June, 2021 Newsletter
Volunteers Making New Canaan Beautiful
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Dear New Canaan Beautification League Members and Friends,
This May was a particularly memorable month for Beautification League’s Lee Garden which continues to put on a splendid display of woodland azaleas and rhododendrons! We hosted several special events including: a weeding and planting workshop with members of Newcomers Club; a tour for Staying Put; a plein air painting event; a reception for garden neighbors; our annual Open Garden Day.
Toby Winiarski’s visit to Lee Garden on May 8th was especially meaningful! Toby is George Lee’s nephew. Toby is warm and witty, and he was joined by his equally charming cousins, Liza and Marian. Toby had many fond and fun memories of trips from Rutherford, NJ to spend time with his aunt and uncle at their New Canaan home. George took great joy in his dedication to his garden, which was also the site of his Mouse Trap Nursery. Toby was delighted to see that the Beautification League has continued since 1978 to serve as such dedicated stewards of Lee Garden.
Will you get out the cocktail shaker after viewing our final program for the 2020-21 season? C.L. Fornari was certainly entertaining and a delightful way to close out our programs for the season.
Our 220 hanging flower baskets are blooming brightly throughout the downtown area and getting thoroughly watered by this past weekend’s rain – well more than 3 inches. Our hands-on summer garden maintenance projects will continue with the help of our volunteers. These are great opportunities to learn, connect with other members, get some exercise, commune with nature and feel proud of your contributions to beautifying our New Canaan landscape.
We are pleased with your timely response to on-line voting for the slate of NCBL officers for the 2021-2022 season. Abundant bouquets of thanks to all who are retiring from the Board, those continuing to serve and those joining the Board for the first time. The energetic productivity of our committees is certainly impressive. Karen and Carol are honored to continue as Co-Presidents for the coming year.
Toby told us that George used to sing a little tune “Di Dum Dee Dee” when he was happy working in his garden. We sincerely wish you happiness in your enjoyment of gardening in the months ahead and a song in your heart.
Warmly,
Carol & Karen
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Did you love the presentaton by C.L. Fornari on June 2 and want to know more? Did you miss the program, but want to know how to create your own evening landscape for relaxation and entertaining? You can get C.L. Fornari's book at Elm Street Books:
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The Cocktail Hour Garden
is available at
ELM STREET BOOKS
35 Elm St.
New Canaan, CT 06840
203/966-4545
https://www.elmstreetbooks.com
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You can also learn more about C.L. by visiting her website:
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Hanging Baskets Have Arrived
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Our hanging baskets have arrived. As one member stated, "They are very dramatic this year!" Thank you Bianca Romano for leading Hanging Baskets and another gorgeous season of color on our streets.
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200 baskets for the sunny sights in town were hung.
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20 baskets for the shady areas were hung.
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Bianca Romano reveals the sun baskets for 2021 as she helps load them off the delivery truck onto the town trucks.
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Memorial Day Parade March
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The rain came to a stop, the skies tried to open up, and the Memorial Day Parade happened! NCBL members marched, thanks to the organization of Robin Bates-Mason and her husband Carl. Their truck was decked out with our hanging baskets and creative signs made by Peggy Dannemann that describe what we do in town. Faith Kerchoff decorated rakes for the marchers to carry. The route was filled with spectators and one young observer was overheard saying, "This is my favorite float of the parade!"
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Help Needed at Farmers Market
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NCBL will be at the Farmers' Market on Elm Street in the Lumber Yard parking lot on Saturday, June 5th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. We need volunteers to hand out NCBL literature. Shifts will be one hour. Those interested can email or call Robin Bates-Mason at [email protected] or 203/554-1115.
Thanks for helping us spread the word about the Beautification League!
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Prior NCBL Webinar Links Available
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Click on the linked titles below to view our past webinar programs! You can also find these links on our website.
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Click on the button below and you'll be directed to our YouTube channel.
Then hit subscribe! We only need 38 more subscribers to hit 100 and get our own custom URL!
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From our Welfleet, MA Garden Club friends
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As you know, Wellfleet Garden Club has been joining our monthly programs and is sharing one of their own with us. Watch Donnelle Denery's presentation on container gardening.
Click the link below to watch and use passcode U4X2*&%e.
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Marvin Ridge & Old Norwalk Road triangle.
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Roses and Nepeta at the Route 123 and 106 triangle.
