September, 2022 Newsletter
Volunteers Making New Canaan Beautiful
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Dear Members and Friends,
Though it feels like the lazy days of summer are coming to an end, NCBL members have been anything but lazy! Volunteers worked throughout New Canaan all summer. Pam Yee and Barbara Wilson weeded and revived the roses at the Route 123 triangle, Liz Orteig worked diligently along the Vine Cottage wall and Angela Meterna has dug up native plants to transplant at the new New Canaan sign at Exit 36. Ginny Dobbs manned the NCBL table at the Farmers Market and Faith Kerchoff was seen - well - all over town leading volunteers at Town Hall, Mead Park and the train station, often with her co-chair, Rob Carpenter. Faith was even interviewed by Jim Cameron, founder of the Commute Action Group, for a Connecticut Mirror article about NCBL's work beautifying the New Canaan train station.
Behind the scenes, our Programs Committee has secured fabulous speakers for the upcoming 2022-23 programs. Our wonderful webmaster Lisa Ferrante, and treasurer Dave Hunt, have been researching ways to make online payments easier (no easy task) and Gloria Simon has put together our Fall Luncheon. Over the summer we received a wonderful mid-summer newsletter, thanks to Fanny Moran and Betsy Sammarco. This is only a small snapshot of our volunteers at work and we want to thank everyone for making this organization one we can be proud of as we continue to make our town the beautiful place it is. Your work is truly appreciated.
We would be remiss if we did not mention the extremely successful garden tours organized by Nancy Malling. It was delightful to see our fellow members' gardens and their creativity and beauty. The tours were the highlight of the summer and new members stepped up to be greeters at each garden. Kudos to Nancy for a job well done!
It also should be noted that we did have some unfortunate news this summer: Dwarf andromedas and Turflily, which were newly planted this past April in the Weed Street & West Road triangle, were stolen. It is hard to imagine anyone stealing plants and frustrating as Greg Brown had been diligently hand-watering the triangle all summer. However, when news broke of the theft, the community expressed not only their disbelief but their sincere thanks for all we do. For that we can be proud.
The Fall Luncheon on October 6th will feature renowned speaker, author and garden designer, Jana Milbocker. Details how how to reserve a seat are below.
We look forward to seeing everyone at the Welcome Back Coffee on Wednesday, September 7th at the Mead Park Colonnade at 10 a.m. (Rain date: Thursday, September 8th at 10 a.m.)
Warmly,
Robin Bates-Mason & Jill Ernst
co-Presidents
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Kyle from the DPW waters the entrance to Mead Park. |
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NCBL is looking for a tripod for an iPhone to record meetings. If anyone has one we can borrow, please contact Patricia Spugani. Many thanks. |
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OOPS! Could you possibly have forgotten to pay your dues?
If you joined the League after January 1, 2022, you need
not pay a thing. Otherwise, kindly fill out the membership form again so we
have your most current information
and send it along with your check to:
NCBL Membership
P.O. Box 1244
New Canaan, CT 06840
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Wednesday
September 7, 2022
Mead Park Colonnade
10:00 am
(Rain date: Thursday, September 8)
Members are welcome to bring guests!
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Thursday, October 6, 2022, 11:30-2:00 P.M.
Woodway Country Club, Darien
The Garden Tourist’s Hudson Valley
with Jana Milbocker
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In her talk, The Garden Tourist’s Hudson Valley, renowned speaker, author, and garden designer, Jana Milbocker, will take you on a tour of the best public gardens in the Hudson Valley, including Kykuit, Boscobel, Stonecrop, the Vanderbilt Estate and more. Her books will be available for purchase, including The Garden Tourist: 120 Destination Gardens and Nurseries in the Northeast as well as two others.
Jana is a garden designer, speaker, and author. She combines horticulture, design, and travel tips to educate, inspire and delight both new and seasoned gardeners. Jana loves to visit gardens and historic sites in the U.S. and abroad, and share her trips through her books, photos and blog.
RSVP for this wonderful event by sending a check payable to NCBL for $48 to:
Gloria Simon, 143 Butler Lane, New Canaan, CT 06840
Checks must be received by Tuesday, September 27.
Guests are welcome!
Please indicate your choice of entrée (salmon or vegetarian) on memo line of your check. If bringing a guest, please indicate their choice also.
Full menu for the event:
Arugula and Shaved Fennel Salad with Fresh Orange, Red Onion, and White Balsamic Vinaigrette, topped with Roasted Atlantic Salmon
or the vegetarian dish of Cauliflower Fried Rice.
The entrée includes popovers, warm butternut squash bisque, and apple tart.
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November Program: Save the Date |
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November 2, 2022
7pm
Note: this is an evening program!
New Canaan Nature Center
144 Oenoke Ridge, New Canaan
Pots with Pizzazz
A Tutorial on Creating Stunning Containers
for the Fall Season and Holidays
with Terrance Rhodes
owner and principal of Floral & Landscape Design by Rhodes
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Save the date! More information next month. |
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Wednesday
November 30, 2022
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Mark your calendar!
