The Hawthorn

The Hawthorn
Summer 2011
Kitchen Tour 2011 on Wednesday, August 3
Mark your calendars, call your friends, and order your advance tickets for the 2011 Merryspring Kitchen Tour on Wednesday, August 3. This years Tour showcases innovative kitchen design and innovative cuisine that you wont want to miss. And because the Kitchen Tour is Merrysprings major fundraiser of the year, your ticket purchase supports the park year round. Once again, we are delighted that EBS Style Solutions, Camden and Rockland, is our generous Sponsor. The Tour goes from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., with seven kitchens open to welcome you, and a total of 14 local chefs preparing delicacies for you to sample (see page 7). As an extra treat, there will be a special tasting of artisan oils and vinegars at the EBS Showroom in Camden. Tickets purchased in advance are $25 (non-refundable), and tickets purchased on the day of the Tour are $30. You may visit any individual kitchen for $10. Advance tickets will be available from Tuesday, July 19 through Tuesday, August 2 at Merryspring and these locations: Belfast: The Good Table; Lincolnville: Dots Market; Camden: Surroundings, Party Fundamentals, Stonewall Kitchen; Rockport: The Market Basket; Rockland: Atlantic Baking Company; Waldoboro: The Well Tempered Kitchen. You may order advance tickets by email at info@merryspring.org or by calling 236-2239. Tickets will be held at Merryspring for pick-up the day of the tour. Tickets will be available on the day of the Tour ($30) at Merryspring Nature Center and all kitchens (except EBS) on the Tour. Generous contributions from Supporters of the Kitchen Tour, many of whom have their excellent services and products on display in the kitchens, are an invaluable source of support for Merryspring. For a complete list of the 2011 Tour Supporters, see page 7.
Part of the Tour, this new kitchen includes a brick pizza oven among its many stylish features.

Free Movie Nights at Merryspring

Merryspring Nature Center presented a screening of the film Oil + Water on Tuesday July 19 as the second film in its new series of free monthly movies in the Ross Center. In Oil + Water, Seth Warren and Tyler Brandt are two unlikely friends who shared a passion for kayaking and sustainable living practices. They combined these two passions by driving over 21,000 miles down the Pan-American Highway in a retro-fitted biodiesel fire-truck, making stops on the way to partake in premium white water kayaking. This entertaining film followed them on their journey and displayed not only their desire to live sustainably, but their hope of passing on that desire to the world. The next film in this series will be Living Downstream, a documentary about ecologist and cancer survivor Sandra Steingraber, which will be shown of Tuesday, August 16. That will be followed by the family-oriented Disneynature film Oceans on Tuesday, September 13 and Dirt! The Movie on Tuesday, October 11. All of these films coincide with Merrysprings mission to promote conservation and sustainable practices. Admission is free, but donations are appreciated. Popcorn and drinks are provided by Merryspring. Seating is limited, so plan to arrive early.

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Merryspring Nature Center

P.O. Box 893, Camden, ME 04843 Tel: (207) 236-2239 Fax: (207) 230-0663 Email: info@merryspring.org www.merryspring.org

Inside this issue:

Kitchen Tour Movies at Merryspring Presidents Message Wish List Childrens Garden Dog Day Afternoon Education Calendar Caring for Your Garden Plant Sale Thank You Kitchen Tour Information 1 1 2 2 3 4 5 6 6 7 8

Mission Statement
Merrysprings mission is to practice, teach, and advocate sound principles of ecology, conservation, and horticulture in order to protect our natural environment and to provide natural landscapes and cultivated areas for public enjoyment.

Gail Sutton gives our new tractor/mower a test ride.

Reciprocal Benefits

Hours of Operation
The park is open free of charge from dawn to dusk every day of the year. Our offices and library are open Tuesday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., or by appointment.

Presidents Message

Wish List
Mason jars (with lids) quart size would be best Condiment cups for sampling teas and goodies Extension ladder (16 or 24) for greenhouse Sawzall for cutting metal Small power washer for cleaning hexagon, etc. Bark mulch (3-6 yards) for gardens Small copier for downstairs office Colored foil (blue, green, red, silver, or gold) for potted plants

Lots of New Things Happening at Your Nature Center

By Ray Andresen If you havent visited Merryspring in a while, let me bring you up to speed on some new and exciting things happening at your Nature Center. As you saw on the first page, we are now showing nature-related movies at Merryspring. Our first show in June was a bee-rated movie, Queen of the Sun: What are the Bees Telling Us? and it drew a swarm of interested viewers. Our plan is to present a free movie a month through the summer and fall. On the next page is an article about our Childrens Garden, which has been revived by Sarah Lambson, our AmeriCorps Environmental Educator. She has creatively turned it into a special corner of Merryspring for the next generation of gardeners. Our popular Tuesday Talk Series isnt new, but its growing. We have expanded the number and variety of lectures being offered this year, and weve even held one on a Sunday night (cougars) and another on a Wednesday (perennial gardens). Our membership is growing, too. We have added 75 new members during the first half of 2011, which brings our current membership up to 560 individuals, families, and businesses. And, finally, we have acquired new window shades for the Ross Center, which enhances the viewing of daytime programs in the building, and thanks to a generous contribution from one of our members we have purchased a new tractor/mower to help keep the grounds looking their best.