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Waveny Care Center Flower Arranging
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Thank you to the following volunteers that will help brighten the days of our Waveny Care Center residents in June:
- June 7: Eniko Szatai and Betsy Bilus
- June 14: Jill Ernst and Ginny Dobbs
- June 21: Lally Jurcik and Peggy Danneman
- June 28: Laura Ault and Faith Kerchoff
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An Unforgettable Month at Lee Garden
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The highlight of Lee Garden this spring wasn't just the burst of azalea blooms. The Lee garden crew was contacted by George Lee's nephew, Toby Winiarski. Toby spent time as a child and young adult at his uncle's property and inquired if the garden was still there, and if we were interested in meeting him and hearing his stories of Uncle 'Ster' (George's full name was George Sterling Lee). Toby arranged a visit to Lee Garden with his friend Joan Lupardo, and cousins Marian Lee (from Lyme) and Liza Lee Gerry (from Maine).
On Saturday, May 8, we met at the garden which was in the most perfect peak bloom of the year. He regaled us with tales of his uncle 'Ster' and aunt Olive, and spoke of George's love for his garden which he created as a memorial to Olive who died at age 55.
We believe Toby was just as thrilled to see us as we were to see him. Toby, now 83, had not been back to the garden since his uncle's death in 1978. The day was an emotional one for all, and further cemented our call to continue caring for this horticulturally significant three acre woodland garden. We hope to make our reunion together an annual event.
Note: A week after Toby's visit, we received a generous donation from him to go towards our new sprinkler system. Thank you Toby!
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Lee Family Scrapbooks and Memories
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Toby and Marian brought photos and scrapbooks filled with memorabilia to look through. One interesting piece of memorabilia was a letter George wrote to actress and talk show host, Faye Emerson. Ms. Emerson and her husband, musician and conductor Skitch Henderson, lived next to George Lee in the early '50s. In his letter, Mr. Lee addresses Ms. Emerson's knowledge (or lack!) of Catbirds. The hemlocks of which he speaks are still standing between Lee Garden and the neighboring property. The letter gives us a personal look to the wit and humor of George S. Lee.
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Kathy Lapolla, Yvonne Hunkeler, Toby Winiarski, Faith Kerchoff, and Rob Carpenter
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Toby with his cousins Liza (center) and Marian (right).
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To see and hear Toby's presentation to the Lee Garden group, click the YouTube link below.
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Plein Air Painters at Lee Garden
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The Fairfield County Plein Air Painters were looking for a colorful landscape to paint and we couldn't think of a better place to offer than Lee Garden! The painters came early in May, set up easels and small canvases and created their paintings in one sitting.
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Linda Marino, president of the Connecticut Plein Air Painters Society painted a view of the bridge.
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Elizabeth Agresta's impressionistic painting captured the magic of Lee Garden.
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Many members expressed an interest in purchasing these original paintings or prints. The artists have given their emails and permission for any member to contact them with inquiries.
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Elizabeth Hasegawa Agresta
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Debbie Gagliardi paints Lee Garden
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Debbie Gagliardi is Ann Gillerlain's daughter. Ann was a neighbor and dear friend of George S. Lee and spent many hours in Lee Garden. Debbie shared with us a painting she did of the garden. Isn't it beautiful!
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The May Display at Lee Garden
May was full of incredible color and blooms. Here are just a few photos of the May display. Be sure to visit in June when more rhododendron and mountain laurel will be in bloom.
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Garden goddess among the display.
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The barn has helped our Lee garden crew tremendously by giving them a sink, bathroom, and respite from the hot sun during work time.
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The Newcomers Club visited Lee Garden again to help pull ivy.
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The offending ivy patch before Newcomers ...
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The area after Newcomers planted the area with pink foam flower, everblooming bleeding hearts, and pink astilbe.
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A big thank you to: Back row, Remi Salami, Jane Crawford, Ines Marque, Allison Zinczenko. Seated: Vicky Merwin, Karlie Reitano and Jessica Heckerling.
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Please visit Lee Garden with family and friends and take a picnic if you like. Sit on the terrace overlooking this glorious place that is full of gorgeous flowers and trees. It is a peaceful, under-utilized treasure!
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Civic Beautification | Traveling Trowels
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The Pine Street post office drop-off garden is incredibly beautiful.
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Want to help at this beautiful spot?
Faith and Rob are generally at the Pine Street mailboxes on Friday mornings. Again, they welcome help and in return dispense great information about the plants.
To sign up for notifications about caring for the Pine Street garden and Mead Park's plaza and gold star walk, email Faith at:
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Volunteers were called to action to help weed and clean up the new Mead Park Plaza. When finished, a neighbor came by to thank NCBL for all their work. He stated, "This is our school bus stop and we have the prettiest one in New Canaan!"
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Volunteers at Mead Park Plaza included: Lois Himes, Karen Sneirson, Faith Kerchoff, Eniko Szatai, and Stephanie Hutter.
