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Happy Fourth of July!

Spring 2013

Welcome to a New Season 

As we begin a new Garden Club season, I am looking forward to the plantings in the town and the village, the plant sale and all of the interesting programs planned for our meetings.

 I always keep in mind that all of the above is realized by the hard work, camaraderie and dedication of our members.  You are the Garden Club and you are what make our town and village a special place to live.  

Let’s all have a good year and enjoy our gardens and the Garden Club.  

Jayne Petersen

Cornwall Garden Club President

Spring Luncheon 

Our annual Spring Luncheon and Installation of Officers for the upcoming year took place at the Powelton Club on March 23.  The afternoons’ activities centered on “Renewing Friendships and Gardens” and began with a social hour with passed hors d’oeuvres followed by a delicious lunch.   

Many thanks from all to Elizabeth Heath and Tara Hoffmann, co-chairs for the day’s events.  It was a wonderful day.   

Our business meeting included the installation of officers for 2013.  Although she could not attend the event, incoming president Jayne Petersen was with us in spirit during the ceremony conducted by Ellie Loughlin and Dianne Schliphack, co-chairs of District X, Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, Inc.  The officers for 2013 are as follows:  President, Jayne Petersen; First Vice Presidents, Rita Chase and Marie-Elise Peterson, Second Vice Presidents, Beverly Abraham and Marge Krupa; Third Vice Presidents, Rachel McKible and Sally Ryan; Recording Secretary, Susan Olsen; Corresponding Secretary, Andrea Hamburger; and Treasurer Arlene DeSocio. 

 

Outgoing president Margaret Vatter announced that Ann Bloom has been named in the Federated Garden Clubs of New York State Book of Recognition for her outstanding contributions at the local, district and state levels.  We are proud to have Ann as a member of our club and benefit so much from her garden club knowledge.   

Elizabeth Congelli and Linda Parrella were welcomed into the club.  We look forward to having them as members. 

 

Club members provided the table centerpieces with a “Spring Is Here” theme with the requirement to use a basket and incorporate boxwood in the exhibit.  As ever, the designs demonstrated the creativity and artistic talent of our club members. 

 

The 2013 Cornwall Garden Club yearbook was distributed to those attending.  All were delighted to see the interesting series of programs that Rachel and her program committee have planned for us.  We certainly have another great series of gardening activities to look forward to this year. 

 

 

Annual Plant Sale 

Plans are well underway for our annual Plant Sale on Saturday, May 11.  We are looking forward to a day filled with community spirit and fellowship.  Please remember to bring your Members’ Plants and Baked Goods.  Donations for the Silent Auction and Grandma’s Attic would be greatly appreciated.  

 

Remember volunteers are needed for the Friday, May 10, plant delivery.  We will meet at the Homestead at11:45 a.m.  Spouses and friends are most welcome to come and lend a hand. 

 

After the plant sale, come celebrate at our post plant sale pizza party at Beverly Abraham’s house.  We will collect $5 per person to cover the cost of the pizzas.  If you can, bring an appetizer, salad or dessert; and, if you like….perhaps a bottle of wine.  

Arbor Day

This year’s Cornwall Garden Club Arbor Day observance will take place on April 26 at 4 p.m. at the Sands Ring Homestead.  Arbor Day is traditionally held on the last Friday in April.  The first Arbor Day was held in Nebraska in 1872.  The day is meant as a special time each year dedicated to tree planting. 

This year we will plant a tree at the Homestead to help replace the trees there that have recently died or been destroyed by one of our many devastating storms.  Many trees in the area met similar fates in the past few months, and spring is an excellent time for replacing them.  Go plant a tree!

 

 Scholarships

Each spring, the Cornwall Garden Club sponsors two scholarships.  All club members are asked to encourage potential candidates to submit applications for consideration.

 

Our scholarship for a graduating senior from Cornwall Central High School is for $1,000.  The award goes to a student who plans to major in Environmental Science, Landscaping, Landscape Architecture, Horticulture, Botany, Forestry or State Parks and Recreation. 

 

Younger students can apply for our Hudson Highlands Nature Museum award of $350 per year that funds attendance at summer Eco Ranger Camp.  

Sally Ryan, Linda Parrella and Marie-Elise Pearson can provide applications specifics.  

Impatiens Lovers Take Heed

Consider avoiding Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) altogether in your garden this summer.  In many regions of the United States (including Cornwall), plants were struck by a widespread blight in 2012 causing them to drop their leaves and die.  