Membership Fees
Individual Family Merry Dog Business $35 $50 $35 $50-100

Keeping in Touch
You can sign up for our eUpdates at www.merryspring.org to receive the latest news on programs and events. Or you can visit Merrysprings Facebook page, where you can check on the upcoming schedule. Go to http://www.tinyurl.com/merryspring -facebook/.

Board of Trustees
Ray Andresen, President Kathleen Kull, Vice President Richard Ailes, Treasurer Frank Callanan, Secretary Rebecca Clapp Susan Dorr Cynthia Dunham Joanne Fagerburg Glenn Jenks Susan Shaw Matthew Speno Carol Woodbury-Witham

How to Leave a Lasting Legacy at Merryspring

Merryspring has a permanent Endowment Fund to ensure that future generations will continue to enjoy the wonders of nature being exhibited and taught at your Nature Center. If you would like to consider making a bequest that will increase this fund, please consult your personal financial and legal advisors on what method or methods will be in your best interest and will fulfill your wishes. For more information about Merrysprings endowment fund, please call us at (207) 236-2239. or email info@merryspring.org.

Staff
Toni Goodridge, Administrative Mgr. Gail Sutton, Buildings/Grounds Mgr. Charles Gifford, Maintenance Asst.

AmeriCorps Environmental Educator

Sarah Lambson
2011All Rights Reserved

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Recreating the Childrens Garden

By Sarah Lambson My mother is a gardener. She has been most of her life. My childhood is filled with memories of zinnias, tall and bursting with red, yellow, orange, and pink. The sweet smell of lilacs in the spring and honeysuckle in the summer. Flowers, trees, and shrubs abounded as, each year, she added a little here and a little there. The yard slowly took shape into the garden sanctuary it is now. My whole life I enjoyed the benefits of all her work without raising much of a finger to help. Occasionally I would help pick beans. If there was proper incentive, I could be talked into pulling up dandelions. I regret now that I never took a real interest in something that my mother is so passionate about. Gardening was just something she did that I never understood. Until now. One of Merrysprings goals this year was to see the childrens garden put to better use. The task fell to me. All winter I pored through Sharon Lovejoys books on childrens gardens. Visions of charming little pizza and butterfly gardens got me through the cold, snowy months. I couldnt WAIT to get stated. In February, I attended a workshop on the University of Maines Kids Can Grow program: an interactive raised-bed gardening program. It wasnt like Sharon Lovejoy (all container gardens and beds with charming themes); but when I understood the immense benefit Kids Can Grow could have on children and their families, I was immediately on board. For the next few months I did all the planning necessary to prepare Merryspring to hold a Kids Can Grow program. Unfortunately, only two kids signed up. I was disappointed. But, suddenly, that little bit of land at the edge of the gardens became my blank canvas. All the ideas I had entertained during the winter flooded back. I was like a kid in a candy store! After another month of planning and some hard manual labor, the garden I must say is looking fabulous. We have three raised beds. One is a pizza garden with tomatoes, peppers, eggplant, zucchini, and herbs. Another is a medicine and herb garden with things like lemon balm, chamomile, sage, and lavender. The last is a small box of parsley and a variety of greens. We have a potato barrel, radishes and carrots growing in boots, beans climbing up the teepee, and corn and sunflowers starting to reach to the sky. And best of all, there is now a butterfly-shaped pollinator garden with many kinds of flowers hand-picked to attract a diverse group of pollinating insects. In one corner are pumpkins, in another a village of buried pots for toads to take shelter. As each new flower blooms and each green tomato appears on the vine, I feel a rush of joy. Why had no one told me how magical tending a garden could be? I dont know if everything will turn out the way I hope,
(continued on page 4)

