Care. Wheeled carts and rakes were used to spread the chips out. In the center of this tree stand is a massive Cottonwood Tree, one of the largest in the state.
They also helped move grasses from the side to the front of the parking lot. Then teams spread out and planted clumps of 10 or 12 bulbs at each Gold Star tree sign post. For the record, they planted close to 800 Ice Follies daffodil bulbs. Something we can all look forward to in the spring.
Thank you so much to the SLOBs and their parents!
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Sonya Wells, Phillip Wells, Jack Hellmann, Ollie Tuff, Cooper Jessop, Chris Luchette, Alain Luchette
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Standing by the weed and brush pile we collected from the train Station parking lot are: left to right: Trevor Anfinsden, Betsy Hellmann, Cooper Jessop, Josh Vetterli, Lorenzo Marsili, Robbie Hellmann, Garrett Ladley, Oliver Tuff, Michael Fico, Will Hanover, Faith Kerchoff, Ethan Bonheur, and Christian Passios.
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From l. to r. are: Garett Ladley, Chris Luchette, Betsy Hellmann, Faith Kerchoff, Robin Wells, Phillip Wells, AJ Bell, Andrew Bell, Josh Vetterli and Benny Wells.
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Faith & her elves were busy today at Town Hall
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What a wonderful creation all at town hall will enjoy! Thank you, Faith and Co.!
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Invite your friends to join us! We love having new members.
To download the membership form, click HERE.
NCBL Membership, PO Box 1244, New Canaan, CT 06840.
Please write 'FOR MEMBERSHIP' on checks.
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Please tell us if you know of any NCBL member who is ill or has lost a loved one.
Membership (usually Libby) will send a card to the person from the NCBL.
Libby Butterworth (203-801-0862)
([email protected])
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Please welcome our newest members!
Karen Murray
Debbie Simpson
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We are unable to deck the halls inside Waveny Care Center this holiday season as we have in the past, so we’ll deck the patios and courtyard outside instead. The front entrance surprise should bring lots of smiles.
The response from Waveny: “We would LOVE Christmas decorative greens! We are so grateful for NCBL’s thoughtfulness and for continuing to find ways to bring beauty and joy to our residents and staff”.
The containers with summer flowers were such a big hit that we decided to repeat the successful project this holiday season. Please let us know if you would like to donate an outdoor seasonal planter. You may choose to make your own, purchase from a local nursery, or food store.
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An example of a decorative planter purchased from a grocery store that will be delivered to Waveny Care Center. Planters can be purchased or made yourself.
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RasRaspberry-Brie Tartlets
2 boxes of phyllo tart shells (12-15 to a box)
8 oz. brie chees
24-30 raspberries
Seedless raspberry jam
Preheat oven to 375. Place phyllo tart shells onto a cookie sheet. scoop about 1/4 tsp. jam into the bottom of each shell. Add 1 tsp. brie on top. Bake until the cheese has melted about 10 minutes. Top each tart with one raspberry while cheese is soft. Serve warm.
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RUSSIAN TEACAKE RECIPE
Ingredients:
1 cup butter softened 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
½ cup sifted confectioners’ sugar ¼ tsp. salt
1 tsp. good vanilla ¾ cup finely chopped walnuts
Extra confectioners’ sugar
Mix butter, sugar, and vanilla thoroughly with large mixer. Measure flour by dipping method then gradually add flour and salt to butter mixture until blended. Mix in nuts. Wrap dough in waxed paper and chill for several hours.
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Remove dough from refrigerator about a half an hour before rolling the dough into 1” balls. Place balls on ungreased cookie sheet (cookies do not spread). Bake 10-12 minutes or until set (check the bottom of the cookie if it is lightly browned cookie is done). Wait a minute then remove from pan onto a paper towel. Let cookies cool about 5 minutes then roll in confectioner sugar while still warm. Wait 10 minutes and repeat rolling in sugar a second time. Store cookies in an airtight container once completely cooled.
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Have you heard the newest mantra from ecologically minded folks, "Leave the Leaves"? Or how about the new push to delay fall cleanup by becoming a "Lazy Gardener"? This article from the Ecological Landscape Alliance explains how to utilize the leaves in your landscape to create a healthier habitat for those critters that depend on it.
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The New Canaan Land Trust has published a fascinating story about the life of one particular tree at the Watson-Symington Preserve. This magnificent red oak fell during a recent storm and the story of why the tree might have been there, and what the fallen tree can tell us, is explained in this wonderful essay by Aaron Lefland.
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Hand painted New Canaan ornaments, including the NCBL hanging basket ornament, will be available for sale at the following places and times:
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SANTA IN TOWN DAY DEC. 5 in front of movie theater, 10-2.
WALTER STEWART’S MARKET from Nov. 13- Dec. 31. at their courtesy booth.
NC HISTORICAL SOCIETY call: 203-966-1776.
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A Note from New Canaan's Director of Human Services
With shorter days, colder weather and the second COVID surge upon us, Human Services has serious concerns regarding the welfare of our residents as this pandemic continues down its unpredictable path. Partnering with community organizations is vital in order to strengthen the outreach that is necessary to protect our population of all ages. If you and/or your staff are concerned about an individual, please feel free to contact Human Services. We have many resources that may be beneficial to one’s physical and mental wellbeing.
Also, we cannot stress enough the importance of encouraging seniors and at-risk populations to stay home and allow us to set up grocery shopping through a volunteer or delivery resource. Human Services continues to keep a list of volunteers that are ready to help! Our experienced Adult/Senior Caseworker, Marcy Rand, LMSW and Youth/Family Caseworker, Jacqueline D’Louhy, LCSW are available between 8am and 4pm, Mondays thru Fridays to discuss potential services for those in need.
Be safe and be well,
Bethany.
Bethany Zaro, RN, MPH
Town of New Canaan
Director of Human Services
203-594-3093
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Our NCBL Newsletter is used to distribute information regarding NCBL activities and announcements that pertain directly to our stated mission. The newsletter shall not be used for political issues, or for the promotion of merchandise or services unless such merchandise or services are part of a joint venture with NCBL.
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visit our website:
New Canaan Beautification League
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