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Then and Now: 1980s Mead Park Postcard
Member Simin Zendehrouh showed us this postcard of Mead Park that she came across from the early 1980s. Many of the Gold Star Walk trees had died and hadn't been replaced at the time. The park is definitely looking better today!
Thanks, Simin.
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Town Hall Planters
The spring blooming bulbs were removed from the planters and summer plants in bright cheery colors were put in their place.
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Above: Rob, Faith, Yvonne, Kathy & Enika replanted the Town Hall planters.
Below: The new entrance planters and original entrance planters are full of color for summer.
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Announcing Our New NCBL Board
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We are happy to announce that our new NCBL Board for 2021-22 has been voted on and accepted! We are grateful for the hard work our Nominating Committee did to bring us this wonderful board. Thank you Sara Hunt (Nominating Committee chair), Barbara Beall, Faith Kerchoff, Libby Butterworth, Robin Miner, and Rose Bauersfeld.
NCBL Board 2021-2022:
President - Karen Hanson and Carol Seldin
Vice President - Jill Ernst
Recording Secretary - Nancy Jordan
Treasurer - Dave Hunt
Vice President Beautification - Rob Carpenter, Faith Kerchoff
Triangles - Greg Brown, Claude Colabella, Barbara Wilson
Flower Arranging for Meetings and Events - Jacqueline Harmody
Flower Arranging for Waveny Care - Betsy Bilus, Eniko Szatai
Hanging Baskets - Betsy Sammarco, Jessica Havens
Holiday Decorations - Laura and Andrew Ault, Kathleen and Peter Murphy
Public Relations - Robin Bates-Mason
Photos - Peter Hanson, Yvonne Hunkeler, Nora Fay
Webmaster - Lisa Ferrante
Newsletter - Fanny Moran, Betsy Sammarco
Programs - Kirsten Gregorio, Nancy Malling, Aoife Maynard, Ty Tan, Sue Hull
Zoom Host – Patricia Spugani
Annual Appeal – Patricia Spugani, Amy Reid, Richard Duffee, Eva Wingate, Lisa
Ferrante, Jennifer Bergen
Annual Appeal Treasurer - Karen Hanson
Membership – Laura Ault, Rose Bauersfeld, Christina Fagerstal, Krystie Inman
Corresponding Secretary – Libby Butterworth
Hospitality for Meetings - Cindy Bamatter, Robin Miner, Anne Tropeano
Hospitality Special Events - Gloria Simon, Sara Hunt
Nominating – Cindy Bamatter
Lee Garden – Yvonne Hunkeler, Faith Kerchoff, Kathy Lapolla
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Please welcome our newest members:
Ginny Dobbs
Katherine Megrue-Smith and Allen Smith
Pamela Toroyan (Kevork)
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Membership Renewals and More
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Springtime has come with our Hanging Baskets and membership renewals. You can support our efforts to beautify New Canaan by renewing your membership.
Please send your membership form with your check for dues to NCBL Membership, PO Box 1244, New Canaan, CT 06840 by June 15. Anyone who has joined since January 2021 does not have to pay dues for the coming year, 2021-2022.
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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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Happy or sad, please let me know if one of our NCBL members, needs some support or cheer in the form of a note and maybe, some flowers.
Many thanks for your thoughtfulness!
Libby
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Corn and Black Bean Salsa
An easy salsa that can be served with Scoops or garlic bagel chips. It can also be served over fish or chicken or as a summer side.
1 can black beans
1 can black eyed peas
1 can shoepeg corn (white, not regular corn)
1 (4 oz) jar pimentos, chopped
1/2 red onion, finely chopped
1 green, red or yellow pepper, chopped
Marinade:
1/2 cup sugar
1/2 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup vegetable oil
Drain and rinse all the canned vegetables. Mix all ingredients together.
In a separate bowl mix sugar with cider vinegar until sugar dissolves. Add the vegetable oil. Pour the marinade over vegetables and let chill in refrigerator at least one hour. You can drain the marinade before serving or leave as is.
Submitted by Robin Miner
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A member got a sneak peek of this recipe and tried it out just in time for company to arrive. It was delicious and a big hit!
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Looking for “Blooms”
We have more new members joining us! Please volunteer to be a “bloom” and help us welcome our 'buds'. Just share your enthusiasm and alert them to upcoming events. We want to be sure everyone feels welcome. For more information or to volunteer, please contact Jill Ernst.
203-972-0320.
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Pollinator.Org has designated June 21 - 27 2021 as Pollinator Week. If you've thought about creating a pollinator garden, now's the time! Check out this guide from Pollinator.org that gives one example of a pollinator garden for our area with three seasons of blooms.
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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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