Celebrate the season by helping with our Holiday Greens & Gnomes Workshop at the New Canaan Nature Center!
Join us on Wednesday, November 30th to create the wreaths, arrangements and woodland gnomes that give New Canaan a special sense of festivity and cheer. This year, there will be three shifts and many opportunities to share your talents at the workshop at the New Canaan Nature Center. We will be partnering again with the New Canaan Garden Club. This is a fun and enjoyable time to welcome the holiday season. Your time is greatly appreciated by us as well as the town. Please get in touch with Kathleen Murphy if you have questions: kapmgo@gmail.com
The sign up link will be available in our next newsletter!
Click below to see all the elves at work from last year's wonderful workshop.
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Waveny Care Center Flower Arranging |
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Please Sign up to Make Flower Arrangements
With the end of summer approaching, please think about signing up to make floral arrangements for Waveny Care Center during the months of October and December. This is a fun and worthwhile project for veterans and newcomers alike. We work on Monday mornings using flowers donated by local merchants and from our own gardens. The work is done on-site at Waveny, usually in pairs, creating an assortment of arrangements for the dining room and other areas in the facility. We can find you an experienced partner if you are new to the project. Guidelines and hands-on help are provided. Think of the smiles we will bring to the faces of our seniors residing at the Care Center.
We are currently looking for help for the following Mondays at 9:30 am:
October 10th, 17th, 31st
December 5th, 12th, 19th, 26th
A big thank you to those who have already signed up for our September dates.
We can't do this without you!
To sign up, please email us and include any questions you may have:
Enikō Szatai
Betsy Bilus
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Nancy Malling (left) and Pam Yee (right) help with flower arranging at Waveny Care Center. |
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The Triangles Committee needs a volunteer!
Can you spare a small bit of time per month?
Which triangle below can you help with?
Needs a monthly 15 minute visit:
We need a new volunteer at the Huckleberry Hill Road & Valley Road triangle that has for many years been maintained by a member who lived nearby and is no longer able to help. NCBL is hoping that a member who lives close to it will be able to take over the care of this very small triangle that has a lovely snowbell tree with various perennials (ferns, geranium, liriope) and early spring bulbs. This will require a monthly, 15 minute visit to check for any weeds and other maintenance as needed.
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Huckleberry Hill Road & Valley Road triangle |
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Needs about three visits a year for pruning and minimum weeding:
A new volunteer is needed to take over the very small triangle at Talmadge Hill Rd & Lapham Rd. This only requires about three visits a year to prune the roses and make sure there are no weeds. This triangle is very lush with hostas around the perimeter and roses in the center. So if you want a triangle that hardly needs any work this is the one for you!
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Talmadge Hill & Lapham Rd. triangle |
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Extra set of hands needed. Bring a friend:
Kathy Lapolla is looking for help with the Lambert & Oenoke Ridge Rd. triangle. If you would like to join her to help with this lovely triangle please let us know or contact Kathy directly. She really needs an extra set of hands - or 2 - to control the various weeds that sprout up along this main thoroughfare into town.
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Oenoke and Lambert Road triangle |
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Please let Barbara Wilson (Barbara@wilsonlandscapearchitect.com) know if you have an interest in caring for triangle or if you just want more information on how to help out. The work is rewarding adds to the beauty of our town. Thanks so much!
N. Claude Colabella
Barbara Wilson
Greg Brown
co-Chairs of the Triangle Committee
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Pat Thatcher and Faith Kerchoff |
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Pam Yee and Claire Perkins |
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Faith interviewed for the CT Mirror
Civic Beautification co-chair Faith Kerchoff, was interviewed by the CT Mirror for an article about trains stations and creating a more pleasing area for those residents that use train transport. Read this article by clicking the button.
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NCBL's Traveling Trowels care for:
The Gold Star Walk and Plaza at Mead Park on Richmond Hill Road
The mail box drop-off at the corner of Pine and Park Streets
Town Hall's pots and the garden running atop the wall along the driveway
The railroad station
Traveling Trowels, lead by Faith Kerchoff and Rob Carpenter, takes on the task and has a lot of fun in the process!
We need members who are willing to pitch in when garden help is needed.
If you'd like to be part of the group, meet more members and learn a lot about the plants we grow, the history of the town and laugh while you're doing it, please email Faith at:
faithkerchoff@hotmail.com
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In memory and honor of Steve Benko |
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Plantings at the Steve Benko pool were purchased by NCBL and planted by Kathy Lapolla and Faith Kerchoff. The plants were chosen for bloom during the pool season. |
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Are you thinking about your fall bulbs yet? |
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Our Civic Beautification chairs are! Color choices and planning is in the works for our Town Hall planters' tulips, Lee Garden, Mead Park, Mailbox dropoff, and other places in town.
The town hall planters tulips are usually dug up and recycled for use in other areas of town. Talk about getting the most out of a bulb!