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but I could not have asked for a better classroom than my own bit of land. As much as I am enjoying it, this garden isnt for me. Its for the children. The whole point of having this garden was to hold programs in it and encourage parents to bring their kids to Merryspring to enjoy all the beautiful growing things. And so, since the beginning of June, Merryspring has held a childrens gardening program on Wednesday afternoons. Each week we learn something new about the garden and the important things it needs to keep growing beautifully. Weve talked about seeds, plant parts, and the importance of water. We had a garden field day with face painting and games. Each program is filled with fun and interactive activities and crafts that help cement the concepts into the minds of the children. And we spend a little time each week watering and weeding and planting new things. Nothing brings me more joy than to dig in the dirt with these kids and see their faces light up as we play together and have a magnificent time. There really is a kind of magic to be found in the earth that most of us hardly notice or recognize. Getting these kids outdoors and steeping them in this magic is immensely rewarding. In the coming weeks, we will have a garden picnic/tea party, learn about composting, make our own worm jars, and do nature journaling. Each week is a new and wonderful experience.

Dog Day Afternoon

Photos by Marti Stone
Some of our furry four-legged friends who enjoy walks at Merryspring posed for their pictures during a special Dog Day at the Nature Center.

Merryspring Available for Weddings, Receptions, Meetings

If you or someone you know is looking for the perfect spot for an outdoor wedding or a private meeting space, why not consider Merryspring Nature Center. Each year several weddings, receptions, and meetings take place at Merryspring. Conveniently located yet away from the noise and bustle of the towns of Camden and Rockport, Merryspring offers stunning gardens and an outdoor hexagon perfect for small ceremonies. A well-tended lawn bordered by flower beds filled with spectacular color from June through September will accommodate a tent for up to 200 guests. Adjacent to the gardens, a small conference room in the Ross Center can accommodate up to 50 people for a private meeting or conference. Guests can relax on the deck overlooking the gardens, and a small kitchen is available to keep refreshments warm or cool. Rates are reasonable and there is plenty of availability with advance notice. For more information or to reserve space at Merryspring, please call 236-2239, send an email to info@merryspring.org, or click the weddings tab on our website at www.merryspring.org.

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Summer-Fall 2011 Education Calendar

SUMMER TALKS
Noon on Tuesdays; bring a bag lunch. Members & Children Free, Others $5 July 26 August 2 August 9 August 16 August 23 August 30 September 6 October 4 GeraniumsCindy Tibbetts, Hummingbird Farm Tending the Perennial Garden IIIWendy Andresen CompostingMark Hutchinson, UMaine Extension Natures Tea PartySarah Lambson, Environmental Educator GladiolasPaul Cates, Cates Family Glads OrchidsRobert Cleveland, Maine Orchid Society Tending the Perennial Garden IVWendy Andresen Tending the Perennial Garden VWendy Andresen and Sponsored by

Some dates may be subject to change, and additional workshops and field trips will be added. Be sure to check our website www.merryspring.org for the latest postings. If youd like to be sent news of new programs and reminders of upcoming events, send your name and email address to info@merryspring.org . We will never share or sell your email address.

FREE PUBLIC EVENTS

Daylily Dayco-sponsored by Maine Daylily Society: Sunday, July 24, 9 a.m. to 12 noon. View the Maine Daylily Societys spectacular demonstration garden at its peak; learn about daylily breeding and propagation, daylily foods, and more.

All-Hallows Eve Enchanted Forestco-sponsored by Ashwood Waldorf School: Sunday, October 31, sunset.
A chance for wee sprites and goblins to be guided through a jack-o-lantern wood filled with fairytale vignettes and to enjoy twilight refreshments in the garden.

FREE FAMILY PROGRAMS

Sponsored by Children must be accompanied by an adult. In case of rain, please check for cancellation.

OUTDOOR ADVENTURES Geocaching Festival: Sunday, August 21, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Whether you are new to Geocaching or an experienced trekker,
this event is sure to please. Visit Merryspring to participate in a mystery trek, to get advice about equipment, and to learn more about this fun family sport.

Fort Building & Fairy Houses: Sunday, September 11, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Fall is a great time to spend some time in the woods.
Come and build your own secret fortress in the forest or construct a tiny home for forest dwellers. Merryspring will supply building tips and supplies; you supply the creativity.

NATURE EXPLORERS Bug Safari: Sunday, July 24, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. There is a whole world of activity in the soil and air around us a bugs world!
We will make our own bug-collecting devices, then travel through the gardens and forest to search for insects of all shapes and sizes.

Herbariums: Sunday, August 28, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Creating an herbarium is a great way to learn to identify plants. Join us to
make your own plant press and learn how to preserve flowers and plants to use in a nature journal or start your own herbarium.

Tree Identification: Sunday, September 25, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Trees provide us with food, warmth, shelter, shade and so
much more! Come meet the trees in Merrysprings forest and learn how to identify some of Maines common varieties.

