February Happenings
In the spirit of Promise Tree, Club Connections continues the tradition of hosting small member gatherings to raise funds for our projects. Ways and Means encourages members to have little get-togethers, and ask a small fee to participate. This is a great way for members to get to know each other. And there are so many ways to go with this! Linda S, our energetic chair, cites previous gatherings which include:
- teaching a craft
- dividing or repotting plants, planting bulbs, weeding
- having a cookie swap, a wine & cheese, a holiday or dessert party, a coffee or cocktail party
- hosting a mystery ride to a new lunch place, or a visit to a museum or a garden
- go to a show or concert together
Coming up at our February 19 meeting is a program that is sure to please. Martha Chiarchiaro, art historian, will talk about the gardens that Claude Monet designed and tended for more than 40 years in Giverny, France until his death in 1926. Here, he created some of his most beloved works such as the water lily and the poplars series of paintings. Ms. Chiarchiaro’s website Seeing History clearly demonstrates her depth of expertise in art history.
Other news and reminders:
- From Kathryn J: Since I doubt any of you are too eager to trek over the snow drifts for cuttings, how about bringing a small house plant, carefully wrapped to guard against frostbite, to the meeting this month? If you know the cultivar, please identify it. If you are unsure, bring one anyway perhaps we can identify it. Keep it small, no need for wheelbarrels or dollies. Looking at anything green right now is a bonus for all of us.
- For our next fundraising event on May 9, the yard/bake/plant sale, Design chair Lee C would like members to save small containers such as decorative cups and saucers. These will be filled with small flowering plants for Mother’s Day, which happens to be the day after the sale! Genius.
Our January program on bees and other pollinators was excellent. Dianne Richards, current president of Seacoast Beekeepers Association, gave us an information-packed presentation on the critical role pollinators play in the reproduction of a large share of our food. Pollinators also promote plant diversity which stabilizes soil and regulates water systems. One small way that we can help is to observe “No Mow May” in our yards each year and learn to live with dandelions! Or, start your own pollinator garden with nectar and pollen sources and a diversity of plants, especially natives.
We also had a very interesting talk by Environment and Conservation member Ellen J on mullein (Verbascum thapsus). A pioneer plant, mullein will grow where most plants don’t due to poor soil, drought and similar inhospitable conditions. It turns out that this biennial “weed” has a lot going for it. Its flowers are visited by many pollinators and it has been used for everything from a respiratory aid to a candle when dried. When I come across them in my yard this year I will welcome them!
Programs of Interest
February 11 | 7:00 – 8:30pm Basil Camu, Author, From Wasteland to Wonder: Easy Ways We Can Help Heal Earth in the Sub/Urban Landscape. The way we currently manage our suburban and urban landscapes is creating an ecological wasteland. Fortunately, we have an alternative path: by working with natural systems instead of against them, we have the power to help Earth heal.
Where: ONLINE via Zoom Fee: Free REGISTER
February 15 l 1-4 pm Seed Workshops: Prepare for Spring! A joint venture of Seacoast Permaculture, Strawbery Banke Museum and Slow Food. Held at Tuckaway Farm, 4 Captain Smith Emerson Road, Lee, NH. Join other volunteers to learn how to process, inventory, package and label seeds to be offered to the public at no charge. REGISTER
March 6 l 10am – 2 pm Community Plant Swap. North Hampton Public Library and Cultural Center, 239 Atlantic Avenue, North Hampton, NH. Potted house plants (no more than 8″ in diameter) and rooted cuttings will be offered without charge. If you wish to donate plants, drop off at the library on March 4 or 5. Please bring healthy and pest-free plants only. REGISTER
In addition, there are two Farmers’ Markets at Wentworth Greenhouses (Feb 7 and 21, 10-1), in Rollinsford – a lovely drive and bonus – good local food and lovely plants and gifts to see. Thanks to Kathryn J for the tip.
Edited by Connie A.
Thanks to photograpers Ann H. and LuAnn F.