Plasmopara obducens is a fungus-like pathogen that causes this downy mildew disease.  In past years the disease was limited to small areas.  But, in 2012 weather conditions made downy mildew more widespread in areas of the country with plenty of cool, rainy weather during the growing season causing the impatiens plants to lose their leaves and die.  Spores are produced on the under-surfaces of the leaves and spread by air currents.  

 

Infected plants appear normal for at least a week after infection.  Thus the disease can begin to spread before symptoms announce its arrival.  Symptoms include yellowing, curling leaves with grayish fuzz on their undersides.  As the disease progresses, leaves and flowers wither, then drop off the stems.  The good news is that this downy mildew is specific to bedding impatiens, so it does not affect other plants.  The bad news is it spreads easily, is difficult to control once infection occurs and is likely to overwinter in the soil causing problems the following year. 

Instead of planting impatiens consider plant alternatives such as begonias (above), coleus, polka dot plant, torenia, fuchsia or caladiums to add color to shady spots.  New Guinea impatiens (I. Hawkeri), also resistant to downy mildew, is another option. 

Article courtesy of the Ingomar Garden Club, Wexford, Pennsylvania:

Growing Leaf Lettuce 

One of easiest and most worthwhile vegetables in the spring garden is leaf lettuce, and now is the time to plant it.  Lettuce grows best in cool weather and will fade in the hot days of July. 

 

A small bed, planting box or even a few pots is all that is needed to grow enough for a daily salad.  Leaf lettuce seed is inexpensive and readily available at our local garden supply stores.  Adams has a great selection such as heirloom Black Seeded Simpson, Prize Leaf, Green Ice and Red Sails.  Plant a variety for an interesting mix in your salad bowl. 

Open Days Program 

Since 1995, the Garden Conservancy has sponsored the “Open Days” program that enables the public to view some of America’s finest private gardens.  The program includes gardens across the country with many beautiful properties in the Hudson Valley participating.  For example, on May 5 several gardens in Dutchess and Westchester Counties will be open. 

 The visits are scheduled from early spring through the fall and are usually on the weekend.  An admission fee of $5 per person is collected.  The tours are self guided and take place rain or shine.  A list of gardens and when they are open can be found at the Garden Conservancy’s website at http://www.gardenconservancy.org/opendays/open-days-schedule. 

 

Photo courtesy of Abby Jane Brody, East Hampton, N.Y. 

Upcoming Events

Mark your calendar for the following upcoming events. 

 April 26 – Arbor Day Ceremony.  Sands Ring Homestead at 4 p.m.

 
May 10- Annual Plant Sale Setup.  Volunteers should come to the Sands Ring Homestead at 11:45 a.m. to help unload the plant delivery trucks and place the plants in the house.  Gardening gloves recommended.


May 11 – Annual Plant Sale.  All members are expected to participate from 7 a.m. – 2 p.m.  Celebrate that evening at the post plant sale party at Beverly Abraham’s house. 

June 2 – 8 – National Garden Week

June 6 – June meeting “The Art of Garden Photography” with Tom Doyle at 6 p.m. at the Cornwall Presbyterian Church. 

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*****Winter 2013*****

Winter Wonders

Is there anything more interesting than watching a hungry squirrel dig for food in the snow on a winter's day?  To tunnel so deep that it looks like a mound of snow has suddenly come to life.  Or to watch as the birds, that have decided to stay the winter, peck, peck, peck through the snow for buried seeds.  

 

I am thrilled as I spot a cardinal at the feeder.  I know that if I am patient enough, I will be graced with the presence of her mate.  They seem to know that their coloring makes them stand out.  Most often, I will catch them at the feeders at dusk.  Blue jays bully their way through the smaller birds, snatching a few sunflower seeds as the fly off to a nearby tree.  They try to chase away any other jays nearby, then settle down to wait.  It seems they enjoy waiting for a crowd to gather so they can push their way through again.

I am bundled up against the cold, sitting on a stool outside after just putting out the food for my feathered friends.  I sit and watch and listen.  It does not take long before birds flutter by to look me over.  They call to each other and the squirrels chatter, telling those in hiding that it's okay to come out.  Perhaps they recognize me now.  I try to mimic the bird sounds.  They must think me some very large bird with a defective call.  I'm sure they find me strange. 

My goal this winter is to get one of them to eat from my hand. I'm not particular at this point as to which gets there first. I have quite a selection that come to feed and any one of them would be a thrill.  The black capped chickadees and the goldfinch seem to be the bravest, or perhaps the hungriest.  They have already come within two feet of me when I am putting out food.  They chatter as if to say, "What took you so long?"