WORKSHOPS & CLASSES

Mushrooming with Greg Marley: Sunday, August 14 and September 11, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Acquire the skills to identify and
collect common mushrooms of the Maine woods with a noted mycologist.

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Caring for Your Garden

By Wendy Andresen A garden is a process, not a product. Your garden requires ongoing care in order to thrive and to look its best. You will need to spend some time and money in nurturing it. Incorrect watering is one of the main causes of plant failure. Plants may wilt during a hot day, but if they perk up after the sun is off them, they probably do not need watering. Excessive watering during cool, wet weather can cause plants to rot and die, just as surely as inadequate watering during hot weather can cause them to perish. Watering Here are some general guidelines for watering new plants: Water them daily (in hot weather) or every other day (in cool weather) for the first week after they're planted. Water them every other day for the second week. Water them twice a week for the next 2 weeks. Water them deeply once a week for the rest of the growing season. A light spray from a high-pressure garden hose nozzle is not sufficient. The soil must be soaked to a depth of at least 6 inches. Roots want to go where the soil is moist, and plants that receive shallow watering never develop a deep root system that sustains them during dry weather. A soft-spray wand, soaker hoses, and sprinklers are good tools for watering deeply. Automatic lawn sprinkler systems usually do not supply enough water all at once and do not soak deeply enough. Fertilizer and Mulch Use only organic fertilizers. Chemical fertilizers are quickly leached from the soil, cause lank growth, and do not improve soil quality. Add an inch or two of organic material to the soil during the year. Mulch such as cocoa hulls or shredded pine bark adds organic matter, keeps the soil moist and cool, supplies nutrients, and deters weeds. Do not use chunky bark mulch in flower beds. It is inappropriate and does not decompose adequately. Weeding and Deadheading Gardens should be kept free of weeds, and spent flowers should be removed (that's called dead-heading) to encourage plants to continue blooming, keep the garden looking neat, and conserve a plant's energy. Special methods of pinching or cutting back plants can prolong their bloom time and shape their growth (see The Well-Tended Perennial Garden, by Tracy DiSabato-Aust). Avoid spraying with insecticides unless a plant's life is threatened. Insects are a part of nature, and strong sprays can harm plants as well as birds and beneficial insects. A garden is more than just a collection of plants; it is also a haven and a sanctuary.
Wendy Andresens Tending the Perennial Garden demonstrations are popular among gardening enthusiasts.

Tetanus and You

Tetanus has a 50% mortality worldwide. Death due to tetanus is rare in the U.S., although afflicted individuals may have to be hospitalized and placed on a respirator. Clostridium tetani, the bacterium that causes tetanus, is present in the soil everywhere. The myth about rusty nails causing tetanus started because C. tetani is prevalent in barnyards where old nails are often found. The bacteria may enter the body through any break in the skin, such as a cut or scrape, not just a puncture wound. If you have not had a tetanus booster in the past 10 years, you are at risk for contracting tetanus. The good news is that the new tetanus booster also protects you against whooping cough, which has recently seen a resurgence in small children as a result of waning immunity in the older population. Please make an appointment to update all your vaccinations.

Annual Plant Sale Another Success

Over the years our annual Plant Sale in May has become a much-anticipated sign of spring for local gardeners, and this year was no exception. A bouquet of delightful weather, precious plants, and unbeatable prices drew another large, crowd of Merryspring members and friends, who enjoyed picking through our selection of hardy perennials, vegetable seedlings, herbs, shrubs, and other items. A major fundraiser for Merryspring, the two-day Plant Sale would not be possible without the generous support of our volunteers and local businesses. Gail Sutton, Susan Dorr and Glenn Jenks co-chaired the event, and dozens of volunteers contributed their time, plants, and expertise to make it a success. In addition, a wonderful assortment of plants were provided by Plants Unlimited, Green Thumb, Endless Summer Flower Farm, and Fernwood Nursery. If you missed the Plant Sale in May, you can still find some wonderful additions to your garden and support Merryspring by checking out the plants still available by our greenhouse or the stand outside Cappys Bakery.