Click the button below and scroll down to mid-page to see the variety of tulips planted in the Town Hall planter from 2016, when the planter were installed, to present:
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What will we see in spring 2023? |
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The Little Free Library at Lee Garden |
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The Little Free Library has books for all ages and interests.
Children's books, books about children, gardening and nature.
And they're all free!
Did you know the Little library at Lee Garden has its own Instagram page? It does! Click on the image below to be taken to the "LilLibrary_NewCanaan" account.
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Florida Lime Pie
Ingredients
Crust
1.5-2 cups graham cracker crumbs
3 tbsps sugar
6-8 tbsps unsalted butter, melted
Filling
1 can (14 ounces) sweetened condensed milk
1/2 cup plus 2 tbsps fresh lime juice (4-5 limes)
2 large eggs
2 tbsps grated lime zest
Dash of salt
Topping
8 ounces sour cream
1/4 cup sugar
1/8 tsp. salt
Lime zest for garnish
Instructions
1. Stir the graham cracker crumbs and sugar together in a bowl.
Add the melted butter and toss with 2 forks or your fingers until the butter is evenly distributed.
Pat the crumbs firmly over the bottom and up the sides of a 9 or 10 inch pie plate.
Preheat oven to 375ºF.
Place the pie plate on the center rack and bake until the crust is crisp and golden, 8 minutes.
Allow the crust to cool completely on a rack before filling.
2. Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
3. Place all of the filling ingredients in a medium size mixing bowl and stir them with a whisk until they are completely mixed.
Pour the filling into the pie shell.
4. Bake the pie on the center oven rack until it sets, 10 minutes. Remove the pie from the oven and increase the heat to 425ºF.
5. Whisk the topping ingredients together in a small bowl and spread the topping over the pie.
6. Bake the pie for 5 minutes more. The topping will be loose when you remove the pie from the oven but it will set as it cools.
Cool on rack , then chill for 6 hours before serving.
7. With a vegetable peeler or citrus zester, shave strands of zest of lime around the edge of the pie
Serves 8-12
Enjoy!
Submitted by Cindy Bamatter
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A note from Nancy Malling, our Informal Garden Visits chair:
We all had fun this summer at the Informal Garden Visits . The success of this new activity is due in no small part to the wonderful support team of NCBL members.
An enormous thank you to the very generous June garden hosts and hostesses who got our ball rolling: Kirsten and Mike Gregorio, Pam and Kevork Toroyan, Sarina and John Vetterli, John Holm and Harry Allen, Ginny and Jeff Dobbs, Betsy and Ben Bilus.
Thank you to the June greeters who welcomed us all: Mike Gregorio, Ceci Murray, Jim Malling, Lea Gebauer, and Jeff Dobbs.
Another great big thank you to the August hosts and hostess who braved the drought, chipmunks, squirrels and other assorted pests to open their gardens to for all to enjoy. In early August there were 4 member gardens to visit: Steve Zatz, Robin Bates- Mason and Carl Mason, Ty Tan, and the Gospel Garden at St. Mark's church which member Brian Holstein tends and which helps to feed New Canaan's food pantry clients. Later in August, our finale featured the gardens of Patricia Spugani and Sarina Vetterli. To all our August greeters who got to each garden early and stayed late, many thanks: Angela Materna, Robin Masters, Robin Miner, Claire Perkins, Cindy Tye, Carl Mason, Pam Yee, Kathy Kwiatkowski, and Ceci Murray.
Many visitors took photographs, some of which are below. Thank you for your contributions as well.
Many NCBL members were my behind-the-scenes support friends who suggested gardens to see, recruited greeters and gave me wisdom when I needed it most. This activity could not have happened without you. Thank you one and all.
If you missed this year’s garden visits, no worries. Plans are already in the making for next year and we will kick it off in May!
Nancy Malling
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A field of black-eyed Susan. |
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Lois Himes, Nancy Malling, Debera Simpson, and Eniko Szatai |
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Learning at the Gospel Garden. |
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Welcome to our newest members:
Peter Atkins
Mary Ann Henry
Gloria Flook
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If you have changed any of your contact information (home address, email address, or phone number), please let membership know. |
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Please let me know if a member of our NCBL family needs some cheering up in the form of a card, or perhaps, some flowers.
to provide me with the appropriate information.
Many thanks for your thoughtfulness!
Libby
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Looking for 'Blooms'
We want to be sure everyone feels welcome.
We have new members joining us each month and we need volunteers to be 'blooms' to help us welcome our 'buds'. Just share your enthusiasm and alert them to upcoming events.
For more information or to volunteer, please contact Rose Bauersfeld.
rbauersfeld@yahoo.com
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9/18/2022
1:00 - 2:30 pm
Toxin-Free Landscaping with
Edwina von Gal
click logo (right) for more information
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Liz Orteig stands next to her colossal elephant ears! |
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When the sunflowers tower over Peter Hanson, you know they must be tall! |
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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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