The sunflower seeds I've grown and the thistle and weed seeds I have gathered this autumn are long gone.  Any seeds from plants grown in the garden are long gone.  I watch squirrels, who have already eaten their fill, try desperately to drag whole ears of dried corn home for dinner or perhaps a midnight snack.  What do you think it is they say to the Mrs. when they bring home such a prize? 

Snow continues to fall and has covered the seed I have thrown on the ground.  Mourning doves and other ground feeders are reluctant to search for seed with me so near.  I decide to leave them to feed in peace.  Perhaps later, or maybe tomorrow, one of these creatures will realize I mean them no harm and will eat from my hand. 

 

Diann Metzkow

Recent Meetings

   October Meeting

  Noted landscape designer Jan Johnsen spoke about the secrets of making a garden of serenity at our  October meeting held at St. John’s Episcopal Church. 

 

Jan’s presentation, “Romancing the Garden:  How to Create Sanctuary and Delight in the Garden,” was made possible by a grant from District X, Federated Garden Clubs of New York State.  

 

Jan showed us numerous gorgeous photographs of her work, and she provided us with some basic principles to use in our own gardens.  Her talk inspired us to create our own special places of relaxation and rejuvenation and to turn basic backyards into gardens that enrich and enhance health and well being.  Spring planting this year will definitely include her ideas.   

 

Exhibits for the meeting were underwater designs with the theme of “Serenity.”  Central Atlantic Region Director Jeanne Nelson provided comment on the designs. 

 

 

November Meeting

 

Our November meeting, held at the Cornwall Presbyterian Church, was our annual hands on workshop. 

This year we made candlestick toppers.  Club members created beautiful designs using greenery and dried plant material. 

 Thanks to Bette Farrow who set up the meeting and provided the materials and to our instructors Amy Lawless and Tara Hoffmann.  Our homes had an extra boost of holiday cheer thanks to their efforts. 

 

 

 

 

 

Holiday Gathering

 

Club members and guests met for a holiday gathering at the Mountainville Manor on Dec. 2.  After the cocktail hour, all enjoyed a delicious buffet dinner.  Musical entertainment and dancing added to the festive atmosphere. 

 

 

 

A brief business meeting that included the election of officers for the upcoming year was held.  Officers elected are as follows:  Jayne Petersen, President; Rita Chase and Marie-Elise Pearson, First Vice Presidents; Beverly Abraham and Marjorie Krupa, Second Vice Presidents; Rachel McKible and Sally Ryan, Third Vice Presidents, Susan Olsen, Recording Secretary; Andrea Hamburger, Corresponding Secretary; and Arlene DeSocio, Treasurer. 

 

Holiday inspired centerpieces that incorporated long needled pine were the exhibits for the evening and provided lovely table décor. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

District X

District X Luncheon 

 

District X, Federated Garden Clubs of New York State, Inc., held a Fall Luncheon and Fashion Show on Oct. 10 at the Fountains, Wallkill Golf Club. Our own Rita Chase and Margaret Vatter were among those modeling clothes from The Style Counsel in Warwick.  

The Cornwall Garden Club was presented with an honorable mention award for our yearbook.  Congratulations to Marge Krupa and the 2012 program committee.   

 

Annual Plant Sale

This year our annual Plant Sale will take place on Saturday, May 11, and it’s not too early to start looking to see how you can help.  How about thinking about what you might be able to donate for the Silent Auction?  Grandma’s Attic will also need your donations.  Chic Kennedy, chair for Grandma’s Attic, said she will collect items at the April meeting.  Chic said donations should be gently used – clean and unbroken.  Spring and summer clothing is welcome as long as it is good condition.   

Now would be a great time to test out a new recipe for your contribution to the Baked Goods table.  You might even be able to find an inexpensive decorative plate at the thrift shop or a yard sale to place it on. 

Plant Sale co-chairs Ilene Osinski and Andrea Hamburger are looking for a volunteer to organize and host our celebratory Saturday evening pizza party that follows the Plant Sale.  Please contact Ilene or Andrea if you are interested. 

Remember volunteers are needed for the Friday, May 10, plant delivery.  We will meet at the Homestead at noon.  Spouses and friends are most welcome to come and lend a hand.   

And, of course, if you cannot attend the Plant Sale please let Ilene or Andrea know as soon as possible.  Going to your daughter’s wedding is an acceptable excuse for not attending; needing to wash your hair isn’t!