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Kitchen Tour Information

This years gracious hosts and talented chefs are:

1 Christine Kenna, 50 John Street, Camden CHEF (10:00 AM to 12:30 PM): Paolinas Way, Camden CHEF (12:30 PM to 3:00 PM): EJs Restaurant, Rockport Door prize at this stop - win a basket of fine Maine-made chocolates! 2 Joyce Tenneson, 69 Pascal Avenue, Rockport CHEF (10:00 AM to 12:30 PM): Primo, Rockland CHEF (12:30 PM to 3:00 PM): Old World Potato Company, Camden 3 Harrah Lord, 105 Russell Avenue, Rockport CHEF (10:00 AM to 12:30 PM): Amalfi on the Water, Rockland CHEF (12:30 PM to 3:00 PM): The Market Basket, Rockport 4 Ron Kurzius, 6 Greenfield Street, Camden CHEF (10:00 AM to 12:30 PM): Prism Restaurant & Gallery, Rockport CHEF (12:30 PM to 3:00 PM): French & Brawn Catering, Camden 5 Susan Hoguet, 8 Pleasant Street, Camden CHEF (10:00 AM to 12:30 PM): Laura Cabot Catering, Waldoboro CHEF (12:30 PM to 3:00 PM): Cappys Chowder House, Camden 6 Diana & Bob Falciani, 93 Belfast Road, Camden CHEF (10:00 AM to 12:30 PM): 40 Paper, Camden CHEF (12:30 PM to 3:00 PM): Darbys Restaurant & Pub, Belfast 7 Bettina Douton, Cellardoor Winery, 367 Youngtown Road, Lincolnville CHEF (10:00 AM to 3:00 PM): Megunticook Market, Camden Special Tasting at EBS Style Solutions model kitchen, 58 Limerock Street, Camden. CHEF (10 AM to 2 PM): FIORE Artisan Oils & Vinegars, Rockland. Raffle at this stopwin dinner at Francine Bistro, Camden, or Shepherds Pie, Rockport!

Kitchen Tour Supporters

Generous contributions from Supporters of the Kitchen Tour, many of whom have their excellent services and products on display in the kitchens, are an invaluable source of support for Merryspring. Please help us thank these supporters with your patronage.
FRIENDS OF THE TOUR *Francine Bistro David E. Olivas, DDS *Optimum Performance Party Fundamentals *Shepherds Pie APPLIANCES Agren Appliance & Television Gedimans Appliance Kelseys Appliance Village ARCHITECTS & ENGINEERS Beckstrom Architecture & Planning *Bernhard & Priestley Architecture Gartley & Dorsky Engineering & Surveying, Inc. John Gillespie, Architect Christopher Glass, Architect Peter T. Gross Architects L & L Structural Engineering Services *Dominic Paul Mercadante Architecture John Morris, Architects Scholz & Barclay Architecture Silverio Architecture & Design *John Spadola, Architect BUILDERS *Cold Mountain Builders, Inc. Darryl DelPonte Elwell Construction, Inc. Fine Home Construction Phi Home Design CABINETS Cornerstone Kitchens Crestwood Kitchens & Bath Design Crown Point Cabinetry *Dream Kitchen Studio by Mathews Brothers A.W. Mende Custom Woodworking DESIGN & DECORATING *Chatfield Design New View Interiors ELECTRICAL & MECHANICAL Jims Burner Service Inc. FINISHES & MASONRY Animal Tile Works Benton Hardwood Lumber Ashley Curtis Painting Distinctive Tile & Design Irv's Drywall Morningstar Marble and Granite Northport Bath & Maine Shower Door *A.E. Sampson & Son, Ltd. Smith & May, Inc. Hearth & Patio Showroom StoneCraft Iconic Concrete Viking Lumber, Inc. LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE & DESIGN Jake Barbour Inc. *Lee Schneller Fine Gardens *Treekeepers LLC/Johnsons Arboriculture SPECIAL APPOINTMENTS 17-90 Lighting Showroom Barnes Custom Window Treatments Lyn Donovan Murals Dowling Walsh Gallery Lighting Concepts Maine Entertainment Rockport Steel The Good Table The Store The Well Tempered Kitchen Treasure & Trash Barn Windsor Chairmakers

*Thank you very much for your extra support.

P.O. Box 893 Camden, ME 04843

A Reminder to Merryspring Members

Every member of Merryspring can benefit from the American Horticulture Society's Reciprocal Admissions Program (RAP). If you travel and enjoy visiting botanical gardens, arboreta or conservatories, the RAP includes more than 270 organizations in 45 states, plus Canada, the Cayman Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The most up-to-date list of participating gardens can be found on the American Horticulture Society's website in its online directory. To download a quick reference list of all participating gardens, click here. If you plan to visit any of the participating gardens, including the Coastal Maine Botanical Gardens in Boothbay, remember to take along your Merryspring membership card for free admittance. If you would like to become a Merryspring member, or have misplaced your membership card, please contact the office at 236-2239 for assistance.

Phoebes have taken to this protected corner of the Ross Center porch, each year re-building their nest and hatching a family or two. We welcome these amazing (and cute) little insect control units, compliments of Mother Nature.